planet:ranil_inas:relatir [Wandering Star Role Play]

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===== Relatir =====

  * [[species:raiken]]
  * [[:raiconian_alliance]]

Relatir is the name given to the coldest, but still habitable, section of [[planet:ranil_inas|]]. It is also the name of the Resa Sarhi that calls this area home. Rela is the Roshya hero that is said to have been born here.

The sun has never graced Relatir, leaving it a cold, unforgiving wasteland. Most light is provided by Ranil’inas’ moons, Ral and Rel. Liquid water and flora are hard to find, most of it clustering around long-dormant volcanoes or geothermal hotspots. Trees are all but impossible to find. Despite the ever-present chill, it rarely snows in Relatir, as the air is quite dry. Crevasses and glacial valleys dot the landscape, breaking the monotony of rolling hills and endless plains.

==== Statistics ====

|  Population  |  594 Million  |
|  Largest City  |  Daramai Relatir  |
|  General Climate  |  Tundra, Dry  |
|  Average Temperature  |  -40F to -20F  |
|  Lowest Temperature  |  -60F (Towards West Pole)  |
|  Highest Temperature  |  40F  (Geothermal Activity)  |


==== General Features ====

Despite its bleak appearance and climate, Relatir is still home to varied topographical features. The most notable are those that offer a stark contrast to the usual frigid nature of the surrounding tundra.

=== Tundra/Flatlands ===

The vast majority of Relatir is comprised of snow-covered flatlands, where short grasses and lichens manage to flourish. Although these flatlands make up the bulk of this region, they are sparsely inhabited, due to the brutally cold winds and a lack of shelter from them. Water is hard to come by, even frozen. The only fauna that survives here is small animals that have developed sufficient features to retain heat.

Hills and valleys break up the bleakness of Relatir and these are usually home to the few inhabitants of the tundra, as they provide shelter from the wind. Many of these basins house the precious little frozen water that can be found, as well lakes and rivers. More water, even liquid water, can be found on the foothills of Ormroth and other mountains.

=== Dormant Volcanoes ===

Scattered throughout Relatir are lone volcanoes, remnants of an age where Ranil’inas was still ‘growing’. These volcanoes have long since gone dormant, but they are still some of the only spots where heat is readily available. Lava flows are common around these volcanoes and the heat provided by them make life easier. Grass, larger plants, and fauna are far more common around these volcanoes.

Some of the largest clan keeps have been constructed around these dormant volcanoes and the lava flows have been utilized to provide heat and create liquid water for all. Daramai Relatir was constructed around one of these volcanoes, Esir Tun.

=== Geothermal Hotspots ===

As the scattered volcanoes suggest, Relatir is a hub for geothermal activity. Hotspots are rather common and this is one of the factors that make living in the tundra bearable. Life flourishes around these steam vents, as the heat produced by them allow liquid water to stand.

Typically, these hotspots have been settled by the Raiken of Relatir, since settling anywhere else is nigh impossible, if at the very least, uncomfortable. Regardless, these hotspots, some of which cover a staggering amount of land, are hotly contested between Raiken and the wild. Predators actively stalk these lands and it is common to receive reports that Raiken have been eaten or killed by wildlife. 

Liquid rivers flow through hotspot valleys and some lakes remain unfrozen, despite the chill in the air around them. Steam billows from the water, giving the appearance that the water and land is constantly boiling, which is partially true.

=== Glacial Valleys ===

Wide valleys carved out by age-old creeping glaciers are common in Relatir. Although some of the glaciers have long since moved on or have disappeared in one way or another, the valleys they leave behind are eternal. With proper heating and irrigation, these valleys can be turned into ‘seasonal’ agricultural paradises, as glacial silt is great fertilizer. 

The Alliance typically collects this silt for use elsewhere, much like the volcanic ash in Delrasu. Some of the glaciers have been subject to harvesting for their ice, which can be utilized for a special salt that is popular in cooking.

Fauna and flora is sparse here, as these valleys do not typically form in places where liquid water and heat are abundant. There are a few exceptions however.

=== Frozen Gorges/Canyons ===

Expansive gorges and canyons are common amongst the flat stretches of tundra, some of which seem to appear out of the blue. Some are narrow, not much wider than a Raiken’s step and others are more than a kilometer wide. Their depth varies, but some are rumored to cut so deep into the earth that they do not have a bottom. These abysses swallow careless explorers and residents alike. 

While they are usually avoided by anyone with half a mind, some Raiken call these gorges home, cutting their keeps into them and creating networks of bridges to span the gap. Unique breeds of fauna and flora are present as well. While most fauna are avian in nature, there is a strange abundance of plantlife in these gorges, despite the usual lack of warmth. This makes them popular for chefs and herbalists alike.

