Li’en (Pre-Sundering War)
Li'en is the largest island in the southern Vistral Ocean — positioned east of Verdant Haven and the Sovereign Elven Dominion of Alnira, and south of Sanctum Isle. Its strategic location made it a hub for spirituality, trade, and cultural exchange before its disappearance.
Geography
- Size: ~80,000 km² (comparable to Ireland). Its central position in the Vistral Ocean connects major trade routes between the continents of Adamah.
- Climate: Subtropical. Lush rainforests, rolling hills, and ethereal phenomena. Mild seasons with gentle rains infused with shimmering ethereal light and winds that carry whispers of the past.
Topography
- Or'yanthir — "Echoes of the Sky." Northern Highlands. Steep cliffs and ancient temples overlooking the ocean, believed to amplify the voices of the Ohros.
- Shirienar — "Field of Dreams." Central Plains. Rolling grasslands dotted with crystalline lakes that reflect both the stars and the dreams of those who gaze into them.
- Thulyan Shoal — "Dawnlit Beaches." Western Coastline. Jagged fjords and luminous sands that glow with the first light of morning.
- Vassalen — "The Veiled Grove." Eastern Forests. A vast, dense jungle where ethereal wildlife thrives, blending reality and dream.
- Tharolyesh — "Crown of Stars." Southern Peaks. Towering mountains, some floating slightly above the ground, tethered by glowing vines.
Major Cities
Ethryndor — The Capital
The spiritual heart of Li'en. Ethryndor is a city of shimmering spires and flowing architecture that defies gravity. Its buildings are crafted from translucent materials infused with Ethereal energy, creating a city that glows softly in the twilight.
Key Locations
- The Dreamspire — The tallest structure in the city, housing the Council of Or'sìth and acting as a beacon of ethereal light visible from across the island.
- The Tapestry of Qan'eyra — A vast open plaza where shimmering threads of light weave through the air, embodying the island's connection to the Ethereal Plane.
- Archives of Ascension — A grand library preserving Or'sìth knowledge, written in flowing ethereal script.
Talenarien — The Port City
"Harbor of Radiance." Located on the western coastline, this bustling port is the gateway to Li'en. Its docks are built of coral-like structures that pulse with faint light, reflecting the Or'sìth's mastery over the balance between the material and ethereal.
Key Locations
- The Radiant Bazaar — A sprawling marketplace where rare ethereal artifacts and exotic goods are traded.
- The Wharves of Reflection — Ports that seem to extend endlessly into the ocean, reflecting both the sea and the sky.
Iyvenalar — The Jungle City
"Sanctuary of Light." Hidden deep within the Eastern Forests, Iyvenalar is built among towering trees whose trunks glow faintly with ethereal energy. The city is connected by a network of bridges and platforms.
Key Locations
- The Verdant Loom — A living tapestry that grows and changes with the dreams of the Or'sìth.
- The Shrine of Qan'eyra — A sacred temple where the Or'sìth meditate and commune with the Ethereal Plane.
Orin'thariel — The Mountain Fortress
"Guardian of the Peaks." Nestled in the Southern Peaks, Orin'thariel is a city of strength and resolve. Its fortress-like architecture contrasts with the dreamlike aesthetic of the rest of Li'en, yet glowing runes carved into the stone tie it to the Ethereal.
Key Locations
- The Aegis Citadel — A massive fortress protecting the southern approach to the island.
- The Floating Groves — Gardens suspended mid-air, where the Or'sìth cultivate plants with both medicinal and mystical properties.
Notable Landscapes
- Shiritholyn — "Flowing Dreamwaters." A network of shimmering rivers crisscrossing the central plains. The waters glow faintly and are said to carry fragments of dreams.
- Thaleyan Rift — "Pathways to the Beyond." Near the Northern Highlands, these pockets thin the boundary between the Material and Ethereal Planes. Travelers report seeing ghostly figures and hearing distant melodies.
- Alynvaresh — "Celestial Serenade." A tranquil meadow near Iyvenalar where the sky always displays a breathtaking aurora — even during the day.
- Talythenor — "Echoes of Eternity." Towering cliffs on the northern coast that hum with voices. Standing here allows one to hear faint echoes of the past.
- Tharivolyn — "Valley of Eternal Harmony." A massive bowl-shaped valley in the southern mountains where light and shadow mingle in an eternal dance. A place of pilgrimage for Or'sìth seeking enlightenment.
Ethereal Phenomena
- Dreamflora and Fauna — Unique plants and animals exist in Li'en, blending the real and the ethereal. Trees shimmer with shifting colors; creatures like translucent deer and glowing birds roam freely.
- The Shimmering Rain — During certain times of year, rain falls in droplets that refract light into prismatic colors — believed to be a blessing from Qan'eyra.
- Floating Islets — Small landmasses hover above the ocean or the island itself, tethered by vines and glowing crystals.