Eye of Qiteus

"The land was welcoming, and its inhabitants even more so. Though, at first, we were struck by a strange, unplaceable scent. The star-folk later informed us that it was magic, which was so thick and pervasive on this island that even humans like us could sense it."

This region is named for the deity Qiteus, the creator and preserver of the natural world.

Geography

The Eye of Qiteus consists of two regions: the eye itself, and the barriers surrounding it.

The Eye

When Sulvarans refer to "the Eye", often they are referring to the very center of Sulvara. The Eye is, famously, a perfect circle, which many have taken as evidence of its divine creation and purpose. It is a very flat land, and small enough that one can see across the diameter of the island from ground level. At the center of the Eye, there is a small pool of water, the place of the single most strongest magic in all of Sulvara.

The Barriers

The Eye is surrounded by seven crescent-shaped barrier islands. They are rocky and cliff-like, and rise much higher than the Eye itself. These barriers provide much of the natural defense to the Eye of Qiteus.

Habitation

The Eye of Qiteus is the traditional home of the Sulmora Isenthe. The Isenthe, who serve as the Eye's primary caretakers and the prophets of the seven Sulmori gods, are deeply connected to the land. In fact, the Eye of Qiteus is home to the only Isenthe settlement in Sulvara, Indos Eres. In past, Indos Eres was regarded among the most prosperous of Sulvaran cities, but in recent years has begun to lose its luster.

While Isenthe has always made up the majority of this island's population, they are not the only people to be found here. Humans and members of other Sulmori races live alongside the Isenthe and take part in much of their traditions.

Natural Resources

The Eye of Qiteus is not a naturally prosperous area. The Eye is mostly barren and floods often, making it unfit for farming. Wood does not naturally grow in the area for a similar reason. Therefore, it originally appears as though the existence of Indos Eres is entirely impossible. However, the Eye of Qiteus has always been rich in two things: magic and divine presence.

Through the combination of these things, crops, trees, and medicinal herbs are grown on the Eye's barrier islands. With their presence, the Isenthe of Indos Eres have thrived. Furthermore, stone has always been harvested from the barrier islands, beyond which fish can be caught.

Cultural Significance

The Arenthine

The Arenthine, known to humans as the Sunset Pool, is a shallow pool of water at the very center of the Eye. The water, sometimes called the Blood of Sulvara, supposedly comes from deep underground. This fresh water sustains Indos Eres and serves as the greatest link to the Sulmori deities. Allegedly, the Isenthe gained their abilities to converse with the divine from drinking the water of the Arenthine.

But the Arenthine is not only for the Isenthe. Sulmora of all races come to the pool to try and converse with their deities, and even humans often come to speak with theirs. It is from this pool that the Isenthe derived the word "Arenthe", which refers to a Sulmora prophet or oracle, one who receives visions from the gods through the Arenthine's waters.

The human name for the Arenthine, "the Sunset Pool", comes from a strange, almost divine phenomenon that begins at dusk and ends at dawn. From the moment the sun sets, light is beamed into the sky from the center of the pool. This light serves as a beacon for many sailors and travelers. It is unknown whether this light is a reflection of moonlight on the pool, a release of the powerful magic in the area, or the gift of a helpful deity.

The floor beneath the Arenthine is a beautiful mosaic, said to capture the colors of dawn and dusk. It is often surrounded by small, controlled flames, in the theory that during the day, the pool is a place of all Qiteus's seven elements.

The Reveling

"The Reveling" is not a Sulmori name. However, over time, the original name for the Reveling, the Loromor, has been gradually replaced by its humanized counterpart. Thankfully, "the Reveling" is an appropriate name.

The Reveling is a celebration of Sulvara's beauty, a semiannual ceremony of gratitude to the Sulmori deities for the world they have created. For thousands upon thousands of years, Sulmora will gather in their communities for a seven-day-long festival, each day celebrating a different deity or a different Sulmori race, depending on which Reveling it is.

The Eye of Qiteus is at the center of both Revelings. It is the place where the gods created the Sulmora species, as celebrated in the First Reveling, and it is the greatest link to the Sulmori deities, as celebrated in the Second. For this reason, twice per year the Eye of Qiteus is flooded with visitors, Sulmora and human alike, to celebrate the occasion. Though most will celebrate in their own communities, a staggering number will come to the Eye every year, almost without fail. It is said that sometimes, with everybody gathered and dancing around the Arenthine, the presence of the gods can be felt, and some Sulmora will even go so far as to claim they can see the gods dancing through the crowd with their people.

Type

Island

Included Locations