Islenians are stocky people with fair hair and hazel eyes. They live in the Sun Realm in south Asteria, occupying scattered settlements across vast grassy plains and low tree-studded hills. Their buildings range from mud, wood and thatched cottages in villages to dwellings with terracotta clay walls and tiled roofs, one or two storeys. Country folk garbed in rough calico weave garments speak with a distinctive lilt, while those in the cities are partial to wearing clothes in yellow, ochre and rusty hues.
Islenians are ruled by a Sovereign, and second to the Sovereign is the Sovereign's Eye, the rulers right hand. The capital of the Sun Realm is Viston, and the symbol of the Sun Realm is the golden sun burst, or purple sunburst for nobility. The Islenian militia is the largest force in Asteria. They fight with short swords, and wear chain mail tunics or bronze plated armour, cloaked by mustard mantles.
The Sovereign's Eye has his own personal army called the Cra-ku, elite guards who are Letharnian spellcasters. They dress in black armour, the most powerful of which have a golden sunburst. Once keepers of large herds of livestock, at the time of The Stone of Souls trilogy, the Islenians are suffering the most from the decade long drought. Alora, the first, is Guardian of the Sun and Sun Realm.
