[CHAR] This Dark Age of Ours

[Red Wizard]

Name: Lorea

Location

Description: Following the fall of the old empires, there was a time of confusion and migration across the central plains of the Sunrise Lands. In the land currently known as Lorea were many tribes of elves and humes, which initially warred against each other for control of the region and its resources. As the years stretched on, however, the feuding ultimately settled and the tribes began to intermingle. The Loreans are the descendants of these tribes, united today not only under the rule of their sovereign but also in blood.

Loreans are neither elves or humes, but both, known elsewhere as half-elves. They have inherited some of the longevity of their elven forbears, but resemble humes more in appearance and constitution. They feel kinship with both, but are at the same time alienated because of the historical tension between the races.

Horses are central to the lives of the Loreans. They are herders and traders, and sometimes raiders, especially in wartime. They are however not a traditionally aggressive people but have responded harshly to provocations in the past. There is no central faith or religion among the Loreans; rather, they are polytheistic and inclusive in their beliefs. Worship of Aurelia is common in the east, while reverence for Mana and Luna are widespread in the west.

Inspirational Pictures

[rush99999]

The Calemviri Mountains

Name: The Calemviri Mountains

Location

Description: Legends speak of a time long before the great empires of the golden age stretched across the land, when dragons ruled the world. Their kingdoms were great, their wars were terrible, and the shadows they cast as they flew above the land were said to have blotted out the sun and engulfed all below in darkness. A race of early humanoids whose original name was lost to the sands of time revered these beasts as gods and served them with unwavering loyalty. Legend has it that a dragon named Kobol, who was said to be gifted in now long lost arts of magic, rewarded the loyalty of these humanoids by remaking them in the image of their masters and then renamed them after himself. But unlike the newly named kobolds, the other humanoid races did not enjoy living under the rule of their draconic overlords.

According to legend, the resentment and unrest caused by the dragons' rule eventually came to a head, and the humanoid races of the world rose against the dragons and their kobold lackeys. The war was long and fierce, though the dragons themselves did little fighting at the start. Seeing putting down the rebellion as beneath them, they sent their kobold legions out to fight instead despite the fact that they could have handled the rebellion much faster. This would prove to be a disastrous mistake on the dragons' part that would eventually lead to their defeat. The dragons' decision to delegate the war to their Kobold minions gave the rebellion enough time to develop a trump card against which not even the mightiest of dragons could hold their own. After that, the dragons who did not go into hiding were eventually hunted down and killed.

And so it was that the war ended. And while the dragons fled into the darkness, the now free people of the world stepped into a glorious new age. An age of rediscovery, of great advancement, of vast empires that spanned entire continents. But eventually, it turned to and age of complacency, of decadence, and eventually of decay and collapse. Once mighty empires began to fall, their glories lost and their secrets forgotten. And as the last great empire came crashing down, leaving behind nothing but petty kingdoms and burying the last of that which ended the dragons' rule and the knowledge of how to make it, ancient beasts long thought dead began to stir.

While many had believed that the return of the dragons would be the beginning of the end, that was not the case. The dragons of the modern day mostly just keep to themselves, ruling over domains as petty as any mortal ruler's and sending out their kobolds during the summer to raid other lands for food and gold. The amount of dragons present varies from continent to continent. But as for the Sunrise Lands, only 1 dragon makes their lair within the continent's borders.

The few accounts that exist of Calemvir, after whom the mountain range he lives in is named, describe him as a particularly lazy beast who spends most of his time sleeping on his hoard and ordering his kobold minions to deal with intruders rather than kill them himself, although he has been known to step in if the intruders attack him or try to take some of his treasure. Most of his (Or more appropriately, his kobolds') interactions with the wider world usually involve the elven kingdom of Môrogoed. Due to the fact that the Calemviri Mountains is the source of a river that flows through Môrogoed, kobolds will usually raft downstream during the summer time to attack riverside settlements for meat and gold to feed their draconic master and increase the size of his hoard respectively.

[mickilennial]

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Name:

Deyrnas Unedig Môrogoed
_{The Kingdom of Môrogoed}

Location:

The Kingdom of Môrogoed is located alongside the great river Wyrdd that runs through the forested hills and surrounding flatlands of The Viridian Sea.

