Ephea
Ephea is a continent of Alendia and is located in the northwest of the The New World. It is home to the Epheans, the Dwarves of Ephea, and the giants in the north. Over time many creatures of other races, especially halfbreeds, halflings, and elves settled on the continent too.
The Xedan Islands to the southeast are a subcontinent of Ephea. In total, Ephea covers up to about 478800 square miles, which is a little larger than the territory of Old Tiakis, or Lusitania. Combined with Drakthirr, both continents would sum up to the second-to-largest continent in the The New World.
The areas furth away from the coast have a classical continental climate with relatively warm summers and relatively cold winters, combined with low precipitation compared to the coastal areas.
In the north, you can find predators like bears, wolves, and bobcats, but also moose and reindeer. Boars, hinds, and deers are very common in Alendia. In the mountain ranges, you can find goats, Capricorns, and chamois. The moderate climate is perfect for grazing animals like cows and horses, but also other farm animals like chickens and pigs are very common in the flatlands of Ephea. The diversity also stretches over the different kinds of birds living in Ephea, from different majestic eagles and other raptors to smaller birds like pigeons, sparrows, and other songbirds. The rivers and lakes of Ephea are filled with different kinds of fish and the Silent Ocean bears a high variety of sea creatures.
The flatlands of the Human Empire comprises 42 different provinces, the Xedan Islands, the Isle of Fire. While the latter is just an uninhabited space, the other are administrated by some kind of a count, duke, or other subordinates of the King of Lionstone. 39 of the 42 provinces lie to the east of the mountain ranges and only 3 of them have been cut off in the west. However, all 42 provinces are united and ruled by the King of Lionstone. In the history of Ephea, they were some minor conflicts and quarrels among some provinces mainly fights over borders, but also to alliances and mutual help. For further details look up the history of Ephea.
Nowadays, the three main forces, Humans, Dwarves, and giants live in peace. While the peace between humans and dwarves is ensured by treaties and a non-aggression pact, the giants live rather isolated and defensive. For further political relations, check out the articles about Epheans, Dwarves, and giants.
Far up in the north in Ephea, in the territory of giants, the Mountain of Dragons serves as the prison of one of the The Elder Dragons, the Ice.
Geography
The borders of Ephea haven't been well defined. Initially, Ephea comprised all territory claimed by Humans. Only later, the mountain ranges were integrated into the continent. Nowadays, the Ephea is restricted to the west by the so-called 'Front of the West' and the Rippling Creek, a river in the mountain ranges of Ephea, bordering its neighbor, Drakthirr.The Xedan Islands to the southeast are a subcontinent of Ephea. In total, Ephea covers up to about 478800 square miles, which is a little larger than the territory of Old Tiakis, or Lusitania. Combined with Drakthirr, both continents would sum up to the second-to-largest continent in the The New World.
Climate
Ephea mainly lies in the temperate climate zone. However, the northern parts of Ephea, especially province Nornuria and the mountains of the giants can reach subpolar and arctic climates. The Xedan Islands lie in a warmer, subtropic, Mediterranean climate zone. The wind of Ephea usually blows from the southeast.The areas furth away from the coast have a classical continental climate with relatively warm summers and relatively cold winters, combined with low precipitation compared to the coastal areas.
Vegetation
The vegetation of Ephea is very diverse, reaching from arctic to no vegetation in the northern territory of the giants, over boreal and mountain-like vegetation in the northern human provinces and the mountain ranges and moderate zones in the flatlands of Ephea, up to the Mediterranean vegetation on the southern coast and the Xedan Islands. Due to this diversity, one can find almost everything, from simple bushes and moss in the north over the mighty tall boreal coniferous forest, deciduous and mixed forest, and even sclerophyllous plants.In the north, you can find predators like bears, wolves, and bobcats, but also moose and reindeer. Boars, hinds, and deers are very common in Alendia. In the mountain ranges, you can find goats, Capricorns, and chamois. The moderate climate is perfect for grazing animals like cows and horses, but also other farm animals like chickens and pigs are very common in the flatlands of Ephea. The diversity also stretches over the different kinds of birds living in Ephea, from different majestic eagles and other raptors to smaller birds like pigeons, sparrows, and other songbirds. The rivers and lakes of Ephea are filled with different kinds of fish and the Silent Ocean bears a high variety of sea creatures.
