Karazillya
Small island off the coast of the Forest of Lorai and historically under direct control of the elven kingdom of Loraillyria. Recently in 850 otT, an expedition led by both Monastery Lonepeak and men employed by Major Theodore Breeze has established an encampment in the island, to both study the residues of arcane elven magic and retrieve artifacts of their lost civilization.
In the 9th month of 850 otT, members of this encampment located an artifact known between the few scholars expert in elven magic as a "Forest Heartdome", which the same scholars hypothesize being a magical item used by the elves to strengthen nearby arcane currents and support the growth of the regional flora. In fact, Bertha Grey, the mage from monastery lonepeak helming their side of the expedition on Karazillya, is one of the few experts in elven magic and has noted that the forest on the island is significantly denser than one could expect, and that at the same time it is made of trees as big and large as those in the explored areas of the Forest of Lorai. Moreover, the soil in Karazillya seems richer than it should be at that latitude and the temperature is warmer than the nearby areas, so much that just disembarking from the sea seems like walking on another plane.
In the 9th month of 850 otT, members of this encampment located an artifact known between the few scholars expert in elven magic as a "Forest Heartdome", which the same scholars hypothesize being a magical item used by the elves to strengthen nearby arcane currents and support the growth of the regional flora. In fact, Bertha Grey, the mage from monastery lonepeak helming their side of the expedition on Karazillya, is one of the few experts in elven magic and has noted that the forest on the island is significantly denser than one could expect, and that at the same time it is made of trees as big and large as those in the explored areas of the Forest of Lorai. Moreover, the soil in Karazillya seems richer than it should be at that latitude and the temperature is warmer than the nearby areas, so much that just disembarking from the sea seems like walking on another plane.
Geography
The island of Karazillya is located off the western coasts of the Western Continent, roughly 4 days of travel by sea south east of Toraldin. Its geography strongly resembles that of the Forest of Lorai.
Overall, it is a rather flat island entirely covered in what appears to be a temperate deciduous forest: broad-leaved trees such as ashes, oaks and maples, with bigger trees and the occasional redwoods further within the island. The center of the forest is located in the southern half of the island, and the northern coasts now have nearly one kilometer of sand between the water and the edge of the forest. The further in the forest, the denser the trees and undersbush, and the harder it is to walk.
It is estimated that 3-5 dazs are needed for a north to south travel on foot.
The sandy shores in the north are made of normal yellowish sand, while the eastern, western and southern sides of the island have high cliffs outlining the island.
On the eastern side of the island, sand deposits created sand-banks that make ship travel harder and longer than it should be, while travelling off the western coasts is riskier than the eastern because of the higher exposure to the oceanic winds.
Overall, it is a rather flat island entirely covered in what appears to be a temperate deciduous forest: broad-leaved trees such as ashes, oaks and maples, with bigger trees and the occasional redwoods further within the island. The center of the forest is located in the southern half of the island, and the northern coasts now have nearly one kilometer of sand between the water and the edge of the forest. The further in the forest, the denser the trees and undersbush, and the harder it is to walk.
It is estimated that 3-5 dazs are needed for a north to south travel on foot.
The sandy shores in the north are made of normal yellowish sand, while the eastern, western and southern sides of the island have high cliffs outlining the island.
On the eastern side of the island, sand deposits created sand-banks that make ship travel harder and longer than it should be, while travelling off the western coasts is riskier than the eastern because of the higher exposure to the oceanic winds.
Ecosystem
For its size and location, this island is unique in its vegetation. At this latitude, similarly to the Forest of Lorai, such big not-evergreen trees such not be thriving as much as they do, especially given that no source of fresh water has been (yet) seen. The coasts nearby the island show similar over-fertilization effects: coral reefs abund and several species of sea life can be seen here, but not few kilomters off the coast.
Another astonishing phenomenon happens in this island, just like in the depths of the Forest of Lorai: trees do not suffer from seasonal leaf shedding.
Another astonishing phenomenon happens in this island, just like in the depths of the Forest of Lorai: trees do not suffer from seasonal leaf shedding.
