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Post by Oniryukain on May 4, 2009 13:48:59 GMT -5
Locations within Westeros[/size] (In order (where possible) though Capitals are listed first)
Format is: Name of Area then if its a Capital or a numbered location on the map in the previous post. Such as Tarth (18).
Lands of Ice aka The Magocracy of Astrugard[/i][/size] (Created from the words Sastruga and Blizzard)
Ice Castle (Capital) This location was once the castle of the Stark House, who under James Stark became rulers of the north, and moved to Winterfell the center of the power in the north, after the Crownwar that named Robert Baratheon, King of Westeros. During the Godswar that followed and occurred at the end of the Era of Men, the castle became more or less abandoned and fell into disuse for a several hundred years. This remained until following a few hundred years after the (re)birth of the Dwarven race, thanks to the rebirth of Theon Greyjoy into Theon Ironheart, there was a separation in beliefs and a sect of Dwarves went northwards into the frozen lands. These Dwarves, over the next thousand years, became more accustom to this new region and evolved rapidly into what would be later dubbed Gnomes.
This is a city, the capital of the Gnomish lands (as they claim the entire Lands of Ice as their domain), entirely made of ice crystals that are magically shaped by the Four Masters. It is ruled as an oligarchic magocracy, where four members dubbed “Masters” are chosen from the senior ranks of the administrative staff of the Gnomish Academy of the Artes of Neeja and Application of Experimental Sciences. It is a very noisy place some days as hundreds of experiments are going on at the same time, often including constructs that are less then perfected. This city is unlike any other in Westeros, as it has very few other races visiting let alone living there. The faiths of Neeja and Ithuriel are common here.
It has an impressively strong, if not small, army of warmages, foots soldiers, and constructs. It has no active naval forces mostly due to having no ports and frozen water all about their shores. It has never lost a major battle within the Lands of Ice, though it has never taken part in a foreign war, choosing to remain an isolationistic and neutral nation.
Current Four Masters are: Sloti Crysahear, Yen Alswel, Cid Ridweng, and their leader Ganzual Drupelmar.
Pavor (1) This is the former site of the Bolton Keep and Clan of Humans that served under both James and Ithuriel Stark during the late years of the Era of Men, which later served as a city that hosted non-Gnomes that desired to dwell within the Lands of Ice during a time in the early parts of the Era of Drifting Ash. This city was half the size of the Ice-Castle, though was in the relatively warmer snowlands south of the famed Ice-Wall, and was popular with diplomats and traders alike. This remained this way until the Great Fell-Cataclysm, a series of disasters wrought by a fellmage who once counted among the greatest mages in all of Westeros, some claimed a Chosen of Neeja, who became corrupted by the darker temptations of the power he wielded. The site of the city still remains in ruins and it has since become a deadly nest for various monsters and fellbeasts.
Winterfell Forest aka The Kingdom of Silvadmar[/i][/size] (Made up of the words Silvan (sylvan) and Eldamar (Tolkien’s Elf Home))
Winterfell (Capital) The citadel of the Winterfell Elven Forest Kingdom ruled by King Rodrik Cassel and Queen Kathlynn Tully Stark Cassel in absence of High King Ithuriel Stark. It is a place of peace and tranquility, a paradise on Westeros that is untouched by the corruption that seems to be seeping into the minds of the Southlanders. It was once the center of the northern lands, ruled by James then later Ithuriel Stark, which was devoured by the darkness of Krur before the rebirth occurred, turning Night Stalkers and their brethren undead into Elves and other creatures of the Forest. This act changed the snowy lands of the region into heavily green forests that held so much new life and terrain change that it would later become places of adventure and mystery.
This city, the capital of the Winterfell Elven lands, is made of all things natural such as great boulders manipulated into forming houses and grand tree-houses. Tranquil with peaceful pools of fresh water, clean fresh air, open spaces but never too far from a place to sit or rest or even shop. It is unlike any other city in Westeros, and is one of the few to be protected by a deity, as dark and foul magics nearly never can linger long there. It is an immortal monarchy. While it is so nice, some outsiders cannot fit in well here as the city never sleeps as the natives, the Winterfell Elves, require none and reverie only short periods of time.
The Winterfell Elves boast a very large army of Elves, Satyrs, Land Spirits, and various other beings and are quite capable of defending themselves and laying siege against others. It does have naval forces though they are usually not made use of save in cases of rarity in relation to the Ironblood Prison on the isle of Pyke.
The kingdom is ruled by former Sor, a knight's title, but now King Rodrik Cassel and Queen Kathlynn Tully Stark Cassel in the absence of High King Ithuriel Stark. Frederik 'Varys' Grundah acts as a diplomat as well for the kingdom.
Karhold (2) This was the former region of the Karstark Clan of Humans that dwelt in the north and were known to be loyally fierce to the Stark House during the late Era of Men. It served as a crafting and training center for non-Forestfolk that wished to join the population of the north, where it was ran by members of the Karstark Clan and supported by Winterfell Elves from the citadel of Winterfell. In the early part of the Era of Drifting Ash this would all change when it was destroyed in a fierce battle against the fell-beasts of a powerful but corrupted mage, who many claim to be the Chosen of Neeja, during the Great Fell-Cataclysm. It was never rebuilt though its ruins are a protected site and are considered a holy ground. Near here is said to be the Alpha-Site of the Volven.
