Allagi

Allagi is a new continent off of the coast of Sirith, and is the easternmost of Hireath’s continents. Created in summer 1702, this strange continent consists of a chain of islands. Its northernmost parts border Onea, while the most southern islet is near Aquore. The continent is currently home to the Asylon faction, and countless other Vagabonds.

## History

Unlike the other five continents, which have existed since time immemorial, Allagi was brought into existence by the will of the sixth god, Digend, in the summer of 1702. This event was preceded by strange events across Hireath where small swatches of land would simply disappear into nothing, and be replaced by new, identical pieces.

Digend’s design was finished in a beam of light, and with his transformation into a true god complete, Digend transported many of his faithful into this new land he had created for them. The continent is inhabited by members of the Asylon faction, and many Vagabonds who came after.

## General

Allagi is something of a pathwork of biomes, climates, fauna and flora. With parts “stolen” from across Hireath, its only cohesive identity comes from the strange changes that have occurred with each component brought over from across Hireath.

When Digend took parts of the other continents to create his own, he also brought over some of their fauna, and much of their flora. All of Hireath’s creatures, even mythical beasts, are represented in Allagi. Many of its non-mythical inhabitants exhibit unusual mutations, such as strange colors, extra horns - even hybrid creatures, most of whom seem to be unique, rather than species in their own right. Vagabond mythical and rare familiars are especially plentiful here. The only wyvern species found here is the Chaos Fae.

## Allagi Major

Allagi Major is the largest of the islands in the chain, located between Allagi Minor and the continent of Sirith. Unlike the other parts of the continent, Allagi Major is not a true island, as it is only cut off from Sirith by a rather narrow stream - making the two continents connected, and walking over from Sirith to Allagi Major quite an easy task. To Allagi Minor, it is connected by bridge.

Allagi Major takes after Sirith and Aquore in its biomes, flora and fauna. It features a mixture of grassy plain, forested mountains, and a tropical rainforest. It is the most populated part of the continent, and home to three permanent settlements, including the regional capital.

### Geography

Allagi Major consists of three main biomes: grassy plain, mountains and highlands, and rainforest. The mountain range splits the landmass roughly in two, with open plains on the northern side and to the east, while the rainforests are to the south.

The grassland begins as a fairly direct continuation to Sirith’s biomes, with the same rich soil and mild climate of the Northern Plains. The region is crisscrossed by rivers, but does not experience seasonal floods. Plethora of grasses, flowers, bushes and some lone trees make for a lush plain.

The mountainous region is well-forested with trees from temperate biomes, with more tropical plants gaining ground on the southern side. Gently sloping, and generally a pleasant place to travel and explore when approached from the northern side. The southern side of the range is more steep and unwelcoming, but equally forested.

In the southernmost part, towards Aquore, the continent is covered in a jungle much like that seen in the Wilds of Aquore.

### Climate & Wildlife

Allagi Major has two distinct climates. The first one, seen on the Wandering Plains and on the northern half of the Echo Mountains,  is a direct continuation to the climate experienced in Sirith on these same latitudes. This means relatively cold but non-snowy winters, with mild but comfortable summers with near daily light rainfall. This mild climate makes the northern half very hospitable to equines. Meanwhile, the southern half of Echo Mountains and the rolling forests underneath have an unnaturally warm climate for the region, being covered in tropical rainforest. This region has very even temperature all year around, with winters only slightly milder than the summers. The general climate is hot and humid, with plenty of rainfall.

The northern half lends its resident species from Sirith: the plains are home to many grasses, mushrooms, shrubs and flowers, with wild rice and wheat growing untamed. The more mountainous part sees wisteria trees and many other plants typical of real life East Asia. The animals are also of Sirith origin, with the grassy lowlands and the hillier regions having their own, distinct faunas. The southern half is home to tropical fauna and flora reminiscent of Aquore, with a richness of different species that is to be expected of a rainforest.

### Locations

The great road that crosses through all of Allagi begins at Asylon, trailing southeast until it enters the continent of Allagi. Passing through Choro, meandering through Wandering Plains and then through Dikos towards Allagi Minor, this great artery of the continent is on this section of the journey known as **Trail of Moths**. The road is paved with opalescent, solid brickwork, making it one of the prettier and better maintained roadways in Hireath. The bricks feel unnaturally soft underhoof, do not chip, and always remain pristine and perfectly visible - no amount of storm or rain seems to damage the path.

