Noteworthy Locations of the Shimmering Sea

(Note: Due to my ideas being from before the Felarya map update in 2015, there may be some inconsistencies that I haven't caught yet)

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NOTEWORTHY LOCATIONS IN THE SHIMMERING SEA

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Torin City

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Danger: Very Low

Inhabitants: Torinian Humans, Harpies

Torin is a very large city with a population of about 200,000 humans and an uncertain number of harpies, both giant and human sized. While many harpies leave the city limits and take up residence anywhere from Mount Litocoro to the Pyrale Mountains, Torin is still considered their home so it becomes hard to gauge the number that come and go on a daily basis. The enormous city walls are guarded heavily by both humans and harpies from the many predators that roam the island, especially the airborne variety. The inhabitants of Torin have developed a bond with the harpies under the leadership of the quiet, yet intimidating, harpy matriarch Ourana. They have become protective of each other (for the most part), and the relationship between the humans and harpies has endured quite a few growing pains through the years. There's always the danger that the harpies could decide to betray the humans and eat them all up, leaving some of the Torinian citizens still skeptical about how much they should consider harpies their friends, asking the question, "Are we really their flock? Or are we their captives?"

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The Laiko Nation of Arimas Piinu

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Danger: Low

Inhabitants: Inus

Occupying the Arimas Piinu foothills on the western side of Rainbow Hills, the Laikos are an incredibly strong willed nation of Inus that have survived some of the worst dangers the world has to offer. They share this land with the Giant Taurogryphs, which are brown and white bull-eagle hybrid creatures that average around 60 feet ( 18.3m ) in height. Battles with the giant Taurogryphs of the neighboring hills threatened to destroy their civilization but they were saved by the heroic self-sacrifice of a Laiko shaman named Riphean. By giving up his physical body, Riphean was able to ascend to a higher level of existence and tame the raging spirits of the giant Taurogryphs. Since that time, the enormous Bull-Eagle hybrid creatures have been fiercely loyal to the Laikos and have fought beside them in battles against Elves, Harpies, and Sphinxes.

The Laikos have developed the ability to spiritually connect with the Taurogryphs. One Laiko warrior pairs up with one Taurogryph and works on their connection. During battles, the Laiko will ride on the back of the gigantic beast; they become one and are able to know each other's thoughts and feelings. The Laikos are deeply spiritual and in-tuned with nature. They view the mighty predators that tower above them as beings to be feared and respected, not to be hated, even if a member of their family is eaten alive. These Inus also strongly disapprove of the Elves' building of constructs and giving them life through magic. To the Laiko, this practice not only wastes resources stripped from the land but it is offensive to nature.

[The Laiko Philosophy]

Originating in the Arimas Piinu foothills on the eastern side of Iracal Island, the teachings of Riphean Laiko has spread far across Felarya over the course of a century. Inus living by Laiko’s philosophy can be found anywhere from large cities to small villages living in extremely modest homes or sometimes preferring to call the streets their home. Most will have themselves tattooed or wear a pendant to show their commitment to the lifestyle; these symbols all resemble a crescent moon surrounded by a ring of fire. Laiko’s values passed down through generations of Inus promote "breaking free from the shackles of the material world and strengthening spirituality through harmony with nature," or in other words, living happily in shameless poverty. This is a philosophy that most people would find difficult to live by, but many Inus have been born and raised into this culture. These “natural spirits” don’t even mind being seen completely naked in public as they preach to passersby against the erroneous pursuits of superficial beauty, wealth, power, and fame. In Negav, the lifestyle of Laiko Inus has caused some tensions to arise with Negav’s other inhabitants, including other Inus. Some of them have complained that the Laiko Inus are just barely a step above feral. Due to the overwhelming backlash, the Laikos have begun wearing clothes but they still maintain that they are firm believers in their way of life and are only wearing clothes to abide by the law of the land.

