The Caspian Sea is the central feature of Cimmeria. Most of the water from the Terror and Dominarie Mountains drains into the Caspian, providing a transit link throughout Northern and Eastern Cimmeria. The Cimmerian port cities of Makotako, Gazeara, Bradel Fields, Lordodo, Cecilia, and Crafterton trade with each other and the Persian ports of Astrabath and Zadrakarta on the southern coast.
Originally the Caspian Coast was uninhabitable due to sea monster attacks. Jovy, Cecilia, and Amalgami worked together during the Age of Monsters to eliminate most of the larger threats. Now settlements can be established freely and ships can sail across the water with little fear of attack. Jovy nominally united these settlements as King of Caspian, but the title and loose organization died when Jovy went into stasis to protect the Gold Dragon Orb.
Those Blasted Islands were discovered and named by Jovy. While there are many smaller islands, there are seven large islands that dominate the waves of the Caspian Sea. Jovy settled five of these islands with colonists from the five races of the Conclave. These islands also bear the names of the race that dwells on them.
Halfling Isle
The Halfling Isle was once forested, but most of the trees are gone now. The little folk cut them down to feed the furnaces of Crafterton and to make space for farming and husbandry. The longterm ecological effects harmed the island’s ecosystem and the economy of Crafterton. The city is now reliant on Makotako for wood and the wild animal population and soil quality are drastically reduced. To alleviate the crisis the people of Crafterton are attempting to replant the forest, but they face opposition from the farmers and herders that occupy the fields where trees once stood.
Human Isle
The Human Isle is flat and covered with small forests and farmlands. The island was sparsely inhabited until the githyanki invasion. During their occupation many people fled Cimmerian cities for less populated locales. The Human Isle greatly increased in population during that time. After the defeat of the githyanki, Tereman and Galandir opened their dojo on the Human Isle. It remains there today, teaching a unique style of combat to the heroes and adventurers of Cimmeria.
Elf Isle
The elves had no major settling of Elf Isle, but instead trickled in after the Caspian Sea was made passable. The island is thickly forested around the outer edge to dissuade unwanted visitors from entering. The interior has lighter undergrowth to allow easier passage beneath the trees. Fruit trees, berry bushes, and root vegetables grow throughout the forest, providing ample food for the elves along with wild game. Unlike the Elves of Valor and Bigby’s Forest, the Elves of Elf Isle are not interested in trade with the outside world. Those who venture into the Elf Isle woods receive warning shots rather than greetings. If the first arrow is ignored, the elves will aim to kill.
Dwarf Isle
The Dwarf Isle was settled by dwarves prior to the Dwarven Civil War. As the community existed separately, it was uninvolved in the fighting between the Cogardes. The dwarves of the Dwarf Isle have remained independent from the dwarven kings. The island’s landscape has a large mountain in the center with sloping fields towards the sea. The dwarves work the fields with donkeys and mine the mountain for iron, copper, tin, and silver. The metals are exported for goods that can’t be produced on Dwarf Isle.
Orc Isle
The Orc Isle contains hilly pastures with many caves and tunnels connecting to the Underdark. The orcs that settled the island were loyal to the Conclave when most of the orcs split off. These loyal orcs faced persecution by the humans that came to rule the Conclave’s remnants. To avoid persecution, the orcs left to colonize the Orc Isle when the Caspian Sea was made safe. The orcs have a thriving husbandry business on the island with a few orchards to produce fruit and olives. These goods are exported to the rest of the ports around the Caspian. Trade is active, but visitors are not welcome on Orc Isle. Merchants are restricted to the ports and any who venture inland are punished harshly.
Jovy Isle
Jovy kept one island just for himself. Not wanting to slight his subjects, he took the worst of the main islands. Jovy Isle is a rocky inhospitable island with a few trees and shrubs scattered across the landscape. It is rumored that Jovy’s body is buried on the island, but no tomb has ever been found. The only inhabitants of the island are four lighthouse keepers at each of the four corners of the island. The keepers are supported by funds from Makotako.
Devil’s Holt
When Odysseus traveled to the Underworld he used a gate located in the seas of Cimmeria. That gate is found on Devil’s Holt. The island is infested with demons and devils that guard the gate, but are also bound by it and forbidden to leave the island. Devil’s Holt is forested, but little is know about the island’s interior due to the demonic dangers populating the island. Finding the Underworld Gate and passing through safely is impossible without magical protection. Only the most desperate make the attempt.
Jovy’s Spitoon
Jovy’s Spitoon is a constant whirlpool that connects to Charybdis at the Strait of Messina in the Mediterranean. The two whirlpools act as portals between the two seas, allowing passage between them. The journey is rather violent and unpleasant. Ships and trade goods are reduced to splinters. Animals that breathe air are typically drowned or pummeled to death by the waves. The underwater races of the Caspian and Mediterranean are able to navigate the passage, but tensions between the two populations mean little passes through the portal willingly.
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