Non-Political Geography
Although Icalar is divided into six kingdoms, their borders have varied to one degree or another over the centuries. However, there are certain non-political geographical constants that have long guided cartographers and politicians with the mapping of territory and forging of trade routes. In some cases, they were named long before certain countries were even born.
The Precipice
The most obvious feature of the Icalaran tuya is where it ends: regardless of compass point or topography, where the tuya ends and the clouds begin is known as the Precipice. The Creqira
In addition to an area in its own right, often the Eizunuth Veil and Eizunuth Well are included in this northernmost zone of the tuya. The Uscerre Shelf
This is a relatively small area north of the Maidra Foothills on the northern edge of the Precipice, forming a plateau. The Praethin River runs along its southern edge. Although the majority of the Shelf is in Ustraria, its western third and downward slope forms Kiva's northern edge as well. Iyran Plateau
A prime example of a landform named prior to the country that it dominates. The plateau begins on the southern edge of the Creqira and tapers south, creating a tooth shape. Its western and eastern borders are the Qos River / Tubisqu River and the Laqalney River, respectively, and its western edge cuts through the middle of the Three Ribs to rejoin the Thustalis; it ends at the southernmost Precipice. Great Heartland / Meadowwound
Encompassed by the Maidra Foothills to the north, circling west around the Haaros to include the Tycephaur Lake, then cutting southeast to Eibe and the split of the Tubisqu and Sebat Rivers, then cutting east across Memboti. The Acheche, Tubisqu, and Eleqos form its eastern border. As an area known to be commonly inhabited since prehistory and thus the canvas for many battles -- and its picturesque meadows that often fell victim -- it is also known as Meadowwound. Sunrise Desert
Eastern deserts. Although most of Icalar's desert is in Balaqalneyis, there is a small one in the island between the north Laqalney River and the Dakpa River and in the northern fringe of Seyis-Gol. Its sands -- especially in Balaqalneyis -- are typically lavender, silvery-gray, and pale yellow. Sunset Steppes
Western steppes. Mostly includes the inverted C-shaped band of plains and steppes around the Horizon Watchers, but stretching to include the Root River and to overlap with the Uscerre Shelf. Three Ribs
Three strips of land in the center of Icalar, overlapping the Great Heartland, created by the path of the Tubisqu, Hooth's, Acheche, and Laqalney Rivers; the Iyran Plateau forms the easternmost rib, while Keismeb sits on the westernmost. Mourning Forests
A relatively small area located in the southwest of the tuya, linking the southern edge of the Tycephaur Lake with the Precipice and straddling the Kivan-Unenshuut border to encompass Sahle-ve'Ebaith. Godrest Highlands
The Godrest Highlands refer to an area of maze-like, steep, rocky gorges not unlike the Rivens, but on a larger scale. These begin at the southeastern most point of the tuya and meet the Raarq River and Laqalney River at their westernmost, and edge toward the northern border of Seyis-Gol and somewhat over it in into the southeast corner of Balaqalneyis Southern Floodplain
Situated beneath the Great Heartland and running to the southernmost Precipice, bordered on the west by the Mourning Forests encompassing Sahle-ve'Ebaith and on the east by the Godrest Highlands. Generally used to refer to the delta areas of all rivers ending in the southern half of the tuya.
The most obvious feature of the Icalaran tuya is where it ends: regardless of compass point or topography, where the tuya ends and the clouds begin is known as the Precipice. The Creqira
In addition to an area in its own right, often the Eizunuth Veil and Eizunuth Well are included in this northernmost zone of the tuya. The Uscerre Shelf
This is a relatively small area north of the Maidra Foothills on the northern edge of the Precipice, forming a plateau. The Praethin River runs along its southern edge. Although the majority of the Shelf is in Ustraria, its western third and downward slope forms Kiva's northern edge as well. Iyran Plateau
A prime example of a landform named prior to the country that it dominates. The plateau begins on the southern edge of the Creqira and tapers south, creating a tooth shape. Its western and eastern borders are the Qos River / Tubisqu River and the Laqalney River, respectively, and its western edge cuts through the middle of the Three Ribs to rejoin the Thustalis; it ends at the southernmost Precipice. Great Heartland / Meadowwound
Encompassed by the Maidra Foothills to the north, circling west around the Haaros to include the Tycephaur Lake, then cutting southeast to Eibe and the split of the Tubisqu and Sebat Rivers, then cutting east across Memboti. The Acheche, Tubisqu, and Eleqos form its eastern border. As an area known to be commonly inhabited since prehistory and thus the canvas for many battles -- and its picturesque meadows that often fell victim -- it is also known as Meadowwound. Sunrise Desert
Eastern deserts. Although most of Icalar's desert is in Balaqalneyis, there is a small one in the island between the north Laqalney River and the Dakpa River and in the northern fringe of Seyis-Gol. Its sands -- especially in Balaqalneyis -- are typically lavender, silvery-gray, and pale yellow. Sunset Steppes
Western steppes. Mostly includes the inverted C-shaped band of plains and steppes around the Horizon Watchers, but stretching to include the Root River and to overlap with the Uscerre Shelf. Three Ribs
Three strips of land in the center of Icalar, overlapping the Great Heartland, created by the path of the Tubisqu, Hooth's, Acheche, and Laqalney Rivers; the Iyran Plateau forms the easternmost rib, while Keismeb sits on the westernmost. Mourning Forests
A relatively small area located in the southwest of the tuya, linking the southern edge of the Tycephaur Lake with the Precipice and straddling the Kivan-Unenshuut border to encompass Sahle-ve'Ebaith. Godrest Highlands
The Godrest Highlands refer to an area of maze-like, steep, rocky gorges not unlike the Rivens, but on a larger scale. These begin at the southeastern most point of the tuya and meet the Raarq River and Laqalney River at their westernmost, and edge toward the northern border of Seyis-Gol and somewhat over it in into the southeast corner of Balaqalneyis Southern Floodplain
Situated beneath the Great Heartland and running to the southernmost Precipice, bordered on the west by the Mourning Forests encompassing Sahle-ve'Ebaith and on the east by the Godrest Highlands. Generally used to refer to the delta areas of all rivers ending in the southern half of the tuya.
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