Mapvember 2022

This is the first year that I am dedicating time to participate in Mapvember. My goal is to complete a minimum of 7 prompts that will include an inspirational image and information for each prompt. My hopes for this challenge is to expand on the northern continent, Skiala, as much as I can with out burning out and juggling other commitments.

1. Crater

by Atanas Malamov on Unsplash (edited)

Avalo'ka Crater was formed by a volcanic eruption and has been dormant for many centuries. It is at the southwestern point of Skiala and is along the volcanic mountain range. During the winter months, this crater is covered in ice and snow, but during the summertime, everything melts and creates a natural occurring waterfall and lake. The lake is known for its clear and cold waters.

2. Cavern

by Joey Clover on Unsplash (edited)

Skiala is known for its numerous caverns throughout the continent. The most infamous cavern is known to the locals as Haven. It was one of the first caverns that settlers used as a shelter and is now a complete settlement that spans across the main cavern and the multitudes of tunnels and other smaller caves.

3. Crypt

by Jordan Grinter on Unsplash (edited)

The Crypt of Souls is found under the Dark Mountain. This lone mountain towers over the valley that Haven is located and is a sacred final resting place for all who live in Skiala. It is a place of peace and is guarded by the Crypt-guards who will ensure safe passage of all who come to the crypt.

4. Gauntlet

by David Lane on Unsplash (edited)

Avalo's Gauntlet is a series of warrior challenges that showcases hand to hand combat, weapons combat, tactics, and survival capabilities of warriors of the different tribes found in Skiala.

5. Shield

by Erik Mclean on Unsplash (edited)

The Wall of Memories is a wall of shields of those who were lost during the challenges and trials of Avalo's Gauntlet. It is a point of interest as a reminder to those who patriciate in the challenges to not underestimate the will of Avalo.

6. Anchor

by Nick Jio on Unsplash (edited)

Vanus' Anchor is a cove that is sitting at the southern shore of Skiala. It's calm waters and wide open shores are deceiving to most sailors. The cove is littered with sunken boats and ships alike. It is unknown for the cause of the phenomenon, but locals do noticed over time that pieces of ships and cargo will wash up on shore miles away.

7. Sea

by Adam Excell on Unsplash (edited)

The Mal'ink Sea is an expanse of water between the southern shores of Skiala and the northern lands of Ko'ten. During great freezes in the winter, portions of this sea ices over completely, creating a bridge between the two countries.

8. Island

by Annie Spratt on Unsplash (edited)

Hash'loka Island sits on the far northside of Skiala and is the closest landmass to the north pole of Rysidor. It is a secluded place, surrounded by folklore, curses, and legends. Some believe that the doorway to Avalo's realm is hidden here, while others believe that the monsters that came to plague the land came from here. Either which way, no one has ever traveled to the island and come back alive or sound minded enough to know the truth.

9. Palace

by Bharat Patil on Unsplash (edited)

Skialla'nok Palace located on Hosh'loka Island. From a distance, this glittering ice palace looks like something out of a fairy tale. But with a quick chat with locals, it is quickly learned that this icy palace is surrounded by dark lore. It is believed that it is the epicenter for the strange occurencs anytime someone tries to get to the island.

10. Cemetery

by Jill Dimond on Unsplash (edited)

The Graves of the Lost sits on a knoll on the north shore. This is a grave site for those who have washed ashore, that may have had a misadventure in trying to reach Hosh'loka Island. Many of these graves are unmarked but some locals still take time to pass by to pay their respects.

11. Dragon

by Mayank Gaur on Unsplash (edited)

An Obsidian Dragon is a small armored lizard that is found along active obsidian and volcanic spots. These lizards are usually black, but when snacking on certain creatures that feast on obsidian, their scales will change colors. They also have skin flaps under their arms and sides that they can use to glide over the thermals.

12. Ruins

by Bharat Patil on Unsplash (edited)

There are old settlement ruins scattered throughout Skiala from an era before. The Skialla'nok Palace is one of the most known ruin. But when the snow and ice melts in the southern part of Skiala in the short summer months, the landscape reveals evidence of small settlements to larger cities that have once existed.

13. Maw

by Natanael Vieira on Unsplash (edited)

Elio's Maw is a sink hole that is in the middle of the lake of Avalo'ka Crater that leads deep into the earth. During the winter months, this sinkhole is covered with ice and snow but when the summer comes and the ice and snow melts, this sinkhole turns into a whirlpool as water pours into Avalo'ka Crater.

