Siomha
Population: Actual number Unknown
Population by Percentages:
-Humans:45%
-Elves:20%
-Sylvan:20%
-Misc:10 %
-Others known: Dragon.
Language: English, Elven, Sylvan, Celestial
Secondary Languages: varied, pending on race.
SÍOMHA
Gender: Feminine
Usage: Irish
Pronounced: SHEE-va [key]
Variant of SÍTHMAITH
SÍTHMAITH
Gender: Feminine
Usage: Irish
Means "good peace" from Irish síth "peace" and maith "good".
Siomha is a very large continent where a variety of things grow and live and where magic is prevalent and its lands are ruled by a god, King Asteros, the Siomhiam God of Creation and Peace, heavenly light, comets, stars and fire.
Siomha is within the realms of DOC, RG, WD, RCM, MMC and TFE. Asteros is also affiliated with the SOS. Siomha posts will state who they are for as some of the more basic will cover all groups. Specific posts will be marked.
It has a total surface area of 7.6 million km2 and is surrounded by an ocean territory of 16.1 million km2 including its exclusive economic zone and claimable continental shelf. Siomha is a very 'old' continent geologically. It is the driest of the world's inhabited continents, with the lowest percentage of rainfall as run-off, the lowest amount of water in rivers and the smallest area of permanent wetlands.
The Siomha continent extends from east to west some 2,400 mi (3,860 km) and from north to south nearly 2,000 mi (3,220 km). It is on the whole exceedingly flat and dry. Less than 40 in. (50.8 cm) of precipitation falls annually over 70% of the land area. From the narrow coastal plain in the west the land rises abruptly in what, from the sea, appear to be mountain ranges but are actually the escarpments of a rough plateau that occupies the western half of the continent. It is generally from 1,000 to 2,000 ft (305–610 m) high but several mountain ranges rise to nearly 5,000 ft (1,520 m); A few lakes line the mountains as rivers run through them, winding through the crevices and finding a path to the lower plains and grasslands. In the southwest corner of the continent there is a small moist and fertile area, but the rest of western area is arid, with large desert areas.
Sitting upon these great plateaus are towers, well over 100 feet in height, each manned with guards that watch the lands around them. Expensively made spyglasses, brought from the lands of Atlanthisia adorn each of these towers enable them to see things at great distances. Large Metal bells sit silent within the upper most portion of the towers, that ring loud and clear should an intruder be spotted. There is a varied amount of Guards that protect the lands, ranging in numbers of 10,000 to 60,000. The patrol various areas, ranging from the towers to just patrolling the cities on behalf of the king, though at most only one third are on shift at a time while in a state of peace. Should something threaten the peace, all will arm and prepare themselves to fight along side the king.
The northern region fronts partly on the Timor Sea, separating it from other lands: it also belongs to the plateau, with tropical temperatures and a winter dry season. Its northernmost section faces the Arafura Sea in the north and the huge Gulf of Carpentaria on the east. On the eastern side of the gulf is the Meloria Peninsula, which is largely covered by woodland. Off the coast of North Eastern side is the Great Barrier Reef, a reef which runs fully down the Eastern side of the land mass to the Southern most Tip of the Land mass, encompassing the small island of Tasmani. It is a reef designed to keep unwanted intruders out and was assisted with magic’s to ensure that it stands strong. A great many ships have been lost here of those who tried to navigate through the reef to reach land. The segments of Ghost ships that are allotted to this area watch and patrol the Northern most and Southern most edges of this great reef, while the rest patrol along the other edges of the land mass between the reef and the outer ocean.
A total of 100 ghost patrol the continent at all times in various areas to ensure the safety of those on the lands.Each ghost ship is governed by wraiths, with the express command to feed on the life source of any who seek harm to the islands inhabitants.
Another reef lies off the southwestern tip of the land mass, though this one is considerably smaller in size. Within the reef a great variety of fish live, which are fished for by patrolling the outer most edges of it. Small lands dot the interior for those brave enough to travel with a small skiff. Shells are collected and turned into valuable pieces of jewelry that are often sold at the market and traded with other countries and kingdoms.
