Circe's Queendom of Night
A Land of Magic and Night
The Reign of Hekate
Circe's Arrival
In 3A Y474, the Queendom became what it is known as in modern times. Zeus decreed that the people would have a new ruler and installed Circe, Goddess of Night and daughter of Hekate as the new ruler. Circe took immediate action to ensure that everyone in her new Queendom knew exactly who was in charge. In the middle of the day, the sky fell dark as midnight, the sun vanished, and a new moon appeared high in the sky, lighting everything with a silvery glow. She made an arcane proclamation to everyone in her new Queendom, establishing her dominance right away. A fracture in Clan Veruza lead to an attempted coup, but it was quickly put down, leading to the current exile of Clan Veruza, and indirectly the self-imposed seclusion of House Silverberg. Since asserting control, Circe has ruled alone from her mother's castle, renamed The Gloaming Crown. Circe next dropped Circe's Veil across the only access into the Queendom, creating Circe's Veil. In the years that followed, the village of Mist was founded just on the outskirts of The Ghost Woods to be the only safe stop when entering the Queendom from the waypoint on the other side of The Ghost Woods, The Edge of the Green.Geography
The Queendom can be roughly divided into 5 sections:
The FEN
Locally known just as The Fen, the Forest of Eternal Night, is actually a segment of the Wyrd Wood that has grown down the bridge of the peninsula and spread across the majority of the Queendom. Several cities and villages of differing sizes exist within the bounds of The FEN, often struggling to maintain their safety against the creatures that stalk the forest.Lake Mortvia
The largest singular body of water inside the borders of the Queendom, Lake Mortvia has been many things over the centuries, including a holy site and a battle ground.The Empty Chapel
Once known as Umbra'Sedis, The Shadow Throne when it was the high temple to Hekate and her holiest sight. After her death, the ensuing power vacuum saw a terrible atrocity that destroyed the site and killed hundreds. The broken temple has since lain silent as a terrible memory.Artonia
The center most village in The Queendom, sitting nearly due south of Lykofos and due East of Mist. Functions as a connection point between most of the northern half of The Queendom, working both as a town and a waystation. Sees significant trade, though not as much as Mist. The largest concentration of Night Farms for growing food and maintaining livestock.The Gloaming Crown
While it technically refers to the castle of Circe itself, the denizens of the Queendom commonly refer to The Gloaming Crown as the area surronding the castle that The FEN does not encompasse, from Dead Bay to Eclipse Tower and the Blackwind Cliffs. Conversely, the people refer to Her Gloaming Crown when they mean exclusively the castle and Circe's seat of power.Lykofos
The capital city of The Queendom. Once a religious site turned trading post, Lykofos is now the largest city in the Queendom and sits at the foot of Blackwind Cliffs below The Gloaming Crown itself.Blackwind Cliffs
The cliffs that surround The Gloaming Crown are not only incredibly sheer, wind-battered, and wave-battered, they are also ensorceled with an aggressive enchantment that will lift would be assailants up and hurl them into the sea.Eclipse Tower
Many rumors surround Eclipse Tower, but the most commonly believed story is that Circe's spell of eternal night on The Queendom was originally cast from the top of Eclipse Tower and may even be maintained there. Regardless, none are permitted there.The Red Pines
Once a symbol of nobility and honor, the deep red forest south of The FEN is now ther territorial markings of disgrace and pettiness. The area itself includes Veruza Keep, but Morgarta, Fort Wygol, and The Final Dance are considered part of this rough area as well, as it falls under Clan Veruza's domain, per Circe's command.Veruza Keep
The seat of power for Clan Veruza and the 5 Houses. Most of Clan Veruza live either in or surrounding the Keep grounds, though some are more spread out.Morgarta
One of the few towns in The Queendom that is fully outside the spread of The FEN. The only town that is considered officially part of Clan Veruza's territory as Circe has decreed they shall be stewards of it as part of their penance for a failed uprising.The Last Dance
Not technically considered part of The Red Pines, but once maintained by Clan Veruza, The Last Dance is a now defunct prison used to hold the majority of the worst offenders throughout The Queendom. Named for its proximity to The Dancing Sea. Allegedly some part of the prison extends into and under the sea.Fort Wygol
A military base situated on the only island in The Queendom, just across Fool's Crossing. Claimed by Clan Veruza in the early days and used as a defensive post during Hekate's reign, Clan Veruza abandoned it when they were punished by Circe and the fort has remained in disrepair since, save for the occasional bandit group or drifters.Fool's Crossing
Named for those unfortunate to attempt to cross this body of water and enter The Queendom by circumventing Circe's Veil. Plagued by aggressive carnivorous fish, the drowned spirits are a significantly more dangerous threat.The Ghost Woods
Technically part of The FEN, The Ghost Woods are the barrier of entry into the Queendom itself. From Fool's Crossing in the south to the Dead Bay in the north, The Ghost Woods almost completely cover the land bridge between the peninsula and the mainland of Therrania. Called the Ghost Words due to the haunting, and haunted, permanent deep fog that stretches for miles between The Edge of the Green to the west and The Empty Chapel to the east. This fog is Circe's Veil, a potent ensorcelement used to trap those who would attempt to enter her territory, allowing only those who purchase passage with her Ghostrunners to cross.Mist
The only town that exists, even partially, within Circe's Veil and The Ghost Woods. Mist serves as the only official entry point into The Queendom from greater Therrania and requires specific transport to safely make the journey.Dead Bay
Known as Arborwind Bay before Circe's Veil descended, the water in this bay never moves, even if disturbed. There are rumors that a massive undead creature patrols the deeps and strikes aggressively against those attempting to get into The Queendom without going through Circe's Veil.Silverberg Manor
Not explicitly a territory as much as a secluded manor house, the cities of Artonia and Chamarta are still technically considered part of House Silverberg's domain, though they remain in their own home entirely now. A uniquely vibrant emerald green glade of trees, not connected to or part of the Wyrd Wood, Silverberg Manor is a small fortress unto itself.Chamarta
A town on the far southeast outskirts that once was considered under the stewardship of House Silverberg. The town was officially released from their control when the Silverbergs withdrew from service shortly after Circe took power. Now they are somewhat left to fend for themselves and take their own governing very seriously. Rumors swirl that they have even taken to making use of The Last Dance prison again.Ecosystem Cycles
Aside from the coming and passing of storms from The Frigid Tail and The Temperate Tail, Circe's control over the her territory, combined with the ever blooming and dying nature of the Wyrd Wood's influence, there are no true seasons in The Queendom. The temperatures fluctuate only within a fixed range determined by the time of the year, and even then the variation is minor.
Localized Phenomena
The presence of The Rot deep underground causes seemingly randomized pockets of decay and fungal bloom.
Fauna & Flora
Being an extension of The Wyrd Wood, The FEN is home to dozens, if not hundreds, of species of flora and fauna, many of which naturally magical.
Table of Contents
Alternative Name(s)
Queendom of the Moon
Type
Peninsula
Location under
Included Locations
Included Organizations
Owning Organization
Characters in Location
Comments