Illandor

**Illandor** is the centralmost continent on Cato Vilo, and has for the majority of its history been divided into ten provinces: Arcadia, Bregdan, Estrella Tseluna, Hadar, Khader Sar, Levin, Negrathi, Nirvenor, Rixikar and Vilnhost.

## Geography

*'Main article: Provinces'*
Illandor is typically divided into ten provinces, as outlined below.

* **Arcadia** – Located on the southeastern tip of Illandor, Arcadia is a peculiarly shaped landmass, with two main islands ([/] on the left and [/] on the right) making up a vague love-heart shape, and the central island, Queensheart, being almost perfectly heart-shaped. There is a final island off the southeastern coast of Arcadia, though access is prohibited, except for the Queen of Arcadia and those she delegates. For this reason, it is believed to be her personal getaway. The province borders Bregdan to the west, and is separated from Khader Sar in the north by the [inlay]. Its southern coast overlooks the Tannethi Sea. Arcadia is picturesque, the land itself seemingly steeped in magic, with idyllically temperate and lush landscapes, and several areas of dense woodland. The province's culture is rich and modernised, with great emphasis on artistry, learning, and magic.
* **Bregdan** – Considered to be the 'capital' province of Illandor, Bregdan makes up the continent's central, and largest, landmass, bordering all but three of the other provinces. It is mostly an expanse of temperate grasslands, boreal tundras, forests, and mountains, with many waterways running through the landscape, and features numerous large cities, local townships, and miscellaneous villages, as well as the grand elven forest of Saarthenal Shen. Bregdan is separated from Vilnhost in the north via the Cloud Hills, Levin in the northeast by the Levin Mountains, Khader Sar in the east by the Redreach Mountains, Arcadia in the southeast by [mountains], Negrathi in the southwest by [/], and Hadar in the west by Haaltilhen's Ridge. The southern coast overlooks the Tannethi Sea, and the coastline on the province's northwest opens into the Tilan Sea.
* **Estrella** **Tseluna** – Nestled in the [/] mountains to the west of Vilnhost, Estrella Tseluna is the smallest province, and is considered one of the most holy places on Cato Vilo. The province is situated at a higher elevation than the rest of the continent, and is entirely ringed by the [mountains], completely enclosing the valley at the centre of the province from the outside. The [lake] can be found within this valley, as can the secluded elven forest of Lunammin Leth. A grand monastery devoted to the Moons and Stars sits on the high slopes of [mountain], and many pilgrims suffer the bitter cold and treacherous climb via Portis Estrallis to reach this holy place to pay respects. At the very peak of [mountain], a great shrine to Aetherinith can be found, tended to by the silver dragonborn of Starhold.
* **Hadar** – Located in the west, Hadar is the most geographically diverse province. The southern region is comprised primarily of marshland spilling over from Negrathi, loomed over by Vyldraegoth's Ridge, as well as the decaying elven forest of Venmoth Shed. On the southwestern coast, overlooking the Tilan Sea, the coastline is made up entirely of rocky cliffs and stone shorelines, where a couple of dock towns have been established. Beyond the marsh, in the centre of the province, the vast Plains of Elysia, home to the proud leonin, stretch for miles, interrupted only by the [river] that cuts through it. The Elysian Planes are separated from northern Hadar by the Ikes, beyond which the various city-states can be found. Historically, these were independent from the Illandoran Empire, but have since consolidated into a handful of cities heavily allied with the Empire, so much so that they are nominally considered to be Imperial territories.
* **Khader** **Sar** – Dominating the east of Illandor, Khader Sar, the second largest province, is a region of hot deserts, mineral-rich mountains, and golden coasts. It is considered a hub of trade and commerce, particularly along its eastern coast, which overlooks the Caprican Sea and facilitates bustling trade routes to Al Shari-Tijaar. Much of the province's economy stems from this trade, with the importing and exporting of artisan goods playing a major role in Illandor's economy as a whole. The eastern settlements are further bolstered by a prominent fishing industry, while the western regions are primarily focussed on mining. Khader Sar borders Bregdan in the west via the Redreach Mountains, and Levin and Nirvenor in the north by Brothers' Ridge, which is separated from the remainder of the province by Maalshaedor's Desert, in which the elven oasis of Ethran Cad can be found.