Cailin (3) Once a castle in the area known as Gargalo, a swampy borderlands between North and South, this region has improved a great deal since the Era of Men, where the Taluvian Clan of Humans nearly losing the territory permanently twice if not for the Stark Clan. After the rebirth, Gargalo became less of a swamp and more of a wetland forest – as result the Winterfell Elves had the Taluvian redeem themselves by doubling the size of the castle into a massive fortress that acts as a wall to protect the north from the sometimes unpredictable Southlanders. A port is located here for trade with the Dwarves of Ironheart. It took serious damage during the Great Fell-Cataclysm and took a long time to repair, due to the extensive magical burns the land took during the battle. It is currently lead by the Satyr Master-Sniper Shad Maohor.
Torrhen (4) This is the home territory and castle of the Ulm Clan of Humans that once served under both James and Ithuriel Stark toward the end of the Era of Men. Following this the Ulm have remained active in their territory, the castle having long fallen into disuse, and are now living as an agricultural, with warrior elements, oligarchy ruled by the elder members of the different Houses of the Ulm Clan. It is located northwest of Winterfell, the citadel, and is a long-standing ally and trade partner. It is currently lead by Eric ‘The Elder’ Ulm and Eric ‘The Youth’ Ulm.
Pyke (5) Once the territory of the Pyke Clan of Humans, the so called “Men of Iron” who were both foes and allies of the Starks in the late Era of Men, now is the home of the Ironblood Prison system. After Theon Greyjoy died and was reborn as Theon Ironheart, same as the Dwarven deity, the House of Grejoy died out and the remaining Houses of the Clan Pyke left to join the other cities of the North and some left for the South. While the island remained empty, it became overgrown with many exotic types of plants and animals that attracted monsters and later fellbeasts. Following the capture of the one responsible for the Great Fell-Cataclysm, the being was sealed by the Archmages of the Grey Council upon Pyke as the final battle took place there, destroying the majority of the fellbeasts in the process. To further increase the security, a great prison was erected upon the decaying ruins of Pyke and guards were organized by King Rodrik Cassel of Winterfell. These guards are made up of Winterfell Elves, Satyrs, and surviving members of the Clan of Pyke. The current prison warden of Ironblood Prison on Pyke is Captain Izan Stelin.
River Lands aka The Rivsyket Free State[/i][/size] (Rivsyket is made of the words rivulet and syke)
Riverrun (Capital) Once the proud capital of the River Lands that was ruled by the noble House Tully, their blood mixed with that of the northern House Stark to unite the two people in peace and from there their children would eventually merge the River Lands with the unified North near the end of the Era of Men. A proud but compassionate people the River Landers following the fall of the Darkness and the coming of the Era of Drifting Ash began to create a land where a melting pot of various groups and races could exist without persecution. As result, it is one of the few peaceful places in the South as its population is made up of a fragment of nearly every race – even Half-bloods are welcomed here. It is currently ruled by a member of the Tully House but prior to his birth his father fell in love with a Winterfell Elf and he is the result of their union, he represents fully what the River Lands are – a land where such unions are not ostracized or threatened – he is known as James Cyree-Tamalinell Tully.
This city, the capital of River Lands, is unique in it architecture as it is influenced by many races and types, especially near the old citadel fortress which in its own right represents the old Human structural influence. A popular but busy place for traders, travelers, and warriors alike is the Four Siblings Open-Air Market – which hosts one of the largest inns, and tavern, in the entire south its name is The Wandering Werebadger. This city is a rarity in Westeros, due to its very diverse population and general sense of peace, for a southern city that is. It is ran as a republic, where elections are held every eight years and a candidate can serve a maximum of three terms in any single office– though there are many offices to run for. While the city is well diverse in its population, it is still divided up (though it is just how things came to be) by race into sectors or neighborhoods. Also it is required by law that any citizen of the River Lands old enough to go into an academy must enter into a mandatory, two out of every five years, military service as a conscript in order to acquire the skills and training to know what one must do in a combat situation if the River Lands are ever invaded so they may help defend their home. This training also has proven useful to the conscripts in other non-military tasks so it is a fairly popular system within the River Lands. Most faiths are worshipped here to some degree of acceptance, though the faith of Cyrus is usually done in secret and not spoken of openly.
The River Landers boast an impressive army made of mandatory conscripts, volunteers, professional soldiers, and former Knights. Thanks to its citizens, the River Lands are quite capable of defending themselves and laying siege against others, though they’ve never had to. It does have naval forces though they are usually made up of mostly river crafts, but it does posses a few seaworthy ships.
Riverrun is currently ruled by Lord of the Rivers, James Cyree-Tamalinell Tully.
Twin towers (6) Once the home of the Frey House, who all but a few left for Riverrun in ancient times, these ancient towers having been rebuilt long since the destruction of the one in the battle to repel the Lanisters in the Second Crownwar, and has long since become a fortress compound used primarily by the Volven after a battle with the bringer of the Great Fell-Cataclysm, that saved the location and won them the territory. . This reclusive group not often leaves its compound unless to obtain supplies from nearby Riverrun or to obtain new jobs in the region – it is known however, from those who have traveled there to do business with them, it is a nearly self-sufficient training center with a surprisingly small population who are all capable, and willingly to for a price, of slaying monsters with some noted skill (though in some cases, awe-inspiring skill). To the Volven it is not known as Twin Towers, though outsiders call it such, but called Antipode as each of the towers have completely different functions one is military and training whilst the other is the living and social side (the side guests may come into). It is run by Elder Volver Kain Whitewolf of Vilavel.
