Arlathra

Arlathra’s landscape is defined by rolling green hills, rugged coastlines, and misty highlands. The archipelago consists of one main island, Aelthain, and several smaller surrounding isles that range from fertile farmland to windswept rock. The terrain is undulating but not mountainous, with dramatic sea cliffs on the western shores and long stretches of rocky beaches and sheltered coves to the east.   Much of Arlathra is covered in heath, moorland, and dense temperate woodland, rich with moss-covered stones, ancient trees, and thickets of thorn and bramble. The climate is cool and wet year-round, with frequent rains and heavy morning fogs. Winters are mild but damp, while summers are breezy and overcast more often than not. The Malorath Strait brings a constant breath of sea wind, giving Arlathra its characteristic briny air and weathered landscapes.   Numerous rivers and streams cut through the land, fed by seasonal rains and underground springs. These freshwater sources flow down toward lakes, bogs, and eventually the sea, giving rise to lush lowlands used for grazing and agriculture. Stone circles, standing stones, and other ancient markers dot the countryside, some overgrown and forgotten, others actively maintained by locals as sacred sites.   The northern isles are more hospitable and home to most of Arlathra’s population, while the southern outcrops are wild, weather-beaten, and sparsely settled, often used for fishing camps, spiritual retreats, or as places of exile and pilgrimage.

Arlathra’s climate is temperate maritime, cool summers, mild but wet winters, and frequent fog that rolls in from the sea. Rain is common year-round, with misty mornings and blustery coastal winds being part of daily life.   The islands rarely experience extreme temperatures, making them ideal for the rugged, furred Cúraidhe and other beastfolk. The inland valleys tend to be lush and green, while higher elevations and coastal cliffs are battered by salt spray and wind. Seasonal storms, especially during Sombriel and Astralon, are intense but rarely catastrophic, adding to the resilience and preparedness ingrained in the culture.

Arlathra’s earliest settlers were Lycan clans, wolf-beastfolk known for their strength, loyalty, and tightly knit tribal bonds. During the waning years of the Calamity Era, several clans migrated across the Malorath Strait from Kharadorn, Dunmara and Kalros, driven by conflict, famine, or the desire for a more stable homeland. The islands of Arlathra, with their mild climate and abundant game, offered an ideal refuge.   Over generations, these Lycans gradually adapted to island life. The demands of fishing villages, agriculture, diplomacy, and tighter cohabitation led to a shift, both physical and cultural. Their bodies changed: shorter muzzles, broader ears, greater diversity in coats and builds. Their minds shifted too, moving from a pack-focused survival model to cooperative community living. What emerged was a new people, descendants of the wild, shaped by need, nurture, and intent.   Though they still revere their Lycan ancestry, the Cúraidhe (COO-rah-yuh) or dogfolk of Arlathra are a people in their own right: civil, sharp-witted, fiercely loyal, and uniquely suited to the challenges of their island home.