Ellebore
Along the western edge of Ellebore run the Pelagris Forest, an ancient wood where strange things are rumored to occur. Few venture into its depths, but the smaller percentage who return all report fey visions of talking trees, werewolves, and centaurs. At the northern end of the forest lie the Parrlin Mountains. Rich in ores and minerals, it is here that the dwarves mine the most pure octatrite. It is also where their royal city of Bel Dorahl is established, on the shores of Wolfworth Basin.
Moving eastward is the rich rolling hills and fields of the various city-states of the Emotha Collective. A relatively new partnership for the cities, but it formalized a long standing peace and so little has actually changed. The four signatories of the accord were Bel Dorhal, Haven, Dreford and Wexwood.
Bel Dorhal - A magnificent city, home to the dwarves for almost 1000 yrs. Ruled by Gemris Rhyshammer, the Low Queen under the Mountain. The records for all things dwarvish are kept here within the vaults and carefully preserved for future generations. And the halls are filled with the sound of forges and crafters pursuing their passions and artistries.
Haven - The largest of the city-states, Haven is the breadbasket for the continent and supplies much of the grain and cattle to the rest of the nations. Ruled by Queen Alara Askhevron and her husband, Prince-Consort Leafblade k'Sheyena. The city itself is an ancient thing, clearly built for defense in the aftermath of the War of the Mad. Founded by refugees and foundlings, the one rule is that there is no one true way. Haven also boasts both the Wayfinders Collegium and a Healer’s Collegium.
Dreford - The newest city as it were, Dreford is only a few hundred years old. Founding on the southern coast as a port town and trading city, it has flourished. Since coming under the hand of the Tyrant, one Hemlock Veterail, it has become even more organized. There are guilds for everything….even the crime has become organized. And woe betide anyone caught stealing by the thief’s guild if they aren’t a member. The primary conduit for goods and people arriving from Umberfell, the city is a melting pot of culture and people.
Wexwood - Built into a mountain on the edge of the Wextara Pass, Wexwood is one of the oldest cities on the continent. Originally built as a military garrison, the keep itself is built high into the mountain. Framed by a large waterfall, the Keep is certainly impressive and looms over the town, now gathered and grown around the base of the mountain. Ruled by Watcher Gelestro Dusthelm, the Woodguard guard the pass and keep the inhabitants of the Northen Reaches from invading the warmer southlands.
The Northern Reaches comprise most of the northern edge of Ellebore. This is a cold and snowy land, separated from most of the rest of Ellebore by the Carsano Range. Home to orcs, goliaths, and other races, it is a wild and harsh land. To the far north, human tribes have been rumored to live as well.
On the other side of the Carnsanos is the Troraine Timberland. A dense and old forest of evergreen, cedar, and redwoods. The Timberland is home to the Tayledras_Elf, wood elves with trained bondbirds. Refugees from the War of the Mad, they split from their cousins the Shin'a'in_Elf in desiring to keep their magics. Given safety and knowledge by their goddess in the aftermath, the Tayledras were charged with cleaning and purifying the magical damage done in the Cataclysm. Their work mostly complete, they still prefer to maintain their secrecy, living in Vales, pocket valleys of endless summer and beauty.
Also within the Timberland, at its heart in fact nestles the Humblewood. The people of the Wood are a variety of bird and animalkin. Little is known about their origins, but they predate the War of the Mad at least. Secretive and insular, the Humblefolk generally keep to themselves, although they will occasionally trade with the Tayledras.
South of the Timberland is the Caisian Theocracy. Ruled by the corrupt Sunpriests of Kandis, this mostly human nation is cowed and kept under the patriarchal thumb of the Church. Yet these are those Sunpriests who follow the old Writ and Rule and provide hope that true light of Kandis is not dead. With the Summerburg Mountains to the west and the Amesgar Mountains to the east, the geography encourages isolation. Along the southern border, partially obscuring the coast is The Wall, an ancient magic construct that both links and blocks this realm to a pocket plane known as the Lost Kingdom.
