Empyrean
53 miles wide, 5,100 to 9,600 ft
Geography
Empyrean’s edge elevation is at 5100 feet, but the Island is dominated by a 4,500 ft peak (9,600 from surface) at its center that gradually gives way to ridges/valleys and large foothills before petering out to flatlands in the last 5 to 15 miles before the edges. The higher reaches are devoid of trees, but the ridges and vales are heavily forested. The flats near the edges are somewhat swampy and mud-ridden most of the time. The ancient ruin containing the Gate, contrary to most Islands, sits right on one of the edges, and the Gate itself is situated precariously on a ledge of ancient stone that overhangs the earth of the Island by 100ft.
People and Culture
The now-native population is a multi-generational mix of most Cradle Islands. Even Mehujaelites colonized heavily in the early days, and Empyrean was one of the first places where Zelixan cast offs collected into exile communities. Some insular villages can still be found, but by and large most people call themselves Empyreans and are proud and defensive of their home Island. There is a general sense of having a chip on their collective shoulder, and they feel that they should be considered as important as the Cradle Islands. They are friendly enough to travelers, but the locals prefer visitors to have some kind of native guide when traveling away from large settlements.
Getting along with the locals is laid back and easy within the Traverton or large settlements. However there is a thin layer of upper crust society surrounding the Court of the Mage-King that can be prissy and disdainful of run-of-the-mill travelers.
Local Authority
Empyrean was under joint Mehujaeli-Baraki control until revolution times, and then experienced a period of turmoil similar to other Core Islands. In the end the Mage-King of Empyrean rose up and claimed the Island for himself. He has been the undisputed ruler of Empyrean for over 400 years. Other than some rumors about the Arcanists, he is the only human to ever demonstrate such longevity. There are some that feel his unnatural lifespan is a corruption from the surface, and who refuse to set foot on Empyrean even if it extends their travel time by months or years. Others feel that it’s a disguise and the Mage-King was and is a series of mages, perhaps a ruse by the Anvardi Magi Clan to control more Islands.
Whatever his origins or true nature, he appoints a Court who have authority to act in his name, and the people of Empyrean generally consider the Court of the Mage-King to be benign and easy rulers. The people also generally feel that the Arcanists and the Mage-King exist in an intense state of distrust, although if asked no one can point to an incident or example to corroborate this belief. The Mage-King's relationship to the Collegium of Magic is also unclear, although Empyreans do attend the school and are licensed on Empyrean as anywhere else.
Language
Travit and a mixture of native Cradle tongues.
Traverton
The Traverton sits 2 miles inland and tops a small plateau. A large statue of the Injured Arcanist, a folk hero, dominates a central square. Typical Traverton warehouses, inns, and entertainments can be found, but the place is most famous for its plazas at the edge of the plateau offering (on clear days) excellent views of the peak and the vista over the edge.
Empyrean is notable as one of the only Core Islands (aside from Zelix’s Rainbow Gate, which is a special case) to have multiple intact ancient ruins among its slopes and valleys. The Arcanists and other loremasters keep small villages around them for study.