[Nature as a Deity]

The followers of Riphean Laiko believe that all of nature is inhabited by a singular spirit named Utalle who manifests herself in the sky; the sun being one of her eyes and the moon being the other. She also has a third eye that she rarely opens on special nights, according to their legend. All life must be dealt with respectfully because Utalle is all life; even the terrifying giant predators that have eaten loved ones are not to be hated.

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The Valley of Atomata

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Danger: Very Low

Inhabitants: Human sized Elves

Walking and scurrying about the forests in the Valley of Atomata are a vast array of splendid Constructs. It is a mechanical wilderness of creations ranging in size and shape from insects to 50ft giant sentries. These marvels of magic and mechanical engineering are created by Elves that have migrated from a land to the west of Iracal Island and now reside in a city hidden in the valley. These Elves have woven expression through arts and crafts into their cultural identity. Magic is also a vital part of their lives and is used to animate their creations.

These Elves take great pride in the quality of their work. Every creation is finely detailed, even on the tiny insect constructs that scurry around the forest. The Elves of Atomata also have constructs that make their lives easier and some to make them more secure. Some of the Elven constructs are capable of reason, communication, and even showing curiosity; but none are sentient. The Elves are against granting any construct the ability to feel emotions.

These Elves have fought more than a few battles with the Laiko Nation over the hills containing an abundance of valuable building material. The Laikos wouldn't allow the Elves to "rape" their land just to build more of their "abominations." The Elves weren't too fond of the savage hounds hoarding precious minerals nor bad mouthing their works of art.

In those past battles with the Laiko Nation, the Elves of Automata deployed colossal constructs with the main body being Elven and some parts modeled off the bodies of various creatures. The conflicts were brief but significant. With the help of giant Taurogryphs, the "primitive" Laiko gave the haughty Elves far more trouble than they had anticipated and forced a retreat. The proud Elves of Atomata never declared an official truce with the Laiko Nation but the two sides haven't threatened each other much since then.

Distraught over their inability to catch the tasty Laikos of the Arimas Piinu foothills, the Deerataurs sulked and resorted to preying on the Elves of the Atomata Valley. Upon learning of the Deerataurs craving for inus, the Elves offered to help them invade Arimas Piinu so that the Deerataurs could gorge themselves to their hearts' content while the Elves seize control of the foothills.

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Helicon Island

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Danger: Normal

Inhabitants: Pegasi (Winged Centaurs), Centaurs, Slodames

Helicon Island is a breathtaking sight for those who are fortunate enough to see it. Sailing south of Iracal Island towards Helicon Island, adventurers will surely notice an increase in current strength and speed. That is due to an enormous maelstrom, or whirlpool, that swirls around the island of Helicon. The waters swirl at incredible speed and slopes down at nearly a 50 degree angle. The cause of this high velocity maelstrom is a complete mystery. As dangerous as this maelstrom is, strangely, there are no shipwrecks to be found beneath the rushing waters-- that is if there is even a sea floor at all. The fates of those ships are as mysterious as the maelstrom itself. Some scientists have theorized that the phenomenon is the result of some kind of magical enchantment or localized dimensional rift, and unrelated to the gravitational anomalies that Gaieochos Island is famed for. Even given the other peculiar phenomena within the archipelago, it manages to stand out because of its sheer size and of the island that it encircles.

Helicon Island's vertical sides, which would be completely submerged under water, is visible due to the maelstrom's depths. Ancient low and high reliefs of astounding size decorate the sides of the island, depicting significant moments in the history of an ancient civilization. At its base and just above the sea floor, the spiraling waters crash violently against the concrete-like material coating that never seems to wear down. Corinthian-style columns extend from that base to the island's top side where lush vegetation flows over its edge. Logic dictates that the only way to reach the island is to fly over the abysmal depths of the violent whirlpool, or scale the side of the island if one can avoid being sucked down into the waters.

