Koritan, formally the Kingdom of Koritan, is a realm north of the Phiora Sea where the clergy of Asmodeus hold great influence. The rulers and upper classes of Koritan have come to believe in Hell as the most ordered society in existence, and seek to replicate its strict lawful and ordered hierarchies in their earthly realm.
Geography, flora, and fauna
Located across a vast expanse of the north coast of the Phiora Sea and stretching up to the Northern Wall, Koritan is a colder realm than most. Cool summers and freezing winters are common most years, though the worst of the winter weather is usually moderated by the Phiora. While plains are somewhat common in the coastal regions, in the north boreal forests cover most of the landscape. A number of rivers run through Koritan, mostly originating in the Northern Wall or the Scrios Mountains - the largest of these are the Rivers Iskartan, Veleda, and Yanten.
Parts of the Sciath Bay, particularly near the strait at its entrance, feature a unique geological phenomenon. Interlocking basalt columns form an incredibly distinctive beach and coastline. While the origins of this feature are unknown, some Koritanite scholars believe the volcanic material was sent to the Material Plane from Avernus (though it is important to note that this formation far predates the infernal pact).
Some ancient underground ruins and abandoned mines burn seemingly eternally under Koritan. These are suspected to be the result of the fires of Hell escaping from planar tears and coming into proximity with the unique geology of the region, which includes some rocks that provide an apparently inexhaustible fuel. These fires make the exploration of many ancient ruins in Koritan far more treacherous.
In some parts of Koritan, especially in the north, seemingly natural-looking hills are actually the remains of ancient hill forts. Certain types of fey seem to be attracted to these hills in particular, and many rural Koritanites remain highly superstitious around them.
Hawthorn, apple, elm, oak, and poplar trees are common around the southern regions of Koritan, as are a number of other types of trees. In the north, these give way to the spruces and pines of the boreal forests. A wide array of bushes and other types of underbrush are commonplace as well.
Some of the megafauna that live in the Northlands also regularly cross into Koritan, especially megaloceros, smilodons, and cave bears. Most wildlife of the region is smaller than these, however, and includes wolves, brown bears, pine martens, beavers, stoats, lynx, wolverines, mountain goats, moose, ermines, sika deer, and dall sheep. Common birds include condors, bald eagles, harlequin ducks, puffins, ptarmigans, lapwings, great auks, and spectacled cormorants. Salmon, char, trout, and other fish live in the rivers of Koritan.
Stellar sea cows are common sights on the coastline of the Phiora Sea near Sciath Bay. Absolutely gigantic sea-dwelling mammals, these creatures can grow up to thirty feet long. These sea cows acquired their name from the spectacled, constellation-like patterns on their tough outer hides. These patterns seem to shift as the sea cows travel, apparently reflecting the status of the night sky at their location. When the animal dies, the patterns stop changing, providing a permanent indication of where the creature met its end. Traditionally, some sailors believe it is possible to navigate by using the stellar sea cow hides as star charts.
Magical creatures abound in Koritan, ranging from the simple and mostly harmless to the highly dangerous. Rocs, griffon, and gorgons are common sights in the region of Koritan closer to the Scrios Mountains. Mandragora can be found throughout the southern plains, hiding among the taller grasses. Gholes and gowrow are some of the more terrifying creatures in the region, though they are mostly limited to the far north.
Though elusive, sasquatch have been confirmed to live in the remote parts of Koritan, particularly in the northeast and far west. Attempts to communicate (or fight) them typically are met with failure, as the sasquatch greatly prefer their solitude and isolation.
Large amounts of fey live in Koritan, as they do across much of the northern side of the Phiora Sea. The Asmodeans strongly dislike the chaotic nature of the fey and try to control or eliminate them when possible.