Borial
Separated from the rest of Ediacara by the rugged Walwin Mountains is the tropical peninsula of Borial. Within the region’s dense jungles are the mysterious enclaves of the fae who call the peninsula home: their villages, towns, and cities are rumoured to be grown from the very forest itself.
Mighty rivers race down the southern slopes of the Walwins, and then snake their way across the region, ending and beginning anew from the jungle’s many emerald-hued lakes. It is here among these magical woods that the nation of Falnora has thrived for millennia, hidden away from the lands to the north by the mighty Oridon Gate.
Now that the great gates of Oridon are open, the Falnorans are welcoming the outside world to their lands, as well as venturing forth to explore the wider continent they had been apart from for far too long.
Major Settlements
Aramore
A lively port that sits upon the southern tip of the Borial peninsula, Aramore has been the only place that anyone from the outside world could catch a glimpse into the way of life in mysterious Falnora.
Fae from the woods and from the oceans live here together and are always curious about the mortals who have visited over the centuries; it is not unusual to see teal skinned nymphs of the ocean chatting with vine woven dryads of the woods, discussing how strange the mortals from the other lands are.
The port’s buildings are made of polished coral that the jungle has grown into and around, a coming together of nature and civilization that defines much of the architecture of the fae nation.
Aramore is under the care of the Seventh Sovereign’s middle daughter, the princess Diodia from the palace of Klee.
Population: ~65,000
En Llova
Deep within the primeval depths of the peninsula is the large temple city of En Llova, the home to the Emerald Tower, the rumoured birthplace of the goddess of nature, Ellova, herself.
Only in the last ten years, with the slow opening of Falnora to the outside world, have mortals from the rest of Ediacara had a chance to see this city of myth and legend. The whole of the city has been grown from the forest, guided by the hands of the fae who call this place home.
En Llova is under the care of the oldest of the Seventh Sovereign's daughters, the princess Azola, who is also the head priestess of the Emerald Tower.
Population: ~150,000
Rel Thalor
Beneath the surface of Loch Syndra is the shimmering city of Rel Thalor, home to nymphs, merfolk, and the other fae and spirits who call the waves home. Not much is known about the city for certain, with only a handful of mortals ever visiting its flooded streets and buildings throughout the years.
With the opening of Falnora to the wider world, hopefully more will be learned about this magical and mysterious place as more and more peoples visit it bellow the emerald waves of the loch.
Rel Thalor is under the care of the youngest of the Seventh Sovereign’s daughters, the princess Noelle from her submerged palace of Ruggosa.
Population: Unknown
Xela Sil
The capital and seat of power of the Seventh Sovereign, Xela Sil is known only from the stories told to visitors by the fae who call Falnora home.
The stories tell of a city made from plants not seen anywhere else on Orzaal, and that if a mortal was to ever set eyes upon the sacred city, they would never want (or be able) to leave. What is true, and what is false is only known to the fae, and they appear to be in no rush to reveal its location to the rest of Orzaal.
It should come as no surprise then that very little is known about this sacred city, but hopefully future editions of this book will have much more to say.
Population: Unknown
Landmarks & Points of Interest
While many interesting sites are rumoured to exist deep within the jungles of Borial, the following is a small collection of confirmed locations.
Loch Syndra
The largest lake on the Borial peninsula, not only in size but also in depth, Loch Syndra is a mighty sight to behold. Beneath the waves of the lake is the city of Rel Thalor, and it is from here the princess Noelle guides the fae of the water into this age of community with the wider world from the palace of Ruggosa.
The loch is full of colourful and shimmering tropical fish, as well as the countless creatures both natural and supernatural, giving the world beneath the surface an otherworldly and alien feeling.
The Emerald Glade
The Emerald Glade is the final resting place of the ancient dragon Zatchrevex, and one of the few holy sites of the nation that is open to outsiders. Massive bones of solid emerald stretch across the glade, stretching visitor’s imaginations to the breaking point at the sheer size and scale of such a beast.
It is forbidden to take any of the precious stones from the glade, with the essence of the dragon haunting and hunting any who do.
Fin-back Swamp
This large swamp is home to a sizable population of fin-backs (spinosaurs) who prey on the massive fish and other animals who call the mire home. The fae who live in and around the swamp have tamed these vicious predators, using them as beasts of burden and as stalwart companions.
It is highly recommended that anyone travelling through the swamp should avail themselves to the local fae who can guide them through the mire’s treacherous waters.
The Eth’nolla River
Running from the foot of the Walwins and making its way across the peninsula towards the ocean, is the mighty Eth’nolla river. The Eth’nolla plunges to depths of hundreds of feet as it winds its way through the Borial jungle, raging through sections of intense rapids near the foot of the mountains and then slowly and calmly meandering and widening as it approaches the coast.
Ecology
Here is a small selection of the many creatures, both mythical and mundane, who call the peninsula home.
Owlbear
As the name implies, these monstrosities are a mix of owls and bears. They’re dangerous beasts who are as silent as an owl, but as vicious as any of the bears found throughout the rest of the world.
The fae of the peninsula raise owlbears as pets and guard animals, but the beasts must be raised by hand or else they’re as wild as any dinosaur.
Fin-Back (Spinosaurs)
Prowling the low-lying swamps of the Borial jungles are the massive predatory fin-backs. These great beasts swim and skulk through the peninsula’s countless mires, hunting the huge fish that call the waterways home as well as any creature who risks going to the water’s edge to drink.
Due to their massive size, and endless appetite, fin-backs are extremely territorial, and it is advised that anyone travelling through the swamps should hire a guide to get them through these therapod’s large territories.
Carnivorous Plants
It’s not only the animals and monsters that are a danger to travellers moving through the jungles of the Borial peninsula, but the plant life itself is just as hungry and vicious as any beast. Ranging in all shapes and sizes, these carnivorous plants feast on anything they can get their roots, branches, and tendrils around.
Once their prey is tangled-up in their grasp, these vile plants dissolve their meals with their acids and other secretions, leading to slow and agonizing deaths for the poor creatures caught in their leafy clutches.
Couatl
Drifting through the forests and skies of the peninsula are the winged and colourful serpents known as couatl. These majestic creatures are known for their wisdom and kindness, and because of this many folks the continent over make pilgrimages to the lairs of these celestials; these pilgrims are seeking out the answers to their problems and for the divine advice only a celestial can give.
It is said that the winged serpents only appear to the good natured, and that the jungles they call home judge whether those who seek them are worthy of an audience.