Sunday, April 14, 2013

History Files


The Techites- The Techites were a religious movement of sorts that was around some 500 years ago. The Techites believed the only way to salvation was to create devices allowing mortal kind to shed its mortality and become something godly. To this end the Techites augmented their bodies with technology  and created machines to work for them, many of the worlds golems came out of the Techites work and still roam the world to this day looking for their long gone masters. During their movement the Techites had influence stretching all over the region; from Rightfall City to Pogoff and west into Aldor. At the height of the Techites movement they attempted to “cleanse” the world of those who would keep them and the rest of mortal kind from ascending, those who were in support of keeping a natural world, primarily the druids. The town of Dashwood is by far the most associated to the Techites cleanse since it was home to the single largest engagement between the Techites and the druids, after a long and bloody battle the Techites became victorious and the druids were all but extinct. The sacrifice of the druids was not in vain though since shortly after the battle the Techites were destroyed by those who did not want to face the same fate as the druids. Now the Techites are just a distant memory of a time in history many would like to forget.

 

The Druid Cleanse- The druid cleanse was conducted by the Techites nearly 500 years ago in an attempt to attain godhood. Seeing the druids as a threat to this end the Techites slowly started killing druids one at a time. Over the course of five years the druids noticed that they were seeing less and less of their brethren and started banding together  to investigate this attack on them and there way of life. It didn’t take long before the druids found out that they were being deliberately killed off by the Techites. The response of the druids was to confront this threat and this came in the form of killing those who were Techites or followers of Techites. This turned out to be a mistake because it made the Techites look like victims of religious bigotry and people who may have been sympatric to the druids turned a blind eye. This sympathy would vanish after the Techites showed their true colors and killed every last druid in Dashwood, thus completing there cleanse of the druids.

Landmarks

Wrill Desert- The Wrill Desert is a large desert surrounded by the Hito Mountains. These mountain have prevented movement into the desert aside from a gap in the range on the northern border. The mountains do a good job of keeping rain out of the desert while keeping the area on just the other side of the mountains green and lush. The desert is home to only one major settlement that still has inhabitants, though there are rumors of long abandoned mining towns that dot the desert side of the Hito Mountains. Rumors of a long forgotten city of great wealth persist to this day which draws treasure seekers of all sorts deep in to the desert many of which are never seen again.

Hito Mountains- The Hito Mountains are tall rocky mountains that form a circular shaped chain around the Wrill Desert, aside from their shape they are not note worthy.

Fayaman Lake- Fayaman Lake is a small lake near Malkesh City, many of the city inhabitants visit the lake during the cities founding festival to prove their willingness to swim in the dead of winter as a form of honoring the cities founders. This is typically impossible though since the lake is frozen at that time of year.

Antigmr Mountains- The Antigmr Mountains are mineral rich mountains that produce many of the regions raw materials of gold, silver, copper, and gems.

Kal River- The Kal River flows from the Antigmr Mountains into the Heastrom Sea. Every spring the riverbanks of the river overflow after the snow in the mountains melts.

Rahel Forest- The Rahel Forest is a massive forest and is the single largest forest in the two sea region. The forest is near the Heastrom Sea and has only one road running through it. The forest has not really been exploited and aside from the ancient road running to the coast there is no manmade objects in it.

Isa Lake- Isa Lake is a small lake near the Rahel Forest and Narkdug the orcs of Narkdug founded the community in the location where it is because of the proximity to the lake.

Anhur Mountains- The Anhur Mountains are a small mountain range near Narkdug. The mountains are the ancestral home of the two sea region’s orcs. Recently the area has been devoid of orc activity which is concerning to all peace loving people of the area.

Pog Lake- Pog Lake is a small lake and the primary source of fresh water for Pogoff.

Yang Lake- Yang Lake is a small lake near Darkwood which is the results of the Aegis River flowing from the mountains in Aldor.

Aegis River- The Aegis River is the result of snow melting from the mountains in Aldor and it flows into the Yang Lake.

Darkwood- Darkwood is a small forest that gets its name from nearly all of the trees in the forest being pitch black in color. This extends to the trees bark, leaves and even roots. Many people use Darkwood wood for its strength and color when building but given the difficulty to get it the wood is very rare and very expensive. There is a tale that the elves of the world were born in the Darkwood in the age before time.

