Manaia : The Continent of Karadam

---

Karadam is considered by many in Manaia to be the end of the world. Several explorers throughout the centuries have sought to uncover what lies beyond the vast mountain range and through the extreme cold and eternal darkness. However, few have ever returned, and the ones that have all tell the same story; that it was impossible to go any further.

Adventurers throughout history who have returned have reported an ever-increasing intensity of wind, snow and darkness. Eventually one arrives at a point where all celestial light is negated by heavy snows, and one is unable to see anything but blackness - a perilous set of circumstances with winds tearing branches from trees and carrying them through the air. It is said that no flame can withstand the winds of the deep south.

In spite of the extreme conditions, one explorer remained adamant that a civilisation existed in the darkness, after hearing singing and chanting in the distance before making his return.

Many theories are discussed in Manaia as to what Karadam is, and where it may lead. Some believe it to be the gateway to the after life, where all souls travel after death. Others claim its conditions and even the mountain range were created and are sustained through powerful magic; an attempt to hide a great secret or a civilisation composed of an entirely different advanced species of being.

Religious scriptures reveal little about the continent or its function, but some Libra scholars have speculated that the Fountain of Forever is protected behind its extremities, ensuring that no man will ever drink from it and become immortal and able to challenge God.

At the port in Navasa, sailors and fishermen tell stories of the great sea monster that resides in the waters north of Karadam. The crews who never return, and the wreckage of ships that occasionally wash up on the rocks of the southern coast lend credence to the tales.

The Magna of Euchao is said to be recruiting an expert team of scientists to develop a means of generating light without fire, so that researchers may venture into extreme conditions of Karadam and return with answers as to what lies beyond.