Western Continents

“Good evening class, today in our world history class we’ll be talking about the Empire of Bjartrverǫld or The Bright Empire as it is more commonly known for those who are not proficient with the dwarven tongue. The Bright Empire as those who are up to date with current events is not doing so well, they have lost many settlements some from their enemies some because of those within their own people but although it seems almost crumbling many neighboring nations fear its “comeback” per say but that is a topic for another day if you would open you books to page 156 so we could start today’s class.”

-Professor Bharmund Steelfound, World History 101 class.

The People

“One of the four components needed to create a country.”

The Bright Lands is mainly made of a human and Dwarvish population. Having both of their individual cultures and ways of thinking meld together to form a single people has created a culture focused on an individual’s honor and respect gained usually through impressive deeds and achievements. They also share a fascination with the sea and are experts of sea faring. They are a monarchy ruled by either a queen or king and the ruler is chosen by their achievements rather that being by being the first born or a specific gender. Though the ruler of the Empire is chosen from a single bloodline, the crown is placed upon the head of the family member with the longest or most impressive list of deeds. This practice has also been copied by the common people, leading to many of the younger generations seeking out worthy deeds in order to secure their future. Though this has led to a higher population of dead and maimed young folk than in other kingdoms, it has also lead to great feats in all areas being sought out and accomplished by the people of the Empire.

The Lands

“I understand that this section is boring but if I hear or see anything resembling a yawn you will be forced to do extra homework.”

Bjartrverǫld

This is the mainland of the Empire. One of the biggest land masses of the continent, it contains a great amount of water running through it’s rivers as well as great mountains cutting off the western section of the land and lush forests where the capital of the bright empire is situated. While filled with natural beauty, the land is also filled with multiple ruins from the conflicts between the Bright Empire and their enemies.

The Severed Paradise

A great land made of hills hugging a jungle, which where the island took its name from, it is the most dangerous part of the land as it contains vicious monsters and plants. Some theorize that these dangers seems to be guardians to a great treasure within this jungle. It is called the Tree of Life. Not much is known about this massive tree, but people believe at the very least that this great tree has healing capabilities. Although, because of the dangerous nature of the area, much of the information relating to the Severed Paradise and the Tree of Life is still unknown to the greater scholarly world.

The Restless Tropics

A similarly dangerous area, not because of overly dangerous monsters, but because of the strange denizens which call the Tropics their home. A host of gnomes claim this island as their ancestral land. A primitive tribe, as primitive as gnomes can be with their ceaseless innovations, with a strong sense of a communal social structure. Many discovery expeditions were send to explore this mysterious land, but the gnomes made their want of isolation clear. Never has an expedition from the Bright Empire returned with the full crew that it set out with. Shortly after discovery the Island was sealed off from the outside world. With an official travel ban issued by the Bright Emperor on top of the ceasing of any official expeditionary missions, it seems as though the gnomes of the island will get there wish. No officially sanctioned visitors will set foot upon the isle of the Restless Tropics for the foreseeable future.

The Mythology

“Abraham, this part should interest you and your newfound interest for the spiritual after your trials down in the Carcass.”

The Great Light

Qivnir, the god of light, day, renewal, purity and life. Creator of the sun and the bringer of dawn, this god is the prevalent god of the bright empire. He was existing in the dark of the land while being respectful of the dark he wished to look upon the face of creation and so he created the great dawn, the sun, and with this he was able to get a good look on his sad and chaotic creations and it saddened him so as an attempt to help them he gave light in their souls and the chance to be renewed into better beings but with his bringing of the dawn Qivnir angered the darkness but to quill its anger as to not destroyed his beloved creations he chose to split the day between him and the darkness. Qivnir has many artifacts for example the armaments of dawn which were a set of armor given to Qinvir by Thadar in order to be given to his chosen. He also has Dawnbringer, a legendary sword that was said to be made from the Great Dawn itself and would beckon the dawn to come when removed from its sheath. Lastly, the Mask of the Divine Light. A mask that gives dominion of the sun father’s court. There are a lot of versions of Qivnir and the main theological theory is that even those these gods and goddesses have different names, dominions and even personalities they are all part of the same great being that all these gods are mere aspects of them.