Kelemdagon Hills- The Kelemdagon Hills are a hill region that extends over many miles from the two sea region into the country of Aldor. These hills are very rich with metals and Hill Town was established to take advantage of this fact and was founded at the very base of the Kelemdagon Mountains.

Sylian Mountains- The Sylian Mountains are a small mountain range with nothing of note.

Thail River- The Thail River flows from the melting snow and rain that gathers from the Kelemdagon Mountains and flows into Epoch Lake, the largest lake in the two sea region, which is admired for its tranquility and beauty.

Bast Woods- The Bast Woods is a small forest near the Southern Ocean and Epoch Lake. Years ago the forest was much larger but the recent expansion of Seaward and Artsburg has left the forest a shell of its former self.

Hoc Forest- The Hoc forest is the forest around Dashwood and is home to many elves including the last remnants of the elves that existed before the age of time.

Heastrom Sea- The Heastrom Sea is a cold sea on the northern border of the two sea region. It is not as cold as arctic regions of the world but it still gets very cold in winter. The trade along the coast of the Heastrom Sea is extensive but not quite as extensive as trade along the Southern Ocean.

Southern Ocean- The Southern Ocean is a large sea, not an ocean, though it appeared as such to the elves who named it 2500 years ago. It is home to many trade routes and cities of merchants. It is also home to many islands which hold many forms of unique life and magical properties.

Monday, April 8, 2013

Pogoff

Pogoff is an old town near Pog Lake the town attracts people from all over for its old quarter which has buildings dating back some 2,000 years from a long gone civilization. This trait has supported a good tourist trade for the town which has attracted immigrants the Vonderkin, to the area to establish a quarter of their own. Currently the University of Rightfall has been conducting surveys of the ancient building to see how they have lasted this long.

Pogoff is ruled by a duke, who is appointed by an entity that the town’s folks call the “woman of the lake”. This entity will visit the town and give a bow to the one who it deems necessary to declare a new duke who will lead Pogoff, until the next bow is given out. While some believe that “tarts giving out bows is not a just way to form a government” it is the only government that has lasted more than a year so the townsfolk’s are okay with it.

Vish

Vish is a small trading community located in the middle of the Ral Plains. The town is made primarily of gnomes and elves with a small trading area for travelers on the way from Pogoff to the nation of Ral. The town is quiet and far from major settlements making it the perfect hideaway form people wanting to avoid the hustle and bustle of the city.

Vish is run by a town mayor which is elected by the heads of the families of the town.

Kalross

Kalross is a relativity new town located in the Kelemdagon hills near the Bost Woods. Last year there was an attack by orcs from the Sybin Mountains. This attack left the trade district of the town burnt out. The attack also made many of those in the temple district revaluated the location of their members and many were transferred away leaving the district all but abandoned. The only thing keeping Kalross from becoming a ghost town is the craft skills of the legendary Dwarves of Gold whose craftsmanship brings in lots of money. Trading with Aldor, the next country over, keeps the traveler’s quarter open and thriving. While the attack of the orcs was nearly a year ago the population of the town is still worried from the attacks.

The Dwarves of Gold select a smith master who is in charge of the Dwarves of Gold until a new smith master is elected. After the orc attack last year the towns leadership all but abandoned the town leaving the smith master as the default leader of Kalross. The current smith master Agna the only female smith master the Dwarves of Gold have had.

Malkesh City

Malkesh City is one of the most diverse cities in the entire continent with people from all over the land establishing their own districts in the city. While there are many regional districts many of the different races of the city have decided to establish their own districts; the gnomes, dwarves, half-orcs and Halflings. There are also districts for the cities mages, temples, and traders. These districts are quite large and house many people, for example the temple district houses temples for all of the major religions of the land. With all of the people in the city there is a decent amount of economic disparity, so much so that there is an entire area for beggars to live in when they are not begging. The city is a decent trade area since it had a good proximity for raw materials from the mountains, ocean and desert. One of the most well known features of the city is its annual monster hunt where the city council rewards the hunter who brings back the head of the largest and most impressive monster, with gold and magic items.
Malkesh City is run by a city council which is elected by the city’s population. Anyone who lives in the city can vote and run for office regardless of age or race.