* **Levin** – Located in the northeast, Levin is primarily an inhospitable, mountainous region, and is one of the most dangerous and sparsely populated provinces. It is frequently battered with dry storms, and is almost entirely comprised of high, rocky ground, only flattening out into sandy badlands to the south where it borders Khader Sar via Brothers' Ridge. The entire eastern side of the province borders Nirvenor via the [mountain], which can be traversed through the Gundrigaal Pass, upon which the Gundrigaal people live in their secluded village. The western side is bordered northerly by Vilnhost's Avardian Mountains, where the Skollinar people live, and southerly by Bregdan, by the Levin Mountains, which encircle much of the northern half of the province. Having few outposts, Levin's economy is poor, and most of the settlements here trade in other resources than coin, largely isolated from the rest of the continent.
* **Negrathi** – Extending far out to the southwest, Negrathi is one of the most sparsely inhabited provinces, having few settled areas amidst the treacherous landscape due to unfavourable terrain and an infestation of monsters. The province is partly-submerged in the deadly marshland of the Westmarsh, and much of the terrain is dominated by mountain ridges, namely Vyldraegoth's Ridge, which borders southern Hadar, the Western Mountain Ridge, which extends from Vyldraegoth's Ridge all the way around the midsection of the province to meet with Blackridge on the southern coast. At the base of the Western Mountain Ridge, where it meets the Western Steppes that span much of central Negrathi, is the isolated town of Mistcrest. Beyond the Western Steppe to the east is Lake Lonrich, around which are the settlements of Lonrich, Gallan, and Hasket, bordering Bregdan on the far east. Upon the Western Mountain Ridge itself, the elven forest of Roskhen Rhad can be found, along with Stronghold, home of the orcs, and Labyrinth, home of the minotaurs. On the other side of the Western Mountain Ridge, beyond the reaches of the undead-infested Westmarsh, the port city of Wraithstone straddles the [bay] overlooking the meeting between the Tannethi Sea and the Tilan Sea.
* **Nirvenor** – Located in the northeastern most corner of Illandor, Nirvenor is largely choked by Nythalancer's Jungle, a dense and dangerous tropical forest in which the elven subforest of Fethisar Fen can be found, as well as the yuan-ti temple-city of [/] and the ancient city of [toa ruin]. The climate, for the most part, is hot and humid, though much of the humidity centres around the tropical wetlands of the jungle, which see regular heavy rainfall, with the eastern coast proving considerably more pleasant. Most of Nirvenor's population can be found on the far eastern coast, where golden beaches and sandstone cliffs stretch out to meet the Caprican Sea. Because most of the populace live in coastal towns, the majority of Nirvenor's economy is driven by fishing, or imports and exports from the city of Pierra to the major trade routes between Al Shari-Tijaar and other continents. The entire western side of Nirvenor borders Levin via the [mountains], which are highly dangerous and inhospitable, leading few to dare traversing them. The province borders Khader Sar to the south, separated by Brothers' Ridge.
* **Rixikar** – To the far east, the volcanic island province of Rixikar can be found. Very few settlements have been established in this hot and arid area, though the ones that have find remarkable fertility in the ashen soil, with farming being a surprisingly prosperous industry, with mining, particularly the export of volcanic rock and associated gemstones and minerals, coming in second. Rixikar is dominated by this jagged volcanic landscape, with the largest volcano, [stratovolcano], hosting a shrine to Ragarnvald, tended by the red dragonborn of [redhold].
* **Vilnhost** – High in the north, Vilnhost is a region of snow plains and steep mountain ridges, only thawing towards the Cloud Hills, where it borders Bregdan in the south, or Avardian in the east, where the Avardian Mountains border Levin. Most of the settlements in Vilnhost are sparse villages spread across the frozen tundra, though there are three sizeable cities, and a number of repurposed forts, such as Ironkeep, home to the Knights of the Iron Crown, Stormfront and Northkeep, old military posts that have largely fallen to ruin, and Silver Bastion, home to the mysterious Knights of the Silver Sword. The northwestern region of Vilnhost is home to the Soulridge, an ancient cavernous valley of arcane crystals closely guarded by both the elves of Vonrolod Vurn and Vodrommirn Vurn, and is deliberately cut off from the rest of Illandor to protect the Valley of Souls, on pain of death.