Demographics:

Deggwerin is the native language name for the people of The Viridian Sea.

The Deggwerin are divided into three pacts – the Prenin, Ogofin, and Tywodin. The distinct differences of these denominations of the “fair folk” are separated by where they make their homes. In terms of known demographics in the last noteworthy surviving bastion of elven imperialism, the Kingdom of Môrogoed knows no humans as citizens, though there are outliers within the territory that have been known as intrusive elements. Half-Elves are more frequent in certain areas than others but typically they are seen as lesser.

Climate:

Temperate

Description:

For centuries, the fair folk of the Viridian Sea has been the last remaining bastions of true elven culture and society, often struggling against the growth of the races that claim to be their well-meaning neighbors. But it wasn’t always this way and the Deggwerin people have not forgotten that fact as they attempt to push forward and once again reclaim their destiny.

Deggwerin bards sing of the other pieces of the ancient dominion that united the elves, a dominion that decorated the hills, forests, and plains of the known world from the hills of the west to the peaks of the north. But what happened? It’s a very good question. You could find your answer depending on whom you ask within Môrogoed. Hubris, natural disasters, monolithic creatures, elvenkind folly, sloth, the answers are endless. Whatever the answer may be the only true remaining piece of elven imperialism that still stands is the Kingdom of Môrogoed for better or for worse. The Patriarch (or Matriarch, depending) of the Môrogoed does not look for answers within the past, choosing instead to be concerned of the present and the future. After all, the deggwerin are not so different from humankind and are subject to the same foolishness, sin, and mistakes. The most important thing of all is to strengthen what lands Môrogoed still holds and look to restoring their glory one piece at a time.

Despite the cultural issues and dissonance between the races, though, the elves try to promote a friendly coexistence with the other races as Mana has blessed everyone with her strength and Luna with her wisdom. Though, some alliances are easier than others.

The capital of Môrogoed is known as Tir Cartref, one of the last great elven castles that have yet to fall into ruin. It sits on Dŵr Glas, the ancient colossal lake that splits off the elven wooded lowlands from that of the great plains that once housed one the great empires that humankind had created; though much like the empire that Môrogoed once graced in centuries past now too the humans have lost their own. Dŵr Glas watches the plains from the western coast of Dŵr Glas in unease. An unforged humankind is far more dangerous than a forged one in the eyes of the people of the Viridian Sea whether they are bard, ranger, or lord.

But perhaps this chaos will be beneficial to elvenkind?

[neogreggory]

Boros

Name: The Kingdom of the Boros

Location:

Hider

May I kindly take the swath of land in white perchance?

Demographics: Humans, also some more humans. And some humans.
Climate: Temperate
Description: The Kingdom of Boros is a feudal state with hints of theocratic rule. It is ruled by a king who governs by divine right, a right granted to the first of the line by, if the tales are to be believed, a powerful angel who guided the first humans to work the fields of what would become the Boros lands. The Church of Aurelia preaches kindness and mercy, but also swift justice and willingness to fight evil. Many questing knights have risen to fight for and by these tenets, and over the years the Kingdom of the Boros has been cleared of most of the creatures who once lived in the woods and hills, while the peace of the king has been maintained. The lands of the Boros mostly take the forms of long roving fields, indeed once upon a time the crops of the Boros fed one of the great empires, before it crumbed away and left the Boros to govern themselves again. That said there are a few small forests dotting the edges of Boros lands, and the shore line is fairly unprotected and dotted in small fishing villages.
(I could go on, but I've no idea where to elaborate in particular. Fancy justice seeking knights with a shiny religion is a good enough starting point right? I don't want to spend several hours here writing small details with the game starting soon.)