==== Notable Areas ====

Natural wonders dot the tundra like any other region and its unique climate allows for some truly spectacular sights. In addition to this, the climate forces its inhabitants to be particularly ingenious when constructing anything.

=== Daramai Relatir ===

The largest city in Relatir and the de facto capital of the region. It is called home by Resa Sarhi Relatir.

The centerpiece of Daramai Relatir, like any other clan city, is the keep itself. Relatir dug its keep into a dormant volcano, Esir Tun, and constructed the city around it. Several small lava flows provide heating to the city and allow liquid water to stand. Technological innovation have made life much easier for the Relatir, providing more efficient ways to heat their homes and produce food, as well as provide the means to redirect the latent lava flows.
 
The mostly stone structures of the city are not very tall as the chill of the air discourages tall structures. Instead, the Relatir have grown up and into Esir Tun. Essential buildings are built inside the volcano itself, carefully constructed to leave the various lava flows undisturbed. While it is frighteningly cold out in the wastes, it is cozy inside the structures within Esir Tun.
 
Terraces have been built up the sides of the volcano, going as far as to have a terrace at the very top, overlooking the magma pit below. The Alliance has constructed multiple highways leading to Daramai Relatir and several airfields for supply transport.

=== Maw of the World ===

The deepest of all the gorges in Relatir, with a depth that scientists have yet to see. This scar in the earth runs for almost a kilometer and is just over a quarter kilometer wide, although it varies as the gorge is far from straight. Rocky outcroppings jut over the abyss and several pillars rise from the depths to greet those who dare to look upon it.

The strangest feature of the Maw is the keening sound that reverberates off the spires that jut from it. This unworldly call is omnipresent, windy or not. Some geologists speculate that an intricate network of tunnels branch off from the Maw, some of which provide wind, creating a natural instrument of sorts.

=== Graveyard of Orange Frost ===

An ever-present mark of tragedy, the Graveyard of Orange Frost is the site of a battle from an age long past. Here, most of the major clans of Relatir met each other in combat. The resulting battle was long, bloody, and ended in a pyrrhic victory for Clan Relatir. Despite the victory, a blizzard trapped the survivors with the dead before a message could be sent out to the clan keep.

When scouts arrived after the blizzard had ended, they found a field of frozen corpses, encased in thick ice, some of which had turned a deep orange from blood that had frozen with them. Fearful of disturbing the dead and damaging their spirits, Relatir refused to retrieve the bodies from their icy tombs. To this day, the Graveyard stands as sacred grounds, a reminder to all of a time when kin killed kin.

=== Rela’s Watchtowers ===

Named after the stoic and ever-watchful Rela, these blueish pillars of ice line the entirety of the western most section of Relatir like a spread out fence, where even the hardiest of plants fail to survive. From these towers of ice, it is believed that Rela keeps the ‘lifechill’ at bay, saving the inhabitants of Relatir from even colder temperatures.

=== Rel’s Mark ===

The common name for one of the largest sections of geothermal activity in Relatir. It spans several square kilometers around a boiling lake and inherits its name from the grass and soil. Both have adopted a reddish color, not unlike the shade of Rel’s light.

As it is a site of geothermal activity, it boasts a variety of fauna and flora, due to the ready supply of heat and water. Despite this, Raiken rarely dare to tread here, given the age-old superstitions about their moon, Rel. Visiting this place, even while Ral is high in the sky, is seen as asking for misfortune. This likely stems from the abundance of Rel’s Scorn that grows here, which is known for killing many in the past.

==== Wildlife ====

Relatir, despite being locked in perpetual night with few sources of heat and water, is still home to an array of various flora and fauna. Like most regions of Ranil’inas, many of these plants and animals are dangerous.

Most flora have adapted to survive off the strong moonlight that both Rel and Ral emit. Although these moons are not always present and do not constantly supply the tundra with light, they give off enough to permit smaller flora to survive.

=== Flora ===

Ral’s Gift - A flower with a very thick stalk covered in metallic ‘scales’, a trademark of many plants. Its bulb is covered in a similar coating and only opens when Ral is sufficiently full, usually around 60% or greater. Its petals generally adopt a shade of light blue, much like Ral’s light. In most cases, there are seven petals.

The stalk is tough and rich in fiber, while the bulb, and in turn, its petals, are very sweet, albeit tough. It typically grows where heat is abundant, making it easily found around geothermal hotspots or lava flows. For most Raiken living in Relatir, this plant is a mainstay in cooking, where its sweet petals are used in practically anything applicable.

