[04] THE NATIONS

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the world of anhrefn is made up of four distinct nations

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ESTE - the east; dedicated to wind
NOORDEN - the north; dedicated to fire
PONENTE - the west; dedicated to earth
LE SUD- the south; dedicated to water

Each nation has it's own little world with unique features. The nations are all connected but walls and tolls have been set in place to keep unwanted visitors out. There are ways through forests and mountains but they are indeed treacherous. Who knows what could happen if you were to wander too far!

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[indy!]

[atrb=border,0,true][cs=2][atrb=style, text-align: center;][atrb=style, width: 410; padding: 5px; border-top: 0px dashed #000000; border-right: 0px dashed #000000; border-bottom: 0px dashed #000000; border-left: 0px dashed #000000; background-image:url(), btable] NOORDEN,

[/color][/font]land of ember[/color]

"from the ashes, we rise"

Situated in the northern continent of Anhrefn, the lands of Noorden are located, in, on and around the dormant volcano, Brwmstan. The last explosion was many centuries ago and the magma supply is drained. The people thought the location was a perfect tribute to fire and went to digging multiple caves and trails throughout the humungous mass. Cave collapses are rare due to the excellent mining skills of the people. There is a simple train system that gets people up and down the mountain and out into the valley.

Deyrnas is the name given to the chateau that sits atop of the volcano and it is where the ruling nobles are located. The valley below, known as Blodeuo, is very lush and fertile because of the ash from explosions of years past leave the ground with a rich soil full of nutrients. Many farmers and healers live in this area and benefit greatly from the produce grown here. Further away from Brwmstan is the set of woodlands known as Gollwyd. Not many venture through here unless they are looking for certain herbs.

There is one lake, called Gwerddon, throughout Noorden and it causes difficulty for the people. Irrigation techniques have improved to be efficient and sparing. There are a few creeks here and there but not many so wildlife is generally sparse. The biggest worry for the people in the Noorden is this lake.

government

Most of the people in Brwmstan, known as the Gwella, live in a tribal setting and the chief has pledged their loyalty to the King in Este. Unfortunately, the king has placed a set of nobles, the Diflas family, to keep watch on the tribe. As of late, they are beginning to doubt the king and his customs as the people are suffering and Este seems to do nothing about it.

the people

The people are simple incredibly welcoming and friendly, most of the people who live here do wonders with medicinal herbs and many are recruited as doctors and such for the other countries.
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[indy!]

[atrb=border,0,true][cs=2][atrb=style, text-align: center;][atrb=style, width: 410; padding: 5px; border-top: 0px dashed #000000; border-right: 0px dashed #000000; border-bottom: 0px dashed #000000; border-left: 0px dashed #000000; background-image:url(), btable] ESTE,

[/color][/font]eden of the east[/color]

"honor as high as the skies"

Situated in the eastern continent of Anhrefn, the lands of Este are entrenched into an expansive river canyon, in which large plateaus erect from the bottom up. Mostly plains, with rolling golden fields fill these lands, as well as lush green forests with trees over a hundred feet high lay on top of the plateaus. The Temtos Forests is filled with an assorted wildlife, bears, shadowcats, and wolves can be roaming them. The golden fields of Karadas are spread sparsely across the many plateaus around Este, fielding farmlands, lesser villages, and herding grounds. All the way on the bottom lies the abundance of interconnected rivers most commonly known as The Netas. Down here, life is a little more dangerous since wildlings (barbaric men with no allegiance) have flocked to the rivers to settle. The Netas are part of the Este dominion, but the high and mighty Este does not generally concern themselves with the river lands down below.

All the way to the east, on top of the widest and largest plateau of them all, lies the majestic marble city Estonia. It is a sight to behold, with its fifty feet walls of stone and marble. Grand, white houses make up the noble district surrounding the city's keep, while the slums keep the deteriorated stone houses that hug the western walls. The marketplace sits right at the entrance of the city, carrying wares from the lands beyond the eastern seas.

At the most eastern edge of the city lies Aquillos, the tallest fortress ever constructed. It is said that the first storm king of Este took refuge from the Sea God's wrath a long time ago, after the first king tricked the Sea God, so the God of Storms showed the first king how to construct a fortress that can withstand the tidal waves the Sea God sent to crush the king. Embedded with the power of rain and lightning, the stone used to construct Aquillos made the fortress nearly impregnable. And for forty days and forty nights, the Sea God sent wave after wave against the eastern shores, carving the rock and turning the lands into the canyon it is now. But Aquillos stood firm and eventually the Sea God gave up. Now, the keep remains in the heart of Estonia, said never to be breached.

government

The ruling family of Este are the Galneas, a lineage that is said to be a descendant of the God of Storms. Not only do the Galneas rule Este, but they also have sworn fealty from the other three kingdoms in the west, north, and south as well, however shaky this sworn oath might be for now...

the people

People in Este are mightily proud of their lands, which overlooks most of the other kingdoms. So proud, however that a sense of arrogance, is set in their very blood. The lesser people are farmers and herders. The middle class are merchants. And the nobles splurge and celebrate within their ivory towers.
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[/color][/font]the frozen south[/color]

"heart of ice"

Situated in the southern continent of Anhrefn, Le Sud is like a winter wasteland more than a wonderland. It is winter in Le Sud year round, but when the sun sets earlier in the Anhrefn calendar, the lands become nearly uninhabitable during those harsh months.

The Wulfwoods covers nearly a quarter of Le Sud lands. Not many settle in the woods, but hunters venture in here to hunt game and scavenge for anything to survive before the sun sets. Here, the woods are home to direwolves, a feral animal that can grow a high as four feet, though they can be tamed by a few.