Ortan (7) The ruins of a large castle sit on this flat section of land, south of Riverrun. It was once the territory of House Mallister where they remained until its destruction during the First War of the Crimson Lord. And years later it was also victim to the Fallen Chosen, so some say, of Neeja that lead Fell-Beasts through it toward the north, so it became part of the Great Fell-Cataclysm as well. It is said to be a cursed by the tainted power of the legions of the enemy that day, forever a place of worry. It is a popular live-target training grounds for the Volven and where it is said they obtain the silver they purify for their signature weapons, otherwise this place is avoided by most if at all possible.
Vale (8) This was once a border castle to Eagles Nest, House Vance owned the territory. It remained this way a good portion of the time between the Era of Men and the present in the Era of Drifting Ash. It only changed in recent years after the Second War of the Crimson Lord that destroyed the castle itself, but the Vance House remains and manages a smaller fort with travelers’ accommodations. They trade what they can with both Riverrun and Ironheart. The castle was ruled by Janus Vance prior to and during the siege of the Crimson Lord, where he lost his life, so his son rules currently and is named Edward von Vance.
Fyreclaw Cliffs aka The Oligarchy of the Stonebloods[/i][/size]
Ironheart (Capital) Once the capital of the Eagles Nest that was ruled by the once noble but fallen House Arryn, it fell into ruin during a great siege of darkness lead by the fallen king Aerys the Second and the burning of the sky by the then still mortal Neeja Snow. Following the end of the Godswar, in the Era of Drifting Ash, the still mortal Theon Ironheart, once the Greyjoy heir Theon Greyjoy, worked with the surviving people of Eagles Nest to rebuild it into a great citadel. Though only after a few years into the Era of Drifting Ash went by Theon began to grow shorter as his stone shell began to merge with his fiery essence until a short but stout Humanoid awoke one day in his place, but he was not alone as all of those dwelling within the Eagles Nest, now being called Ironheart, changed into a similar form – a Humanoid of medium height that was nearly as wide as tall and all males, and a handful of women, bore whiskers and beards whilst having a either a long and thin or bulbous nose. Though this would breed instant uneasy as to what to do and after coming to a decision, a hundred or so years later, many left for the north and west, but many remained. During this time thanks to prayers from all three groups, Theon ascended into divinity and took a place under Ithuriel – Theon became the patron god of the Dwarves, a name they took some years later, and their northern relatives, the Gnomes.
This citadel of a city is built into the side of a massive mountain located in the Eagle Peaks, one of the mountain chains here, and is known as Ironheart named after their leader and later patron deity. It is a bastion of defense and power, boasting many great siege weapons whose range is only known to the Dwarves themselves, but the real power of Ironheart is that it dwells deeply into the heart of the mountains. A great mine, foundry, and housing complex exists under the surface – it is here where the Dwarves are truly masters of their domain. This city is linked to the west by a series of solidly stoned roads, courtesy of the Dwarves’ expertise with such materials and linked to the north via a port from Brimstone to Cailin. Several surface, and underground, farms exist to support the citizens of this great city. The city is ruled by a council of Clan Elders with one acting as chairman and is considered an oligarchy.
The Fyreclaw Cliffs has a strong army made of various Dwarven Clans and Humans who have moved there during the time of the First War of the Crimson Lord. Many great tactics are known to have originated from the Dwarves, partially thanks to the former Greyjoy himself. They are hard to match in terms of war and drinking. The Dwarves do have a small but skilled naval force that is centered in Brimstone but the naval academy is centered in Ironheart, due to its defenses.
It is currently ruled by Iron Lord Tolidor Clovenshield (chairman), Elder Ralinor Hammerhand, Elder Salva Stonebeard, Elder Warnt Slagblade, and Elder Steela Wolfram.
Brimstone (9) A powerful port that is still ruled by House Baelish, as it did previously as Humans in the Age of Men from a landlocked fortress. It is the lowest point of the Fyreclaw Cliffs, though it still towers above the sea but thanks to Dwarven ability to work stone, they have long since been able to carve ramps and stairs down to where a port has been built into the cliff-face. It is used as a housing area for the Dwarven fleet of ships that do both trade and naval patrols. Travelers from the south or north often take ships to Brimstone to do trade with the city of Ironheart. It is currently ruled by Lord Gravol Baelish, who conducts business from both his fortress and the harbormaster office.
Sky (10) In the Era of Men this was the fortress of the House Royce, though it fell to Dragonsport forces during the events leading up to the Godswar. However, after peace was achieved House Royce was permitted to rebuild the fortress and its small city under Lord Theon Ironheart and thusly like all other people in Fyreclaw Cliffs, they changed into Dwarves. These Dwarves were quite skilled at their metalwork and many traveled throughout Westeros to peddle their trade. Sadly those who left came to be the only survivors of this fortress as the Crimson Lord, during the First War of the Crimson Lord, completely and utterly destroyed this area without warning – it came to be known as one of the largest, if not the largest, massacre of that war. It now sits completely in ruins, and few dare travel to it for it is said to be home to many monsters and fell-beasts.
