Tessol was was almost completely burnt. Trees stood blackened and covered in soot although the explosion was almost three years ago. Huge mounds of dried lava sat frozen in time, still in the shape of rolling, hot magma. The four inches of rain that had fallen since the explosion had created small pools of stagnant water, creating a perfect place for mosquitoes to lay their hundreds of eggs, each one able to to carry the disease that had wiped out the last humans in Tessol.
* * * *
The smell of the horse in front of him was intoxicating but what he was really after was the rider. He could almost taste them now that he was so close. The women on top looked as if she had just gotten out of bed. She had caused him so much trouble he didn't care how she died as long as she did. She had crept into his territory three hours ago and he had chased her all the way of of his burnt Forrest into the huge crispy expanse that used to be Tessol. He was tired, but werewolves don't give up and never get enough meat. Running just made him hungrier. He bounded as far as he could.
* * * *
Queen Atta had snuggled herself in the mountain, but had thought she heard one on the shadows chasing her. She had no choice but to flee to Greftyle. After she had gotten to Greftyle she found nothing but miles of bunt trees and dirt. She had entered the forest and heard somthing else behind her. It was not a shadow, and she had no idea what was chasing her, but it looked like some sort of dog mixed with a man. A werewolf. When she first saw it, it had looked a lot smaller, but then after she had stood her ground, it stood on two legs and let out a howl that sounded like a wolf with a large pineapple down its throat. That's when she knew she had only one option, and that was running.
* * * *
The sun peeked over the mountains that covered Tessol. He knew that if the sun came up before he could hide, he would be as crispy as the landscape that stretched in front of him. He had no choice but to leave his prey and return to the forest behind him. He crept into the forest and glanced behind himself. The women was still riding. And she would be riding for another thirty-four miles before she would find anymore humans.
Thursday
Monday
Greftyle Discription (Kingdom #1)
Terrain/ Political/ Society
Greftyle is covered in dense rain forests and large volcanoes, most of which will never explode. Greftyle is inhabited by about half a million humans, and split into three Provinces: Tessol, the northern region, Milebok, the eastern region, and Dewqu the central reagion. Each Province is ruled by a Prime Minister that reports to the King who resides on Leviathan Beach in Dewqu, and is in charge of everything. Succession is hereditary, but in case there is no heir all the inhabitants of dewqu vote for a new king. The province of Dewqu is home to the higher classes of inhabitants, who while away the days drinking tea in their huge villas. A huge desert stretches across Milebok, which is home to the poor and working of Greftyle. Also, there is a thriving slave trade, with most slaves being taken from Milebok and sold in Dewqu. Tessol was mostly destroyed by a volcano three years ago, and very few live there now. The technology level is medieval. Crossbows are preferred over regular bows, and guns are uncommon, but not unheard of.
Hydras
Hydras live in the ocean surrounding Greftyle. These huge beasts grow three heads and are often bloated, because each head thinks it has a separate stomach, although there is only one per animal. Despite this, they are dangerous predators, often eating humans who stray too close to the shore. Sometimes they come up on land if there is a relatively large amount of meat available nearby. It has been rumored that there are some that have up to seven heads, and devour entire ships. People have tried to tame them, but the attempt usually ends in the Hydra's belly.
Greftyle is covered in dense rain forests and large volcanoes, most of which will never explode. Greftyle is inhabited by about half a million humans, and split into three Provinces: Tessol, the northern region, Milebok, the eastern region, and Dewqu the central reagion. Each Province is ruled by a Prime Minister that reports to the King who resides on Leviathan Beach in Dewqu, and is in charge of everything. Succession is hereditary, but in case there is no heir all the inhabitants of dewqu vote for a new king. The province of Dewqu is home to the higher classes of inhabitants, who while away the days drinking tea in their huge villas. A huge desert stretches across Milebok, which is home to the poor and working of Greftyle. Also, there is a thriving slave trade, with most slaves being taken from Milebok and sold in Dewqu. Tessol was mostly destroyed by a volcano three years ago, and very few live there now. The technology level is medieval. Crossbows are preferred over regular bows, and guns are uncommon, but not unheard of.
