Ostad

**Ostad** was one of the three major islands of the Saulis Isles. Like Vestya, Amnians are largely considered to be the island's first inhabitants. The northeast regions of Ostad, known as the Eastern Wilds, are blocked off from the rest of the island by a band of thick, impassable jungle. Prior to the Lost Cataclysm, it was believed that the Eastern Wilds were filled with natural magic and crossings to other planes. Ostad was the apparent epicenter of the Lost Cataclysm, as a massive explosion occurred in the Eastern Wilds. The entire population of the island was killed, although the cause of death for those far from the blast is unknown. Ostad has remained uninhabited since, but as of 4161 ANW rumors of strange creatures taking over the island's ruins have been spreading through Vestya.

## Geography

Ostad's most prominent feature is the Narrow Wilds, a band of impassable jungle bordering the north-east section of the island. The region beyond it, the Eastern Wilds, has only been explored a few times throughout the island's history. The area is rumored to be filled with wild magic and planar crossings.

Like Vestya, Ostad's northern region is a frosty tundra. This area is separated from the rest of the isle by the Sulchai Mountains, a mountain range that intersects the Narrow Wilds. The tallest mountain on the island lies in the Eastern Wilds, and thus has not been climbed in recorded history. The name "Sulchai" comes from an ancient proto-draconic language. Its meaning is unknown.

The island's other mountain range, the Vurig Mountains, fills the area between Lake Treskrionib and the east coast. Mt. Wrentgrave, a semi-active volcano and the second-tallest mountain on the island, resides in this range.

Ostad's longest river is the Ellingdare River. Two rivers, one originating from Lake Treskrionib, and the other from somewhere in the Wilds, combine just north of Drakenvallei, traveling through the valley and breaking apart to flow to Lake Hascola and out to sea through the swamps of Moeraslonde. Several oxbow lakes, called the Durven Lakes, surround the river as it exits the wilds.

Surrounding the coast of the Eastern Wilds is the Shredding Sea, a region of hostile storms and boat-shredding rocks. Only the bravest ship captains have survived journeys into the Shredding Sea, and even they have found landing on the coast of the Wilds near-impossible.

The shockwaves of the Cataclysm cut into the terrain, creating ravines along the edges of many of Ostad's major lakes.

## Settlements

Ostad was originally settled by Amnians. The largest city, Schaduwhelstad (literally "City in the Shadow of Hell") was built at the base of Mt. Wrentgrave, along a river that flowed from Lake Treskrionib. The city of Drakenvallei was founded in the valley of the same name, while Vermaningstad was founded right on the edge of the Narrow Wilds, south of the Sulchai Mountains and east of Granwell Fields. Windlo, the industrial center of the island, lies in the plains south of Lake Hascola.

Over the centuries, other races began settling on the island. The first major Elven city was Moeraslonde on Ostad's west coast, with other ports such as Yaanbelle and Ryoluma soon following. To the south were several Halfling settlements, the largest of which was Sanlakyln. Humans also settled on the island, founding Port Ottersby and Hask Village. They also came to inhabit Rygathaven Bay, creating an interesting case of double naming. The town was originally founded by Amnians and was named simply Rygathaven, with the -haven suffix meaning port or bay. Common-speaking Humans then appended an additional "Bay" on the end of it.

## Notable Locations

* Vermaningstad - Closest city to the epicenter of the Cataclysm. Archaeological expeditions to the city in the mid-42nd century revealed the populace had been petrified. Encounters with undead petrified corpses were the first signs the outside world had of the existence of Rot.
* Sulchai Outpost - Built into the southern side of the Sulchai Mountains, this was a former Dragonborn outpost built by the Keepers of the Eastern Wilds. In 4161 ANW, the Petrified Sentinel took over the outpost.
* Fort Jupiterra - Built around the crater atop Mt. Wrentgrave, this military base was named after a distant relative of folk hero Toland Jupiterra.
* Windlo - The former industrial center of Ostad, Windlo's factories suddenly resumed operation as the Rusted Sentinel set up shop there. Construction began on a railroad between Windlo and Schaduwhelstad, and it seems it is still being built despite the Rusted Sentinel's demise.
* Moeraslonde - The swamps surrounding the town have been taken over by the Gangrenous Sentinel, as its minions farm living, carnivorous plants and massive wasps. To the northeast of the city is a dark forest, once considered a bad omen by the city's inhabitants. The Gangrenous Sentinel now resides there, warping reality within the forest.

## Notable Dates

* The Lost Cataclysm: The epicenter of the Cataclysm lies in the Eastern Wilds. In 4107 ANW, shockwaves from the event caused destruction across the globe. Nearly all of Ostad's inhabitants were killed, although the exact cause of some deaths is a mystery. Those in Vermaningstad were petrified by the event, while some towards the south of the island should have survived the blast, but were found dead anyway with no apparent cause.

## Legends and Myths

* The Eastern Wilds are said to be the home of dragons. Rumors say that Amnian settlements on the island are predated by Draconic ones, as many places around Ostad have names with proto-Draconic roots.