Ashenrime Isle

The Isle is located in the Shattered Sea, nestled between the two peninsulas of the North of Eirinn and surrounded by choppy seas that regularly freeze over, even during warmer months. With its proximity to the edge of the Wyld Floes, much of the Shattered Mouth region between the two peninsulas is dangerous to sail, and can therefore only be accessed by Icebreakers.

Ashenrime Isle is snow-covered for most of the year, it's landscape ever-changing due to the shifting snowdrifts and ice formations that grow and shatter daily. Rocky and mostly inhospitable, it also features some of the clearest lakewaters known to Sapientkind, as well as a wide array of rock and mineral formations.

Ashenrime Isle is known for the atmospheric event known as Icyline's Blessing, a brilliant light display featuring colours of blue, green, and purple dancing across the sky in ribbons, and interspersed with glowing white orbs. Considered a separate phenomenon to the Northern Lights, Icyline's Blessing can be seen all year round and the absence of the phenomenon is said to represent an impending catastrophe.

The Isle features a primarily Arctic climate, characterised by long, cold, dark winters, and short, cool summers. The coastal areas tend to experience milder conditions due to the influence of the sea, while inland areas often have more extreme temperatures. Averaging at -18°C for much of the year, the Isle experiences relatively low humidity and features unpredictable snowstorms with heavy snow.

Despite the harsh conditions, Ashenrime Isle is host to a selection of hardy plants which offer rare berries, tough greens and nutritious roots. The most common trees are scattered conifers, though the southern part of the Isle features a unique micro-sub-arctic climate protected from the harsh conditions by surrounding mountains. Temperatures in this area, known as Eira's Garden, can reach above 10°C for at least one month each year and the forest here consists of downy birch and grey-leaf willow, with the occasional mountain ash.

Local animal species include reindeer, winter wolves, winter foxes, winter hares, snow lemmings, ermines, musk oxen, polar bears, frostsabres, and snow elk. Additionally, the coasts are home to a variety of seals, while the sea waters feature whales and frost morgawr. It is believed that there is one small herd of mortifers upon the island.

The Isle is also said to be home to one of the largest possible havens for Undead creatures, with sightings of many cold-based Undead creatures being reported. However, populations of these Undead seem to be regulated or controlled by an unknown authority, rumoured to possibly be the mythical Frozen Court.

Locals of the Isle are reliant on fishing for food, as well as cultivation of the few spaces where fauna can easily grow. Whales are a carefully controlled, but necessary, resource for whale oil, meat, and fats, which are used for lighting, waterproofing, and food.

The land itself is rich in minerals, but is difficult to mine due to the cold weather. It is the location of some of the largest caverns of Mana Stones relative to its size, but they are again difficult to extract due to the extreme temperatures and ever-changing landscape.

Tourism to Ashenrime Isle is limited and rare. The majority of visitors to the Isle are there for work or exploration purposes.