Hydras
Hydras live in the ocean surrounding Greftyle. These huge beasts grow three heads and are often bloated, because each head thinks it has a separate stomach, although there is only one per animal. Despite this, they are dangerous predators, often eating humans who stray too close to the shore. Sometimes they come up on land if there is a relatively large amount of meat available nearby. It has been rumored that there are some that have up to seven heads, and devour entire ships. People have tried to tame them, but the attempt usually ends in the Hydra's belly.
Chapter 1: Darkness and Treachery
"My lady?" Tarina whispered to her queen. She looked out the window, the moon was high and wispy clouds blew too and fro. A breath of wind crept in and swirled around her ankles.
"Hmmnmn." Atta moaned and rolled over onto her side.
"Majesty please!" Tarina whispered urgently. The scraps of paper on the queens desk blew onto the floor and rustled around in the wind.
"What is it Tarina?" The queen sat up and rubbed her eyes, blinking in the light of her lady-in-waitings candlelight.
"You need to leave, now." Tarina said in such a serious voice, the queen jumped out of bed.
"What is it?" she asked looking in her lady's eyes to see the fear gripping the depths of her soul.
"Just go, now." Tarina said trying to be calm. Atta dressed quickly and silently, many thoughts swimming in her head. What had made her young earth servant act so...strangely? There weren't any problems with the council, she had been at the last meeting. There was nothing Atta could think of that would cause this alarm.
"Your horse is ready M'lady." Tarina said looking down.
"What about you?" Atta asked, hesitating at the door handle.
"D-don't mind me." Tarina said quietly, lip quivering. A tear fell from her eye. Atta took steps back to put her arm around Tarina, but she pulled away. "No majesty. Stay away from me." She closed her eyes and tried to regain her composure. "Goodbye." Atta looked at her once more, then glanced out the window. Something caught her eye. It looked like a discolored cloud of mist, but it was only there for a second, then it was gone. Atta grabbed her sword sitting by the door, and left for the stables. Minutes later she was galloping off into the night, riding toward the north, and to safety. She only stopped once at the base of the mountain path to look back at her castle. There where specks of black surrounding the castle. Atta gasped; where they shadows? She tried not to think of Tarina as she faced her horse forward, and shivered in the crisp, cold air. Another few seconds, and she was smuggled deeply in the mountains.
Tarina's heart pounded as she heard footsteps approach her room door. The air from outside froze her, and her breath was short. She lay in the queens bed thinking of who she would have said goodbye to if she had had the chance. she heard the door creek open, and whoever was there crept inside. Tarina took slow deep breaths, and sweat beaded on her forehead. She shut her eyes tight as someone snuck next to the bed. Then she felt cold air touch her as the covers were ripped off.
"What?!" The someone said angrily, as she grabbed Tarina by the front of her night gown and threw her to the floor. Whoever it was was hooded and cloaked. They were wearing a torn black dress ripped and ragged around the edges. They were wearing thick black boots that really didn't look like they matched the dress but looked menacing all the same. They had a pair of tell-tale leather wings spread to their fullest length. The shadow called out and several more shuffled in. The main one stepped in front of Tairna and held out her hand. One of the other cloaked figures handed her a dagger. It was stained red as if it had never been cleaned and had done much damage. On the end there was a hint of green. It was poisoned. She took of her cloak and Tarina gasped. The shadow was as pale as the moon and had empty gray eyes. Her lips were bright red and she had black greasy hair that fell around her face, eerily framing it in the moonlight. "You know what we hate about earths Tarina?" She asked, in such a cold whispery voice, it felt as though ice was piercing Tarina's ears. the other five shadows laughed under their breath, as if they new what was about to happen.
"n-no." Tarina said, and she backed up against the wall.