On the other side of the Amesgar Mountains and at the eastern end of the Timberland lies the Pass of Sen’end and the Plains of Va’dovasin. This is the home of the Shin'a'in_Elf, plains elves who gave up their magic after the War of the Mad and are now nomadic horse tamers...among other skills. Cousins to the Tayledras, they are not often seen in the world. And their horses are seen even less...nothing but geldlings and culls are allowed off the plains.
Moving eastward is the rich rolling hills and fields of the various city-states of the Emotha Collective. A relatively new partnership for the cities, but it formalized a long standing peace and so little has actually changed. The four signatories of the accord were Bel Dorhal, Haven, Dreford and Wexwood.
Bel Dorhal - A magnificent city, home to the dwarves for almost 1000 yrs. Ruled by Gemris Rhyshammer, the Low Queen under the Mountain. The records for all things dwarvish are kept here within the vaults and carefully preserved for future generations. And the halls are filled with the sound of forges and crafters pursuing their passions and artistries.
Haven - The largest of the city-states, Haven is the breadbasket for the continent and supplies much of the grain and cattle to the rest of the nations. Ruled by Queen Alara Askhevron and her husband, Prince-Consort Leafblade k'Sheyena. The city itself is an ancient thing, clearly built for defense in the aftermath of the War of the Mad. Founded by refugees and foundlings, the one rule is that there is no one true way. Haven also boasts both the Wayfinders Collegium and a Healer’s Collegium.
Dreford - The newest city as it were, Dreford is only a few hundred years old. Founding on the southern coast as a port town and trading city, it has flourished. Since coming under the hand of the Tyrant, one Hemlock Veterail, it has become even more organized. There are guilds for everything….even the crime has become organized. And woe betide anyone caught stealing by the thief’s guild if they aren’t a member. The primary conduit for goods and people arriving from Umberfell, the city is a melting pot of culture and people.
Wexwood - Built into a mountain on the edge of the Wextara Pass, Wexwood is one of the oldest cities on the continent. Originally built as a military garrison, the keep itself is built high into the mountain. Framed by a large waterfall, the Keep is certainly impressive and looms over the town, now gathered and grown around the base of the mountain. Ruled by Watcher Gelestro Dusthelm, the Woodguard guard the pass and keep the inhabitants of the Northen Reaches from invading the warmer southlands.
The Northern Reaches comprise most of the northern edge of Ellebore. This is a cold and snowy land, separated from most of the rest of Ellebore by the Carsano Range. Home to orcs, goliaths, and other races, it is a wild and harsh land. To the far north, human tribes have been rumored to live as well.
On the other side of the Carnsanos is the Troraine Timberland. A dense and old forest of evergreen, cedar, and redwoods. The Timberland is home to the Tayledras_Elf, wood elves with trained bondbirds. Refugees from the War of the Mad, they split from their cousins the Shin'a'in_Elf in desiring to keep their magics. Given safety and knowledge by their goddess in the aftermath, the Tayledras were charged with cleaning and purifying the magical damage done in the Cataclysm. Their work mostly complete, they still prefer to maintain their secrecy, living in Vales, pocket valleys of endless summer and beauty.
Also within the Timberland, at its heart in fact nestles the Humblewood. The people of the Wood are a variety of bird and animalkin. Little is known about their origins, but they predate the War of the Mad at least. Secretive and insular, the Humblefolk generally keep to themselves, although they will occasionally trade with the Tayledras.
South of the Timberland is the Caisian Theocracy. Ruled by the corrupt Sunpriests of Kandis, this mostly human nation is cowed and kept under the patriarchal thumb of the Church. Yet these are those Sunpriests who follow the old Writ and Rule and provide hope that true light of Kandis is not dead. With the Summerburg Mountains to the west and the Amesgar Mountains to the east, the geography encourages isolation. Along the southern border, partially obscuring the coast is The Wall, an ancient magic construct that both links and blocks this realm to a pocket plane known as the Lost Kingdom.
On the other side of the Amesgar Mountains and at the eastern end of the Timberland lies the Pass of Sen’end and the Plains of Va’dovasin. This is the home of the Shin'a'in_Elf, plains elves who gave up their magic after the War of the Mad and are now nomadic horse tamers...among other skills. Cousins to the Tayledras, they are not often seen in the world. And their horses are seen even less...nothing but geldlings and culls are allowed off the plains.