14. Maze

by Kyle Lin on Unsplash (edited)

There is a maze of old lava tunnels and ice caves and tunnels throughout Skiala. These are both natural occuring and also tunneled out by the tribes that live on Skiala. Due to the harsh environment on Skiala, most of the tribes have created homes and territories underground. Only few brave the harsh storms and cold on the surface to hunt and gather resources, such as Ice Spice.

15. Pool

by Christian Jourdrey on Unsplash (edited)

There are many different pools found in the caves and caverns in Skiala. Admaris' Waters is a set of hotsprings that is found near the Crypt of Souls, that is known for its healing properties.

16. Nebula

by Nelly Volkovich on Unsplash (edited)

Skiala's skies

17. Dock

by Yann Allegre on Unsplash (edited)

18. Mine

by Jason D on Unsplash (edited)

There is a small Carnala Mining Company mining camp that can be found in the eastern mountain range, Lom'ink'la. They are dedicated to mining the extremely rare, red obsidian, that has only been found in Skiala so far.

19. Crystal

by Jason D on Unsplash (edited)

Red Obsidian is a rare crystaline resource that is made up of pure gosamyr. The only known available source is located in the Lom'ink'la Mountain and long a gosamyr vein known to the locals as Fi'inkii, or the River of Fire.

20. Egg

by Karina Zhukovskaya on Unsplash (edited)

Obsidian Dragon breeding grounds

21. Abomination

22. Corrupted

23. Undead

by Zeshalyn Capindo on Unsplash (edited)

Deep under the Dark Mountain, discovered by the inhabitants of Haven, there is a series of hot springs that are now forbidden to use. The reason? Zombie Fish. These fish have became hosts to a parasite called the Imposter Worm. The worm will inhabit its host and take over its nervous system, killing the host but still giving the illusion that the host is alive.

24. Abandoned

by Isabela Martin on Unsplash (edited)

25. Demon

by Sindre Aalberg on Unsplash (edited)

Don't touch these scrolls. Under the Dark Mountain within the catacombs of the Crypt of Souls there lies a massive room lined with miles of bookcases filled with scrolls. Each unique to itself alone. It is uncertain who collected these but one this in clear. If you hear one calling to you, don't answer the call, no matter what promises are made. These are known as the Demon's Scrolls. Those who answer the call, soon find their life short lived.

26. Sand

by Joanna Kosinska on Unsplash (edited)

Skiala is known for its black sand coastline due to its constant volcanic activity. The southern beach, Knoll'rik Beach'rik, is situated along an estuary that used during the summer months during trade season. The glittering black sand is a sight to behold for visitors.

27. Haven

by Joey Clover on Unsplash (edited)

Haven is the largest settlement on Skiala. It is situated in a massive cavern and has a series of smaller caverns and caves attached to it by numerous tunnels. Haven is naturedly guarded by the almost impassable terrain during the winter months and during the summertime, it is a bustily trade location.

28. Spice

by Lindsey Elsey on Unsplash (edited)

Ice Spice, or Snowflake Spice, is an herb that only grows in the coldest of climates. It is found all over the snowy landscape of Skiala. The plant grows short and stocky and the flowers that grow look like white fluffy stars or snowflakes. The fuzz keeps the flower insulated from frost and with eventually turn into a star shaped seed pods. This spice has a cool icy sensation to it, similar to mint. The tribes that trade with other countries export this spice in limited quantities as it is highly sought after from many communities. It is used in baking and as an additive in various beverages.

29. Harvest

by Jonny Gois on Unsplash (edited)

The harvest room is one of the main tunnels leading off of Marlena' Garden. This smaller cavern is used as a cellar to process and store the harvest from the garden. There are a couple smaller caves that branch off this cavern that stores the food that will be sold at markets or exported to other tribes and countries.

30. Garden

by Zanda Photography on Unsplash (edited)

Marlena's Garden is a massive underground garden and farming grounds that is found in Haven. This is the second largest cavern in Haven. It has a solid ice roof that filters in sunlight into the cavern and there are thermal pools and small heated streams that causes a greenhouse affect, staving off frost and allowing the inhabitants of Haven to have a fresh supplies of produce. The garden was named after one of the first few settlers of Skiala and Haven, the center of the cavern, houses the first garden, mainly of various herbs that are found around the world.