A grand bridge closes the gap between Allagi Major and Minor. This bridge, **Skyspire Bridge**, is a massive construction. Almost 100ft wide, it rises above the landscape, with the highest spires a good 600ft tall - perhaps some of the tallest structures in all of Hireath. The Skyspire is not built, but rather made - a great mass of stone, yet surprisingly delicate. The support beams have a spiraling pattern on them, and appear opalescent, while the walkway itself is dark and shining, like dotted with thousands of gemstones. There are often small campsites and merchant stalls settled on the bridge itself.

#### Wandering Plains

The Wandering Plains cover the whole northern half of Allagi Major, reaching from coast to coast. It is home to the two settlements of Dikos and Ygris, and enjoys a pleasant, mild climate. The countless small rivers crisscrossing the plains have distinct, rocky shores, and the seasonal flooding is minimal. Although the ground is fertile and lush with vegetation, the overall landscape is dry rather than muddy, making for easy travel.

The open grassland is dotted by gemstone monuments, ranging from quite small and natural looking to gems three times larger than a horse. These softly glowing and vibrating crystals seem to protrude out of the earth like blades, sometimes alone and at other times, in massive clusters. There are entire fields made of such crystals, albeit smaller. Each site glows at night, attracting a great number of huge moths. After rainfall the gemstones briefly lose their color, and the grass around them gains their vibrant hues - only to fade at the first rays of the sun.

#### Echo Mountains

The Echo Mountains are a large mountain range splitting the landmass nearly in half. The northern side begins as a gently sloping highland, covered in a thick, temperate wood and crisscrossed by mountain streams. The southern side is steeper, with several sheer falls and craggy hills hidden beneath the lush rainforest vegetation. Great waterfalls plummet from dizzying heights, creating almost swampy little valleys within the lush jungle. While the northern side is well-suited for travel, the southern side is difficult to traverse, with often minimal visibility due to dense vegetation and steam.

There are several large cave systems underneath the mountains, all of them uncharted. It is theorized that some may offer a tunnel from one side of the mountains to another, but no one has dared to try yet. These tunnels form veritable labyrinths, and are full of life - flowers, grasses, even miniature trees seem to thrive here, even without sunlight. They are home to bioluminescent moths and butterflies - and, some say, pygmy lindworms with a similarly glowy appearance.

The name of the mountain range comes from the unnatural way sound carries here. A speaker can often be heard miles and miles away, their voice echoing across the landscape. It is not easy to predict *where* one’s voice will be cast, but this strange phenomena gives the mountains a most unique soundscape.

#### Skyless Wood

A deep, lush jungle, the Skyless Wood is home to an absolutely enormous variety of fauna and flora, especially colorful birds and insects. The trees here grow tall, and the canopy is unusually thick, with many places receiving hardly any light on the forest floor. Small rivers and streams crisscross the forest, with several larger cascading streams coming down from the mountainous waterfalls, and these small openings are the ones most awash with light. There is a slight smell of rot in many areas of the woods, with dead plantlife creating new fertile earth.

Besides the typical Aquorian jungle, the Skyless Wood has some unique plantlife. In the darkness of the forest, enormous mushrooms grow. Some are the size of a horse - others even taller. These huge mushrooms thrive especially in the rot, and are bioluminescent, providing the darkness of the woods a ghostly, alluring light. Will-o-wisps spin around some of them, luring travelers to the unknown.

#### Dikos

Dikos is the regional capital, and the largest settlement in Allagi. Located near the northern coast, on the grassy Wandering Plains, it is home to the Opal Tower, and is a magnificently and unnaturally beautiful place.

#### Choro

A tiny village that mostly acts as a resting stop on the journey deeper into the continent. Built as a tiny fortress in the highlands, and inhabited by a surprising number of kirins.

#### Ygris

A somewhat isolated village off-of the main roadway. Residents of Ygris sail all the way to Isles of the Dead and Onea for trade, and boast an unique village built entirely on water.

## Allagi Minor

Allagi Minor is one of the two main islands making up Allagi, located between Allagi Major and the Little Brothers, to both of which it is connected by bridge.

Allagi Minor features several distinct biomes, and lends most of its flora and fauna from Eithne and Sedo. It is characterized by mountains, dry steppe, desert, highlands, and a bit of forest on its northernmost parts. Compared to Allagi Major, it is sparsely populated, and a far more challenging place to live. There is only one permanent settlement on Allagi Minor.

### Geography

Allagi Minor has very distinct topography, with lowland running through the south and center of the islands, highlands to the west and east, and a mountain range bordering the sea in the easternmost part. When viewed from the sky, Allagi Minor appears almost as a giant canyon, with open plains on one end, and some forest on the other edge. Landing with ships safely is only possible in the flat plains around Amosa - the mountains on the western side are too steep and seas too rough to safely land a vessel.

