Islands of the Shimmering sea
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Iracal Island
Danger: Normal
Sub zones: Mount Litocoro, Torin
Inhabitants: Under construction
Iracal Island lies in a very unstable zone of Felarya. As a result, it is surrounded by a sort of bubble of distorted space, time, and light. This field, is significant enough to make the island appear a lot smaller than it actually is. The radius of the field is said to reach a considerable distance around the island. Passing through the field to leave, or land, on the Island can have unpredictable and possibly dangerous effects. Some have reported a change in age ranging from 10 to 20 years, while others have vanished completely. These fatals occurrences are actually rare, but it's enough to deter the natives from tempting fate too much and to attempt to escape the bubble, especially considering they still have to cross waters patrolled by hungry Chlaenas just to reach the field. This has led many people regarding travel involving Iracal Island as a one way trip. At least once a year the entire archipelago is shaken by "White Storms," a phenomenon that can be likened to flying directly through a luminous hurricane. During those White Storms, a blinding white light fills the entire sky and it becomes nearly impossible for a person to see even 2 meters in front of them.
To the south east of the island stands the massive mount Litocoro and Torin city. The northern part is covered by a large forest, while the south give way to plateaux and highlands. Iracal Island has seen many battles between Sphinxes and Harpies. The latest war between them has started long ago, and is being fought over the summit of Mount Litocoro, the highest point of the island.
Mount Litocoro
Danger: Normal
Inhabitants: humans, harpies, dryads
The tallest of Iracal Island's mountains, culminating at nearly 3 kilometers above sea level, Mount Litocoro has been the site of many battles between Sphinxes and Harpies. Litocoro's great size and virtually flat top make it an ideal location for giant avian predators to call home. Many signs point to the mountain's flat summit being somehow unnaturally formed, spurring much speculations about its origins. The climate around this mountain is surprisingly soft and temperate, allowing culture despite the fierce winds.
Torin city
Danger: Low
Inhabitants: humans, harpies
Torin is a city with a large population of humans and an uncertain number of harpies, both giant and human-sized. Surprisingly enough, the two species manage to coexist in a relative peace and mutual understanding today, even if their relations were riddled with tragedy, conflict and mistrust in the past, which is not surprising for two species on opposite ends of the food chain. It can be said that the Harpies now consider the Torinian humans to be part of their flock, even-though some Harpies have had to be banished after giving into their predator instincts and eating a citizen or two. Likewise, some humans from the older generations still harbor deep resentment towards the harpy occupier. While many harpies leave the city limits and take up residence on the surrounding regions, they still consider Torin their home so it's hard to gauge the number that come and go on a daily basis. The massive city walls are guarded heavily by both humans and harpies from the many predators that roam the island, especially the airborne variety.
A highly militaristic and tough society, the Torinians pride themselves on being able to produce exceptional and fierce warriors. The military governs nearly every aspect of their lives, from security to law enforcement, education and construction. At least one child out of every household must enter military service at the age of 11 or 12.
For the most part, harpies largely let the Torinian citizens govern themselves and don't meddle in their internal affairs. The two groups interact on a daily basis though, from military training to transport or scouting. Harpies also regularly escort human workers outside the city and protect them to allow them to perform their task. These guard duties are divided equally among harpies. While some of them find them boring , they usually don't complain to loudly, to not incur the wrath of their leader Ourana and to keep chaos from disturbing the order which keeps their flock strong against the Sphinxes.
Young harpies and the Torinian youth grow up in close proximity and are even educated together. Some solid and lasting friendships have been known to come out of it. There are some accidents though, such as a young harpy eating an human comrade, a thing to be expected when predators and prey are raised together. A natural result of these close upbringings is that the latest generation of Torinians have absorbed the harpy language. The cross-culturalization has also led to citizens going to watch harpies play their games, usually involving a prisoner fighting for their life in a Colosseum-like arena . On the flip side, some harpies have become fans of stage plays and human sporting events.
In Torin, punishments for criminal misdemeanors come usually in the form of fines and jail time, while felonies are punishable by expulsion from the city, where the criminal will have to descend the mountain side before the harpies find them during their hunting. In the event of a more serious offense, the criminal is given the death penalty; in which case they are condemned to be fed to a volunteering harpy and brought to her mouth on a plank to be swallowed.
Most Torinians have come to see the harpies' presence as natural and don't want to see the status quo changed as it provides them protection and a measure of safety. There are still some of them that feel oppressed though, feeling a Damocles sword dangled above their heads by the high and mighty predators.
Gaieochos Island
Danger: Normal
Inhabitants: mermaids
Located east of Iracal Island, Gaieochos Island is unique for the unusual nature of gravity there. Though it still pulls straight down by default, it also has forces that pull in other directions but only affects objects or surfaces that are in contact with the islands surface. In other words, it is possible to walk up the side of a tree or even on the ceiling of a cave. Once contact is lost with those surfaces, however, the default force of gravity will pull one to the ground in a hurry. The island is also known for the Seidon Rises, the only "water-rise" of Felarya. In this bizarre phenomenon, the water flows from the ocean and straight up the side of this steep cliff, just like the opposite of a waterfall. It creates a majestic and unusual sight, very rarely seen in the universe. Mermaids are known to be very fond of the place, playing in those strange, inverted currents.
- Credits to TheLightLost for many ideas to develop Iracal Island and for the aieochos Island idea.