[Willy Vereb]

Free State of Kyrennos

Alternative Names: Kyrennopolis, Kyrennes Commonwealth or just Kyrennos.
Demonym: Kyrenno (m.,n.), Kyrenne (f.) or Kyrennoi (pl. or gen.) - mostly exclusive to citizen
Dominant Species: Centaurs (they refer to themselves as Yppolo, Yppoloi for plural)

Territory Overview:

Map Claim - Dark Blue

Internal Map

[1] Kyrennopolis
[2] Kyrennes Lowlands
[3] Sauros Clans
[4] Plains of Kyrennes

Nation Overview:

Kyrennopolis (back then called as Arioce) used to be nothing a small fishing town and part of a human kingdom long forgotten. This changed when the kingdom came under attack by the distant lands of Kenteiros. Using it as their main port Emperor Aetion turned the small town into a flourishing city named Ariopolis. After the conquest of kingdom the territory became a crown jewel to the Empire, often managed by the royal heir. Ariopolis became small yet rich province thanks to the trade incomes, turning more and more extravagant with each successive ruler. Under Empress Melanctene the city (and the entire territory) was renamed Kyrennopolis (city of sovereignty) and she even considered turning it to the new capital of Kenteiros. Yet disasters struck the Empire and after a line of inept rulers came the dominance of the infamous Emperor Abikenos. His reign of terror led to a massive civil war and Kenteiros invaded and split into many parts. At the same time Kyrennopolis had enough and murdered their governor while declaring their independence. Tired of monarchies and fearful of the rise of a new tyrant they form a democratic government ruled by none but the direct will of all citizens. Being the center of culture even before the Empire's fall they've redoubled their focus on art, thought and knowledge. Hundreds of scholars leave the city each year in search for knowledge and to spread their wisedom through the world. The Kyrennoi University, one of the world's first, is well-renowned and students can attend from all races and nations. While most centaurs chose to live as nomadic savages the Kyrennoi are better recognized as teachers, priests and scholars with their philosophies influencing thinkers throughout the subcontinent.

Kyrennopolis is at times called the capital of free thinkers yet when referring to the country as a whole the situation is different. Democracy only involves the free and wealthy citizens of Kyrennopolis and nobody else. They themselves form a rich elite. Because following the old Kenteiros traditions slavery and oppression are rather common. Kallos are a goblin-like diminutive race who follow Kyrennosians wherever they go. That is because they are effectively their slaves, born for serving the centaurs. Being large half man and half horse creatures there are certain tasks they'd find difficult or impossible. As such before even the formation of Kenteiros they managed to enslave a weak race who would not resist them, the Kallosi. Since then these small humanoid creatures accompany the centaurs as servants. In spite of that they are rarely unhappy with their circumstances and they are treated relatively well. Aside from them Kyrennopolis also practices debt slavery and enslaving their defeated. Non-citizens and especially non-centaur populations in general are also treated as secondary countrymen. Territories outside the city have their own small governments that are subservient to the Kyrennopolis leadership. In this sense anywhere but in the city people still experience monarchic rule, only replacing the authority of one person with that of a whole city. Aside from local militia the army and warfleets of Kyrennos are both under central control with citizenry at their core. For people of such reputation of enlightenment Kyrennoi are quite militant and would not hesitate to wage war when it serves their interest. When waging war is necessary the Demos appoints a Strategos and their cadre of military officials to lead the army albeit at times of turmoil it isn't rare for such titles to be retained even during relative peacetime.

Demographics wise Kyrennos is rather diverse. Kyrennopolis is chiefly populated by centaurs and their Kallosi attendants. Rural villages and towns are mostly inhabited by humans albeit albeit centaurs are also common. The central lands were used to be swamps filled with various swamp beasts. Since then large scale irrigation networks built by the Empire while making a deal with the Sauros (lizardmen), one of the more civilized aquatic beasts. The lizardmen communities gradually forced the other beasts out from their now changed environment and can be practically considered a collection of tiny countries subjected to Kyrennos. Up North are wildlands where the law only has limited hold. This territory is dominated by centaurs who chose a more free but also savage lifestyle.

[Dedonus]

Name: Grand Duchy of Chelodonia (Μεγαδουκᾶτον Χελοδονίας)

Location:

Chelodon (red-orange)

Demographics:
-Hellenes (Humans): majority population
-Amazzi: Viera-like humanoids (female-only "race"), non-native minority
-Centaurs: native minority, semi-autonomous nomads (inhabits the northern plains)

Climate: Mediterranean

Description:
The Grand Duchy of Chelodonia is one of the successor states of the human empire that had ruled the southern portion of the continent. Their capital, Chelodon, is located on the largest island of the southern coast, from where the Grand Duke (μέγας δούξ) controls the nearby peninsula. The Grand Duke, whose title was originally assigned to the highest ranking naval commander, used the loyalty of his soldiers to carve out a fief of his own once the old emperor's line was no more. As an island nation, the Chelonians rely on their navy to be their wall against invasions, although their land forces are nothing to be scoffed at.

