​[hider=Almerinte]
[hider=Origin Story]
Legend says that the world of Almerinte was created when Mother Nature wed Father Earth in the heavenly palace of Mother Moon and Father Sun. Father Earth laid down mud and mountain, and Mother Nature breathed life into the world.

Mother Moon and Father Sun gave birth to Brother Sky and Sister Star, and Mother Nature and Father Earth gave birth to Brother Desert and Sister Sea. Sister Sea wed Brother Sky in a magnificent ceremony where the sky and sea met, and rain fell for the first time.

Sister Star shone brightly every night in hopes of capturing the attention of Brother Desert, who she was madly in love with, but Brother Desert had no eyes for her. He was too focused on stealing the silver crown that allowed Mother Moon to shine so brightly. Sister Star took notice, believing that Brother Desert was too enraptured by the beauty of Mother Moon to even look her way. Heartbroken, Sister Star shattered herself into a billion pieces. The shards scattered across the night sky and shone as brightly as they had when Sister Star was whole.

Father Sun also took notice of Brother Desert's unusual interest in Mother Moon. He was prepared when Brother Desert attempted to take the crown for himself. Father Sun's fury took the form of scorching flames, driving Brother Desert back down to the lands of Father Earth and Mother Nature and creating an arid, lifeless region for Brother Desert to rule.

The years flew by, and Mothers and Fathers and Brothers and Sisters retreated to their own separate responsibilities, letting life flourish in the world. Father Sun's rays nourished the plant life lovingly created by Mother Nature, and rain fell to enrich the soil of Father Earth. Soon enough, Father Sun and Mother Moon would have four more children, all sisters. The oldest was dark-skinned and graceful, with hair like a black waterfall and eyes of gold. They said that she was made from mud and mountain and pure warmth itself. Next came a cold maiden carved of ice, with skin like snow and eyes like the frozen sea and a breath like the wind. Third was a gentle maiden with sunlight in her hair and life in her eyes. She was kind and carefree and the whole world cried with her when she was sad. Finally, the youngest was bold and fierce. She had hair like fire and ran as fast as the wind. These four sisters were given pieces of the world to rule over in peaceful harmony.

Legend has it that Brother Desert created humans in order to plague the fertile lands that he was banished from, but Mother Nature and Father Earth instead welcomed the humans as they explored the world of Almerinte and settled down in each realm. As time passed, the four sisters-the four queens-withdrew from human life, naming rulers in their stead. They retreated to locations only known to groups of devoted priests and priestesses that serve the sisters with their lives.

Thousands of years later, Almerinte is a prosperous land, filled with sun and snow and flowers and forests. Just beyond eastern border lies the Wastelands, the dreaded realm of Brother Desert. Many explorers have attempted to venture forth in search of a land beyond the Wastelands; none have returned. [/hider]

[hider=Meraly]
[i]There once was a maiden, patient and wise
they said she could make time stop with her eyes
her hair was a waterfall, loose and free
and she stood tall and regal, like a tree.

Her skin was dark, but her eyes were bright
warmth flowed through her veins and she brought the light
she cared for life, and loved it so
but watched serenely when it had to go.
[/i]

Meraly is an island separated from mainland Almerinte by the Shimmering Sea. Its people have skin the color of chocolate and thick hair the color of ink. Their eyes are a disconcerting golden color. The Meraliti are tall and slender and lithe. They worship the goddess Ver'lya, who is the oldest of the sisters.

Meraly's climate and terrain varies widely, but one thing is constant: the heat. There are a number of tropical rainforests and beaches, as well as deserts and grasslands. A mountain range cuts through the middle of the island, and the rain shadow effect has created a significant amount of desert on the leeward side of the mountain range. Meraliti deserts are nothing like the Wastelands; while there is no life whatsoever in the Wastelands, Meraliti deserts sport numerous varieties of cacti and low-lying shrubs and even the occasional copse of trees.

Ver'lya is believed to reside somewhere in the lush jungles of the formidable mountains that divide the island-which are known as the Sum'ell Mountains. A magnificent stone temple has been built in her honor at the foot of the Sum'ell Mountains, and it is from there that the high priests and priestesses convey any messages that Ver'lya passes to the people of Meraly, a task usually given to the oracles. Only the most devout have ever had the privilege of actually setting eyes on Ver'lya herself, but nobody would ever doubt her existence; Ver'lya is who makes the sun shine, the crops grow, and the rain fall. She is renowned for her wisdom and as dependable as the rocks of the very mountains that she has taken as her home.

The royal family of Meraly lives in a sandstone palace that overlooks the sea on the northernmost point of the isle. The palace features two towers with rounded roofs and intricate runes that decorate the stone pillars on the interior. The palace is located in the 'capital' of Meraly, known as Miravy.

The current rulers of Meraly are Queen Voryna and King Vollyros, of the ancient Liyyr clan. The Liyyrs have ruled Meraly ever since Ver'lya retreated into the Sum'ell Mountains.

