The Lonely Islands

TODO: Chronicles of Alvergia Excerpt

The Lonely Islands refers to numerous islands and archipelagos spread across the oceans of Alvergia. They do not directly belong to any region, either culturally or meta-physically. Each cluster is its own entity.

Several regions in Alvergia often have well established pantheons that also significantly influence the culture and politics of the region, through temples and priests. The lonely islands often do not have this. Worship does still occur on the islands, typically for natural phenomenons, such as volcanoes, storms or the ocean. However, this worship is not as organised as for deities in other regions, with most worship being personal or within small families. Nor is there any proof these deities are actual conscious entities like those of other regions. There have been rumours of powerful, but not godly, beings travelling to the islands, attempting to establish some cult like following.

Mechanics Note: This means that clerics, warlocks and religious characters from these regions will likely adopt gods from another region or will create their own custom deities/patrons in character creation.

Prestonia Archipelago

Location: Azure Ocean, South of Cyranos

Prestonia archipelgo is a cluster of volcanic islands in the Azure Ocean, south of Cyranos. Despite its central location, the archipelago is one of the most remote locations in Alvergia. For some unknown reason, the space surrounding the islands is warped in such a way that travelling without magic takes far longer than it physically should. A journey that should take weeks may actually take months or even years. It is actually faster to go around the islands, giving them a wide berth, than it is to sail near them. All measurements, mundane and magical, suggest that the area and location shown on most maps produced by the Cartographer's Guild of Rubin are correct. Yet the region otherwise appears to sailors as if its roughly at least six times larger. This often leads to additional markings being added to maps of where not sail, lest you wish to become lost at sea for months. There are multiple theories for this, from curses, to paranoid gods to blurred planar borders, not disimilar to those on the Pelais Coast.

This results in an isolated community of residents, likely less than 15,000 spread across the islands in small tribes. Many of these people are completely unaware of this phenomenon, simply assuming the ocean surrounding them is far greater than it actually is. Some localised magic or ancestral spirits appears to guide some natives in navigating these seas when methods commonly used by outsiders, such as celestial navigation or dead reckoning, would fail.

Like many of the Lonely Islands, organised religion and provable deities are not found here. Worship tends to be personal, with people and families effectively creating, naming and worshiping their own deities, which may or may not exist outside this worship. Common focuses of worship include ancestors, the ocean, volcanoes, rivers and large sea creatures such as whales and dragon turtles.

Like some other Lonely Island clusters, the archipelago is home to some of the more uncommon peoples in Alvergia. Tribes of mustelid like people roam, sail and dance across the islands. The whale-like songs of the tohoran people can be heard all across the islands and water during their various saltwater rituals. The occasional magma gaian has been known to awaken in the volcanoes and lava flows.

WIP, need to add some stuff about nomadic maori-inspired culture, maybe the population of mustalid and whale like people too

The Ashen Rings

WIP

Kansho Sea, between Xia and Ilahli

Either an ancient godly battlefield or an major extraplanar portal/rift

Redsoul Atoll, Philwood Isle and Blueroll Isles

WIP

Azure Ocean, Southwest of Pelais Coast

Could just make these part of Pelais

Hermit Isles

Location: Aurien Ocean, North West of XIa

The Hermit Isles are perhaps the loneliest of the Lonely Islands. Not only are they extraordinarily remote, they have a curious aura about them. For some unknown reason, one is always alone there. No matter how many people come to the islands, even at the same time, you are incapable of perceiving or interacting with anyone else. A thousand people could be stood on the islands at once, and the only person you see, would be in your reflection.

This aloneness is amplified by the stillness and quietness of the atmosphere. Not quite silence, but the winds and waves can barely be felt or heard without great focus. Almost as if nothing ever happens on its own. You are the only thing that moves, that breathes, that truly exists.

There does appear the be ruins of an ancient settlement on one of the islands. Structures sturdy enough to shelter in, not that there is much to shelter from.

Ferrocrag Rocks

Location: Azure Ocean, East of Solis

Jutting out of the Azure Ocean are metallic pillars, some fusing into islands made of iron. These islands do not appear to be manufactured however, at least not by humanoid tools. Their shapes appear as natural as stone.

Upon these isles dwell many unusual and dangerous monsters, many appearing to be made of ferrous metals themselves. The mightiest of these is rarely seen above the surface, often lurking in caves or beneath the waves. Accounts differ on what this creature may be, or if its even a singular creature. Some say its a dragon, some say an ancient and cursed giant, others say it is but superstition. No one has seen it clearly, at least none who survived to tell the tale.

Another legend of the rocks, that may or may not be true, is that they hold portals to other worlds. Worlds filled with great wonders and treasures. You just have to sail into them, at the right time, on the right date, at the right angle, at the right speed, and avoid smashing upon the iron rocks like so many before.