Those who reach the topside of the island will undoubtedly be awestruck by nature's beauty and tranquility. Deep within that alluring world lies the well-preserved remains of an ancient civilization. Many treasures and artifacts are sure to be found there, and possibly answers to some of history's greatest mysteries. But while there are very few voracious predators to be weary of, there are many temples and unusual creatures patrolling the island to protect them. There seems to be a form of enchantment on the island which puts the certain people, or maybe just the weak of mind, in a state of bliss and eliminates their will to leave.

Among the few natural dangers to avoid, there are very slow moving, humanoid-sloth hybrid predators called *Slodames who will take advantage of the "bliss" inducing enchantment. Climbing down from their trees, the Slodames move very slowly towards the delirious humans, stuffing them away in her maw, and swallows their prey in a drawn out process that can take up to 30 minutes. There is also a society of winged Centauresses to be aware of. No one is quite sure if their wings are natural or magical, but they have a warrior culture and believe fervently that they were chosen to preserve the beauty and secrets of Helicon Island.

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Gaieochos Island

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Danger: Normal

Inhabitants: Chimeras (giant hybrids whose races are indistinguishable)

Read the wiki entry for the main island description.

[Gaieochos Prison]

This land of shifting gravity features one "mountain". It is the second tallest structure in the archipelago, behind the Tower of Thesilea on Helicon Island, rising high above the clouds. A closer look at the mountain reveals that it is not a natural structure at all, but an ancient pyramid covered in vegetation. Inside this pyramid is a labyrinth of pathways that go in every direction. The mere sight of the inside can be extremely disorienting. To make matters worse, gravity is not equal in all areas. Walking into a room with a 200 foot ceiling, may actually be walking into a room with a 200 foot drop. Its important to remember that when in the Gaieochos Prison, technically speaking there are no floors, walls, nor ceilings. What could have been so important that an ancient civilization chose this location to hide it?

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City of Sitnalta

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Danger Level: Low

Inhabitants: Humans, Water Elementals

Often forgotten in the vastness of the Shimmering Sea, situated east of Iracal Island, the aquatic city of Sitnalta is inhabited by humans that survived hardship and evolved for life underwater. It is a magnificent kingdom that has become legendary as "the city which was swallowed by the sea in a single hour." Legend tells of Sitnalta's near destruction during a cataclysmic event that laid waste to the surrounding lands, causing the sea to flood the valley where it eventually led to the formation of what is now an atoll. While many civilizations perished, the resilient Sitnaltans somehow survived the catastrophe. They survived, adapted, and even evolved physiologically; developing light blue skin, webbed feet, and fins along their arms and legs which makes them excellent swimmers. They're also able to hold their breath for very long periods of time and have the ability to sense electrical signals emitted by underwater bodies, helping them to recognize each other and potential predators. Whether all of these changes were related to the catastrophic event that sank their kingdom is the object of much speculation. Ove the years, the Sitnaltans have also become quite adept at crafting artifacts using minerals and treasures found in the ruins of sunken cities outside the atoll. Travels to these cities are important to the Sitnaltans because it reminds them of how fortunate they are that they survived the climactic event many years ago.

The city now sits at a depth of about 200 ft (61 m). The tallest of Sitnalta's wondrous stone towers stands about 320 ft (97.5 m). While above the water level, the people are able to walk freely along the stone bridges, or "streets," that connect each tower; some of those bridges sit only an inch above the water. When below the surface, the citizens prefer to remain inside the coral covered buildings that have been painstakingly waterproofed. It probably goes without saying, but being outdoors while under the surface is ill-advised. While the city does have nets and spikes in place to deter the many types of predators that might get through at the atoll’s one opening, there’s still a chance that a giant predators might be able to push past those defenses and unnecessary risk is generally not worth taking.

