Algarath

Algarath is one of the three great continents of Unonia. It is primarily inhabited by humans, and contains their most populated settlements. The continent is broken into two regions, ruled by the Kingdom of Frysta in the east, and the Algan Alliance to the west.

## Geographical Information

### Settlements

Farflow, Melino, Heland, Bounty, Astre, Frysta, Kyaar, Qiao

### Locations

Green Wall, The Scar, Royal Archives, Sacred Glades, Vala Snowfields

## Cultural Information

### Factions

Algan Alliance, Kingdom of Frysta, Trader's Guild, Drachen

## Geography

### Eastern Algarath

Eastern Algarath is a temperate region, characterised by rolling green hills and woodlands. Pine forests are located in the west, while the centre of this region is primarily wide open farmland, dotted with lakes and rivers flowing from the east. The area becomes mountainous in the north-east, with elevated plateaus known for their harsh winds. The south-east is also mountainous, but sees increased rainfall and warmer temperatures. The forests of this region are more dense and moist, particularly in the valleys. Marshlands and swamps are found in this area, and are particularly rich in wildlife.

### Western Algarath

Western Algarath is known for its biting cold and harsh environment. The eastern half of this region is almost entirely snowfields and tundra, which remain frozen for most of the year. This area also sees frequent snowstorms, which makes both travel and agriculture extremely difficult. Only vicious beasts are able to withstand these conditions, making this area dangerous to traverse even when weather is fair. Most settlements are located along the northern coast, where temperatures are more manageable due to warm ocean winds. As the temperature grows warmer in the west, tundra is replaced by taiga forests. Three mountains are dotted across Western Algarath, known as the Three Kings. The rocky areas surrounding these peaks have large deposits of stone, quarried for use as building material.

### The Borderlands

Eastern and Western Algarath are split in two by a large chasm in the centre of a continent, known as the Scar. This chasm was created following a great conflict between the Frystan Royals and a faction of noble mages. As a result of the dangerous magic utilised in this conflict, a large tear was made in the earth, and the surrounding environment was stripped of all life energy. The area surrounding the Scar is now nothing but grey sand, dust, and stone, and all attempts at restoring plant life have failed. The Borderlands are, however, extremely rich in metals, minerals, and gemstones. The Scar also revealed large deposits of magically infused ore, which have been subject to extensive Frystan mining operations. Earth elementals, normally exceedingly rare, are not uncommon sights in this area.

### Bounty

Bounty is a large island located along the mid-northern coast of Algarath. It is a mountainous island with a warm climate, steady rain, and fertile soil. The environment is ideal for the herding of sheep and goats, and is home to a strong community of shepherds. Vineyards and orchards can also be found across the island. The rocky eastern coast has rich deposits of silver and copper, the primary resource used in the minting of Algan coinage.

## Major Cities

### Farflow

Farflow, once known as Fort Alga, is a port city found in the mid-north of Eastern Algarath. The city is known for trade and travel, with supply lines reaching across the known world, even to the wild continent of Malgruus. Fort Alga was constructed on a cliff side, and ruled by House Alga. House Alga united the noble houses of Eastern Algarath, cementing control of the region through their foundation of the Algan Alliance. Constant traffic through Fort Alga drew the attention of merchants and tradesman. In order to take advantage of this opportunity, a city slowly began to form around the fort. Tunnels and scaffolding stretched down the cliffside and to the bay below, in order to better facilitate better naval trade. In the current day, there is a sharp divide between the noble families that live within the orderly stone walls of Fort Alga, and the poorer population that lives in the ramshackle streets of greater Farflow. The inhabitants of Farflow are extremely diverse, hailing from cultures across the world. These disparate peoples are united by their love of material goods. Herbs, tools, textiles, knicknacks, and everything in between line the streets and inside the houses of Farflow.

### Frysta

The royal capital, Frysta, is a grand city of stone located within the snowfields of Western Algarath. Frysta was constructed on a large platform hanging over a cavernous basin in the earth. This basin contains a lake of natural hot spring water. This water flows through the ground below Frysta's streets, heating the entire city to a comfortable temperature. In a great castle in the centre of the city, the Frystan royal family rules over the city, and the wider Kingdom of Frysta. The city is known for its imposing architecture, and the towers of the castle reach high into the sky. Despite the harsh conditions and appearance of this city, its people are quite hospitable to outsiders. Frystans hold great respect for their historical customs, and seek to preserve them both through practice, and through study. The Frystan Royal Archives, located a short distance from the city, is the greatest collection of knowledge in the world.

### Heland

Heland is a city state located in the south-west of Eastern Algarath. The city state was once a great centre of art and culture, famous for its many galleries, workshops, and most of all, its grand theatre. Heland prides itself on sturdy and beautiful woodwork, with its homely cottages, markets and manors standing proud under the shaded boughs of grand oak trees, tended to by city clerics. While the region’s orchards have continued to thrive, most of the artists and artisans of Heland migrated to Farflow following its rise to power, to better market their skills. Its theatres are now empty halls.

### Molino

Molino is a city state to the far north-east of Algarath, famous for its large windmills. In addition to grinding grain, several specialised windmills are able to assist in the production and processing of alcohol, oils and even textiles. This region is subject to incredibly strong winds, and as a result most towns can be found in valleys, or tucked behind outcroppings. Those living in Molino respect and revere the wind. Much of their architecture has evolved to interact with the wind, through wind catchers, weather vanes, and whistle-like-holes that, in certain seasons, channel the wind into a melodic symphony. Those of Molino have recently developed windbikes, caravans with sails that allow locals to take advantage of the high winds, transporting people and goods along the elevated plateaus with greet speed

### Kyaar

Kyaar, located along the northern coast of Western Algarath, is the primary trading hub for the Kingdom of Frysta. It serves as a stopping point for travelers journeying to and from Frysta, allowing them to bypass the harsh snowfields. Kyaar has established trade routes with Ur, across the sea to the West, and has treaties with Farflow to the east, despite tensions with the Algan Alliance. They primarily export the local resources of stone, metals, and minerals, along with arms and tomes produced in Frysta. Unlike Farflow, which developed bit by bit over time, Kyaar was intentionally founded in an advantageous location for the express purpose of ensuring stable supply lines. The city is incredibly orderly, with square buildings which fit neatly into a grid system. Trade, Administrative, Residential, and Cultural districts are cleanly defined, and improper conduct is managed by a strict town guard. Despite this, the city still manages to have an active nightlife.