Edrinia
The Edrinian continent has been a forge of civilizations since the Ancient Age. From the Giants who first ruled over its lands to the Under Empires that forged the roads that span the depths of Avestra, both formed vast empires in the land. The continent has faced destruction with the scorching of the valley and the rise of the Great Divide. Yet it's beauty has never waned and even found new growth. Even with the stain of Aberrations, the regions of Edrinia continue to support and will likely continue to for ages to come.
Geography
Vesta Plains
The majority of the valley nestled between the Angoran, Edrin, and Vazi mountains. Long ago, the plains, forests, and hills that cover this region were once a large desert burnt black by a raging phoenix. Over time, nature and life returned to the Valley and the plains were the result. This was mainly attributed to Gritestal Lake, Loshill Lake and the Loshill River that runs from it to the Elysian Ocean. Around the lake, river, and the horns of the valley, forests dot the landscape while plains claim the rest of the region. Another name for this region is the Aerin Valley due to the culture of Aerinor residing within. Notable geographic sights include:
- Loshill Lake and the Crystal Coves near Crownkeep
- Gritestal Lake
- Black Shore Bay
Xi'jian Desert
A desert as black as the starless night sky, the Xi'jian Desert is all that remains of the large desert that covered the Valley. It is the home of the Scerin people, a combination of Naga, Yuan-Ti, and Lizardfolk. The border with the Vesta Plain forms a savannah and turns into rolling dunes of black sand. As one reaches the Angoran mountains, they turn into rock hills. To the southwest, the dunes form a dune-forest environment before turning into the verdant forests of the Nobles Shores. Notable geographic sights include:
- The Black Dunes
- The Elysian Shore
- The oasis of Xalesha
Howling Coast
To the north of the Vazi mountains and the Vesta Plains stands the Howling Coast. It was first named as such by the Giants for the howling winds that blow in from the northern seas. However, some have taken to calling it as such for the Lunari and Wolf-Fera that reside on there. The Risir people call the temperate deciduous and rainforests and rivers that dot the north their home. Across from the coast resides the island of Sgand where the Muspel Giants reside. Some settlements dot the coast and the inland but they are vanishing as the war between the Flame Empire and the native inhabitants continue. Notable geographic sights include:
- The Sgand Throne
- The Fey Landings
- The Frost Islands
Jade Coast
The land that stretches from east of the Edrin Mountains all the way to the green coast that gives the region its name. The Bakoren people call the Jade Coast their home. Rainforests and Wetlands are the major biomes in the area. Like the Howling Coast, tribes and settlements dot the region but are constantly moving, rising, and failing due to conflict between the different groups. On the eastern side of Kas Lake and the tip of the Hesha Pennisula, the corruption of Aberrant entities have distorted the land with formations, flora, and fauna that would only reside in Furorum. Notable geographic sights include:
- Kas Lake
- Aberrant Distortions
- Jade Beaches
- Jade Coves
Noble Shores
From the southern half of the Vazi mountains to the Great Divide stand the Noble Shores. The Elu and Lonavi people reside in the region with latter residing south of Lake Elu and the rest taking the rest. It was given this name due to the many noble houses that reside along the coast line. The majority of the region has forests that turn from deciduous and rainforests to tropical forests as well. In the middle of Elu Lake resides the Elu Island where the gods of the Elu people are believed to reside. Additionally, a desert resides on the eastern side of Lake Elu that is quite hard to traverse and holds the ruins of ancient Under Empires that have withered in the sands. Notable geographic sights include:
- The Noble Islands
- Elu Lake
- Elu Island (impossible to reach)
- The Graveyard Desert
- The Lonavi Spires
Edrin Mountains
The mountains that run from Northern Edrinia all the way down to the Great Divide have the name of "Edrinia's Spine" to the majority of the continent. This mountain range was formed when the eastern lands pushed up against the western lands of Edrinia some time ago. They are considered to be the tallest mountains in Edrinia as a result and helped to shape the weather and biomes of the land. To the north, the Orzin people call the mountains their home. Sometimes sharing it with the Bakorens and Risir. In the center, the Bakoren people have mainly taken the mountain holds and trade with the Aerin people or raid them as they did in the far past. In the south, the Menzo-baren people reside over the holds of some of the greatest Under Empires in ancient history. While some do live on the side or on top of the mountain, a large part of the population reside underground as well in the Underoads. Notable geographic sights include:
- The Edrin Spires
- The Gateway to Aerinor
- The Underoads
Angoran Mountains
The Angoran mountains make up the southern mountain range that separates the Vesta Plains and the Xi'jian Desert from the Noble Shores. Another example of tectonic movements in the realm as parts of the Noble Shores press up against the plates of the Valley. The Khazun people call the mountains their home and it is home to several of the major Underoad passages that remain open. One passage remains open to the Vesta Plains, granting the gateway to the Elu lake. Like Edrinia's spine, a large portion of the population resides underground. Notable geographic sights include:
- The Gateway to Elu Lake
- The Angoran Spires
- The Underoads
Vazi Mountains
The Vazi Mountains stop the freezing winds of the Howling Coast from rolling into the plains of the valley. It houses the only volcano on the mainland, Firis's Forge. In the west around this volcano, the Vazidir people call the mountains their home. Some folks of the Risir take refuge in the central mountains along with the Quaziden people. The Orzin claim the portions of the mountain bordering the Edrin mountains. Due to its location, these mountains are considered the coldest on the continent with Taiga forests forming on both sides of the mountain. Notable geographic sights include:
- Firis's Forge
- The Exile's Passage
- The Vazi Spires
- The Underoads
The Great Divide
South of the Noble Shores rests a large canyon that cuts off Edrinia from the continent of Magdros on the other side. The sides of the canyon look as if they were cut apart by some unknown force deep into the depths of Avestra. Even Underoad routes that head south open out into the canyon, the few that could've connected to the other continent collapsing some time ago. The canyon is too far across to traverse and all transportation magic has been unable to cross the gap. Expeditions into the Divide have resulted in failure as anyone who goes in has not returned. This pushes the belief that monsters reside in the depths of the divide and prevent exploration. Some speculate that Aberrations reside down there, forming nests and camps to prepare for another attack on Edrinia. The truth remains shrouded in mystery as the darkness and danger of the Divide prevents any search for what lies below or beyond.
