Overview
The Talon Isles are most similar to the northern British Isles of our own world, particularly
Scotland, the Faroes and the Shetlands. Geographically they share the same gravel beaches
and rocky outcroppings and so by extension, they host the same sort of fauna and flora.
On a wider geographical scale, the Isles benefit from warm wind currents from the southern
deserts and wastelands that dominate the western coast of the mainland. This causes a
constant battle between the cold winds of the north and the warm gusts from the south all
throughout the Islands, leading to heavy and frequent storms. These southern winds do
maintain a warmer climate on these islands than found further eastwards, such that while not
comparable to the warmth of the south, they are easier to live and thrive on than the snowy
expanses of the continent at the same latitude.
Geography
The Isles are dominated by Greater Skye, which contributes the vast majority of the land area
towards the Isles as a whole. Dominated by large peaks and troughs, Greater Skye is ringed
almost entirely by gravel beaches and is the seat of large expanses of dense, untamed
woodland. Further south, the islands of Lesser Skye and Scarp are the next largest, both
containing little flat land and consisting of towering cliffs. To the east of Greater Skye can be
found the Chain, a series of low-lying, flat islands which consist nearly entirely of gravel
beaches and underlying bedrock.
The geology is markedly volcanic, with the mountains and large outcroppings of stone being
remnants of an area of high volcanic activity, followed by millennia of being worn down
through glaciation and river erosion. The rock make-up of these outcroppings are entirely
metamorphic and igneous, banded throughout the various hills to form distinctive and
impressive facades. There are three main types of igneous rocks to be found in the Isles;
basalt, andesite and gabbro. The first of these is a dark rock, found throughout the Isles in
long bands and dikes, intersecting the other stones. Andesite, while also igneous, is lighter in
shade and forms a larger part of the stone. Gabbro is middling in shade, often with a green
tinge, and is about as common as the andesite throughout the islands. The metamorphic
stone, gneiss, is formed of recrystallised and metamorphosised igneous and sedimentary
formations, and is by far the most common stone on the islands.
Fauna and Flora
The biological diversity of the Isles is somewhat limited when compared to the rest of the
world, it’s terrain and climate not suited to allow the extremely varied and exotic wildlife that
can be found further south. Greater Skye, and the Talon Isles as a whole, are nonetheless
inhabited by a wide swathe of different creatures.
The most fascinating and mysterious of the beasts inhabiting the Talon Isles is the Gryphon, or
Griffin. The size of a large cat, but weighing considerably less, this creature has the frontal portion of
an eagle or hawk, with the rear-end of a lion. Found roosting among the mountains and hills of the
Isles, this is by far the apex predator.
Land mammals are divided into two groups, carnivorous and herbivorous. Among the first,
notable examples of wildlife on the Isles are the grey wolf, the brown bear and the lynx, in
addition to smaller, less dangerous animals like foxes, badgers and wildcats. Of wild
herbivores, deer are by far the largest, followed by wild boars and goats. Cattle and sheep make
up the vast majority of the local tamed wildlife, the large expanses of less-than-fertile grassland
being ideal for rearing animals when compared to growing crops.
Birdlife is the area in which the Talon Isles are by far the most diverse - in the sunken
freshwater lakes on the larger islands, geese, swans and ducks are not uncommon, while game
birds such as grouse, pheasants and quails can be found in the wooded areas of Greater Skye.
Over the oceans, often flying between the Isles themselves following shoals of fish, gannets,
cormorants and petrels are often sighted. By far the largest and most impressive birds on the
Isles are the falcons, buzzards and eagles, however, many of which roost on the ocean-side
cliffs.
In the waters surrounding the Isles themselves, fish are plentiful and make up a large portion
of the local economy. Large sea mammals such as dolphins, whales and seals, are often
spotted in these cold waters. Sharks and rays can be found in the more southerly seas, often
skirting the coastline of the wastelands.
None of the above is an exhaustive list or description - those can be found below, in the
following two links. If in doubt, refer to these before referring to the above.
FAUNA
FLORA
Gryphon Art By Elz
Last edited:
