Feb 24, 2019 19:51:52 GMT
Post by Hoopa-Unbound on Feb 24, 2019 19:51:52 GMT
Renalia takes place on the eponymous kingdom of Renalia, a peninsular country located on the northern hemisphere of the planet of Gaia. This positioning allows for a temperate climate and mild changes between summer and winter, although weather can at times be unpredictable. Terrain varies from forested to mountainous to wintry, allowing for a surprising diversity of people and animals.
Renalia is bordered by the Meletia Ocean to the west and south, the Empire of Machala to the north, and the Kingdom of Jad to the east.
Geography
LORIMA
Lorima, the northern province of Renalia, is defined mostly by unforgiving cold. Settlements here are interspersed between harsh tundra. The capital city of Pleim is the largest of these settlements, and overlooks the freezing Nodburg Strait that runs between Lorima and Machala; it is here that the House of Berugia rules from black Pleim Keep.
Located at Lorima's western edge is the port town of Napelia. A hardy place with hardier inhabitants, there's nonetheless something strange about the entire affair - many will attest to meeting individuals with strange features from here. Further inland, we have the Jotnar Falls, the largest and most imposing falls in the kingdom.
Another place of interest is the Elderwood, possibly the oldest wood in all Renalia. Whispers of fairies and stranger creatures are as numerous as the trees here are tall.
Lorima saw the bloodiest battle of the Forty Years’ War in Misery Mire, a foul swamp that still reeks of death and unstable magics. Immense, twisting, and foggy, Misery Mire is host to a plethora of monsters, and as of late something far worse than the ghosts of dead soldiers seems to have made its lair there.
ZANT
To the south of Lorima – and, consequently, to more temperate climes – is the capital province of Zant, which is comprised mostly of grassland and rolling hills. Zant is the wealthiest and safest province in all Renalia, with idyllic farming towns sandwiched in between bustling cities.
Of these cities, the largest is the capital city of Nerubia. The grandest city in all Renalia, its edifices are imposing structures, with sweeping arches and towering spires bearing white marble facades. The Royal House of Valm rules the whole kingdom here, from the grand Palace of Nerubia – by far the grandest of these immense white structures.
Next to Nerubia, the most opulent city in Zant (and, consequently, Renalia) is the Merchant City of Razi. Razi is possibly the most sharply contrasted of all Zant’s cities, with Nerubia-style whitewashed towers next to dirty wooden shanties, and is a bustling trade city that overlooks the Meletia Ocean.
Between Nerubia and Razi lies an expanse of sand known as the Veles Desert. Strange visions seem to visit whoever stays too long here. The only inhabited location in this expanse of desert is the St. Lamia Monastery, a monastery for training those with "gifts from the Twelve Gods."
The largest lake in Renalia, Lake Dreflynn, is also located in Zant. Due to its status, people have developed a bustling fish industry in Dreflynn Town.
NEMETIS
West of Zant is the province of Nemetis. Nemetis is defined mostly by grasslands and forests to its east, beaches to its west, and by the immense white Altenan ruins scattered around the entire province – it was, after all, once the seat of power of the Southern Altenan Empire.
The largest city in Nemetis is Amdusias, which is distinguished from other cities by the blocky Altenan-style towers that comprise most of the city. The tallest of these towers belong to Amdusias Keep, where the House of Absteme rules.
Some ways southeast of Amdusias is the town of Hightower Ruin, located next to the ruins of what was once the capital city of the Southern Altenan Empire. The town is comprised of two sections – the simple, wooden town of Hightower and the ruin itself, the latter of which dwarfs the former.
While by itself a humdrum town where nothing much goes on, Savra is notable for one thing and one thing only – housing the Royal Academy for the Magical Arts, one of the most prestigious universities for the magical arts in all the Western Continent. The immense towers of the Academy dwarf the small town, and magical sights are commonplace.
East of Savra is the Forest of Illusion, a confusing, foggy forest that reeks of wild magics. The unique magics in this area induce strange visions into whoever travels into them – while they vary from viewer to viewer, they are all universally terrifying.
With warm white sands and ocean-blue waves, the beach town of Kelas is a popular vacation spot for visiting nobles and wealthy merchants. Once a large port city in the Altenan Empire, Kelas now derives most of its income from tourism.
ANDAL
To the east of Zant is Andal, the largest part of Renalia; mostly comprised of sparse settlements in between large stretches of untamed grassland, Andal is nonetheless protected from invasion from Jad by the perilous Bloodmoon Mountains.
The tallest of these mountains is Mt. Orthros, a craggy mountain infested by bandits and monsters. Next to Mt. Orthros is the mining town of Orthros, a slowly but surely dying town that subsists on mining.
An additional line of defense from Jad is the Wambani Desert, an immense expanse of desert stretching from Renalia to Jad. One of the only settlements in the Wambani Desert is Sheikah Town, a mysterious desert town that is said to house a strange league of assassins.
