Geography
From InquisitionWiki
A list of the different regions on Urth.
Contents |
The Cultures
Lithmore
The Capital of the Kingdom of Lithmore. Built in SC20 at the order of Lloryth ab Harmon, Lithmore's first King. Lithmore is the headquarters of the Order, with their largest Church residing off of Church street. The site was chosen for its easy trade location, and the fact that the beginnings of a town, and an inn, were already present. It is also the headquarters of the Knights, with the largest garrison of them in the realm.
Vandago
Formerly the Archduchy of Vandago, vassal to the Paramount of Tubor, Vandago was annexed by Dav during the Consolidation and became a Duchy under Lithmore. It is a wealthy city, and the only port of trade to Tubor.
Vavard
Built by the merchant-princes of Lithmore after their mass exodus from Lithmore prior to the Consolidation. The city is said to have been built in 30 days, by master craftsmen; it is a place of much beauty. Vavard is the Ducal seat of the Duchy after which it is named, and the Great Merchant Houses still maintain a powerful grip on city affairs.
Farin
Far to the south of Lithmore, Farin was the largest city of the Duchy since it and the surrounding lands were held by the Barons Warsalus. Upon their defeat by Dav on the field of battle, he created his fourth Duchy, naming it after the city. However, since the destruction of the city, it has become almost empty, home only to a few people that cling on tenaciously and a small mission from the Order, intent upon reversing the taint of magic.
Tubor
The Island Jewel. Tubor, once a Kingdom in its own right, was taken not by Dav but by Jaren, the Grand Duke of Vandago, who had ceded without a fight to Dav.
Charali Plains
Today the majority of Charali retain their nomadic ways and have no home city. The plains in which they live remain free of any structured outside government despite the faltering, but dogged claims of Vavard. It is commonly known that these claims originate with the discovery of rich coal and iron deposits in the territory that could give Vavard an edge to break Vandago's monopoly on arms.
The Hills
The Hillman hail from the hills and mountains throughout the realms. They are clannish in nature, and generally stick to their own societies. Although Hillman are aware of the Kingdom, rarely do they involve themselves in its politics.
Other Places
Lillton
Historically famous for its rich lands, suitable to growing both wheat and cotton. Also highly regarded for its potent whiskey which is now considered to be about the best in the Duchy. Lillton also has a proud military tradition, sending a yearly levy of men to assist the armies upon the Farin/Daravi border. Situated inland, it doesn't enjoy the benefits of other areas, but it more than makes up for it with it's considerable positive sides.
The lands of Lillton consist of mostly rolling plains with the odd sparse forest. The center of the Barony, Lillton city itself boasts a stout castle, if somewhat old in design. The castle hasn't been used for defense since the time of Dav, however a token garrison is still maintained and the men of the Barony are expected to each spend time serving. Well traveled and tended roads lead towards Vandago city to the west as well as to the other areas of the Duchy.
Loryth
Home to the former summer castle of the Lithmorran Royal Family, the city of Loryth was founded by Lithmore's first king, Lloryth ab Harmon, but had no official name until after his death, whereupon the citizens of the township around the castle chose to call their town after the name of the late king. Over time, the name changed slightly, dropping the first 'L' to achieve the spelling it has today.
Upon the death of King Lloryth, it was His will that the castle and its surrounding land be given unto the servants and goodmen of the area, as a measure of their faithful service to him. Throughout the ensuing years, the castle proper has slowly given way to the residences which are now prevalent, but many of the former bastions and sites of the castle are even today apparent, most notably the grand courtyard, now home to Loryth park.
Lothos
Originally an independent city-state, Lothos was absorbed by Lithmore soon into the Consolidation. To avoid the humiliation of Vandago, and the wanton destruction of Tubor, the Lothos city gates opened to the Davites as they approached, and a ceremonial guard formally submitted to the conquering King. The city had built, prior to Dav's arrival, a statue in tribute to him, and it was proudly unveiled upon his entry into the city. The Lothos folk had carved the symbol of Dav - the now ubiquitous Chalice - on the very streets of their city, and sites throughout the city alluded to one which was entirely in thrall to the conquering Davites. For their submission, King Dav ordered his troops to leave the city untouched, and even compensated the citizenry for the requisite supplies consumed by an army.
After the Consolidation, seeing how every other nation fought the Davite armies, many of the citizens of Lothos left its confines, moving elsewhere in the Realm. Many of the once-fine streets fell into disrepair, and the city is certainly a mere shadow of its once-grand image. However, to this date, some of the Realm's wealthiest persons reside within the city, and it is a crossroads for all transit east of Lithmore.
