Balmar

Balmar is the vast central area of the continent dominated by twisted chains of mountains flanking two huge lakes. Large expanses of forests and plains provide habitat for a wide variety of animals, predators, and natural hazards.

The towering Tathic Mountains dominate the heart of the continent. Winter snowfall, avalanches, spring meltwater and rockslides make the area surrounding them treacherous year round. Smaller ranges radiate outward toward the coasts, eventually giving way to rich forests and sprawling grasslands as they slope toward the seas. Smoking craters and volcanic eruptions can be found scattered throughout, along with poisonous gas and steam vents, hot springs, and colorful mineral blooms. The steep and perilous mountains form a significant barrier between Tambrel and Balmar.

The Gogmar Basin, just west of the Tathic Mountains, is a vast forest and grassland covered region, featuring rolling hills and rocky outcroppings near the foot of the mountains on either side of it. Two lakes dominate the basin, each fed by a network of rivers and streams channeling all the rainfall from the surrounding mountains. Its shores are fertile, teeming with wildlife, and can be a fiercely competitive wilderness arena. However, the water levels change dramatically when it is flooded from all of the snowmelt in the Spring.

The Turi Ridge separates the Marro Valley and the Celes Valley.

The northern Celes Valley is predominantly river and stream fed, with fewer seasonal meltwater surges. The landscape is pastoral, and covered with thick grasses and clusters of forest. Rains occasionally cause some minor flooding and washouts, but this is confined to the summer. The southern Marro valley is more prone to flash flooding and and seasonal water deluges from the surrounding mountains and rugged terrain. It is also very lush and densely forested, with a few open prairie and grassland regions. Underground, twisting caves and river carved tunnels span both valleys of the basin completely unseen from above. Caved in skylights and cenotes give hints of the vast network below, but entry is primarily through caves where the rivers emerge.

To the west, the Andafr Mountains run north and south. There are only two major passes in the northern quarter, so these mountains act as a wall to isolate the Gogmar Basin from Wassad. Deep valleys and narrow passages make the terrain very dangerous, with frequent rock slides and occasional earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. These mountains form the border between the Gogmar Basin and Wassad to the west.

The Lacon Mountains form a clustered rise on the southern edge of the Gogmar Basin. They are commonly called The Anvils because of their distinctive shape. Tall mesas refused to yield to wind or rain, leaving flat topped towers standing in defiance of nature's efforts to smooth them down.
The Merinic Basin is the large southeastern basin south of the Tathic Mountains. Sprawling plains and prairies dominate the landscape, with veins of rivers and streams pulsing over the terrain.
The Valda Peninsula juts into the sea on the southern coast, creating extensive wetlands and a lush forested environment.
The Sineon Bay is the northernmost upper bay of a three body system. This is mostly freshwater, fed from streams and rivers from the nearby mountains.
The Soril Bay is the center bay, and it is more salty than the Sineon Bay, and it is the largest of the three.
The Sagin Bay is the southernmost bay in the chain, and it is the saltiest as well. It is mostly delineated by islands, and the waters can be treacherous because it is so shallow.
The Ostphorus Sea is the large open sea between the Merinic Basin on the north, and the Valda Peninsula on the south. It is a calm sea because of it's protection by breakers on the southern side.
The Epigen Sea is the southern opening into the Bighten Ocean. The coastline is rough, but lush and full of life a little ways in.
The Bighten Ocean surrounds the southern coast. It is called the knotted waters because of the rough conditions common year round. While not common, groups of icebergs might be sighted on rare occasions.