Iolla Cliffs

Iolla Cliffs by tumblr user @thewatchau

Location of the Iolla Cliffs in Duilintinn by tumblr user @thewatchau

The Iolla Cliffs are a huge elevated cliff system located in southeastern House Schneeplestein, Duilintinn, jutting out over the coast of the Eastern Sea. While technically an extension of the foothills of the Southern Mountains, the regions are so geographically and culturally distinct that few would actually categorize the cliffs as a subregion of the mountain foothills in any practical context.

## Name Origin

“Iolla” can mean attention/observation or view, both of which are significant. Not only do these seaside cliffs offer gorgeous views of the ocean, coast, and even as far west as the capital city of Cordoire, but they also provide doctors and caretakers who will observe and pay attention to those who need it most.

## Geography

Bordered by the Airceann River and the Southern Mountains, the Iolla Cliffs are only accessible via the Airceann Bridge. Located at the junction between the Beinnfaire Ridge and the foothills of the Southern Mountains, which is a far gentler slope than climbing the vertical cliffs to the top, the Airceann Bridge allows travelers to cross the Airceann River and enter the Iolla Cliffs.

Like most parts of the Feadhainn Valley, the soil of the Iolla Cliffs is a heavy chalky clay, featuring significant amounts of limestone. Unlike the Costageal and Monaidh Plains, the Iolla Cliffs were never particularly forested, nor were they particularly affected by Waldren’s exploitation. The cliffs themselves are made from gleaming white stone, with grasses and wildflowers blowing in the clear sea and mountain air. Rocky inlets are scattered along the coast against the cliffs, the most notable being Reaper Cove.

It is likely there is a cave system within the cliffs, since they are made of limestone,

## Settlements

The Iolla Cliffs are primarily known for housing the Iolla Sanitariums and, for security reasons, feature few settlements unrelated to the Lifeworker Institute. Fadáite Sólas, a town managed by the Institute, stands on the only road into the cliffs to manage travel to and from the Sanitariums. A few civilian towns lie west of Fadáite Sólas, most notably the town around the Airceann Bridge. The only non-medical settlement located west of Fadáite Sólas is Iolla Beacon Outpost, which itself features heavy security protocols due to their semi-secret harbor in Reaper Cove.

### Iolla Sanitariums

Located in the southernmost point of House Schneeplestein, the Iolla Cliffs are a safe haven for those in need of constant care from the doctors of House Schneeplestein.

The salt in the air along the main coastline and the clear mountain air of the foothills and cliffs to the south are great places for people to visit and recover from various illnesses.

Some doctors even set up practices along the bits of the coast further from the hustle and bustle of the Loch Domhainn’s port city, even as far south as the mountains. Many of these locations have evolved into tiny villages that could be compared to modern day resorts or historical sanitariums (not to be confused with sanatoriums, aka the setting of every hospital horror movie/game ever). Depending on the location, a single doctor or a group of doctors will care for a small group of patients. Some of these patients will only visit for a short time, while others who stay for the rest of their lives, however long that implies…

All but two are designed to house patients of all ages; one specifically cares for children and another is exclusive to the elderly. Verified scholars and doctors with multiple credentials and letters of recommendation from doctors in the main population hub of House Schneeplestein can visit these places and ask for volunteers for experimental treatments among the terminally or chronically ill… if it becomes clear that the patient will require constant care for a long period of time, they are sent to these small isolated practices.

## Trivia

The South Downs of the United Kingdom are one of the most significant real-world geographical references for the natural landmarks of eastern Duilintinn, from the Beinnfaire Ridge, to the Coastal Plains, to the Iolla Cliffs. In this case, the White Cliffs of Dover remind me of the Iolla Cliffs in literally every way. If this AU ever got turned into a film, I’d insist that every scene filmed at the Iolla Cliffs would be shot there.