Western Shore aka The Vesperika City-states[/i][/size] (Vesperika is made up of the words Vesper, meaning evening and possibly where the word Westar then word west came from, and Rikka, Japanese solar event name for beginning of summer)
Deepmine (Capital) The Republic of the Deepmine is a nation of Dwarves that broke away from the Dwarves of the Oligarchy of Stonebloods during the Sundering of Stone, the name they’ve given to the event where the Dwarven people split into three groups. It is a location built upon the ruins of Casterly Mount, a location destroyed during the First War of the Crimson Lord, which was once capital of the Western Shore region – its survivors went to join the Stormcrows (part of the Greyjoy Clan) in Boscador south of New Dorne (formerly Lanisport). The mines are rich with gold, diamonds and other wonders and are guarded fiercely by the Dwarven Defenders whose faith is in the deity Theon Ironheart. The Deepminers are a very hard working people that deal little with the outside world unless it is for trade and war, only if it endangers Deepmine or the other Dwarven Lands or the World. Visitors though still come and are welcomed into the first few layers of the mine, though they are not permitted to stay very long unless it is extremely dire. The Deepmines house the entire population of the Deepminers, their army, farms, and their foundries.
No other mine is said to be as massive or as well secure as Deepmine, it is a fortress in and of itself. Few non-Dwarven outsiders can navigate its halls without getting lost, fewer are known to actually get anywhere on time if they can find their way. Deepmine though isn’t without its dangers, as older sections of the mine, those dug by Humans during the Era of Men, are known to sometimes collapse and permit monsters in via them but they tend to be tunnels that go too deep without structural supports and Deepminers know to avoid them and warn others to as well. If monsters get into the tunnels and are not dealt with by the miners before word reaches the Defenders, they come rushing through the tunnels to render their divine solution to the problem. The Deepminers have a republic with a single leader, a president or master foreman as he is sometimes called, with elections every twenty years – candidates can run as many times as they wish in their lifetime.
Deepmine’s military is small compared to those of the Stonebloods, but they are highly specialized for mine and cavern warfare though they can do well on the surface but aren’t as experienced as their eastern cousins. Deepmine has no naval forces and very few mages, but boast a large number of clerics as result of their strong and unshakable faith in Theon Ironheart.
It is lead currently by the old Dwarven Defender Dolin Boulderspirit.
New Dorne (Capital) Once the port of the Western Shore, naval access for the Lanisters until their defeat during the Second Crownwar (or War of the Throne as some might call it) where it was given to Berric Dondarrion, a Tyroshi river-pirate of the River Lands, by Queen Tamalynn Stark-Blake. Prior to the Burning of Dorne by Neeja Snow, many Tyroshi people were forced from their homes by Orcish raiders and soon found their way to Lanisport due to the presence of Lord Berric. After the destruction of Dorne and the changing of ages into the Era of Drifting Ashes, Lanisport begun to change and alter into a reflection of the Tyroshi’s homeland of Dorne, even complete with sand due to the natural and slow erosion of the nearby mountains and the Summer Sea lapping against the shore constantly. It has taken on the name of New Dorne, to reflect its heritage, as most of the native citizens have Tyroshian blood in their veins at some point. Though many fear Neeja for his previous acts and his faith is particularly strong here in addition to Cyrus’s, which is worshipped openly unlike most other parts of the world – to a lesser extent Tamalynn’s faith is practiced here as well. Though as of late there are many Doomsayers about the city crying out that if nothing is changed New Dorne will feel the wrath of Neeja and be destroyed like its predecessor.
Once a fine castle with a small city and port, it has overgrown these modest beginnings too rapidly leaving most of the city in slums, ghettoes, and sectors left to rot. It is here where traditional “Tyroshian” pastimes are practiced such as drug trafficking, slave-selling, hedonistic pursuits, pit-fighting, and other dark pleasures and vices including the well-known brothel and bar, The Last Resort. The infamous Blackwall Prison, which sits isolated on the small western island of Nhop, is filled with many criminals and political prisoners – few knows what truly goes on inside. Only the castle with its nobles and the Cathedral of the Silver-Blue Flame are kept in the upmost shape, shining likes diamonds in the rough – a visual symbolization of the corruption of the government at the expense of its people. As result of all this the city is filled with every sort of misfit, outcast, or freak there is imaginable in Westeros – but if you seek a crew or squad to do something, very few other places has as many mercenaries for hire either. New Dorne is a Freeport, only due to the fact they are unable to regulate anything outside of tax collection without the constant presence of guards and leaving the castle and cathedral without them (which is a no-no). A city of vice and sin, a city living in the fast-lane without a destination that is surely seeing an end is near if things do not change.
The Tyroshian people who are not among those that dwell within the castle or Cathedral of the Silver-Blue Flame are considered lower class, despite what they may or may not do for a living. The government is well known for not caring what happens to its citizens outside of anything too disastrous to the ruling family, such as a great fire or monster invasion. It is rare to see any sort of law enforcement save for the rare instances of people like former Sor Aeron Oakheart who has become something like a sheriff in the lower east end of the city.