The southernmost part of the island is characterized by a flat, grassy plain, cut through by a multitude of small rivers with incredibly clear water. Around each river is lush vegetation reminiscent of northern Sedo and southern Sirith - palm trees and agave, as well as many plants of the savannah thrive here, despite the latitude. The rivers flood during the spring, covering the ground in fertile, volcanic soil from the mountains.

The western highland is a small swathe of dry hills, home to olive trees and grapes growing wild. This is reminiscent of Eithne’s highlands, and locations such as Opulence, albeit far more wild. The wild plants here can grow unnaturally large, and bear fruit the size of a horse’s hoof. Various shrubs and hardy grasses also make their home here.

The northernmost point of the island is covered in a lush temperate rainforest with oaks, beeches, maples and birches, with plentiful shrubbery and a diverse herbaceous layer.

### Climate & Wildlife

The climate of Allagi Minor is unnaturally warm for its latitude, and depending on the region, is reminiscent of either Sedo or Eithne. The southern half of the island - including the flatlands, parts of Ocean’s Throat Range and the Dreaming Sands have a climate similar to northern parts of Sedo - subtropical, with long, hot and dry summers and short, mild winters, with minimal to no snowfall. Most of the rainfall occurs during autumn and spring, although rain is often “blocked” by the mountain range, and does not reach inland. The northern half enjoys a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild, rainy winters with no snowfall. Coastal regions receive heavy fogs during summer months.

The fauna and flora of the island are similarly split in two halves. The north has creatures reminiscent of Eithne: wolves, elk, bison and wild goats. South, especially the desert, brings its creatures from Sedo, with camels, coyotes and other heat resistant species. The rivers are home to crocodiles, and many other reptilians make their home here as well. There is even a small tribe of Thunderbirds nesting in the area.

### Locations

The main road that crosses through all of Allagi enters Allagi Minor from its most southernmost tip, and then travels up the coast to Amosa, through the eastern highlands, and finally through the Dreaming Sands. This portion of the road is sometimes called **Thinker’s Way**. The white cobblestone marking the path is always cool to the touch, no matter the temperature around it. Messages occasionally appear, as if carved onto the stones, but no two equines seem to find the exact same messages - although some certainly appear to more than one person. The messages, which range from philosophical thoughts to little poems and even children’s questions, are authorless and without context, and seem to draw from across Hireath.

The bridge between the Brothers and Allagi Minor is **Silver River**, and does not look like a bridge at all. It is at the level of the ocean, and seemingly a part of it, but when stepped into, reveals itself as a shallow pool of water with a smooth surface underneath - a surface that is completely invisible and can not be observed by eye or blessing, only with touch. The water at this crossing runs permanently grey, almost silver, and is always pleasantly warm, even if the ocean around it is frozen. When looking down, crossers can see oceanic life and vegetation clearly, as if walking on glass.

#### Dreaming Sands

A rather large desert located between two swathes of highland, the Dreaming Sands are essentially a massive valley of canyon. The southern edge of the desert bleeds into the flatlands, grasses becoming more sparse as one travels north; while on the northern edge, some stubborn trees act as first signs of a chance in biome.

The desert itself is of the oppressively dry and hot variety. Rainfall is rare, with the main water source being the few rivers snaking through the scenery. During wintertime temperature may plummet well below freezing, especially during the nights, while days remain hot. Temperature differences can be extreme within a single day.

As the name suggests, the Dreaming Sands are famous for their realistic mirages. Travelers straying from the road get lost easily, and many are never found again. At night, the sand itself glows a soft, ethereal purple, and it is said that distant voices can be heard from beneath them. Windless storms pass through the desert occasionally; wispy and colorful, they beckon people in, and those who enter are often granted strange, symbolic dreams.

#### Ocean’s Throat Range

The Ocean’s Throat range reigns over the entire western side of the island. Towards the center of the island, the range is highlands, craggy rocks and hills, dappled with flat plains of volcanic activity - geysers and vents blowing hot air from the core of the continent break the dry landscape of shrubbery and grasses, intermittent with hardy trees. On the upper ridges, near the mountains themselves, several natural hot pools can be found.

The mountain range itself dominates the western coast. Its highest peak, Mt Artaru, is an active volcano - albeit one that has no major eruptions. The other peaks are not volcanic in nature, and are a somewhat random mix of mountains covered in shrubs and small trees save for their peaks, and mesas the like of which one would only expect to find in Sedo. The deforested peaks and mesas have almost glasslike, reflective quality to them.

