The seas of Khoras are dotted with untold thousands of islands. Many of these are no more than a coral reef, a hump of sandy rock and a few hardy plants. There are, however, a few dozen major islands which warrant a more thorough discussion. These are the islands marked on mariners' maps and serve as points of navigation. Many are home to small fragments of civilization - small outposts, trading ports, primitive tribes and the like.
Abadan Island
This island is home to many independent
bathynian fishing
villages that band together, but are not associated with a central clan.
Abalen Island
A large island which is home to several
karthasian hive-cities.
Anne’s Isle
Anne's Isle is a collection of bathynian villages which are
clanless. However, a powerful female warrior has united the villages into a tiny
kingdom and has declared herself Queen. Some 4,000 people live on the island
under the tyrannical rule of Queen Anne and her company of soldiers. Queen Anne
is concentrating on building up her small army and becoming a political power in
the region. However, Anne's Island is not currently recognized as a nation by
any major political entity. She has a long way to go. Queen Anne has declared
war on the other Bathynian clans and has declared that she will behead the other
clan leaders and unite all of Bathynia under her rule. Lofty goals for someone
who only controls one tiny island so far.
Argren’s Isle
Named for the captain who first put it on the sea charts. A large
island which the
Myrians use as a training ground. Some tribes will send young
warriors here for a ceremonial hunt to gain their manhood.
Balsiger Isles
All three of these islands are choked with thick jungle
vegetation and many dangerous beasts roam here. The smallest of these three
islands is home to a large nest of
hive spiders. The sun bleached wrecks of
ships that set ashore here lie on the beaches, their crews having discovered the
horrible truth too late.
Birrum’s Island
Named after the captain who first landed here. This large island
is home to a small nation of
mandalar. There are only about 10,000 mandalar dwelling here on Birrum
Island. The mandalar of this island generally dislike all other races and prefer
to be left alone. They will attack any who set foot on their island. They are
competent sailors and sail and fish the waters
around their island in crude vessels.
Borakar
A large island completely covered in dense jungle. This
island is home to dinosaurs. These great hulking reptilian beasts of every
imaginable shape and size will hunt any foolish enough to land here. It is not
known whether or not these are the products of same crazed wizard, a natural
evolutionary tangent, a forgotten weapon from the Great War or perhaps a side
effect of the Drellis Effect. No formal studies have been conducted and the last
three expeditions to this island failed to return. It is considered a very
dangerous region. Most mariners know to avoid it.
Brymal, Isle of
The Isle of Brymal dominates the center of Ramalan Bay on the
northwest coast of Qeshir. This warm, balmy island is a hotly contested body
that has seen numerous battles. The conflict between various petty warlords,
clans and other forces in the area have shed much blood on this island. Both
Anquar and
Padashan are interested in controlling Brymal as a strategic naval
center.
Cendreil Island
This island paradise is warm and temperate despite it's northern
location. It is a sacred place kept and protected by the
Etharan elves. When
Etharan elves reach a certain age, they often come to Cendreil to die in peace.
Some of the most ancient mystic ceremonies of the Etharan elves are conducted on
this island. This entire island is a holy sanctuary of the Etharan elves.
Eastern Jades
A group of three major islands surrounded by dozens of tiny
islets. The Eastern Jades are home to a number of small communities. The
population here is a mix of vaullian, saridian and human. The Eastern Jades are
considered part of
Sarid.
Fire Isles
The
Fire Isles refer to a group of volcanic
tropical islands that litter the sea between Aggradar and Qeshir. They are the
home of thirteen primitive human tribes of hunter/gatherers. These tribes
constantly war with each other. Collectively, the various peoples of the Fire
Isles are known as the alakabu and this term is used by scholars who discuss the
Fire Isles. The Fire Isles
are the source of fabulous legends, stories of cannibals and tales of human
sacrifice. Rare spices and exotic
plants and animals are brought from the isles to far corners of the world.
