Curtana

The Coast of the Merciful Sword

Curtana is the largest country in the Sub-Continent of West Eirinn, itself within the mainland continent of Eirinn. Known for its cosmopolitan cities, robust shipping support and its large Weave Well, Curtana is considered one of the most welcoming and culturally varied countries in the world, despite the heavy social disdain from other parts of the Continent, particularly Nobility.

Geography

The northern border of Curtana is marked by The Scar, a huge chasm that many say descends into the Planes of Navia themselves, and is patrolled by the Scar Watch Knights of the Hold, operating out of Velarius’ Hold, Prowler’s Ridge and Fort Nicholas. The border does not follow The Scar exactly, but instead follows the path of an old riverbed that previously ran from V'helreshtifer's Deep to the Sea of Mercy. While this riverbed is now dry and mostly swallowed by The Scar, the parts that remain show evidence of former settlements, including the aptly named "Bridge to Nowhere". Beyond the Scar is the country of Duuintriya, also known as the Stone Coast, part of the Sub-Continental Region of North-West Eirinn.

The Stonemoors, a barren zone whose destruction dates back to the Fall of Ythrynaar, extends southward from The Scar toward the Fuldairan Plains and the northern edge of the mountains of Kalduhin's Range. Divided into the Northern and Southern Stonemoors, the Northern Stonemoors makes up the region from The Scar to the point forty miles southward toward the eastern half of the area. It is the location of the Umbrasill, an unusual natural Gate that formerly led to Tìr nan Dubhar, the Plane of Shadow (Realm of the Shadow Fey), but now sits dormant. The Southern Stonemoors make up the region surrounding the northern part of the Kalduhin's Range, stopping approximately 20 miles short of the eastern border. A huge lake, nearly 80 miles long, known as V'helreshtifer's Deep takes up part of the border of the east of Curtana, marking the edge of the Stonemoors and proximity to Country borders.

The east of Curtana south of the Stonemoors is predominantly taken up by the mountains of Kalduhin's Range, which stretches more than 300 miles in a straight line from top to bottom tips. At its widest, the Range stretches approximately 160 miles wide, and it is the source of the River Yorin, the River Viren, the Rivers of Five Sisters, and the River Durich. Much of the land to the west of the Range (south of the Stonemoors) is made up of the westernmost edge of the Greater Hartwood, the border with Hartmoor being marked by a low, stone structure that runs from V'helreshtifer's Deep to the River Murie, and is believed to be part of what may have once been a canal system. The Range features five mountains of note; the Cairn of Ravens, Mount Viren, The Witch's Peak, Mount Rahlishe, and Fulton's Peak, as well as the North and South Bailbrecht Mines.

South of the Range, the River Murie flows from Hartmoor to the Sea of Mercy in the west, splitting Curtana in two. It is the largest river in West Eirinn, and the Murien Fen encompasses the entire region south of Kalduhin's Range to the north of the Andarian Range, from the borders with Hartmoor and Iyvistian to the twinned towns of Yarrowbank, where the natural bridge known as the Giant's Rib is found linking them. The Andarian Range then marks the southern border between Curtana and Iyvistian, as well as the entirety of the 65 mile border with the country of Enholme. On the Curtana side of the Andarian Range, the sources of the River Eivies, River Duuin, Fahir's Brook, Fhenner's Brook, and Kiron's Brook can all be found, as well as the peaks of Duuin's Rest, Mount Caoime and part of Mount Andaar. Separating the Andarian Range from the northern edge of the Coastal Peaks further west is the Gateway Gulley, which features scattered areas of Alder Carr woodland amongst the otherwise rocky floor. The Sub-Continental Border between West Eirinn and South-West Eirinn runs from Mount Andaar to the coast, with the border crossing marked by a giant stone archway known as the Great Giant's Gate.

The Coastal Watch mountain overlooks the northern Coastal Peaks and the Faeladuun Mine. North of this mountain range is predominantly grassland and scattered tree clusters until you reach the coast. The Spruis Forest spans much of the area between the Andarian Range and the Merchant's Course road, separated from Feldhair's Wood by a thirty mile stretch of agricultural land.

North of the twinned towns of Yarrowbank, Lake Sendevier feeds the River Sendevier to join up with the River Murie further west, and the western bank of the lake is bordered by the Senderhold Wood. This wood previously met with the Viren Woods further north, and stretched all the way to the Bale Peninsula in the west, but the War of Countless Faces saw much of the woodlands of the Viren and Senderhold Woods destroyed. The Viren Fens and the Fen of Lament along the River Viren and its tributaries, however, remained untouched by the destruction. The Viren Woods are bordered to the north by the River Yorin and the Marshes of Rot, which also hold a small forest called The Rotwood. The Rotwood is a natural trap-area for necrotic energies, and is considered dangerous to travel in without proper preparations.

The final geographical place of interest is the Moonwood, north of the River Yorin and south of the Northern Stonemoors. It features a lake known as the Gentle Glass, which is said to have powerful healing and divination properties. The parts of Curtana that do not hold any significant geographic features are predominantly grassland and agricultural land, interspersed with scattered tree copses and the occasional rocky outcropping. The coastline features beautiful sandy beaches interspersed with soaring cliffs made of a mixture of limestone, granite, and Dragonscale Granite. The most famous Dragonscale Granite cliffs are located within the mouth of the River Murie, and are considered one of the tourist highlights of the city of Muriedge.

Alternative Name(s)
The Coast of the Merciful Sword
Type
Region
Location under
Related Traditions

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