Oct 5, 2019 13:00:01 GMT -6
Post by Izalie on Oct 5, 2019 13:00:01 GMT -6
♦ ARKA
Arka is a flat land not much smaller than Mistere, however, much of it is abandoned due to the lack of resources. It shares a desolate icy border with Hisakawa, where the lands are frosted over with a thick layer of ice. The terrain does vary as the ice melts to reveal a desert like land of harsh rocks, sharp mountainous spires of stone and strong winds. Across this rocky landscape there are hovels and shacks of those living out their limited days without resources, money or power. However towards the south, grass starts to grow, marshlands turn into plains as small villages and settlements become more common. These areas are more lush yet nothing compared to the natural wealth of Mistere.
The landscape is flat and empty, small shacks made of debris litter the abandoned lands, while on the marshy terrain small villages have been built with basic carpentry. Both of these areas are often forgotten when compared to the three cities in this land. The first is simply known as MT Academy, the entire city is for young magical persons who are training as cadets. After graduating they will often move to live in the Capital. With architecture of great domed stone buildings, this city is simply known as 'The Capital' for any other name has been lost over time. Powerful members of society and the army reside here, controlling the academy and the nation alike. The third city is one that no person of class and status would mention. Located on the edge of The Capital, it is a place known as the slums, with those too old to have wealth or power hiding away and fighting over what scraps they can find there. The only visitors they get are slavers from the capital, taking away people to be forced to fight in arenas or work until they die of starvation or worse.
♦ Government
Arka is an oligarchy, where a small number of wealthy or magically powerful upper class citizens lead the school, army and country. The entire country revolves around the Military Training Academy which trains soldiers in the art of magical combat from a young age. Those enrolled enter the military ranks after they graduate. The successful students have an upper class life of power before them. Those who do not have the innate talent or power to enter the academy are cast out from the cities and villages, leading a life of suffering in the empty stone desert.
A long time ago, when Arka had no rulers and was at constant war with one another within its own territories, a group of seven individuals came together and formed what is simply known as The Trine Family. This family had one goal and one alone, which was to take over Arka and hold everything within the country under their thumb. Together they studied the land and found the best tactics to use to get the scrambling people of the harsh landscape to bow to their whim. They built themselves up and hoarded precious resources they forced those under them to work hard for. They made no room for others to oppose them or to enter their ring. They kept it exclusive to themselves and the select “chosen ones” that were to be next in line.
Over time, they have tried to work things out with Mistere, but due to differences in beliefs and other matters the two countries always end up fighting as each try to keep the other out of their lands. They hold a fragile and tense peace with Mistere and are neutral with Hisakawa, who they are considering making trade routes with to have more resources come into their lands.
The leaders’ philosophy is a simple one: be strong or perish. There is no inbetween and those they do not see as fit are always tossed out to the wilds to fend for themselves. The government only cares to keep the power and control they have and does not care for the “little people” struggling to get by in this dog eat dog world.
The economy of this place is based loosely on trading of whatever goods and products that can be found or built within the harsh environment. The currency is silver or copper coins that can buy a few things here and there, but doesn’t hold as much weight as a good trade of resources or a useful item.
The 1st Tier: Holds absolute power of Arka
Ursula - Age: 1000 years old - Ursula is the oldest of the family and the only vampire in the lands, or so they say. She rules from the City of Ice - really a large fortress-in the mountains of the land. She is the one who holds all the power in Arka and makes all the rules. She is a mystery to most of the land as she is rarely seen, but those that have seen her state she is not your stereotypical drop dead gorgeous vampire. They say she is old, wrinkly and quite scary looking, more like a stereotypical witch than a vampire. While people are unsure how she keeps up the line and the spot of being the only vampire in the area, they do not dare try to find out either. Between her powers and her deep connection with the Church no one dares question this ancient creature. Her skin is as white as snow and her hair black as soot. Her eyes a crimson red.
The 2nd Tier: Has the second most power in Arka and only answers to the Queen.