Montford
Now the largest city within the Duchy of Farin, Montford has been the Ducal Seat since SC269 when Farin City was captured by the Daravi. This only became formal however, when Farin was retaken but found as a wasteland of magical creation. Since then, the traditional Montford family's demesne town of Montford has been in a growth boom as refugees from the old capital flock to the new. The Duke has been turning the city into a beautiful refuge, although there is still a chronic problem of unemployment in the city.
Nimrock
The Citadel of Nimrock, built from 109 to 114 SC, was considered by many to be impregnable. Its location on a small peninsula jutting into the Kirulean Sea provided an ideal defensive position - and indeed, its site was selected for that very reason. For Nimrock was built at the beginning of the Davite Consolidation, by the fledgling Kingdom of Vavard, with the knowledge that at some time Dav's army would be at its gates.
At any rate, Dav was too wily for a direct assault on the city, and instead forced the denizens to attempt a sortie, and smashed them between its gates and his army.
After taking the city, and slaughtering the Merchant Princes who refused to bow, Dav installed a council of the remaining Merchant Princes after each declared personal fealty to Dav himself. The monies of Vavard are said, by those more critical of his holy reign, to have contributed largely to Dav's miraculous successes. Until the installation of Duke Sivernus dul Acris and the creation of the Duchy, Vavard had historically maintained both the council of merchants and a yearly tribute to the Lithmorran Crown.
Sartez
Located northwest of Lithmore, close to Wilhelm, the village of Sartez is the focal point for the mines which surround it. Over time, the rich veins of ore which are available in the Tarn mountains have contributed to the growth of the village, such that now it is almost a small town, with all manners of amenities available within its confines.
Talfore
Originally a small farming commune chartered to support Lithmore, Talfore didn't see true growth until some years after the Davite Consolidation. At that time, Lithmorrans, weary of the city life, flocked to the commune in droves, leading to its increase in size. The widening banks of the river Bren, and the subsequent raising of the surrounding water table, has destroyed much of the farmland in the area, and the village now sees more support from cattle and other livestock than from actual farming.
Talfore completed its church after the reconstruction of the now-famous church in Lithmore saw completion, and was the second to construct a tribute to Dav in the form of its canonical building.
Each year in late fall, Talfore hosts its annual turkey calling festival, which draws people from as far north as Wilhelm and south as far as the duchy of Farin. At its completion, the turkeys are slaughtered and roasted, baked, broiled, smoked, and cooked in a myriad of other ways.
The prevailing religion of Talfore is that preached by the Order, although others have been known to crop up - most notably the creation of a chapel to the Lady of Suffering in SC188, which was quickly repressed by the Davite church. One could doubtless find any number of theological adherents throughout the village however, were one inquisitive - and circumspect - enough to delve.
Talfore is, through and through, a Lithmorran city, with the majority of its inhabitants hailing from that race. Others do live there, however, chief among them being their southern Farin neighbors.
Wilhelm
A farming village, with its chief crop being grain, lies three quarters of the way between Lithmore and Vandago, and is the furthest of the townships considered 'Royal' rather than Ducal. It is beyond this town that the Vandagan Duchy truly begins.
The people of Wilhelm are known for their fondness of ale - often accused, always out of earshot of any Wilhelm native, of saving their best stock for themselves. The prototypical Wilhelmite is heavier than average; the word 'plump' has been ascribed to them, and has rosy-hued cheeks. Most are darkly tanned, and their hands bear the callouses created from their scythes and plowshares.
Wilhelm townsfolk fall under the auspices of the Royal city of Lithmore, but are more of Vandagan descent than Lithmorran. It is from Wilhelm that the Ducal - and Royal - ale casks come, and also a large portion of the grains for bakeries across the land.
Although its ales, meads, and beers are known across the Realm, the name 'Wilhelm' will invariably call to ones mind the Kissing Festival held each year during harvest time in the town proper, a time wherein the women in the town move from man to man harvesting a kiss - or two - from each they encounter.
Wilhelm sees a lot of traffic due to its location on the Lithmore-Vandago road.
Landmarks
Bren River
The source of the Bren River lies west of Lithmore, high in the Tarn Mountains. As it courses down the slopes, other tributaries join it, until it runs wide and deep at the lower foothills. Here, the river runs slow and is pooled into several springs - the Upper and Lower Springs. History records that these springs are where Dav underwent his changes, and thus began the Consolidation.