In Eastern Siomha are the mountains of the Eastern Highlands, which run down the entire east and southeast coasts. Within these ranges are the hidden caves of the water elementals who guard the lands against those who wish to bring the inhabitants of the lands harm. They watch over silently from within the waters, listening to the whispers that are carried to them by the winds of the Air Elementals. The rivers on the eastern and south eastern slopes run to the Coral Sea and the Tasman Sea through narrow but rich coastal plains; the rivers on the western slopes flow either north to the Gulf of Carpentaria or West and Southwest to the Indian Ocean. Altlanthisian drain systems have been employed along each of these rivers to feed the farmlands that support the lands. The longest of all Siomha’s river systems, the Loys River and its tributaries, drains the southern part of the interior basin that lies between the mountains and the great plateau. The rivers of this area are used extensively for irrigation to the outlying cities and the farmlands that surround them. Within the Central mountain range lies the resident Dragon, an ancient copper who goes by the name Malyoxa, friend to the King who rules the lands. She watches over all the young dragons that make their lairs within the lands, ensuring they hold respect for the people and their livestock.
Siomha is remote from any other continent, but has many distinctive forms of plant life, notably species of giant eucalyptus, as well as a variety of strange and wonderful animal life, including the kangaroo, the koala, the flying opossum, the wallaby, the wombat, the platypus, and the spiny anteater. Some of these creatures are currently being trained by the elves to defend the lands as it was discovered they were quite intelligent and strong. Magic was used to enhance the Koala’s claws, ensuring they had a razored edge while the kangaroo is being trained to fight, using powerful blows from its hind feet as it rests upon its tail to take foes out. The flying opossum has been magically granted the ability to spit acid, a trick that comes in handy as they fly towards the enemies face and spits the acid in their eyes, seeking to blind them, before flying off to the trees for safely. The lands also have many unusual birds; some which are trained to chew through the ropes of tents, the straps of packs, and anything else that will slow the enemy down. Rabbits, brought over by travellers have thrived and flourished as well, providing a steady source of meat to those who reside here. The furs are also used to line cloaks, sold mostly to travellers who live within the colder climates and for use in crossing the desert at night.
Siomha is bound by median annual rainfalls of about 350 mm in the south but up to 900 mm in the north and about 400 mm in the east. Together with sub-tropical regions and the mountainous high plains, they form the rangelands, where rainfall is too low or unpredictable or where terrain is too inhospitable for sustainable cropping or timber harvesting. The rangelands amount to about 70% of Siomha's land surface, and by far the largest part is arid or semi arid. The vegetation of the arid lands have a strong influence on land use and productivity. The saltbush, mulga and grassy plains provide pasture for sheep and cattle as well as habitat for unique mammals and birds. In the dry infertile interior, the spinifex-covered sand plains and stony deserts are too tough for livestock. Instead they are home to a multiplicity of termite species and the world's richest lizard fauna. It is an uncompromising environment at times but never monotonous. The climate of arid Siomha is more variable than in arid lands anywhere else in the world, with highly erratic rainfall, extremes of long dry periods and flooding deluges. As well, soils are characteristically very infertile over vast areas compared to other deserts of comparable aridity.
The range of flora and fauna occupying the various ecosystems also contrasts with that from other arid regions of the world. Major differences include the lack of many succulents, the small number of large mammals and the high numbers and diversity of lizards as well as social insects such as ants and termites. Some of the insects and lizards grow to unusual sizes, some breath fire, or acid, some change shape and grow extra limbs because of strange pockets of magic’s, also known as wild magic zones. These zones are unpredictable and what they do to creatures is varied, and so most with an intelligence that can see it, tend to avoid it. Any of the lizards that are found of great size are currently being trained as riding mounts to cross the arid lands, for they fair better then horses.
These factors combined determine the arid zone's uniqueness produces a wide variety of plant life. The flora of Siomha comprises a vast assemblage of plant species estimated to over 20,000 vascular and 14,000 non-vascular plants, 250,000 species of fungi and over 3,000 lichens. Among these species listed are some notable ones that are mentioned below
Blueleaf trees have leaves of an eerie, gleaming blue hue, which are many-pointed and rather like those of maples in appearance. Blueleaf trees are very delicate and have many small branches. These trees are very supple; they bend in high winds and under heavy ice loads (rather than breaking), and grow in thick stands which sometimes reach 40' in height. The trunks of these trees rarely attain diameters in excess of 8'. Blueleaf trees yield a vivid blue dye much favoured by clothiers; the dye is derived from the sap and crushed leaves of the Blueleaf trees. These trees are also favoured for firewood cutting because they produce beautiful, leaping blue flames while burning.
