Post by Elanorîn on May 27, 2005 4:16:26 GMT -5
Where Farinvor is
It is a large peninsula situated in the sea of Ermras (for some reference to size it is not much smaller than Spain). The climate is temperate though winters can get a bit harsh in the later years, especially in the Northern mountanous parts. To the East and past rather harsh and hostile lands Farinvor is attached on further to the land of Daenesse. The two lands have virtually no contact and keep to themselves and together make up the vast majority of the civilisations of the world of Veram-in.
The Land
In a temperate climate the flora isn't all that dissimilar of that of our Europe and America. Ash, birch, pine and Maple are some of the common trees that grow in Farinvor. The peninsula is only slightly connected to the East to Daenesse by a thin strip of land that is hard to pass and the old paths there are all but faded, withered away and overgrown. This part of Farinvor is taken up by the towering black Daragon Mountains. There is a large lake high up among them and both of the main rivers of Farinvor (Emdin and Kam and they have several tributaries each) originate in these mountains to the North East.
On all other sides Farinvor is surrounded by the sea. To the North off of a slight bay and outshot of land are a few minor isles, some larger than others and though strictly speaking the are all named only few of them have names anyone knows outside of the large dusty Council Archives in the capital where in some book or other they were once named by a sleepy scribe and then forgotten. This part of Farinvor is not very heavily populated and is often avoided due to the shallow shoals, temperamentful tide and changeable weather.
In almost the exact centre of Farinvor lies the inland sea. It is quite simply named The Waters and it is quite heavily trafficked by trade routes between North West part of Farinvor and the South and South East while the trade to the South West goes mainly by land and some along the coast by sea (though this stretch can be hunted by pirates and smugglers so it's not as heavily used as it could be).
In the warm South East lies the Lake Country. From where most of the lakes of Farinvor are. Scattered and of sizes varying from almost the size of a large pond here and there to the largest that actually is salt water and runs out to the sea by a small connection.
In the East, in the sea between Daenesse and Farinvor lie a large island named Gandrim. It is completely neutral and largely uninhabited. It wishes little to do with the politics of either country but is civil enough to both.
Cities, towns villages and hamlets
The capital of Farinvor is Fardinn. It is situated South West of the centre of Farinvor just as the river Emdin splits in two. By far this is the largest city and it houses the Government (called The High Council) of Farinvor as well as it being the main Seat of the King. It is surrounded by Farmlands and some smaller woodlands all used for hunting, foraging and the daily trade of the city.
The next three largest settlements are Deston, Maerith and Tregamber. Deston is the second largest city and it is a coastal town situated almost exactly half way down the western coast, where the Northern split of Emdin pours out to the sea. Thanks to this it is heavily connected by river trade to the capital. Maerith in the South, just slightly off the coast and is more a town than a city, keeping to itself a bit and enjoys a reputation of housing some of the finer craftsmen in the land. The forests down in the south seem to grow stronger and the raw materials local to Maerith are superior (albeit the importance of this is heavily overdramatised by the Maerithian craftsmen). In the North is the provincial town of Tregamber. It is situated a good few miles South of the coast of the scattered isles (known as The Brokenlands). Trying to stay a little away from the shadier markets of the Brokenlands. Though Tregamber tries to keep up face as a law abiding and clean town it is widely known the laws of the land are treated a bit relaxed here and while it's not seen to be corrupted as such the Tregambers have their own way of doing things. If there are shady dealings in Farinvor they are most likely housed or at least based here.
There are a multitude of further small villages and towns throughout Farinvor.
A country gotta have people
Farinvor is very racially aware. There is a fierce rivalry between Dwarves and Elves. Not so much at war as a mutual strong desire of avoidance. However, both kinds tend to prefer to stay away from the bigger cities (Dwarves tend to want to keep to the mountains in the North or just outside the capital, Elves to the Woods or Lake Country) so most townsfolk tend to be Humans. Humans make up the vast majority of the people of farinvor and the most rare race are the Gnomes. They will catch considerable attention wherever they go as many people have never seen them with their own eyes, some even doubt they exist. Half-orcs are indeed virtually non-existant in Farinvor as Orcs and humans do not get along. Wild orcs are treated as hostile monsters and often killed unless they surrender in which case they are chased away. Any half-orc are treated as an abomination by Society and killed at birth, often the birth kills the mother. In fact, any half-orc would have a hard time to stay alive in Farinvor regardless of background.
Slaves? Yes. The very rich of Farinvor and the Higher of the Nobles will have slaves and or servants (depending on the luck of the servant really and the good-will of their master) together with some others who consider themselves affording such a luxury. They are entirely owned as property and once in servitude it is virtually unheared of to regain any freedom. Slaves are seen of most races, though Elven slaves are slightly more rare and where present tend to be under Elven masters. In fact, most seem to prefer slaves of their own race rather than another. Dwarves are very rarely domestic slaves though Unfree of their kinds may be sent to manually labour in the Mines.
Outlaws?
They exist, sadly, to the great inconvenience to polite society. They are fiercely hunted by the Town Guards when spotted in any city or town and there are plenty of active bounty hunters around Farinvor. Once caught they are put under a trial and sentenced. The punishment are often harsh, it is straight to execution (or at least ome dismemberment) sometimes a combination of the above, depending on where you are.
[I'm working on making maps... in time I'll put them up]
[oki, here is Farinvor... (thanks Cat for drawing it ;D) I might try and make it a bit clearer on the text when i have the chance.