Localized Phenomena
There is a ruined elven city within the deeper part of the forest, in the southern side of the island. The entire city is made of trees whose normal growth shape was modified through arcane means to accomodate the elves. Everything from the external walls (huge trees whose trunk was modified to grow horizontally and connect with that of other trees, almost like blown glass) to the houses (trees whose trunk was made split and enlarge through magic and within which the elves would find refuge), from the fountains (small, bonsai-like trees that were made grow horizontally and were made assume a bowl like shape in which water was created) to the lights (slender trees on which a climbing plant grows and ends with big, blue flowers that open when someone is passing and release pollen, shining also light on the pollen and thus creating a sort of diffused light).
The elven houses are mostly empty. Their simple furniture, like tables, stools, chairs or shelves, are embedded in the tree that make up the house itself. Beds are usually one floor up and are depression in the floor, filled with fresh leaves and covered by a elegant silk cloth, and they are extremely comfortable even if not elastic at all. Within the houses grow flowers similar to those acting as lamposts outside, but these are smaller and their roots are embedded in the bark of the house-tree.
The closer to the main square, which is near the huge tree where the Heartdome is located, the bigger the houses and the more artisan-like workshops can be found. In some houses, two trees extremely close act one as the main house, one as a research, practice or "lab" like tower.
Some houses might have documents or arcane formulae still present, but their conservation status is not the best and they are incredibely delicate.
The elven houses are mostly empty. Their simple furniture, like tables, stools, chairs or shelves, are embedded in the tree that make up the house itself. Beds are usually one floor up and are depression in the floor, filled with fresh leaves and covered by a elegant silk cloth, and they are extremely comfortable even if not elastic at all. Within the houses grow flowers similar to those acting as lamposts outside, but these are smaller and their roots are embedded in the bark of the house-tree.
The closer to the main square, which is near the huge tree where the Heartdome is located, the bigger the houses and the more artisan-like workshops can be found. In some houses, two trees extremely close act one as the main house, one as a research, practice or "lab" like tower.
Some houses might have documents or arcane formulae still present, but their conservation status is not the best and they are incredibely delicate.
Fauna & Flora
Flora-wise, there are many broad-leafed deciduous trees apparently immune to seasonal changes and an underbush of different types of berries, medicinal or aromatic plants, several bushes and small plants as well as climbing plants of different types.
Animals can frequently be seen in the middle part of the forest, not too much close to the sand and not in the deepest part of the forest, where the elven city lies.
Herbivores are significantly more frequent than predators: deers, elks and boars can easily be spotted, and often in their giant version. The few carnivore animals present are poisonous and constrictor snakes, and near water there are saltwater crocodiles as well as other sea predators. Sharks are rarely present, but if they are it is along the eastern coast, more protected from the ocean and the cold western winds.
Another type of creature roams this island and is responsible for many of the disappearences of members of the monastery and collector's expedition: living plants.
Shambling mounds abund in the deeper part of the forest, waiting for animals to get close enough to be trapped and devoured, as well the occasional wood woads. Froves of awakened trees also often walk the mid and inner part of the island, and dryads can also appear every once in a while. Dryads are the one getting closer to the inner city.
Animals can frequently be seen in the middle part of the forest, not too much close to the sand and not in the deepest part of the forest, where the elven city lies.
Herbivores are significantly more frequent than predators: deers, elks and boars can easily be spotted, and often in their giant version. The few carnivore animals present are poisonous and constrictor snakes, and near water there are saltwater crocodiles as well as other sea predators. Sharks are rarely present, but if they are it is along the eastern coast, more protected from the ocean and the cold western winds.
Another type of creature roams this island and is responsible for many of the disappearences of members of the monastery and collector's expedition: living plants.
Shambling mounds abund in the deeper part of the forest, waiting for animals to get close enough to be trapped and devoured, as well the occasional wood woads. Froves of awakened trees also often walk the mid and inner part of the island, and dryads can also appear every once in a while. Dryads are the one getting closer to the inner city.
Comments