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"As a very newly established settlement, at the edge of the known lands of Ithakaya, Itzam's Wheel overall has a fairly small presence, and wasn't known by the Five Leagues for over a year.
However, the settlement's renown has grown considerably, as it is by far the farthest-away surviving settlement from a League city in Ithakaya.
Though first founded by Itzam and his entourage, Itzam's Wheel has since the meeting with the hostile Caja become sponsored by the Itzu League, who are intent on sending military aid at once."
Itzam's Wheel
Lamaia - The Serpent Kingdom
Not much is known of this place yet. Catokai Windfinders have only just begun to survey this region of the Shard, but the expeditions were cut short upon the sudden meeting of other Kindred in the area.
The Windfinders were invited to these Kindred's city, which they have gathered to be called "Lamaia" by the locals. Additionally, these Lamaians seem to be comprised mainly of Mundi or Dusca Ancestries.
Little else of value was gathered before the Windfinders felt the sudden need to return to Catogal. Something about the way the Lamaians were looking at them; a ravenous hunger in their eyes."
"Itzu-Atza of the Itzu League is the largest and most developed among the Itzuans, and incidentally it is also from Itzu-Atza that the cultural name Itzuan was coined. The Itzu League was also the first of the Leagues.
Itzu-Atza benefits from close ties to Quetzula-Across-the-Seas, as the Empire invests heavily with resources and manpower to ensure that the Empire's borders continue to expand and develop on the Izwa Shard.
Often-times, the Itzu League will 'sponsor' settler expeditions to help establish new settlements and outposts further inland."
Itzu-Atza - Itzu League
"Atzula was founded by the Atzu League, who are the second of the Five Leagues.
Atzula itself is a great city, and is often said to be a rival of Itzu-Atza. In fact, there are rumours that Atzulan spies are planted throughout various League settlements, to undermine Itzu-Atzan efforts.
The lands around Atzula are of rivers and hills. At nightfall, the moons shine upon the grasses and reveal a glittering sea of glowing dew."
Atzula - Atzu League
Ithakaya
"The lands of the 'New World'. Ithakaya, in the minor tongue of the Wayrans, means 'Land of Songs', and was named thus due to the rushing winds sounding like singing voices as they sweep across the tall grasses of the plains.
Ithakaya is the first real colonial venture and effort made by the Quetzulan Empire. The first Crystal Ships arrived some 100 years ago, as they passed across the cracks of the Weave and discovered a western route from Quetzula-Across-the-Seas.
Settlers of these lands refer to themselves as Itzuans, 'People of the Songs', more or less. As Itzuans, they belong to the Five Leagues; the ruling colonial powers of these lands."
"Yathakan is a sizeable city of the Yathla League, who is the fourth official member of the Five Leagues.
Yathakan lies in the region of Ithakaya known as the Yathla Houndlands, named thusly for its large population of various canine beasts; wolves especially.
The Yathla League and its outlying outposts are often beset by Beastkin coming from further west, and in recent years various Beastkin attacks seem to have grown more frequent and more organized."
Yathakan - Yathla League
Kong-Gon
"Kong-Gon consists mostly of rolling, warm plains, with some hills and small woods growing near mighty yet sparse rivers.
Soon after Itzam's Wheel was founded, Windfinders arriving would later report that there were in fact many various smaller tribes and villages in the region, and not only of Kindred and Beastkin, but of various hostile wilders and trolls as well.
Additionally, many native creatures have proven troublesome to Itzam's Wheel and arriving settlers, and the woods and rivers are filled with feylike beings and ancient spirits."
The Windlands
"The Windlands are comprised of strong winds, hills, and various often hidden clefts and canyons. It is a wild land, but the ever-growing presence of Itzuans has slowly started to tame it.
Among the regions of Ithakaya, the Windlands are the most developed by Itzuans, as the majority of outposts and settlements can be found here.
The largest concentration of farms, mines, and settlements are in the area known as the Windworks, where the Itzuan settlers utilize wind-powered contraptions to compel their machines."
Caja Lands
"The Caja, as they call themselves, seem to be a collective of various warrior-focused clans and tribes of Kindred-kind.
The Caja are highly territorial, and apparently possess several tributary tribes that serve them as slaves of servitude, or as slaves of war.
The first encounters with the Caja were between them and the people of Itzam's Wheel, when the Caja warned the Itzuans of their encroachment, and demanded they leave their lands.
The Itzuans of Itzam's Wheel, however, decided to stay, and must now deal with the consequences of their decision."
