b. Who lives here?
Ancient
The Aetheri are an ancient but advanced civilization long disappeared into the mists of time, but whose ruins and monuments can still be found on the continent, especially towards the western coast. There are myths and rumours of a "lost land" beyond the setting sun where they still thrive, but no archaeological evidence for this has been found.
Old
The Illumina Empire stands unchallenged astride the great continent, dominant over all within its borders but beginning to decay beneath the weight of its own civilization and corruption. Home to a striated caste system, the scions of the pale-skinned* elite jockey for power underneath the all-seeing eye of the Serene Emperor*. Even the poorest most ebon-skinned peasant however stands head and shoulders above the slaves of the other races, and in many cases even acts superior to their free.
The Selkin are a fractious collection of tribes with a strong myth culture living on and around the archipelago. They are highly amphibious although they require air to breathe and grow ill if too long outside of water. They are proud of their traditions and have previously raided the Illumina on the coast. Punitive raids have encouraged them to keep to their own territory while they still remain proudly independent.
The Biota were created by the Aetheri as an accidental byproduct of their experimentation prior to the cataclysm. After their creators disappeared these quasi-sentient plants continued to select for intelligence and evolved to full intelligence. Typically they reach this at the age of 12 years and before this age are frequently kept as pets. Biota operate socially in hive colonies, bowing to the will of the colony's mother tree (which takes root and is more arboreal). Near universally in service to the Illumina Empire, where common Biota act as domestic servants.
New
The Human Community arrived as refugees* two generations ago, and only a few still live who remember the journey. The Illumina granted them asylum and settlement rights, but over the years this has increasingly become a form of bondage as the Humans' population climbs. While most humans remain free, they are often a very attractive choice of slave for the Illumina notables, many of whom seize on any opportunity to twist the law to their satisfaction.
The Rockin were the Illumina answer to the Biota, magically enhanced golems designed for independence of thought although with imperfect success. They are used for labour duties in the Illumina Empire, their craggy resilience touted as far superior to the Aetheri discovery. No known cases of independent action (although they are starting to wake up). Rocky exterior covered in Artimantic runes, requires regular maintenance.