Karnstern Morn

The rocky highland plains of the Karnstern peninsula are the oldest continually-inhabited region of the Summerset Isles, and home to the ruins of one of the oldest cities ever built, P’thyog, the ancient seat of the Sloadic colonies, where one of the last land-battles of the Aldmeri eradication of the Sload is said to have taken place. Aldmer nomadic tradition may have survived the longest in these moorlands, as, while the land was infertile, it was naturally conducive to pasture, and the Aldmer would lead their tribes and wanaku herds between the low, damp valleys and the rocky tors on the high heaths. The valleys of Karnstern Moor are famed for their lush marshes and crystal lakes, home to unique species such as the Hiyanat lotus, which grow pads large enough to walk on. Like many places in the Isles, during Aldmer settlement, the ecology of Karnstern Moor was adjusted to suit the growing needs of the elves, using a technique called moravond, companion-planting (literally “forest-garden”), which turned the entire region into one of bounty, despite traditional agriculture’s ineffectiveness. As such, the region is one of the Isles’ main population centers, with a rich tradition of herding and moravond. Many of Karnstern’s towns and cities began as small clanholds dedicated to these traditions, but the region is now a renowned center of culture in the Isles, championed by the city of Lillandril, whose great white spires grace the northern cliffs of Karnstern, spilling onto the high, rocky islets along the shore. Lillandril is famous for its arts (especially ceramics), enchantments, and education, as it is home to the prestigious College of Sapiarchs, a facility second only to the likes of Gwylim, King’s Haven, Ceporah, and the Imperial College itself. To the south, Riellis holds a university campus as well: the Illumination Academy. Standing out from the historic gardening and herding towns that dot the rest of the region (such as Vyskran, Mairabek, Arstil, and Siratae), Pasetelin, a former Dominion fortress, herds sea cucumbers in the reefs off the coast and harvests their fine seasilk, a material that rivals the heartland’s own mothsilks. The small clanhold fishery of Arata is famous for its seasilk weavings. Corrynde, near the river Nimenth, guards the pass into the mountains, historically taxing trade between Lillandril and Cloudrest. Native to this region is the wanaku (A large, camel-like livestock kept for its meat, fur, hide, and milk), and many species of medicinal and edible flora, such as frailye (the monk-tree, a thick-leafed flowering shrub with medicinal purposes, similar to hackle-lo), and pyul-taro (a semi-sweet root vegetable which is a staple across Summerset).