• Raiken
• Raiconian Alliance

Relatir is the name given to the coldest, but still habitable, section of 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.

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.

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 monotony 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 the moon 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.

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.

Salil Byzar -