May 14, 2019 5:00 pm
The lands beyond these cities are mostly shrouded in rumor and hearsay, but this is what is known:
To the west and northwest, the Ionic Ocean stretches interminably. Some small islands exist, but without room to expand or any vital resources to cultivate, they are either uninhabited or home to outlaws and castaways.
To the north of the Ionic Coast, there is the Kingdom of Ster, one of the major trading partners of the Satrapies. Atzu, the capital of Ster, is known for its hedonistic and indulgent practices. Ster is a hot and humid country where magic is much less common.
North and northeast of the Windshadow Woods is said to be another ocean, with several cities dotted along its coast. Legends speak of an infallible oracle housed in an enormous temple in a city called Zelava.
To the east, beyond the Blackshield Mountains, are the deadlands. Some abominable source of occult power must resonate somewhere there to give rise to so many undead. Fortunately, the harsh conditions of the Blackshield Mountains protect our cities from the undead threat from the west, and the fortified city of Sarsur fends off any threats from west/southwest.Beyond the marshlands to the east and southeast is the Roc Mountain range where several dwarven clans are in a constant battle for dominance. Mount Utleke, at the center of the Roc Mountains, is said to be the tallest mountain in the world.
To the South of the Frostfinger Woods, as far as anyone knows is just more forest. Fairy-tails about those dark corners describe a kingdom of....fairies.To the southwest is the Eye of Sephiroth, past which are the Stonesplitter mountains. The Eye (as it is sometimes called) contains an altar somewhere towards the center that burns with a constant unnatural fire.
The Stonesplitter Mountains, home to Clan Stonesplitter is a rich source of diamonds, which aside from looking flashy and are also necessary for many arcane and religious rituals. This is the primary reason merchants cross the desert. The Stonesplitters have little access to other resources, which makes the trade profitable in both directions.
Beyond the Stonesplitter Mountains are uncharted lands said to be dense with tropical rainforests and little else.
To the west and northwest, the Ionic Ocean stretches interminably. Some small islands exist, but without room to expand or any vital resources to cultivate, they are either uninhabited or home to outlaws and castaways.
To the north of the Ionic Coast, there is the Kingdom of Ster, one of the major trading partners of the Satrapies. Atzu, the capital of Ster, is known for its hedonistic and indulgent practices. Ster is a hot and humid country where magic is much less common.
North and northeast of the Windshadow Woods is said to be another ocean, with several cities dotted along its coast. Legends speak of an infallible oracle housed in an enormous temple in a city called Zelava.
To the east, beyond the Blackshield Mountains, are the deadlands. Some abominable source of occult power must resonate somewhere there to give rise to so many undead. Fortunately, the harsh conditions of the Blackshield Mountains protect our cities from the undead threat from the west, and the fortified city of Sarsur fends off any threats from west/southwest.
[ +- ] History
Ancient accounts speak of The Cemaenid Empire to the east of the Holy Silver Mountain Range (the old name for the Blackshield Mountains), which sought to build a portal to wage war on the gods.
To the South of the Frostfinger Woods, as far as anyone knows is just more forest. Fairy-tails about those dark corners describe a kingdom of....fairies.
[ +- ] Arcana
This wild land is sometimes referred to as the Feywild in arcane texts and is a major font of magical power for the whole world. Magics
that draw upon the earth's natural power and summon fey creatures such as pixies or unicorns are associated with this land. Some old correspondences between Archmage Hirsute (who lived over a thousand years ago) even speak of a Fey stronghold called Duskmeadow, where a Faerie Queen rules through power and chaos.
that draw upon the earth's natural power and summon fey creatures such as pixies or unicorns are associated with this land. Some old correspondences between Archmage Hirsute (who lived over a thousand years ago) even speak of a Fey stronghold called Duskmeadow, where a Faerie Queen rules through power and chaos.
[ +- ] Religion
Priests of Karduk must perform a pilgrimage to this altar, where they are said to receive a blessing from Karduk. The altar, properly known as "Sephiroth's Flame" was consecrated by Sephiroth the Firebringer, the first champion of Karduk, who himself ascended to become a demigod.
The Stonesplitter Mountains, home to Clan Stonesplitter is a rich source of diamonds, which aside from looking flashy and are also necessary for many arcane and religious rituals. This is the primary reason merchants cross the desert. The Stonesplitters have little access to other resources, which makes the trade profitable in both directions.
Beyond the Stonesplitter Mountains are uncharted lands said to be dense with tropical rainforests and little else.
[ +- ] Trissrie
You know of the beauty of Niloka, a land unspoiled by the tall structures man insists on erecting wherever they settle. The homes are much more modest, grown together with the trees that sustain and shelter your people. There is only one god there, Tenaho, but he seems remarkably similar to what people here call Butumt. The elders primarily use druidic magics to grow the cornucopia that feeds the Firbolg of the forest. It is a land of modest comfort and little jealousy, but also of tradition and superstition. Almost everyone born in Niloka stays in the sprawling city, but from time to time there are stories of those who took to wandering, never to return. While in terms of square-miles, Niloka stretches out much further than anything called a city in the Satrapies, there are much fewer people by far.