Troll Lands
"Few Windfinders ever return, but those who do, know this place to be a land dominated by great hordes of trolls.
Evidence of various Kindred or Beastkin camps and villages are strewn across the cold hinterlands, which could mean that either there were others living here before the trolls arrived, or there are nomadic tribes who stealthily travel these lands.
Either way, it is ill-advised to proceed further without necessary military aid. Trolls, as aggressive as they are ravenous, can be quite difficult to deal with, and especially in such large numbers."
"Catogal, named 'The Nest', is a small yet very wealthy settlement. It sits on the perch of a sturdy cliff, which hangs over the coastal waters of the largest of the isles of Kitu.
Catogal is part of the Catokai League, which is the last of the Five Leagues. The city frequently deals with the local birdlife, as many exotic avian creatures and strange species of birds make these tropical islands their home.
The Catokai League has more recently been more involved in establishing a stronger naval presence, due to the raiding incursions of the Ruthaians."
Catogal - Catokai League
Ixamil - Ixam League
"Sitting snugly in a calm bay named the 'Blue Eye Bay', Ixamil is a fairly small yet distinct city. It is part of the Ixam League, which is the third and smallest of the Five Leagues.
Ixamil claims ownership over the island of Ixui, which is an island of thick tropical brush; often difficult to navigate and develop as the jungle regrows quickly.
The Ixam League is small, but its strength lies in its ownership over the Seeing Caves; a deep series of crystallized caverns, where the presence of spirits and Winds are strong."
Pearled Havens
"When Windfinders approached these Havens, they appeared as a string of many white clouds, and thus the Windfinders decided to refer to them as the Pearled Havens.
Though the Windfinders possessed no means of reaching up to these Skyshards, they could witness from a distance what appeared to be great herds of whale-like creatures, 'swimming' through the sky and clouds of the Weave around these Havens."
Orlanthi - The Storm Kingdom
"First discovered by Yathlan settlers waylaid by storms at sea, this island seems to have been settled by a large number of Kindred tribes, who together unite under a common kingdom known as 'Orlanthi'.
The people of Orlanthi appear to be of a rugged sort, though friendly enough. Their traders didn't hesitate to try to make contact with Yathakan, and now both the Orlanthi Kingdom and the Yathla League are close-bonded with each other."
Quetzula-Across-the-Seas
"Home.
Quetzula-Across-the-Seas is the Shard where the Empire lies, ruled by the most venerable Avatar Queen of Quetzula herself.
It is a series of jungles and warm islands, empowered by ranges of volcanic peaks. Amongst these lands live our people, the Quetzulans, who have managed to reclaim many ancient cities lost in the Ashen Era.
Most earlier Itzuan settlers are Wayreans and Marans from the southern Quetzulan isles, but since the successful development of Itzu-Atza and Atzula, many other Quetzulans also now come to settle in Ithakaya, and even many clans of the Numere from the Shard of Numea travel across the seas to join with Quetzulans and Itzuans in this New World."
1| "Izwa, the Nua of Healing and Light, ruled over and shaped this Shard with the adoration of her worshippers."
"There is much yet to be discovered on this Shard"
Ruthaian Seatribes
"The Ruthaians are a fairly hostile group of various small yet warrior-like Kindred tribes, who form naval hordes united and led by a single warchief.
They appear to be shark worshippers, as Windfinders initially reported the Ruthaian culture to be largely focused on sharks and shark-like imagery. Even their warriors dress in shark-made apparel, and file their teeth to fit the appearance of shark ones.
Ruthaian raiders have in more recent years become more daring, as they've begun to even pillage Itzuan outposts and settlements along the north-eastern Ithakayan coastlines."
Naquthan Seatribes
"The first Naquthan were encountered very early during the days of the first Itzuan settlers arriving to Ithakaya. Diplomatic efforts have been slow, as the Naquthan are quite terse, and appear to be a culture of partial isolationists.
The Naquthan seem to be an advanced tribal peoples who utilize seabeasts to travel between the islands of their territories. They make use of specialized musical instruments, resembling shell-like flutes, to control the creatures they ride.
Most Naquthan are of Sirine descent, with some families of Mundi and Ortan Ancestries among them."
The Ice Between
"According to Windfinders, the winds of the Ice Between seem to be especially strong on Izwa's Shard. The Crone's Hound and its frostblighted storms fester especially near this coastline, which the Windfinders have dubbed the 'Black Ice'."
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