Elder Isles

The Elder Isles are three landmasses located in the center of Galaedros, connected to one another by land bridges. They are notable for their distinct and supposedly incompatible biomes, which each island sporting a specific environment: the westernmost dense, humid forest; the center icy mountains; and the easternmost arid desert.

History
Various civilizations around Galaedros have tried to lay claim to the Elder Isles, supposedly the catalyst point for the world's creation. None of these disputes have yielded any result, and the lands still remain unclaimed by any political force. Part of this is due to the copious arcane forces which prove unyielding to settlers or invaders (often both).

Following the Battle of the Blueguard -- largely between native creatures and Invernan and Evetian forces, plus some allied nations -- a truce was settled over the area. Uneasy though it was, the agreement not to tap into the Elder Isles for economic or political reasons has been honored for many centuries. This tenuous agreement eventually became known as the Elder Peace or the Elder Accords, and its title was lent to the biennial diplomatic festivities held across the globe. The Peace Tourney, held every two years, consists of a series of competitions to boast the magical, tactical, and artistic prowess of the nations of Galaedros, showing that no one country is entitled to ownership of the Elder Isle -- or to the territory or resources of other nations,