"Well, you see, they can't choose a side. You gave us information on how to get past all of the castles defenses and then you tell the queen to flee." The shadow turned suddenly and grabbed Tarina again, slamming her head against the stone wall, and holding the dagger to her throat. Her hands felt like ice, and Tarina couldn't look her in the eye. "Where is the queen, Tarina?" she asked in a mocking voice. Tarina stared at the shadow. She refused to say anything. The shadow held her tighter. "Where is your queen?" Still, no answer. "Where is your queen?!" She shrieked. She raised the dagger and cut down one side of Tarina's face from hair-line to chin. Tarina refused to cry out, but she closed her eyes and let the tears fall. Blood mixed with tears soaked the front of her gown, and she new that if the dagger was poisoned she would be dead in a couple of hours. When Tarina still refused to respond again, another slash went across her face and pain burst like a bomb in her head. Her eyes swam and she sobbed silently.
"I know helping you has cost me my life. But just remember, you didn't win last time, you won't this time. I would rather die then help this hideous rebellion again." Tarina said stubbornly.
"Well, that can be arranged." The shadow said quietly. In a second it was all over, and Tarina's body fell limp to the floor. The shadow turned to her fellow members and said menacingly, "The queen shall be found this night, or you shall pay with your lives." In an instant they were gone, and the shadow looked up at the pale moon. She said to herself while looking out the queens window. "Wouldn't this land look so much better bathed in blood?"
"Hmmnmn." Atta moaned and rolled over onto her side.
"Majesty please!" Tarina whispered urgently. The scraps of paper on the queens desk blew onto the floor and rustled around in the wind.
"What is it Tarina?" The queen sat up and rubbed her eyes, blinking in the light of her lady-in-waitings candlelight.
"You need to leave, now." Tarina said in such a serious voice, the queen jumped out of bed.
"What is it?" she asked looking in her lady's eyes to see the fear gripping the depths of her soul.
"Just go, now." Tarina said trying to be calm. Atta dressed quickly and silently, many thoughts swimming in her head. What had made her young earth servant act so...strangely? There weren't any problems with the council, she had been at the last meeting. There was nothing Atta could think of that would cause this alarm.
"Your horse is ready M'lady." Tarina said looking down.
"What about you?" Atta asked, hesitating at the door handle.
"D-don't mind me." Tarina said quietly, lip quivering. A tear fell from her eye. Atta took steps back to put her arm around Tarina, but she pulled away. "No majesty. Stay away from me." She closed her eyes and tried to regain her composure. "Goodbye." Atta looked at her once more, then glanced out the window. Something caught her eye. It looked like a discolored cloud of mist, but it was only there for a second, then it was gone. Atta grabbed her sword sitting by the door, and left for the stables. Minutes later she was galloping off into the night, riding toward the north, and to safety. She only stopped once at the base of the mountain path to look back at her castle. There where specks of black surrounding the castle. Atta gasped; where they shadows? She tried not to think of Tarina as she faced her horse forward, and shivered in the crisp, cold air. Another few seconds, and she was smuggled deeply in the mountains.
Tarina's heart pounded as she heard footsteps approach her room door. The air from outside froze her, and her breath was short. She lay in the queens bed thinking of who she would have said goodbye to if she had had the chance. she heard the door creek open, and whoever was there crept inside. Tarina took slow deep breaths, and sweat beaded on her forehead. She shut her eyes tight as someone snuck next to the bed. Then she felt cold air touch her as the covers were ripped off.
"What?!" The someone said angrily, as she grabbed Tarina by the front of her night gown and threw her to the floor. Whoever it was was hooded and cloaked. They were wearing a torn black dress ripped and ragged around the edges. They were wearing thick black boots that really didn't look like they matched the dress but looked menacing all the same. They had a pair of tell-tale leather wings spread to their fullest length. The shadow called out and several more shuffled in. The main one stepped in front of Tairna and held out her hand. One of the other cloaked figures handed her a dagger. It was stained red as if it had never been cleaned and had done much damage. On the end there was a hint of green. It was poisoned. She took of her cloak and Tarina gasped. The shadow was as pale as the moon and had empty gray eyes. Her lips were bright red and she had black greasy hair that fell around her face, eerily framing it in the moonlight. "You know what we hate about earths Tarina?" She asked, in such a cold whispery voice, it felt as though ice was piercing Tarina's ears. the other five shadows laughed under their breath, as if they new what was about to happen.
"n-no." Tarina said, and she backed up against the wall.
