The Moonsea area is filled
with many interesting geologic features. Most obvious is the sea itself,
which contains many an interesting isle, besides the famous Traitor's Isle,
if the adventurer knows where to look. The climate of the area is rather
temperate, with the tropical regions in the north. The northern point of
Moonshadow it is only about ten days sail northward until one reaches the
equator and the mysterious lands north of it, where people live in houses
built for giants and they ride the wind in giant winged palaces. The winds
generally blow in from the northwest, bringing rain to the northern parts
of the Moonsea. The southern areas receive little rain, as there is a small
chain of mountains, which block the wind, creating the Dry Desert.
The
Amerisan Mountains
The range of mountains sacred to the goddess Amerisa is located in the
eastern part of the Moonsea area, just southeast of Moonshadow. The mountains
are sometimes referred to as the Roof of the World, for there is no point
higher known to any in the Moonsea area, even the great sage Gladior. Just
above the treeline rests the great temple complex Falconrest. The great
fortress is ancient, many claim it was created when the gods shaped the
world, for it is one solid rock. No bricks or mortar mar its perfect surface.
The
Dry Desert
The
Moonsea
The Moonsea is named after its shape, namely that of a crescent moon.
It is similar to a large gulf off of the larger Sea of Caekiir surrounding
the rest of the continent. There are several smaller islands inside
of the Moonsea, but only one of any size or import: Traitor's Isle.
At one point in time there was another isle, about 50 nautical miles north
of where the city of Aeyn lies today with a busy city built on the island.
The cult of an ancient sea god is said to have dwelled there, making it
strangely ironic that the island sunk when it was hit by a large tidal
wave and simultaneous earthquake. Beneath the waves there is a kingdom
of sea elves which is constantly in contact with the elves of Moonshadow.
All sorts of exotic marine life abounds in the warm seas, although in the
deeper portions of the sea there is marine life of a more sinister sort...
The
Sea of Cækiir
The main body of water in the warm climates of southern Aeyn
is the Sea of Caekiir. The warm waters contain all sorts of fish
and other wildlife. Traders ply their work up and down the coast
and within the Moonsea area, most of the sea is explored because of the
difficulty of trading with the regions south of the Dry Desert without
the expensive liscenses charged by Salar Firenze, Baklava's minister of
trade and King Gregory's childhood friend.
The
Free Plains
This region of rolling plains is located just east of the Moonsea and nestled
just to the West of the majestic Amerisan mountains. Farming in the region
produces an unequaled yield, but the regions population consists of warlike
nomadic tribes made up of elves, humans, and half-elves. Half-elves find
the tribes of the Free Plains to be especially welcoming, for the tribal
life is one of the few that will truly accept the heterogeneous breeds
into society. Likewise, in tribes of the Free Plains both elves and men
work side by side as equals. Few societies exist that have the races working
as closely or as well together. Anarchy reigns supreme in the Plains, with
each tribe claiming a certain territory that moves according to the seasons.
Woe be to the traveller who should spend a night and water their horse
at a clan's hole without permission. In addition, most of the tribes continually
war with each other; a practice to satisfy their bloodthirsty deity, Bathamen.
The lands of Baklàva, Cabral, and Moonshadow also have claims to
the land. The Elven Empire has left the plains alone in recent times, preferring
to use the chaos in the south to ward them from any encroaching humans.
Cabral claims very little of the lands, but Baklàva has claimed
the whole of the Free Plains as they are the main trade route between the
capital and the sea. As such, skirmishes are more than common. Travellers
beware!
The
Horncrags
A smaller range than the Amerisan mountains, the Horncrags form the southern
border of Baklava and are in many ways responsible for the climate of the
Dry Desert to the south. The range is largely believed to be impassible
except through Fistan's pass, located nearly in the center of the range.
The pass is guarded by the large Baklavan fortress Southkeep. On
the southern side of the mountains are a few scattered villages, some Dana
and some just of the desert traders of Segorah. As the pass is closed
for the protection of the people of Baklava, little is known about the
southern side of the mountains. The Horncrags are rumored to be very
dangerous and travelers are warned about venturing within them on any road
but that to Southkeep, as some of the other trails leading into unknown
parts of the mountains might well lead somewhere, but nowhere safe.