Altalar is the continent west of Idryllia across the ocean. It is the origin point of dragons, and their subsequent creations. After the Primordial Wars, in the early Age of Settlement, Yvera used powerful magic to raise most of the central landmass into the sky. This resulted in New Altalar, and the archipelago termed the western isles by Aergosian explorers. To avoid confusion this article deals primarily with the Island Archipelago, while New Altalar covers the lands raised.
Cities And Civilization[]
Bastion[]
- The long standing fortified port capital of the Mariner people, Bastion and its surrounding farmlands covered most of a large northeastern isle in the archipelago. It became the last refuge of humanity in the times between the Daemon's arrival in the Age of Knowledge, and their defeat in the Age of Cataclysm. Sadly, to destroy the daemon hordes, Bastion itself was sacrificed as a trap and drowned by the Water Dragon Aquar.
Fairhearth[]
- Located in the south-southeast portion of the archipelago, surrounded by the Forest of Illisar. Fairhearth was the only remaining settlement of the Yveralisyr in Altalara. It was able to resist Aergosian forces in the Age of Knowledge, though it sided readily with them against the Daemon Incursion. Approximately midway through the Age of War, it finally succumbed to assault, and was left a burning mass grave. The location is avoided by superstitous Mariner's and Aquarisyr, who fear the angry ghosts of the fallen elves.
Fort Praius[]
- The landing point of the Aergosian armada when they came westward, they quickly established fortifications for defense. It is on the eastern most isle of the chain, as might be expected. The truce between Aergoth and the Mariners was signed in Fort Praius in the Age of Knowledge, and it also held out long against the Daemons. Eentually it fell and became a Daemon stronghold, with some refugees escaping aboard ships to Bastion.
Janderstak[]
- Janderstak was a Yveradryn outpost, from which they acted as ambassadors between the remaining isles and New Altalar. A large spire on the Isle of Faergyl, it is actually an incredibly ancient tree that has petrified to stone. Owing to the Yveradryn's levitation, only the first few floors are accessible via stairs, with most of the upper levels requiring flight or skilled climbing through air shafts. Abandoned before the Age of Knowledge, it never attracted the attention of the Daemons.
Krael[]
- The Daemon's Castle, it was originally an Arcane Society encampment on a small isle in the central east part of the archipelago. Over the years of the Daemon Wars, they were able to expand the isle magcially, and create an impressive fortress. It is still held in the Age of Mortals by the remnants of the Daemons, though it's aggression has been significantly reversed by the massive losses in the Age of Cataclysm.
Thyldrisleim[]
- The ancient elven city of the Thualisyr before they split into two races. It lies on a northwestern isle. Avoided by the Yveralisyr, who instead settled in new places, it became an abandoned ruin. Mariner's and Aquarisyr both avoid it, fearing magical traps, and dangerous spirits.
Geography[]
Forest of Illisar[]
- The Forest of Illisar surrounds the site of Fairhearth, and also covers a pair of neighbouring islets. Since the massacre at Fairhearth, it shares only a slightly less dark reputation for haunting and spirits. The islets are popular camping spaces among the Aquarisyr though, foraging in the forest on them for fruits and wood to make weapons.
Isle Of Faergyl[]
- The Isle of Faergyl comprises an ancient forest, so old that some of the trees have begun to petrify into stone. Although it contains Janderstak few visited it even before the Yveradryn left, as the ancient forest also contained great beasts that had no fear of the newer races.
The Catacomb[]
- The Catacomb is what the locals term Altalara's equivalent of Idryllia's Underworld. The two may even be connected, as few have explored it properly. Nonetheless, it is a series of labyrinthine tunnels and caverns, said to connect all the isles. The Daemons attempted to make use of it for attack, disliking sea travel, but had little success.
The Mouth Of The World[]
- A large volcanic isle in the southwestern edge of the archipelago. It was once dwelled upon by the Khazadryn and Mordrakryn, but has been abandoned since, and most of their leavings destroyed by periodic eruptions. The isle is also difficult to reach, as unstable tides and perhaps undersea fissures lend to creation of whirlpools and dangerous waves. Mariner myth states that all life was born from here and moved outwards.
Strait Of Final Hope[]
- The strait between Bastion and Fort Praius gained its name in the Daemon Wars, as it became the main defensive line against the assault. Daemons were poor sea travellers, and were held off by Bastion's defenses here for a great time. Due to the drowning of Bastion at the end of the Age of Cataclysm, the Strait has for the most part, simply merged into the ocean.
Watchlight Peak[]
- The highest point on Bastion's eastern cliffs, it was long used to light signal fires for homecoming ships. In the Daemon Wars it became used for observing movements of the Daemon armies. Since the Age of Cataclysm, it is the only remaining point of Bastion above water, and some Mariner's venture from Solsguard each year to honor their fallen home.