Thraes World Information
Regions
Ancient Lands
While most people worship their ancestors, for several centuries the ancient lands were ruled by a semi divine emperor. The emperors lived longer than most and were said to inherit all of the previous ancestors accumulated knowledge and wisdom.
However, the last emperor Shou Haruki decided that he didn't want to die, so he tried to extend his life through mystical means. It did not work as he had planned and he was driven mad (some say he transformed into a terrible Dragon). The land has not known peace since.
Location and Geography:
East of the Kunbai Mountains, from the windswept plains of the north to the jungles of he south the Ancient lands are generally fertile and were once heavily populated. Constant wars have decimated the population.
Barbarian Kingdoms
Known by people that live there as the NorthLands, the Barbarian kingdoms long dominated much of the western lands, building wealth on plunder and loot stolen from the weaker lands to the south. Much of the reason they so dominated were their fabled longships – boats that could handle nearly any storm and were far swifter than anything else at sea while still able to travel far inland on even relatively shallow rivers. While many people think the kingdoms are populated by raiders and pirates, in actuality, most are simple farmers and traders.
Location and Geography
Sitting at the top of the world, north of the Sea of the Dead the region is dominated by mountainous terrain. The climate is somewhat moderated by the inland sea and the coldest temperatures blocked by the Ice Mountains. The area has limited arable land.
Recent History/Current Status
Life in the Barbarian Kingdoms has always been harsh. The wars that ravaged other parts of the world were not as devastating in the area.
Notable Settlements and Areas
· Trisk: A major shipping port, this heavily fortified city is run by Sefa Rede, a stern woman with steel-gray hair and penetrating eyes. It is rumored that her husband (Ulfarr) was killed based on her orders, but she is generally respected, strong leader.
· Shill: This city was founded by Namirre Svanurson as a city of knowledge an learning, much of it “acquired” from older libraries. Protected by the last known dragon orb.
· Ice Mountain Dwarves: Eaking out a living in the permanently snow-capped mountains, the Wyrkaran (as the dwarves call themselves) are solitary and isolationist even by dwarven standards, the only keep open to the outside world is Kar-Takken. In addition they don’t worship the normal dwarven deities but instead believe in primordial elemental powers of fire, ice, earth (including metals) and air. While they respect deities such as Moradin, in their opinion is simply the embodiment of fire and earth.
· Tundra Elves: The Revihel are a nomadic people with white hair, pale skin and most with pale blue eyes matching their frigid homeland.
Cosatoria
This kingdom of loosely-knit kingdoms is still perpetually warring with one another. Legends of a returning emperor persist, but it has not happened so far.
Location and Geography
South of the Petarin Islands and west of the Thunder mountains, Cosatoria varies from near-jungle conditions on the coasts to scrubland deserts in the interior.
Recent History/Current Status
More a collection of city-states than a kingdom, while certain areas held their own during the god war, civilization nearly collapsed in Cosatoria. With the war over, certain areas are starting to bounce back but it may be a generation or more before the kingdom rebuilds itself.
Notable Settlements and Areas
· Julisco is a major city/state in northwest of the kingdom. One of the few areas that survived virtually intact over the past century, it is starting to become a center for trade and commerce.
· The Bone Hills in the eastern heart of Cosatoria are legendary as a cursed land. According to legend, the Bone Hills were formed when Thor defeated the giant Gungindran and threw his bones down to earth. This was both a blessing and a curse since the giant was wearing armor heavy with iron, silver, gold and other exotic metals. But it is a curse because the hills still hold the remains of his evil. Other legends state that so many wars have been fought over the area that the blood has soaked into the ground, the land itself has grown to like the taste of blood and will never be quenched. Whether the legends are true or not, the area is rich in minerals and undead. Indeed, in certain areas if the dead are left unburied on unconsecrated ground they will rise as undead within a day. Because of this, cremation is common.
Feromby
The largest of the Petarin Islands, Feromby was traditionally ruled by a royal family of sorcerers.
Location and Geography
The largest and westernmost of the Petarin Islands, the western coast is rugged and storm wracked. The eastern coast is more hospitable and is the center of the major centers of population.
Recent History/Current Status
The line of sorcerers ruling the island nearly came to an end when it was discovered that the royal family had lost most of its powers. Things turned around when Isolde Geargain gave birth to a girl Morigana nine months after her husband died mysteriously.
Notable Settlements and Areas
· Borato is the largest city on the island and the capital.
· Freeport is the main port city on the western side of the island. True to its name, there are few laws in Freeport, so it has become a haven for pirates and those on the run.
Great Desert
West of the Thunder Mountains lies the area known as the Great Desert. The area varies greatly from dry grasslands to vast areas dominated by sand-dunes interspersed with occasional oasis or ancient walls like the bones of long lost civilizations. While the southern areas can be brutally hot, the northern areas can get quite cold, especially at night.