Ocean Throat is cut through by several rivers, snaking their path through the mountainous landscape both as small mountain streams, and massive river canyons. All the rivers flow towards the fertile flatlands in the southeast.

Those traveling in the mountains report seeing rainbow bridges crossing over gaps and canyons, rivers glittering with countless jewels, and vibrant purple waters in volcanic pools. The whole region has a whimsical feeling to it, and at night, auroras paint the skies and are reflected in the mountaintops.

#### Amosa

A small settlement near the western coast. Built on a river, it enjoys some of the most fertile farmlands in all of Allagi.

## Little Brothers

The Little Brothers are two medium sized islands located between Allagi Minor and the Big Sister. The larger island is connected to both of the neighboring large islands via long bridges, while the smaller island is reachable by swimming through the shallows between them.

Both islands are heavily forested, with gently sloping coastlines and natural, shallow beaches - although not the nice white sand kind, but a rougher, more grainy or even muddy kind. This makes them good places to land with ships, even without harbors.

The Little Brothers are largely uninhabited, although there are some minor campsites and resting spots around.

### Geography

The two islands are very similar, with gentle coastlines, soft, muddy forest floors, and mostly unexplored woods. There is some elevation with wooded hills, small streams and deceptively steep cliffs. An explorers paradise, with plentiful protection from the elements and a great variety of local herbs and edible plants.

The forests have both coniferous and temperate hardwoods, such as birches and maples. The forest floor is generally wet, with a thick layer of organic material on the ground. Grasses, flowers, shrubs, mosses and many other types of plants thrive here in perfect harmony, creating lush forests shrouded in a near-permanent mist. During autumn and especially spring, the forest floors turn soft and muddy, and some areas become swamps. Above these wet areas, dancing lights similar to auroras may be observed at night, painting the forests with strange colors.

### Climate & Wildlife

The climate of the Little Brothers is temperate and oceanic, with mild summers and comparatively mild but very cloudy and snowy (or rainy) winters. The weather here is temperamental, and can change surprisingly quickly. Snowfall is heavy during midwinter months, but late autumn and early spring tend to be very wet and muddy, turning the local footpaths into veritable mudslides. The shallows between the islands only freeze for a short time in mid-winter, and most bays remain open throughout the year, allowing for sailing.

The fauna and flora of the area is most reminiscent of southern Onea, and northern Eithne. The species living here must be able to survive the winters, but don’t need to be as hardy as those on the Stepstones. Deer, cougars, beavers and other such creatures make their home here. A few cold resistant reptiles and amphibians are also found. Giant spiders make their home in the deepest crevasses of the woods, weaving entire sections of the forest in their white, silky webs.

### Locations

Besides the aurora painted wetlands, there is little to see on the Little Brothers. A single, relatively well-traveled path courses through the larger of the islands, and acts as the main artery via land between Oreios and the more southern settlements.

The bridge collecting the Brother to Big Sister is known as **Living Rock Bridge**, and as the name implies, it is a constantly moving series of large rocky outcroppings, clipping out of the ocean below. The sound the rocks make in rubbing against each other sounds like a thousand buzzing insects, and they never seem to be completely still - although the bridge is slow moving and safe enough for any equine to cross.

## Big Sister

Big Sister is the third largest island in the Allagi island chain, located between the smaller islands known as Little Brothers, and the island cluster known as the Stepstones. It is connected to the larger of the Little Brothers via a bridge known as the **Living Rock Bridge**, but is easiest visited by ship.

The Big Sister has a gentle, easy to land southern coast, but the other coastlines are steep, rocky and characterized by impressive rock formations right off of the coast, making for magnificent views. The island has a single permanent settlement, known as Oreios.

### Geography

The Big Sister has many gentle bays on its southern coast, and when approached by ship from that direction, the island seems gentle and inviting. However, from the north a traveler will be met by countless craggy rocks, steep coastal cliffs and large rock formations right off of the coast. The northern tip is almost mountainous, with many great vistas above the rest of the island. On a clear day, Mt Skeldr can be seen from the northernmost peak of the wooded mountain ranges.

The northern part of the island is home to boreal wood, with dry hills and plentiful moss and lichen as well as hardy grasses. Trees here are mostly conifers, although a few hardy leafy trees also survive. The trees here grow tall and imposing, similar to many woods in Onean heartlands. Undergrowth is thin, and moss is far more prevalent than grass or shrubs. Some mountain flowers grow on the craggy rocks.