However, Chelodonia has its own issues. The Centaur tribes that inhabit the northern plains, nominally under Chelodonian rule, have increased the intensity and frequency of their raids on neighboring states. Although the Chelodonian Grand Duke years ago have brokered a deal with the Centaur tribes, where an annual ritualistic Centauromachy replaces the damaging raids, it places the Chelodonians at an awkward position with its neighbors, who are still raided.

Furthermore, the non-indigenous Amazzi present their own unique issues to the Chelodonians. Long ago, some governors of the old empire had imported these rabbit-eared female humanoids from the far south, far from the empire's borders. Because of their nimble bodies and enhanced senses (including hearing), the old governors would employ the Amazzi as assassins and bodyguards (humans would still be employed as the brawn). When some were emancipated, the freed Amazzi started forming small communities, called Aiabas in whatever "Mediterranean" forests remained in the countryside. Nowadays, most of the Amazzi in Chelodonia live in these Aiabas, although they have to mingle with the human population to reproduce since they're a female only species. While the Amazzi population is still relatively small, who said that a silent knife can't raise up new kings?

Important Characters:

Herd of Magnesios

Monychos: Son of Melanippe and Ophion (currently visiting Kyrennos)

[The Nexerus]

Kingdom of Aontas

Name: Kingdom of Aontas.

Location: At the northeast corner of the Sunrise Lands, stradling along the north and south faces of the cliffs of the Great Northern Range, and extending into the taiga and frozen seas beyond.

Description: Aontas (pronounced Yontis) is a kingdom of the north, a stretch of frozen mountains and dense pine-forests once home to raiders and barbarians, unto whom civilization and the light of the one true faith—the Church of Aurelia—has been firmly thrust. The people of Aontas, the Aontans, have a reputation in the Sunrise Lands as traders and explorers, master sailors who foolheartedly brave the craggy and ice-plagued seas of their snowy homeland to venture all across the continent and beyond. Theirs is a kingdom dominated by mankind, where beast and elf alike are feared and poorly understood, those exotic beings rarely seen outside the more cosmopolitan trade-ports that dot the coasts. The capital of Aontas is the eponymous city of Aonthall, situated at the southern most point of the so-called 'Icefang', a fang shaped bay situated along Aontas' northern coast. Silverport, the largest city in the kingdom and a major trending centre in the Sunrise Lands, is built along the River Lumen, in the south-west. As would befit its name, Silverport primarily exports silver, harvested from the bountiful mines of the Great Northern Mountains and transported downriver to the port.

The Kingdom of Aontas is the final product of a successful crusade by the Lumenistic Order, a group of zealous followers of the Church of Aurelia originally founded to defend the shores of Boros, Aontas' southern neighbour, from pagan attackers. The Order, and the kingdom they defended, were struck a major blow by the sacking of a great port city of Boros by a massive war-party from a Aontan tribe, whose lands were along the banks of what is today called the River Lumen. Funded by donations from the Church of Aurelia and the King of Boros, the Lumenistic Order launched a counter-offensive into Aontas, landing on Aontan shores to bring the fight to the pagans at long last. The tribe responsible for the attack, the Hopia, were soundly defeated by the seasoned and well-equipped knights of the Order. The river along which the Hopia lived was renamed the River Lumen by the victors, in their own glory, and the women of the Hopia were taken as wives by the knights, their children raised in the light of Aurelian church. Further conquests followed in successive generations, until the whole of modern Aontas south of the Great Northern Range was conquered and converted by the Order.

