Méniail

Méniail is one of the three continents of Dalel. It contains eight regions, extending from the swamps of Balúrail in the southwest to the volcanic peninsula of Jesselsom in the northeast. Its interior is mountainous and includes the Domain of Yairan, regarded as the last part of Dalel that remains in its original state.

Map of Méniail

Etymology

Méniail derives from bendialde, meaning "mountain land" or "mountain country" in Bintzaila, the language of the Yendea. The modern form reflects later sound changes in the languages of their descendants.

History

Méniail was originally part of the unbroken expanse of Dalel. It became a separate landmass during the Great Erosion, when water, air, and fire entered the realm of earth. At the end of the conflict Yairan, the Primordial Spirit of Earth, withdrew to the Domain of Yairan within the Așdilu Mountains.

Ascendant Spirits later settled in the regions of the continent and shaped their terrain and life. Its earliest inhabitants were non-human peoples. Humans arrived during the Great Migration and developed into distinct peoples under the influence of the spirits of the regions where they settled.

Geography

Méniail is elongated from southwest to northeast. Balúrail occupies its southwestern end. Gosterra lies along the northwestern coast, and Khamria extends across the center of the continent to the southern coast. The Domain of Yairan is enclosed within Khamria. Aráinia and Orinilure lie on the northern coast, Arezilur occupies the east, and Jesselsom forms a peninsula in the northeast.

Mountain ranges

Most of the continent's mountain ranges are in or around Khamria.

• The Așdilu Mountains form a ring around the Domain of Yairan.
• The Ilergierze Mountains lie west of the Așdilu Mountains, with the Baviare Vale between them.
• The Bogh Mountains separate Khamria from Gosterra.
• The Mazissage Mountains separate Balúrail from Khamria and Gosterra.
• The Aráinia Mountains enclose the valley of Aráinia.
• The Orinilure Mountains and Irere Mountains lie within Orinilure, separated by the Orinilure Valley.
• The Aurită Mountains lie between Orinilure and Arezilur.

Climate

The climate of Dalel is arranged in concentric rings, hottest at the center and colder with distance from it. The northeastern end of Méniail lies closest to the center and the southwestern end lies furthest from it. Jesselsom and Arezilur are the hottest regions of the continent, and Balúrail is the coldest, with long winters and extended freezing periods. Mountain ranges modify local conditions. The Așdilu Mountains produce a rain shadow, and the Mazissage Mountains are covered in near-constant mist.

Regions

Region	Description	Spirits	Peoples
Aráinia	A fertile valley enclosed by the Aráinia Mountains.	Dásravai, Misay	Barugoar, Gehasha
Arezilur	A desert of shifting dunes and glass fields.	Arihis, Nāaon	Qerem, Berturracioi
Balúrail	Swamps and peat bogs in the west, forested highlands in the east.	Mavai, Tahami, Sitaivu	Tuzquão, Mifajene
Domain of Yairan	An unexplored interior enclosed by the Așdilu Mountains.	Yairan	Namuril (formerly)
Gosterra	A rugged coast of sea cliffs.	Ettal, Emerioa	Gostaldi, Zapaha
Jesselsom	A volcanic peninsula of lava plains and ash.	Taltāndu, Estu	Sumbindan, Nacemace
Khamria	Arid mountains, highlands, and savanna.	Yala, Kúsi	Arânzeni, Mundari
Orinilure	Mountain ranges with extensive cave and tunnel networks.	Iriché, Kiyañ	Oinien, Shuemis

Interactive map

Interactive map of Méniail. Use the mouse wheel or zoom controls to explore the continent.

For a larger view, see Map of Méniail.