Aorlan

Geography: Aorlan stands as a great northern landmass dominated by three great mountain ranges and expansive ancient forests. The mighty Kheleckoros Range, containing the tallest mountains in the world, runs down the middle of the western half of Aorlan, isolating the far western lands from those in the east. Oriented from east to west, the dangerous Carakoros Range separates the frigid northernmost lands from the rest of the continent. Finally, the Tawaros Range dominates the far north of the continent, with jagged high peaks covered in enormous glaciers.

While no clear-cut line clearly separates the continents of Aorlan with Beorlan, most knowledgeable cartographers and geographers place the break near 38 degrees north latitude. Starting from the point where the mouth of the Lindesir River flows into the Gulf of Shenn’valea, the line travels west to the Gre’larr Escarpment that separates Talathtarr from Taa. Following it to the westernmost edge of Gre’larr, a rough line would then be drawn that connects with Cieli Bay.

Climate and Ecosystems: In terms of temperature, Aorlan has the greatest regional disparities on Raios. In the north, frigid temperatures keep the land perpetually frozen. Farther south, starting at about 67 degrees north latitude, the land warms up just enough in the summer that the surface thaws briefly and the land becomes capable of supporting tundra vegetation. Still farther south, starting at about 64 degrees north latitude the soil thaws completely during the summer months and allows great forests of spruce and fir to grow. Once you get south of the Carakoros Range, from 50-60 degrees north latitude, the climate becomes temperate with short warm summers but long snowy winters. Rivers and lakes often freeze over during cold spells. From 40-50 degrees north latitude, the climate continues to warm, with longer summers with some hot temperatures and milder winters with less snow.

Abundant rainfall throughout Aorlan allows the forests to grow tall. With precipitation mostly scattered evenly throughout the year, plants rarely lack the moisture they need to flourish.

Forests dominate most of Aorlan with the only exceptions being areas of cold and mountainous terrain, the high steppes of Talathtarr, and where the land has been cleared by its inhabitants. Most of these forests are ancient and still contain areas of primal magic.

Geographic Areas and Dominant Races: Aorlan, with large ancient deciduous forests, exists as the sole ancestral home of the Valtauri Elves (wood elves). Their largest kingdom lies in the great old forest of Dinbrethil, The Great Birch Woods. Three other forests where the Valtauri hold dominion are the ancient forests of Linde Lothtaur, Mithtaur, and Tauralam. Three other forests, Dreadthorn Forest (Gorereg Taur), Hornwood (Gortaurtillion), and Tauramarth (The Forest of Doom), contain faeries of the Unseelie Court, and have grown dark and hostile to humans. The spruce and pine forests of Liagrov Forest, Siaga Forest, and Thontaur Forest lack any elven influence and exist as large wilderness areas.

Humans arrived on Aorlan only after the Great Cataclysm. Since their arrival, they have created many kingdoms, with the largest and most powerful being Arnheim. Extending up the Arn Valley, past the Arn River’s junction with the Lorr River, this kingdom far eclipses the kingdoms of Denos, Pelarr, Torheim, and Venn. All these kingdoms lie along the eastern seaboard of Aorlan. Two tribal societies also exist. Ceodaria lies in the forested lands situated to the west of Mithtaur and east of Dinbrethil. Atop the high steppes of Talathtar there also exists a nomadic people who place great value on their horses.

History and the Great Cataclysm: Unlike other continents, Aorlan suffered few major effects from the Great Cataclysm. Some of the coastal lands along the east coast sank, resulting in the creation of a long chain of barrier islands. On the west coast, a great rift opened, pushing the land that is now the island of Skaderak far to the west while also forming the Andunoros Range and Skaderak Range.

Prior to the Cataclysm, only a single human culture, the Ceodari, had made the long northern trek to cross from northern Nhulokkarnum into the lands along Aorlan’s central coast. All this changed during the Great Cataclysm when the lands of northern Nhulokkarnum suddenly began to sink below sea level. Many of the people that populated these sinking lands saved themselves by fleeing westward by boat, eventually settling in the Arn River Valley and along Aorlan’s coast. Since then, the story of human expansion into new lands dominates the tale of eastern Aorlan. The great primeval forest of Aortaur that once stretched across the continent now finds itself divided up into multiple smaller forests as humans relentlessly cut timber to build their new cities. The migration of human refugees from the sinking lands at the northern end of Nhulokkarnum, forever changed the history of Aorlan. Prior to the Great Cataclysm, there were no humans on the continent, and it was principally inhabited by the Valtauri elves, although small populations of halfings and gnomes existed. The humans quickly adapted and eventually formed new countries along the eastern seaboard and in the Arn River Valley.

Rumors persist that ancient structures, now nothing more than ruins, lie scattered in various areas, particularly the Arn River Valley. Scholars know little to nothing about who built them or what purpose they served.

Magical and Mystical Sites: Several powerful sites exist on Aorlan. The best known of these would be Manhaerru Mountain, a revered power site known for its extraordinary earth energy. Several other mystical sites exist in the forest of Mithtaur in eastern Aorlan, such as Valanas, The Vale of the Unicorn. Another site, Srhannon Tor, stands as a sacred meeting area atop a tall round hill. This hill, revered as sacred by faeries of the Seelie Court and druids, serves as a site for performing sacred rites.

Dangers and Threats: Aorlan contains many dangerous areas but predominantly these threats are localized and due to hostile inhabitants, such as tribes of giants living in the mountains.

Unexplored Regions: Large areas, particularly along the west coast, have never been explored. What information exists gives little detail.