These days the city has carved out a niche as a port of sorts, welcoming ships attempting to sail to the archipelago of the Shimmering Sea. Unfortunately, for this to happen the Sitnaltans must put themselves at risk by temporarily lowering their underwater defenses and allowing the ships to sail into the atoll at its only opening. The Sitnaltans have benefited greatly from the ships paying in various supplies and building material, technology, and weapons for a relatively safe place to dock for a night or two. They offer rooms and entertainment at an inn that sailors have come to know as "The Barnacle Inn." While the Sitnaltans normally advise against travel to the archipelago of the Shimmering Sea, they will offer artifacts to sailors that aid or protect them from the strange phenomena that occur in the region; namely the unstable dimensional field that encapsulates the islands.

The city is also said to be inhabited by a water elemental called Ennosigaios who typically takes the form of a giant centaur. It is said that Ennosigaios stumbled upon the city of Sitnalta many years ago while it was under siege from a Kraken Chlaena who seemed determined to gorge herself on the entire population. For reasons beyond his understanding even till this day, Ennosigaios answered the humans' cries for help and forced the Chlaena to retreat. The elemental was praised by the surviving Sitnaltans who then begged him to remain in the city. He reluctantly accepted the humans' offer and has been living near Sitnalta for the many centuries since then. Also filed in the "strange but possibly true" category, there have been reports of 2 or 3 "friendly" mermaids visiting the atoll on occasion and asking for access to the city. Some speculate that the elemental, Ennosigaios, may have reached out to the mermaids and managed to forge some friendships because these particular mermaids have say they have sworn to never eat a Sitnaltan. So far the people of the city have not dared to trust the mermaids and allow them into the atoll. Understandably, the visiting sailors hope that the Sitnaltans remain mistrustful of the mermaids and keep them out; especially taking into account a few incidents when sailors have gone missing in the region.

[Sitnaltan Charms, Remedies, Tools, and Souvenirs]

Blessed Pearls The Sitnaltans offer pearls that have been blessed to bring good fortune to those who wear them. The Sitnaltans are certain that their blessings have credance because they believe themselves to be a very lucky people.

Shimmering Jellyfish Stings The Sitnaltans have long believed that the thin field of unstable space-time surrounding the archipelago has no affect on the jellyfish of the Shimmering Sea, though it has yet to be proven. While the odds of being significantly impacted by passing through the field are low, the frightening possibility is still there and it prompts Sitnaltans as well as visiting sailors to take a few brief stings from the jellyfish to gain some of that perceived immunity.

Un-Sticky Slicky Icky Jelly The Sitnaltans will never tell what the secret ingredient is in this jelly, but few care to ask with the promise of being so slick that a mermaid's sticky tongue won't be able to capture you. Just one application of this jelly will last for three days and it's waterproof.

"The Barnacle Inn" Air Fresheners Most visitors would agree that this product does not "freshen" the air at all. In fact, they would say it smells down-right fishy.

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Area 15

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Danger level: Low

Inhabitants: Humanoids

On the shores of the Akaptor Desert is a heavily armored armed military base occupied by group of humanoids with unknown intentions. The true nature of their appearance is unknown because the people of Area 15 wear high tech suits that cover their entire bodies. These suits are said to nullify dimension instability and allow the humanoids of that society to walk on the sands of the Akaptor Desert. There was one particular rumor that a dead soldier had been recovered by a tribe located in the desert. After his suit was finally taken apart the people of that tribe saw what they described as a "grey skinned humanoid male with large black eyes."

Their intentions are unknown but they seem to be searching for something in the depths of the Shimmering Sea. They have a heavily armed fleet of ships at their disposal. Given the legends of the fantastic battles that took place their between beings of mythical proportions, it is highly likely that these humanoids are in search of something in particular from that time period.

They have been known to provide a service for people wishing to transit across the Shimmering Sea, for a nominal fee. But one shouldn't expect first class service; it's been said that the accommodations are only slightly above awful. Most will gladly take an uncomfortable cruise across the sea if it means they will reach their destination safely. The ships go back and forth between the smaller military installations on the shores of Iracal Island and the Imoreith Tundra. But why these humanoids would go out of their way to interact with other Felaryans is a mystery. They are known for asking questions but not answering them.

