Cispara
Found on the other side of the world, in the southern hemisphere, the continent of Cispara is a large, well developed landmass. To those who live in the north, in Aelisa and Refar it exists in the realm of legends, described only in myth and theology. However, the people of Cispara would greatly disagree. They find themselves to be very much real, though few would ever come across such a sentiment in their daily lives. There are few who dare even think.
Geography
Cispara is a large and varied land. It begins in the mountains to the south, the Yeritas Mountainrange , a frigid, inhospitable region. And yet even there do men make their homes in hovels, their pathetic fires keeping away only a fraction of the cold. There, the Inks are stronger, the night air thick with their darkness. How they survive is a mystery even to me, but they do. With hardy determination they fight on for their life. To a degree, I envy them. Their lands are so reclusive, so untouched by His hand that they are allowed more freedom than many of us who live further north.
Following the Yeritas past Helfor's Pass, we travel north. The climate in these lands are not as warm as the ones I know in my homeland, but the earth is fertile and crops grow well. In these valleys and flat-lands one finds forests and rivers breaking up large sections of farmland. The peasants here, dubbed Frese by the nobility, work endlessly at the threat of beatings and punishments. They are famished and die young, though their high mortality does not bother their lords much. There are measures in place to maximize their birthrate. Sometimes I wonder why they do not rebel, or at least run away. They could escape to the south, where the touch is weak. But they are born with broken spirits, and fear almost all.
One of the main rivers flowing northward in this area is the River Erannel . It begins as an eager mountain stream, cutting through the earth with rapid waters. But as it reaches lower ground, it calms down. It takes its time to twist and turn as more and more rivers feed it. It is not long that it can enjoy freedom however. Soon the stone canals of the empire bend it to the seaman's will. A straight river with subtle turns is far easier to navigate than the wild bends of a younger Erannel. In the modern age however, travel over land is more convenient with the advent of the locomotive, and in the near future, the personal Automobile. The channels have been dug however, the river tamed. It will never taste freedom the way it did before man's controlling fingers.
Men themselves seem to have the ever-present intent of robbing one another of freedom as well. Nowhere is this intent both more present and least fulfilled than in the capital of the empire, Sorenel. For being the seat of the lord himself in the Sorenel Palace-Temple, the location of the Ministry, and the Church of Ascension, there is also a vast and sprawling underworld. The noble houses build estates and keeps here, locked in a never ending competition in the showing of wealth and force.
Looking to the east you find the relatively peaceful Cantons of Terrise and Eskanel. Tarrise is known as the most beautiful of the Cantons, while Eskanel prides itself in its beaches and other seaside attractions.
Following the Yeritas past Helfor's Pass, we travel north. The climate in these lands are not as warm as the ones I know in my homeland, but the earth is fertile and crops grow well. In these valleys and flat-lands one finds forests and rivers breaking up large sections of farmland. The peasants here, dubbed Frese by the nobility, work endlessly at the threat of beatings and punishments. They are famished and die young, though their high mortality does not bother their lords much. There are measures in place to maximize their birthrate. Sometimes I wonder why they do not rebel, or at least run away. They could escape to the south, where the touch is weak. But they are born with broken spirits, and fear almost all.
One of the main rivers flowing northward in this area is the River Erannel . It begins as an eager mountain stream, cutting through the earth with rapid waters. But as it reaches lower ground, it calms down. It takes its time to twist and turn as more and more rivers feed it. It is not long that it can enjoy freedom however. Soon the stone canals of the empire bend it to the seaman's will. A straight river with subtle turns is far easier to navigate than the wild bends of a younger Erannel. In the modern age however, travel over land is more convenient with the advent of the locomotive, and in the near future, the personal Automobile. The channels have been dug however, the river tamed. It will never taste freedom the way it did before man's controlling fingers.
Men themselves seem to have the ever-present intent of robbing one another of freedom as well. Nowhere is this intent both more present and least fulfilled than in the capital of the empire, Sorenel. For being the seat of the lord himself in the Sorenel Palace-Temple, the location of the Ministry, and the Church of Ascension, there is also a vast and sprawling underworld. The noble houses build estates and keeps here, locked in a never ending competition in the showing of wealth and force.
Looking to the east you find the relatively peaceful Cantons of Terrise and Eskanel. Tarrise is known as the most beautiful of the Cantons, while Eskanel prides itself in its beaches and other seaside attractions.
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