Unneyria (Unn-ey-ria)

Summary

Unneyria is the southern polar continent of Veltrona, opposite of Sooneyriak, its northern polar cousin. Of the two, Unneyria is more known for its eminent presence of ice-aspected dragonkind, and is in fact named after the Unn lineage in particular. They've long been the ancestral rulers of the southern polar region, and like all others, live mostly isolated from the rest of the affairs upon Veltrona.   As both polar regions are separated by vast oceans (Olaniad and Vastia, respectively), no real land connections tie them to the heavily populated continents of the world. Divine tempests, sea-borne leviathans, and all sorts of other dangerous obstacles create a natural, isolating barrier around the polar regions. The closest 'viable' routes tend to be from either Varnkof to reach Sooneyriak, or Eylia to reach Unneyria.   In this respect, much of the polar regions tends be mysterious or mythical, as little information travels to or from them. In the case of Unneyria, the Unn lineage is a prominent force that maintains their polar continent. All others who live upon Unneyria are subject to them, in one form or another. These peoples tend to be the likes of the aylier, ruvenek, races of cold-adapted harpies, and even cold wind vampyrs. The polar continents are, contrary to some imaginations, not desolate wastelands, but vibrant biomes full of specially adapted forms of life. This is true not only on the surface, but under water as well.   Great numbers of water-aspected dragonkind, as well as the likes of the shermadi and ekurin make their homes on Unneyria's coastlines. Or, in some cases, directly under the immense glacial ice, occupying the underwater regions surrounding the polar continent. Unneyria itself isn't purely just made of ice, but rather an ice cap that is intersected by various erupting volcanoes. Amusingly, there are even fire-aspected creatures around the various volcanoes both above and below the glacial ice.   Of all things Unneyria may suffer for, metals are the hardest substances to come by. They're either mined deep in the freezing waters, or carefully sieved from molten lava at the volcanoes. It's put an interesting, albeit difficult, pressure on its numerous civilizations. Many naturally turned toward ice and veltron magics to create imitation materials, or even wholly superior ones. In any other place, the usage of ice as building structure would certainly be questionable, but it is quite the norm in Unneyria.   It can be difficult to evaluate where Unneyria stands as a continent, then. Even while under the ever-present shadow of the Unn lineage, the various civilizations and nations present continue their own affairs. Open warfare is rather rare, as the Unn actively intervene, so ritualized forms of combat and honor took over as the martial outlet. For whatever they lack in material science or technologies, their magical innovations and one-of-a-kind usages of ice have them on a completely different development axis.   That said, relatively isolated does not mean 'completely'. The Unn lineage and the shermadi, in particular, have trade routes stretching northward, into the lands of Karg, Fauverngarz, Eylia, and especially Honokom. They often trade their (to everyone else) exotic ice-based creations, esoteric magical arts, priceless jewelries, fantastical stories, art pieces, and more. In return, they normally acquire vast amounts of metals (either as ores or ignots), as well as interesting pieces of technology. Baarham machkinery, in particular, is especially fascinating to many of them.   Something the Unn dragons scoff at, but even their engineering lags behind greatly compared to their peers, let alone other species. To maintain their own prestige, as well as keep connected to the rest of the world, the Unn often lead immense, sea-spanning trade fleets every other decade or so. These multi-national fleets serve to stimulate Unneyria's peoples, economies, and livelihood prospects as they journey out across Veltrona. That and, the occasional visit by Prak's floating islands means Unneyria doesn't want for the rest of Veltrona paying it a visit.