Points Of Interest (POI)
Five small, snowbound islands northwest of the mainland, and west of Iltania, The two largest islands are home to the only permanent settlements, Ilos Village and Korland Haven. The islands are favored hunting grounds for great ice seals and snow bears
The white, cloud-covered sky gives only a hint of the cold, blistering winds ever blowing across the Isles Of Drassa. Even the most rugged traveler finds themselves chilled to the very bone. Snow drifts grow up to 200ft high. Making traveling a daunting task. The extreme weather brings death and illness to many who attempt to reach Ilos Village
A small, two-story, stone inn found nearly in the center of Ilos Village, the inn offers a place of rest and recovery to travelers passing through the region. It's prices are fair, as is it's food, and a night's sleep can be had on a clean bedroll on it's second floor for a few copper or trade of similar value. It's a simple establishment, but a welcoming one.
In the center of the largest island is Korland Haven. This is a place of peace and rest for weary travelers as they make their way through the frozen lands of the northern-most realms. For a few coppers or trade items, one can obtain a clean, comfortable sleeping palate in a common sleeping chamber for a night and a hot meal of northern fair to go with it. If travelers have pack animals with them, a few extra coin to the monks will see to their warmth and comfort as well.
A forever frozen island realm encircled by the Lal Straights to it's west, Sal Inlet southwest, Emara Waterway southeast, and north by the Great Northern Ocean. This icy land has one settlement, the Mirror Lake Inn, found west of the frozen Mirror Lake.
Southwest of the frozen mirror lake an old, abandoned castle has been reclaimed and put to good use as an inn. The Mirror Lake Inn offers a fair northern menu for a fair price or trade, and extended lodging during the storms that often strike the area for weeks on end.
Centrally located within the island realm of Iltania is a lake frozen so clear it's surface mirrors all around it. The Yelva Mountains to it's north show so clearly across it's surface one might actually fancy their reflection climbable, but for what lies beneath that reflection. The fast-frozen bodies of Halfling villagers who died thousands of years ago. Their faces frozen in fear and horror.
Before the great shift, which threw the realms of the black lake far from the rest of reality, Burvis Village was a small, prosperous village of happy Halflings. Now, thousands of years later, it's ruins are little more than temporary shelter for those passing through the area on their way to the Yelva Mountains and beyond.
The Yelva Mountains are the northernmost mountain range in all the realms. They're known to hold the riches of precious metals for those willing to risk everything to find the hidden veins of wealth. However, they also hold a wealth of death for the unprepared or unwary. These mountains are home to some of the most dangerous creatures of the realms, and a natural barrier between Iga's Tower and the rest of the realms.
A week's travel north of the Yelva Mountains is Iga's Tower. This tower is a little more than a marker for several man made chambers and tunnels beneath it. Jilted and used by her lover, Iga moved to the tower and spent the rest of her life there, supported by her family's wealth. After her death, it's rumored her spirit remained. Haunting the tower and chambers below it, and attacking any who came to steal it's hidden wealth.
A small northern island, just east of Iltania, is the home of the famed Cresnar Towers. It's magically protected, preventing any from carrying weapons more then a 100ft from the water's edge.
This snowbound island is a place for scholars and those of the magical professions. It's also a place many go to seek knowledge of the past.
This snowbound island is a place for scholars and those of the magical professions. It's also a place many go to seek knowledge of the past.
Crossing the Emara Waterway from Vesyria, toward the north, one can clearly see the Cresnar Towers of Moon Island. Their tall, stone spires rising to meet the skyline.
Moon Island’s weather isn't as severe as it's western neighbor, Iltania. This is due to a warm ocean current flowing toward the island from the East. The current then flows around the island's southern coastline, until it turns Northward between Moon Island and Iltania. However, snow still falls regularly, and night temperatures do drop to dangerous levels.
Moon Island’s weather isn't as severe as it's western neighbor, Iltania. This is due to a warm ocean current flowing toward the island from the East. The current then flows around the island's southern coastline, until it turns Northward between Moon Island and Iltania. However, snow still falls regularly, and night temperatures do drop to dangerous levels.
Vesyria is covered in endless tundra. Short, scrubby bushes and tough grasses bloom during a short warm season, but little else. Only the hardiest, fastest maturing plants are able to grow in the region. Most of the year, Vesyria is a land covered by reddish-brown, dormant vegetation. But during the warming, it blooms, and small pools of frozen water thaw enough to provide some fresh water.