The Tyroshian military is made up of Serpent Knights (Hsor), Flamekeepers (Asors), professional soldiers, enslaved prisoners (to act as fodder), slaves (to act as fodder), and mercenaries. The military is capable of repelling most large threats and even laying siege if the need arises, which it hasn’t yet. Their greatest victory to date was the defeat of the Crimson Lord in the First War of the Crimson Lord just west of Harrenhal, though the Crimson Lord would get his revenge years later. They host a large navy that is usually out protecting its trade-lines but other times docked at the harbor for repairs or restocking.
The government is ruled by a “son”, sometimes called a chosen but not THE Chosen, of Neeja and he is supported by several wives who offer him council and protect as well as raise his heirs. The current Son of Neeja is the marked Prince, as they are titled, Doran Martel who is well known to be a pacifist that has been attempting to root out the taint of New Dorne. This has been slow going as his wives do not see a need to “fix” New Dorne and often cause him to overcome their huddles to do so – they are Obara Martel (his first wife), Nym Martel (his second wife), and Tyene Martel (his third wife) who also borne him his only heir, Kelen Martel. But this all has changed ever since after the mysterious death of his son Kelen, Doran has begun to lose his pacifism and desire to fix New Dorne but to gain vengeance against the ones responsible – which is suggested to be a conspiracy started by the rulers of Dragonsport to the east.
Harrenhal (11) This is where the noble House Clegane once ruled and borne forth, in the late Era of Men, the great knight Gregory ‘the Mountain’ and his brother Sandor ‘The Bloodhound’ who both would play important roles in the events that lead to the ascension of the four Stark children to the status of deity. Even Sandor would grow into a divine being thanks to his actions, the impression he left on the Orcs and Neeja’s touch – he would later become a deity under Ithuriel. Without either heir of the Clegane House to continue the line after the start of the Era of Drifting Ash, this castle fell into disuse and was claimed to be completely haunted but only the land about it, which was some of the most fertile in the mountainous region of the Western Shore, was used to any purpose. This remained until the last battles of the First War with the Crimson Lord, where his forces completely destroyed the castle and farmlands but were later defeated as they marched westwards toward New Dorne by the Tyroshian military that erupted out of the city. Since then the farmlands have been reestablished and a farming community exists here today – they are under the “protection” of New Dorne. In addition some distance off but still within view of the village, there is a large Volven Compound known as Hauntings Pointe, the Volven here are lead by James Walter the Bluesnake of Torrhen. The farming community is lead by an older Near-Human by the name of Alexander Crumwell.
Boscador (12) The coastal castle that was ruled by the Payne House during the Era of Men is now a busy and bustling port that ships to places like New Dorne, Vilavel, Pyke, and Cailin in the Era of Drifting Ash. It changed fairly suddenly after the final battle when Illyn Payne gave up the way of the blade and retired to become Lord of Boscador. Under his guidance it blossomed into a profitable and strong port, and throughout the years since his death little has changed about this fact. Though in recent years with the constant taxation from New Dorne, who “protects” them, there has been a growing sense of resentment toward the city and there is talk of rebellion if things do not get better. It is even claimed the pirate Victoria ‘The Leviathan’ Stormcrows makes port here under guise and is known to be harassing ships up and down the sea-lane that belong to the Tyroshian fleets – she has been responsible for causing trade on the Summer Sea to slow drastically, but so far she has made no demands to lesser her reign of terror. A former shipwright by the name of Arnold Whyhassel currently runs the port and is attempting to keep everyone from blowing up at New Dorne in order to prevent a bloody massacre he believes would be result.
Gudswah Plains which includes the Autonomous Nation of the Meliaborne and the Confederacy of Ishtun[/i][/size] (Meliaborne is the result of Meliai, nymphs (dryads I think) of the ash tree, with the word borne)
Wyne (Capital) Once the home and castle of the House Redwyne of the Clan Highgarden, it has long since changed hands following the fall of the Redwyne House to the forces of the Crimson Lord many years prior to the First War of the Crimson Lord. The empty territory was quickly seized by a young race of Humanoids called Halflings that are the result of Winterfell Elves and Fey joining in union, these Halflings are a peaceful group and quickly took to the land to revitalize it from what damage the Crimson Lord did. They built walls and farms, a training academy for guards and magic-users and before long it was a good sized city though very rustic in its appearance. It is a fairly peaceful land with rolling hills that eventually give way to badlands but those are beyond the realm of Wyne. The faith of Ithuriel, Tamalynn (though limitedly), and Neeja (only by the mages) are practiced here.
The Halflings possess one of the few remaining green sections of the Gudswah Plains and make full use out of it, growing everything and anything they can. They are excellent farmers but also skilled at crafting medicine and its usages, which sometimes are put to the test when Orcish raiders attack their walls. Over the years the population of the Halflings grew steadily and they attempted to expand their territory, to a degree of success such as the port village of Vilavel and the Highgarden Outpost, but often ran into conflicts with the other residents of the Gudswah Plains the barbaric raiders of the Confederacy of Ishtun, which is mostly made of Orcs, Half-Orcs, and Humans. The Halflings enjoy peaceful trade with the cities of Dragonsport, Boscador (via Vilavel), Ironheart, Riverrun, and Ermite – they do not deal much with New Dorne, hardly at all with the raider’s home of Ishtun, and not much with the north due to Cailin but their trade reaches there via Riverrun though.