Climate
Going from north to south, the climate shifts at a steady pace. The Howling Coast and the northern part of the Jade Coast are peppered by cool winds from the north pole. Yearly temperatures usually average from the high 30s to the low 40s as one reaches the northern side of the Vazi mountains. As one goes along either coast or descends into the valley, the climate gets warmer. The Jade Coast often has wet weather like the Howling Coast while the Vesta Plains has drier weather. Annual temperatures raise up to the 50s by this point.
The lower half of the Jade Coast and south of the Angoran mountains are where the tropical climate becomes much more common. Temperatures go from the high 50s all the way up to 70s as one reaches the equator. The Xi'jian and Graveyard deserts are notable outliers at normal elevation, the former a cold desert that will have will sweltering temperatures during the day due to its black sand and freezing cold temperatures once nightfall hits. The Graveyard Desert has ruined structures that can provide ample protection from the temperature as it is classified as a hot desert.
History
As a continent on Avestra, Edrinia enjoyed no extraplanar entities being able to easily land on the continent. However, the influence of the three moons formed Ley Lines form the elemental magic. This gave the Muspel Giants the power they needed to conquer the continent. After the war with the Dragons was over, they were able to rule over the low lands, leaving the skies and mountains to their rivals. It is believed either during or after the war, a phoenix was summoned in the Vesta Plains and it scorched the lands until they were burnt black. This cut off any land routes to the southern half of Edrinia. Additionally, the rise of the Elder Dragons and other monstrosities crippled the Edrinian Giants. Their empire collapsed and they fled to remote areas, leaving the mortal races to fend for themselves.
Around 20,000 of the Ancient Age, the Dwarves, Gnomes, and Tykriels rose to ascendance and forged the Underoads and with them the Under Empires. The greatest of which, Kal-Morak, was founded in the southern portion of Edrinia's Spine. Edrinia was connected with the other continents and once again served as a bastion of civilization. However, unknown problems would spread across the Under Empires and by 15,000 AA, the the empires fell and the Underoads were partially sealed or collapsed, creating one of the biggest mysteries in Avestran history.
Some time after, the Feyborn races landed across the continent after their exile and escape from Faenum. The Vesta Plains healed, leaving only the Xi'jian Desert behind as a remnant of the devastation. Countless nations rose and fell over time but there was no major threat to the continent until the Elders near the closing of the Ancient Age. Their Aberrations brought through the Cosmic Barrier and wrecked havoc across Edrinia, corrupting portions of the land as they landed. It wasn't until the Eternals arrived that the mortal races could finally push back against their monstrous foes.
Despite the invasion's end, the Aberrations still remain in sections of Edrinia and even in the Underoads. Despite this shared threat, the regions of Edrinia find themselves embroiled in conflicts with the return of the Giants and factionalism in the Eternal Age. Only time will tell what fate awaits the continent and the people who call it home.
Type
Continent
Included Locations
Included Organizations
Contested By
- Beru: The Fallen Kingdom
- Cico: A Confederation Across The Seas
- Crystalia: The Unifying Empire
- Elu Kingdoms: Keepers of the Noble Shores
- Gabar: Refuge for Refugees
- Graja: Tribes of the Xi'jian
- Grineva: The Black Shore Kingdom
- Gulra: The Rule of Four
- Khazunite Holds: Keepers of the Angorian Mountains
- Menzo Holds: Successors to Kal-Morak
- Nubia: Crossroads of Aerinor and Argorn
- Orzin Holds: Keepers of Secrets
- Sgand: The Flame Empire
- The Howling Tribes: Keepers of the North
- Vazi Holds: Keeper of the Vazi Mountains
- Veru: Land of An Exiled Prince
Characters in Location
Related Reports (Secondary)
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