Nexus Inn is about 20 miles southwest of the Solaris Temple and east of the Black Lake. It's a small, two-story log structure, with a black, slate roof, and a few small corrals and wood outbuildings for stabling animals.
The food is usually plain, but good, and the drink is rat and bug free. Meals come with the offer to throw down one's bedroll for a few hours sleep on the inn's second floor. There are no beds, but the large single room is warm and clean, and can hold nearly thirty sleeping souls.
The food is usually plain, but good, and the drink is rat and bug free. Meals come with the offer to throw down one's bedroll for a few hours sleep on the inn's second floor. There are no beds, but the large single room is warm and clean, and can hold nearly thirty sleeping souls.
Solaris Temple is found in northern Vesyria. This temple is dedicated to the goddess Solaris. The Giver Of Warmth and Fire, she's known to be a caring and protective goddess, but also wrathful to those she deems worthy of her ire.
The temple is surrounded by grass-covered tundra, and is within eyesight of the Emara Waterway to it's north. Most of the temple is located underground in vast caverns beneath the upper temple structure.
Due to surrounding terrain, no cover can be found to hide one's approach. Visitors are easily spotted miles from the temple. Even those attempting to use magical means to hide themselves find the unseen protections surrounding the temple troublesome, and their stealthy efforts thwarted.
The temple is surrounded by grass-covered tundra, and is within eyesight of the Emara Waterway to it's north. Most of the temple is located underground in vast caverns beneath the upper temple structure.
Due to surrounding terrain, no cover can be found to hide one's approach. Visitors are easily spotted miles from the temple. Even those attempting to use magical means to hide themselves find the unseen protections surrounding the temple troublesome, and their stealthy efforts thwarted.
Emara is the homeland of many halfling clans. Along it's west coast many Halflings of Yag village make a handsome living fishing. While others take advantage of the rich farm and pasture lands to the village's east. Emara is also home to Zeron castle. A house of legendary horror. Even farther south are the Blue Jade Mountains. Rich with mineral wealth for those hearty enough to work them.
After the shift, Yag village alone survives the chaos which followed. As a result, it became a very important place for the surviving Halfling clans of the realms. Emara is recognized as the Halfling homeland, and Yag is where the clans meet every year to decide matters important to all the Halfling clans. The rest of the year, Yag is a peaceful fishing and farming community.
In the southwest of Emara are the ruins of Zeron castle. This house long abandoned is rumored to be haunted by the ghost of the evil lord, and his victims. Those who lived within it's walls and ruled Emara many centuries ago. The tales of terror told of this house of the long dead are so gruesome, many won't even venture within eyesight of it.
In southern Emara are the Blue Jade Mountains. These mountains are so vast they cut completely across the southern part of Emara and continue out into the Black Lake itself for miles. Even when crossing them from north to south, or vice versa, it can take weeks. Mostly due to unpredictable weather and extremely treacherous terrain. These mountains are also where blue fire and blue jade crystals are mined.
Lithya is a land limited in usable natural resources. It's people rely heavily on the success of it's import export industry. It provides most of Lithya's people with a better than average lifestyle. Many artisans and craftsmen have relocated to Lithya's Vashdell City to gain access to it's extremely well managed docks and overland freight yards.
Vashdell city is the capital city of Lithya, and the busiest and largest sea port in all the realms. It's import export industry is the most well managed of any. Other ports have tried to emulate their success, but have repeatedly fallen short.
This city is also known for it's library and local clock tower. Unlike many structures of the realms, these two not only survived the great shift, but also the chaos that followed.
This historic landmark was the home of a great wise man of this realm's history who left his knowledge to the Vashdell City Library. It's also rumored, on quiet nights, if one listens carefully while inside the tower, they might hear Naug trying to whisper words of wisdom from beyond the grave.
This west coast realm was a prosperous region, until it's population fell victim to a magical plague. The plague left those few who survived insane, and for centuries their descendants have hidden away within the ruins of Cria Citadel and Uval Castle. They eagerly prey not only on each other, but also on those foolish enough to seek the rumored treasures of these ruined fortress cities.
Uval Castle lies a month's travel south by foot from Lithya's southwestern border, and three days walk North of Cria Citadel. It's rumored to hold valuable treasures. It's also home to a people born totally insane and subject to bouts of cannibalism.