The military of Wyne is made up of the village guards who have received ample training and are capable of defending the city and trade-routes from the raiders with usually little issues. The trained mages are noted to have towers throughout Wyne to watch in any direction they chose to hurl attack spells against foes or protective spells for allies. Clerics often remain in Wyne but some are known to travel with guard detachments to hunt down troublesome raiders or to accompany land-based trade caravans. They have a fairly good navy but most of their ships are not designed for prolonged warfare and are built smaller and quicker in order to reduce the amount of time on open seas as possible.
Ishtun (13) During the Era of Men this was the Keep held by the Tarly House of Highgarden but fell victim to the forces of the Crimson Lord during the First War of the Crimson Lord in the early years of the Era of Drifting Ash, it is generally considered the first loss of the war. Its survivors fled to both New Dorne and Dragonsport. Following in the wake of this mighty army, the raiders of the Gudswah Plains begun to take up camp there, using it as a center for trade and communication between the various raider groups and clans that traveled the badlands. It is home to just many tents and mud houses with no real-walls or established boundaries any longer, the leaders of the various raider groups meet within the ruined Keep. It has never been established as a capital or such, but it is merely treated as a safe site to camp and do trade and talks with other raiders. It is potentially on its way to capital status if the raiders unite more fully instead of remaining a loose confederation.
Highgarden (14) Capital of Highgarden and the seat of power for the Tyrell House, this was center of the largest nation in all of Westeros. After the Era of Men ended with the ascension of the four northern siblings, the Era of Drifting Ash begun and Highgarden came onto hard times with poor harvests and an increase in raiders due both decrease of honest jobs with good wages for Humans in the nation of Highgarden to the population of Orcs skyrocketing and running amuck in the region. Eventually it became too much and Highgarden was attacked and sacked by the raiders, the citizens fleeing to safer lands to the north and northeast. Over the years it was used a few times against the Crimson Lord, but the place was never resettled and would be some years till it found another usage. The Halflings of Wyne needed an outpost between Wyne and Vilavel to increase security for traveling caravans that needed to be taken by ship elsewhere. They discovered the perfect spot at Highgarden and worked hard to establish an outpost there and it is now a secure location in their hands and is occasionally struck by raiders.
Vilavel (15) The castle of the House Hightower sat here during the Era of Men and still does in the Era of Drifting Ash as the Humans here have formed an alliance with the Halflings against the raiders and other dangers of the Gudswah Plains. Castle Vilavel has taken some notable damage over the years and lacks any method to repair them without obtaining Dwarven stoneworkers but none will travel there due to the very low pay they offer (as it will cost already a great deal to transport them there safely). So the majority of the people dwelling at Vilavel live in recently constructed wooden houses or within the most stable of the old structures – Halflings tend to use the old Lord mansion near the castle as a hotel. It also serves as the primary harbor of the Halflings who work and maintain the ships hosted there. Currently William Jacob Hightower is the current mayor of Vilavel.
Tempest Keep (17) It was at one point the capital of Tempest Bay region and was ruled by the Baratheon then later by Cyrus Blake via being king of the east from Dragonsport. This great castle still stands but it is abandoned save for fell beasts that seemingly guard it from anyone who would dare come closer, further away live many types of monsters that dwell within the Gudswah Plains. It is said here is the citadel of the Crimson Lord who death cannot claim, as he returns here after any loss, which few he has suffered. A very dangerous area where travelers and even adventurers are known to disappear, it is advised to travel here only if most direly needed and even than think twice about it.
Tarth (18) This was once the territory of the Tarth noble house, this island city is a marvel to behold even in the Era of Drifting Ash, a city borne forth from gold and gems, with the signature being many rubies and sapphires accenting nearly everything. However, something isn’t right with this island city as no ships have ever claimed to land upon its shores since the end of the Era of Men and no spell, no matter how powerful, has permitted access to its golden streets. Despite this, stories have continued to circulate about its riches and how no one is said to dwell there save a single woman, a woman of incomparable beauty that even the shining gold she is surrounded with is said to be of no comparison to her glow. Often called a ghost while others call her an angel, her true purpose is unknown but a woman matching her description has been there for the last three thousand years as every time an attempt to reach the island is made, she can be seen on the coast watching.
She is said to be Human with long raven black hair down to her butt, she is bronzed skin thanks to the ample sunlight – also she appears to be of average female height (5’6”) and fairly lithe. She is well shaped in the proper areas and is said to have a very kind and cute face with bright blue eyes, her face seems to be natural with little to no makeup on it. She is always dressed in a simple soft blue sleeveless dress that goes down to half way between her ankles and knees, it is kept on her with two straps that go over her shoulders, and the front of the dress’s top sits on her chest in a modest soft curve showing no cleavage. Those that have seen her always call her (Lady) Eliza, though it is not sure how or why they all refer to her by the same name, as they do not know themselves.