Duskwood trees are 60' tall. These straight trees have smooth, bare trunks marked by crowns of tiny branches. Duskwood’s are named for the dark, eerie appearance of stands of these closely-clustered black trunks. Under the black bark (which shows a silver-grey color when newly broken or peeled) is wood that is smoky grey when cut - and as hard as iron. Most mast spars and building beams are made of mature Duskwood trunks. They are hard and resistant to fire, and they smoulder rather than blaze when set aflame. As a result, duskwood trees tend to survive forest fires and the axes of woodcutters seeking firewood.
Felsul are gnarled, twisted trees with a deep brawn hue and a crumbling texture (old bark constantly rots and flakes away from a mature felsul). Young felsul trees are light green in color and are as fresh and soft as leafy plants. When the tree is 10 years or older (and 3' or more in height), they darken in color and begin to twist and curve as their roots dig deeper and the winds shape their frail trunks. Felsul grow on rocky crags, cliff edges, and clefts, providing the only tree cover in many rocky areas of the North. In the spring, these trees burst into flower; the crushed petals of their vivid yellow-and-purple blossoms yield a delightful, spicy perfume highly prized by ladies. Faded Felsul blooms are carefully gathered each year by venturesome souls, for a large sack of these petals can command a price of up to 3 gp if supplies are scarce. Felsul wood burns poorly and is too weak and gnarled for furniture or buildings, although felsul-root is a favourite of those who carve images, toys, and holy symbols.
Helmthorn is a hardy, vine-like shrub that can grow nearly anywhere. It's blue berries are often harvested to be either eaten or fermented into a helmthorn wine. The helmthorn gets its name from large, imposing black thorns.
Hiexel is a green, waxy wood used for signal beacon fires. It is also used to smoke meat or fish, or to drive out animals or enemies. As it burns, this wood creates clouds of thick, black, billowing smoke that are both oily and choking. Hiexel grows in thickets in ravines and on hillsides. The trees themselves are gently curved and are marked by sparse branches. As a whole, these trees have an upright, oval foliage shape. Hiexel is a brittle wood that tends to succumb to rot easily. Its durable bark, however, is resilient and lasting, and has been used in the making of tomes of magic and lore. Windstorms often fell large or old hiexel; with age or much growth, these trees become unstable. In such instances, portions of their wood dry out unevenly, causing the trees to topple easily. This same tendency makes hiexel unsuitable for use in palisades, bridges, sledges, or other structures exposed to stress and hard usage.
Laspar trees resemble cedars in texture and aroma. They are ever-bearing and have flat needles that grow in spherical clusters on the ends of a "cloak" of delicate branches. These cloaks swirl protectively about a straight, strong, central trunk. Laspar wood is pitchy and tends to snap and spit numerous sparks when burnt. Beneath its close-shingled, smooth dusky green bark (which often forms a surface of small, interlocking concave plates with few large fissures or rough spots), the laspar's wood is golden yellow and easily worked for furniture or building, much like pine. The needles of the laspar tree (the clusters of needles are known as shags) are used for many things. Boiled laspar needles are an effective laxative drink in the North, and crushed laspar needles are used in the making of certain scents, such as those worked into torches and candles of superior quality. Laspar moths, so named because they seem attracted to the smell of laspar trees, are grey, furry-winged insects of up to 4" in length, with a wingspan of up to 8".
Phandar trees are now uncommon due to heavy cutting of this wood for many years. This comes as no surprise: The curving boughs of a phandar tree sprout in great numbers from a massive, knobby central trunk. These boughs are tough, springy, and terrifically strong. Phandar trees have triangular leaves of mottled shades of green. Often, these trees grow to 60'in height. The foliage of the phandar tree is shaped somewhat like an egg laid horizontally, the long axis of the egg growing in a tail in relation to the prevailing winds. Phandar wood is greenish brown, with thin, black grain lines running throughout the depths of the wood. Jewellery carved of the wood usually makes use of these grain lines in its cutting to create patterns or pleasing waves of parallel lines. Bows and weapon handles are likewise often fashioned of phandar wood, although the curving nature of the wood makes it unsuitable for spear shafts and the like. Phandar trees are very hardy; many young specimens have been uprooted and carried for many miles and long days before being replanted. Such private growing schemes have spread the phandar over a wider area of the lands. This has probably prevented the complete extinction of this tree at the hands of loggers. The massive central trunk of the phandar tree resembles the feared roper in natural appearance. The phandar's trunk is so strong that it can serve as a pillar to support the roof of a dwelling (although such trunks are rarely more than 20' tall) without preparation. These trunks may also be chiselled and notched to accept crossbeams without cracking or splitting.