The biggest city in Andal is Depal, a military city with flat-roofed stone homes. Secret passageways and hidden stockpiles of weapons are commonplace in Depal, and the blacksmithing industry is booming – many master smiths come here from all across Renalia to ply their trade. The House of Lann rules from Depal Keep.
Next to Depal in size is Neftar, a port city located at the kingdom's southern edge. Once a bustling center of commerce and trade, the War left Neftar destitute. Now, criminals of every stripe flock to it.
But even Neftar cannot contend with Bandit's Den, a fortification abandoned during the War and taken by forces of the Ebon Eye. Located south of Depal, this den is home to criminals and malcontents alike.
Lastly is the wasteland of the Cursed Circles, a barren land where none can live. Thirteen immense circles dot this land; their origin is as mysterious as their purpose.
MANI
Situated northwest of Nemetis is the Isle of Mani, an autonomous state not governed by the crown. Mani possesses the only structure in all Renalia to rival the Palace of Nerubia – the grand Mani Cathedral, an immense white structure adorned with statues and paintings of the Twelve Gods.
History
In the beginning, the Thirteen Zodiac Gods created the world and all the creatures in it. But the thirteenth, Serpentarius, created the dragons – engines of destruction designed to dominate all life.
Eventually, the dragons’ hubris grew so great that they deigned to capture the other twelve gods; and with Serpentarius’s aid, they almost did. So the remaining twelve gods cast down Serpentarius for this transgression, and sent a divine fire crashing down that destroyed the dragons.
The Twelve Gods decided to create a new race, one that would rule with a benevolent hand – the humans. But Serpentarius, weakened from his fall, whispered in the hearts of men and introduced to them the same seed of evil that had defined the dragons.
Five thousand years later, a grand human empire covered most of the Western Continent. Called the Altenan Empire, it worshiped nature spirits – Church of Mitra teachings would later call them Serpentarius in disguise. The Altenan Empire covered all Renalia.
It was then, from the insignificant isle of Mani, that the prophet Mitra arose. He had been visited by the Twelve Gods and taught the one true way; for his defiance of the Empire’s religion, he was branded a heretic and executed.
Mitra’s teachings outlived his death, and grew with such an alarming ferocity that the Altenan Empire eventually adopted them. Then the Empire fell apart, ransacked by barbarians.
There was a long time of turmoil as the warring states of Lorima, Zant, Nemetis, and Andal fought amongst themselves. Then one day, Nerub the Great arose from Zant and united the warring states into the kingdom of Renalia. A devout follower of Mitraism, he established the Church of Mitra in the Isle of Mani.
Five hundred years later, Renalia has just gotten out of a bloody Forty Years’ War with the neighboring country of Jad. Only the Twelve Gods know what will happen next…
Renalia is bordered by the Meletia Ocean to the west and south, the Empire of Machala to the north, and the Kingdom of Jad to the east.
Geography
LORIMA
Lorima, the northern province of Renalia, is defined mostly by unforgiving cold. Settlements here are interspersed between harsh tundra. The capital city of Pleim is the largest of these settlements, and overlooks the freezing Nodburg Strait that runs between Lorima and Machala; it is here that the House of Berugia rules from black Pleim Keep.
Located at Lorima's western edge is the port town of Napelia. A hardy place with hardier inhabitants, there's nonetheless something strange about the entire affair - many will attest to meeting individuals with strange features from here. Further inland, we have the Jotnar Falls, the largest and most imposing falls in the kingdom.
Another place of interest is the Elderwood, possibly the oldest wood in all Renalia. Whispers of fairies and stranger creatures are as numerous as the trees here are tall.
Lorima saw the bloodiest battle of the Forty Years’ War in Misery Mire, a foul swamp that still reeks of death and unstable magics. Immense, twisting, and foggy, Misery Mire is host to a plethora of monsters, and as of late something far worse than the ghosts of dead soldiers seems to have made its lair there.
ZANT
To the south of Lorima – and, consequently, to more temperate climes – is the capital province of Zant, which is comprised mostly of grassland and rolling hills. Zant is the wealthiest and safest province in all Renalia, with idyllic farming towns sandwiched in between bustling cities.
Of these cities, the largest is the capital city of Nerubia. The grandest city in all Renalia, its edifices are imposing structures, with sweeping arches and towering spires bearing white marble facades. The Royal House of Valm rules the whole kingdom here, from the grand Palace of Nerubia – by far the grandest of these immense white structures.
Next to Nerubia, the most opulent city in Zant (and, consequently, Renalia) is the Merchant City of Razi. Razi is possibly the most sharply contrasted of all Zant’s cities, with Nerubia-style whitewashed towers next to dirty wooden shanties, and is a bustling trade city that overlooks the Meletia Ocean.
Between Nerubia and Razi lies an expanse of sand known as the Veles Desert. Strange visions seem to visit whoever stays too long here. The only inhabited location in this expanse of desert is the St. Lamia Monastery, a monastery for training those with "gifts from the Twelve Gods."