"Well, you see, they can't choose a side. You gave us information on how to get past all of the castles defenses and then you tell the queen to flee." The shadow turned suddenly and grabbed Tarina again, slamming her head against the stone wall, and holding the dagger to her throat. Her hands felt like ice, and Tarina couldn't look her in the eye. "Where is the queen, Tarina?" she asked in a mocking voice. Tarina stared at the shadow. She refused to say anything. The shadow held her tighter. "Where is your queen?" Still, no answer. "Where is your queen?!" She shrieked. She raised the dagger and cut down one side of Tarina's face from hair-line to chin. Tarina refused to cry out, but she closed her eyes and let the tears fall. Blood mixed with tears soaked the front of her gown, and she new that if the dagger was poisoned she would be dead in a couple of hours. When Tarina still refused to respond again, another slash went across her face and pain burst like a bomb in her head. Her eyes swam and she sobbed silently.
"I know helping you has cost me my life. But just remember, you didn't win last time, you won't this time. I would rather die then help this hideous rebellion again." Tarina said stubbornly.
"Well, that can be arranged." The shadow said quietly. In a second it was all over, and Tarina's body fell limp to the floor. The shadow turned to her fellow members and said menacingly, "The queen shall be found this night, or you shall pay with your lives." In an instant they were gone, and the shadow looked up at the pale moon. She said to herself while looking out the queens window. "Wouldn't this land look so much better bathed in blood?"
Friday
Chapter 1: Intrusion
The Hivemind is master.
Timing is of the essence. Sometimes, it is best to go fast. Sometimes, it is best to go slow.
Patience is needed for plans to be completed.
The Hivemind is master.
Shadow Glytherians. Psychic powers. Strained relations. Useful
Discovery of labyrinth in Phoenicia. Useful
Queen Tatyana dying. Maornya attempting usurpation. Anya, the heir nowhere to be found. Useful
Assassination of Archeron council members by assassins unknown successful. Useful.
The Hivemind is master.
Discovery of new vein of stone. Coordinates: 76, 89, 54
Discovery of new cove of fish. Coordinates: 43, 12, 90
The Hivemind is master.
Tree branches moving at coordinates 0, 23, 89
Swazigherian scouts report hearing unrecognized persons.
Visual. Appears to be small lad. Dress is Koval. Purpose here unknown.
Located beyond borders. Immobilization deemed necessary.
Andrew opened his eyes. It was nearly dark, and he knew he was not outside anymore. He tried to move his feet but they felt like they were encased in stone. His eyes adjusted to the dim light and he saw he was in a large room with a purplish tint. His feet were stuck in a purple subtance foreign to him. All of his possessions were on a table on the other side of the room.
He heard voices, but he could not understand them. “Vj pvsfs t p jmfph djncst.” “X xmm h pf t jp.” He strained to understand them, but they could not make sense. He continued examining himself to see what had caused his sudden blackout. He found a gash on his neck. As he was trying to figure out what had struck him there, he heard a voice.
“Touching the wound increases the pain.”
Andrew looked and he saw a man on the far side of the room. He looked like he was from Koval. Andrew looked at the man’s eyes, which seemed to be trying to see right through him.
“Where am I?” Andrew asked him.
“You are inside the Slyg tunnels.”
“Who are you?”
“We are the Slyg.”
“You don’t look like what I’ve heard Slyg look like.”
“What were you expecting?” After he said this, his voice sounded more like a snake rasping, and also as if multiple voices were speaking at once. “Sohme mohnstehr youuu couhld hahte? Wouhld youuu prehfehr thihs?”
As he spoke, large purple spines started to slowly protrude from every section of his body. After they had completely extended, he stood there for a few minutes looking like someone had stabbed him through with many purple spines. Then, the spines retreated back effortlessly into his body. As far as anyone could tell, they had never come out. Then he spoke again, in a calm tone to Andrew.
“So now that you have asked your share of the questions, let us ask ours.” The man said.
“First, what were you doing beyond our borders?”
"I didn't know I had crossed the borders."
The man held up Andrew's waithe-brom.
"Is this what we think it is?"
"That depends on what you think it is."
"Pair-bound stone. Uses Silder from Valsurstagt"
"I suppose there's no use in denying it."
