Nelean Islands

Emerging from the endless river Neleas, these various islands and island chains boast the most unique environments known to the races of the Verdant world.

Geography

Rather than being a single large archipelago, the Nelean Islands include many lesser archipelagos or individual islands scattered over the whole length of river Neleas - the endless river that has no beginning and no end and separates the Verdant world from the Umbral and Radiant worlds. This proximity to these otherworldly realms gives the islands their uniqueness, as the natural forces of two, or, as is in the case of the hypothetical Nelean Delta, all three worlds converge to create life as none of the worlds know it.
The islands range anywhere from small to mid-sized, but a few large islands are known, although only two of them are accessible from the Verdant realm - Ranoll and the larger part of Denesta, the rest of which reaches past the river's middle and is impossible to reach - a daring traveler would find himself back on the verdant side eventually, no matter what route he would take - much like any sailor that would attempt to cross the endless river.

Geologically, the standard rules of rock formation and the forces behind them break down - the terrain is wildly varied and absolutely unpredictable, becoming increasingly alien and bizzare as it nears the middle of the river.

Constant shifts and changes in the features of the islands are common as well, their frequency also dependent on their proximity to the river's center.

The most remarkable features of the island's geology are not the extreme shapes and eerie geological activity of the islands, but the source of that activity - the ground and minerals themselves appear to be alive. Some rocks consume other rocks, they are constantly moving and taking over each other. A common feature are moving stone trees, known collectively as Rockwood, although they wildly vary in size, shape and function.

The shifting lands are extremely dangerous for creatures from any of the realms, they do have extremely varied and active ecosystems, however, which are adapted to thrive in the harshness of these mysterious, magic-saturated lands.

History

The islands on the river Neleas have been known since ancient times. Their first known settlers were a couple of Ensatorik tribes that managed to make it onto some of the islands relatively close to the shores of the Verdant world. These realms were unique and seeped in magic, yet still similar and recognizable by the settlers, who immediately started to revere the unique ecosystem as sacred and would continue to do so, believing to have found heaven and to be its dedicated keepers and guardians. These isolated Ensatorik tribes are known as the Taliverak.
Later colonization was mostly unsuccessful, as more civilized societies were unable to survive in the chaotic environments of the islands. The Taliveran archipelago thus became an important source of extremely valuable resources found nowhere else in the world, much to the dismay of the Taliverak, who were caught in the middle of several power struggles for the natural resources found on their islands by civilized powers. All these conflicts combined are known as the Eight Taliveran Wars and caused great damage to large portions of the Taliveran ecosystem.
Some other colonies managed to survive the harsh lands and extract some resources, but were usually small in scale and short in duration. After their abandonment, some people decided to stay and make the islands their home, for example the Zakkare tribe, Kiita Commune and the Ci-tarrak society.
The islands have become an attractive target for adventurers and explorers starting in the Age of Novelty, after the population boom resulting from widespread silverwheat cultivation made the Verdant realm swell with people.

Alternative Name(s)

Worldend Islands

Type

Archipelago