The river flows eastward, through Lithmore itself, dividing the great city in half with its passage, before continuing on and finally meeting its eastern terminus in the Kirulean Sea.
The Bren River is used as a conduit for trade, and the barges of the merchants can be seen at virtually any time passing along its breadth.
Dralth Ocean
West of Lithmore itself, and north of the Tarn Mountains, lies the massive Dralth Ocean. No knowledge exists on any lands beyond it, although the Tubori shippers have claimed there is, indeed, land.
Forest of Jaren
The woods just west of Vandago, once known as Illting Wood, was renamed to Jaren Forest after the Consolidation, by the citizens of Vandago. To them, Jaren was a hero without peer, for sparing both their city and their menfolk the ravages of a war on their own soil. The forest extends westward from Vandago to the edge of Wilhelm.
Genhwin River
The Genhwin River is a tributary of the Bren. It begins in the Tarn mountains south of the Bren, and flows northeasterly until it joins the Bren.
Not as wide or deep as the Bren, the Genhwin does not easily support trade, although several villages do abut it.
Kirulean Sea
East of Lithmore's capital, the River Bren empties into a massive inland sea. With mountains on both the north and west, and wide plains to the south and east, the Kirulean Sea is a melting pot of weather patterns, with some of the fiercest storms ever witnessed taking place on its surface. Specialists have determined that it is also fed from underground springs which, coupled with the massive tidal pulls of the moons, create for extremely harsh sailing. However, the Kirulean Sea is braved by hardy souls, for it is the quickest route of trade between Vavard and the other duchies.
Orkin Wood
Along the western edge of the Kingdom of Lithmore, beyond the Tarn Mountains, lies Orkin Wood. This is among the oldest forests of the Kingdom, and stretches for miles westward. Much of the forest is virtually impassable due to heavy undergrowth. The trees tower in height, rising over 200 feet in some cases, with the average being 160 foot tall, and 20 foot in diameter.
Bizarre stories have come from Orkin Wood. Some say that the Seven, when they walked the land, released their creations of magic in the wood. Others attribute the stories to Thandok, or the Daravi. Regardless of their origin, most people steer well clear of Orkin Wood.
Tarn Mountains
West of the City of Lithmore, the Tarn Mountains bridge the isthmus, rising from the shores of the south sea and marching northward to the Dralth Ocean. It is in these mountains that Dav underwent his conversion, and they hold special meaning to members of the Order.
While not the highest mountains in the Realm, the Tarn Mountains do breach the snow line, and are white-capped year round. Travel is possible through them via the single pass which the East-West road crosses. West of the mountains lies the Orkin Wood.
Tunne Bay
Due north of Lithmore, and of Vandago, lies Tunne Bay. This large body of water completely enwraps the Isle of Tubor, and reaches out to the Dralth Ocean.
Other Peoples
Mevehari
The origin of the Mevehari remains unknown, but strong evidence suggests that the "gypsy" clan originated in the Hills. The Mevehari themselves share little with outsiders about their roots, but all know that if they once had land, they no longer do. Instead, the tribe of gypsies roams the realm, moving seasonally from duchy to duchy and beyond. The Hills, already an insular society, has never officially commented on their historic connections to the Mevehari, but Hillfolk and the Mevehari mutually dislike one another intensely.
Despite the enmity between the Hills and their wandering children, the Mevehari are known throughout the land for their hospitality laws. No man or woman need go hungry if lost near a Mevehari camp, though to accept Mevehari hospitality is to risk becoming one with the tribe. To the Mevehari, sharing broken bread will make you one of them, and once you are one of them, they may choose to Claim you as their own with a gypsy ceremony. Those who are Claimed are expected to marry at once to a man or woman of the chief's choice, or if under the age of consent, are adopted into a Mevehari family. No one can guess before sharing the loaf if an invitation will result, but all know to refuse such an invitation is a grave insult to the gypsies - and no insult ever goes unchallenged.
Because of this tradition, the Mevehari are often reviled wherever they go for stealing children, sweethearts, husbands and wives to join their bands. They also do not recognize the theory of ownership, instead sharing all property communally, and thus are believed to be the greatest of thieves throughout the duchies. The Holy Order of Dav labels them heretics, and indeed most Mevehari refuse to swear by the Lord of the Springs, yet another reason that no 'good' citizen of the Realm associates with the gypsies. Their wandering ways and poverty, however, have protected the Mevehari from the worst of the Inquisition, especially as few ever enter Lithmore or its immediate provinces where the Inquisition is strongest.