## Governance

Hh

Since the Second Era, Tamriel has been governed by the Tamrielic Empire that, until the Oblivion Crisis, was led by an Emperor of the Septim Dynasty. The center of the Empire was Cyrodiil, which was the home of both the Emperor and the Elder Council, which serves administrative functions and as an interim government during times of instability. Upon the death of the Emperor, the new Emperor is usually the oldest legitimate child (preferably a son) of the dead Emperor. However, spouses, younger children, siblings and on at least one occasion, an illegitimate child have taken the throne.

After the death of the last of the Septim Emperor, the head of the Elder Council and *de facto* head of state was Imperial High Chancellor, Grand Battle-Mage Ocato.

Following the Stormcrown Interregnum at the beginning of the Fourth Era, the Colovian Imperial Mede Dynasty is the ruling family of the Tamrielic Empire and retained the Elder Council.

Each province has its own form of government which sees to the affairs of that province. This can vary between being kingdoms, councils or provincial governors, depending on the province in question. There may also be a degree of direct Imperial administration in some places, with an Imperial bureaucracy in place, but the degree to which this is commonplace is unclear.

## Culture

### Religion

*'Main article: Religion'*
Each culture across Illandor worships the same gods; Se, the Four, and the Stars; however each culture has its own interpretation of these gods and what they mean, and some cultures place more importance in one god over the others.

#### Illandoran World Bones

##### Aetherinith the Stardancer

*'Main article: Aetherinith the Stardancer'*
Aetherinith the Stardancer is the ancient silver greatwyrm that makes up the province of Estrella Tseluna.

##### Chythmregal the Kingmaker

*'Main article: Chythmregal the Kingmaker'*
Chythmregal the Kingmaker is the ancient gold greatwyrm that makes up the province of Bregdan.

##### Galilhaeraal the Gleechaser

*'Main article: Galilhaeraal the Gleechaser'*
Galilhaeraal the Gleechaser is the ancient copper greatwyrm that makes up the province of Arcadia.

##### Haallehunt the Stormbreaker

*'Main article: Haallehunt the Stormbreaker'*
Haallehunt the Stormbreaker is the ancient bronze greatwyrm that makes up the province of Hadar.

##### Maalshaedor the Speaker

*'Main article: Maalshaedor the Speaker'*
Maalshaedor the Speaker is the ancient brass greatwyrm that makes up the province of Khader Sar.

##### Nythalancer the Dealmaker

*'Main article: Nythalancer the Dealmaker'*
Nythalancer the Dealmaker is the ancient green greatwyrm that makes up the jungle region of the province of Nirvenor.

##### Ragarnvald the Worldrender

*'Main article: Ragarnvald the Worldrender'*
Ragarnvald the Worldrender is the ancient red greatwyrm that makes up the volcanic region of the province of Khader Sar.

##### Vithsilthu'um the Icebeast

*'Main article: Vithsilthu'um the Icebeast'*
Vithsilthu'um the Icebeast is the ancient white greatwyrm that makes up the province of Vilnhost.

##### Vyldraegoth the Deathlady

*'Main article: Vyldraegoth the Deathlady'*
Vyldraegoth the Deathlady is the ancient black greatwyrm that makes up the province of Negrathi.

##### Zvaakrodu the Mighty

*'Main article: Zvaakrodu the Mighty'*
Zvaakrodu the Mighty is the ancient blue greatwyrm that makes up the desert region of Nirvenor.

### Demographics

The main races of Illandor are humans, elves and half-elves, who are widely spread across the entire continent. The following regions contain races as detailed below:

* Arcadia – eladrin, fey, firbolgs, forest gnomes, half-elves, halflings, humans
* Bregdan – half-elves, halflings, humans, saarthenali
* Estrella Tseluna – humans, [elves]
* Hadar – half-elves, humans, leonin, venmothi, [elves]
* Khader Sar – dragonborn (tbc), dwarves, humans, [elves], rock gnomes, tabaxi, tieflings
* Negrathi – humans, roskheni
* Nirvenor – feth'isari, humans
* Vilnhost – dragonborn (silver), humans, [barb elves], vodrimmirni, vonrolodi