Creqira (Cray-KIR-ah)

The Creqira -- also known as the Crown of Life -- is one of the most important landmarks, holy sites, and geological features of Icalar. It is a crater in a cradle of tall mountains in the northernmost corner of Icalar, filled with springs and lakes that form the root of all rivers by falling from the heights as a series of waterfalls known as the Eizunuth Veil. It is thus the principal freshwater source. Partly out of veneration, partly out of accessibility, it is thought uninhabited and generally not visited. Indeed, the Creqira exists outside of national borders as an entity unto itself, though Ustraria, Iyr, and Balaqalneyis share a border with it. Due to the geography of Icalar itself and the fact that Kiva, Unenshuut, and Seyis-Gol do not have direct theoretical access to the Creqira -- but each territory has access to a river that leads back to it -- a long-standing, mutually-agreed and -upheld diplomatic immunity travel permit exists that allows unobstructed travel for a single round-trip journey a year via these waterways for the purposes of pilgrimage or 'water-seeking'. This was of particular importance in the founding days of most countries and the higher prevalence of Sehndism.

Geography

Small mountain range, creating a high plateau, surrounding a dormant volcanic caldera that is now the site of a large number of freshwater springs and resulting lakes of varying depths. Gaps in the mountains to the south allow for the cascade of at least ten major waterfalls and dozens to hundreds of smaller ones (collectively the Eizunuth Veil) to the lower lands, where they temporarily merge into a wide internal delta-lake at the base of the mountain range known as the Eizunuth Well . Five principal rivers then flow out from the Well. West to east: the Praethin, the Qos (and the Eleqos), the Tubisqu, the Dakpa, and the Laqalney.

Natural Resources

Largest and most guaranteed freshwater source on the continent. Kelaqgux -- a key ingredient of enstreng -- is made from a selection of minerals mined from the Eizunuth Veil and Well.

History

The Klatuut claim to trace their ancestry to the area. The Great Sky Drake is believed in some interpretations to make her home there, or that the area is otherwise sacred to her.

Alternative Name(s)

Crown of Life, Hand of Sacred Waters, Crown of Many Waters

Type

Crater / Crater Lake / Caldera

Location under

Icalar

Included Locations

Related Ethnicities