Tempest Bay[/i][/size]
Dragonsport (Capital) At one time this was the capital of the United Westeros under the throne of Robert Baratheon, whose armies defeated Aerys the Second of House Targaryen for right to rule. It would not even be twenty years later that he too would fall but to a more sinister foe, the Lanisters who positioned themselves next to him in places of power. His own “heir” was nothing more than the offspring of the incestuous union between Sor Markus and Queen Veronica Lanister, and the placement of Veronica as queen which was a vast insidious plan of Lord Tywin Lanister of the Western Shore. But even their brief time in power was cut short by the demonic powers of Krur that raged through Cyrus Snow (later Blake) during an eventful night at Dragonsport, in which he became the next king. Cyrus ruled until him and his wife, Tamalynn Stark-Blake, ascended into divinity sometime after the end of the Era of Men and the great battle with Aerys and Krur in the ashes of Dorne. After this, for a brief period of time, their bloodline carried on the task of ruling until they lost power in a coup de tat midway through the Era of Drifting Ash. Though it would change hands another two or three times before a hundred years of “peace” before the present, where the Croweye House rules unopposed. Despite the changes of government, it is a nation filled with many faithful of Tamalynn and to a more hidden, due to the nature of it, degree worship of Cyrus.
The castle and its city are of old Human design dating back some many years and it shows many great examples of Human architecture such as the Grand Hope-Martyr Cathedral that was once in honor of the Seven Gods of Men but now Tamalynn. The city is contained within the walls of the castle, making it a castle-city, and it wraps about three-fourths of the area starting at the north, turning to the west, and ending in the south – while the eastern section is host to a large sector of warehouses with a large and well-known harbor. The castle walls are wide and strong, able to withstand great sieges while enabling its own defenders to make use of their size by launching close to medium ranged attacks from there and by using siege weaponry on far off targets such as encampments. Despite being surrounded by four stone walls, the interior of the city is well maintained and several large parks exist throughout the residential zones to keep the population happy. Outside of the castle sits several roads, though the major roads are to the north and west which link trade to other regions but once a road did go south, a major trade route but it was closed indefinitely due to the foul presence of the Crimson Lord at Tempest Keep.
The people of Dragonsport are among the purist of Human lineages, since the fall of the Blake regime there has been a law against any non-Humans living in the city and those who attempt to do in secret, such as Near-Humans, are often hunted down and made examples of. Freaks and those with various forms of retardation are also generally removed from the city to preserve a pure gene pool for future generations that can be born free of such aliments. Outside of their xenophobic nature toward non-Humans by the elitists, the lower classes of Dragonsport are quite welcoming and often will go out of their way to protect non-Human travelers who are merely attempting to get elsewhere. Outside of Dragonsport several miles on any road, with the exclusion of those going south, “Freak-Towns” or similarly named locations have sprung up to house non-Humans who wish to dwell near, but outside of, the castle-city for protection from the dangers in return for high taxes.
The government of Dragonsport is absolute with a very rigid hierarchy of nobles and knights, with the top being king and the lowest being a peasant indentured servant, as slavery is currently outlawed. Laws are posted upon the doors of the church or meeting halls and are expected to be followed and are strictly enforced by guard patrols – but there is a shady underground that thrives in the unseen shadows of alleys and pubs that scatter the city. While the King may be top of the Dragonsport government, the Shadow Lord is the top of the Underport leadership and some claim he has more power than even the king but few dare to bring this light to test the theory. The churches of Tamalynn hold major sway within the Dragonsport court while the temples of Cyrus hold an overpowering death grip on the actions of the Underport, as the Shadow Lord is head o both the Underport and the Temple of Cyrus in Dragonsport.
The military of Dragonsport is perhaps one of the oldest and most developed among those in Westeros, as its traditions and tactics date back supposedly to the Era of Dreams. The army is made up of a vast number of knights (one of the few locations to still use knights), infantry of professional soldiers, volunteers, and lower-class citizens who serve in order to up a social rank. Few dare to openly attack Dragonsport without a vast army but over the years Dragonsport had to fight with the Crimson Lord, the encroaching Dwarves to the north, and the raiders to the west (in which they include the Tyroshians). Dragonsport also boasts a powerful and well stocked navy that has the most ships on the eastern coast and upon the Tempest Sea.
It is currently ruled by King Euron Croweye with High Priestess Lydia Solgel as head of the faith of Tamalynn, while Underport is ruled by the Shadow Lord Cyan Cloudstain.
Drakeston (16) At one time it was the territory of House Penrose who served the House Baratheon during the late Era of Men but later became fully ruled by Stannis Baratheon during the time he was at war with his brother Renly over their dead brother Robert’s throne that was currently be held by Cyrus at that time. After the Great War with Aerys and Krur, the island was left abandoned while Stannis attempted to settle in Tempest Keep with his nephew and niece – it would be here the Baratheon family remained until they left prior to the time of the Crimson Lord. The island of Drakeston was later taken over by the founders of the Volven to erect a compound that would be known as Drakengard Castle, one of their largest, and would stand for nearly three thousand years and then some before being destroyed by Dragonsport as an example that “freaks” do not make good neighbors. However, with the disappearance of the Volven in the region monster numbers have risen and it has become increasingly unsafe to travel around the great city of Dragonsport as result. For now the island and its castle sits in ruins, but it has been said some survivors of the Volven Massacre have returned to attempt to rebuild the site but are prepared to do whatever it is in their power to destroy Dragonsport if they are attacked by the city once more. It is also noted as a volcanic island but hasn't erupted in a very long time, but some claim it is due for it soon.