Like their sister house three days walk North, Cria Citadel's people were also struck down by the magical plague. Their descendants rarely venture out in the day, and eagerly attack any living thing venturing too close to their home. The treasure they're said to guard has never been found by any who lived to tell about it.
From white dune beaches along the western ocean, South of the Vasul Mountains, which serve as most of it's Western border, then Eastward to green fields which become rolling grasslands to the very Western shores of the black lake in the East, Elvenia is a land of natural beauty.
It's rich farmlands provide much to all the realms. Most of it's people make their living from the land, and take great care to protect it. Their Elven ancestry keeps them close to the land in many ways, and this helps to keep their lands fruitful. Even when other realms have suffered from drought and famine, Elvenia has always managed to fair better.
It's rich farmlands provide much to all the realms. Most of it's people make their living from the land, and take great care to protect it. Their Elven ancestry keeps them close to the land in many ways, and this helps to keep their lands fruitful. Even when other realms have suffered from drought and famine, Elvenia has always managed to fair better.
Running along Elvenia's western border, the Vasul Mountains are a formidable natural barrier to any wishing to cross them.
They're also where most of the red granite used in construction work is mined. Nowhere else in the realms are red granite deposits so abundant, or meat eating creatures so bold.
It's often said mining in the region can be more deadly outside the mines than inside them.
They're also where most of the red granite used in construction work is mined. Nowhere else in the realms are red granite deposits so abundant, or meat eating creatures so bold.
It's often said mining in the region can be more deadly outside the mines than inside them.
The northern pass through the Vasul Mountains is considered to be the most dangerous of the two passes. It's prone to sudden storms, and without warning, a dry footpath can quickly become a raging stream or deep snow bed. Even in good weather, which doesn't happen often, it can take nearly a month to travel through the pass.
Because the terrain is so rough, pack animals cannot be used, leaving walking the only option, and running for one's life often the only choice.
Because the terrain is so rough, pack animals cannot be used, leaving walking the only option, and running for one's life often the only choice.
The southern pass through the Vasul Mountains is an incredibly rocky place. It's also home to some of the more dangerous creatures of the realms.
It also offers very little for shelter for those traveling it. The best they may find is a group of large bounders with a thick moss roof growing over and between them. It's the only shelter available during frequent storms of fierce wind and heavy rain.
Like the more northern Elos Pass, it can only traveled on foot. Pack animals simply cannot endure the many rocks and gullies and other obstacles.
If they make it all, it will take the average traveler nearly a month to get through it.
It also offers very little for shelter for those traveling it. The best they may find is a group of large bounders with a thick moss roof growing over and between them. It's the only shelter available during frequent storms of fierce wind and heavy rain.
Like the more northern Elos Pass, it can only traveled on foot. Pack animals simply cannot endure the many rocks and gullies and other obstacles.
If they make it all, it will take the average traveler nearly a month to get through it.
A few miles west of the black lake, Dragoncrest Ruins is a testament to why one should be careful when dealing with masters of the dark arts.
The ruins were once a grand city renowned for it's beauty, but it has lain dead and cursed for centuries. The ghosts of those slain so long ago, and numerous other vile creatures, continue to guard the treasures said to be hidden within it's lost vaults.
The ruins were once a grand city renowned for it's beauty, but it has lain dead and cursed for centuries. The ghosts of those slain so long ago, and numerous other vile creatures, continue to guard the treasures said to be hidden within it's lost vaults.
The ground of Tas forbids farming of any type. It receives little rain, and is more rock than dirt. The only plants able to survive at all are a few hearty stickers, briars, and similar annoyances. Due to the natural terrain the main industries of Tas are stone cutting, masonry, sculpture, and trade.
Las Township is fairly small. It's usually a welcoming place and home to many fine sculptors and stone masons. There are no taverns or inns, but for a few coin a local family is usually happy to provide a few nights lodging.
Due to it's location, on the Eastern bank of the black lake, it's also the only place in Tas where one can find a few patches of grass, trees, and bushes. The rest of Tas is simply far too rocky and dry.
Due to it's location, on the Eastern bank of the black lake, it's also the only place in Tas where one can find a few patches of grass, trees, and bushes. The rest of Tas is simply far too rocky and dry.
Rast is a land of gently rolling grasslands that receives a generous amount of rain almost every evening in the warmer seasons. Which tends to turn much of it into a muddy mess.
