Mythraiæn Tear (Myth-rae-yin Tear)

Overview

The Mythraiæn Tear is located on Western Continent NEEDS NAME/PLACEHOLDER. It is located to the south-west side of the continent and while technically considered to be an inland sea, it is in fact the location of an attempt at a cataclysmic summoning. With the collapse of the rift, the land was rent asunder and created the broken vortex of land that now surrounds it. The islands themselves still hold much life, and the rift is now seen as a font of raw arcane power, however, no one has yet been able to channel it to any avail.
Despite the event that created this new and changed landscape, it happened so far in the past that even animals have once again began to populate the region. People moved into their new island homes, trees and plants of a new variety began to sprout, and animals began to migrate and evolve to fit the new climate. That, combined with the supposed raw arcane energy coming from the Tear itself seems to have caused some very unique creatures to call this place home to appear as well.

Free Cities and City-States

In the Tear there are both Free Cities and City-States, both of which harbor significance in the region. Free Cities make up the bulk of the nations within the Mythraiæn Tear. These are sovereign cities of all sizes and shapes that exert influence over at least their island and the nearby region. Their projection of power is not significant enough to influence distant cities and they likely lack significant history within the region.
City-States however are oftentimes larger, stronger, and have both military and trade influence over vast swathes of the Tear. Usually they have some significant regional importance or history within the region, such as The City-State of Menandris whom has the High Elven academy within their city, making them an important location for scholars and magic users throughout the entire area. While not always, usually Free Cities will pay some homage to City-States either for protection or to incentivize people to settle in the Free Cities.

Organizations

Within the Tear exist many organizations and factions whom are chartered in the Free Cities and City-States of the region. Some are military in nature, others are religious and others yet are traders. Whatever the case, each of them has their agenda.

The Mythic Wanderers

A group of adventurers and explorers founded in The Free City of Baro'thedia. They are perhaps best known for sponsoring expeditions throughout the Tear to explore new and uncharted territory and gain research and information to sell to others. While generally accepted across most cities, they are not accepted in every city, however, as some see them as little more than profiteers sending their young off to die in some fruitless endeavor to chart out areas near the rift.

Knights of the Dark Veil

Founded in the dark city of Daro'thix, the Knights are a strange organization, clad in dark armor and despite having few havens amongst the cities, they still find their way around though no one knows quite how. They tend to come to the aid of those near death, either severely wounding or killing the one with the upper hand, offering medical aid and then disappearing once more into the night. No one quite knows or understands the motivations of this organization, especially with the dark history of Daro'thix looming over them, so while not trusted, their aid is always welcome.

The Rooks

An organization that was founded and is headquartered in The City-State of Vrakks, The Rooks is a group of mercenaries, though they style themselves more as "contract defenders." They specialize in guarding dangerous locations and reclaiming ruins. To those who hate them, they're often called 'bucket-heads' due to the shape of their helmet. Their armor tends to be extremely bulky and lacks room for dexterous movement but allows them to shrug off stronger blows.

Mel'tori Band

Headed by Minotaur twins Thrug Mel'tori and Hydahl Mel'tori this band of rogues and smugglers has operations all over the Tear, though they are only 'officially' in The Free City of Attica. They often employ other 'monstrous' races native to the Tear such as Hobgoblins, Goblins, Orcs and even other Minotaur. They specialize in smuggling people across the Tear into cities that they might otherwise not be allowed in or to transport them when they are under threat from important organizations.

The Twinsails

One of the two naval organizations born out of Que'thas, The Twinsails are more akin to privateers, selling their services to anyone with the coin. While often called things like 'scallywags' and 'buccaneers' they do have a knack for adventure and can be formal when the time calls for it. Unlike most organizations, they lack a complete structure, instead each captain under them sails under a contract and breaking that contract tends to carry severe consequences. They have even been known to use Fireships against their most hated foes such as The Nautilus Admirality.

The Nautilus Admirality

A feared naval power in the seas, The Nautilus Admirality has a long and storied history of strict naval discipline and a very militaristic structure. While in recent years they have run afoul of The Twinsails who also are headquartered in The Free City of Que'thas, creating a bitter rivalry that has recently boiled over into outright war in many locations, they still keep to their strict discipline and training regiemes making them one of the most sought-after naval escorts in the region, even if sometimes their 'doctrines' don't collide well with traditional merchant guards.

Sairod Miasnikou

An organization that has only ever been able to charter in The City-State of Hyphasia, the Sairod Miasnikou label themselves as a 'Medicine Guild' of sorts. While they are accomplished alchemists and sponsor many shops and sell very high quality products, many still question why, despite their wealth, they only have been able to charter in the one city where it is easiest to charter a new business. Combined with the rumors of people investigating into them only to disappear have build a dark and infamous legend around this organization who, at least outwardly, seems to be doing 'good.'

Geography

At the center of the Mythraiæn Tear lies a massive swirling vortex, with many islands seeming to be scattered around it almost akin to a storm pattern. Many said that the Tear was once simply a lake before the ritual that created it rent the land and created a much larger sea in its place. Despite this, many people still make their home on the islands now, engaging in maritime trade amongst each other and with outsiders. Especially since there are many jewels and rare gemstones that seem to be found in greater abundance on the islands than anywhere else on Western Continent NEEDS NAME/PLACEHOLDER.

Alternative Name(s)

The Arcane Rift

Type

Inland Sea

Included Organizations

• The City-State of Hyphasia
• The City-State of Menandris
• The City-State of Naermyr
• The City-State of Neptunis
• The City-State of Vrakks
• The Free City of Arthuan
• The Free City of Attica
• The Free City of Baro'thedia
• The Free City of Bramblewood
• The Free City of Daro'thix
• The Free City of Darrowmere
• The Free City of Hallowhold
• The Free City of Que'thas
• The Free City of Sylvas
• The Free City Tasimere