Wessa
Wessa is the Vainite name for the large sub-continental region at the far western side of the northern continental landmass. Spanning several climate zones, bounded by frozen tundras to the north, and hot jungles and deserts in the south, most of Wessa is a temperate land of rolling hills and rivers.
Dominated by the Midrun Sea, a great inland thrust of the Western Ocean, Wessa is divided into a northern and a southern half. Wessa is the only place Hulderfolk and Düergun live in great numbers.
In ancient times, this land was inhabited by diminuative halfling races, the ancestors of the Hulderfolk (northern and southern Gremen) and later by their descendants, the Düerguns, Sylvani and Kiani Fae. The Greenwood (Fal-Prasinas), a huge expanse of dense forest north of the Barrier Mountains is the home of many hybrid sylvan creatures.
Sub-Regions
Ailunar: This is the name of the ancient Fae coastal kingdom, north of Fae'ri and the Midrun Sea. Some say the name derives from the vaguely crescent moon shape of the Ailunar coast. But the name simply means “land of the Lunari” (the Fae referred to as moon elves). Aisular: This is the name of the ancient southern Fae kingdom, surrounding the Sea of the Sun at the southern edge of the Wessan continent. Originally a fertile land, watered by great aquaducts built by Düergun slaves, this empire of the Sulari Fae was destroyed in the days of the Conflagration. It is now a desert land of ruined cities. The source of the volcanic eruption that brought about the Conflagration, the island of Kiersea, is land of legend and rumor ruled by one of The Ilmatar called "the Mistress of Kiersea." Barrier Mountains: This long mountain range is so named because it forms a natural barrier wall between the Midrun and Suthrun lands of Wessa (Epeiros). At the time of the Conflagration, as the awakened Dragons devastated the entire southern half of the Wessan subcontinent, the Lunari created the ethereal “Border Cyclones” (sonorothuella) to prevent dragons from passing north across the Barrier mountain range.Geography
Temperate
Fauna & Flora
Linderberry: The linderberry is a tall hedge-like bush bearing small purple berries, similar in size and taste to blueberries. When collected ripe from the linderberry bush, the berries have healing properties; a dozen berries consumed can heal 1-3 points of damage (if above 0 IP). Linderberries are also used as an ingredient in certain healing potions and other medicines.
Host-Maple: The host-maple tree is a large wide-bowed sap-bearing tree, often used in the ceremonies of the Fae and Vainite religions. The sap of the tree is collected in special seasons of the year. It is made into a syrup and used in the baking of biscuit-like cakes that are given to the poor by the faithful. The name "host-maple" comes from the practice of ethereally grafting apple branches on to the tree. A spicy cider called “Vassail,” which is made from these apples, is reputed to have ethereal restorative properties. A warm cup will cure 1-3 IP of non-trauma damage, sometimes more.
Baern Pear: One of the most common fruit-bearing trees of Wessa, cultivated baern pear tree groves are often found in or near Vainite towns. The fruit has a dull yellowish brown skin, with a sweet pulp. It is a good trade fruit, in that it stays fresh for a long time after picking.
Iron Oak: This strong and heavy wood is found in many temperate regions, and is often used in construction of sturdy items and dwellings. Because of its durability, journeyman crafters are able to make use of iron oak wood to construct shields, staffs, and clubs with a +1 quality rating. Such items, however, are 150% the weight of comparable weapons made of normal woods. Iron oak wood does not float.
Sky Monarch: The sky monarch, a relative of the sequoia, is one of the tallest trees on Aerith, often reaching heights of over three hundred feet. For this reason, Sky monarchs have been used as tower citadels by the Aesheloni of the Shadowood in eastern Nøerdewessa. With trunk diameters exceeding thirty feet, portions of a living tree are actually carved out to create rooms inside. With rough red bark that is resistant to fire, sky monarchs can live for many centuries.
Royal Hawthorn: The hawthorn is a common bush, with long sharp spikes along its branches. It has been used as a barrier hedge to divide land into plots. The timber, when of sufficient size, was used for making small articles. The root wood is used for making boxes and combs having a fine grain and takes a beautiful polish. Hawthorn wood makes excellent fuel, known for producing the hottest wood-fire available without ethereal means. The rare species of royal hawthorn is used among the Fae to make the traditional crown of thorns worn by Fae royalty.
History
Terminology: In the age of Advent, the Elva used the term Epieros (the mainland) to refer to lands outside of the island of Faeri, the nearest being the region later known as Wessa (the Aesheloni term for the region). In time, the name Epieros was used to refer more broadly to all non-elvaen lands across the globe (that is, excluding Arkhea and Faeri). It was through Elvaen usage that the term came to be adopted by other cultures as the name of the whole world.
Alternative Name(s)
Lansia, Noerdewessa
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