The Protectors are an archipelago in the northwestern Wounds, the farthest-most of its volcanic islands over 1300 miles apart from each other. Though there remain many towns, villages, and tribes on the Protectors, their populations have declined markedly since the demonic invasions of the Old Twins began in Y9266*.
Geography
As with most archipelagoes of the Wounds, the islands of the Protectors are volcanic in origin, with a rich soil in which plant life can easily thrive. A number of atolls can also be found in the archipelago as well. To the north lies the Vese-Te-Mona Reef, one of the largest coral reefs of the Wounds.
The Protectors are roughly 300 miles south of the Nests, 700 miles south of the Old Twins, 550 miles north of the Grievous Islands, and 750 miles west of Ha-Rase-Metu.
History
The Protectors were once part of Rashareka, the empire's most important territories aside from the Old Twins themselves. Most of the nation's warships were based out of now-ruined ports in secluded coves along the shores of the islands, from which they could be sent anywhere in the Wounds that they were needed.
Since soon after the demonic incursions began, the Shieldbound, a militant order of demon hunters, has based themselves out of the Protectors, giving the archipelago's name a new meaning. Close enough to the Old Twins to make the voyage there with relative haste yet far enough away to be out of the demon's immediate reach, their fortified villages are inhabited year-round, even if most of their forces are only seasonally present.
Inhabitants
Keleta-Ru and Fanakara tribes account for most of the population of the Protectors - its inhabitants are primarily human and gnomish, though they are joined by smaller numbers of dwarves and elves as well. Many Itothani locathah reside in the seas around the Vese-Te-Mona, as well as in small coastal villages just offshore from the islands of the Protectors, where they are regularly visited by their nomadic Angareza kin.
Notable settlements on the Protectors include the following: