Junda Isles

The Junda Isles [JUN-der] are an island group off the northeast coast of Harthera, traditionally inhabited by the Junda people, and now part of the Hartheranplugin-autotooltip__small plugin-autotooltip_bigHarthera

The Hartheran Union, commonly named Harthera, is an imperialist maritime nation state dominating the northeast of Anásthias. It is one of the two great powers of the modern epoch, arguably the most technologically and militarily powerful nation in the world, only matched by the vast size and wealth of its neighbour, viridviridOrorrMEOrorrOrorrOrorrOrorr cordrome of Perudd and the Isles.

The group consists of six large islands and dozens of smaller ones, each with their own dialect and cultural variations.

The islands vary in topography and climate, some being relatively flat with flourishing green farmland, others being vertiginous with virid jungle.

Esigan (EH-sig-enn) is the largest of the isles, being 115 km east-west and 120 north-south. It is consequently the most metropolitan, being relatively close to the mainland. It was traditionally inhabited by the “Seven Tribes”, whose conflicts form a great deal of legend and literature. Esigan has one of the few sheltered deepwater harbours in the islands: the city of Jongaven, which today is an important port for the Hartheran navy. In the 8th century ME Esigan was subject to land clearance and mass immigration from the mainland, so relatively little traditional Junda culture remains.

Jokta and Kongad were historically one island, and are still connected at low tides during the storm season. The tribes of Jokta and Kongad were famous for clan wars and vendettas, with a fierce reputation as sea hunters.

Perek is the longest island at 160 km east-west, but is also subject to severe weather. Perek was an important religious centre for the ancient Junda religion. The island is littered with Iskean ruins dating from the Celadon Epoch (approximately 4000 BMEplugin-autotooltip__small plugin-autotooltip_bigBME

Used to date years Before the Modern Epoch.). Several of the most ancient holy sites have been reconsecrated by the Church of Hartrah. New Perech, the Hartheran colony in the eastern ocean, is named after Perek.

Elorsken, or Elózgen in the local Junda language, is the most northerly island. Due to its remoteness it always had a reputation for its distinct accent and culture, and today it is the greatest bastion of traditional Junda culture.

Unviken is the largest in the Landward Isles. Traditional Junda consider people of the Landwards as not true Junda, since in earlier epochs they were connected to the mainland.