Libow

Libow (IPA: laɪ̯bəʊ) is the largest island of the Northerly Archipelago and the kingdom occupying it located off the northern coast of Meringia. It is separated from Kelpnar on the continent by the Amber Straits. Geographically, the island is subdivided into 2 regions. On the eastern side of the island and under direct jurisdiction of House Searnag are the Crownlands. They hold the capital city of Nayr and its lush meadows are dotted with large farms to sustain its sizeable population. On the other side of the island lies the Wormwood, a dark and eerie sequoia tree forest that is famed for its sorcerers and oracles.

The kingdom was formed some 1 000 years ago, when the Hemblish people settled in the archipelago after rebelling against and fleeing from slavery in their home country of Vaun. A notable minority group are the indigenous Libowmen who have been largely assimilated, now occupying only a handful of villages at the northwestern coast of the Wormwood, namely the Libowmen Coast

Etymology
It is believed that the name of the island originates from the Hemblish name for the indigenous people of Libow - the Libowmen, which in turn is a corrupted version of their battlecry, the "Alpāv", which must've been the first thing the Hemblish heard after interacting with the then-hostile Libowmen.

Geography
The island is roughly triangular in shape.

Brackish Lagoon
The major geographical feature of easterly Crownlands is the shallow Brackish Lagoon, separated from the Great Misty Sea by a thin stretch of land called Crosquet Sands.

Crosquet
Sometimes spelled as Crosquette, this fortress was founded by the mythical Drab King more than 9 centuries ago and was tasked with safeguarding the only waterborne passage through Crosquet Sands into the Brackish Lagoon and by extension Nayr on the other side of the lagoon. It has grown to become the wealthiest city in the kingdom by being its largest seaport as it provides the only advantageous stop for ships en route between Meringia and Everwinter. Over 90% of goods entering the kingdom travel through the port of Crosquet. The main landmark of the city is its iconic harbour entrance made up of a giant lion sculpture on one side and a lighthouse-clocktower on the other. The story of the Hemblish escape from slavery to freedom has inspired many people to settle in Libow, but upon arrival they are met by the harsh reality as foreigners are allowed no further entrance into the kingdom than the city of Crosquet, therefore most citizens of Crosquet are not even of Hemblish origin. Furthermore, despite the Master of Admiralty holding the most power over the city, clues lead to the Anchor Bank actually being the éminence grise of much more than the city of Crosquet.

Crosquet Sands
It is the thin stretch of land, separating the Brackish Lagoon from the Great Misty Sea. Crosquet Sands are left mostly uninhabited as the resources of drinking water are slim and any village can be buried under shifting dunes in mere days. Life in Crosquet Sands is so hard that the few people who live there are left with no choice but to resort to hunting birds, such as crows and gulls, as well as rats and lizards. Looked down upon by other Hemblish, this lifestyle, known as crosquetting, has loaned its name to both, the city of Crosquet and the Crosquet Sands.

The Uplands and the Lowlands
The breadbasket of the kingdom lies in the south where unending gently rolling plains, dotted by large farms, small villages and beautiful manors can be found. This region is called the Uplands in contrast to the Lowlands, the 10 or-so miles wide forested strip of land that is subject to flooding from tides and storms after which amber can be found in great quantities. The largest settlement in the Lowlands is Toughsmeade, located at the narrowest part of the Amber Strait, it provides easy travel between Libow and Kelpnar.

Nayr and the Auster Bog
Nayr is located at the mouth of river Vargant, the largest river on the island. It is entirely located in the amidst the Auster Bog which has caused many technological difficulties in building the city. Bog iron found here has historically been the only source of metal on the island.

Wormwood
On the western side of Libow the Wormwood (aka. as the Headland, after the steep cliffs surrounding it on all sides) can be found. It is partially separated from Crownlands by the Sound of Cannor.