Eventually, a champion arose from among the Aontan tribes to face the Lumenistic Order, a chieftain who saw himself as the successor of the mighty warrior-emperors of the Great Northern Empire of days long gone. This champion, known to history as Folam, united by strength and by virtue the scattered tribes of the northern half of Aontas, establishing suzerainty over all the Aontan people yet unconquered and styling himself as emperor. Folam led the Aontans against the Lumenistic Order in the Battle of the White Sky, in the modern kingdom's eastern lands, inflicting a heroic and crushing victory against the Order and killing or capturing nearly a third of their fighting men. As the knights of the Order retreated the field, however, the clear sky that had shone the brightest blue over the course of the battle turned white, and a blizzard rolled in from nowhere, as if materializing before Folam's very eyes. The Aontan warhost was unable to march home through the horrifically fierce blast of winter, and were forced to make camp in the fields and weather the storm. Having taken so few casualties, and with so many prisoners in tow, their camp's supplies of food quickly run out, as days went by without the blizzard shifting or weakening. Folam, the virtuous pagan, sought to share the camp's food and blankets with the fighting men of the Order, but his generals, the Aontan tribal chiefs, objected that any Aontan should die that a foreign invader might live, and refused to properly feed or clothe the prisoners, jealously hoarding all they had. Folam himself, seeing the southern knights shivering, suffering from frostbite and succumbing to the cold, is said to have removed his own bear-skin cape, the regalia of his kingship, and offered it to a prisoner in need. Aurelia, so moved by Folam's gesture of mercy, forgave the Aontan warriors their barbarous ways and dispersed the storm. Witnessing the divine might of the Lady manifest itself, Folam converted, and came to peace with the Lumenistic Order. The territories of the order on the mainland were surrendered to his demesne, and the Lumenistic Order—still possessing the isles of the South Aontas Sea—swore to aid him as loyal servants in converting the rest of his people and upholding the teachings of the Church of Aurelia in his kingdom. So was it that Folam became King Folam I, the founder of the Kingdom of Aontas, and that nation and its people were bathed in Aurelia's light.

[Isotope]

Petaxaleena

The Illustrious Kingdom of Petaxaleena

Claim and Regions

Description:

In ancient days Petaxaleena was a province of the elves great domain, but from that time little has survived. The men of Petaxaleena were, and remain, hardy folk accustom to life farming soggy fields of the south; the departure of their overlords all those centuries ago meant little to them. Unlike Lorea or the many other regions both Humans and Elves cohabited it is largely only pure blood Humans that remain in Petaxaleena, a side effect of the harshness of the country and the rather unsettling wildlife that resides there.

However, there exist two notable exceptions. The first being the Elves of Gorstir. Situated deep in the southwest of the country Gorstir's Elves are the last remnants of those that once ruled Petaxaleena. They are mostly left to themselves, bound to the crown through a sacred compact but otherwise... Inconsequential. The second exception is that of the nobility itself. Concentrated in the nations northern reaches, below the great mountains that separate Petaxaleena from the rest of the east, the noble class has long sought to preserve the Elven blood in their veins. In most cases this has been accomplished through careful breeding, but the most charismatic of the nobility have found ways to seduce Elven brides. More than just blood, the nobility has almost nothing in common with those they rule over. The Great Lords of Petaxaleena worship the old gods Kepa and Ele, the sun and moon, whereas the common folk worship ill defined gods of harvest and the wild.

Of course the nobility might well worship the gods of the wild too, if they spent any time in the south. Among the swamps and fields of that godforsaken region there are real monsters, wicked beasts that spend their time in the water only to come up when they hunger for flesh. Every year the families of those crippled or killed by the beasts demand action from the nobles living their pampered lives in their resplendent castles, and every year they are mocked for the presumption. The monsters cannot be a problem unless the nobility says they are, of course.

In reality the nobles know they could never really end the beasts. The ancient elves doubtless tried, as did a dozen forgotten kings, none even came come to eradicating the scourge. Why waste lives more than are already lost? Peasants may be easily replaced, but to lose a whole generation in the foolish effort to extinguish the ancient beasts of the south would be catastrophic. Petaxaleena has never been rich, despite its size, to lose the workforce would be to lose the entire nation to anarchy and chaos.

In recent times though, the menace has been... Reduced. The beasts of the east, ever longing for a challenge, extended their services in exchange for a fortress in Petaxaleena and the chance to recruit a limited number of peasants, for an army it was all too easy an offer. Their valiant efforts rid the world of countless beasts, not enough, but still. For the first time in centuries the population of Petaxaleena has exploded as peasants start families without fear and clear land further into the swamps than was imaginable. The nobility knows that, in time, the beasts will replenish their numbers, but the luxury the boost in taxes has permitted them was well worth the bargain with the strange creatures of the eastern reaches.

