| Latest Posts | Zaelia - Continent Info: Leonidan
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... .. . Kingdoms & Cities . .. ... ( = ) ATROX PRIDE ( ) Surprisingly the most welcoming of Leonidan's Four Prides, the Atrox Kingdom lies on the western shores, between the marshes of Claw Inlet and the grey wastes of the Darkmane Mountain Range's western slope. The Atrox people are now and have always been led by an Elven King from the line of Atrox, first Elf to establish the Pride, which in its early days was a commune. Now a sprawling walled Kingdom, the Atrox Pride envelopes several tracts of land and boasts a large port on the marshy grounds of Claw Inlet, seldom used, as are many of the continent's ports, due to the miser-like attitudes of the lands' rulers. Visitors are closely watched, but often welcomed within the walls. ( = ) BARBARY PRIDE ( ) Possibly the most violent of the Four Prides, the Barbary Pride sits near the center of the continent, between the fearsome Darkmane Mountain range and the Eastern Foothills. Despite its small size, the Kingdom's geographical position makes it formidable in defense of the prized Eastern Shore. The Barbars are ruled by a King, chosen in combat from the current King's ranks once every decade. For this reason, the Kingdom is constantly shifting in ideals and ethics. It is the most dangerous civilized place on Leonidan. ( = ) MASAI PRIDE ( ) The wealthiest of Leonidan's Prides, and thus subject to common attacks by the other three, is the Masai Pride of the southeast shore. With its back to The Lion's Mouth Bay, the Masai people have enormous watchtowers set up at the Pride's gates, ever watching the plains and fields. Leadership in the Pride is mainly a puppet role, as the oldest and wealthiest male of the Kingdom is awarded "Kingship", though he is forbidden to make decisions without the consultation of the Pride's Scholars. ( = ) TRANSVAAL PRIDE ( ) The Transvaal Pride is the youngest Kingdom on the continent, founded a thousand years after the first three, when a King of the vicious Barbary Pride refused to give up his Kingship. The Barbars forced this dictator out of the land, where he and his war bands created a new City, and then four more, until after a few decades, there stood a massive Kingdom, stone-walled and spreading. King Dulani, which means "Cutting One" in Transvaalian Tongue, always leads the Kingdom. When a King falls, usually in battle, his Second in Command is at once known as Dulani, and thus the Kingdom is never without direct rule. ( = ) HEMMSBURG ( ) One of only two independent walled cities on Leonidan, Hemmsburg has long been the preferred port city of AS&T ships. The Lion's Mouth Bay directs ships either into the Masai Pride and its strict importing taxes, or Hemmsburg with a lax shipping conduct and plenty of local reception. Wooden and stone buildings make up the many districts of the large city; those near the port and docks contain wealth, and those near the city's edge contain the brave or impoverished who are constantly rebuilding after Pride-led or Tribe-led assaults on the city. ( = ) MAROZI HAMLET ( i.imgur.com/IrPvZjw.jpg ) Unlike any Elven commune on Zaelia, the Marozi Hamlet is a safe haven for anyone seeking protection, whether it be from the wilderness, the Prides, or the gods themselves. The Marozi Hamlet's non-walled, ancient wooden structures, fortified long ago by some powerful Mystic's essence, surround the large freshwater Marozi Lake. There is no sole leader in the Hamlet; rather, four pureblood Elven Barons are tasked with the control and order of the village. ( = ) WILDS RETREAT ( i.imgur.com/eq4DobB.jpg , i.imgur.com/ADDKX2o.jpg ) Originally a gated village separating the harsh creatures of the northern Wilds from the early age Intelligent Races, this Retreat has grown immensely over the years. The walls are thicker and more full of traps and snares, the citizens within are more numerous and advanced in technology, but one thing remains. The Wilds have prevented this Retreat from expanding upon their footprint. And so the Walled City of the Wilds Retreat ever grows upwards instead of out, an unsightly large cube of small houses and rooms atop each other in the midst of the jungle. ( = ) PROVIDENCE TEMPLE ( i.imgur.com/h5gfSQI.jpg ) On the western side of the great Darkmane Mountains, over the storm-battered peaks and through the impossibly thick jungles where paths are little more than wishful thinking, sits the Providence Temple, home of the Midnight Mystic. The temple stands between the Mountains and the Darkmane Falls, making it a very difficult place to access, and an even more difficult place to surprise. Stone spires make up the large city-like temple, said to have been constructed purely with Essence, and atop each spire, a large beacon, eternally lit. The Temple is home to the Midnight Mystic and his faithful servants, most of them touched by the Brothers as well. Indigenous tribes unwelcome in most Prides live scattered around the stone keep, supplying food and wares for the mystical protection of