### Climate & Wildlife

The Big Sister has a climate that falls somewhere between subarctic and oceanic temperate climate. Summers are relatively short and mild, while winters are long and rainy, with snowfall common throughout the winter months. The coastal regions enjoy more mild temperature changes, but in the heart of the island, nights can be harshly cold, even in summer. The ocean around the Big Sister usually freezes over, but is treacherous and not as thick as it looks.

The flora and fauna on Big Sister is a mixture of middle Onean, with a splattering of species from northern Sirith, with most animals being ones that enjoy more mountainous regions. Snow leopards, mountain goats and wolves are common sights, as are a surprising variety of birds, especially seafowl.  A few cold resistant reptiles and amphibians are also found.

### Locations

Besides the bridge leading to it, there aren’t many true landmarks on the Big Sister. Although home to one settlement, the island is still largely uninhabited. Interesting natural landmarks include the **Horns of Digend**, a spectacular rock formation off of the coast of the northern tip. These four rocky pillars rise from the ocean, and have formed into strange shapes, almost like trees - and from a distance, they look like enormous grey trees, or some sort of strange monster rising from the depths.

The main road of Allagi runs through Big Sister from the bridge to Oreios, where it ends. This part of the road is paved with black stones that resemble ebony, but feel like regular cobblestone.

#### Bonewood

The Bonewood covers the majority of the island, with only the northern tip being home to a more natural kind of forest. Unlike the similarly named Forest of Bone on the Sirith mainland, the Bonewood is not an ossified forest - it is a temperate mixed forest, similar to southern Onea, or the ones found on the Little Brothers, albeit a lot less wet and muddy. What gives the forest its name is that all of the trees are bone white: their leaves, their bark, their pines, even the lumber made from them or the sap bled from them. During autumn, the leaves turn black as they fall.

It seems all the animals of the Bonewood exhibit either albinism or melanism.

#### Oreios

Oreios is a small coastal village poking out the Bonewood. Located in a protected cove, it is a good place to fish and harvest seaweed, and imports white lumber from Bonewood.

## Stepstones

The Stepstones are a group of smaller, mostly uninhabited islands and islets off of the coast of Onea. While they are not directly connected to either Onea, the Big Sister or each other, the waters between the islands are shallow, and currents mild, making it possible, although straining, for even non-hippocampus and non-pegasi to cross the distances between them.

The Stepstones are said to be a new, favored hiding spot for some Cultists, but they will not attack travelers on Digend’s chosen land - unless said travelers are stupid enough to provoke them, or identify themselves as hostile to Digend.

These islands are known for their rockiness and rough coasts. The natural bedrock in this region is striped with colors - most commonly tones of brown and grey, but also green, red, purple and blue in some regions.

### Geography

The Stepstones consist of seven larger islands, and countless tiny islets that are little more than barren rocks sticking out of the ocean. The area is somewhat dangerous to sail through due to the deceptively shallow ocean, and countless rough rocks beneath the surface; the safest crossing for ships is between the largest island of the Stepstones, and the Big Sister, where the canal is the widest.

Out of the seven islands, three small ones to the south are craggy and hilly, with steep and uninviting coastlines. The terrain is rough and hard to traverse, with many sheer cliffs and barren hills. Vegetation is fairly minimal, limited to a few hardy small trees and bushes, lichen, moss and a few grasses and flowers sticking out of the barren landscape.

Three of the remaining four islands feature boreal forest. These islands are also rocky, but less hilly than the southern Stepstones. Plentiful shrubbery, such as heather and lingonberry shrubs, cover the ground. The island closest to Onea is completely covered in this type of vegetation, while the other two feature it on their southern halves.

On three northernmost islands, barren taiga takes up the majority of the islands. During summer months, these near-treeless islands feature open grassland steppe, while winter makes them appear completely devoid of life.

### Climate & Wildlife

The climate of the Stepstones is subarctic, with mild and short summers (June-August) and long, cold winters (November-March). The surrounding ocean makes the temperature changes between night and day mild - summer nights are pleasant and relatively warm, while winter nights are not noticeably colder than the days. Snow is usually plentiful during winter months, although most snowfall occurs during early winter months, before the cold properly sets in. The shallow ocean between the islets freezes during winter, allowing for an easy crossing.

The fauna and flora of the Stepstones are Onean in nature, with a particular abundance of large pine trees, including some Silverwood. Local fauna includes staples of the cold regions of Hireath, such as moose, deer, bears, foxes, rabbits etc. Reptiles are non-existent, and amphibians limited to a few cold resistant species.