During the colder seasons it doesn't fair much better for travel as it's prone to wet snows. These snows tend to leave the frozen ground more than a little slippery.
It's also home to Myra's Trading Post. A small mercantile for frontier goods and supplies.
During the colder seasons it doesn't fair much better for travel as it's prone to wet snows. These snows tend to leave the frozen ground more than a little slippery.
Centrally located within Rast, this former school converted over to a trading post, serves as the only real mercantile of this realm. It's the only remaining building of what was once a small village.
It provides a welcome place to trade and do business for local farmers and craftsmen from neighboring villages, and temporary lodging for travelers.
After many nights sleeping on ground, often more wet than dry, a clean, dry, warm bedroll in the post's second floor, common sleeping room is something much appreciated by most.
It provides a welcome place to trade and do business for local farmers and craftsmen from neighboring villages, and temporary lodging for travelers.
After many nights sleeping on ground, often more wet than dry, a clean, dry, warm bedroll in the post's second floor, common sleeping room is something much appreciated by most.
A land covered by scrubby grassland, patches of wildflowers, and a few small groves of trees. Namun is a favorite breeding ground for many insect species. During the warm wet months, when generous rains fall nightly, butterflies and moths are everywhere.
Unfortunately, the rains make travel in the region horrid, and is also perfect for breeding swarms of mosquitoes beyond numbering. This realm is well known for the tenacity of it's mud. It tends to be unusually deep and simply sticks...to...everything!
Unfortunately, the rains make travel in the region horrid, and is also perfect for breeding swarms of mosquitoes beyond numbering. This realm is well known for the tenacity of it's mud. It tends to be unusually deep and simply sticks...to...everything!
This former fortress turned city is well known as a haven for the lawless. It's long been a stronghold for pirates, thieves, murderers, and harlots.
Most people of the realms avoid it at all costs.
The law here is for sale and it's masters rule with an iron fist, and a heavy blade aimed at any who cross them.
Most people of the realms avoid it at all costs.
The law here is for sale and it's masters rule with an iron fist, and a heavy blade aimed at any who cross them.
Vor is the smallest of the realms. Namun surrounds it on all but one side, where it rests against the eastern sea. Vor has no industry. It's a grassy, wet little realm. More swamp and coast than anything else, and it's home to Gell Village.
Gell village is home to many a retired man of the sea. It's population survives on what they harvest from the surrounding swampland and the Eastern sea, and a small amount of trade with the other realms.
This realm is a land of hilly grasslands with small groves of trees scattered across it's landscape. During the rainy seasons the lower valleys are prone to flooding, which can make travel difficult at those times of year. One must either slog through them, or choose to go around, which can add several days to a journey.
In the Autumn rains fall for days at at time, the trees turn a myriad of yellows, oranges, and browns. Their leaves begin to fall and they bare themselves in preparation for Winter sleep.
In the Spring the weather warms and the rains return. It's hills and valleys come to color as millions of wild flowers bloom, and groves of trees cover themselves with a variety of rich greens.
It's Summers are fairly moderate, but very humid. This is the time of the year when bothersome insects seem to be at their worst. Especially the mosquitoes that breed along some parts of the lake shore.
In the Autumn rains fall for days at at time, the trees turn a myriad of yellows, oranges, and browns. Their leaves begin to fall and they bare themselves in preparation for Winter sleep.
In the Spring the weather warms and the rains return. It's hills and valleys come to color as millions of wild flowers bloom, and groves of trees cover themselves with a variety of rich greens.
It's Summers are fairly moderate, but very humid. This is the time of the year when bothersome insects seem to be at their worst. Especially the mosquitoes that breed along some parts of the lake shore.
Once the fortress home of an ancient warlord, to see this inn brings to mind fanciful tales of fierce warriors and beautiful maids. Even in it's service as a place of welcome for travelers to rest, and restore themselves, it's lost nothing of it's fiercely proud appearance.
The inn offers a variety of services from the very basic to the somewhat luxurious to those who enter it's doors, and Zia's reputation as a kingly storyteller is well known.
It's said that each night before bed, she sits before the fire of the inn's common room and tells the children a story of her long and adventurous life. However, as is often the case, more than children are listening and enjoying her tale.
A former adventurer, it's Dwarf owner welcomes all who come in peace. Weapons drawn will be weapons met by the inn's guards. After which, the aggressor will find themselves either put out of the inn, or dead and on their way to a burning pile.