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OTHER PLACES OF INTEREST

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Rainbow Hills

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Danger: Normal

Rainbow Hills gets their name from the spectrum of colors that surround it due to sunlight refracting off the crystal large formations that cover it. There is metallic ore of several colors found deep within the mountain that the Elves of Atomata have tried to mine; each ore has its own properties that it is highly valued for. The Laiko Inus of Arimas Piinu are situated on the foothills of Rainbow Hills and are very protective of the land, considering themselves to be children of nature. Many conflicts have arisen between the Atomatan Elves and the Laiko Inus over this section of Iracal Islands eastern side.

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The Charon Oasis of the Akaptor Desert

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Danger: Normal

Inhabitants: Flare Harpies, Golden Harpies, Charon Harpies (Harpy-Terror Hyena hybrids), Kensha Beasts

Beyond the "sands of time", south of the Golden Titan, lies an enormous oasis with its own little peculiarities. The trees of the surrounding savanna all feature blue leaves with glittering surfaces. The cause of these peculiar leaves is speculated to be the pearly white water full of microscopic crystal formations. These crystals are believed to be harmless, but do possess mysterious qualities that have yet to be completely understood. There are also many precious jewels and minerals to be found along the shores that have washed up over the years. Some of the wildlife have adorned themselves with the precious stones and even made homes out of piles of the various minerals.

The most interesting traits of the oasis that keeps the scientists, mages, and historians coming is the apparent unnatural formation of it, and the belief that structures of ancient origin lie in its depths. Research has uncovered titanic weapons and artifacts that indicate colossal battles had taken place around the oasis many millennia ago, and that the oasis itself is actually a massive crater created during one of those battles. The theory behind origin of the water is that it flowed into the crater from the Shimmering Sea through underground rivers, picking up many minerals along the way. With the abundance of wonders found around the Charon Oasis with its glittering blue trees, one can only imagine what treasures, historical or otherwise, lie in its pearly white depths.

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The Lipari Temple in the Valley of Atomata

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In the elven city which lies in the valley between Rainbow Hills and Mount Litocoro, stands a temple devoted to the mythological figure named Lipari. The Atomatans believe themselves to be descendants of the legendary smith. In and around the temple are various forms of artwork depicting Lipari at different points of his life, many portraying the famous labors that he had to complete on his way to becoming the Guardian Blacksmith that Atomatans believe he is.

He lived in a period of relative safety for non-giant humanoids; the era of great beast was ending and the age of giant hybrid predators was in its early dawn. The elf is said to have met Volkan the lava elemental during his journey to the Pyrale mountains on a homemade electric-motorbike. Volkan was intrigued by the riding contraption and inquired about its creation and Lipari's reasons for coming to the mountains. The teenaged Lipari explained that he was the son of an inventor and a skilled blacksmith himself, and he was in search of Tedrek metals. Volkan became more intrigued and revealed that he too was a great blacksmith and invited Lipari to see his works. Lipari was so taken that he begged Volkan to mentor him. Volkan turned the request down, citing that he was uninterested in teaching a tiny humanoid, as their potential was limited. But Lipari was persistent. He returned to the Pyrale mountains again and again until Volkan agreed to take him on as an apprentice, but only after Lipari completes seven trials, or labors.

Each labor was said to be harder than the one before it. Lipari bravely faced the decade of challenges ahead of him. The first labor was to fetch a fish from the Topazial Sea, which Lipari is said to have completed after harpooning a mermaid’s tongue. The second labor was to charm a naga, which Lipari did with a custom made flute. The third labor was to make a harpy laugh, which Lipari did by trying to insult her. The fourth labor was to prank a fairy, Lipari accomplished this by holding up a mirror in front of a fairy that tried to shrink him; the fairy was most displeased to see her ample breasted reduced to almost nothing. The fifth labor involved stealing a nut from a squirrel, so Lipari crafted a giant acorn out of metal and offered it to a squirrel. When the squirrel went for the fake giant acorn Lipari ran off with the squirrel’s stash of real acorns, but he was plagued by nightmares ever since. The sixth labor was to forge an object of his choosing out of Tedrek steel; Lipari built a vehicle that was at least 20 feet long. At first, this baffled Volkan, the lava elemental, but it made sense once Lipari reminded him of his seventh and final labor to spend one night with a succubus. The final test was passed with flying colors, as the succubus put it, and so was the elf’s journey into manhood. Never in his wildest dreams did Volkan expect Lipari to accomplish such ridiculous tasks but somehow the elf made it happen over the course of a decade. It was clear then to Volkan that Lipari was much greater a being than his small size indicated and he followed through with his promise to become the elf’s mentor.

