Al'san

"Al'san is a land of great forests & mountains that have darkened the sky when the mortal races have angered the land. It is a place of both great beauty and despair."

Al'san is a harsh landscape that rewards any who can survive here. Known as the land of Fire & Stone, the continent is littered with mountains and volcanoes that have created fertile lands and hardy flora. At the heart of the continent lies a string of mountains known as the Red Spires. Beneath these mountains is said to be the lair of Sur'yo, who sleeps deep beneath the mountain in its fiery heart.

Geography

The Western Marshes

To the west of the Red Spires lies marshlands that spread in all directions for miles. Sparsely populated by the Samru, the marshlands are home to all manners of life, those born on the land and those below the surface. It's believed that during Vin'mahsa, Ko'fur battled against Var'kahn and ravaged the lands with great winds and rain. During their struggle Ko'fur froze the wind and rain as the two gods continued to battle. Hv'ala would eventually come to Var'kahn's aid and threw the very mountains of the land at Ko'fur until he ran away. Over time the land would thaw from the heat of the mountains until a vast marshland remained.

The Heartlands

East of the marshlands lies a river that separates the marsh from the fertile lands that sit in the shadow of the Red Spires. Known as the Heartlands, this region possesses volcanic soil that has sustained the Samru since they first came to these lands. Further south great forests surround the two great lakes of the region. The northern one is known as Petal Lake and feeds into the southern larger lake known as Lake Umbra. Over time the Samru would establish an empire here that would last for over a thousand years.

The Southern Shores

South of Lake Umbra lies the Southern Shores. The volcanic soil gives way to lush grasslands and forests. Still in reach of the northern winds the land remains cold until one reaches the coast. Here the warmer southern winds clash with the cold winds of the north bringing great thunderstorms to the land. With frequent thunderstorms, these shores have long been believed to be the original home of Var'kahn, the Embodiment of Thunder. It is said the battle between Var'kahn and Ko'fur took place as Ko'fur had promised the lands to the Vis'hala. Many years after Vin'mahsa, the Stilhe would travel to these lands and clear out the Vis'hala from their holds, one by one.

The Shallows

The Shallows are a series of islands south of the Al'san mainland that are loosely connected by shallow waters. Many ships have run aground not knowing the few deep-water shipping lanes of the area. However the ships can be easily freed when the tides turn at Shipwreck Straights push back water into the shallows. Many of the lesser houses of the Travgin Empire have established cities on these islands. These lesser houses often took the name of their house from the waters surrounding their islands.

Mythology

“The lands of Al'san  are shrouded in mystery and a dense fog that covers much of the land. If there is a land where spirits dwell, this is the place.”

Alternative Name(s)

Land of Fire & Stone

Type

Subcontinent

The Red Spires

The Western Marshes