Tyrnos Island
The Adenian Empire lays claim to Tyrnos Island, which sits about 150 miles off the eastern shore of northern Libynos. It has forested lowlands around the coast, but a short way inland, all around the island, are mountains so steep that even the peak-savvy Adenians could not explore them successfully. Full exploration was not necessary, though, to discover the incredible flying lizards that lived among the peaks. Unique to Tyrnos Island, these lizards have iridescent feathers both beautiful and magical. Like many lizards, though, they molt their skins on a regular basis and then the feathers can be gathered in good condition if people with the necessary skills are on hand at just the right time. The valuable feathers are sold to a select few merchants and traded at high prices in northern and eastern Libynos, but are almost unknown in the rest of the world.
The Adenians have built fortresses at key places around the island to protect their interests from intruders. The Castorhagi Far East Company and the Alcaldrich Imperial Navy have encroached more than once in the past three decades, though now that Castorhage and Alcaldar are practically at war, they may leave Tyrnos alone. Adenian ships patrol around the island regularly, although it is possible a small boat might find a place to put in that would be unnoticed.
Vigilance against intruders has been increased dramatically in the past few years. After mining various metals in the outer mountains for centuries, a vein of adamantium was discovered and a mine is now in operation. Work there accidentally led to another discovery, one that is being held in even greater secrecy: It seems the mountains do not cover the interior of the island. Instead, they ring a deep, round valley.
The few sages aware of the valley’s existence speculate that it could be the remains of the caldera of a truly ancient volcano. Whatever its origin, the valley is filled with plants and animals unlike any ever encountered by any of the sages. The hot, damp atmosphere has caused ferns to grow high above a person’s head, with thick trees towering over those. The animals seem even less likely than the flying lizards: one type has a body as big as a house and a tail as long and thick as a downed cedar tree. Another has a protective ruff or frill to guard its neck and a pair of vicious long horns, plus a third on the nose with which it can gore or toss a creature it feels is threatening it, as unfortunate explorers discovered. Flying lizards have been spotted among the tall trees, but these are a dozen feet long or more, rather than three to four as the ones in the outer mountains. Explorers and sages are certain there must be a way to use this discovery to showcase the might of the empire or increase the wealth of participants, but they have not yet determined what it might be.
Settlement
Tyrnos Island
Type
City
Owning Organization
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