Welcome to Dlynaeth
Dlynaeth is a fantasy continent, set in as of yet unknown larger world, that contains both the wondrous and the mundane. It's still a very new place, I only discovered it in the spring of 2024 so this introduction is still pretty limited in scope and I hope many more horizons will be explored in the future.
The magic system isn't fully developed yet, so you won't find any articles explaining nuts and bolts, so to speak, but magic is an integral part of the world and is, to a greater or lesser extent, imbued in everything. There are very different ways to utilise magic, however, ranging from the highly logical and technical to the slow, wild communion with nature. Dlynaeth is increasingly leaning towards the logical and, by necessity, exploitative but the various folk still teeter on the knife's edge and might refind their balance.
The magic system isn't fully developed yet, so you won't find any articles explaining nuts and bolts, so to speak, but magic is an integral part of the world and is, to a greater or lesser extent, imbued in everything. There are very different ways to utilise magic, however, ranging from the highly logical and technical to the slow, wild communion with nature. Dlynaeth is increasingly leaning towards the logical and, by necessity, exploitative but the various folk still teeter on the knife's edge and might refind their balance.
Dlynaeth, the Continent
Dlynaeth is the name of a continent on the southern hemisphere, in the language of the Taesaf (the folk who currently form our lens on the world, read more about them below!). Undoubtedly I will one day regret naming the entire world after this single continent, but as those other continents are currently completely unknown to me, I'll cross that bridge when I get to it.The most obvious characteristic of the continent is the huge mountain range, known as the Kynfesan Mountains, running down roughly the center of Dlynaeth. Apart from forming an effective barrier between the eastern and western sides, the mountains are a mysterious place; full of magic-rich areas and, it's rumoured, even fae places and beings.
Other such intriguing places also abound around the bays of the eastern coast and there are a rare few others scattered across the continent (the resources layer of the map should interest you if you care to learn more). There are still many, many mysteries to uncover but it has been whispered to me that merfolk live in the eastern bays around the islands. A nomad folk with fae origins are said to roam the steppes in the shadow of the Kynfesan Mountains. Volcanoes, some of which still occasionally erupt, rumble in the mountain on the southern edges of the contintent. And far, far away, perhaps far beyond the contintent of Dlynaeth, the gods argue amongst themselves and pay no heed to the concerns of mortals.
Nations & Territories
The place I've started out at and is still my current focus is the nation of Tyldamin and its neighbours. They are probably the largest country in the region and close to our modern idea of a nation. A number of semi-independent clans live in the northeast of Tyldamin; they are chiefly herdsfolk.
This great lake features as sort of meeting point between several different countries. The most influential of these is Byrfenna, which on the northeastern point of the lake and controls the two main rivers flowing into it. Consequently they specialise in trading magical goods from the Kynfesan mountains and several types of craftmanship.
Folk
Lomyn
Most of the population of Tyldamin are Taesaf, who are a culture of the Lomyn folk. The Lomyn are a humanoid folk with quite a few physical features of mountain sheep. Originally from the Kynfesan Mountains but forced to leave due to natural and magical disaster, the Taesaf are spread throughout the western side of Dlynaeth. Yet the majority of them now live in Tyldamin. They also still keep in contact with other Lomyn throughout Dlynaeth; those they know about, at any rate.The Fansaf, as they are known by the Taesaf, and who were likewise forced to leave their homes in the Kynfesan Exodus, live in the chain of hills on the eastern side of the great mountain range. They still keep in contact with the Taesaf and are most known amongst them for their beautiful homes, which are built into the hillsides.
by Menatith
Kamyn
Another humanoid folk, but with more reptilian features are the Kamyn. They have scales covering their limbs, the crown and back of their heads which continues down their back and breastbone. Many have beautiful back ridges or spines and among the Keminsáf, it is customary to hang beads from these. The Kamyn have an affinity for magics related to stone and metal. (Apologies, but their article is still a stub. I hope to expand it soon!)
by Menatith
Wendyn
Another folk who live in Dlynaeth, mostly along coastal areas, are the Wendyn. There are many of them just to the north of Tyldamin, but there are also large communities in the northeastern jungle and the eastern bays and islands of Dlynaeth. They are mostly humanoid but have those classic undine, webbed ears and they have some natural protection against sea water and wind. They have a third eyelid, mostly transparent, they can close their ear canals at will, and they have thick, leathery skin. A large proportion of the Naelasáf culture, which is pretty much all the sailors of western Dlynaeth, are Wendyn.
But Wendyn are a disunited folk. They all have sea-longing, a need to be close to it, but each person has a natural affinity for either life on water or on land. So they are often either a life-long sailor or they spend a life on coastal land. It's not a physical trait; maybe the best comparison is introversion/extroversion.
Natural Society Crest by Menatith
Natural Imps
See, the thing is, I really love biology. I studied ecology at university and though I now work in a different field entirely, it's still quite dear to me. A fair bit of both my love and frustrations with biology and academic settings can be found in the Institute of Magical Phenomena and its Societies. The first one of these is the Natural Society; and its members and its facilities. Though it must be noted that IMP and its Societies are not scholarly institutions - they are research organisations first and foremost and one's education to become a full member is more of a matter of being guided along the road.
The Natural Society of the present day (year 1246) is involved in both the magical and mundane research of living beings; which they sort into the three categories of animal, plant and fungal. Though filled with passionate people, most of whom love studying organisms for the love of the natural world around them, the Natural Society is being affected even more than most IMP Societies by the changing times. Pressures to focus on research with short-term pratical applications and preferably some sort of value as an export or commercial product is increasing, leading to greater pressures on researchers and a lack of research into fundamental topics.
The Natural Society of the present day (year 1246) is involved in both the magical and mundane research of living beings; which they sort into the three categories of animal, plant and fungal. Though filled with passionate people, most of whom love studying organisms for the love of the natural world around them, the Natural Society is being affected even more than most IMP Societies by the changing times. Pressures to focus on research with short-term pratical applications and preferably some sort of value as an export or commercial product is increasing, leading to greater pressures on researchers and a lack of research into fundamental topics.
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