As legend goes, Lipari one day surpassed Volkan as a blacksmith and was called upon by the Guardians when Felarya came under siege by a mysterious threat. This threat seemed to have no end to their numbers and the Guardians were in search of an army to match, so Lipari went to work on a creation that he’d always dreamed of, but unlike anything he’d ever attempted. During the following years of war, Lipari's creation served the Guardians well kept the threat at bay, but then things took an unexpected turn for the worse; the creation turned on the Guardians. It was a regrettable event but not as regrettable as the decision to give the creation the power to reproduce on its own. When Lipari came into possession of a weapon that might prove devastating to his creation, he suddenly found himself targeted by many gigantic and dangerous forces. He was eventually captured by one of the armor clad giantesses with long luminous hair and was crushed in her hands. Some believe this to be the death of Lipari, but the Elves of Atomata believe that Lipari lived on, eventually joining the ranks of the Guardians. Whether this legend is true or not, its importance to the Atomatans can’t be overstated. Every form of art they create, whether wooden or metallic, is inspired by Lipari’s greatness. Every construct that walks the forest surrounding their city, from the tiny beetles to the giant sentries, are powered by Lipari's magic.

[Lipari's Forge and the Legion of Creations]

Colossal structures move about somewhere in uncharted territory; they search a land riddled with scars for the remains of stone and metal warriors of an era gone by. This is both a clean up effort and an effort to bring fallen brethren home to be reborn. Further north they travel to a volcanic crater the size of a city. In this crater stands an incredible amount of constructs patiently awaiting the orders of their creator. Marvelous machines work tirelessly together, shaping and assembling, increasing the size of the mighty army. In their varied forms, armed with varied weapons, they are ready for the event their master calls upon them or his life is somehow threatened. There is no sentience about them, only the drive to serve the ancient elf drafting ideas for new additions to his gallery of living art. Surrounded by metals of many sorts, covered in dirt and sweat, the elf never grows weary of this labor of love which he has been at for thousands upon thousands of years. Such a fantastic tale... in the end, it's still just a tale.

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The Great Arch (also known as The Path of Anemoi)

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Stretching across the sky high above the Shimmering Sea is a marvelous illuminated jet stream resembling a sparkling white river in the sky. As with rainbows, the Great Arch is an awe inspiring wonder that one can't help but to stop and admire, especially at night. A variety of airborne fauna swim in its stream, high up in the atmosphere. While the Great Arch is believed by most to be a jet stream that has somehow become saturated with magical energy, many cultures attribute more divine qualities to its origin. The Path of Anemoi is an alternate name derived from a legend told by Heseodorus about a heroic wind elemental, and has gained popularity in many parts of the world.

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The Crystal-light Caverns

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Danger: Normal

Inhabitants: (In work) Possibly Chlaenas

The large crystal formations that litter the landscapes of Iracal Island extend deep into the caverns below, illuminating them with light from the surface. There would be enough light for a colony of humans to survive without having to create light sources during the day, but there are also many areas that the light can not reach and may provide a hiding place for dangerous predators and even Darkness Elementals. Treasure hunters can enter these caverns in search of the abundant gems they are said to contain. Be warned however, the caverns connect to the sea so it is not unthinkable to find a Chlaena lurking. The worst possible scenario might be to find a visiting Succubus in these enormous and treasure filled caverns.