The largest lake in Renalia, Lake Dreflynn, is also located in Zant. Due to its status, people have developed a bustling fish industry in Dreflynn Town.
NEMETIS
West of Zant is the province of Nemetis. Nemetis is defined mostly by grasslands and forests to its east, beaches to its west, and by the immense white Altenan ruins scattered around the entire province – it was, after all, once the seat of power of the Southern Altenan Empire.
The largest city in Nemetis is Amdusias, which is distinguished from other cities by the blocky Altenan-style towers that comprise most of the city. The tallest of these towers belong to Amdusias Keep, where the House of Absteme rules.
Some ways southeast of Amdusias is the town of Hightower Ruin, located next to the ruins of what was once the capital city of the Southern Altenan Empire. The town is comprised of two sections – the simple, wooden town of Hightower and the ruin itself, the latter of which dwarfs the former.
While by itself a humdrum town where nothing much goes on, Savra is notable for one thing and one thing only – housing the Royal Academy for the Magical Arts, one of the most prestigious universities for the magical arts in all the Western Continent. The immense towers of the Academy dwarf the small town, and magical sights are commonplace.
East of Savra is the Forest of Illusion, a confusing, foggy forest that reeks of wild magics. The unique magics in this area induce strange visions into whoever travels into them – while they vary from viewer to viewer, they are all universally terrifying.
With warm white sands and ocean-blue waves, the beach town of Kelas is a popular vacation spot for visiting nobles and wealthy merchants. Once a large port city in the Altenan Empire, Kelas now derives most of its income from tourism.
ANDAL
To the east of Zant is Andal, the largest part of Renalia; mostly comprised of sparse settlements in between large stretches of untamed grassland, Andal is nonetheless protected from invasion from Jad by the perilous Bloodmoon Mountains.
The tallest of these mountains is Mt. Orthros, a craggy mountain infested by bandits and monsters. Next to Mt. Orthros is the mining town of Orthros, a slowly but surely dying town that subsists on mining.
An additional line of defense from Jad is the Wambani Desert, an immense expanse of desert stretching from Renalia to Jad. One of the only settlements in the Wambani Desert is Sheikah Town, a mysterious desert town that is said to house a strange league of assassins.
The biggest city in Andal is Depal, a military city with flat-roofed stone homes. Secret passageways and hidden stockpiles of weapons are commonplace in Depal, and the blacksmithing industry is booming – many master smiths come here from all across Renalia to ply their trade. The House of Lann rules from Depal Keep.
Next to Depal in size is Neftar, a port city located at the kingdom's southern edge. Once a bustling center of commerce and trade, the War left Neftar destitute. Now, criminals of every stripe flock to it.
But even Neftar cannot contend with Bandit's Den, a fortification abandoned during the War and taken by forces of the Ebon Eye. Located south of Depal, this den is home to criminals and malcontents alike.
Lastly is the wasteland of the Cursed Circles, a barren land where none can live. Thirteen immense circles dot this land; their origin is as mysterious as their purpose.
MANI
Situated northwest of Nemetis is the Isle of Mani, an autonomous state not governed by the crown. Mani possesses the only structure in all Renalia to rival the Palace of Nerubia – the grand Mani Cathedral, an immense white structure adorned with statues and paintings of the Twelve Gods.
History
In the beginning, the Thirteen Zodiac Gods created the world and all the creatures in it. But the thirteenth, Serpentarius, created the dragons – engines of destruction designed to dominate all life.
Eventually, the dragons’ hubris grew so great that they deigned to capture the other twelve gods; and with Serpentarius’s aid, they almost did. So the remaining twelve gods cast down Serpentarius for this transgression, and sent a divine fire crashing down that destroyed the dragons.
The Twelve Gods decided to create a new race, one that would rule with a benevolent hand – the humans. But Serpentarius, weakened from his fall, whispered in the hearts of men and introduced to them the same seed of evil that had defined the dragons.
Five thousand years later, a grand human empire covered most of the Western Continent. Called the Altenan Empire, it worshiped nature spirits – Church of Mitra teachings would later call them Serpentarius in disguise. The Altenan Empire covered all Renalia.
It was then, from the insignificant isle of Mani, that the prophet Mitra arose. He had been visited by the Twelve Gods and taught the one true way; for his defiance of the Empire’s religion, he was branded a heretic and executed.
Mitra’s teachings outlived his death, and grew with such an alarming ferocity that the Altenan Empire eventually adopted them. Then the Empire fell apart, ransacked by barbarians.
There was a long time of turmoil as the warring states of Lorima, Zant, Nemetis, and Andal fought amongst themselves. Then one day, Nerub the Great arose from Zant and united the warring states into the kingdom of Renalia. A devout follower of Mitraism, he established the Church of Mitra in the Isle of Mani.
Five hundred years later, Renalia has just gotten out of a bloody Forty Years’ War with the neighboring country of Jad. Only the Twelve Gods know what will happen next…