Luna - Age: 500 - Luna is a witch that rules from the marshes of the land, a place that is said to have a god that lives under it. Her line created the Church of Urla - the name given to this supposed god of the land. From within the Church this witch rules. She seems welcoming and wholly dedicated to the religion she has created, grown and spread in the marsh lands. However, she is not a divine person using religion and her own powers to scare people into believing in this god and in turn holding power over the Marshes. Even beyond that, she seems to want nothing more than to take out the heads below her so she can have all the land. It is rumored she even wants to take the queens place and rule everything on her own, restructuring how the government works in her own vision which would put only “pure” people in power...meaning nothing human. For now she obeys the queen and bides her time. She is a tall tree like figure with soot colored skin, white hair and hazel colored eyes.
The 3rd Tier: They have the most power in the land under the Queen and the Church who they obey the orders from. They act as nobles and are mainly geared towards catering to the rich.
Olga - Dean of The Military Academy - Age: 52 - Olga is the strict and harsh dean of the military academy. Eyeing every detail of the curriculum with a critical eye, she does everything in her power to make sure everything in the school remains orderly while giving the best training possible to the students. It is because of her that there is a weeding out process for students to determine who has potential and who needs to be thrown to the wolves. She does not believe in having weak or inadequate people in the school. She lives in the mansion that rests on the school grounds where she likes to host graduation parties for the successful. She holds absolute power over the school and the military. She is a fair skinned individual with blue eyes and blonde hair, never seen without her square glasses or finely tailored clothing.
Agatha - The Capital - Age: 50 - Agatha is a quiet observant individual that watches over the Capital from her castle like home that sits in the center of it. Keeping track of all affairs within the city she makes sure the wealthy get what they need and that the poor are kicked out to keep her city streets clean of the undesirables. She keeps absolute control of the city with her guards and iron choke hold on the people that live there. She is a fair skinned individual with deep brown eyes and brown hair that is always kept in a bun. She always dresses in clothing made for royalty.
Gabriella - Slums - Age: 45 - Gabriella is a cruel individual who hates her position of being the watcher of the lowest rung of the city. She cannot stand the weak and poor who struggle to get by, so she makes their lives as miserable as possible, giving only enough aid to keep what she calls the “work horses” alive. She has absolute control of the slave trading in the land. She is a tan skinned individual who wears work overalls most of the time. Her hair is black and her eyes are a deep brown. She always has a scowl on her face.
The 4th Tier - This is the last tier. They have enough power to argue with the 3rd tier and hold their own standards for living. These act as the more modern day political figures. They still want to keep power, but have the tendency to care a bit more for the people as a whole rather than a certain group due to the harsh lands they live in. Even so they will not disobey the queen or the Church.
Magnolia - The Desert City of Lotus - Age: 38 - Magnolia is the laid back ruler of the harsh deserts of the lands. She knows that her lands are unkind, so she rules her people fairly enough, making sure that resources are shared between them equally; however, she is even kind to the outsiders. Despite being in the desert, she controls trade over exotic goods that come from the resources found in the unforgiving heat. She is a tall individual with red hair, green eyes, and deep honey skin. She is probably one of the friendliest of the family and the most open to outsiders. However, she is a fierce protector and warrior when she needs to be.
Krista - Wasteland City of Rochester - Age: 28 - Rough and tumbled, Krista is the Wasteland ruler. She is the youngest of the leaders, but tough nonetheless. She has a fight or die attitude and holds monopoly over the best resources found in the lands, trading them only with her family or the rare person that can find something of worth to make her part with the resources. She is the queen and leader of a rather large gang that keeps the people of the wastelands in constant fear of losing whatever they manage to find and build. If she doesn’t like something she destroys it and if she wants something and you won’t give it she will take it. She is arrogant and selfish in some people's eyes, but she couldn't care less considering she is the one sitting in the lap of luxury in the wastelands and everyone else isn’t. She is a tanned young lady with honey colored eyes and hair that changes color often due to her love for dying it. She lets people into her city, watching them with a hawk like eye to make sure they don’t take anything. However, traveler or anyone else, everyone is always seen as lower than her unless they prove in some way they are worth of her attention.
Territories ♦
Arka is a flat land not much smaller than Mistere, however, much of it is abandoned due to the lack of resources. It shares a desolate icy border with Hisakawa, where the lands are frosted over with a thick layer of ice. The regions are named after some unknown god that supposedly rule the area in ancient times while the cities and locations within each region are named dependent on looks, history or purpose.
