Skycharged Archipelago
A Chaotic Paradise
Simultaneously a living nightmare and a thriving paradise, the Skycharged Islands are one of Valyria’s strangest locales. It’s constantly pummeled by storms, earthquakes, and sometimes even flares from the rings themselves, yet life flourishes in every nook and cranny of the archipelago in stark contrast to the islands’ origins.
Well, everywhere but here. Here, it doesn’t work that way.
It might be due to the close proximity, but here, the rings actually make the magic in the area stronger. This can lead to all kinds of difficulties, with magic leaking into the ocean or mutating fauna or causing islands to forcibly combine into one huge island like it did that one time.
These magical spikes can be incredibly dangerous- if things isn’t controlled correctly, something will blow up. Or cause an unstoppable wildfire. Or a plague. Or all three, in a disturbingly recent case.
About the Archipelago
You see, the largest island isn’t an island at all; it’s the remains of a colossal and ancient dragon. While it’s mostly made of stone and dirt and, well, normal island stuff now, it’s very clearly a dragon– not just a normal one, but an absolutely gigantic one at that.
It’s pinned to the seafloor by a massive spear- clearly that’s what took it out. You can see the spear from miles and miles away, jutting out of the horizon like a beacon. It's usually refered to as "Dragon's Downfall" by the locals. As for what could have wielded the spear… we don’t know. Yet. The rest of the archipelago consists of floating islands, carefully upheld by an unknown source of magic. These islands tend to wander with the wind, but they never stray far too from the dragon’s body. What keeps them attached? We don’t know. Yet. I swear we are working on this.Environment and Phenomena
As for the environment, there’s a bit of a variety. The archipelago is mostly covered in jungles and grasslands, filled with vibrant flora. Other than that, some of the floating islands and the area around The Heart are… quite different to say the least. They're full of strange plants that feast on the nearby mana and animals that can harness the elements effortlessly. We don't know what pushed these environments to these extremes, but it's certainly interesting to see. The main island is surprisingly intact despite getting hit with an earthquake or tsunami every other year- the odd thing happens when the rings flare. Usually, ring flares mean less magic. They weaken it, suck it in like a vacuum, then release it a few weeks later. Pretty simple.Well, everywhere but here. Here, it doesn’t work that way.
It might be due to the close proximity, but here, the rings actually make the magic in the area stronger. This can lead to all kinds of difficulties, with magic leaking into the ocean or mutating fauna or causing islands to forcibly combine into one huge island like it did that one time.
These magical spikes can be incredibly dangerous- if things isn’t controlled correctly, something will blow up. Or cause an unstoppable wildfire. Or a plague. Or all three, in a disturbingly recent case.
NOTABLE CREATURES AND WILDLIFE
by Inkfisp/Autumnkitsune
THE DRACONIDS
Not to be confused with whatever created their home, the Draconids are an intelligent species native to the Archipelago. They live on the floating islands, carefully surveying the land and seas below. Some think that they may have been created from the dying dragon’s magic, others think they may have just evolved naturally. by Inkfisp/Autumnkitsune
CANDLECATS
A result of ring’s flare. This small species used to be just a normal cat-thing until a storm decided that they should have magic powers. Now with control over fire, they left their title as “minor nuisance” behind and moved to the top of the food chain. Nonetheless, they're still tiny. Ferocious, but tiny. by Inkfisp/Autumnkitsune
VIERIAN'S CROWN
A small flowering plant that deals with its high-mana environment by coating itself with magic as a defense mechanism. It’s pretty effective, yet very dangerous to everyone who is not the plant—not that it minds that last part. Despite the danger, they're a common ingredient that is used in a lot of local recipes.
Number of Settlements
5
A city built on one of the larger floating islands. It's mostly inhabited by the Draconids, but some other species live there as well.
The Heart
The area where the dragon's heart would be, if it was somehow still intact. This includes the meadows and caves that surround the area, which are all filled with strange flora and fauna.
Specter's Island
An island that appears to be man-made. It's full of ruins from who knows when, but most of them are slightly if not fully overgrown. It's rumored to be haunted by it's creators, but there isn't any proof.
5
Notable locations
StarwatchA city built on one of the larger floating islands. It's mostly inhabited by the Draconids, but some other species live there as well.
The Heart
The area where the dragon's heart would be, if it was somehow still intact. This includes the meadows and caves that surround the area, which are all filled with strange flora and fauna.
Specter's Island
An island that appears to be man-made. It's full of ruins from who knows when, but most of them are slightly if not fully overgrown. It's rumored to be haunted by it's creators, but there isn't any proof.
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