The Rhine Archipelgo

Geography

The Rhine archipelego is situated quite far north. Two months of every year, Napen and Obern, the islands are completely ice-locked (the Freeze sometimes starts during Murh and occasionally lasts into Pim). It is during the Freeze that the islands of Northpoint and Southport come into their own. The two islands provide clear docking area for sea going vessals to load and unload their cargos. This cargo is transported to the ice-skimmers that provide tha main means of inter-island transport during the Freeze. Despite the bitter cold of Rhine winters, many travellers visit during this time of year to participate in Centralian holidays and watch the skimmer races.

It is only on a couple of the smaller island much further north than Northpoint that life becomes impossible during the coldest weeks.

The rest of the year follows the normal progression of time. The oceans Thaw and life returns to its more normal state.

Centralia island exists in the center of a large grouping of islands called the Rine Archipelago. [MAP] The Archipelago is large and has mostly been explored at one time or another. The people of Centralia, however, were not great makers of maps and anything not immediately of value or entertainment was unfortunately overlooked and forgotten.

Language

The predominant language of Rhine seems to be Ferric. In most cities Ferric may be the only language spoken. On Centralia island it is becoming increasingly likely to run into someone who speaks Paroli. The commonness of Paroli is caused by the power of the southern trading companies and by the influx of refugees from seige of Karfelon.

Islands of the Rhine

The Rhine Rhombus

The Rhine Rhombus is an area of the Rhine Archipelago that is notoriously dangerous for ship travel. Until recently no one who had ventured there had come out alive. A recent expedition to the Rhombus uncovered the fact that there is a giant item on the bottom of the ocean there. The item sucks down ships, trapping them and their passengers forever. The group managed to deactivate the item long enough to escape but it could start up again at any time.