Goelyn's Highlands

Savannah (South of Lake Goelyn)

Forest (The Milkwoods)

Desert (Near Lootip)

House Huebrin

**Goelyn's Highlands**, often referred to as "the Highlands", is the largest region in Ralanos. It encompasses the majority of the central portion of the continent, stretching from the Vhysalin Cliffs to the Forest of Forbidden Sanctums. The largest city in the land, Goelyn, is found in the southern portion of the region.

The region is vital to all aspects of life, from trading and agriculture, to travel and tourism. The monstrous Lake Goelyn provides freshwater fish to nearly all of the nearby towns and settlements, while the vast plains to the north provide an abundance of cows and meat. Wheat is also farmed in large quantities, as well as rice, potatoes, carrots, and other important vegetables.

The Vhysalin River flows through much of the region, acting as a trading route for goods headed south to the Lock. Lake Goelyn acts as one of the river's main tributaries, though the main sources are from the Tri Lakes. In the area north of the river, cows breed in abundance, with the largest area surrounding the town of Jaeldt. The cows use the river as their water source, and the tall grassy plains for food. In the far southeast sits the Milkwoods, a forest that has been greatly depleted for wood and lumber use. Southwest of the Milkwoods, the terrain grows harsh, filled with numerous gorges and crags before reaching Lootip at the border.

## History

The region was first discovered by humans in the early 10's UA under the command of Ubix Al'Goelyn, who named the land Nos N'Ogrynd Sul ("Land of Heat and Sun" in Ralanic). When the Royal Language became the Common Tongue in the 100's UA, it was renamed as Goelyn's Highlands.

The first outpost was built around 12 UA in what is now the town of Plainview, primarily used to shelter farmers of wheat, and a variety of newly discovered vegetables including potatoes, carrots, beets, onions, and pumpkin. Cows were also farmed for their milk and meat, and soon, more outposts began to spread throughout the north of the region. The city of Goelyn was then founded along the banks of the large lake of the same name, in 114 UA. About a century later, the city of Kaladan was founded along the Vhysalin River farther west, near the region's border with the Jaded Claw Mountains. Towns like Jaeldt took their name from the Ralanic word for cow, while other places like Isshnu took their name for river and Cellade for vegetable. By the 400's, the Highlands were just as populated as the Outskirts.

Today, Goelyn remains the most populated city in the land, while towns like Cellade, Cliffview, Veltruve and Coglin also contain large populations. The fertile valleys south of Lake Goelyn provided excellent soil to grow grapes, leading to a boom in the wine industry starting in the 500's UA. The sport of Skiddam was also created in Goelyn's Highlands, in Donner's Town.

## Geography & Climate

The use of "highlands" in the name comes as a result of the elevation from sea level compared to much of the rest of the continent. The northern extent is ridden with hills that naturally barricades the Highlands from the Forest of Forbidden Sanctums, particularly the Isshnu Ridge which runs along the two regions' borders. To the south, the Vhysalin Cliffs, extending from the Jaded Claw Mountains in the west, act as a natural barrier from the Lock. And in the east, much of the coastline consists of tall plateaus, such as the Edge of the World, where the outcast city of Gyle is found. Farther southeast toward the Milkwoods, the elevation decreases along the coast, until the region reaches the Land of One Thousand Plagues.

Goelyn's Highlands contains a diverse number of biomes and climates, including prairies and plains in the north, savannahs and grasslands in its south and center, and deserts in the southeast, among many others. The land along the banks of the Vhysalin River is extremely fertile and beneficial for farming, while deeper barren areas contain arid crags and bluffs. The land surrounding Lake Goelyn is also fertile, particularly in the area south of the lake which feature a variety of basins and springs.

The temperature seldom fluctuates, even during the change of seasons, however heavy rain oftentimes leaves an increased number of watersheds during Northstream. The Vhysalin River also sometimes changes direction in some locations, particularly up the Kaladan Connect, the Coglin Run, and the Grand Connect, leading to flooding in the surrounding areas. However, areas in the west closer to the Jaded Claw Mountains like Prince's Point often experience cooler weather, while areas in the southeast are often hotter.

## Wildlife

The region contains an incredibly diverse range of wildlife, including some of the land's most dangerous creatures.