[LightningLynx89]

Name: Kingdom of Skræling

Location:

Skræling (light blue)

Demographics:
-Svellgotar (Humans): Majority of population
-Mikilalfr ("Light" or "Grassland" Elves): Minority, settled around the plains
-Jarnalfr ("Dark" or "Hill" Elves): Minority, settled in the hills or mountains
-Lyoralfr ("Half" Elf): Rare

Climate: Temperate and Alpine Tundra

Description:
The Kingdom of Skræling is nestled far in the northern part of the Sunrise Lands. Nestled beyond the high mountains in the north lays a very isolated populations of people. The Svellgotar natives are people of a culture made to brash the harshness of the climate to the north. Though their clan mentality has not allowed this "kingdom" to truly unite. Skræling is ruled under a single Hargramr or "High King" who sits upon the throne located from their clan's capital. The king is passed down to the first born son of the current King, but the title can be stripped or passed on to another clan if the current king is defeated in combat. This system has kept the clans in relative power to one another, but has disallowed any true unity amongst the many clans in the north.

On the exterior they mean seem brutish and cold like their homeland in the winters, they can also be much like their home in the spring and summer. They are a hearty and hardworking country known for its bounty of grains and potatoes which are a hardy vegetable and a key ingredient in their diet. Due to their location beyond the mountain and the only access into their lands being between valleys they are experts on the sea. Whether they be used to trade their goods along the coastline with the various kingdoms or if a clan is in dire need of food or currency they can easily launch raids that can devastate those along the coast, and be in and out as if they hadn't even been there.

Their relationship with their Elven neighbors is one embroiled in war, and in peace. They are currently in an age of peace with their fellow natives of the north. The elves passing on their knowledge of iron, music, and art with them. It is a wonderful sight to see Men and Elves singing along a communal village pyre passing around alcoholic beverages to one another.

[LightningLynx89]

[Hyperdrive]

The Namorean Dominion

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_{Arakar, the Dominion capital}

The Namorean Dominion

Location

Climate: Temperate (Valley, Plains), Alpine (Mountain range)

Demographics: Namoreans - The term Namorean classifies those who reside within the valley. Two races fall under this classification.

- Humans
Namorean Humans usually have brown eyes and oak brown hair. They are quite taller and muscular than normal humans, but share the same length in lifespan.

- Manticores
7ft tall bipedal humaniods with heavy muscular physiques. Manticores have claws, a lion head, and a short tail that makes them different from the rest.

Capital: The Obsidian City - Arakar

Description:

The Namorean Dominion is an independent state formed from the foundations of an organization known as The Order of the Golden Mane. Before the fall of the old empires, members of the order were well known and were spread across the land. They were given special right to operate without being tied to any nation, and had holdings dotting the Sunrise Lands. They were known experts in dealing with beasts that plagued the continent; and were very good at it. At the height of the order's prestige, they held influence that could sway empires to their favor.

When the great fall occurred, House Tiber; lords of the land surrounding Namoria, declared independence from the Human Empire and merged with the organization. This created an independent military power a midst the chaos brought by the fall, and a safe haven for the subjects of House Tiber. The Dominion was formed, and the land prospered in the years that followed. Members of the order were folded into the new Dominion military, with only few being allowed to operate independently in far away lands. The location of the order's fabled seat of power faded into history, with only members of the house knowing where it is.

Despite the prosperity it enjoyed, the Dominion kept an isolationist stand when it came to politics. Their lands closed off from the rest of the world, even to refugees or traders. The last time the Dominion made a significant show of power was during the bestial purge in Petaxaleena. Thousands of Manticores were sent to the swamp lands to cull the growing number of beasts that preyed on the local populace. The crusade against the beast was long and bloody and Dominion soldiers died in droves. In the end victory was achieved, albeit phyrric one.

The Dominion kept silent since then, only to resurface recently based on rumors that Manticores have been seen wandering the lands again..

Inspirational Images