Westvale is a huge, continent-sized island that encompasses the kingdom of Iskandar.
Westvale Island's geographic borders are: The Iron Coast of the Iron Sea on the east, the Lost Coast of the Wyn Myr on the west and north, and the Iskari Strait on the south
The rocky cliffs of the narrow Iskari Strait also separates the island from the nearby Isle of Vesarivon and its elvish realm of Antharë.
What separates the Westvale from all other regions of the west is geography and culture, for the people of this region along have the distinction of no history of constant wars and destruction. Because of that relatively peaceful history, the culture of the region is unlike that of realms further east.
On the island, there is less emphasis on military strength and fortifications, and more on mercantilism, trade, and free enterprise. Asa result, Westvale is wealthy compared to other regions, simply because it has benefited from so many years with little war and no looting, pillaging, or other forms of destruction. Other than sporadic raids by the giant, ogre, and goblin tribes located in the northern Crystalpeak Mountains, there are few known threats to the local population.
Today, most Westvalians are of Iskari descent; with a strong minority of ethnic Vaas and Cynaran peoples. Westvalians and are seen as arrogant and aloof by others.
Creation of the Island
In ancient times, Westvale Island was far different from its appearance today. In the Third Age, the island was not even an island; but instead, was part of the Continent of Corwyn. At that time, the Westvale region was separated from the adjacent Eastvale by the Vale River.
When the Great Rift occurred in 884/3, the lands were shattered, much of the region was consumed by the waters of the Sea of Vaas and Sea of Ralas, and Westvale Isle was created. That same earthquake was so powerful, it actually created the Iron Sea, as well as three massive, continent-sized islands. One of these was the Isle of Westvale.
History
Westvale history goes all the way back to Second Age, and can be broken down into several eras.
The Fall of the Grey-Elves
Thousands of years ago, when this region was struck by the Great Rift, what is today Westvale Isle was part of Wyntharë; an ancient nation of Grey-Elves. The Great Rift devastated Wyntharë; killing many Grey-Elves, and leaving their cities of Alarë and Wyn Falas in ruins. A third elvish city; Selunë, was completely consumed and sank into the waters of the Iron Sea.
After this tragedy, the Grey-Elves became bitter and yearned to return to their ancestral home on the faraway continent of Eryn Norvë. Over the next few centuries, most of the Grey-Elves left Corwyn forever; either sailing west to the Forbidden Continent or travelling south across the the Iskari Strait to the Isle of Vesarivon. In their wake, they left several fortifications and the ruined elvish city of Wyn Falas completely abandoned.
Arrival of the Cynarans
For many centuries, Westvale Island was nothing but lawless, wild country. In the Late Third Age, the the island came to be explored and conquered by the Cynarans, men who hailed from the northern Isle of Cynara. The Cynarans eventually established their own kingdom called Urland, and for over 300 years ruled the northern regions of Westvale. Because of its size; the Cynarans Kings divided the islands into six "Thanedoms," each ruled by a Cynaran noble Lord called "Thanes."
Each of the six Thandoms was centered around an ancient city;
- The Thanedom of Namsos; its capital was the city of Erath
- The Thanedom of Everlon; its capital was the city of Natharos
- The Thanedom of Ghaston; its capital was the city of Coradan
- The Thanedom of Rhoyden; its capital was the city of Tharnia
- The Thanedom of Conredd; its capital was the city of Scaramon
- The Thanedom of Vharia; its capital was the city of Herronford
Arrival of the Iskari
Everything changed for Westvale Island and for the Cynarans in the year 1137/3. That year, a fleet of 1,000 ships sailed from the Continent of Ikharos to escape the "Doom." The 40,000 Iskari pilgrims were led by the famous Iskari hero Ilnavel Cyrenäe. Under his leadership, the Iskari spent several decades expanding their holdings on Westvale, eventually defeating the Cynarans in the Forty-Years War.
With the Cynaran kingdom of Urland under their control, Westvale became dominated entirely by the Iskari who founded the great kingdom of Iskandar, which still exists today.