Notable Settlements and Areas
· Ascenar Elves: Living in scattered communities in semi-nomadic groups, the Ascenar elves are well adapted to this harsh region. Feared by their enemies for their ability to seemingly fade away when attacked only to strike back when least expected.
· Mish-Consar: Situated at the base of The Stairway of Heaven (a large mountain surrounded by several smaller mountains sometimes referred to as the Seven Sisters), mountain creates its own weather pattern causing a significantly higher level of precipitation than surrounding areas.
High Forest
A heavily forested area, this is the primary homeland of non-sylvan elves in the western lands. South of Uralin and east of the Thunder Mountains, the deciduous forest has long been seen as foreboding to outsiders while welcoming to those who belong there. According to legend, the forest itself is sentient and protects the elves living within.
Recent History/Current Status
After the Black War, the king of the elves was slain and (unbenknown to most) the queen Paranayel was replaced by an aspect of Lolth and the forest borders were sealed. Recently the aspect was killed. Unfortunately it was not possible to rescue the queen and the line of succession still has not been decided. While the borders are technically no longer sealed, contact with the elves living there is still limited.
Istar
Also known as the dark kingdom, this is a land ruled by orcs, ogres and giants. Most of the humans and other demi-human residents are slaves.
Location and Geography
Located to the east of the Thunder Mountains, this isolated land is darkened by thick clouds caused by volcanic eruptions. While the sun is frequently blocked, the ash fall makes fertile soil with abundant (if oddly twisted) vegetation. Surrounded on three sides by mountains and fenced in to the south by a wall raised by the gods.
Recent History/Current Status
According to legend, Loki’s prison is buried somewhere underneath Istar which is in part responsible for the concentration of evil creatures.
The Lich Lord has been stopped once more and is certainly weakened but there are rumors that she is reforming this shattered empire. Rumors of new Disciples of the Lich Lord roaming the land are whispered in dark alleys and taverns across the land.
Notable Settlements and Areas
· The Black Wall is a towering mile high wall of magical rock similar to black obsidian raised to cordon off the land from the great desert. Parts of the wall crumbled during the God War
Maladorn
Once one of the centers of western civilization, Maladorn has fallen apart and is now a loose collection of city states.
Location and Geography
West of the Thunder Mountains and south of Uralin, Maladorn has a temperate climate, with much of the land covered by heavy deciduous forest.
Recent History/Current Status
Of all the western regions, perhaps Maladorn has suffered the most over the past century. Quag’s Keep lies in ruins, Mylnarin was destroyed before the God War and other centers of civilization have fallen into chaos as most people have fled to safer lands
Notable Settlements and Areas
· Quag’s Keep, once the capital city, and one of the largest cities in the west has fallen into (literal) darkness. With an unstable open rift to a dark realm of Jotunheim irregularly spewing forth horrors, only the fools, the desperate and adventurers enter this fallen city.
· Cursed Swamp, south and east of Quag’s Keep the Cursed Swamp has long been left to the flying clouds of biting insects, giant crocodiles and lizard folk that call it home. Only the foolish enter this often mist-shrouded swamp in search of the lost city of Azmar rumored to be located somewhere in its interior. According to legend, all of the gods banded together to destroy Azmar and the surrounding kingdom when the inhabitants dared to believe they were more powerful than the gods themselves.
Norashal
While Ryndal is the capital city, in practice over the past few decades most regions have become semi-autonomous. On the surface, Ryndal appears to be perhaps one of the most “typical” medievel kingdoms in the west.
Location and Geography
With a wet and temperate climate (much like the Pacific Northwest), Norashal is heavily forested with pine, conifers and areas of giant sequoias.
Recent History/Current Status
In many ways the western coast of this nation appears to have been largely unscathed by the wars, however much of the kingdom has taken a dark turn. With a few exceptions, the legitimate leaders have been replaced by puppets of vampires and other dark forces.
Notable Settlements and Areas
· Ryndal is the capital city and well known for its ship yards. A heavily fortified port that has never been conquered by outside forces, for many years during the God War, Ryndal was under a literal cloud as vampire rulers openly walked the street, day and night. The clouds are gone once more but few believe the vampire rulers have relinquished control.
· Copper Valley is one of the bright spots and an area not controlled by dark forces. Home to the Copper Valley Academy
Petarin Islands
A series of islands large and small (many of the smaller islands are not represented in the map) in Seere Bay.
Location and Geography
Warm and temperate, while the soil of many of the islands is not particularly fertile the bay provides bountiful fish.
Recent History/Current Status
Many of the islands were taken over by orcish pirates when The God War started and Quag’s Keep fell
Notable Settlements and Areas
· Tarakoss is still a prison island with a protective barrier and if any pass in or out of the barrier it is in secret.