"Who holds the twin?"
"The Baron Daniel FinKaerin" his eyes flashed suddenly. "You'd better release me right now. If I activate the stone, the baron himself, and half the King's bodyguard, will fly in and annihilate
you."
"How do you plan to activate the stone when we hold it?"
Andrew grinned sheepishly. The man continued.
"There is no need to call up your reinforcements. You are in no danger from us, unless you are lying. You appear to be a Kovàl peasant, yet you claim to have an army and flying Griffins at your beck and call? This does not make sense to us. Peasants do not command kings and we wish to know more."
"I'm not lying."
"We will see."
With that, the man put his fingers on Andrew's head. All of a sudden, Andrew felt like a
thousand fingers were crawling into his brain. Imagine hearing a million thoughts and yet silence.
Imagine seeing a million sights and yet nothing. In an instant, Andrew saw all throughout Trellarya and
heard many thoughts, none of which he could remember, except one which continued to pulsate itself
over and over again. The Hivemind is master. The Hivemind is master. The Hivemind is master. And then
it was over.
The man looked at Andrew. “We have found your word to be true. We will leave you on your borders with all of your possessions. We will then send one of us to talk to your leaders to ensure that no misunderstandings come of this.”
Andrew nodded his head, but something didn’t feel right.
“We will need to incapacitate you, as we have a long way to go and it will be much quicker for us to transport you if you cannot move. Do not worry. You will see, but be incapable of movement. The effects will last an hour. We will make sure not to set you where any wild animals are.”
The man then stuck a spine into his neck. Andrew felt his entire body go numb. It was the same feeling he had felt when these creatures had first taken him. He felt very woozy.
There was a bright flash of sunlight. The man was standing over him and removing the spine from Andrew. He then slid the spine into his body. He looked at Andrew. “We have kept our end of the bargain. We trust you will not come onto our territory again without good reason. To do such could start a war…” He paused. “And we don’t think you would like that, or what we would do to you if we see you again, and we will remember you.”
With that, he burrowed into the ground.
Andrew FinKarein, son of Baron Daniel FinKarein, only heir. Deaths of both would cause chaos and possibly civil war. Very useful.
The Hivemind is master.
Timing is of the essence. Sometimes, it is best to go fast. Sometimes, it is best to go slow.
Patience is needed for plans to be completed.
The Hivemind is master.
Shadow Glytherians. Psychic powers. Strained relations. Useful
Discovery of labyrinth in Phoenicia. Useful
Queen Tatyana dying. Maornya attempting usurpation. Anya, the heir nowhere to be found. Useful
Assassination of Archeron council members by assassins unknown successful. Useful.
The Hivemind is master.
Discovery of new vein of stone. Coordinates: 76, 89, 54
Discovery of new cove of fish. Coordinates: 43, 12, 90
The Hivemind is master.
Tree branches moving at coordinates 0, 23, 89
Swazigherian scouts report hearing unrecognized persons.
Visual. Appears to be small lad. Dress is Koval. Purpose here unknown.
Located beyond borders. Immobilization deemed necessary.
Andrew opened his eyes. It was nearly dark, and he knew he was not outside anymore. He tried to move his feet but they felt like they were encased in stone. His eyes adjusted to the dim light and he saw he was in a large room with a purplish tint. His feet were stuck in a purple subtance foreign to him. All of his possessions were on a table on the other side of the room.
He heard voices, but he could not understand them. “Vj pvsfs t p jmfph djncst.” “X xmm h pf t jp.” He strained to understand them, but they could not make sense. He continued examining himself to see what had caused his sudden blackout. He found a gash on his neck. As he was trying to figure out what had struck him there, he heard a voice.
“Touching the wound increases the pain.”
Andrew looked and he saw a man on the far side of the room. He looked like he was from Koval. Andrew looked at the man’s eyes, which seemed to be trying to see right through him.
“Where am I?” Andrew asked him.
“You are inside the Slyg tunnels.”
“Who are you?”
“We are the Slyg.”
“You don’t look like what I’ve heard Slyg look like.”