Despite the prejudice against the gypsies because of their culture, the Mevehari are known for their strength of loyalty to one another as much as their bitter and unyielding response to betrayal. As an insult may require blood restitution, so does honorable treatment in debt a gypsy to their benefactor. It is no surprise then, that many gypsies would rather refuse assistance than ask it, for the debt incurred. Nor perhaps, is it so surprising that gypsies may expect something in return for their hospitality.
These basic truths about the Mevehari often appear in different extremes depending on the tribe. Their travels have, of course, bred regional cultures amongst the gypsies despite their common blood and general unity.
Meveradi
The Vavardian Mevehari call themselves the Meveradi and are generally known to embrace Dav. They trade as craftsman and are known as fine musicians as well as the most mobile of the gypsies. Their music brings them welcome in all other gypsy tribes, and even in no few peasant villages (though they are carefully watched for theft and heresies) for their skill. The Troubadours, though finding the Meveradi a nuisence, have not as of yet taken any measures to limit their playing given the relative unimportance of the Meveradi's audiences. A minstrel Meveradi wears a green and white striped sash somewhere about their body to indicate their profession.
Meverali
Originating in Charali, this tribe of gypsies displays its heavy breeding with the plains natives by their pale skin and almost uniformly fiery red hair. Their tempers tend to match, and the results of angering a Meverali are legendary. Frequently, tales of old Meverali hexes and charms begin the fey tales that parents tell their children.
The Meverali trade salt and skins to the west and travel mostly within the Charalin Plains themselves instead of beyond to the other duchies. Thus, they are amongst the most insular Mevehari tribes in the lands. Almost none swear to Dav and no few of them spit at the mention of the Hills or Hillfolk.
Distances
To help you get a better feel for the size of the world, below is a list of distances from Lithmore to popular destinations. More will be added as requested, and as we refine our travel guidelines.
- For our purposes, people travel (on average) the following speeds:
| Method of Travel | KM/Day | MPH/Day |
|---|---|---|
| By Caravan/Pack Train | 18km | 11 miles per day |
| By Carriage | 28km | 17 miles per day |
| By Horse | 48km | 29 miles per day |
| By Barge on River | 12km | 7 miles per day |
| By Cargo Boat on Sea | 35km | 22 miles per day |
| By Travel Vessel on Sea | 49km | 30 miles per day |
| Location | Distance to Lithmore (km) | Distance to Lithmore (mi) |
|---|---|---|
| Loryth* | 125km | 78 miles |
| Sartez | 180km | 112 miles |
| Lothos | 103km | 64 miles |
| Casterlay (Blackmoore) | 80km | 50 miles |
| Avonna (Azadar)* | 275km | 171 miles |
| Gailiech (Gailiech) | 190km | 118 miles |
| Inbican (Gailiech Light) | 200km | 124 miles |
| Elcaster (Sidharr) | 210km | 130 miles |
| Endridge* | 155km | 96 miles |
| Farin Border | 180km | 112 miles |
| Vandago Border | 245km | 152 miles |
- Avonna, Endridge, Lithmore and Loryth can use a barge on the Bren. It is downstream for Avonna ---> Loryth. Downstream is 5 miles per day faster.
Overland Map
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::^^^__':::::::::::::Dralth Ocean::::'__'::::::'/
:^^^/ \__':::::::::::'___':::::::'__/ \':::'_/ VANDAGO
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^s^| \ | / City /\ /\'::::::::::::::
^^^| C _| G \_ \ / \/ |':::::Sea:::::
^^^\ / | \/\ _______/ /\'::::::::::::
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A: Zadossa, County K: Vees, County U: Iglisrich, Barony
B: Dastur, Barony L: Lyndale, Barony V: Lundsend, Barony
C: Avonna, County M: Savir, County W: Seahome, Barony
D: Brayston, Barony N: Awan Ride, County X: Hamstone, Barony
E: Sartez, County O: Irisum, Barony Y: Eastgale, Barony
F: Maides, County P: Brune, County Z: Amhurst, County
G: Endridge, County Q: Mont Innes, County 1: Sunset, County
H: Perche, Barony R: Volsuan, Barony 2: Lothos, County
I: Gailiech, County S: Rosewood, Barony 3: Casterlay, Barony
J: Asglen, Barony T: Elcaster, Barony 4: Beresfield, County
