With a diameter of thirty five miles, Dragons' Palate is the largest of the islands in the Estuary of the Forked Tongue. It also possesses the most diverse landscape, from mountain ranges to winding ravines to mud flats.

Unlike the other nearby islands, Dragons' Palate has not one but three mountains creating a range , the Mejalam range, that runs from southwest to northeast. The central peak is also the highest and is called Haja Raka - The Howling Mountain (or simply Howlmount) for the sound the wind makes as it blows through the many tunnels that twist through the upper area of the mountain. The mountain to the southwest, Hikka Kraga - Light Hill - is the smallest. To the northeast stands Draga Rakaa - Dragons Mount - it's eastern side is crumbling stone and a constant danger for landslides. Dragons Mount east runs right to the coast, and a natural rock formation gives the appearance of a dragon's open mouth it's upper jaw about to descend on the very earth itself, giving the island it's name.

Howlmount is the most important feature of the island, for the top of the mountain is slightly bowl-like, which collects water during the Tyr storms. Unlike a normal crater, the one atop Howlmount is pourous - the water drips down through the rocks and then seperates into three rivers that cut through island - one flows northwest, one east, and one south. Over the centuries, the rivers have cut out crevases through which the water flows, and during the storms, the rivers are torrents, dangerous to any but the powerful giants. As the storms subside, the rivers become slower before stopping completely little less than four hours after the rains ended.

At the end of the rivers are mud flats, foul area filled with swarms of biting insects and sinkholes that could easily swallow a human sized creature. The mud flats are among the most ecologically diverse areas in the Balic region, and many kinds of plant life can be found, as well as a few species of lizards.

The ground over most of Dragon's Palate is rocky and difficult for non-giant humanoids to cross. Ravines from now vanished rivers are quite common. The ground itself is made of crumbly rock with shifts constantly underfoot. Caves dot the landscape, especially along the Mejalam. The smoothest area of the island is along the western shore, which is covered by large beaches of yellow sand and finely crushed rock.

Flora & Fauna

The most ecologically interesting area of the islands is the previously mentioned mud flats. Though the size of the mud flats vary depending on the length of time since the last storm, some of the mud flat remains wet at all times. Tall weeds and several varieties of moss can be found in the flats, and well as red colored cat tails and reeds ranging from red to orange.

Outside of the flats, the vegetation of Dragon's Palate depends on how far away from a river one is located. Near the rivers, shubs, grasses, and thin trees grow, their roots grasping downwards into the rocky soil. This pattern of growth continues almost to the top of Howlmount. The other mountains, as well as areas of the island not touched by the rivers, are mainly rocky and barren, with only scrub grasses and outcropping of weak bushes.

The exception to this barreness is a valley that exists on the southeast side of the island. Within the two hundred foot deep rift is a lush valley of cultivated wheats fed by a trickling stream, most likely from the same source at the major river of Dragon's Palate, though the stream comes from the rock wall, so it's true source or path is unknown. Because of the height of the valley, and the overhanging rock formation, the worst of the Tyr storms are cushioned and instead of punishing gales, relatively gentle rains fall. The giant tribe of Dragons' Palate tend to the crops, and the valley is their most closely guarded secret. The lush valley provides enough grains for bread products throughout the year, a rare source of steady food not found many other places in the region.

Sheep are the dominant species of animal on the island, as they are the primary source of meat for the giants of Dragon's Palate. They wander all over the island eating the grasses that grow in the rocky soil, though the flocks are never out of view of one of the many shephards. The sheep have short coarse fur of deep yellow to brown, and can be difficult to spot among the similiarly colored rock and soil.

The most dangerous animal on the island are basahk, a stocky lizard like creatures that prowl the mountains. They can grow up to twelve feet in length and weigh over a ton. The basahks have very short tails and huge paws ending in curved claws. Though they appear slow, they are in fact quite agile, and hunt the many sheep on Dragon's Palate. It is because of the basahks that the shepards must remain so vigilant - their powerful jaws can easily kill an unsuspecting sheep in one bite.

The other major inhabitant are sand turtles, who can only be found on the west side of the island. Like basahks, they are much quicker than they look, though they are not nearly as dangerous - their bite, while painful, is far from fatal. They also have large claws, though they do not use them in combat. The giants are quite fond of their meat, but because of the sand turtles elusiveness - they are fast diggers and can burrow ten feet underneath sand is less than a minute - they are rarely caught. Children often chase the turtles around the beach under the watchful eye of their parents. Sand turtles are light brown in color.

Society

Dragon's Palate supports the largest giant tribe of all the nearby islands. At nearly 150 strong, the Jova'ta tribe is larger than all other island tribes combined. Unlike their Mytinene neighbors to the north, the Jova'ta tribe are friendly and peaceful, consisting of farmers and sheep herders. Though they would prefer to be left alone, they graciously welcome those who visit, trading rope, sheepskins, and bread. When visitors do arrive, they guard their secret valley as best they can. As they do not receive many visitors, however, it has not been difficult.

The village of Adalato is located on the south side of the island. The giants live in circular huts, the bases made of stone and the roof made of wood frames with weed covers held together by specially prepared mud from the flats to the south. However, only a dozen or so building exist in the village. Only the eldest of the tribe have houses - most Adaltan's sleep outside under a shelter of sheep skins. During Tyr storms, most of the tribe move either into the valley or close to Howlmount, whose many shallow caves near the base offer shelter from the worst of the rains. Rough stone shelters are built throughout the area, so that herders caught in the storm can find protection.

Jova (War4) leads the Jova'ta tribe. By custom, the tribe is named after the leader, and the name changes whenever the leader does. Jova continues the passive nature of the Jova'ta - they only fight when there is no other option. The beasthead tribe from Mytinene make occasional raids, but they can never get anything of value as the Jova'ta has little in the way of material wealth. Invaders cannot even get a fair fight. The Jova'ta retreat to the narrow valleys surrounding the central peaks where defenders have a much better chance of fighting off more aggresive and powerful enemies among the narrow, twisting valleys.

Adeo is the tribe priestess (Adept4) and an advisor to Jova. As the oldest member of the tribe, all members bow to her judgement, and though she is advanced in years, she shows no signs of letting a little thing like time stop her from watching over the Jova'ta.

Points of Interest

Atop The Howling Mount is a cave complex which appears to be only semi-natural. Three main caves enter a large central chamber. The floor of this chamber, like the top of Howlmount, is a bowl, and from it the three rivers that bound down the mountain are born. Along the cave walls are constructions, obviously not made by nature. Pillars of stone and even the rusted bits of metal can be found, with the occasional ancient rotted remains of a wooden dock. Ages ago, it must have been a port of some kind, though few clues remain to who built it .

To the east flows one of the three rivers caused by Tyr storms, one that runs from Howlmount through the south side of the northeast mountain of the Mejalam range. Though most of it's path is underneath rock, occasionally an opening has formed that shows a glimpse of the water as it roars towards the Silt Sea. A few hundred feet before it reaches the sea, the river angles steeply downward into the island and the water plunges below the surface. Where it leads is unknown, but from the thundering sounds coming out, it must be an underground waterfall of some sort.

In the valley that winds between Howlmount and Light Hill (heading into the latter) is a cave barely six feet in height. Less than a hundred feet into the cave is a single remaining stone door of a double door set, the symbol of a six pointed star surrounded by a burning sun engraved on it's surface. Beyond the door is a semi-worked corridor that goes further into the mountain, eventually ending at a cave in. Through spaces between the boulders blocking the path, a cavern can be seen beyond, and what appear to be buildings.