Sea of the Dead
Millennia ago, this vast area was a valley and home to a thriving civilization whose castles and cities now lie deep beneath its often storm tossed waves . According to legend several powerful magic users foresaw their fate and tried in vain to protect their lands. Unfortunately they were only partially successful and doomed their fellow citizens to an eternity of undeath in their watery graves. These lost cities sometimes arise from the depths, revealing their treasures to those brave or foolhardy enough to plunder them before they sink below the surface one more. There are several islands in the sea but the small settlements always disappear within a year.
Silver Lake
Location and Geography
Located in the Thunder Mountains in a major pass between east and west, this area has long been a center of trade and commerce. Even though it is surrounded on north and south with snow-covered mountains, the weather is fairly temperate with the relatively mild winters. Land suitable to farming and settlement are limited, but where there is flat land there are farms. The large lake for which the region gets it’s name is one of the largest high-altitude lakes on the continent and provides abundant fish for the locals.
Recent History/Current Status
While under constant threats from orcs and giants, the region has never been completely overrun, although the giants from the south came close during the God War. As trade picks up once more, the region is booming.
Notable Settlements and Areas
· Botan: A major trade city dominated by humans with close ties to the dwarven clan that also calls this pass home.
· Silver Lake Clan: Dwarven clan lead by Agamm Graniteoath and famous for it’s silver mines.
Thunder Mountains
Location and Geography
Running the length of the continent, the Thunder Mountains are a mile high at spots with most of the highest peaks being permanently snow covered.
Recent History/Current Status
During the God War, the Thunder Mountains were one of the centers of conflict, with multiple portals opened to Jotunheim adding to the usual orcs and goblins that count the mountains home.
Notable Settlements and Areas
· Ak-Dakkar is a dwarven clan in the northern Thunder Mountains. Led by Alinys Ironhouse, one of the few female dwarven clan leaders. The clan views themselves as the last bastion of the great dwarven empire Kuldarkin (roughly Golden Axe Kings) that once reigned supreme over all of the dwarven clans.
· Dronkarag is a dwarven clan in the south central section of the Thunder Mountains. Led by Dain Graniteheart, Dronkarag was largely overrun during the God Wars and is currently rebuilding.
· Conciette’El is an elven settlement high in a mountain valley. Its stone towers are a center of magical learning that few outsiders (even other elves).
· Solarus is located in a high mountain pass, strategically situated in an important between Istar and the western kingdoms. While the city was vital during the Black War (the first War of the Lich Lord). A symbol of cooperation between humans, dwarves and elves and protected by one of the last known dragon orbs, it was overrun during The God War and the dragon orb has disappeared.
Thunder Rift
Thunder Rift is in the Thunder Mountains, north of Botan and the Thunder Mountain dwarf clans. A series of isolated valleys connected by tunnels, it was less affected by the God War (as the aborted Ragnarok is now called) than many other areas.
Location and Geography
A series of valleys surrounded by sheer cliffs hidden deep in the mountains surrounded by a high plateau.
Recent History/Current Status
Protected by geography, with the easiest access leading through the Silver Lake/Botan area (which was never overrun) this has been an area of stability in a sea of chaos.
Notable Settlements and Areas
· Hidden Valley is west of the main ThunderRift Valley and only accessible through a hidden tunnel. The main settlement is the city of Walden.
· Golden Eagle Clan was founded by Kendrick and Shar Stonerose about 20 years before the God War started. They established the Golden Eagle Academy shortly after founding the clan.
· Milinar is the largest city in the main valley. The current king is Yusuko, great-grandson of Lin-Sue (the lost king). According to the story, Milinar had no king, but a magic crown could be used to find someone who was worthy. With the help of King Kendric and company, Lin-Sue was found and declared worthy ensuring peace in the valley for generations. The crown is still used to determine who the worthiest king will be. While it has been descendents of Lin-Sue for several generations, there is no formal line of succession.
· Galoras An elven settlement dominated by a single enormous oak tree known as the “Forever Tree”. It is governed by a council of elders, known as the Order of Bells. The council of elders is presided over by Nym and Aerith Dawnfall.
Uralin
A sprawling area home to humans, gnomes and halflings once considered a northern of Maladorn.
Location and Geography
On the southern coast of the Sea of the Dead between the Iron Hills and the Thunder Mountains, Uralin is an area dominated by rolling grasslands interspersed with forested regions surrounding the many rivers and lakes.
Recent History/Current Status
This area has bounced back faster than many others. With no competition from Quag’s Keep as a trade center to the south, the area is thriving and becoming a new center of power. Of course where there is new-found wealth there are people who want to profit at the expense of others.
Notable Settlements and Areas
· Taskill is the capital and a major center of trade and commerce, with the surrounding areas being the “bread basket” of the region.
· DomeSnardt is technically a semi-autonomous city-state but works closely with the rest of Uralin on common goals. It is run by Almighty Grand High Poombah Glinkash Wobblespindle, Esquire (or just Mr Glink)
· Smallville is the largest settlement of halflings in the west. Most halfings are nomadic traders, but most try to make at least one trip to Smallville in their lifetimes.
by:
Aljergensen