Providence. ... .. . The Wilds . .. ... { x } THE GREAT RESERVE ( ) Stretching for days' travels in all directions, Leonidan's northern expanse is ruled by animals, not Intelligent Races. The creatures of the Reserve are some of the continent's most wild species. The interior of the Reserve is mostly untouched, and paths or trails are either overgrown or nonexistent. Travel is not advised. { x } DARKMANE MOUNTAINS Cutting the continent into two large halves, the Darkmane Mountain range is both a physical and political boundary between the Prides of Leonidan. The four Kingdoms have spread over the years, as far as they can in all directions, but where might of blade and walls cannot decide on borders, the unforgiving Mountains can. The range is sparsely populated with both Intelligent life in communities on the lower faces, and with mountainous wildlife at even the coldest peaks. Near the northwestern break in the range lies the Providence Temple. { x } WASTED BAY By all accounts, the calm waters of the bay near the Wilds Retreat and the river mouth leading to the Barbary Pride should be Leonidan's most commonly used port feature. But the intense violence of the Barbary Pride near the coastline, combined with the existence of a thousand year old sea leviathan somewhere off the coast prohibit any ships from venturing too far from the shore. Now, the Wasted Bay sits forgotten and only used by the few fishing vessels allowed to sail. { x } CLAW INLET One of three main ports on Leonidan (at least, one of three legal ports) is Claw Inlet. Avontuur has had a contract with Leonidan's Masai and Transvaal Prides for centuries, but increased import taxes, along with the Dwarves of Avontuur's shrewd business ways, led the company to develop another contract with the Atrox Pride on Leonidan's western shores. The Claw Inlet is a trade mecca between Leonidan and Dracos, and a powerful position for the Atrox Pride. { x } THE LION'S MOUTH The first port established on any continent outside of Renth itself was that of The Lion's Mouth. Back then, there was no Masai Pride. In fact, there were no organized Kingdoms on Leonidan. Avontuur boldly claims to have established civilization with trade, and they're not far off. Oddly enough, the second port near The Lion's Mouth is that of the walled independent city of Hemmsburg. Avontuur as expressly labeled this port city to be illegal, and yet it is the most commonly used port on the continent. Likely a decision made by ship captains who refuse to pay the strict taxes of any of the Prides. { x } THE LION'S TAIL The Transvaal Pride is, much like the other three, not easy to deal with, but access to The Lion's Tail river makes it a cautious necessity for those in both the Marozi Hamlet and those who guide Avontuur ships into port. The Transvaal people are aware of the young state of their kingdom, and as such, are quicker to be flexible toward the needs of AS&T than the others. Please log in to add a comment. |
A Map: i.imgur.com/yDDlSNm.jpg
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The Lion's Roar
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When the Brothers breathed life upon Leonidan, they produced a land of beauty. Lush jungles, thick forests, cascading mountains, and now, predator and prey of all shapes and sizes, roaming and hiding, living and breathing, making this enormous continent their home. With more wildlife than any other landmass, Leonidan teemed with the brilliance of the Brothers, life's natural cycle of birth and death existing without hatred or malice.
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Intelligence and Its Shortcomings
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But if hatred and malice are to be found anywhere, it is within the minds of the Intelligent Races. Placed upon Leonidan's surface, Man and Elf took to subduing the wildlife almost immediately. The years sped by, and the introduction of Dwarven sailors and technology only helped to fuel the Races' fire and need for control. Over time, the wild nature of Leonidan's animal life crept into the hearts of Men and Elves. The cultures clashed, and boundaries were made. Lines drawn in the dirt, then fences erected upon those lines. Soon enough, the fences became walls, and the villages Kingdoms. Leonidan was engulfed in war. The Kingdoms against each other, the Kingdoms against the wilderness, and the wilderness against the Kingdoms.
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War, Never-Ending
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Since the first declaration of war, Leonidan has never seen true peace. Even if two Prides sign treaties, the others will wage constant battle. Scholars and Counsels have decided there should never be a lasting peace in Leonidan. Some believe it to be the Black Evil. Others the natural bitterness of the Intelligent Races. Whatever the cause, the War-Torn Land of the Lion remains an unsteady but beautiful continent, longing for the day when someone may rise up and command peace for the many nations, or demand loyalty from them all.