The Vashyl Twin Continents

The sister Vashyl continents lie to the Southeast of Galzhûr, through the Thousand Isles. Ironically, the so-called Vashyl "Major" is smaller than Vashyl Minor. It was not always so. Archaeological evidence suggests that Vashyl Major was once triple its current size. Several outlying islands with strange shapes indicate that they were not formed naturally, but were formerly part of a larger continent.   Debate rages in academic circles as to what exactly caused the great Cataclysm that devastated Vashyl Major, but the continent itself complicates the process. The Big Sister is still magically irradiated from the Cataclysm, dangerous to any creature that sets foot there. There is no edible food, potable water, or shelter of any kind from the heat of the Arcane Wastes. The few creatures that do scratch out a living are incredibly dangerous monstrosities that are not well documented for lack of survivors.   Vashyl Minor, the Little Sister, however, is heavily populated with gnomes, dwarves, and goblins. Naturally, the dwarves and gnomes are suspicious of each other, and both despise the goblins. The continent is dotted with mines and refineries along its vast oil swamp. Vashyl Minor is considered to be an engineers paradise -- plenty of minerals, plenty of laborers, and, most importantly, plenty of oil. The abundance of resources in the region has made competition on the continent fierce. At times, the violence between the dwarves and goblins escalates so high that it is war in all but name. For this reason, mercenaries seeking employment often travel to Vashyl, arriving with nothing, and leaving with riches fit for a Lord (if they survive, that is).