URLA'S EYE: At the center of the land is a ringed city that consists of three rings that go outward and one ring that is under all of them.
Cities:
- The Wall - This is the large ring that protects the capital, school and the slums. It is a large wall that stretches out for a few miles before going downward into the ground to help protect the underbelly of the city. This wall is made of strong stone and metal with gates to the north, south, east, and west. These gates are heavily guarded by soliders, who watche the flow of traffic in and out of the capital and slums. They are there to keep peace and also direct people to the correct section of the city making sure the “trash” is sent to the slums and the “worthy” or those with permission go to the Capital.
- The Capital - This is the second ring and second largest to the wall. The capital is a clean city made of tall buildings made out of the best materials. There are a few well maintained trees and flowers decorating the place to give enhancement to its beautiful looks. Here, one can find a rail system to get from point A to point B and also find various shopping districts and living quarters to suit the needs of the wealthy. The streets are made of clean stone that is kept clean by the all the workers that have been hired for such a job. The place is patrolled by guards who will act at a moment’s notice if a citizen calls out to them or they see someone disturbing the peace in any way. The capital thrives off of a variety of resources that it gets from the outside of its walls. The currency here is coins and if you don’t have them you aren’t getting much around here. Nothing is free.
As far as jobs, outside of guards and shop owners, the only people that work are the servants of the rich and the ones put in charge to make sure the Capital remains clean and pristine looking. The drinking age in the Capital is typically 18.
> The Railways - Here is a large station that has a constant flow of people going in out to get from one place to another around the city. Due to how effective this system is no one has cars in the capital, preferring to either walk or take the trains.
> The Station - The clean large stopping areas for the rail system. There is one that stops at the Shopping District, the Living Quarters, and The Park. There is a special rail that one needs permission for to get to Castle Hill.
> The Living Quarters - Here is where you’ll find lavish houses and fancy apartments that the wealthy and those serving in the military live in.
> The Shopping District - A large area of shops, restaurants, entertainment avenues and more to satisfy your desires and needs.
> Mer’s Mall - A large mall full of high end shops and a large movie theater. It is the heart of the shopping district.
> Crystal Hive Theater - The theater were live performances are held.
> The Garden - This is the only place within the walls where you are going to find lush greenery and flowers in abundance. This large park sits at the center of the Capital, providing walking paths, places to lounge in the shade and beautiful scenery to the residents in the area. There are fountains scattered throughout the place that keep all the plants and trees alive.
> The Empire Inn - The most luxurious inn in all the land that prides themselves on the best customer services around...provided you can pay the hefty price to stay at such a place.
> Castle Hill - A chunk of land surrounded by large gates and many guards. Behind the gates are acres of greenland and trees that rise upward to a large castle that rests on the hill. Here Agatha lives and rules. People are typically not allowed here without permission and those that enter are to treat Agatha as if she is a queen even though she does not hold such a title.
> Raja’s Shop - A large weapon shop that supplies a good portion of weaponry to the city and the school. The owner is a half elf named Raja, who sells her goods to anyone that can pay the coin for it.
[li]The Inner Ring - This is the inner ring of the city and the smallest of the three upper rings. It is divided in half. To the west is the Military Training Academy and to the east is the Arena.
[li]The Military Training Academy (MTA) - A large sprawling campus that houses the academy itself and small areas that cater to the students that are housed and trained here. Working hard to keep the grounds and its plants in perfect condition and the people here fed and pleased are the twin Oni, known as Kai and Sai. Kai is the groundskeeper and seems very business like towards anyone that is unafraid to approach his hulking form. Drinking, smoking, and drugs (unless they are prescribed) are prohibited on school grounds.This is the inner ring of the city and the smallest of the three upper rings. It is divided in half. To the west is the Military Training Academy and to the east is the Arena.[/li]
Place within the MTA
> Dorms
- Cardinals - The male dorm. Symbolized by the cardinal bird and the color red.
- Canaries - The female dorm. Symbolized by the canary bird and the color yellow.