The inn offers a variety of services from the very basic to the somewhat luxurious to those who enter it's doors, and Zia's reputation as a kingly storyteller is well known.
It's said that each night before bed, she sits before the fire of the inn's common room and tells the children a story of her long and adventurous life. However, as is often the case, more than children are listening and enjoying her tale.
A former adventurer, it's Dwarf owner welcomes all who come in peace. Weapons drawn will be weapons met by the inn's guards. After which, the aggressor will find themselves either put out of the inn, or dead and on their way to a burning pile.
Camira is a land of rich farmlands, a busy lake port, and home to the last of the royal houses of the realms. It's not only rich in commerce, but in history. The beauty and wealth of this realm has been the envy of many of it's neighbors for generations.
Camira City is by far the busiest of the lake ports, and a key trade center for the country's agricultural industry. Farmers and livestock dealers come from all over to sell their crops, livestock, and wares at it's central market. Nowhere else in the realms can such a diversity of goods so easily be found and purchased.
Camira Imperial Palace is home to the last remaining royal line of the realms. Over the centuries, the other royal houses have died out, fallen to disaster, or given up rule to regional governments. This last royal house stands as a reminder of the past grace and power once found throughout the realms.
This small group of communal huts is the largest livestock bartering center in Camira. Surrounded by rich farmlands, it can easily support the thousands of animals that come through it's trade pens each year. It's also the home of Gulva's Leather Goods. A former adventuring mage and the finest leather craftsman in the realms.
A few miles north of the town of Nesa is the Green Fields Inn & Tavern. Thanks to is closeness to Nesa, and it's own small set of stockyards, it serves up a hearty menu. It's second floor is full of one person sleeping cubicles with heavy curtains for doors, and plain cots with clean pillows and blankets. Reasonably priced, simple, and clean best describe this well known establishment.
In a heavily wooded area, inland from the Eastern Ocean, are the ruins of the goblin city of Og. It's ruler was said to be the greediest and most feared of the goblin kings. War with other realms eventually lead to the city's fall, and the deaths of most of it's population, including Og's bloodline.
Despite the wars that destroyed the city and generations of treasure hunters, very few of it's rumored riches have ever been found. For centuries, many have given their lives in search of what might lay hidden within and beneath the rotting city ruins.
Despite the wars that destroyed the city and generations of treasure hunters, very few of it's rumored riches have ever been found. For centuries, many have given their lives in search of what might lay hidden within and beneath the rotting city ruins.
Near the Southern border of Camira sits a two-story, stone house converted into a wilderness trading post and tavern. This is the home of Kria and her children, and a welcome stop for those traveling. It serves a simple, hardy fair at a good price, and offers a warm, clean room for laying down one's bedroll for a night. Weapons are checked at the door, and anyone causing trouble is dealt with by frontier law.
Isaul is a flat land from border to border. A mix of sandy, flat-rock beaches along it's western coastlines and grasslands everywhere else. It has few trees and no mountain ranges to protect it from seasonal storms from the Western ocean. Considering the severity of the storms, being caught outside is not a good idea.
It's soil is black and rich, and easily farmed, but seasonal rains can wash a crop away if planted too soon or harvested too late. Farming in Isaul can be a tricky venture at times.
It's North is home to Goymeir Fortess and it's South to Jesaun City. These two cities have an uneasy relationship, and are often at war with each other. Their frequent conflicts have made them favorite places for mercenaries and the unruly.
Their design and construction are so similar it can be difficult to tell them apart in places. Something some of the people of the other realms find amusing.
It's soil is black and rich, and easily farmed, but seasonal rains can wash a crop away if planted too soon or harvested too late. Farming in Isaul can be a tricky venture at times.
It's North is home to Goymeir Fortess and it's South to Jesaun City. These two cities have an uneasy relationship, and are often at war with each other. Their frequent conflicts have made them favorite places for mercenaries and the unruly.
Their design and construction are so similar it can be difficult to tell them apart in places. Something some of the people of the other realms find amusing.
Goymeir Fortress is a great walled city found in Northern Isaul. It was one of the first actual cities of the realms and has a rich history. It's watchtowers keep an every vigilant eye on the surrounding countryside, and especially to it's South. The home of Jesaun City. It's chief industries are weapons manufacture, fishing, and farming.
