The Ne'wale Isles

Numerous islands make up the unruly archipelago, with the largest central island, Ne'wale, serving as the center of power, trade, and culture. Ne'wale itself is home to treacherous straits, towering hills, and natural archways bridging the gaps between mountains. The surrounding isles have similar geographies but never quite challenge the intimidating heart of the isles. Hundreds of rivers, underwater caverns, and hidden retreats dot the archipelago making it a haven for those looking for a quiet escape.

A somewhat infrequent occurrence across Iskara are Arcana Storms, a phenomena in which Arcana pools and is channeled violently through a raging storm. For the Isles however, this phenomena is all too common. Arcana Storms, known more commonly as the Storms of Orobor, are quite common and more violent in this region, a fact that still puzzles scholars. Locals believe something deep in the seas summons these tempests but the folktales of pirates matter little to the sophisticated minds of the mainlands.

Home to dense jungles and tropical forests, the Isles' flora and fauna are just as colorful as the the denizens that now reside here. The Isles are home to numerous unique species ranging from miniscule rodents and and colossal sea beasts. Such creatures have given the islands a violent reputation but has become its primary source of income. Much of the culture is influenced by the great beasts and many have formed a strange respect the creatures that care little for their existence.   Black-Scaled Serpent   The most notorious beast of the Isles, the Black-Scaled Serpent is commonly encountered by fishers and hunters and the largest among them are highly sought after. Given their variance in size and commonality, many who are seeking to become depth-hunters start their training by slaying the smaller, tamer serpents. The serpents meat is very common in markets and is often sold to Teldara and Ankar as an "exotic" dish. The scales are often crafted into clothing pieces, jewelry, and even weaponry on rarer occasions.   The serpent itself can range from anywhere between 15 to 70 feet long, is covered in thick black scales, and has a head resembling a snake, however, it has two rows of teeth and four eyes, one set positioned facing forward and the other focused on the peripherals. It is extremely agile in water and is quite fond of hit-and-run tactics when harassing both prey and hunters alike. Many legend surrounding this quick striking beast, but none as a common as the legend of Old White Scale. Said to be among the largest of the serpents, Old White Scale is described as having pearlescent scales and deep crimson eyes with countless scars lining its body. Some say the beast transformed its scales to be so taunting in the dark seas as challenge those foolish enough to even face it.   The Bone Shark   Bone Sharks are highly aggressive predators that are fond of hunting anything that moves. It gets its name from the chitinous exoskeleton that lines its body and bolsters much of its head. This natural armor makes the Bone Sharks quite difficult to kill and only the most adept depth-hunters even attempt to strike them, as it is paramount to know when and where to cut the quick moving beast. Their size ranges from 15 to 20 feet and can weigh up to 2.3 thousand lbs. They have two rows of teeth, one with fewer much larger ones used to snare prey and the second holds hundreds of razor sharp teeth for shredding flesh.   Much like the Black-Scaled Serpent, the parts of the Bone Shark are used for a variety of commodities from food to jewelry to weapons and armor. Given its salty and rather bitter taste, typically only the hardiest among the Isles are particularly fond of it.   Ruby Jumper   Ruby Jumpers are medium sized monkeys with light red eyes. They stand roughly 2 feet tall and weigh 15 to 20 lbs. These mischievous critters are quite comfortable around the many denizens of Ne'wale and are also quite fond of anything with even the slightest glimmer. Thieves and pickpockets have even been known to train a handful of them to acquire valuables from tourists or even syndicate members if they're brave enough. Pirate lords are also entertained by these miscreants and often have them parading around their ships.

Ne'wale lacks the various conventional resources that have made the many nations of Iskara so powerful and influential, instead it has the dark depths and riches of the seas. The gigantic creatures that lurk in the waters of the Isles are the primary sources of many of Ne'wales's resources. These creatures provide food, clothing, construction materials, tools, etc. and have great influence on the culture of the islands. While exports do provide a moderate source of income, it can not compare to the riches made through pirating. Given the Isles advantageous location between Teldara and Ankar, much of its riches come from plundering trade fleets of the continents. This of course is a major complication for the various merchants and nations that utilize the Gold-Black Sea and many attempts have been made to tame the lawless islands to no avail.

Legends speak that the Divines trapped ancient Void beings down in the deepest depths of the waters millennia ago and whispers of such creatures still persist. Such legends stem from the decrepit ruins of long lost civilization dotting the islands. Most of the surviving records speak one name, Orobor. What exactly Orobor may be is is still up for debate, though many locals believe it to be a massive creature of the deep and some even worship it as a god. Even the peoples of Hunua, a small collection of islands to the east within the archipelago, who have survived in the Isles for centuries, and even to this day, are unsure of Orobor's true nature.   It wouldn't be until the Age of Ruin that the Isles would begin to earn its reputation. At first many refugees seeking escape from the invading forces of The Void sought a safe haven in the relatively untouched region. Soon however those seeking refuge became opportunists looking to exploit the chaos. Marauders, bandits, pirates and all other roguish types descended on the isle driving out those who couldn't adapt to the depravity they brought. Fortunately for the rest of the world the initial years of the Isles were drenched in civil infightings and rivaling syndicates all vying for power. After the fighting settled down numerous gangs and syndicates would emerge, some even persisting to this day.

The handful of people willing to visit the Isles are the desperate and the bored elite. The unlucky few who dare travel here hope to strike a new fortune and elevate their station to a place of authority, but most unfortunately end up as food for the creatures of the deep. The elite that visit are generally separated into two groups, those they use their influence properly to ensure their safety and continued prosperity and those that fall victim to their arrogance and find themselves alone amidst a place that care not for them.