Islands of the Shimmering sea
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Iracal Island
Danger: Normal
Sub zones: Mount Litocoro, Torin city
Inhabitants: Under construction
Iracal Island lies in a very unstable zone of Felarya. As a result, it is surrounded by a sort of bubble of distorted space, time, and light. This field, is significant enough to make the island appear a lot smaller than it actually is. The radius of the field is said to reach a considerable distance around the island. Passing through the field to leave, or land, on the Island can have unpredictable and possibly dangerous effects. Some have reported a change in age ranging from 10 to 20 years, while others have vanished completely. These fatals occurrences are actually rare, but it's enough to deter the natives from tempting fate too much and to attempt to escape the bubble, especially considering they still have to cross waters patrolled by hungry Chlaenas just to reach the field. This has led many people regarding travel involving Iracal Island as a one way trip. At least once a year the entire archipelago is shaken by "White Storms," a phenomenon that can be likened to flying directly through a luminous hurricane. During those White Storms, a blinding white light fills the entire sky and it becomes nearly impossible for a person to see even 2 meters in front of them.
To the south east of the island stands the massive mount Litocoro and Torin city. The northern part is covered by a large forest, while the south give way to plateaux and highlands. Iracal Island has seen many battles between Sphinxes and Harpies. The latest war between them has started long ago, and is being fought over the summit of Mount Litocoro, the highest point of the island.
Mount Litocoro
Danger: Normal
Inhabitants: humans, harpies, dryads
The tallest of Iracal Island's mountains, culminating at nearly 3 kilometers above sea level, Mount Litocoro has been the site of many battles between Sphinxes and Harpies. Litocoro's great size and virtually flat top make it an ideal location for giant avian predators to call home. Many signs point to the mountain's flat summit being somehow unnaturally formed, spurring much speculations about its origins. The two feuding races have come to view its ownership as a symbol of dominance. The harpies are definitely in control though, with a strong presence in Torin city at the summit, where they have been living among its humansinhabitants for years. The climate around this mountain is surprisingly soft and temperate, allowing culture despite the fierce winds.
Torin city
Danger: Low
Inhabitants: humans, harpies
Torin is a city with a large population of humans and an uncertain number of harpies, both giant and human-sized. Surprisingly enough, the two species manage to coexist in a relative peace and mutual understanding today, even if their relations were riddled with tragedy and mistrust in the past, which is not surprising for two species on opposite ends of the food chain. It can be said that the Harpies now consider the Torinian humans to be part of their flock, even-though some Harpies have had to be banished after giving into their predator instincts and eating a citizen or two, and some humans from the older generations still harbor deep resentment towards the harpy occupier. While many harpies leave the city limits and take up residence on the surrounding regions, they still consider Torin their home so it's hard to gauge the number that come and go on a daily basis. The massive city walls are guarded heavily by both humans and harpies from the many predators that roam the island, especially the airborne variety.
A highly militaristic and tough society, the Torinians pride themselves on being able to produce exceptional and fierce warriors. The military governs nearly every aspect of their lives, from security to law enforcement, education and construction. At least one child out of every household must enter military service at the age of 11 or 12. For the most part, the Harpies are aloof and are fine with letting the Torinian citizens govern themselves. Punishments for criminal misdemeanors are usually in the form of fines and jail time, while felonies are punishable by expulsion from the city, where the criminal will have to descend the mountain side before the harpies find them during their hunting. In the event of a more serious offense, the criminal is given the death penalty; in which case a harpy usually requests to be the executioner and the offender is brought to her mouth on a plank. Another way harpies occasionally contribute to human society is they will escort workers outside the city and protect them to allow them to work. These duties are divided equally among the harpies and they don't like them much, but Ourana's instructions are carried out to keep chaos from disturbing the order which keeps their flock strong against the Sphinxes.
Interaction between the citizens of Torin and harpies go beyond law and order. Young harpies and the Torinian youth grow up in close proximity and are even educated together so rare friendships have been known to come out of it. Sure there are "accidental" eatings amongst the youth, but this is to be expected when predators and prey are raised together. A natural result of these close upbringings is that the latest generation of Torinians have absorbed the harpy language. The cross culturalization has also led to citizens going to watch harpies play their games, usually involving a prisoner in a colesseum-like arena fighting for their life. On the flip side, some harpies have become fans of stage plays and human sporting events.
A number of Torinians have come to accept the harpies' rule and don't want to see the status quo changed as it provides them protection and a measure of safety. But of course there are some that feel oppressed as well, feeling a Damocles sword dangled above their heads by the high and mighty predators.
History
The humans first came and founded Torin as a small but heavily fortified city. They lived under the rule of King Cretes Torin until the day where a giant harpy named Ourana and her flock ascended from below to claim the mountain's peak. The Torinians valiantly tried to defend themselves but the battle was unfair and they were devoured in large numbers. This could have well been the end of their civilization, but Ourana had others plans for them. It is said she was impressed by the human's bravery during their desperate defense and decided to spare the survivors. Her fellow harpies found this strange but didn't questioned her as her leadership was very strong. At the end of the day, humans were allowed to stay within the walls of the city and were granted a protected status. In exchange for protection, the citizens became enslaved to Ourana and the other harpies, having to meet their every need. As for those that were put out of the city, they were declared prey and most were immediately devoured by the Harpies.
Over the next hundred years, the humans and harpies of Torin endured a tumultuous coexistence. Harpies are not known for being kind, especially towards prey. It became possible mostly thanks to Ourana and the harpies' loyalty to her, and also because both species had a common enemy in sphinxes. Decades passed and things started to change
Tribe of the Lost Ones
The battle that saw Torin City conquered by Harpies ended with the humans that refused to submit to Ourana either be eaten on the spot or having to flee. Most of those who were put out of what was left of the city were initially believed to have been eaten by the predators of the wilderness, but it is now known that many of them survived. The Tribe of Lost Ones is what they call themselves, although most Torinians call them barbarians.
The Tribe of Lost Ones are nomadic in that they constantly pick up and move but they have been known to return to past locations to settle. Their presence is one that all traveling humans and the like should be mindful of because they survive not only by hunting, but by ambushing the ill-prepared and robbing them blind. Like other tribes in Felarya that are fighting for survival, the Lost Ones are not above capturing travelers and using them as decoys to escape predators. Of course, the tribe would rather avoid predators in the first place and they have become very adept at it. They know the wilderness very well and became very physically fit for survival, a testament to the power human spirit and what they can accomplish with the will to survive, and plenty of good luck of course.
Gaieochos Island
Danger: Normal
Inhabitants: mermaids
Located east of Iracal Island, Gaieochos Island is unique for the unusual nature of gravity there. Though it still pulls straight down by default, it also has forces that pull in other directions but only affects objects or surfaces that are in contact with the islands surface. In other words, it is possible to walk up the side of a tree or even on the ceiling of a cave. Once contact is lost with those surfaces, however, the default force of gravity will pull one to the ground in a hurry. The island is also known for the Seidon Rises, the only "waterrise" of Felarya. In this bizarre phenomenon, the water flows from the ocean and straight up the side of this steep cliff, just like the opposite of a waterfall. It creates a majestic and unusual sight, very rarely seen in the universe. Mermaids are known to be very fond of the place, playing in those strange, inverted currents.
- Credits to gt500x for many ideas to develop Iracal Island, and for the aieochos Island idea.