Marshot

Marshot is a small town off of the coast of the Heastrom Sea, it is a trading port for the coast of the Heastrom Sea. This port is unique for having a factory district near its docks as well as a magic zone for spell casters. The docks are used to trade finished goods all over the Heastrom Sea area. There are numerous racial districts for gnomes, elves, dwarves and Halflings. These areas are filled with the culture of these races and are each unique and distant from one another.

Marshot is governed by the guilds of the city; the factories have guilds of skilled workers, there is a guild for the dock workers of the city, a guild for the traders of the town, and a guild of magic users. Each guild claims to be the power in Marshot but no one knows who is really in charge of the town.

Narkdug

Narkdug is an old orc community that is currently the region’s largest home for half-orcs. Along side of the half-orcs lies a small community of Halflings and humans most of whom are related to the half-orcs or settled in Narkdug to take advantage of the nearby Anhur mountains and Isa lake.

The strongest is in charge of Narkdug the chief can be challenged at any time to a dual and if he or she loses then the victor becomes the chief of Narkdug.

Rightfall City

Rightfall City is a coastal city nestled near the Ki River and the Hito mountain chain. This has given the city a nice defendable area as well as a fine position to trade with everyone in the immediate region. Many different races have moved to the city, while originally founded by humans and elves of the nearby mountains dwarves soon joined once the city was on its feet. Halflings moved in soon after and helped found the mages quarter. About fifty years ago half-orcs parented as a result of the Orc Wars of the Plains moved into the city as a way to escape there full orc brothers. The once small temple district has expanded to a full quarter of the city with the chief worship place for four major religions (Abadar, Desna, Sarenrae, and Iomedae ). This has brought many travelers and pilgrims to the city which has increased trade and wealth to the city. Having all of these religions in the city has also led to a unique rule of law called "Prayer for Judgment" criminals are brought before a beast (which varies on size depending on the crime) and can call for divine intervention to save them if the beast fails to attack them they are acquitted of all crimes if not then they have been punished. This rule of law has made the city one of the law-abiding in the region if not the world.

Rightfall city has become a major power in the region able to fund a major full time militia and a great weapons production center. A few years ago the first firearm was created in Rightfall City and recently the city council has amped up production so as to increase the cities power and influence. Many in the city have been pushing for increasing the cities holdings by enveloping Selk under its influence. This expansion would bring more money into the city’s coffers while allowing the expansion of its defensive zone. Right now there is a major rivalry between Rightfall City and Malkesh City. Both want control of the western part of the region and its people.

Rightfall City is led by an all female cleric council; several hundred years ago the city determined that the most suitable rulers for the city are female clerics since they are less prone to war. This trend has turned out to be not true but the town has kept to the tradition of only selecting female cleric leaders. Recently there have been talks about letting non-cleric females run for the council but none have yet.

Seaward

Seward was founded some 600 years ago by humans and gnomes looking to profit on trading with the southern sailors in the Southern Ocean. This turned out to be a good idea since the town has grown to be a prosperous trading center. The town has experienced prosperity recently by adding a dry dock to the town’s docks district. Here many new ships have been produced increasing the regions trade fleets and therefore increasing the amount of goods traded through Seaward. As Seawards prosperity has increased so has foot traffic to the town which has attracted legitimate businessmen and nefarious persons.

Seaward is ruled by a group of business men who make sure that everyone in the town is kept safe and that the town is run profitably.

Selk

Selk is a small community between Malkesh City and Rightfall City at the intersection of the road that connects them with the road that heads into desert towards Ceriar. The town has a burnt out section from a bandit attack a few months back. There is still a travelers and trade district but given peoples fear of the bandits returning they are not overly populated, most travelers would rather push through Selk than stay the night.

The town is currently leaderless after the bandit attack and is ripe for takeover by either Malkesh City or Rightfall City.

