The Tear

The Tear is the site where the climactic final battle between the Demon Queen and the Goddess of Life. Here, their weapons carved through the ground, the clashing forces fracturing the landmass below. This deep valley splits the north and south halves of the Shattered Isles.

History

Eons ago, the Shattered Isles was comprised of one landmass, with fertile lands blessed by the gods and powerful creatures. The cause is unknown, but one day the Goddess of love and harvests, Liebita, was corrupted into a foul demon of lust, gluttony, and domination. With her newfound abilities, she began consuming the other Goddesses for power. The Tear is the site where the Goddess of Light and the remaining goddesses made their last stand. It is said that the Liebita wielded a mighty ax, dragging it through the ground in preparation for an attack against the Goddess of Light. At the very last moment, the Goddess used all her power to banish the corrupted Liebita.
Scarred and broken, the Goddess laid herself to rest at the edge of the now-torn isles, and never woke again.

Geography

The Tear is a canyon-like formation with rough cliffs and unnaturally split terrain. The sides are lined with broken, jagged rocks, with a large river flowing between the halves of the terrain. The landmark is also the outlet of a few rivers that previously flowed all the way through. On each side, there are remnants of broken cities and towns. Unstable pieces fall into the water below over the centuries. At the eastern end, a large crater stands before the mountainous, statuesque remains of the Goddess of Life.

Civilization

The Tear was formed almost directly in the center of the landmass that became the Shattered Isles and cut through the center of the capital city. The splitting of the capital began the long-term split of different cultures within the Shattered Isles as they could not agree on how or where to reform such an important cultural and financial center. In addition, the edges of the valley were too unstable - nearly all attempts at new development were lost to the newly created river. These factors lead to new towns being created further inland on the islands.
A few bridges across the great divide have been made, with the largest and most well-maintained bridge being the one between the southern capital and the northern capital. This bridge is meant to carry hundreds of traders, pilgrims, and mercenaries across the bridge each day. With bustling trade on both ends, the cities can pay for the best masons in the world to maintain it.
Other bridges are less cared for, and often broken down due to poor engineering or conflicts.

Tourism

Many tourists and pilgrims come from around the world to see where the war between goddesses ended. Often these people will visit the remains of the Goddess of Life and give tribute and prayer at her altar. The more daring tourists may try to climb to the top of the Goddess's head, and if discovered they are harshly punished.
Sightseers, historians, and mercenaries alike visit the towns and cities alongside the edges of the canyon. Sightseers visit to see the remains of one of the largest cultural hotspots in the world. Historians visit to archive the past and find lost artifacts, and mercenaries are always present to back them up. The ruins are full of danger - due to being abandoned, outlaws thrive on stealing from or consuming unaware visitors.

Type

Valley

Included Locations

• The Ruins Of Harmonia