- Flamingos - This is the mixed dorm where girls and guys get to room together if they please. It symbolized by the flamingo and
color orange rather than pink that is typically associated with the bird.
> Classrooms - The many rooms where teachers teach their lessons to their various students.
> Library - A library that thrives on technology rather than actual books. It is filled with computers and virtual logs; however, there are a few old books that can be found in the place if you look around enough. Bosh is the young kitsune who runs the place.
> Chow Hall - The place where the kitchen and cafeteria reside. You eat here. It is ran by the rough yet loving cook Sai, Kai’s better looking and slightly friendly twin brother.
> Recreation Area - An area where pools, basketball courts, indoor and outdoor tennis courts, and the football field can be found. When not in use for classes, the students are free to use them for their own pleasures.
> Training Yard - A section of the school dedicated to training talents and other skills the students may be practicing. There are in and outdoor training areas.
> Dean’s Mansion - An area dedicated to the large mansion where the Dean of the school, Olga, lives. Students are free to come onto her property and pay her visits. She even sometimes selects a few to come stay at her residence or throw parties for the hardworking chosen ones. Nothing like good morals, right?
[li]The Arena - A place for those who prefer a bloodier form of entertainment. The arena sits to the east of the academy and is a place where people can both watch or try to prove their worth in the various games played here.[/li]
Place within the Arena
> Lobby/Entrance - The Entrance to the arena and a place where one can purchase tickets, merchandise, and food if they have come to watch a show.
> Arena - This is where all games and fights are held. The arena can sometimes be a pit where warriors go up against each other or wild creatures or sometimes it can be shifted to suit the rules and requirements for other games. It seems mechanical in nature, able to stretch and shrink depending on the needs.
> Underground Prison - A place where all the participants not willingly signed up are held. These are typically criminals as defined by the capital or people from the slums that showed enough spunk for the traders to see them as more fit for the ring than any other work.
[li]The Slums - This is the city underneath the Capital and The Academy. Here the only rule is to survive. There is no drinking age here.
Place within the Slums
> The Village - A collection of makeshift homes that are tightly packed together and typically overcrowded by the residents that fight for space.
> Gabriella’s Home - A house built out of metal with the toughness of a fortress. This is the home of Gabriella who rules over this place with a cruel and uncaring hand.
> The Market - You might be able to find food here to buy, but honestly this is a shady market where drugs and other illegal items, creatures and even people are sold freely. It is a massive market that will take coins, but is much more interested in goods which are not money related that you may have to offer.
> Back Alleys - The “streets” and pathways of the area. No one really wants to be caught in the open let alone in these narrow areas where anything or anyone could be waiting.
> River of Sludge - The filthiest and stinkiest of rivers one could ever encounter that the people of the slums find holy for some reason and believe some god lives in it. It is a man-made river that thankfully is trapped within the city by the Wall, so it doesn’t drain out into the wild. Despite how disgusting it is one can always find some interesting things in the waters ...if they dare to explore and risk getting that stench forever etched into them.
> Black and Red District - A strangely beautiful and oriental style strip within the slums lit by red and black lanterns that give off red and blue hues from the flames within. Here you can get any desire you have fulfilled and if not, oh the people here can find ways to please.
> Persephone’s Lair - A pleasure house and inn for those who don’t mind staying in a very strange and sometimes shady environment. This is ran by a beautiful gorgon named Andromeda.[/ul]
Natural Features:
- The Wilderness - The weather around the center of the land is rather calm with warm to cool temperatures year round. This is the only part of the land that has something similar to the four seasons. In the spring it is cool and breezy, the summers are warm, the fall times are slightly chilly enough for light jackets, and winter brings with it a biting cold, but no snow. The weather ranges between sunny, windy, cloudy, and rainy with very rare occurrences of snow.
In the wilderness around the Eye, there is a scattering of trees and flat lands that changes depending on whether the season is dry (summer and fall) or rainy (winter and spring) During the dry season many land creatures are about and the few plants out there bloom. In the wet season the land becomes flooded with many aquatic creatures appearing and lighting elementals haunting the land.