Plains of Ash[/i][/size]
Ermite (Capital) The ash desert oasis known as the city of Ermite, once the Keep owned by House Fowler but it was destroyed when Neeja ascended and turned Dorne to ash. The Oasis City of Ermite is a major trading city that is well known for the high quality magic objects that can be obtained there. It is due to the fact of its native dwellers, the Ashen Elves, which these items can be made to such degrees of excellence in the first place. The Ashen Elves must feed upon magic energy, that runs rampant in the Plains of Ash, to survive it is not fully understood but any of the Winterfell Elves that were stuck in Dorne when it burned are now blessed/cursed with this condition but as result any excess energy, which normally would vanish if unused, can be made use of to craft and enchant items. The city is among the riches in all of Westeros despite its presence in the most dangerous region of the Westeros, the Plains of Ash. If they keep a faith it is in the deity Neeja who altered them so and for he provides them with the endless substance they require to live.
The city is situated around a series of fresh water oasis lakes that are well protected by the magic of the Ashen Elves, from these waters life can be sustained and with the flooding of raw magic in the nearby Ashlands, there is no better place for one of their kind. Stone-crafted houses make up the majority of the city, with most of the stone coming from many of the scattered ruins in the Plains of Ash. Many tents also adorn the city, as some Ashen Elves are nomads that travel the dangerous Ashlands to find more sustaining forms of the magic they require but often return to do trade in Ermite. The city is walled and many guards man them due to the monsters that are well known to lurk the ashes. There are a few green patches with the walls and they are carefully tended to and plants are grown where they can, great care is taken with all usages of water within the city and it is stressing job to keep track of all this. The center of the government is the Waterkeeper, the most powerful mage of the Ashen Elves and normally the eldest of their kind that still dwells among them, and this being dwells in the Ashcastle Sweetwater that sits adjacent to the oasis lakes.
The Ashen Elves of Ermite are noble, even to the point of snooty but they are not beyond going out and taking what they want themselves. The Ashen Elves are a patriarchal society and typically follow the orders of the most respectful and oldest male in the territory, however, this is not to say females are treated as lesser, they merely do not hold positions of power unless earned through trial by fire. Usually considered hauntingly beautiful by “lesser” races, giving them a well noted superiority complex, the Ashen Elves are known to have quite the ego and those from Ermite especially so as they are considered the most civilized and cultured of their ilk. Despite whatever origins they may come from, the majority of Ashen Elves are rich and love the finer things in life such as silks, gold, and the likes that often force them to travel northwards to seek out. But in the end, all return to Ermite at one point or another to fully rest and restore themselves by flooding their bodies with the raw magics that are present in the region.
The Ashen Elves have a small military that is made up of trained guards, mages, and mercenaries. The Ashen Elves maintain guards and patrols that use magic as their primary deterrent but are capable fighters in some cases as well. In the wild Ashlands it is not unheard of for tribes of Ashen Elves to band together to raid lesser bands of Ashen Elves outside of Ermite, but in Ermite the tribes that make up of the citizens have joined together in both terms of swords but also in blood in many cases. As it is a completely landlocked city, Ermite has no naval forces for the Ashen Elves.
The current Waterkeeper is an Ashen Elf known as Legros Ael’nuril.
Tombarreal (19) The former Dorne city ruled by the House Santagar in the late Era of Men before it was destroyed much like the rest of the nation when Neeja rose to divinity. The skeleton of this city was the foundation of the tower born of ash that transmutated into a substance harder than even steel but was once a symbol of Neeja’s power and influence in Dorne, as it warps and twists to fit his mood – though it is where a massive five headed dragon is stuck frozen in a roar of defiance. This stone dragon is host to multiple runes and crests upon its surface – little is known about what or who this dragon is. The dragon has sat there for three thousand or so years now and has begun to show signs of erosion, but in the desert below its mighty reach lays a lair of a powerful landwyrm known as Sin-Eater who is king of the ash as Neeja is god of magic. Very few who have encountered Sin-Eater have lived to tell the tale but all those that do describe a powerful and fearful beast.
Solarspear (20) This site was once home to the tallest man-made structure in Westeros, a large spear monument that was said to be so tall that it could pierce the sun, and was capital of Dorne before the great burning that turned the desert to ash. The great citadel of greed some called it, it is here where all the dark deeds of the Tyroshi people originated and ended, the riches of many lands traded and stolen were kept in the vaults of the nobles in this huge city. Its streets akin to path in a maze, even in its now skeletal form the city is a massive maze filled with some of the most dangerous of the Plains of Ash’s monsters that have long since settled here. Rumor has it that the city contains more treasure than all the civilized nations in the lands beyond the Ash combined, including the Ashen Elf city of Ermite, and it is accessible by the sea but few dare travel to its port. A darker tale suggests this is where the Crimson Lord originated from here as a lowly monster that found something of great tainted power, perhaps a relic from Krur or something far worse, and became something far more that the rest of Westeros has shaken from his armies twice in the Era of Drifting Ash.
Tombastel (21) A city that is now left in complete ruins, fragmented houses and structures are scattered throughout its zone that held little importance outside it being the birthplace of the mass murder turned Knight Amory Loch. It is home to many monsters and fellbeasts though it is said there is an ancient artifact once held by Azhai that sits hidden within these lands. However, all attempts to find it has lead to disappearances or insanity of the very few which return alive – it is thought perhaps it is an elaborate trap but even the god Neeja and the Crimson Lord is said to have shown interest in the area at one point.
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