The Matron of The Sea

Daasis, the goddess of fertility, bodies of water, storms and trade. The one who tamed the great elemental chaos to bring water to the world at the same time helping border the great water plane. Through her gift of water, she brought plants and water dwelling creatures’ life and carved the earth into a new shape carving the world to a wonderful sights and horrifying canyons just like the same water that sustains is the same that can drown you. Daasis has some artifacts that are known of one is an actual document artifact that was used by a hero to fend off a pirate attack on the bright empire, the wave breaker a hook shaped sword that makes someone a fiendish warrior while within the waters and gives the wielder the ability to create tidal waves. There was also net called the net of the nebula that takes the target to the void that the net seems to be made of. The great matron resides in a realm called the great blue. Here the inhabitants live either in water, with the ability to breathe water like air, or above it by sailing across the massive airy expanse passing from city to city.

Father of The Forge

Thadar, the god of creation, the forge, law and justice. The All-father forged the ether into the world through his great all forge and made it a world that he saw as perfect not in the sense that is perfect but that its imperfections makes it the perfect version of itself. The Star-forger is one of the few gods that has such a big influence while remaining themselves where the all-father is seen in multiple areas around the realm. The Father of The Forge has many artifacts being a creative god but some of them that have the most text behind are: One, The world shaper, a great hammer that bears the face of the god it is a weapon that allows the wielder to shape the earth to their will. Two, starforged equipment, a set of armor, weapons, and shield that was forged from the constellation of the astral sea not much is known about what each item gives you, but one thing is certain it is a truly legendary powerful set and finally, conjunction, a great sword made out of pure ether it is unknown what this sword does but from its namesake one would assume it is not something good. Thadar’s realm is the All Forge a great forge were creativity and imagination runs free and one can create anything limited only by the few laws put by the All-Father.

Factions

“Ah the game of war and politics always an interesting facet of our mortal world.”

The Bright Empire

The main faction within the Bright Land, a great military power seemingly on the rise once more. A culture based around honor and proving yourself, surrounded by enemies but still finding a way to survive and not losing hope.

The Stonebeard Clan

A clan of mountain Dwarves within the frost fang peaks, they are a reserved people although since the establishment of a mining establishment, Gudvaerborp, near the mountains created a tense relationship with the bright empire although none has made a move against the other…yet.

The Sunblessed

A religious faction that separated from the bright empire following The Great Light, they were the main inhabitants of a costal town, now named Gleaming Waves before the Red Dawn. During the end of era they return to that land and then defended against a decimated enemy of the Bright Empire, the Brighteaters. For now, they seem friendly but their efficiency causes the surrounding factions to be wary of them.

The Fleshmolders

A group of necromancers that appeared relatively recently that have proved to be a thorn in the Empires’ side. Although many think they raise the dead, research showed that they are not truly undead, but large golem-like constructs made from human flesh and mutated creatures with a more aquatic appearance and organs.

The Brighteaters

The main enemies of the bright empire that brought upon them many tragedies. They were spawned from a group of pirates whose hatred Dawn Empire brought them together. That and the new sea trade lanes created a greed for resources the land that few could match. They were officially destroyed by the Sunblessed in our recent history.

The People of Hydiatra

The greatest alliance for the Dawn Empire, a kingdom of merfolk living in the depths of the southern sea. They are now helping the Empire as a great ally and asset, especially with their association to the sea goddess that the empire follows. This made it easy for the Empire to see them with a position of reverence and love regarding the seafolk. Many see the alliance with Hydriatra as helping the Empire become closer with their goddess.

Conclusion

“I know this can be somewhat boring, but no one leaves until I say so.

The land of Bjartrverǫld has seen many tragedies but their strong culture and powerful military as well as their great resources like minerals making their weapons one of the best as well as their culture’s proving oneself through achievement fills each citizen full of potential and lastly their lack of monster in the areas and conflicts allows the empire to recuperate and make their “comeback” but we’ll have to wait and see. Class dismissed."

Type

Continent