Fractured Coast

Awldor    Geography      Quassus Continent      Continental Island of Lluvia      Fractured Coast

The Fractured Coast removes any doubt that the world we inherited was shaped by the calamities of yesteryear.

— Artur Neha, Traveler

The scars of the Great Collapse are readily apparent in the craggy cliffs and islands of this karst-like landscape. Many of these islands float due to latent magic energies from the collapse. A variety of plants can be seen to be growing anywhere it can find purchase, and animal life can be found in abundance in the air and in the water. This stretch of shoreline is claimed by the Queendom of Lunaria. The Lunarians have set about developing the land both for practical and symbolic reasons.
The fractured coast is located along the southern coast of the Quassus Continent.

Fractured Coast

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This stretch of coastline was greatly scarred by the Great Collapse.

As bridges exist in the celestial heaven to create the constellations we all cherish, so shall bridges exist on the earth to create the Lunarian Constellation.

— Queen Shava Lunaria

Constellation Lunaria

The Queendom of Lunaria claims sovereignty over the Fractured Coast, and they have a plan concerning the region. Travel along the Fractured Coast region is highly difficult due to the broken and dangerous landscape, so the Lunarians intend on alleviating this difficulty through the construction of roads and bridges to connect and unify scattered settlements. Some of these roads will be built atop the Ancient road network that unified the region long ago.
The practical benefits of this project is accompanied by a symbolic benefit. The constellations in the night sky can only be constellations when one can imagine or draw lines between stars. The construction of roads is intended to mimic this idea. Therefore, the Lunarians have termed their massive project "Constellation."
As part of the realization of this project, several beacons are being developed to light the corners of the vast road network. When this project is completed, it will be a wonder of the world. Certainly, King Vimak Helia III has taken notice.

Helia's Claims

While the region is undoubtedly under the banner of Lunaria, the Kingdom of Helia has on multiple occasions over the years have made their case for controlling the region. The Kingdom had even attempted to wrest control of the region from Lunaria by force in 1257AGC. The attempt failed. While the Golden Blight's reputation for invincibility during the day has yet to be dimmed, their strength during the night remains lesser to that of the Lunarians.
The Kingdom still pushes their claims for the region, but has yet to make their next attempt. It is all but certain that war will come to the fractured coast again. None can say why Helia remains hesitant; the Kingdom's armies are stronger than they have ever been and the current King, King Vimak Helia III, is a proven warlord. Perhaps the Kingdom seeks to amend their nighttime vulnerability before making another push against Lunaria.

Romantic Destination

There is nothing quite like the fractured coast during spring time. In spite of being a symbol of the ravages of the Great Collapse the rocky cliffs bearing many plants in full bloom is one of the most beautiful sights one can witness. Perhaps nature is declaring its promise to heal all scars across its lands.
Since many are attracted to see the beautify of the region when in romantic spirits, several outposts have been made by opportunistic entrepreneurs seeking a little coin for providing civilized hospitality. Many of these operate isolated cottages, as well as bath houses and dining halls. Those with excess coin to spend often rent out lavish mansions that are quipped with all the trimmings of their living spaces back home. The poorest visitors, however, must make do with making camp wherever they can.
This beauty is not without its danger however, as some who travel to the region for their honeymoons or for a simple romantic adventure are never seen again. The region is still ruled by the whims of the wilds after all, especially in world with Magic Storms, yet many think its worth the risk. Perhaps the risk is the attraction for many couples.

It is well that Lunaria has the mines that it has, for Helia has recently secured the Dehur Kjol.

— Tusae

Rich Mining

Because of the fractured landscape, several large mining guilds have established operations throughout the region. The comparative ease of finding exposed ores has yielded bountiful hauls that have made these guilds wealthy. The massive potential for profit from this region has resulted in conflict between these guilds. Most of these conflicts rarely escalate to bloodshed, although such an event is hardly unprecedented. As the Queendom of Lunaria gained power and influence over the region it has adopted the role of arbiter and peacekeeper between the mining guilds.

Ancient Ruins

While it is beyond doubt that much of the Ancient infrastructure along the Fractured Coast is now lost to the current generation, several clusters of metal Ancient structures remain. Concentrations of these ruins indicate the presence of once busy towns and villages that are now undead infested ruins. As with all Ancient ruins, many strange and powerful artifacts lie in wait for a brave delver.