Shadowtop trees are the soaring giant of the forests of the land. These trees grow very rapidly (up to 2' a year, if the weather is warm and damp enough), allowing some shadowtop’s to reach 90'or more in height. Trees of this size often have massive, pleat-ridged trunks flaring up to 20' in diameter at the base. The tree gets its name from the dense clusters of feather leaves which adorn its limbs. A shadowtop's leaves have frilled edges like those of an oak, with an irregular number of small fingers. These leaves are copper-coloured on the underside all year round and deep green on the upper surface. The tops of these leaves fade to match the underside in the fall. The leaves cluster from spreading branches that make up the top 12' or so of the tree, which has few or no lower branches. Shadowtop wood ("shadow wood") is fibrous and tough, but unsuitable for carving or structural work, as it has a tendency to split down its length under stress into a splayed mass of fibres. The fibres themselves are valued in rope making; a few are added to the twist when a rope is being made, increasing the strength and durability of the coil when it is complete. Shadowtop wood burns slowly (it must be ignited by a leaping fire composed of other woods) but very cleanly, with little smoke. The resultant flames generate a hot fire. Shadow top wood is thus favoured for cooking. If more than four wagon-loads of wood are felled, cut up, and carried off for sale in a city, there will be a large remainder, which is usually left behind for later trips. By custom, travelers can usually cut enough from this pile for a night's fire without evoking anyone's ire.
Silverbark trees flourish in wet ground, generally near bogs and swamps, but sometimes in deep ravines in the depths of large forests. Individual trees are thin and straight, and seldom more than 15' tall. Their trunks, which are usually 3-4' in diameter, serve the poor as staves, poles, and (with points hardened in a slow fire) defensive stakes. The silver bark which gives the tree its name is loose and crumbles easily (although it does not peel off in strips as birch does). The wood of this tree dries out thoroughly after it is cut and, after a year or so, is brittle and weak. As a result, silverbark will not do for lance shafts, fence rails, or structural work. Silverbark is plentiful and grows thickly. Its leaves are large and oval-shaped, with pointed tips and tiny saw-toothed edges. These leaves are a deep red in color, with purple patches starting where they attach to their stems and continuing to their branches. The leaves are durable and waxy, and are often used to wrap fresh game.
Suth trees are squat, splayed trees common around the edges of the southern borders, in the woodlands. They grow in almost horizontal, angled sections, slanting in one direction, branching out (the low branches providing balance), then slanting back upon themselves in another direction few of these trees can provide a visual screen or wall barring passage to all who can't crawl under the lowest branches, for the branches of the different trees intertwine and double back into a tightly-woven mass. Suth leaves are soft but long and spike-shaped. These leaves grow in bunches at the ends of branches and in a ring around each segment where the limbs branch and change direction. Suthwood is extremely hard and durable - so hard that it is difficult to work unless one has the finest tools. Suthwood is the preferred wood for shields; if soaked in water, such shields do not catch fire easily and almost never splinter. A heavy blow might crack a suthwood shield but it would not shatter it into pointed fragments. Suthwood is also used in the manufacture of book covers because thin sheets of this wood retain astonishing strength for decades. These plants are currently being attempted to be transplanted elsewhere in Siomha to aid in the defence of the lands.
Vundwood trees are short and scruffy. They grow on poor ground and are named for a famous nomadic tribe of bandits, the Vunds, who were wiped out long ago by the combined efforts other tribes native to the area. The Vunds raided with impunity for many years because none could field strength of arms against them. They rode like demons, as one merchant put it, and would melt away when faced with determined resistance, only to slaughter the next caravan that came along. The Vunds inhabited the lands to the west, threatening the long, overland trade routes between the small towns and villages that dot the lands. Today, those rolling, seemingly endless plains are still dominated by small stands of vundwood trees. Vundwood trees rarely top 15'. Rather than having a distinct central trunk, vundwood trees have many small radiating branches, which in turn split into smaller branches. Vundwood is mostly used for firewood, though it does have a variety of other uses. Felled vundwood trees, for example, are often dragged into lines to form rough fence enclosures, which are used by farmers to hold livestock or by caravans to serve as overnight paddocks. Vundwood is reddish brown and has a spicy smell much like that of cinnamon. The species has smooth, thin bark of a deep red color and leaves of pale green edged with white. These edges lighten to yellow in winter or when a tree is dying.
