Sunday, August 28, 2022

Frigia

Far in the uttermost south are the frozen wastelands of Frigia. No people are known to live here permanently, but fishermen and hunters occasionally travel here and camp here to hunt the vast quantities of animals and fish. The closest analogue to Terra is the South Pole. Miles of ice, frozen tundra, snow covered plains, and similar sights await those who venture here. Occasionally whales and other sea creatures from this area migrate South to the South Polar Regions. They stop in the temperate water just off the coast of Tre’Volos only long enough to breed and give birth. They end up in the waters just north of Suda.

Hosira

Farther south is the province of Hosira. Filled with deserts and desolate wastes, no better place could be found for the Arabian parallels that exist here. In the capital of Hosira is the center for all Æøæ's Muslim pilgrimages. There is a relic here, similar to the Ka'aba, which serves as the symbol and center of Muslim knowledge. Beautiful Mosques and towering Minarets dominate the skyline. The temple resembles the Mosque of Omar in Jerusalem, and the main palace bears a strong resemblance to the Taj Mahal of Earth. Unlike Earth, however, all sights are open to tourists as well as believers, and there are tours given by adherents to Islam who will attempt at least once to convert anyone who is not already Muslim. Nantarth El-Antaggrah makes a yearly pilgrimage to this site, and many devout Muslims from Tre’Volos will follow him.

Espania

The southern caravan route travels through Españia. Buildings there are wide and low, and many homes and businesses are made of adobe or sun-dried brick. Españia is a major trading partner with Tre'Volos, but it is not part of Sedmon's kingdoms, nor does it owe allegiance to him. Many traditions have been passed down from Earth from Spanish and Mexican people who find their home here. Españia is a major city and trade center on the southern coastal caravan route to Hosira, which is further south. Caravans will stop here to trade some of their items with some from Españia. Many unusual food items are only available here.

The Kells

The Kells, as they are called, are an incredibly huge, very alive, coral reef that guards Tre'Volos Harbor. The Kells inhibit travel between Tre'Volos and the nearby prison island, and stretch almost from Northport to Southport, and around to the other side of the prison island. The Kells teem with aquatic life and are very treacherous to boats. Only flat-bottomed boats can ever hope to navigate the vast portion of The Kells. Fish and other aquatic life hide and breed in the many natural places in the reef. This is similar to, but larger than, Australia's 'Great Barrier Reef'. The Kells have never been mapped. There are lighthouses at both Northport and Southport to warn people and ships of the dangers just beneath the waters of the Bay of Tre'Volos. It is rumored that there is a hidden passage between Tre'Volos and Ruach or Ard Bo, but no seafarer knows where that might be, nor do they want to try. It is possible to skirt the coast and reach Tre’Volos without endangering a ship on the Kells. Sedmon believes the word "Kells" is a corruption of the word "Corals".

The Prison Islands

The twin cities of Ruach and Ard Bo lie on an island just off of the coast of Tre'Volos. A more inhospitable place could not be found. Surrounded with deep, almost impenetrable, jungle growth, man-eating plants, vermin infested swamps, volcanoes, and worse, this island is used to exile only the most hardened and despicable criminals and monsters. Rivers teeming with something like Piranha, musty mines infested with plague carrying insects — these are just two of the scenic vistas of Ruach and Ard Bo. Ruach is the prison for humanoid creatures, including humans, and Ard Bo is for more inhuman creatures. Both have large populations of police and constables. Exile to Ruach and/or Ard Bo is considered a death sentence. There have been no known successful escapes.

Portal to the Fae Realms

The permanent Portal to the realms of the Fae lies not very far from the town of Dale. A village catering to the needs of the Fae has been established there. There is a stone circle (think 'Stonehenge') that marks the border of the true fairy gate from the rest of the town. Druids frequently travel here to conduct Druidic ceremonies.

The Township of Dale

The small town of Dale lies at the southern end of Midluachaer. It is primarily a meadow/farm community. Huge green fields stretch for miles along the banks of the nearby river. The town has industry related primarily to sheep, although other cattle raising opportunities are only a few miles in almost any direction. Dale is also close to the Portal entrance to the Fae Kingdom at Fairy Gate, as well as serving as the entrance to the High Elf Kingdoms to the west. The caravan road to Hosira goes thru Dale, and frequently uses it as a stopping point. Some lumbering activity takes place here under the watchful eyes of both Sylvain and Laendoli Elves. There is also a large community of Green Mnoken just to the west of Dale.

Luach Lighthouses

Popularly known as the Tre'Volos Lighthouses, the Luach Lighthouses were established by Sedmon many years ago to warn travelers of the dangerous reefs in the harbor (known as 'kells') so they would not ruin as many ships. The Luach Lighthouses are kept lit by magic — and they will stay lit any time that it is either dark or foggy. The lighthouses also make a loud noise any time it is foggy (think 'foghorn'). The Luach Lighthouses are much larger and much more visible than the Lighthouse at Dale. One Lighthouse each serves the port towns of Northport and Southport. The keeper of the Luach Lighthouses is a wizened old sea captain that lost a leg due to a monster of the depths. Sedmon gave him this simple job to keep him occupied. This man has been keeper of the lighthouses much longer than a normal human lifespan. It is said by those who know him that he cannot die until reunited with his lost leg.

Northport and Southpart

The two small towns of Northport and Southport, one on either side of the Tre'Volos kells, serve as the primary ports for Tre'Volos, as well as all of Midluachaer. Both Northport and Southport have large shipwright stations, docks, and other seafaring areas. The vast majority of the population in both towns has something to do with the sea and its riches. Popular trades practiced in both towns includes: shipwrights, net makers, fishermen, canners, crew, ship's stores, and many others. The fish canneries are in Northport and Southport and not in Tre'Volos. Most ships visiting Tre’Volos will dock at Southport or Northport instead of risking their ships on the Kells. As a general rule, ships carrying passengers will dock at Northport, where there are many more places for weary passengers to eat and rest, and ships carrying goods will dock at Southport where there are much larger facilities for loading and unloading cargo.