The Icen River runs straight the the heart of Le Sud, making it the preferable route to the capital city, by a boat or raft. At its widest, the river is nearly half a mile long but diverges and converges into many smaller streams along the way. As it closes in on the capital, it is about a quarter mile in width. The people of Le Sud take the river up and down every day to travel. Of course, the water is freezing cold, so anyone wishing to cross the river by swimming would be sent to a watery grave. Also, fisherman sit on the banks in the cold, waiting for a catch. The roads bordering the river can be treacherous, however, for those who do not have a luxury of having a boat. They are prone to attacks from wildlings, criminals, and vicious animals that roam the wastelands.

As one travels down the river, he or she will eventually reach Iclesa, capital city of Le Sud. This is no place for tourists, for it is unwelcoming to those who are not a southern brethren. However, despite the harsh conditions in Le Sud, the city is not all grim. Its halls can be filled with warm fires and great songs. Unlike many of the other capital cities, Iclesa does not divide the middle and lower class, although the nobles do enjoy the sanction of living closer to the ice fortress.

There are no grand tales surrounding the ice citadel, Glacholm. It is a sight to behold, said to be made of iron and ice, its outer and interior walls looking majestic from afar but appearing crude upon closer inspection. Like the land, the citadel is cold and depressing, but can withstand the mightiest of sieges. Glacholm lies on the edge of the world, bordering the treacherous Pit.

As for the pit, no one knows what lies beneath or the lands beyond the pit. It is a mystery as to why it is there and what caused the giant bottomless crater to appear. Legends has it that the Those who have dared climbed down are never heard from ever again. Also, a beautiful waterfall flows from the Icen River off of the steep cliffs of the Pit.

government

Many have tried to take rule the desolate lands of Le Sud, but only House Faust succeeded in making all the other lords bend the knee. However, that was a long time ago when the Faust actually had dominion over their own lands. For over two hundred years now, they have sworn fealty to the crown of Este.

the people

Just as the land is harsh to its inhabitants, the people who live in Le Sud have grown accustomed to the hardy environment. People appear cold, bitter, and independent, but those who have survived through the long harsh winters will understand that only by banding together will they hope to the daylight again. Long ago, the people will raze, reap, pillage, and take what they wanted. But in doing so, they have robbed the lands dry. Once they swore to Este, they were forced to give up these traditions. Nowadays, Le Sud people have adjusted and are found trading, fishing, and hunting. Also, many criminals flee to Le Sud, but the trials present in the winter wasteland may be just as deadly as the gallows.
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[/color][/font]wild wild woods[/color]

"our roots lie deep"

Situted in the western continent of Anhrefn, Ponente is a primarily woodland area, known for their vast expanses of forests stretching along the land for thousands of miles. The main habited areas are built around a thousand year redwood tree, and also where the capital city of Ponente, Laiad stands, protected by the canopy. The city itself, is carved out of the thick weathered redwood and hidden away deep within the forest groves. It is said that those who are unfamiliar with the lands, will have little luck finding the hidden city, without a native guide and even then, the journey is riddled with dangers. Nowadays, beautiful lanterns light the way towards the city, and from afar, the tree houses built upon the highest boughs of hundred-year-old trees appear like stars at night.

There had been little class division amongst the people on ponente, until the noble family had taken over, and the citizens sworn their loyalty to Este. However, as the time passed, The houses hung on the highest boughs of the highest trees, display the highest status, and likewise, the lowest classes build their homes on land, exposing themselves to thieves, predators and other dangers.

To reach the city, the most commonly travelled trail passes through the Koeh Forest, filled with massive trees whose tips are said to transcend the heavens. And frankly, everything is big in Ponente, even the woodland animals come in frighteningly huge sizes. In the day, the forests are far more forgiving, brightly lit and filled with clear trails. At night, however, the canopy of the trees often block out the moonlight, blanketing the lands in an almost tangible darkness, an open invitation to nocturnal predators. The paths within Ponente are ever changing and only those who are native to Ponente can instinctually find their bearings in the maze of trees and foilage. Still, the trip is considered worthwhile, as the main city is known for the finest carpenters and craftsman, as well as skilled archers and hunters.

Remnants of ancient cities, are littered about the western lands, abandoned after decades of civil wars, and most notable are the Rumbryn Ruins; only a vestige of a once proud and majestic city. They are now unkept and inhabited by cobwebs and vines but the buildings continue to stand tall, despite missing walls and and empty rooms. It’s rumored to be haunted with ghosts that sing of lost time on the nights with a full moon.

Those who follow the winding paths that lead towards the very outskirts of the west, will cross the Burlek Swamp. The area is muddy and dark, without clear trails and the swamp itself is so thick it’s almost impossible to see even one meter into its depths. Gargantuan mud fish are known to wallow in its depths.

government

Civil war had plagued the various tribes within Ponente for centuries, and only once the noble house of Auvrea stepped in a hundred years ago, did peace reign over the lands. The nobility are highly respected within the woodland province. However respect is quickly being lost for the aristocrats within Este, that live opulent lifestyles funded on taxes and government funds. The whispers of discontent are spreading and the once resilient peace, is now hanging by little more than a thread.

the people

The people of Ponente bloodlines are known for their rather animal-like features and many hybrid races have evolved within the citizens. They are known to have heightened senses as well as strength. However, the animalistic instinct also comes along with a savage temper to match. Ponente was known to be a warring nation long before the monarchs had taken over, and a hundred years after, the people have somewhat domesticated and some, lost their edge. However they are by no means only furry little forest creatures, many are noteworthy craftsmen and fearsome warriors.

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