“What were you expecting?” After he said this, his voice sounded more like a snake rasping, and also as if multiple voices were speaking at once. “Sohme mohnstehr youuu couhld hahte? Wouhld youuu prehfehr thihs?”
As he spoke, large purple spines started to slowly protrude from every section of his body. After they had completely extended, he stood there for a few minutes looking like someone had stabbed him through with many purple spines. Then, the spines retreated back effortlessly into his body. As far as anyone could tell, they had never come out. Then he spoke again, in a calm tone to Andrew.
“So now that you have asked your share of the questions, let us ask ours.” The man said.
“First, what were you doing beyond our borders?”
"I didn't know I had crossed the borders."
The man held up Andrew's waithe-brom.
"Is this what we think it is?"
"That depends on what you think it is."
"Pair-bound stone. Uses Silder from Valsurstagt"
"I suppose there's no use in denying it."
"Who holds the twin?"
"The Baron Daniel FinKaerin" his eyes flashed suddenly. "You'd better release me right now. If I activate the stone, the baron himself, and half the King's bodyguard, will fly in and annihilate
you."
"How do you plan to activate the stone when we hold it?"
Andrew grinned sheepishly. The man continued.
"There is no need to call up your reinforcements. You are in no danger from us, unless you are lying. You appear to be a Kovàl peasant, yet you claim to have an army and flying Griffins at your beck and call? This does not make sense to us. Peasants do not command kings and we wish to know more."
"I'm not lying."
"We will see."
With that, the man put his fingers on Andrew's head. All of a sudden, Andrew felt like a
thousand fingers were crawling into his brain. Imagine hearing a million thoughts and yet silence.
Imagine seeing a million sights and yet nothing. In an instant, Andrew saw all throughout Trellarya and
heard many thoughts, none of which he could remember, except one which continued to pulsate itself
over and over again. The Hivemind is master. The Hivemind is master. The Hivemind is master. And then
it was over.
The man looked at Andrew. “We have found your word to be true. We will leave you on your borders with all of your possessions. We will then send one of us to talk to your leaders to ensure that no misunderstandings come of this.”
Andrew nodded his head, but something didn’t feel right.
“We will need to incapacitate you, as we have a long way to go and it will be much quicker for us to transport you if you cannot move. Do not worry. You will see, but be incapable of movement. The effects will last an hour. We will make sure not to set you where any wild animals are.”
The man then stuck a spine into his neck. Andrew felt his entire body go numb. It was the same feeling he had felt when these creatures had first taken him. He felt very woozy.
There was a bright flash of sunlight. The man was standing over him and removing the spine from Andrew. He then slid the spine into his body. He looked at Andrew. “We have kept our end of the bargain. We trust you will not come onto our territory again without good reason. To do such could start a war…” He paused. “And we don’t think you would like that, or what we would do to you if we see you again, and we will remember you.”
With that, he burrowed into the ground.
Andrew FinKarein, son of Baron Daniel FinKarein, only heir. Deaths of both would cause chaos and possibly civil war. Very useful.
The Hivemind is master.
Thursday
Tirane Description
I'm posting this for Rachel, or LCF:
In Tirane there is one main river that flows across the island and has formed a canyon. There are also tall snowy peeks and a hilly/plane land that is about the climate of Ireland. There is a big forest at the bottom of the mountain that extends to the coast line. Most of the land is covered in Oak, Elm, and Aspen. There are some trees that grow only in certain places, these trees are Wild Cherry Trees, those Asian Dr. Seuss Trees, Lilacs, and Elvish Trees [the great big ones].
In the political system each species elects a representative. That representative then is a council member. The council then votes on all matters. Each species has its own section of the island and the council member is like a governor for each section. How long a council member serves is left entirely up to the different species. A council member may never leave the council until the time their species has set.
The inhabitants are: Men, Elfs, Fauns, Centaurs, Dwarfs, Cave Vrimps, Dark Hagons, Irish Hagons, Red Hagons, and Hawk Feet. Those are just the represented inhabitants from the land. There are two kinds of water inhabitants. They are Mir Maids and Water Nymphs.
I'll be brief about the way of life. The species mostly keep to them selves but there are a few cities where species mingle. In their different section each species has their own ways and traditions. The technology is varied from rather advanced to magical happenings.
