Aishelon

Derived from the elváen phrase meaning "land of the wanderers," the region of Aishelon is often considered by many to be at the center of the world — both religiously and politically. The greater region of Itaania is a land of diversity in climate and culture, including mountains, coastlands, and plains. It also boasts great forests, like the Fae woodland realm of Fal-Tashnia. Originally, the word “Aishelon” referred only to the specific peninsula of land in which the legendary Crucible of the Flame is located in the hills of Athel, overlooking the Serendine Valley/Sea. By westerners, the term "Aishelon" is often to refer to the entire subcontinental region, on the western and eastern sides of the straits of Shian. Aishelon has been conquered and occupied over the centuries by many different nations and races, including Vensians, Ilmarites, and Rakkian Uruks. Off the southern coast are the islands which became home to the Mirriling people, and well as the undersea kingdom of the Serendi. Aishelon is most noted for being the land in which the legendary Crucible of the Flame is located.

Fauna & Flora

Valloran: This tall silver-barked tree is a rare species of conifer. Its soft finger-width blade-like needles are of a dark bluish hue. Found only in the region of Aishelon, these very large trees are often cited in Fae poetry as a symbol of strength and beauty. The durable white wood of a Valloran is resistant to burning by fire or lightning. According to legend, the Crucible of the Flame was formed from the branches of a great Valloran. Valloran wood is able to be made into weapons and shields of +2 quality. Its natural ethereal quality allows weapons made of Valloran wood to inflict standard damage on ethereal creatures. When burned, Valloran seed cones give off bright light in the ultraviolet spectrum, greatly enhancing ultravision. Special torches are made by the Tashani Fae to bear these cones. Blue Ash: This very tall deciduous tree features a dense canopy of dark compound leaves of a bluish tint. The leaves reflect an even more vibrant blue sheen at twilight and dawn. The floor beneath a copse of blue ash tends to be rather bare, since the heavy foliage of the canopy blocks much of the suns rays. The Tashani Fae are known for planting blue ash in and around their enclaves to block lines of sight. Rikni: This medium height shrub-tree has a cinnamon-colored wood, favored for carving figurines and toys. The wood itself gives off a pleasing spicy scent. It is often used to smoke meats — not only adding to the flavor but helping to preserve the food as well. Rikni-smoked jerky is often used in traveling rations. Sylphany: A medium-sized tree, with thin drooping leaf clusters, the sylphany bears small pale olive-like fruit. But it is the wood of the sylphany that is most prized. This strong but supple orange-colored wood is often used making in fine musical instruments. The wood gives instruments a vibrant, resonant quality, with an increased tonal presence. Bardic ethereal formulas played on instruments of sylphany have a 10% increase in range.