Forlorn Island
A desolate windswept land of rocky shores and broad grasslands in
the interior. There are no permanent settlements on this island and little of
value here.
Granath Island
This large island is perpetually shrouded in mist and cloud. The
island is riddled with hundreds of geothermal vents which continuously vent
noxious gases and volcanic ash from beneath the surface. Granath Island has
several very
active volcanoes at its center. The whole island is unstable and wracked with
frequent land quakes. Mariners often refer to this island as "The Isle of Mist"
and "Isle of Dragon's Breath". Granath Island is home to fire drakes,
one colony of hive spiders and a variety of other dangerous beasts.
Hadikar, Isle of
A snow covered island of barren rock and icy winds. Little
vegetation grows here. The sea around this island is full of penguins, seals and
orcas. On the island itself, there is little animal life beyond a particularly
hardy species of fur covered seagull.
Hadley Island
Hadley Island lies off the west coast of Ithria. It is home to a
loose confederation of fishing villages. Most of the people here are of
Bathynian descent, although there are some westerners,
dwarves,
phellysians and
even
avarians. Hadley island is something of a melting pot and all are welcome.
Currently, Hadley Island is having to repel small raids from Anne's Isle. No
central government rules here. These are rough
frontier towns and can be somewhat lawless. However, for the most part, these
are quiet fishing villages, free of taxation from any government. People look
after their own here.
Hamish
Hamish is home to a handful of small bathynian villages.
This island is used as the launch point for bathynian ships raiding the
Talis
coastline. Because the phellysians do not sail the sea, the bathynians are able
to operate shipyards and ports here with no interference.
Haskov Island
The island of Haskov is mostly woodland and much
timber harvesting is conducted here. Logging roads wind their way through much
of the hilly interior of the island. On the coast of this island a number of
tiny fishing villages. The main town on the island is Haskov which is built
around a large central harbor and a number of shipyards. Haskov's shipyards used to produce all imperial ships
and some bitterness exists over the fact that the contracts have been moved to Mercia.
Now, the shipyards produce smaller boats, perform repairs and strive for technological
innovations.
Horak Island
This barren rocky land is home to a secretive warrior monk
society that jealously guards the island and its privacy. It is said that these
warrior monks dwell in a city sized mountain fortress at the center of the
island. They will kill any who set foot on the island. Ships that venture too
close to this island risk being attacked by the monks who fish these waters in
their own sleek craft. These warriors have a rigid hierarchical rank structure,
live a militant lifestyle and practice their martial skills daily. They settle
disputes and promotions through formal arena combat.
Ile Scholerum
Ile Scholerum is a huge island which is jointly shared by the
Vaullian and
Saridian governments. The island is home to several massive
academies that cater to vaullians and saridians. It's name means "the island of
scholars".
Kasadem
A large beautiful island of open grasslands, sandy beaches and
tall cliffs. This island is, for the most part, uninhabited. On the south coast,
there are ruins of a large town. It is likely that some ancient empire that
preceded the Great War once held an outpost here.
Krog’s Rock
According to seafarers, this island is home to a giant named Krog
who does not take kindly to any who land on "his" island. If reports are
accurate, he stands almost 25 feet tall and is likely a giant of the ogre race.
He wears a belt of human skulls as a bandolier and eats the flesh of his
victims. He is occasionally seen fishing in a giant sized sailing vessel.
Lerobar Island
Lerobar Island has a tragic history and is intimately tied to
the
Chaddamar
Theocracy. In 2085 CY, a great plague swept through the Chaddamar Theocracy. The
church of Chaddamar blamed the evils in the Desolation and declared that the
sick must be sent away to await the judgment of the gods. The sick were rounded
up and sent into exile on Lerobar Island. Plague camps, filled with the dying,
littered the island. Mass grave sites became common. The military of the ever
growing Chaddamarian church made sure that no one sent to the island ever set
foot off of it. The plague camps slowly became more permanent and civilized
establishments. After various cures were found, the plague was conquered.