]
It is a large peninsula situated in the sea of Ermras (for some reference to size it is not much smaller than Spain). The climate is temperate though winters can get a bit harsh in the later years, especially in the Northern mountanous parts. To the East and past rather harsh and hostile lands Farinvor is attached on further to the land of Daenesse. The two lands have virtually no contact and keep to themselves and together make up the vast majority of the civilisations of the world of Veram-in.
The Land
In a temperate climate the flora isn't all that dissimilar of that of our Europe and America. Ash, birch, pine and Maple are some of the common trees that grow in Farinvor. The peninsula is only slightly connected to the East to Daenesse by a thin strip of land that is hard to pass and the old paths there are all but faded, withered away and overgrown. This part of Farinvor is taken up by the towering black Daragon Mountains. There is a large lake high up among them and both of the main rivers of Farinvor (Emdin and Kam and they have several tributaries each) originate in these mountains to the North East.
On all other sides Farinvor is surrounded by the sea. To the North off of a slight bay and outshot of land are a few minor isles, some larger than others and though strictly speaking the are all named only few of them have names anyone knows outside of the large dusty Council Archives in the capital where in some book or other they were once named by a sleepy scribe and then forgotten. This part of Farinvor is not very heavily populated and is often avoided due to the shallow shoals, temperamentful tide and changeable weather.
In almost the exact centre of Farinvor lies the inland sea. It is quite simply named The Waters and it is quite heavily trafficked by trade routes between North West part of Farinvor and the South and South East while the trade to the South West goes mainly by land and some along the coast by sea (though this stretch can be hunted by pirates and smugglers so it's not as heavily used as it could be).
In the warm South East lies the Lake Country. From where most of the lakes of Farinvor are. Scattered and of sizes varying from almost the size of a large pond here and there to the largest that actually is salt water and runs out to the sea by a small connection.
In the East, in the sea between Daenesse and Farinvor lie a large island named Gandrim. It is completely neutral and largely uninhabited. It wishes little to do with the politics of either country but is civil enough to both.
Cities, towns villages and hamlets
The capital of Farinvor is Fardinn. It is situated South West of the centre of Farinvor just as the river Emdin splits in two. By far this is the largest city and it houses the Government (called The High Council) of Farinvor as well as it being the main Seat of the King. It is surrounded by Farmlands and some smaller woodlands all used for hunting, foraging and the daily trade of the city.
The next three largest settlements are Deston, Maerith and Tregamber. Deston is the second largest city and it is a coastal town situated almost exactly half way down the western coast, where the Northern split of Emdin pours out to the sea. Thanks to this it is heavily connected by river trade to the capital. Maerith in the South, just slightly off the coast and is more a town than a city, keeping to itself a bit and enjoys a reputation of housing some of the finer craftsmen in the land. The forests down in the south seem to grow stronger and the raw materials local to Maerith are superior (albeit the importance of this is heavily overdramatised by the Maerithian craftsmen). In the North is the provincial town of Tregamber. It is situated a good few miles South of the coast of the scattered isles (known as The Brokenlands). Trying to stay a little away from the shadier markets of the Brokenlands. Though Tregamber tries to keep up face as a law abiding and clean town it is widely known the laws of the land are treated a bit relaxed here and while it's not seen to be corrupted as such the Tregambers have their own way of doing things. If there are shady dealings in Farinvor they are most likely housed or at least based here.
There are a multitude of further small villages and towns throughout Farinvor.
A country gotta have people
Farinvor is very racially aware. There is a fierce rivalry between Dwarves and Elves. Not so much at war as a mutual strong desire of avoidance. However, both kinds tend to prefer to stay away from the bigger cities (Dwarves tend to want to keep to the mountains in the North or just outside the capital, Elves to the Woods or Lake Country) so most townsfolk tend to be Humans. Humans make up the vast majority of the people of farinvor and the most rare race are the Gnomes. They will catch considerable attention wherever they go as many people have never seen them with their own eyes, some even doubt they exist. Half-orcs are indeed virtually non-existant in Farinvor as Orcs and humans do not get along. Wild orcs are treated as hostile monsters and often killed unless they surrender in which case they are chased away. Any half-orc are treated as an abomination by Society and killed at birth, often the birth kills the mother. In fact, any half-orc would have a hard time to stay alive in Farinvor regardless of background.
Slaves? Yes. The very rich of Farinvor and the Higher of the Nobles will have slaves and or servants (depending on the luck of the servant really and the good-will of their master) together with some others who consider themselves affording such a luxury. They are entirely owned as property and once in servitude it is virtually unheared of to regain any freedom. Slaves are seen of most races, though Elven slaves are slightly more rare and where present tend to be under Elven masters. In fact, most seem to prefer slaves of their own race rather than another. Dwarves are very rarely domestic slaves though Unfree of their kinds may be sent to manually labour in the Mines.
Outlaws?
They exist, sadly, to the great inconvenience to polite society. They are fiercely hunted by the Town Guards when spotted in any city or town and there are plenty of active bounty hunters around Farinvor. Once caught they are put under a trial and sentenced. The punishment are often harsh, it is straight to execution (or at least ome dismemberment) sometimes a combination of the above, depending on where you are.
[I'm working on making maps... in time I'll put them up]
[oki, here is Farinvor... (thanks Cat for drawing it ;D) I might try and make it a bit clearer on the text when i have the chance.
]
) I don't recommend playing a half-orc due to the hostility such a creature would face. But I won't stop you. 
Half-Elves do occur, though they are not anywhere near as common as the other races. They mostly come from the lower parts of society.
), how many will die, who will kill or not kill who and why, and whether or not it is true that some of them come from Daenesse.