Waeyron

 

Waeyron is the smallest, and southernmost continent in the world. It is situated in the western hemisphere, where Vehira is seen to the west, and is at least partially visible over the horizon on every part of the continent. The continent is about 1700 km from west to east, and about 1500 from north to south. It stretches from Southpoint at 83W x 61S, which is the southernmost significantly populated city in the world, to Hollowport at 110W x 45S, which overlooks the Strait of Waeyron. Located at 97W x 50S is Cairgherd, the largest city on the continent. Cairgherd has a large, deep-water port on the Jumiran Sea and is an important center of trade for the region. The climate of Waeyron is temperate and mild, but in the south, the winters can be quite cold and snowy. The most important industries in Waeyron are the production of wool and knitted clothing and textiles, as well as the mining of coal. Mining of silver, gold and diamonds is important as well, but these industries remain somewhat underdeveloped.

Fhialane Grassland

The Fhialane Grassland is a large plain in northern Waeyron that stretches from Cairgherd in the east to Abelvere in the west. It is separated from the rockier southern half of western Waeyron where the Taeves and Oxwla Rivers run out of the Hills of Taeves. Dozens of small towns and villages bespeckle this sweeping region, and halflings, canis, porcine, and tauran farmers and shepherds raise crops and livestock in the most productive agricultural area in the world by surface area. Major exports from this region include grains, fruit and vegetable preserves, wines, meads, ales, meat, cheese, as well as wool, leather and bone tools.

Eastern Waeyron

In contrast to the Fhialane Grassland, Eastern Waeyron is a rougher, wetter terrain of rocky hills and rolling moors. The central region is significantly less populated than the coastal areas, though there are dozens, if not hundreds of small mines scattered across the area. Some of these mines are company-owned, but many are independent, or privately owned prospecting camps. Most of the larger, company-owned mines are focused on coal production, while the smaller, privately owned mines typically operate more like prospecting camps - where iron, gold, silver and gems can be found. The comparatively inhospitable and remote nature of the region has hampered the development of the mining industry here for centuries.

Rhwd Island

Rhwd Island is a large coastal island on the Strait of Waeyron, located between Hollowport and Abelvere. It is separated from Bryderfert by a treacherous, shallow channel, subjected to sudden changes of current and dangerous riptides. The islands is technically considered to be an uninhabited wilderness, though many small independent tribes live there, most notably the Rust Riders.

The island has been prospected numerous times, and it is clear that the mountainous terrain is rich with metals and minerals, making it prized by industrial companies who want access to its riches. Unfortunately, most prospecting expeditions return decimated (or not at all) and their reports suggest much of the island has been left dangerously unstable due to huge tunnel systems carved out by giant mole rats, overrun with iron ants hungry for exposed food, and then forcibly retaken and occupied by tuckers.

Waeyron Channel

Waeyron is split down the middle by a complex, rocky channel with multiple large islands and canals in its center. Bridges cross the channel to the east and west of Beggar’s Hole, where the crossings are less than a couple of hundred meters at the narrowest points. The bridges are critical to the flow of resources between the eastern and western halves of the continent but the difficult terrain leaves them in need of constant, costly maintenance. Due to the unusual geography and the temperature differential between the southern and northern waters, the currents in the Waeyron Channel are extremely treacherous, and the weather can change very suddenly. While it is certainly navigable, transiting the Waeyron Channel is not really necessary in most cases, and those with experience sailing its notorious waters are few and far between.