Molluco

Area

Molluco lies underneath The Ocean  and is the southern realm of the Selkes in Francalia  .
It lies south of Galanda, the northern Selke's kingdom.

It is also quite far off the coast of Francalia.
Geographically, it is much different from Galanda.

The Mollucans have settled on high plateaus created by the erosion of ancient volcanoes.
Some of the plateaux rise up to be only a few meters away from the ocean surface.

The Mollucans' lands are made of gently rolling hills and are covered with white sands where swathes of seagrass thrive.

The Selkes from Molluco are very similar to the people of Galanda.
The Selkes used to be one country until a millennia ago, and despite their kingdoms being at war with each other on a regular basis, they have much the same appearance and customs.

They also share the same gods.
Despite the fact that, in their natural forms, the Selkes resemble earth seals, they will usually take the shape of other life forms: the human form (with some modifications) has become a popular choice for the Selken shapeshifters over the last centuries.

Humankind, on the other hand, does not know (yet) that the Selkes exist.

Habitat

- The High Plateaus

The high volcanic hills and plateaus of Molluco are not far from the ocean surface.
The plateaus are made of white sands and gently streaming seagrass that wave in the cold clear blue waters.

These waters being nearer to the ocean surface will be a few degrees warmer in the good season than in the rest of the ocean: the Mollucans enjoy coming to these parts to sunbathe.

Many high-status Mollucans will have a second home there in the soft rock caves of The Wadune Hills .

The plateaus also make for great hunting grounds: some very sought-after species of fish and crustaceans have their homes in the sandy banks of the hills.

- The Old Craters

Most Mollucans live in the old volcanic craters which can be found all over the Wadune hills.
Unlike the Galadans who live in mountain caves, the Mollucans have built their homes and palaces out of stone inside the ancient craters. Living in the craters offers better protection against the bad season's storms and predators (mainly the huge Guildfish ).

Over the millennia, the cities have become bustling metropolis.
Molluco counts with a dozen huge cities that can rival anything that human Francalia has erected on land.

Within the sheltered craters, the light is good and the hunting plains are bountiful.
The Bluefins  - a whale-like animal - can be protected and raised in security in the craters to become the Molluscans' best friends and their swiftest means of transportation.

- The Great Rift

Molluco is separated from Galanda by the The Rift .
The Rift tears through the plateaus of Molluco to form a deep gash on the ocean floor.

No one knows the depth of the Rift and the Selkes believe it to be the land of their gods.
No light can penetrate the darkness of the Rift and only very specialized species have been able to survive in this harsh environment.

The Rift is not very wide, only one kilometer or so across.
The Mollucans are able to observe the foothills of Galanda from the shores of the precipice.

Mollucans and Galandans can swim across the riff easily on their bluefins.
However, the darkness of the Rift has given rise to many myths and legends and the place is supposed to be at the same time holy, haunted, and cursed.