Jesaun City, another great walled city of Isaul, is found in it's South. It too was one of the first actual cities of the realms and has a rich history. It's watchtowers keep an ever vigilant eye on the surrounding countryside, and especially to it's North. The home of Goymeir Fortress. It's chief industries are weapons manufacture, hunting, and leather crafting.
Garas is a land of warm temperatures, heavy evening rains, and tall tiger grasses. It's the only realm where such grasses grow wild, and average 10 to 15ft high. Those who live here are nomadic and spend their lives in wagons. They milk the grasses' thick roots for water and use them to make baskets, and other needed items. Trees in this land are rare and often grow in small groves on top of small, rocky hills.
These parts of Garas are more isolated from the world than the outer regions. The grass is the tallest and thickest here. Nomadic tribes spend their lives living out of packs and small carts, and generally avoiding strangers. They too milk the thick grass roots for water and use it to make baskets and other needed items. There are no trees in these areas. The grass is too thick to allow them. Any tree that might attempt to grow would quickly be choked out by the grasses around it.
Aris is a land of thick, ancient forests. It's home to Veras City in the North and Hogshead Tavern in the South. The region is well known for it's abundance of wild game. Hunters have been known to travel far for even a few days hunting within it's forests.
However, the native elf populations tend to do a little hunting of their own. That being said, not every hunter always gets home unscathed, or with a prize.
However, the native elf populations tend to do a little hunting of their own. That being said, not every hunter always gets home unscathed, or with a prize.
Veras City is located a few miles inland in the northwestern region of Aris. It's an old city, and a favorite place for the guards stationed at the Sava Guard Stations to unwind.
It's chief industries are farming, textiles, and leather goods, and it makes a fair living from them. However, it gains more income from entertainment and temporary lodging for both hunters making their way to the forests of Aris, and the Sava guards on leave.
For these reasons, it has earned quite the reputation for providing visitors with a good time within it's city walls.
It's chief industries are farming, textiles, and leather goods, and it makes a fair living from them. However, it gains more income from entertainment and temporary lodging for both hunters making their way to the forests of Aris, and the Sava guards on leave.
For these reasons, it has earned quite the reputation for providing visitors with a good time within it's city walls.
Hogshead Tavern is found a few miles North of Aris's Southern border. It's a favorite spot to unwind for the Sava guards station to the South. As well as a hold up between hunts for hunters, and other travelers in the region.
It's owner, a greedy, ex-adventuring dwarf, doesn't spend a cent more than he has to to keep the roof from caving in on his paying customers, and of course himself.
If you're looking for bug-free luxury, you're better off heading North to Veras City. Even if it does take you a week or more to reach it.
If you don't care about paying more for less, then the Hogshead Tavern will suit you just fine.
It's owner, a greedy, ex-adventuring dwarf, doesn't spend a cent more than he has to to keep the roof from caving in on his paying customers, and of course himself.
If you're looking for bug-free luxury, you're better off heading North to Veras City. Even if it does take you a week or more to reach it.
If you don't care about paying more for less, then the Hogshead Tavern will suit you just fine.
A realm rich in diversity, Baliose is second only to Camira in wealth. The culture of it's cities dates back thousands of years, and due to a warm climate, it's land grows more than enough food year round to feed it's people. This land is known as a place of beauty and culture, but also of excess and danger.
The Northern part of Baliose is covered by the Simar Sand Pits. Hundreds of miles of open sand, wind, and sun. In some areas, sand is so soft a person can sink and drown in it. Usually, even the hardiest avoid this area. With no water or vegetation, it's creatures live on the flesh and blood of whatever they can catch or find. It's as one might expect of a true Hell on Earth.
These are the highest mountains in the Southern realms. Their peaks are sharp, bare, rocky obstacles to anyone wanting to cross. However, they're better well known for the myriad of wildflowers that bloom year round on their lower inclines.
This area of gently rolling grassland stretches from the Southern base of the Olva Mountains to the Eshlyn Hills farther South, and East to West across Baliose. It could be considered a pleasant place to travel, if not for bandit raids, and quicksand pits formed by unexpected rainfalls in the night.
These hills form the Southern border of the Eastern part of the Saron Valley Passage. They're a known haven for bandits, smugglers, raiders, and anyone else hoping to avoid the law and bounty hunters. Rocky ground in many areas, joined with thickly growing trees, and hidden caves truly make hunting anything or anyone most difficult.