Songgone

Songgone is a coastal city on the coast of the Heastrom Sea. The city I home to numerous races from all over the region; Drow, Duergar, Svirfneblin and humans.  While many of these races are seen as evil underground dwellers these who founded Songgone are outcasts from there people Songgone has a bustling factory district as well as a trading area. The proximity to the coast and the Rahel Forest has Songgone in a prime position to expand its wealth and influence over the coastal region.

Songgone is ruled by a council with representatives from each of the races in town. They discuss and deliberate policy on a weekly basis to ensure the city is run well.

Hill Town

Hill town is known for its mines and mining operations. Over the decades the town has grown as the inhabitants have been able to find and explore more veins of metals. This has made the town prosperous and drawn many miners. The town has many dwarves as well as manufacturing developed in the town. Hill Town has been divided into three districts the copper district, the silver district and the gold district with each district producing goods finer than the last. The town currently uses the Thail River to get its good to Felsh to be transported to major trade areas.

Hill Town has an appointed town manger hired by the Scranto family, who own all of the town’s mines. This manger makes sure that the town is run to be as profitable as possible.  If the Scranto family disapproves of the manger the manger will meet a nasty termination.

Felsh

Felsh was established ten years ago as a stop off for traders heading between Artsburg and Dresdal. Since then several elves and Tenochtitlan’s have moved into Flesh in order to sell goods and services to the travelers. While the town has a steady stream of travelers there has spurred growth in Felsh especially its bustling inn area by Ephoc Lake which is a major tourist attraction.
Felsh is an autonomous collective which rules itself with no single ruler or even group of rulers.

Dresdal


Dresdal has been around for centuries and has always been a small town and hasn’t grown too much, Its location hasn’t really given much growth and since agriculture is its primary source of income there are many people in town but many more in the fields surrounding the town.

Dresdal is led by the town organizer Variel who founded the town some 300 years ago and his leadership has kept the town going over the years.

Dashwood

Dashwood was founded over a thousand years ago by the elves of Hoc Forest. Over the years humans, half-orcs and Halflings moved to experience the grace of the elves and the majesty of Hoc forest. Druids had been a major part of Dashwood up until the druid extermination efforts of the Techites some hundred years ago. The burnt out druid quarter is the most lasting reminder of the terror that the Techites inflicted on the druids of the world. Now a day’s Dashwood is known for its component gathering for alchemist and magic users.

Dashwood is led by the oldest elf in the town. With age come wisdom and these leader rules until they die at which time the next oldest elf takes over. In times of extreme danger the town will elect the elf most likely to get them through the danger.

Ceriar

Ceriar is located in the Wrill desert far from civilization, the town was formed around an oasis. Ceriar is home to many people who have no desire to interact with the rest of the world only trade with outsiders as a way of getting money. The remoteness of Ceriar has made it an ideal location for elements of religious followers that want secluded areas to worship. While there are numerous places for travelers they are not truly accepted by the public. The town folk venture into the desert to gather valuable goods to trade with the outsiders. Many travelers to Ceriar are amazed to find the diversity of the goods that are traded and there quality to be sublime which many traders to fine odd.

Ceriar is ruled by a desert king. The current desert king Pallahadin is the 8th ruler of Ceriar and is beloved by the people for his ability to keep the outsider from staying too long.

Artsburg



Artsburg was founded 200 years ago by humans who admired the areas beauty. Originally called Middleburg the town was renamed when the residents became more and more well known for its art so the town was renamed Artsburg. Artsburg’s art has been seen in the homes of the wealthy residents all over the continent as well as in more of the well to do temples. The Marked Eagle was created in Artsburg some 50 years ago and is arguably the single greatest sculpture by admires and patrons alike from all around. It is considered the masterpiece of the Elven artist Oparal who has sense moved away from Artsburg to get inspiration from the Hoc Forest. The residents of Artsburg eagerly await her return to see what other masterpieces that she can construct.

Artsburg is run by the best artist in town, to the outsider the way that the leader is picked seems a bit odd, but the annual "art off" is one of the biggest events that brings the town a lot of money. The winner of this "art off" is the artist that sells the most valuable artwork this artist is then then promoted to the position Art Director until the next "art off". The Art Director functions as a mayor of sorts.