Dalel

Dalel
Image	Painting of a coastline in Dalel
Spirit	Yairan

Introduction

Dalel is the realm of earth in Adaris and the realm of Yairan, the Primordial Spirit of earth. It comprises all land: the continents, islands, and subterranean spaces inhabited by mortal peoples. Dalel was originally an unbroken expanse of stone and the first tangible realm. It was reduced to its present extent during the Great Erosion, when water, air, and fire entered it. It is surrounded by Aasila, the realm of water, and lies beneath Zayam, the realm of air, and above Píñáku, the realm of fire. Qaaniguaq, the realm of light, and Woncu, the realm of darkness, lie on either side.

Etymology

Dalel is the word for "earth" or "world" in Tivayi, the language of spirits.

History

See also: History of Dalel

Formation

Dalel came into being with Yairan from Ákyar, the chaotic energy of the Napadéh, and was the first tangible realm. During the Era of Isolation it was the whole of physical existence: an endless, featureless expanse of solid stone, without water, air, fire, or life. Light and darkness fell on it but had no place of their own. The era ended when they drew apart into Qaaniguaq and Woncu.

Great Erosion

See also: Great Erosion

Aahi, the Primordial Spirit of Water, had no realm of her own and forced her way into Dalel. Yavi and Metihi, the spirits of air and fire, followed. The resulting conflict between the elements is known as the Great Erosion. Water cut rivers, lakes, and seas into the stone, wind wore down its surface, and fire broke through from below. Dalel was reduced from an unbounded realm to separate landmasses surrounded by sea.

During the conflict Yairan created the Namuril as warriors and protectors of the realm. Konmai, the Primordial Spirit of time, emerged near the end of this period, and his arrival made the changes to Dalel permanent. The conflict was ended by the Enarei, who were created by Umalyu, and the four spirits agreed to a compromise.

Yairan, having lost almost all of Dalel, withdrew to the Domain of Yairan, enclosed by the Așdilu Mountains within Khamria, and sealed himself off from the outside world. The Domain is regarded as the only part of Dalel that remains in its original state.

Later history

After the Great Erosion, Ascendant Spirits settled in the regions of Dalel and shaped their terrain, plants, and animals. The first civilizations in Dalel were those of its non-human native peoples. Humans, whom Pavkanai placed on the island of Haberria, spread across Dalel after the Great Migration (0 – c. 60 ME) and developed into distinct peoples under the influence of the spirits of the regions where they settled.

Geography

Dalel is a flat plane. Its land consists of three continents and the large island of Orhuart, separated by the seas of Aasila. The continents are Méniail, Luraskor, and Rohashe.

Rivers, lakes, and seas within and between the landmasses are regarded as part of Aasila's intrusion into Dalel rather than as part of Dalel itself.

Regions

Méniail

• Aráinia
• Arezilur
• Balúrail
• Domain of Yairan
• Gosterra
• Jesselsom
• Khamria
• Orinilure

Luraskor

• Dairhaur
• Hibailur
• Hilisare
• Hisardal
• Uansere

Rohashe

• Elursāde
• Hevaran
• Hodandia
• Shorenlur

Islands

• Orhuart

Subterranean regions

Parts of Dalel are inhabited below the surface. The largest known network is the Deep Roads, which runs beneath Khamria and Orinilure.

Climate

The climate of Dalel is arranged in concentric rings rather than by latitude. Temperatures are highest at the center of the plane, which now lies under the sea, and fall with distance from it. The outermost ring is permanently frozen. A region's climate therefore depends chiefly on its distance from the center, and a single continent may extend across several rings.

Daylight follows the same rings. Under the Great Equilibrium, the center of the plane lies in permanent daylight and the outermost reaches in permanent night, and regions nearer the center have longer days.

Mountain ranges modify local conditions. The Așdilu Mountains and the Mazissage Mountains block moisture-bearing winds, producing rain shadows on one side and mist and heavy rainfall on the other.