The Ring of Fire
The Ring of Fire, part of the Mainlands, is a collection of islands that number as high as ten thousand, stretching from the southeastern coast of the Southern Mainlands up to the western coast of Illandria, ranging from tiny atolls that are nothing more than sand, salt-grass and a few stunted palm-trees to thriving eco-systems born of the accumulated ash and igneous rock of multiple volcanoes, the symmetrical forms of which dominate the landscape of the islands.
All of these hold important roles in the natural cycles of Rosha; each and every one of them create habitat, breeding and hunting grounds for numerous species ranging from sleek-skinned seal to emerald-maned sea lion, tiny pintado petrels and broad-winged sea eagles to massive roc that nest on the the larger islands, and the rare phoenix that makes its nest within the very cones of the volcanoes.
The waters are alive with coral reef, harboring a wide variety of fish species ranging from dolphin to moorish idol, dragon eel, clownfish, and shark. Reef giants and herds of hippocampus live together around the islands, and have been known to violently defend their homes from those with destructive tendencies. Aquatic mammalian species abound near the archipelago, finding the abundance of fish a natural attraction; whale, porpoise, dolphin, merfolk and giant turtle.
Among the larger islands thick stands of exotic trees, from palm to koa, mango and faerie-frond, form a dense tropical jungle atmosphere. Although the islands are surprisingly free of both snakes and spider species, wild boar, dragon-lizards and shy, speckled deer can be found in the woodlands. Small herds of hippogriff are frequently seen racing and soaring around the coast, bearing more resemblance to the great sea-eagles than do most of their kind. On the darkest of nights, Dire Corbies have been seen creeping from the depths of the Underdark to hunt in the forests.
Most of the islands are too small to support civilized cities, and lack fresh water, but in the very heart of the archipelago are six islands not only larger, but also with freshwater springs. Two of them are large enough to easily support humanoid life. These two are Pyriinala in the north, and Ingrystus in the south, both thick with tiny freshwater springs that descend the steep volcanic islands in dancing, glittering arcs of tiny waterfalls and rapids, chattering and gurgling merrily.
Although there is always the danger of the active volcanoes, in many ways the islands could be a peaceful refuge for anyone needing to get away from the hectic race of daily live in the larger continents. Fruits abound, wild animals both on land and in the ocean provide plentiful food, and the climate is mildly tropical. However, just to the west the Raging Waters form a hazard for any ships passing through, torn into unpredictable fury by riptides, the occasional tsunami born of underwater eruptions or earthquakes, and the suspected - but unproven - presence of giant Afanc, a fish known to create whirlpools in the hopes of trapping ships for a meal of seamen.
All of these hold important roles in the natural cycles of Rosha; each and every one of them create habitat, breeding and hunting grounds for numerous species ranging from sleek-skinned seal to emerald-maned sea lion, tiny pintado petrels and broad-winged sea eagles to massive roc that nest on the the larger islands, and the rare phoenix that makes its nest within the very cones of the volcanoes.
The waters are alive with coral reef, harboring a wide variety of fish species ranging from dolphin to moorish idol, dragon eel, clownfish, and shark. Reef giants and herds of hippocampus live together around the islands, and have been known to violently defend their homes from those with destructive tendencies. Aquatic mammalian species abound near the archipelago, finding the abundance of fish a natural attraction; whale, porpoise, dolphin, merfolk and giant turtle.
Among the larger islands thick stands of exotic trees, from palm to koa, mango and faerie-frond, form a dense tropical jungle atmosphere. Although the islands are surprisingly free of both snakes and spider species, wild boar, dragon-lizards and shy, speckled deer can be found in the woodlands. Small herds of hippogriff are frequently seen racing and soaring around the coast, bearing more resemblance to the great sea-eagles than do most of their kind. On the darkest of nights, Dire Corbies have been seen creeping from the depths of the Underdark to hunt in the forests.
Most of the islands are too small to support civilized cities, and lack fresh water, but in the very heart of the archipelago are six islands not only larger, but also with freshwater springs. Two of them are large enough to easily support humanoid life. These two are Pyriinala in the north, and Ingrystus in the south, both thick with tiny freshwater springs that descend the steep volcanic islands in dancing, glittering arcs of tiny waterfalls and rapids, chattering and gurgling merrily.
Although there is always the danger of the active volcanoes, in many ways the islands could be a peaceful refuge for anyone needing to get away from the hectic race of daily live in the larger continents. Fruits abound, wild animals both on land and in the ocean provide plentiful food, and the climate is mildly tropical. However, just to the west the Raging Waters form a hazard for any ships passing through, torn into unpredictable fury by riptides, the occasional tsunami born of underwater eruptions or earthquakes, and the suspected - but unproven - presence of giant Afanc, a fish known to create whirlpools in the hopes of trapping ships for a meal of seamen.