Ephia

## Western Ephia

A coastal jungle common in Western Ephia

A map of Western Ephia

### Geography and Climate

The coasts of Western Ephia are covered nearly entirely in thick jungle, which gives way to temperate plains and lowlands the further from the ocean one travels. The land starts drastically increasing in elevation the closer you travel toward The Great Divide, a massive mountain range that splits Western and Eastern Ephia. Along the coasts, rainfall is frequent most of the year, winters are short and mild and summers border the line between bearable and brutally humid, depending on where you live. Closer to the mountains, temperatures are far cooler and temperate.

### History

#### Pre-Incursion

Nothing is known about Western Ephian history before the Incursion, as the current clans with the most political power have yet to rise to prominence. Like today, though, the majority of Western Ephia is populated by Westerners living in a largely feudal system under multiple clans. Alongside the clans, the nations of Essos and Ilos to the north are also strong bastions of Ephian culture

There are some places populated by non Westerners, the two largest areas being Ibiran settlers living on Coslen and nomadic, seafaring marauders that have staked claim to the small southern island of Emis.

#### Post-Incursion

Following the defeat of Zaezus, a series of revolutions (most likely backed by The Syndicate) to overthrow the clans holding the majority of the power in Western Ephia failed. From the ashes rose multiple new nations, two of which being the Roni and Astir Clans who utilized powerful navies and strong economic relationships with the east to gain renown and territory. The current state of these two powers is unknown, however both clans maintain close relationships with the Cruwen Dynasty.

## The Great Divide

### Geography and Climate

The Great Divide is a massive mountain range formed when two ancient continents collided, forming the larger Ephia. The result is a near endless span of jagged peaks stretching from essentially coast to coast. The mountains themselves along with the nearby hills are among the last truly uncharted land on Irilia, save for Kairos and Kastros. The weather in the Divide greatly varies depending on the elevation, the higher mountains toward the center of Ephia are consistently snowcapped, whereas the younger peaks closer to the coasts are bare more often than not.

Inhabited areas are very uncommon and are few and far between, small communities of those wishing to not be disturbed or trying to escape justice can be found if one looks hard enough. Overland travel is very rare, with only a handful of mapped mountain trails connecting Eastern and Western Ephia scattered around the Divide, the terrain and hostile creatures make using these trails essentially suicidal and only as a last resort is heading through the mountains advised. Due to the dangers, sailing from one side of Ephia to the other is the most common means of bypassing the Divide.

## Eastern Ephia

Eastern Ephia near The Great Divide

A map of Eastern Ephia

### Geography and Climate

Eastern Ephia is smaller than its western counterpart, and is much less populated. The very flat land on this half of the continent allows for large populations of grazing animals and nomadic peoples to dominate the region. The region receives consistent rainfall and is home to a diverse collection of flora and fauna.

### History

#### Pre-Incursion

Nomadic peoples have lived in Eastern Ephia for centuries before Zaezus' invasion, forming their own chiefdoms and societies. During the decades before the Incursion, settlements founded by those coming from Ibira began popping up along the coast of The Sunstone Sea. Drawn by plentiful ore and gemstone deposits, frontiersmen and opportunists alike flocked to this relatively unknown region.

#### Post-Incursion

In the years following the Incursion, settlement by foreigners in Eastern Ephia continued at a small but consistent rate. Frontier towns further inland began to appear as mines were established, but not without resistance from the nomadic chiefdoms. The vast majority of the region remains unsettled, and will likely remain that way for the forseeable future.