Southern Isles
The Southern Isles are a large archipelago covering an area of the Eastern Sea greater than one million square miles. The archipelago lies close to one thousand miles south of the Gulf of Arial on the southeastern corner of the continent. The archipelago has thousands of individual islands, but the largest of these islands (greater than 150 square miles) number less than 50.
The largest of these islands is Sellenia, at 750 miles on its longest length, and 250 miles at its widest. It is more than 180,000 square miles. The next largest is Indaria, followed by Salmoria, Cador, Duria, Allen, Gesh, Cartor, Boria, and last Histos. Most of the Southern Isles are ruled by the Empire of Sellenia with only the islands of Cartor and the surrounding coast existing independently as the Amirate of Cartor.
The Southern Isles are very mountainous and rugged in their geography. Elevation changes are significant and steep and coastal cliffs can often be more than 100' above the surface of the Eastern Sea. Many of the larger islands have extensive populations and all have dynamic and exotic environments. There are at least four active volcanoes located in the Southern Isles.
Geography
All the islands of the archipelago are mountainous and quite rugged. Coastal cliffs of heights greater than 100' are common, especially on the larger islands. Sellenia has a stretch of eastern coast that averages cliff heights of more than 250' tall.
The islands have numerous volcanoes, the largest of which is found on Sellenia and is called Jabalanaar. The smallest (by elevation) is located on Indaria and has frequent and very violent eruptions that produce large amounts of molten lava and burning ejecta that routinely rains down on the surrounding area. This volcano is known as Nari Mawtaan, or "fiery death".
Climate
The Southern Isles are close enough to the equator to enjoy tropical temperatures all year long close to the shore, but given their very mountainous topography, as one gains elevation temperatures move to a more subtropical and temperate zone. Violently strong seasonal storms can be expected in the spring and summer, bringing hurricane-force winds and torrential rains that last for days. Flooding produced by these storms is devestating in river valleys and along the coastal regions.
Fauna & Flora
The flora of the Isles is as diverse as the geography. Tropical jungles and dense forests along the coasts produce vast numbers of rare, exotic and even magical trees, fruits, nuts and flowers. Further into the interior of the islands can be found towering stands of massive evergreen trees (called altanuubi in Sellenian) that are used to produce the finest ships masts in the world. Vast varieties of berries and fruits are collected and made into fine wines that are much in demand across the world.
Fauna is as exotic as the flora. Forests abound in chattering monkeys and apes of all shapes and sizes and the number of remarkable and beautiful birds is beyond count. Tigers, Carnifex, Forest Dragons, Ebony Drakes, Giant Boar and even Smilodon constitute just some of the more dangerous species one might encounter. These predators primarily hunt the vast herds of blue ox (or boccari, in Sellenian) that congregate in the lowlands and river valleys. Large populations of moutain goats, wild sheep, giant beaver, black deer and feral hogs are also frequently found.
Natural Resources
The mountainous makeup of the region gives the Southern Isles a plethora of abundant resources. Precious metals, gems, iron, copper, tin, lead, hundreds of thousands of acres of rare and magical hardwoods, thousands of varieties of medicinal and magical herbs, spices, seeds and nuts.
Alternative Name(s)
Southern Islands
Type
Archipelago
Location under
Included Organizations
Owning Organization
Contested By
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