Arpago

Most islands of Arpago are volcanic in nature and new ones emerge and sink all the time, a few notable exceptions are Maruta and Kyrah as they have no volcanic activity whatsoever. It is believed that these two islands were at one point part of a larger landmass that is now underwater, or that they were created and formed with divine intervention during a previous age by the primordial deities. The mountainous areas of the islands are now covered in tropical flora and fauna, with the occasional eruption making new fertile ground. The Evertide storm lies at the center of the archipelago, moving in semi-regular intervals in between the closest islands to it, and the prevailing Hylotl mythology refers to this storm as the residence of the primordial deity of water. Most of the islands are coveredin dense jungles of rare and valuable woods, and an abundance of fruit trees and spices that are nigh impossible to find or cultivate elsewhere, which makes Hylotl cuisine vary a lot in between islands.    Being amphibious, there are a certain number of hylotl that prefer to live underwater, and their settlements reflect this by usually being located in the edge of the water or along a stream that flows across. Merfolk have also been known to occupy these underwater settlements along the Hylotl, but such ocurrrences are rare, other peoples have also migrated to Arpago, causing the inland parts of setttlements to grow as well, to the point where places like Kyrah and Moloka have proper large cities and trade ports, where other island have smalles towns and villages.

The islands that have vegetation find it in no short supply, being a tropical environment. Thick jungles cover the partsof the islands that are not settled or domesticated, dense shrubbery and ferns covers the ground, where taller flora creates a sizable canopy. Patches of wild bamboo can be found across the islands as well, where many of the more land-based communities make orchards to cultivate it.

The lack of centralized government in Arpago makes commerce difficult for outsiders, but there is an abundance of resources o be found if one knows where to look: teak, sandalwood and ebony are relatively common finds in the right places, mahogany is much more scarce, being grown for trade in Shari, there also exists a type of steelbark which is softer and more flexible than that found natively in Aethoria and Nothag that is highly prized by local and foreign bowyers.   Spices are another item of value that explorers and traders search for, as the climate allows for many varieties of plants to grow, cinnamon and tamarind are local favorites. Island cinnamon, as distinguished from that found in Nurasti has a softer, more fragrant flavor and is rarer overall than continental cinnamon.    Another popular and important resource is tea, which grew in the wild in the islands before being taken throughout Alephon sometime during the sixth age, still, it is here that tea finds most variety, as each island presents unique growing conditions leading to a large selection of blends, varieties and species.

The faithful of Ioun Karani tell a story of the region that was whole in the first and second ages, only to be shattered and sunk by the primordial conflicts of the third age. The large islands that remained were the highlands of this pre-shattering land, and further conflicts caused the volcanic activity giving rise to all the others in the fourth age.  It is during this time that the first signs of Hylotl civilization emerge from the waters, born, allegedly, from the primordial deity of water itself.    Few records of this time survive, and those that do are written in ancient Hylotl script in very delicate sheets of bamboo fiber, so the few places that keep the originals are very restricted.