This article is about the geographical region sometimes referred to as Corvidan. For the language spoken in this region, also referred to as Corvidan, see Corvidan Language.
The Corvidan Archipelago is an island group consisting of five major islands and several dozen smaller islets, located in the Southern Hemisphere of the Aequor Arcanus.
Within the Aequor Arcanus, the Corvidan Archipelago is located on the southern bounds of the Pelorus Gyre. An eastward current brings warm water, nutrients, algae, and phytoplankton from the equator, making islands in this region verdant despite their remote distance from other landmasses. Positioned over a submarine ridge, earthquakes are common but there are no active volcanoes. Tropical cyclones occur in the summer months, in rare cases causing long-term ecological damage; however, Corvidan peoples have mitigated the disastrous potential of cyclones through innovative structural engineering, durable protective wards, and even elemental magic that can manipulate weather patterns directly.
The Corvidan Archipelago has a humid subtropical climate; summers are hot with heavy rainfall, while winters are mild, with no snowfall except in mountainous areas. Summer temperatures average 70-85°F (20-30°C), with peak highs reaching 95°F (35°C). Winter temperatures rarely go below freezing, with mid-day temperatures of 50-60°F (10-15°C) being more typical. Most years average 120-125 days of rainfall, mainly concentrated in summer but consistent year-round. Humidity ranges from 60%-99%.
Five islands or island groups are recognized as the "major islands" of the Corvidan archipelago:
In addition to these major islands, there exist many other islets, the majority of which are sparsely inhabited and are mainly used for agricultural purposes.
Each island in the Corvidan Archipelago functions as an independent city-state, but collaboration and trade between islands is frequent. Their governments send diplomatic envoys to reside on other islands and act as their native island's representative in political matters. All residents of the Corvidan Archipelago conduct business transactions using a single standard currency - the gold piece, or GP. Although the size and material composition of the GP is standardized, each island stamps coins with a unique design, so that a coin of inferior quality can be traced back to its island of origin. Most residents of the Archipelago will only ever see coins from their home island, but with increasing inter-island trade, a foreign coin will occasionally make its way into circulation. Every island’s coin incorporates its national symbol on the obverse, such as Septeiven’s bear and Iryna’s truss, with its denomination on the reverse. The Corvidan islands also share a flag design; all flags have a dark blue background, and the island's national symbol depicted in green at the center, surrounded by a green ring. Flags are used on ships' masts to indicate their port of origin.