The only two places out here that are good to go to are the forest to the northeast of the Eye and the lake to the southeast. - The Sleeping Forest - An ancient forest full of wild game and tall ancient trees. It is serene and calming here.
- The Lake of Tears - A mysterious lake that is said to have healing properties. It has a lot of natural hot springs that surround it making it a wonderful place to relax, go fishing, bike riding, swimming, boating, or walking.
- Places within the Lake of Tears
> Lisa’s Inn - A small inn that is owned by a fairy who guards the lake and the hot springs around the area. For a reasonable price you can rent a room to stay in.
URLA'S SORROW: Through the North Gate of the Capital you will find yourself at first walking through somewhat grassy lands with only a shack here and there to find that may or may not contain a friendly face, an enemy, resources, or nothing at all. As one continues to travel, the grass begins to die off as the atmosphere becomes drier and the winds a lot warmer than the cool ones that surround the The Capital. The further you move the drier the land and with the dryness constant heat, but you push on taking note that the temperature starts to drop the closer and closer you get to the mountains that rest at the Northern end of this land. Out in this wilderness there are no rules on drinking and driving. The only ones out here on jobs are hunters, guardians and scholars hired for work from various areas, soldiers hired to protect traveling merchandise, or the scouts from the small homes around the area looking for food and resources in this unforgiving land. Coins do not matter to the folk out here. They trade for what is useful to them. The forms of travel here are mostly by foot or some creatures tamed that can be used as mounts or the rare makeshift vehicle someone created to get around.
Cities:
- Mining Village - A small village within the Devil Dragon Circle area with settlements scattered throughout the bare and dry land. The workers here are always digging for resources such as oil, water, or valuable stone; however, most of their work is in vain yielding only a few bits of coal here and there.
- The Traveler and The Inn of Rest - This is an odd occurrence that seems to happen only in Arka as far as anyone can tell. The Traveler is a mysterious strange man with pointy ears, red hair, green eyes, dark skin covered in odd markings, a devil like tail, and curved horns. He travels the lands bringing with him a large inn that provides visitors a place of shelter and rest in the otherwise deadly lands of Arka. The odd thing about this man and his inn is that they appear in the most unlikely places and disappear once his guests have checked out. The inn is said to change to accommodate numbers and has saved many in times of need, but also has delivered others to their death. It is unknown what exactly the Traveler is or where he comes from, but he has a mysterious power to be where no one else is supposed be able to live making some believe he is a powerful spirit or a god. Whatever the case, he is a thing in Arka that is both respected and feared even by the Church.
[li]The Disappearing Town of Rainfall - This is an odd occurrence that seems to happen only in Arka as far as anyone can tell. This town appears at the center of Dead Man’s Land every three days. It always appears in the same spot, but every time it shows up it seems as if many years have gone by or at other times it seems to be a ghost town. No one is quite sure of the true nature of the town or how it is that people that claim they stayed in the town always end up found almost dead in the area by the few brave scouters that go into the place looking for the lost. An ever changing illusion, a mirage caused by being too tired and drained? Or something else entirely? No one really knows the answer in the end. - The Ice City of Lavendar - Built into the very rock of the mountain itself, Lavender City is a huge complex of roads and tunnels that hide a very busy and thriving town. The drinking age here is 21 and this town does take coins. This is a town of traders and people with specialized crafting skills. They are particularly famous for their lavish silks and jewelery.
> The Town - A network of underground homes and shops that take up a good chunk of the space. Unlike the Capital there are no separations between the rich and poor and the people here either walk or go to the ice worm stations to get from point A to point B.
> Ice Worm Station - If you came here looking for trains well you have come to the wrong place. In place of mechanical cars, there are large multi-legged furry worms that are equipped with saddles and a driver that will take you anywhere within the town for a small fee.
> The Hearth - The only inn in town. For reasonable prices and sometimes for free a traveler can rest in these humble and comfortable rooms.
