Where Empire, Elves, and Desert Winds Converge

The Ornian Coast forms the eastern and southeastern edge of Faenas, where rolling farmlands descend toward a broad inland sea whose waters have shaped civilizations for millennia. Along its shores rise ancient ports, ruined elvish metropoles, desert gateways, and bustling fishing towns that trace their fortunes to the unpredictable tides of the Ornian Sea.

This region blends imperial legacy, elvish antiquity, and southern desert culture into a mosaic unlike anywhere else in Arcasia. It is cosmopolitan, contested, deeply historic—and full of opportunities for explorers, merchants, and seekers of forgotten lore.

Geography

The Ornian Coast consists of a broad arc of coastline stretching from the eastern foothills of the Dragonteeth Mountains to the northern edge of Zareem. The terrain features:

• wide beaches of pale stone
• marshy river deltas
• limestone cliffs
• ancient elven quarries
• coastal scrub forests
• sea caves carved by centuries of storm surge

Inland, the land rises into gentle farmlands and low hills before joining the Selukar Basin and Northern Verdant Belt.

The Ornian Sea

The Ornian Sea is a vast inland sea comparable in scale to Earth’s Black Sea—deep, cold in its depths, and prone to sudden storms driven by pressure fronts from the Dragonteeth Mountains.

Features of the Sea

• Deepwater Trenches near Edosall’s ruins
• Warm Southern Currents flowing from Zareem’s coast
• Abundant Fishing Grounds supporting coastal economies
• Tidal Ruins visible only during low-lunar cycles

Rumors speak of submerged structures linked to Chelonia, though scholars disagree on whether the sea ever reached that far in earlier Ages.

Navigation is difficult in certain seasons, especially under Thalune’s erratic cycles.

Cities and Settlements

Idrisburgh — Harbor of a Hundred Histories

An ancient port city on Faenas’ eastern coast, Idrisburgh is known for:

• layered architecture built atop earlier civilizations
• multicultural trade (Faenian, Zareemi, Tilçanhu, dwarven, elvish)
• a thriving harbor and shipbuilding tradition
• smuggler coves and hidden sea tunnels beneath the docks
• shrines dedicated to maritime spirits and forgotten gods

Idrisburgh predates the Empire, though the Empire expanded and fortified it heavily. Today it is an independent trade hub watched closely by the Sapphire Dominion.

Edosall — Ruined Capital of the Elven Coast

Once a glittering elvish metropolis, Edosall served as a center of learning, magic, and artistry long before humans arrived. Elven marble towers and aqueducts rise from the coast, cracked and vine-choked.

Features:

• broken spires visible for miles
• mosaics depicting elvish lunar myths
• partially collapsed arcane vaults
• magically preserved gardens
• districts where the light seems unnaturally filtered

Small human settlements now exist in the outer ruins, while deeper areas remain effectively forbidden due to lingering wards.

The Empire once attempted to restore Edosall as a symbol of unity, only to be humbled by its mysteries.

Nulbarak — Port of Desert Winds

Positioned at the southern end of the Ornian Sea, Nulbarak marks the cultural edge of Faenas and the threshold of Zareem.

Its identity blends:

• Moroccan-inspired architecture of clay and sun-painted stone
• sea trade with Idrisburgh and Faenas
• caravans departing for the Zareemi Confederation
• desert lore brought by wandering tribes

Markets overflow with spices, dyes, dried fish, and travelers’ tales.
Nulbarak is cosmopolitan, chaotic, and indispensable to regional commerce.

Coastal Villages and Fishing Clans

Dozens of smaller communities line the shore:

• Ornan’s Steps (stilt village)
• Keshar’s Landing (stone jetty fishing town)
• Wavebarrow (cliff settlement with carved cave dwellings)

These villages often follow pre-imperial customs and elder councils.

Cultural Identity

The Ornian Coast is a crossroads region where different peoples and traditions meet.

Elvish Echoes

Rituals, architecture, and artistic motifs in the region trace back to the old elvish kingdom centered around Edosall.
Local festivals often honor moonlight or tide patterns believed to be influenced by ancient elven magic.

Faenian Legacy

Imperial-built harbors, roads, and watchtowers lie across the region. The coastal people still use variations of the Imperial Calendar.

Desert Influence

Southern merchants bring Zareemi customs, food, textiles, and stories.
Nulbarak and Medo-Zogan serve as melting-pots of desert and northern culture.

Maritime Tradition

Sailors here hold strong superstitions:

• calling the Ornian Sea “Old Breath”
• refusing to whistle aboard ships
• telling tales of drowned watchtowers and ghost fleets

Many fishing clans trace their lineage to the earliest human settlers.

Economy and Trade

The Ornian Coast thrives on maritime commerce.

Exports

• fish, clams, oysters
• salt
• dyes and resins
• marble quarried near Edosall
• exotic southern spices (via Nulbarak)
• wine from inland vineyards

Imports

• northern timber
• Selukar Basin grain
• dwarven metalwork
• desert fabrics
• Tilçanhu medicinal herbs

Trade Routes

• Idrisburgh ↔ Ambervale (river-sea road)
• Idrisburgh ↔ Edosall (historical restoration route)
• Nulbarak ↔ Medo-Zogan ↔ Zareem (caravan route)
• Idrisburgh ↔ Cymric Isles ↔ Sukoku Channel (over-water shipping)

The region is wealthier than the Northern Belt but more politically volatile.

Political Influence

The Ornian Coast is divided among several Faenian successor states:

High Faenas

Maintains diplomatic oversight in Idrisburgh and independent villages.

The Sapphire Dominion

Actively attempts to expand influence into Edosall and its marble quarries.

The League of River Princes

Controls major river-to-sea trade and seeks ports to extend their network.

Zareemi Confederation

Holds cultural sway in Nulbarak and coastal southern Faenas.

The region is a diplomatic battleground without open war—yet.

History

Before the Empire

Elves controlled the coastline and inland forests.
Human settlements formed later around fishing and trade.

Imperial Age

The Empire incorporated Idrisburgh and built harbors, fortresses, and administrative centers.
Imperial scholars worked with elven elders in Edosall—an alliance that waned by the Empire’s late era.

Kurai Era

Kurai detachments guarded Idrisburgh’s sea gates and trained naval units.

War of Sundering

Coastal routes were disrupted, Edosall was partially destroyed, and Nulbarak leveraged its position to rise in prominence.