However, those on Lerobar was not allowed to return. The Chaddamarians saw them
as "unclean". It was decided that the Lerobarians should stay on the island and
never be allowed to return. Over the decades, Lerobar Island became a convenient
place for the Church to exile anyone whom they wished to simple get rid of.
Political prisoners, prisoners of war, dissidents, heretics and anyone who
opposed the faith found themselves sent here. To be sent to Lerobar was,
essentially, to be exiled. There was no reprieve, no return.
A revolt on Lerobar in 2247 led to a full rebellion in which the people of Lerobar threw of the shackles of the oppressive government. At the bloody battle of Shaker Bay, the Church was taught a hard lesson. The people of Lerobar obtained their freedom and grudging respect from the Church. Lerobar is now something of an oddity - not a separate nation, but certainly a fiercely independent province at the least.
Little Vasar
A private island owned by Sevro Ilar Yarran Keb, the wealthiest
saridian in the nation. A shrewd businessman and well known inventor, Sevro Keb
has amassed a fortune and purchased the island from the government years ago. He
now maintains a vast estate here along with a private army and small fleet of
ships. He also leases out sections of the island to other wealthy saridians who
have their own private estates here. Little Vasar is, in some ways, his own
personal tiny nation.
Midland
Named so because it is almost exactly half way between Ithria and
Qeshir. Midland has a troubled history. It has been attacked and occupied by
different nations over the past 2000 years. On the west coast are the ruins of a
major city, probably Thullian or Traxxian judging by the architecture. Midland
is now a small, isolated land which is home to a dozen small independent fishing
villages. These villages are of mixed heritage, many of which count pirates,
outcasts, sea gypsies and escaped criminals among their population. These small
but hardy villages have survived and thrived for several hundred years. Although
independent, they do band together to repel invaders. Midland has successfully
shaken off annexation and conquest by
Rukemia,
Padashan and
Anquar. Although of
some strategic value due to its location, these three major nations have decided
that Midland is simply not worth the trouble to conquer. If ever war were to
break out between them, however, this could change.
Mountain Top Isle
The Mountain Top Isle (sometimes called the
Surviving Island) is the only body of land within the
Captured
Sea. Long ago, this was the peak of a mountain which subsequently sank into the waters
when the sea formed from the landquakes of the
World
Storm. The ruins of an Irenni city still stand on the
southern shore. The island is claimed by
Arkalia.
Nadzam Island
Years ago, a pirate ship wrecked on the coastline of this island.
Captain Nadzam and his crew set up a small camp. When other ships found them,
some left, others chose to stay. Over time, the camp has built several permanent
structures and has transformed itself into something of a frontier town. This
island now has several tiny establishments, mostly thieves, pirates, bandits and
other assorted criminals. It is a lawless island. The largest is the original
village, now called Nadzam's Town, even though it has a population of less than
500. Nadzam rules the island a bit like a mayor. Officially, this tiny
collection of villages is not recognized by any government. For many ships, this
is the last tiny bit of civilization before heading out to deep sea.
North Otak
North Otak and South Otak islands are military bases where
permanents garrisons of the vaullian army and saridian navy are stationed. The
military forces here are a mixed vaullian-saridian force and are sworn to
protect Ile Scholerum from any threat.
Omatad Island
This snow covered icy land is said to be home to a single great
beast - a monstrous fur covered terror that hunts anything it can catch. Sailors
spin tall tales about the creature and give it the name "omatad", which in
the Tomarin tongue, means "land shaker".
Ookarat
Ookarat lies northwest of the
Sybren Imperium. This massive
island is owned and operated by the Sybren military. Soldiers of all types are
sent here by the thousand to train. Survival training, tactical exercises and
whole mock war games are fought out here between massive armies as part of the
Imperium's continuing push for military might. This island is off limits to
non-military personnel. It's shores are patrolled by military ships. Visiting
royalty from the Imperium sometimes stay at a great palatial estate here and are
treated to private parades of soldiers in formation. The island is doted with
military camps, fortresses and large training grounds. Several small coastal
fishing villages have sprung up here to conduct fishing, farming, harvesting
lumber and other activities to help support the military.