In Tirane there is one main river that flows across the island and has formed a canyon. There are also tall snowy peeks and a hilly/plane land that is about the climate of Ireland. There is a big forest at the bottom of the mountain that extends to the coast line. Most of the land is covered in Oak, Elm, and Aspen. There are some trees that grow only in certain places, these trees are Wild Cherry Trees, those Asian Dr. Seuss Trees, Lilacs, and Elvish Trees [the great big ones].
In the political system each species elects a representative. That representative then is a council member. The council then votes on all matters. Each species has its own section of the island and the council member is like a governor for each section. How long a council member serves is left entirely up to the different species. A council member may never leave the council until the time their species has set.
The inhabitants are: Men, Elfs, Fauns, Centaurs, Dwarfs, Cave Vrimps, Dark Hagons, Irish Hagons, Red Hagons, and Hawk Feet. Those are just the represented inhabitants from the land. There are two kinds of water inhabitants. They are Mir Maids and Water Nymphs.
I'll be brief about the way of life. The species mostly keep to them selves but there are a few cities where species mingle. In their different section each species has their own ways and traditions. The technology is varied from rather advanced to magical happenings.
Kovàl, chapter one: Introduction
As the prairies and rivers of the lowlands gave way to the stony hills and high moors of the highlands, Andrew took a deep breath of the crisp Latewinter air. The
While contemplating the beauties of sunrise in the highlands, Andrew’s thoughts drifted to the reason for this journey: his coming-of-age! Every boy in Kovàl, exactly six months before his eighteenth birthday, was sent out on his own, away from the city of his birth. This was the coming-of-age, fasaerid in the ancient tongue. He was to survive by his own wits and his own work for those six months until his birthday, at which point he was accepted into society as a grown man. For poor boys, this was a chance to escape from the drudgery and prejudice of home life. For the sons of nobility, it provided a taste of real life away from wealth and luxury, and invaluable perspective for the day when the responsibilities of government fell on their shoulders. Sure, the fasaerid was risky, but it was a long-standing and deeply rooted Kovàl tradition, and on the whole, a beneficial one.
Andrew thought of all this and more as the flight wore on. His hand wandered to the fine golden chain around his neck, and the small jewel hanging next to his skin. He grimaced. Andrew was no ordinary boy: he was the son of the baron Daniel FinKaerin, and the only heir of the FinKaerin barony. If he were to die during the next six months, it would be disastrous for the whole kingdom. The dispute over the succession would be prolonged and bitter, even leading to civil war. Many thousands of lives could be lost in such a war, and with Trellarya growing ever more dangerous, disunity now bring destruction on the entire kingdom. As a result, Andrew wore a waithe-brom, or pair-bound stone. His father held its twin. These useful items, made of Silder from the
Andrew snapped out of his reverie when the
“Good girl, Beulah. A perfect landing, as usual.”
The
The baron Daniel FinKaerin watched his son with approval. “Look at how the
“I believe you have everything you need,” he began, speaking very quickly. “An extra change of clothes, a warm cloak, food and water, and a small purse of money. You have bow and arrows, a sword, and the skill to use both. And of course, you have the waithe-brom. Remember what your mother has told you: stay away from the seedier inns and the gambling houses…”
As his father babbled on, Andrew smiled to himself. They had been over this at least a dozen times already. He knew he was just trying not to show how worried he was. On an impulse, Andrew ran over and embraced his father.
“Thanks for everything, Dad,” he said. Andrew was surprised to see the glint of tears in his father’s eyes.
“Take care of yourself, son.” The baron opened his mouth to say more, but thought better of it. Words were not necessary. He smiled, turned away, mounted the
Saturday
Akeylea
Akeylea~
Political/Social
Akeylea is the land of the Glytherians, a race of humanoid creatures with elemental powers. They run one of the biggest kingdoms in Trellarya, home to about 300,000 Glytherians. They are a steel age kingdom, still using swords, bows, maces...etc. The Glytherians are ruled by a council of 6, one member from each viable element, and a king or queen elected by the council members. The king/queen may veto laws, but if there is a unanimous vote from the council members, then he, or she, is overruled. Akeylea has just come out of a bloody civil war, and has found temporary peace among all elements, though there is tension between them.
