The Upper Isles
"There is an indescribable feeling of majesty when one views the flying upper isles for the first time, rising up above the sea the higher the airship flies towards its final destination. In all my years of travelling and cataloging of the natural and unnatural wildlife of Roshar, very little has captured that same sense of awe as the upper isles did upon my first visit in my younger days."~Professor Maddieux Sonmas Monster Hunter and Natural Historian
Geography
The geography of the upper isles varies depending on which one you are on. For example, the shattered isles in the center of the chain is a flat plain full of deep chasms and one enormous island in the center, but other islands have mountains, forests, some urban dwellings, and plains. Thus, each island will be listed below:
Island 1: Zinkenstill sometimes called "The divided isle" by Mainland dwellers, is most well known for the Crown mountain range which runs down the length of the island, dividing it almost exactly in half. The island also features a forest on the northern end of the island. In the center of the Crown mountain range is the Crown Jewel mountain, a high mountain that towers above the rest in the range. The Crown mountain range (like all mountains on the upper planes) are very steep mountains, which makes them all but impossible to traverse on foot. That aside, the rest of the island is covered in planes, and there is quite a farming community that produces 1/4 of the upper islands food stuffs, half of which is sold to Lumacie.
Island 2: Valtz is the seat of the floating Isles power. There, parliament holds its sessions within the House of Burgh to discuss and debate public policy in regards to the various isles. Similar to the EU, Parliament holds sway as a binding government force for economic prosperity, while maintaining the sovereignty of each state. Port Breeze has a single city, Edinburgh, which takes up a surprising amount of the city.
Island 3: The Port Breeze archipelago is the main port from which airships take off and land, and thus the city of Port Breeze has taken on huge life as one of the biggest cities on the upper isles. Featuring the Ysveren mountain range, a a stretch of mountains which have a number of tunnels and crosses dug into them to make travel easier to Port Breeze. Port Breeze is able to produce its own food, however it rarely has surplus as almost all of it is used to feed the sprawling city.
Island 4: Albion is one of the largest islands in the archipelago, however it is almost as desolate of full time residents as the shattered plains. Years ago, The House of Burgh decreed that Albion would be preserved as a nature reserve after a number of mining and timber companies initiated a war between them trying to acquire the rights to operate on the island. It is the most popular destination in Roshar, with a number of health resorts sprinkled throughout the island.
Island 5: Misty Mountain is home to the main Unkalaki (Dragonborn) population in the archipelago, who reside by the hot springs of the high peaks (like many of their kinsmen do throughout Roshar. These Unkalaki are very mysterious, as only a handful of people have ever survived the climb to the high peaks and hot springs. It is believed that these Unkalaki will call their kinsmen from the mainland "air sick midlanders" since they live at a lower elevation than the upper isles. Because of the Unkalaki's almost reclusive nature, the peaks have not been officially named.
Island 6: Arcarum is the center of trade for the entire Upper Isles. It has very few resources at its disposal (aside from trees), so it makes up for that with the revenue generated from trade through its major city Canicknak. Almost all companies and businesses use Arcarum as a neutral location to exchange goods and services. Arcarum charges a strict tax on all goods and services that are exchanged there, but in return protection security anonymity is provided to all parties, and the rest of the money is used to feed the people who live on Arcarum.
Island 7: Auguste Isle is the main producer of agricultural products in the upper isles, as most of its landmass is perfect for fields and growing crops or livestock. Aside from its fields, Auguste has the Augustine waterfall, a multi-layers waterfall that drops into the ocean below, and the Cindred mountains/forest.
The shattered isle: the shattered isle is a merciless wasteland. Deep cracks and chasms cover almost the entire isle, and absolutely nothing grows there. it is believed that long ago, when mankind fled the Tranquiline halls, their impact shattered the land on which they landed on (the shatered isle before it floated in the air). However others argue that when the isles were lifted out of the sea by the almighty, one great voidbringer attempted to destroy the isle, shattering it almost completely. Jasnah Kholin argues the infertile soil prevented permanent living on the isle, and rain water from high storms made the cracks.
Island 9: Mephorash also known as the desert Oasis. Built around a large lake in the desert, Mephorash is known as the Golden triangle because of its deserts, and the Great Casino. People travel from miles around to the only casino in Roshar. Vorinism expressly bans gambling and predicting the future, however, the Golden Triangle is able to get away with it because it is in the middle of the desert, and outside the reaches of the church. They also claim the passions allow them to gamble, thus the church can't stop them. The Vorin church admonishes Mephorash, however as long as you don't get caught there, there's nothing the church can do.
Island 10: Helmsmast is the island of ship building. All airships are produced on this forested island. The Helmsmast forest provides perfect cover and materials to build the airships that keep the upper isles and the mainland connected.
Island 11: Lumacie is also known as the citadel, having fields, forest, mountains, plains, and wetlands, Lumacie provides the perfect training grounds for military units. As a result, the Upper Isles militia uses the island for all training exercises. Joint operations between any number of countries are also performed on Lumacie, causing quite a number of bases to be constructed on the island. It is said that during the early days of the upper isles, air pirates quickly became the kings and queens of the sky, and they used Lumacie as their home port. Now those days are long gone.
Island 12: Steelpoint is home to the Ouest, Etre, and Sur mountain ranges, but they are particulrly known for manufactured goods. another island without many resources like Arcarum, Steelpoint is one of the main patrons of Arcarum, and has struck many deals their to maintain raw goods that can be manufactured.
Island 13: Golonzo the wildlands is home to the final frontier for settling. The furthest island in the chain, the land out there is untamed and begging for exploration. In the last year since Golonzo city was settled, 3 ancient ruin sites were found in the woodlands. It is believed by scholars that this could be the break needed to understand how mankind came to Roshar, and where they first lived.
Alternative Name(s)
The Flying Isles
Type
Island, Floating
Location under
Included Locations
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