For locations that were artificially constructed or otherwise influenced by humanity, the year that the site is founded will be given in years After Elenrise, or AE. Elenrise is a major event that happens soon after the Rebellion, resulting in the formation of Mirrorsea. In general, natural formations will be indicated as existing, from Time Immemorial. These descriptions will be brief summaries, with the main purpose of filling in broad brushes of history behind the maps.
East Eldawn
Elenis City : Established 3AE
Founded by Cevan under Ällora's guidance, at the eastern edge of Mirrorsea, constructed within a deep crater about 10 km in diameter. Elenis means the Prime City, or First City, in the understanding of the Shining Wings populace. Elenis grew to become the administrative and religious centre of Shining Wings society. The city was founded over the eastern river of Mirrorsea, the Berives. Water then flowed down from Mirrorsea in the Elenian Falls on the western wall of the crater. Six great cataracts cascaded, alternating with the five towering statues of the Shining Wings pantheon. The waterfalls were linked to hydroelectric generators and used to power much of the city. The base of the statues had the Great Temples respectively dedicated each of the gods. The rest of the city was mostly built on the slope down to the to the centre of the crater. Water from the falls was channeled in aqueducts to a central waterway, a great circular pool that served as the harbour of Elenis. The north, south and east walls of the city had gardens of stone and crystal, shelved neatly in rows and columns. Water in the central pool would flow out east, through the East Cleft in the crater wall, into the Elenian fields and out into Coralsea. Elenis is worth describing in much more detail, along with a map, but I'll save that for a more specific post.
Elenian Fields : Established 3 AE
Founded along with Elenis to supply crops for the city's inhabitants. It is located outside the Crater of Elenis, to the east, the Grand Canal bisected the fields north-south and supplied water. With advances in technology, the agriculture of Elenis is eventually entirely mechanised and computerised. Magical programs dancing though circuitry and orchestrating movements of water through irrigation systems, harvesting, sowing and weeding automata. Small villas were constructed in the fields for the Elenians who fancied a change of scenery from time to time. The fields open up to the east to Elenos Beach and the marine expanse of Coralsea.
Elenos Beach : Time Immemorial
East of the Elenian Fields, Elenos Beach is a streak of shimmering white sand. The grains are so small that the texture of the sand is unexpectedly smooth. Beach life peppers the shore, crabs and seabirds, while the occasional rock formations shelter tide pools. The waves on the beach are gentle and regular, varying in intensity with the tides. Like the fields, the beach is divided by the Grand Canal.
Coralsea : Time Immemorial
The large expanse of water that surrounds Alanis. Tracts of coral reefs teem with an abundance of aquatic life. The water of Coralsea not as shallow as Mirrorsea, but certainly a far cry from the benthic depths of Deepsea. Waves are not very powerful, as the reefs resist and drain much of the kinetic energy of the water, although the intertidal height of the sealevel is quite substantial. The regions of Coralsea abound with variations of microclimes and niches. There is an innumerable diversity of species; fish, crustaceans, cephalopods, sea snakes and turtles, coral and sea mammals. Larger predatory species also roam the waters closer to the Deepsea border; sharks and dolphins, where the seabed begins to descend. The sea supplies Alanis with an excess supply of food, fish complemented with the fast growing kelp from kelp forests amongst the reefs.
The Grand Canal : Established 578 AE
A path existed between Elenis and Alanis a few years after Alanis was established, in 173 AE. Eventually the traffic along the path grew and it was decided to design a high capacity transport system with the levitating train. All 132 km of the Grand Canal had a two way lev-tram track, as well as a walking path that is rarely used. The trams carry goods, people and supplies between Alanis and Elenis. The journey is covered in just over two hours, while the trams appear to glide over the surface of Coralsea. The canal greatly improved the coordination of resources and people of Elenis and Alanis. A few swift trams are always on the tracks at any time.
Alanis City : Established 173 AE
Alanis means the New City in contrast with Elenis. Alanis was first founded as a research and development facility. A community began to grow up around the central scientific group and eventually Alanis grew to become the nexus of both the sciences and the arts for Shining Wings society. The main city has three concentric rings of skyscrapers, the central circle housing the most ornate and grandiose. The outermost ring was divided into 10 districts, while the two inner circles were a district unto themselves, for a total of 12 districts in Alanis. Electrical power was obtained from the ebb and flow of Coralsea tides. At high tide, large dams were filled with water, which was released at low tide to turn massive generators. The pace of life in Alanis is rapid and vibrant compared to the quiet and serene atmosphere of Elenis.
Deepsea : Time Immemorial
The largest body of water near to Shining Wings society, its southern and eastern reaches remain largely uncharted and unexplored. Unlike Coralsea, the seafloor rapidly drops to abysmal levels away from the coastline. Galvanor the Explorer reported sightings of great oceanic beasts of unmeasured size on this ventures. After Galvanor's disappearance, few have attempted further exploration of Deepsea.
Bonraven Peninsula : Time Immemorial
Connected with the highlands westward through the Thosaven to Mirrorsea, Bonraven peninsula does not support much life. In the arid environment, there are large deposits of various metals, glinting through the stone. The Shining Wings set up Bonaris nearby in the highlands to serve as a mining outpost of these metals. The peninsula supports large stacks of rock, shaped into mysterious giants by the erosive highland winds. They stand as silent guardians over the maze of mines excavated at their feet, imposing, but powerless. Common metals from Bonraven are iron, copper, aluminium and manganese. Traces of silver can also be found.
Bonaris Settlement : Established 175 AE
Founded in 175 AE after metals were sourced in the Bonraven Peninsula, to provide a haven for the miners. The mines were eventually fully automated, so only a few Alanians remain to ensure smooth operations and scout for new deposits. Food and living materials have to be brought here from Alanis from the Bonaris elevator to support the residents here.
Well that's all I have for the regions east of Mirrorsea at the moment, further explanation on the nature of Shining Wings society is necessary, to link it in with the mythology I established previously, but we will get there.
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