Land
Akeylea is wooded with dense forests to the south-west, bordered by desert a little more to the east. Most of the north is mountainous, though along both shores lie small swamps. There are small villages scattered through Akeylea, though only five large cities to speak of.
Elements
There are seven different elements that Glytherians can have power over, water, fire, energy, earth, air, shadow, and cosmic. There are the waters, who keep to themselves and are the fighters of Akeylea. They can swim well, hold their breath for up to five hours, and they do have a pair of wings that can be used for flying short distances. Waters wield spears. Next are Fires. They are not affected by fire, and can manipulate small amounts of it. They are usually the brightest element. They wield swords. The energys are not very agile, though they have the greatest strength of all the elements. They wield whips. The earths are fun-loving and have a natural bit of luck that seems to follow them. They are very charismatic. Earths wield long bows and have wings on their ankles used to hover. Airs are strong-willed and witty. They have a good mind for strategy. They have feathered wings and can fly for great distances. Axes are their choice weapon. Shadows are the outcasts of Akeylea. Though they were welcomed into the council in the recent peace, they are the social outcasts, and only make friends with their own. They have the ability of instant teleportation up to three miles away, and they have phsycic abilities. Shadows have been the cause of many a civil war; they wield flails or maces. The last element is cosmic. there is only one known cosmic and she keeps to herself in the peaks to the North of Akeylea. Cosmics are very powerful, and their limits have not yet been tested. No one knows how their power is gained.
Military
Akeylea is very much a military state, though weakened recently by civil war. Now that the many armies of the elements have united, they have a large military force, though they are trying to wean themselves off of military force and trying to turn to more peaceful means.
Akeylea is glad to join this realm, and wishes peace to the it's many neighbors, though let it be known, they know how to defend!
Political/Social
Akeylea is the land of the Glytherians, a race of humanoid creatures with elemental powers. They run one of the biggest kingdoms in Trellarya, home to about 300,000 Glytherians. They are a steel age kingdom, still using swords, bows, maces...etc. The Glytherians are ruled by a council of 6, one member from each viable element, and a king or queen elected by the council members. The king/queen may veto laws, but if there is a unanimous vote from the council members, then he, or she, is overruled. Akeylea has just come out of a bloody civil war, and has found temporary peace among all elements, though there is tension between them.
Land
Akeylea is wooded with dense forests to the south-west, bordered by desert a little more to the east. Most of the north is mountainous, though along both shores lie small swamps. There are small villages scattered through Akeylea, though only five large cities to speak of.
Elements
There are seven different elements that Glytherians can have power over, water, fire, energy, earth, air, shadow, and cosmic. There are the waters, who keep to themselves and are the fighters of Akeylea. They can swim well, hold their breath for up to five hours, and they do have a pair of wings that can be used for flying short distances. Waters wield spears. Next are Fires. They are not affected by fire, and can manipulate small amounts of it. They are usually the brightest element. They wield swords. The energys are not very agile, though they have the greatest strength of all the elements. They wield whips. The earths are fun-loving and have a natural bit of luck that seems to follow them. They are very charismatic. Earths wield long bows and have wings on their ankles used to hover. Airs are strong-willed and witty. They have a good mind for strategy. They have feathered wings and can fly for great distances. Axes are their choice weapon. Shadows are the outcasts of Akeylea. Though they were welcomed into the council in the recent peace, they are the social outcasts, and only make friends with their own. They have the ability of instant teleportation up to three miles away, and they have phsycic abilities. Shadows have been the cause of many a civil war; they wield flails or maces. The last element is cosmic. there is only one known cosmic and she keeps to herself in the peaks to the North of Akeylea. Cosmics are very powerful, and their limits have not yet been tested. No one knows how their power is gained.
Military
Akeylea is very much a military state, though weakened recently by civil war. Now that the many armies of the elements have united, they have a large military force, though they are trying to wean themselves off of military force and trying to turn to more peaceful means.
Akeylea is glad to join this realm, and wishes peace to the it's many neighbors, though let it be known, they know how to defend!
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