Islands of Knis

The island of Knis, or better islands of Knis are a small group of islands, totaling three small islands surrounding a bigger island known as Knus. The island of Knus is a old volcano that is totally uninhabitable. So rough, there are not even trees visible from the seas around the island. Knus measures a rough 8 by 11 miles of very rough and sharp mountains.
Around 25 miles west of Knus, you find the island of Knis, with two port city's, named north and south port. Here many vessels dock to trade with the dwarf people of island of Knis and the great city Knis. We have not visited the city, but we where able to figure out that it is a grand city, where the dwarven king of Central, North and East Teolin Resides. (There is said to be another dwarven king that rules the dwarven people of the south and west areas. Knis (the island) measures about 13 by 8 miles.
Around 20 miles northeast of Knus, you will set foot on the island of Knisen. On Knisen there are also two ports, the fisher port where there are usually a few dwarven fishers present. You can also find there the incredibly large east port. Not many a freighter drops anchor here, as only dwarven ships are allowed here. The fleet of the island group of Knis finds its home in this port. Knisen itself measures about 11 by 14 miles.
About 25 miles south of Knisen, the last island, Knises is found. Knises only has a very small port, known as the west port. Knises measures 5 by 8 miles and is the smallest of the four islands.
The island group is named, not after the islands, but after the city, that is found under the four islands. Some claim it is much more a country then a city, but who really cares. Knis or the sunken city has been rumored to be dug out of the solid earth by the dwarven people themselves. Well, who would have done it for them? What we have heard tells of a city that has multiple layers and as far as records are to be trusted, the city would measure well over 160 by 160 miles.

Movement

To give you a rough idea of how far 400 miles is, lets assume you want to travel from the island of Knis to the island Knisen and want to travel through the city. That distance is around 42 miles. This would take you 3 days (dwarf base speed is 20 ft) on foot. If you need no guidance, it would still take 2 days for a human. Going by light horse, you would need nearly a full day of travel.

Geology of the islands of Knis

The islands of Knis all have coasts that are somewhat flat rising to rough mountains. The rough mountains usually are around the north end of the island. All ports are well protected from bad weather. You will find large port city's and a central well defended city that guards the entrance to the underground city of Knis.
The open area on the islands is used for agricultural purposes.
The city of Knis has been hewn out of the solid rock that underlies the various islands.
The island of Knus is just some solid stone mountains rising out of the water. As far as we can tell, not even dwarven set foot there.

Political situation

Knis is a strict dwarven community, that has a hierarchical political system. The important decisions are made by their king, who appoints a council to rule the city and the islands. The council in its turn appoints comity's that rule a certain section of the city or one of the "top" villages.

Revered gods

One god only is followed in Knis and that is Moradin. Some say that Moradin was the one to shut down the volcano that formed Knus and hollow it out, so that it should provide fresh air to the city.
This does not mean that all dwarves of the Center, North and East only revere Moradin, some follow Hepheastus. There are a few temples set up for him in Knis as well, but they are few compared to the ones dedicated to Moradin.

Main population

The main and only important group of dwellers of the islands of Knis are dwarves. Others are welcomed to trade or even to live in Knis for a while, but most do not stand the underground life for very long. The only ones to stay for a decent amount of time are Gnome, but they do not form a significant group of inhabitants of Knis.

Map of the islands

The map here is but a small version. We suggest you save the larger version that you will get to see when you click on the image. Especially when your goal is to use the map in your further exploration.


The Teolin Setting
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Last update 27-10-2002