Geography

Hollow Land

Much of the Fractured Coast contains caves of various shapes and sizes that complement the rest of the region's karst-like features. The sheer number of these caves creates the impression that much of the coast is porous and fragile. That is true concerning one point, but not the other. The caves visible on the surface are mere entrances to a vast underground network whose extent seems unknowable. As for the fragility of the coast, the rocks are not limestone or any other stones like one might expect considering the copious karst formations of this region. The rocks are in fact granite and the like which lends many of these structures impressive strength and resilience. It was in the identification of these rock types that has led many to conclude that this coast was ravaged by the collapse. It is difficult to know what has been lost.
These caves are also the homes of various creatures and monsters. It is also said that some are outlets for horrors that exist deep beneath the earth. Needless to say, travel through a cave is not recommended.

Frustrated Travel

Travel along the Fractured Coast is a difficult endeavor even at the best of times. The landscape is ridden with cliffs, fissures, and sinkholes. Even the very coast appears to still be in the process of fracturing as the coastline continues to crumble, and the waters of the ocean seems to advance ever so slowly towards the Pisces mountains. There are very few stable plots of land left along this coast, one of the largest of which is occupied by the Silver City of Luna.

These towers of rock stand like gravestones for Nature's lost gardens.

— Artur Neha, Traveler

Towers of Rock

In addition to the caves, the karst landscape is dotted with towering stone towers. These towers are present across several miles inland and has created the appearance of a stone forest. During the early morning fog, only the tips of these structures are visible.
Some of these stone towers are crowned with ancient ruins, some of which are towers that still stand tall. These towering ruins generally have not been looted due to the difficulty of reaching the ruin and the dangers of exploring them. Monsters are also a risk as the tops of stone towers offers a place of isolation from most threats. Only the most daring of treasure hunters attempt to enter such ruins, and some do not return from such excursions.

Floating Islands

In some ways the Fractured Coast may be more correctly called the Fracturing Coast. Residual magics from the collapse have imbued many small pieces of land with the ability to float. These floating islands and isles float near the coast, many having been anchored to the shore by various plant growths. These plant growths seem to suggest that many of these islands have only recently detached their rocky anchors from the mainland. In fact, new pieces of land of once immobile land formations are occasionally seen to suddenly break away and begin floating along the coastline.
Some of these floating islands include entire or partial ancient ruins that have yet to dissolve in the face of time and calamity.

Wild Overgrowth

In spite of the calamities that have shaped this land during the Great Collapse, nature appears to have recovered. Trees, vines, and various other kinds of plant life now grow over and under the fractured rocks. However, it is debatable if these bear any resemblance to pre-collapse fauna. While a few of the woods that grow along the coast are safe for travel, many places of dense vegetation are not. The residual magics left from the collapse has mutated many plants into

Alternative Name(s)

The Silver Coast

Type

Coast / Shore

Location under

Continental Island of Lluvia

Owner/Ruler

Queen Shava Lunaria

Owning Organization

Queendom of Lunaria

Common Flora

• Cherry Blossom
• Ferns
• Vines
• Willows
• Thistles
• Honeysuckle
• Mistletoe
• Thyme
• Poppy
• Aspen
• Ashe
• Beech
• Yew

Common Fauna

• Cave Trolls
• Giant Spiders
• Monkeys
• Ibex
• Lynx
• Brown Bear
• Beaver
• Golden Eagle
• Silver Eagle
• Genet
• Pig
• Lammergeier
• Wolf

Natural Resources

(not exhaustive)

• Gold
• Silver
• Iron
• Copper
• Mithral
• Gemstones

Typical Magic Fields

(ranked according to occurrence)

• Freezing
• Aqua
• Igni
• Aero
• Acid
• Petrifying

Consult Magic Fields for more information.

Note(s) from the Archivists:

I've never liked traveling through that region. Too many corners to keep watch over, and certainly too many eyes keep their watch from their dark, obscure corners. Waiting for their chance... - Archivist Savitri
I've never thought about that when I travel the region. Now that's going to be all I can think about. Thanks. - Archivist Enna
You're welcome. - Archivist Savitri