> Ursla’s Keep - The small humble home that sits to the far north of town. This is where Ursla the ruler of all of Arka lives. Despite how much power she has, her place is humble and open to the rare visitor that is not afraid to come to her home. Due to the location, Ursla nor her city have a huge military force presence. However the warriors that are found here are more than enough to protect the city, acting like a colony of ants where everyone moves to help and defend their home.[/ul]
Natural Features:
- Devil Dragon Fields - A dry and cracked land that consists of mostly rocks and the random ramshack home you may find out here. The weather here is hot and dry with very little rainfall. However thanks to the flat surface and dryness of the area, this place is prone to vicious dust cyclones that like to terrorize the area.
> Devil Dragon Circle - A series of tall pillars and caves located in the eastern section of this region. It is said to be home to actual dragons though no one has seen them.
[li]Dead Man’s Land - A strange expanse of land where no one seems to live at all. There are caves in the area and a strange town that supposedly appears and disappears at will. Other strange happenings include mysterious doors and staircases with no structures attached to them leading to who knows where and also the sightings of other paranormal activity. It is a place where a lot of people go missing so the locals try to avoid the place that they call cursed. On top of this, the weather is either really hot and dry or brutally cold and deadly, making it a place that is hard to travel let alone inhabit. [/li]
[li]Frost Wall - If one survives Dead Man’s Land, they will find themselves going into icy fields and in turn come upon a wall that is made up of a pure blizzard and ice shards. If one tries to go into it, the results are typically death since the blizzard and ice shards tear up anything that enters. However, with permission from the Church, Capital, or The Ice Queen herself people can be given items that help them pass safely through the wall. The Frost Wall is a defense mechanism to keep people from coming into the frosty mountains and most likely their death. [/li]
[li]Icy Tundra - A flat land of ice, heavy blizzards and snow. Even when the weather is calm, this frigid land has the ability to freeze the unprepared in an instant. There are only a few scattered ice homes out here where some try to ice fish while avoiding being taken out by the wild life that can come swooping from the sky or up from under their feet. There are no special land features here. Just a vast expanse of white.[/li]
[li]Lavendar's Ridge - These are the mountains that become an icy border with Hisakawa. There is only one city here and three features of the land to take notice of: The Wailing Cliffs, the Abandoned Mines, and Lavawrath’s Peak.[/li]
[li]The Wailing Cliffs - High in the mountains are these beautiful structures of ice that glisten and cause rainbows to shine over the place when the conditions are right. People find the sight magical; however, it is rare and no one dares try to live or go up the cliffs that are a good portion of time surrounded by heavy blizzards and howling winds that give the place its name. People say it is so cold there that even the dead don’t dare go to that place. [/li]
[li]The Abandoned Mines - A long time ago dwarves or some other race made these mines in hopes of digging up the precious stones within them. While original diggers struck gold so to speak, they were unable to take their findings home the strange glowing rocks below zapping all their life from them and something dark within the mines awakening. Now a days the mines and the various tracks, carts and equipment lay abandoned and the many winding maze like tunnels being inhabited by the dead, spirits and hostile underground creatures. Unless you are workers from the city or someone hired it is strictly forbidden by the queen to go into the mines due to being able to get easily lost and killed that place. No one is sure how deep it goes or the true lay out of the mines that seem to stretch throughout the mountains.[/li]
[li]Lavawrath's Peak - The highest peak on the mountain where a Phoenix and Cryo-Phoenix is said to live in harmony with one another. This place is considered sacred with no allowed to go up the peak without the Queen’s permission. The only structure up here is large cave and nesting area of the mystical birds that own the peak.
[/li][/ul]
URLA'S WRATH: From the East gates of the Capital you will cross the lands quickly coming across dry hard lands like you do when heading North; however, this expanse of land is short lived as the temperatures continue to rise and the heat becomes your new traveling companion. Welcome to Urla’s Wrath - the largest desert in the land. With hot and dry days and cold nights, the desert is merciless to those unused to such climates who comes in unprepared. It quickly makes graves for those that fall. The sands swallowing all that fails to conquer it. Despite this there are some small homes scattered far and wide through the area and much like in the north the mysterious traveler and his inn do appear out here. The only drink you’d be wanting out here is water and coins don't do much, the people here preferring useful goods versus money. Modes of transportation are typically desert creatures that are tamed or a vehicle if you can find one. Foot is the only other option, but that can be a hard trek, especially in a place notorious for mirages and tricks. Being sandy, it is prone to sand storms and hidden traps beneath the shifting earth. Rain here is a blessing as it usually rains only about three times a year if even that.