Weirwood is a rare and highly prized variety of tree that grows into huge many-branched forest giants if undisturbed. Most surviving Weir trees are found in the depths of the huge forests of the North, and they are actively protected by elves, dryads, hamadryads, druids, treants, and rangers. Weirwood will not burn in normal fires; only magical fire can ignite or consume it. Weir trees yield resilient, durable wood that is favoured in the making of musical instruments such as lutes and harps. Instruments fashioned of this wood create a particular warm, clear sound that resonates without distortion. Weir trees are very similar to oaks in appearance but are seldom seen by men. A bluelight, dancing lights, faerie fire, light, or continual light radiance that comes into contact with nondweomered weirwood, cut or living, lingers around the wood for 2-4 rounds, even if the source of the radiance is removed. Zalantar is a wood of the South; it is seldom seen in northern area of the land. These trees grow in profusion along the southern coasts.. The Zalantar tree is characterized by black bark and wood and white or beige leaves. These leaves branch in groups of several trunks from a central root. Zalantar trees may reach 80' in height, but are usually half that height. The trees seem to grow in any terrain short of the most mountainous. Zalantar wood is strong and yet easily worked; many caravan wagons, litters, and wheels are made of it, as are parts of many southern dwellings. This wood is sometimes called "blackwood" in the North.
The total area of land under primary production (livestock grazing, dry land and irrigated agriculture) in Siomha is 473 million hectares or nearly 62% of the continent. The dominant land use in arid and semi-arid regions is livestock grazing (430 million hectares or 57%).
-Approximately 152.6 million hectares or 6.5% of Siomha is wilderness, an area that the elves and sylvan creatures live for few of the mortal population ever travel here. These are also the lands that the Earth Elementals roam upon freely. Within these lands, the art of magics are well used and defined and those seeking to learn, must seek the elves who have mastered the gift. Many books of research into the field of magic has been scribed and magically hidden within the tree tops where they keep their homes.
-Forestry tends to be confined to regions of Siomha with higher rainfall and covers nearly 2% of the continent. The most intensive use is the built environment, which occupies about 2.4 million hectares, or 0.3% of Siomha.
The indigenous inhabitants of Siomha live as 'hunter-gatherers' on native plants and animals. Their principal land management tool was the selective use of fire and some even employ the art of magic. The Elves and Sylvan creatures have also mastered the art of working in metals and gems as well as shaping wood. They have a variety of blades and bows to trade if one happens upon one of their cities. Several blacksmiths live in the villages and were one to speak with them; they would find most had been trained at some point by the elves of the woods.
Siomha is self-reliant in food production and agricultural and exports to those around willing to trade. Grain and Cane exports with the use of sailing ships are already well established. There are certain Products that Siomha does well with, and they are as follows; Sugar cane, Cotton ,Vegetables, Fruit, Barley, Rice, Wheat and other grains, Beef, Dairy cattle and milk, Pigs, Poultry and eggs, Sheep and shorn wool, Meat products, Dairy products, Flour and cereal foods, Bakery products, Confectionary, Clothing.
Despite the challenges of climate and terrain, there is a diversity of land uses, but the balance amongst them is changing with community values. The pastoral industry is the major land user, producing mostly cattle in the north and sheep in the south. Other land uses currently include mining, both for ore and for gems, harvesting and training of wild animals and plant products used for food, dyes and building, as well as a small-area of intensive industries such as horticulture. Some of these are growing rapidly. Newer developing industries include aquaculture.
Economy:World's largest wool producer, and top exporter of veal and beef, most important crop is wheat and Sugercane; major mineral producer is coal, bauxite, copper, iron ore. Manufacturer of textiles, metal works, clothing, magical chemicals, wine, lumber, fishing and ship building and repairs.
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:08, Sat 01 Jan 2011.
