Septeiven

Septeiven is an island within the Corvidan Archipelgo, geologically defined by Mount Septeiven, the central mountain from which the island derives its name. Mount Septeiven is one of the few locations in the Archipelago that receives any amount of regular snowfall. Septeiven is economically and culturally tied to its neighbor island, Ardenei, which Septeiven residents sometime refer to humorously as "the mainland" despite Ardenei being only about three times its size. Septeiven is also physically close to the much smaller island of Domona, which lies directly to its southeast and can be easily accessed using small watercraft. Septeiven is notable for lacking a centralized government despite the administrative complexity of its cities and towns. Law enforcement is essentially non-existent, with social order maintained primarily by freelance adventurers. Despite its political instability, Septeiven contains several noteworthy institutions:

Augurweld University is the island's primary institution of higher learning, specializing in arcane research. It is located on the outskirts of Augurweld, the island's capital city.
Septeiven Bardic College was originally part of the University, but is now an independent academic institution, the largest in the Archipelago to exclusively teach bardic techniques.
The Scriptorium is a remote community at the peak of Mount Septeiven, dedicated to the preservation of historic texts. It collaborates closely with the University and Bardic College.
Estelle Resort is located on the island's southernmost point. Wealthy Corvidans travel there from all over the Archipelago to relax in various spas, baths, and health centers.
Cobblestone Mine is the primary industry of the city of Cobblestone, unique for being built entirely underground, accessible only through a ravine carved into the mountainside.
Kanteri Observatory is an abandoned offshoot of the University, formerly used to conduct research into extraplanar realms, currenly maintained as a historic tourist destination.

Septeiven's national symbol is the bear, a prehistoric megafauna whose fossilized remains have been discovered during excavations of Mount Septeiven. The size and power of this creature, whose scale had no equivalent in any extant species, has long fascinated Corvidans, Septeivenites in particular. Bears have a cultural connotation of strength, dignity, and untamed wilderness.