Cities:
- The City of Lotus - A large square city in the middle of the desert that is one of three places that has water. The people here are a mixed race that seem to get along more or less, sharing what resources they do have with each other. This place is known for its weapons and machinery, but also exotic fruits and products that can only be found in the harsh sands. Unlike other places which have a distinct market, here you’ll find street vendors and traders instead that take both coins and goods. Unlike other ruler’s Magnolia lives in a home similar to those around her making her place of residence hard to pick out among the rest.
Places within the City of Lotus
> Lily’s Inn: A building made out of sandstone that offers beds to the travelers that come through the city. Much like the inn in the mountains this is a very humble and homely place. Though it unlike the ones in the mountain or capital it does not offer luxury suites. There are no cars or transport systems here due to the closeness of everything. Drinking age here is 18.
- The Dunes - Large piles of sand that make interesting sand mountains that shift and change with the winds and constant shifting of the sand. Occasionally you can find the homes of little people and fairies known as dune dwellers in the area.
- The Sea of Sands - A few miles away from the city is an area with tons of signs and guards that block your way telling you to turn back and go no further. The reason being is because a mile or two behind them rest is what is called the sea of sand. Acting like an ocean of moving sand, no one can walk this strange and large chunk of the desert. The only way to travel this place is via hover ships or planes built by the city; however, due to how dangerous it is to go out in the unstable place many need special permission to use the vehicles and cross to the only thing known to be out there: The Abandoned Temple. Exploring this area is strongly not advised.
Place within the Sea of Sands
> Abandoned Temple - A mysterious ancient temple that catches the eye of many scholars for the secrets within it; however, no one knows how big or deep it goes since no one can figure out how to get past the first floor and the three chambers there. It seems to be made out of some ancient technology. - Oasis of Ivory - One of three places with actual water in the desert. It is an area surrounded by shrubs and greenery and some trees deeper in. There is a house made of ivory here and a lone hermit named Alex that lives in this paradise. He sells the fish that are in his lake and also the strange fruits and vegetables he manages to find and grow in the area. It rests somewhere in the northeast if you can find it.
- Oasis of Onyx - One of three places with actual water in the desert. This area is surrounded by trees, appearing as a forest in the desert. Here exotic birds live along with the keeper of this paradise, Marania who lives in a home made of onyx stone. She sells her birds, weapons, and jewelry.
Cities:
- The Church of Urla - A large church that was somehow constructed throughout the forever flooded swamps of the area. Home to the strange and perhaps insane ruler of the church - Luna - the church is a place of many strange rituals and stories of Urla, a god that supposedly lives in the swamps where the church is. How true this is no one knows or bothers to question. The Church is powerful and its believers loyal and dedicated to Urla who they believe is real. There are no other structures in here.
Natural Features:
- Lake Amtheyst and the Rivers of Lazarus -In the Northern portion of the lands this beautiful lake and the large rivers known as the rivers of Lazarus are what provides the land with all its water and life. Known for an abundance of fish, clean water, and plenty of nature the lake is home to many floating homes.
Places within Lake Amtheyst and the Rivers of Lazarus
> Fishing Hole: A small hut where bait and fishing gear can be bought. There are even boats to rent from here too. - The Marshes - A stretch of wetland that is rich with game to hunt or to be hunted by the creatures out there. It is typically always wet and flooded, but during the dry season all the water draws back revealing the strange and healthy earth below; however, it doesn’t last long disappearing with a heavy rain. There are a few houses out here.
- The Sinking Bogs - Found throughout the watery lands are areas that are unsafe to live in with strange parasites and even deadlier plants in the area, known simply as sinking bogs. The name was given to them due to how they sink anything that tries to settle around them and have been the watery grave for many people that have come too close to them. They are seen as cursed areas and best avoided unless absolutely necessary.
- Plains of Lightning - A stretch of land where the sun doesn’t shine and dark clouds always linger. This area is prone to random bouts of rain, but in the end gets its name from the strikes of lightning that plague the area, making it a difficult travel. The odd thing about this plain is that it moves to other areas making some wonder if there is not something in those clouds controlling it or if it is truly a strange weather phenomenon.