Demographics and Culture
Population
The current population of Ephea is estimated to be around 47 million people, most of them living in the human cities in the Ephean flatlands. Despite the low population of giants, Ephea is the second most densely settled continent after Tiakis.Ethnic groups
Ephea contains multiple different ethnic groups. The northern group contains mostly giants, the Dwarves in the mountains form the second large group, and the remaining group contains a broad diversity of different races, dominated by Humans.- Giants: Giants don't split much further. However, they divide themself into giants living in tribes and the so-called Wild Giants, living outside of the society of giants in the wilderness
- Dwarves: The mountain ranges are mostly inhabited by dwarves, yet it's not hard to find different non-dwarven individuals living among them. The dwarves split into different clans (comparable to the territorial division into human provinces). For further details, look up the article about Dwarves
- Humans: The Empire of Humans contains much more different sentient creatures than just humans. After 0 BF, it became a place of immigration and integration. Among humans, you can find elves, half-elves, halflings, genasi, dwarves, gnomes, dragonborn, and even half-orcs, just like further other minor races and subraces.
Religion
The Pantheon of the Twelve-Gods is the most dominant established religion in Ephea. It is accepted by Humans and Dwarves. Latter also practice ancestral rites, honoring their ancestors and other powerful legendary creatures of the dwarven culture. The giants in the north believe in Nature spirits exclusively. Atheism is a very uncommon situation, especially due to the proven existence of many dieties. It only appears in the shape of individuals neglecting the divine power of gods and godly creatures.Politics
Ephea usually is split into three different parts: The Flatlands of the The Human Empire, the mountain ranges of the dwarves, and the northern mountains of the giants. While the territory of giants is rather uncivilized and just simply structured, the other two parts are much more defined.The flatlands of the Human Empire comprises 42 different provinces, the Xedan Islands, the Isle of Fire. While the latter is just an uninhabited space, the other are administrated by some kind of a count, duke, or other subordinates of the King of Lionstone. 39 of the 42 provinces lie to the east of the mountain ranges and only 3 of them have been cut off in the west. However, all 42 provinces are united and ruled by the King of Lionstone. In the history of Ephea, they were some minor conflicts and quarrels among some provinces mainly fights over borders, but also to alliances and mutual help. For further details look up the history of Ephea.
Nowadays, the three main forces, Humans, Dwarves, and giants live in peace. While the peace between humans and dwarves is ensured by treaties and a non-aggression pact, the giants live rather isolated and defensive. For further political relations, check out the articles about Epheans, Dwarves, and giants.
List of the human provinces
- Alliance of the South
- Amunien
- Bongen
- Clea Etrar
- Epa
- Ferra Dracia
- Freeland
- Front of the West
- Fura
- Gareth
- Granaria
- Grazingen
- Gützen
- Gwenia
- Ilas
- Kafransien
- Krungsfeld
- Lamhall
- Lastatan
- Lionstone
- Lorien
- Malaga
- Masputien
- Meritan
- Midathil
- Nidrat
- Nornuria
- Opur
- Otten
- Penlabec
- Phalia
- Province of Rain
- Raens
- Roduga
- Schrabingen
- Sidlingen
- Toru
- Trimkev
- Veita
- Waldbach & Nebelstein
- Walofur
- Wesburg
Particularities
Lionstone, the capital of the The Human Empire is considered the capital of the continent and The New World of Alendia. Every year, the Council of Nations gathers in the city to discuss further political decisions among different races and nations.Far up in the north in Ephea, in the territory of giants, the Mountain of Dragons serves as the prison of one of the The Elder Dragons, the Ice.
by Lucimon
Region: The New World
Area: 478800 sq-miles
Population: 47 million
Population density: 100 per sq-mile
Religion:
Languages: Common, dwarvish, elvish, halfling, giant, orc, primordial
Largest Cities: Lionstone, Birkenbach, Kazak-Al-Karik, Bamor Kar, Laford, Befeld, Phexfreud
Area: 478800 sq-miles
Population: 47 million
Population density: 100 per sq-mile
Religion:
- The Pantheon of the Twelve-Gods (95%)
- Pantheon of the old gods (50%)
- Ancestral Rites (20%)
- Nature spirits (7%)
- Other (1%)
Languages: Common, dwarvish, elvish, halfling, giant, orc, primordial
Largest Cities: Lionstone, Birkenbach, Kazak-Al-Karik, Bamor Kar, Laford, Befeld, Phexfreud
Type
Continent
