Filia

Filia is an island in the central Aquatic Kingdoms known for its geographic and cultural diversity. Despite its relatively large size and extremely central location within the archipelagi of the Aegirrán Sea, its unusual terrain has kept its population relatively low, though many different groups have found their way to the island over the course of its history. It is believed to be one of the cradles of civilization.

Geography

Filia is largely mountainous and dotted with long-dormant volcanoes, none of which have erupted since the Age of Anxiety. The highest of these mountains is Mount Tihamatanas, a volcano in the north-central region of the island thought to be extinct. The volcanic soil enriches the low-lying valleys of the region, which hold many small but thriving agricultural communities; because of the mountainous terrain, many of these communities developed in isolation and hold unique cultural practices that differ widely from each other. The Kallio-Sirena is a stretch of steep cliffs and dangerous waters across the northeastern stretch of the island. Experienced sailors usually steer clear of the area, even if it means adding time to their journey. Sirens, sahuagins, and other dangerous aquatic and semi-aquatic creatures make their homes in the cliffs. A few brave travelers still make the arduous journey to see the cliffs, both because of their incredible beauty and because of the promise of treasure from long-sunken ships along the shore. South-central Filia boasts a mild climate and scenic, rolling hills well-suited to settlement. The island's largest settlement, Karnâtika, is in this region, near the center of the island. Along the southwestern coast, the landscape becomes flatter and the climate more subtropical. The southeastern portion of the island is known as the High Desert and largely consists of flat mesas dotted with unusual rock formations. Angels' Playground, a small region with a high concentration of these rock formations, is a holy site for worshippers of Gaia and several other gods. The land here has an orange hue due to the high copper content in the ground. Western and west-central Filia is full of networks of limestone cliffs. These make ideal habitats for Dwarven and Gnomish communities that cultivate an incredible variety of fungi.

Fauna & Flora

An isolated community of rock gnomes, known as the "deep gnomes," live in the depths of the limestone caves in west-central Filia. These gnomes—pale, extremely nearsighted creatures with extraordinarily good hearing—claim to be the descendants of the first gnomes ever created by the gods. For unknown reasons, Filia is a common nesting and breeding ground for the periodical migration of dragons from Draxhaven to the Impossible Mountains. Most of these dragons only stay a few decades before leaving to find mates or terrorizing the countryside enough to make themselves targets for adventurers. The oldest and most venerated dragon of the island is Astrydiâlos the Greatmother, an ancient brass dragon of the High Desert. Sometime during the Age of Integrity, a small tribe of Dragonborn followed their metallic dragon kin to these breeding grounds and settled in the high deserts. Their descendants still live on the island, mostly in and around Letos-al-Filia.

Natural Resources

The volcanic soil and relatively mild climate of the island allow for the growth of many crops on the mountain terrace farms in the Filian highlands, the island, including olives, almonds, potatoes, and Lemdina. The Nousta-Nopeüsta, though not native to the area, was introduced by Dwarven settlers in the early 800s of the Age of Complexity, and grows exceptionally well in the western caves of Filia. In central Filia through the borderlands of the high desert, corn is the staple crop, and the region is excellent for vineyards, orchards, and livestock grazing. The warmer southern coastal regions of Filia tend to favor rice as a staple crop, and some portions grow sugarcane and unique tropical fruits. The southeastern coast of the island is a hotspot for seafood and particularly molluscs, which feature heavily in the area's cuisine. Limestone deposits in the west and northwest are the source of much of the Aquatic Kingdoms' building-quality limestone, though the local Druid Circles of the Land are fiercely protective of the areas around the inhabited caves. The High Desert is often mined for copper and zinc; it also contains the largest Opal mines in the known world.

History

The earliest settlers of Filia are lost to time. The presence of the deep gnomes in the limestone caves since prehistory is undisputed, but the first overland residents were likely either Sun Elf or Human explorers. Despite its ideal climate and abundant natural resources, Filia has never developed a lasting major city, with the current population of its largest town Karnâtika having only recently reached 25,000 people. Most Filians live in small, isolated communities typically inhabited by two or three dominant ethnicities. Larger settlements tend to be unusually diverse for their relatively small size.

Tourism

The most popular Filian destination for tourists is the south-central shore of the island, including the town of Odaïsha and its surroundings. The sandy beaches and rich culinary history draw in thousands of tourists per year, largely from within the Aquatic Kingdoms. Pilgrims and followers of a variety of gods across the six dynasties make pilgrimages to the temples of the Aldanuvian Orders in southeastern Filia. These orders, loosely related to the Wild Dynasty traditions, combine worship practices of a variety of gods who share domains within an aspect of nature. Acolytes of any god within their purview are welcomed with open arms, particularly during high holy days. Pharos-el-Filia, or the Lighthouse of FIlia, is the oldest lighthouse in the Aquatic Kingdoms, situated at the southern edge of the Kallio-Sirena. It is a destination of interest for historians and archaeologists setting out from Letos-al-Filia, though casual tourists rarely visit it. It also sees some tourism from art aficionados, as several famous paintings throughout the years depict it and its surrounding landscapes.

A fertile valley within the volcanic mountains of the Filian Range.