Skar Islands

The Leviathan Sea:

  The waters surrounding the Skar Islands teem with gargantuan marine life. Taking its name from the Leviathan Whales, even the most experienced sailor has found themselves shipwrecked when sailing the Leviathan Sea. The waters near the Thrye port of Bolvater take on a black hue. The result of many Leviathan carcasses being dragged to port for processing. The smell of Bolvater is said to be "unique" compared to the rest of the sea.  

Thrye Island:

  The largest of the four Skar Islands, a third of Thrye Island is frozen above the Winter Line. Below the tundra of the Winter Line, the semi volcanic Thog Mountains ring the lower half of Thrye. Hot springs found at the base of the Thog Mountains gives credence to the local legend that a massive dragon slumbers beneath Thrye. It is from these hot springs that Hroth the Navigator discovered how to steam wood, and there by build better ships.   Just beneath the Winter Line lies the Ellyr Plain. Herds of reindeer feed on the grasses native to the Ellyr Plain, while the Skarrans sow what few hardy crops they can in the thin topsoil.    

Thrangr Island:

  East of Thrye lies Thrangr. Like Thrye, much of Thrangr lies in the tundra above the Winter Line. Thrangr is also home to several hot springs. Unlike Thrye, the local Skarrans attribute this to myths of Dravir. The Dravir are said to be bone white elves that toil beneath the Hule Mountains.   Whatever the truth of it, many Snow Bears come to the hot springs the feed on the migratory seals.  

Boda Island:

    South of Thrye, Boda is the smallest island of the Skar. Locals of Boda make their living by fishing salmon and mining the rich coal and iron veins. Unlike Thrangr and Thrye, Boda has no hot springs or volcanic activity of any kind.  

Drasr Island:

  The southern most island of the Skar, like Boda, boasts no volcanic activity in its mountains. Of the shores of Drasr, Horned Whales can be seen battling Leviathans for territory.

Leviathan Whale: The legendary Leviathan Whale prowls the Leviathan Sea eating salmon and smaller seals. Reaching lengths of up to 250 ft, the Leviathan Whale is the biggest marine animal in all of Aerra. When not being whaled by the Skarrans, the Leviathan fights the Horned Whale for territory and food.   Horned Whale: Reaching a modest 25 ft length compared to the Leviathan. When threatened the Horned Whale charges at its foe with its long spiraled horn. The Horned Whale will often clash with Orcas and Leviathans over food and territory.   Salmon: One of the more abundant fish in the Leviathan Sea, salmon is fished and hunted by the many predators of the Skar.   Seal: Migrating between the islands and more southern waters, seals find themselves preyed upon by the larger marine animals as well as the snow bears.   Snow Bear: These large white bears frequent Thrangr for seals, and salmon before retreating north of the Winter Line. During particularly cold winters, snowbears will cross the Leviathan Sea hopping from iceberg to iceberg until reaching Thrye. Once there they will hunt the reindeer and any Skarrans that cross their path. Reindeer: Herds of reindeer roam the Ellyr Plain on Thrye. There they eat the native grasses and are hunted by the Skarrans and occasional snow bear.

Coal and Iron: Mined from the rich Hule mountains on Boda.   Salmon: The waters of the Leviathan Sea are plentiful with salmon. Every island of the Skar has a small fishing fleet devoted to catching salmon.   Whale Oil, Whale Bone, Whale Hide: Those brave souls that hunt the Leviathan, if they survive the encounter, are wealthy once the whale is processed. Its fat is rendered into a flammable oil to light lanterns, its waterproof hide is cured, and even its bones are used as tools. Whalebone combs in particular are a prized commodity among the Northern Realms and beyond.   Hot Springs: A natural hunting ground. All manner of animals come to the hot springs during breeding season. Some are so hot as to be boiling. At these boiling hot springs shipwrights craft Hroth boats before carrying them to the coast where they'll be put to sea. Some Skarrans even bathe in the milder hot springs for the reputed healing properties they possess.