Stravica

**Stravica** (STRA-vick-uh) is a continent roughly the size of China, straddling the divide between the equator of Soleras and its southern pole. It is usually located in the center-south of Soleras on traditional maps. Its climates range from tropical to tundra, and is divided vertically into three sections by High Halletar, an imposing set of cliffs, and the Steelspine Mountains.

Stravica is home to three nations - Dalecaria, Leshedon, and Kovnarosk - as well as the autonomous region of Thailes Elan, and a centralized government, the recently-established Stravican Union.

## Nations

### Dalecaria

*Main article: Dalecaria*
Dalecaria (dal-oh-kye-ruh) is the northernmost region of Stravica, with a generally tropical climate.

The Pillar of Naxari is a calm but active volcano (similar to Kilauea, but with a much sharper prominence) resting in the middle of Ixtari Bay. Surrounding the bay are the Pexcoya Fields and the Boiling Vents (a thin strand of hot springs), with Zorion’s Branch, the island of Sen Matxin, and the temperate forest of Baldakia to the north, and the Deabru Dunes on the western shore.

The Moxtra Jungle lies to the south in the Halletar Valley, cut off from Leshedon to the south by a set of imposing cliffs known as High Halletar. Smaller rivers crisscross throughout much of Dalecaria, allowing for faster travel between cities and towns via skiffs as well as ample room for rice farming. These smaller rivers branch off from the Springheart and Karaval Rivers, which flow in from Leshedon.

### Leshedon

*Main article: Leshedon*
Leshedon (lesh-uh-dawn) is the temperate central region of Stravica.

Five imposing cliff ranges make sea travel to and from Leshedon a challenge. The Liath Cliffs in the southwest are among the more notable, as they are the ones home to Leshedon’s only sea port, the Port of Liath, which rests at the end of a long and somewhat risky natural path. The Cliffs of Vidana overlook the Eastrise Bay in the southeast. Rheynn’s Shelf is home to the longest bridge in Stravica, connecting the mainland to the island of Rheynn Niar in the northeast. The Sylvan Edge, the smallest of the cliff ranges, rests in the northwest region of Leshedon, connected to the base of the Grovehearth Peninsula that stretches north from the mainland. At the very tip of the Grovehearth Peninsula lies the Serpent’s Maw, so named for its daunting, jagged rocks (largely made of calcite and limestone), as well as its unusually high snake population.

Throughout the fields of Leshedon, a vast, string-like array of wilderness known as the Nathair Wilds aids to partition the land into subsections. The north is home to the Mullag Hills, which some geologists theorize to be remnants of High Halletar when it was once a mighty mountain range. They are most reminiscent of the Scottish Highlands. The central and smallest region is the Seihll Fen, a wetland surrounding the namesake Logh Seihll. Leshedon’s capital, Fort Devros, lies just north of this region on the other side of the Wilds. The Lushwind Plains comprise the southern portion of Leshedon, and has plenty of land suitable for agriculture, as well as land access to Kovnarosk.

Leshedon is home to three major rivers. The Springheart River is the only freshwater river in Stravica, which flows from the Mullag Hills, curving northward into Dalecaria. The Karaval River flows north from Logh Seihll, which also feeds the Nistra River that flows south into Kovnarosk.

### Kovnarosk

*Main article: Kovnarosk*
Kovnarosk (kov-nuh-rawsk) is the southernmost part of the continent, located just north of the southern pole of Soleras.

Kovnarosk is largely cut off from the rest of Stravica by the Steelspine Mountains, a vast mountain range rich with iron. South of the mountains lies the Aurean Expanse, a large tundra with scant trees and even fewer farms. The only woodland in Kovnarosk also rests in the Aurean Expanse - the Loneleaf Woods, a taiga surrounding the Kalastaja Lake. Still further south is the polar desert of Greater Dazh’anja, where the capital of Kal’teris lies. East of Kal’teris is the uninhabited Varo Island, home to many fearsome beasts, while to the southwest is the infamous Jacknife - a jagged peninsula that had long been the deadly fate of inexperienced sailors during early settlement. Finally, to the west is the Marakov Ice Shelf, home to the small fishing town of Yksinnen.

### Thailes Elan

*Main article: Thailes Elan*
Thailes Elan (THY-luss eh-lawn) is a smaller island that lies directly to the west of Leshedon, covered mostly by volcanic desert, similar to the highlands of Iceland, though the northern part of the island has some arable land surrounding the lake of Louh Dorahys. The island is home to only one town, Lomercon-by-the-Sea, which is home to most of the population - the rest of the island’s denizens are scattered around the lake to the north.

## Commerce

### Imports

Stravica receives lumber, advanced alloys, and (clandestinely) gunpowder from Karavokrin. Aside from this, the nations of Stravica largely trade with each other, having not made much official contact with other regions across the globe.

### Exports

Some of Stravica's top exports include food (grain, tropical fish, crab), iron, and glass, as well as artifice (legally exported or otherwise). The continent also bears tropical fruits, herbs, and spices, though it has few orchards, so luxury foods can be more expensive.

### Services

Some of the Confederations of Seafaring Companies (CSCs) allow for their members to be commissioned as bodyguards, mercenaries, etc., and their expertise with the high seas make them an indispensable part of any crew. Lifespark Thaumaturgical Solutions in Fort Devros is considered the premier artificer guild in Stravica with a history spanning hundreds of years. The Three Minds (Sen Matxin Institute, Grovehearth Conservatory, Kal’teris Polytechnic) are the three prestigious schools in Stravica who work in coordination with each other, independent of nationality or politics, all in pursuit of knowledge. Grovehearth, the oldest school, specializes in natural sciences and magic, while Kal’teris focuses on practical arts and Sen Matxin centers around medicine and healing arts.

## Culture

Stravica has a racially diverse populace, but is largely composed of humans and elves (along with half-elves), though there are notable concentrations of other races as well. Dalecaria has by far the largest aarakocra population, with many who establish villages high in the boughs of the Moxtra Jungle. Many dwarves live alongside the Steelspine Mountains in Kovnarosk, as well as beneath Fort Devros in Leshedon, where the government actively prepares for the next Long Winter.

## Conflicts

Though the unified government of Stravica likes to maintain an air of peace and tranquility on the continent, it’s no surprise that the unification of the three nations has caused anxiety, confusion, and more importantly, dissent - both political and otherwise. Leshedon in particular has been somewhat recalcitrant in terms of cooperating with the other nations; though they offer basic coordination with the other militaries of the continent, they have been more resistant in sharing certain resources and intel, leading to some friction between them and the Stravican government.

There are also disparate groups of separationists scattered all across the continent - those who actively (and sometimes violently) reject the concept of a unified Stravican government. Though they have quieted over the years, they are often still considered a threat, particularly to hapless travelers who do not quite know the lay of the land.

In terms of international relations, Stravica has very few connections, and even less that are considered “official,” largely in part due to historical turmoil that occurred within the continent. In recent years, however, this de facto isolationist policy has begun to shift, as the current Stravican government seeks to establish diplomatic relations across the seas of Soleras. Whether these relations will last, however, is anyone’s guess.