URLA'S JUDGMENT: Leaving the South Gate of the Capitals takes you across and into the vast and strange wastelands that are mostly dry earth, but have enough water in them for some tough grasses to grow in patches around the area. Out here, bandits and other forms of looters live looking for people to pick off of and resources to steal. Foot travel can be done, but it is unadvised due to the amount of looters in the area. Typically a mount or vehicle of some sort is advised for this area. Survival is the name of the game with settlements coming in the form of heavily fortified homes or tented villages with the least welcoming people you can come across. You can trade here, but be careful to keep coin and something valuable hidden lest you will be robbed. There is no drinking age here as no one really cares about those things or rules. The weather out here ranges from rainy and cloudy in the springtime; hot and dry in the summer; cool, but still mostly dry in the fall; and wet, cold, and miserable in the winter. While it is the only place to get four seasons it is also the most lawless and chaotic of the areas to be in. Some would rather freeze in the mountains or die of heat stroke in the desert than be in this place.
Cities:
- Rochester City - The largest and most populated place in this part of the country and probably only a tiny bit safer than being out in the wild. This place is still all about survival and the strongest being on top. It is overrun by gangs and constant fights over territories and whatnot, but at least the inn and bar are mostly neutral territories so come on in if you dare to rest in this havoc.
Place's within Rochester City
> Krista’s Keep: A large warehouse where many resources are kept under lock and key, only doled out to those Krista sees worthy of receiving them outside of herself of course. Her home is the upper portion of this well guarded and fortified structure that rests at the back of the town.
Natural Features:
- Hell's Plain - The flat expanse that rests between you and any civilization for miles. It is a wild and unforgiving place where the weak and unprepared are preyed upon easily.
- Black Mirror's Passage - A long tunnel system that encompasses the lands like a large net or barrier. One can go into the passage via any cave in the area. The people that live in the pass sell strange stones and fungi to visitors, but also act as guards to keep people from getting to the other end of the tunnels. Past their tunnels is the Badlands - the only chunk of land that the Trine Family does not control nor really messes with. Only the Queen is brave enough to face the creature that rules over the lands beyond this natural barrier.
- Badlands - A place of constant rain and no laws. It has been described as Hell on Earth by many that have encountered it and the beings that live there. It is said nothing human is out here and that everything is out to kill you making the Wastelands look tame. It is believed this place is why the area is called Urla’s Judgement. It is the only place ruled by a male that is said to be a demon of some sort. His name is Malachi and he is no friend of the Trine Family. Out here his rule is law and anyone who doesn’t like it perishes.
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♦ Traditions
TRANSPORTATION:
The main form of transpiration is either stations located within certain cities or simply by foot, old cars, horses and other creatures, or whatever scraps people can build into wagons or cars.
HOLIDAYS AND TRADITIONS
Arka has many small holidays that are celebrated throughout the region, but there are only three that the whole land including the Badlands honor.
Grand Market - No one is sure how the agreement started let alone how they got the people of the Badlabds to agree not to kill anything during this time, but once a year the Capital holds a large market where people from all over bring their goods to trade and sell. There are strict rules here and a heavy military presence to make sure all is ran smoothly and in order.
Battling it out for land and resources - This tradition only applies to the lands under the Trine Family Rule. When there are disputes between leaders over resources and territories a warrior is sent from that area to represent it. When the warriors from each area are gathered a great battle is held at the arena where the one that comes on top wins the dispute and in turn the rewards that come with it.
The Badlands instead stay on their own turf unless it is the Grand Market. If they come onto Arka’s lands outside of their control, they are coming to conquer and destroy what does not agree with them or they don’t like.
Day of the Dead - A holiday that all of Arka under the Trine Family observes. It is a week long celebration to help the dead pass through the land of the living to Rockshura where the dead are said to live.
The Badlands have their own version of this tradition; however, unlike the rest of Arka their rituals aren’t to help the dead, but capture them for their own ranks and plans.
hisakawa guide & territories (c) Chaileo
table by Nightwing™
[/div]table by Nightwing™
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