Built by an overindulgent father and king of ancient times for this twin daughters, and named for them, the twin cities of Silna and Surna are the pride of Baliose. Each city is home to a variety of artists and craftsmen. Many of the high born of the realms Winter in these cities or visit for social gatherings.
Like it's sister city, Surna attracts all kinds of people touched by the creative muse. Her streets are most often filled with the works of painters, sculptors, and other artisans and craftsmen of more permanent works of art and invention.
Unlike it's sister city of creation and beauty, much of the art found here is often fleeting and lives more in memory than physical form. This is the home of dance, music, well told tales, and gifts for the imagination filled with grace and beauty not soon forgotten.
The South of Baliose is covered by a yellow-green grassland. This is home to some of the finest horses and cattle of the realms. The Baliose Plains are a rich, constantly-renewing pastureland in a warm, moist climate. A paradise for any grazing animal. It's no wonder Baliose herds can easily number in the thousands.
This castle has been abandoned for generations. It's said the entire household died in a single night. Many have entered in search of rumored treasures, treasures supposedly hidden in it's underground catacombs. Very few have ever come back out. Those who have, have been stark raving mad and often died shortly afterward. No one knows why or how this happens, but it's well documented by many.
Most of Nelva Chi is a mix of grasslands and rocky, dusty ground. Trees don't grow in most of Nelva Chi. It doesn't rain enough for them.
The landscape is covered with green, yellow, and brown grasses. Here and there short, scrubby bushes grow in thick patches, but only to about knee-high on an average man.
During the cooler seasons of Autumn and early Spring rain comes to the land a few times a month, but the warmer, drier seasons of Summer and Winter are another story. They're more prone to dust storms from high winds then rain or snow storms.
It's only notable settlements are Nelva City and Casoy Village.
The landscape is covered with green, yellow, and brown grasses. Here and there short, scrubby bushes grow in thick patches, but only to about knee-high on an average man.
During the cooler seasons of Autumn and early Spring rain comes to the land a few times a month, but the warmer, drier seasons of Summer and Winter are another story. They're more prone to dust storms from high winds then rain or snow storms.
It's only notable settlements are Nelva City and Casoy Village.
This ancient fortress city sits a few miles inland from the Black Lake. It's a major trading center between the Northern and Southern realms and prospers greatly from it's location. The interior of the city is a mixture of different merchant shops with living quarters above them. Taverns with lodgings available, and ever-changing tents in the city's large, central square. There is no doubt to anyone that this is a city of commerce.
This fishing village is built on thick poles sunk deep into the mud where the Bal Waterways touch Nelva Chi in the South. The residents are superstitious, and suspicious of strangers.
They'll sometimes transport people across the waters to Baliose to the South, but not often, and usually not without a goodly payment.
They'll sometimes transport people across the waters to Baliose to the South, but not often, and usually not without a goodly payment.
Tog is more akin to being a Hell on Earth, than being earth.
The only people who seem to find any appeal to it are practitioners of the arcane arts, such as wizards and mages, and those looking to test themselves for some reason.
Tog is a small realm. It's bordered by the Bal Waterways on three sides, and to the North by Camira. This country has no permanent residents, and no one wanting to claim it. It's North is mostly rocky land unfit to farm, and it's South is reeking, gaseous, deadly swamps filled with all manner of vile creatures.
The only people who seem to find any appeal to it are practitioners of the arcane arts, such as wizards and mages, and those looking to test themselves for some reason.
Tog is a small realm. It's bordered by the Bal Waterways on three sides, and to the North by Camira. This country has no permanent residents, and no one wanting to claim it. It's North is mostly rocky land unfit to farm, and it's South is reeking, gaseous, deadly swamps filled with all manner of vile creatures.
This marsh covers bulk of Tog. It's well known for it's noxious fumes, poisonous plants and creatures, and seemingly endless swarms of stinging and biting insects.
Very few would venture anywhere near this horrific place. Those who do are usually after something of value they consider worth risking limb and life to obtain.
Practitioners of the magical arts and alchemy pay good coin for materials gathered from this land. They're money is usually the only thing to anyone willing to risk it.
Very few would venture anywhere near this horrific place. Those who do are usually after something of value they consider worth risking limb and life to obtain.
Practitioners of the magical arts and alchemy pay good coin for materials gathered from this land. They're money is usually the only thing to anyone willing to risk it.