Petran’s Isle
This island is the home of a powerful sorcerer named Petran. He
lives here alone - no servants, no slaves, no armies.... just a lonely tower on
the coast of this small isle. Mariners avoid sailing too close to this island.
Rumors claim that this wizard made a pact with a powerful demon for immortality,
and was instead cursed. Everything he touches dies, he himself is a walking
corpse. His exile is self-imposed, they say.
Qaiden Island
A beautiful island that is shared by several races. Avarians,
elves, humans, bathynians and even some dwarves live here in small, mixed
communities.
Sayre Island
Sayre Island is the largest of the "Pirate Isles". It is home to
more than three dozen small farming and fishing villages.
Sollok Island
This island is claimed by the Kingdom of Anquar although some
political tension exists as Sollokians resist the central
Anquaran government.
The anquaran town of Kannor resides here. Sollok Island is a temperate region
known for fishing and seamanship. It experiences mild seasons and has many fruit
orchards and vineyards in its interior.
Sornok
Similar to Hadley Island, Sornok island has a few isolated
fishing villages with no central government. The people of Sornok and Hadley
share a similar cultural and racial mix.
South Otak
One of the two military controlled islands that protect Ile
Scholerum.
Tembrul’s Island
This fabled island lies almost exactly in the middle of the Mad
Seas. This island is considered cursed as are the Mad Seas about it. The Mad
Seas are a dangerous place, full of storms, rogue waves and unpredictable
currents. This island is said to pull ships toward it where they are wrecked
upon shallow rocks and shoals. Dozens of ships have been wrecked upon the shores
of this island. Many ships venturing near to this isle have simply vanished
without a trace. This island is part of the reason the Mad Seas have such a
reputation and why mariners fear to venture too far out in it.
Temolok's Island
A very beautiful idyllic paradise just off the coast of
Rukemia. Morcrest is a vacation spot for
wealthy imperial citizens. Most villages are situated on high cliffs overlooking
white sandy beaches and clear waters. Imperial nobles and statesmen often have
second homes on this fabulously wealthy island. The town of Morcrest boasts one of
the best magical academies in the Empire.
Three Maidens
These large islands are the playground of the wealthiest imperial
nobles of the
Sybren Imperium. The largest island is the private resort of the
imperial royal family. These islands are strictly off limits to foreigners and
common citizens of the empire. They are guarded by the military and their
coastlines are patrolled by fast naval warships.
Treleb’s Rock
This small island is avoided by mariners. It is said that this
was once a beautiful island before the Great War and home to several small
villages. During the war, it was hit by a terrible weapon, a devastating magical
spell which laid waste to the whole island. The villages were wiped out and not
a soul survived. To this day, the island is a lifeless rock still irradiated by
the magical energies of the weapon. Ships passing too close to this island will
be affected - the crew will become sick, food will rot, animals will become
wild. Mariners give this island a wide berth and no one is known to have set
foot here in centuries. Most people believe that Treleb's Rock is a death zone.
Anyone who sets foot here dies. Most people don't want to test the theory and
leave this place alone.
Vasar Isle
Vasar Isle is the territory of the saridians and is claimed by
the Commonwealth of Saridia. It is home to several small villages. Dumalin is a
major naval port and is defended by a permanent government contracted mercenary
group of 200 soldiers. Saridia maintains vast agricultural lands here as well as
orchards and vineyards. Wealthy saridians maintain private residences on the
eastern half.
Wayward Isle
Few ships have visited this out of the way island. It is home to
one abnormally large karthasian hive ruled over by two queens, an almost unheard
of phenomenon. This hive community is very aggressive and does not tolerate
intruders.
West Jade
A small island between the Eastern Jades and Sarid. West Jade is
the home of several major Saridian academies.
This page last updated Saturday, July 01, 2006. Copyright 1990-2006 David M. Roomes.