Creeping Land - A very aggressive and resilient green moss that can grow just about anywhere. On first glance, it does not look much different than normal grass. However, the stubby green blades that grow on top of the densely-packed reddish-green moss are just a diversion and a trap to herbivorous animals. This moss is capable of growing extremely fast and will actively seek out other flora and even animals to consume. It cannot survive in environments where heat and direct light is present, which keeps it from taking over the planet.

Prolonged exposure and ingesting the green blades that cover Creeping Land induces drowsiness and minor paralysis. For most creatures, this means they are unable to move when the moss begins to envelop them for consumption.
 
This moss has been an issue to Raiken in the past and still is to a degree. However, some medicines have been developed with the slightly paralytic poison. When times were exceptionally tough, it wasn’t uncommon for the starving to boil this moss before eating it, since it is extremely common and grows very quickly. It is filling, as it has plenty of fiber, but it tastes terrible.

Rel’s Scorn - A rare flower that only blooms in Rel’s reddish moonlight when the moon is nearly full. After this time frame has passed, the flower wilts and dies. It typically grows in higher altitudes and away from other plants. Instead of a metallic coating, this flower is covered in soft hairs that act like fur to insulate heat. Its nine petals are a deep red, bearing a white stripe through the middle.

While in bloom, this flower releases an alluring smell strong enough to attract animals for half a kilometer. The scent is strong enough to draw the attention of Raiken. Despite its attractive smell, this flower is far from pleasing. Each petal is loaded with deadly toxins capable of killing a Raiken in a matter of hours. Its stalk however, is perfectly safe to eat.

Frost Sage - One of the many medicinal herbs that flourish around the deep gorges in Relatir. This small, blue-leaved plant has no flowers and is covered in dense hairs to stave off the cold. Although it is an unassuming plant, it was and still is of great aid to healers. By crushing its leaves with its roots, it creates a poultice that numbs the body where it is applied. The first painkillers were made utilizing Frost Sage.

Ice Stalk - 

=== Fauna ===

Salil Byzar - 

Gorge Shrieker -


==== Infrastructure ====

Due to the logistical issues with building up infrastructure in Relatir, it is rather limited compared to other regions of Ranil’inas, seconded by Delrasu. Alliance presence here is minimal, as Relatir has little tactical value.

There are major highways spanning across the tundra, but they are few in number. All of them are directed towards major cities, such as Daramai Relatir, or other large clan keep cities in other places.

Airfields are sparse, given the fact that the cold tends to freeze any liquids in machinery. As such, airfields are only present in the largest clan keeps where heating can keep the planes in working order.

==== Cultural ====

Relatir’s unique features lend themselves to the culture that has developed there. From reliance on moonlight to the ever-present chill, the inhabitants of Relatir shape their way of life and state of mind.

=== Rel and Ral ===

Up until the invention of reliable transport, many Raiken living in Relatir had never seen the sun. Instead, they see Ranil’inas’ moons, Rel and Ral, as their sources of light.

But they do not see Rel and Ral as equals. Ral, the moon with a blueish hue, is seen as a life giver where Rel, the moon with a reddish hue, is seen as an ill omen. This belief stems from flora that only blooms when a specific moon is present, in addition to the fact that their Roshya, Rela, is depicted as having blue scales.

Where Ral brings a flower, aptly named Ral’s Gift, which is used in cooking and as a symbol of prosperity, Rel allows its own flower, Rel’s Scorn, to bloom, which is capable of killing those who consume it.

As such, festivals and celebrations are held when Ral is present, while mourning and grief takes place while Rel is present.

=== Rela, the Eternal Watch ===

Rela, the Roshya that embodies stoicism and determination, calls Relatir home, as it is named after her. The inhabitants of Relatir strive to follow her example, bearing the pain of the cold and lack of resources with indifference, but they do not forget to band together to bear the weight together.

As such, those who live in Relatir are extremely close with their clans, but view outsiders with some disdain. They are the perfect example of old clan values and strive to remain as such, as unmoving as the ice that surrounds them. 

Rela is also seen as the greatest watchperson, charged with guarding the inhabitants of Relatir against the lifechill that creeps from the west pole. Those who seek to emulate her take a post along Rela’s watchtowers to join her in her eternal vigil.

=== The Lifechill ===

The name given to the bone-chilling fog that originates from the west pole of Ranil’inas. It has the appearance of a thick, white cloud rolling along the ground, usually several meters tall. Despite its innocent appearance, it is extremely dangerous.

Fortunately, the lifechill rarely ventures past Rela’s Watchtowers, but the impression it leaves when it does is lasting. This slow-moving cloud has the capability of freezing anything in a matter of minutes, sometimes even seconds, depending on the intensity. Entire villages have been frozen, locked in a sort of stasis for all time.

The Alliance has made several attempts to stave off this extreme cold to no avail. It is a relentless and ruthless force, one of the only things that the inhabitants of Relatir fear universally.