[hider=Palace] [img]https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/b6/bf/9d/b6bf9d69a20540ca4be681f7680e8256.jpg[/img]
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[hider=Temple] [img]http://awoiaf.westeros.org/images/thumb/5/53/Marc_Simonetti_Temple_Of_Love.jpg/350px-Marc_Simonetti_Temple_Of_Love.jpg [/img]
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Typical Meraliti cuisine consists of local vegetation, depending on the region (for example, some coastal diets contain many coconuts, while some more inland diets are made up of grapes or berries). Fish is also popular. In terms of music and couture, Meraliti music is very rhythmic and features lots of drumming, and the Meraliti are famous for their gowns and robes of fine silk, though most people don light cotton or linen tunics for everyday wear. Some regions are known for their incorporation of vibrant feathers or colorful seashells into their headdresses.

All Meralitians report feeling Ver'lya's presence in the back of their mind at some point or the other. This sensation is especially strong in the royal family and in the priests and priestesses.

Meraly's isolationism is considered a fundamental part of its foreign policy. Foreigners are only permitted in Vavvya, its sole port city. The Meraliti are a mellow people who take life slowly, one day at a time. As such, Meraliti technology is lagging behind that of the rest of Almerinte, and they have no military to speak of.

[hider=Ver'lya] [img]http://vignette4.wikia.nocookie.net/gotrp/images/e/e1/Sarella_-_Copy.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20151102190641[/img][/hider]
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[hider=Itervia]
[i]There once was a maiden, carved of ice
they said she haunted the snowy nights
her skin was white, her eyes were cold
bringing back the sorrows of the old.

Her song was the wind, her tears swirling snow
she danced through the mountains and valleys low
chasing everyone away as the moonlight shone
and deep in the woods, she slept alone.[/i]

In the far north of Almerinte lies Itervia. A realm of ice and snow, Itervia is nevertheless the second most populated realm, after Alumnall. Trade thrives in the southern portion of Itervia, which borders the Shimmering Sea, and the Itervian capital city of Illyri sits on the coast of the sea. The palace of the Itervian royal family is made of pure ice, held together by Ophelia's unbending will. The lands just north of the capital city consist of forests and barren plains and the occasional town or city, and fishing villages dot the coast.

Ophelia is the second-oldest sister, and such she is the goddess that the Itervians worship. She is believed to reside in the northernmost point of all of Almerinte, in a tundra shielded from the rest of the world by the icy Wytesia Mountains. Anyone who wishes to lay eyes on her for themselves must prove their worth by scaling the steep slopes. Whereas Ver'lya is kind and forgiving, Ophelia is harsh and at times, cruel. For the most part, she leaves the inhabitants of Itervia alone, but if she is displeased...well, let's just say that one does [i]not[/i] want to displease Ophelia. When one of the kings grew too greedy and began mining for precious metals in the Wytesia Mountains that bordered Ophelia's tundra, Ophelia created fearsome blizzards and storms that ravaged Itervia's northern landscape. Fortunately, Illyri and its glittering palace was spared.

Ophelia's priests and priestesses are as severe and unfeeling as she is, yet they command great respect. Each and every one of them has successfully made their way through the treacherous mountain passes of the Wytesias and offered their mind and body to Ophelia, who honors their devotion by communicating directly to them through visions and dreams so that they may spread her messages to the entire populace. She also grants her priests and priestesses some of her own power over ice and snow. The rulers of Itervia would do well to heed the advice of the priests and priestesses, or they would risk angering the goddess. Ophelia is by no means quick-tempered, but she does not take insults lightly.

Itervians have skin as pale as porcelain and dark, ocean-blue eyes. Their hair is a wide variety of browns. Itervians tend to be fairly average in terms of height and weight. They are known for their prowess with ship-building and their furs. Itervians eat fish and caribou and wild berries and any vegetables that they can manage to grow in the poor, rocky soil. Their clothing consists of heavy gowns of wool and fur and velvet doublets laden with jewels mined from the southern Wytesias. Long, braided hair styles are popular.

Similar to Meraly, the temple dedicated to Ophelia lies at the foot of the Wytesia Mountains. It is made of marble.

[hider=Palace]
[img]http://vignette1.wikia.nocookie.net/villains/images/a/a9/Ice_Palace_and_village-1-.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20141204172550 [/img] [/hider]

[hider=Temple Interior]
[img]http://www.carrollsbuildingmaterials.com/images/bulk_white_marble_chips/image006.png[/img] [/hider]

[hider=Ophelia]
[img]https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/fd/63/cc/fd63ccb722489576ff5a140f1f7738a3.jpg [/img] [/hider]

It should be noted that when Ophelia is displeased with a ruler, she will tell her priests and priestesses, who then must decide on a new ruler. Ophelia originally appointed the noble house of Morrigan as the rulers of the realm, but there have been a dozen or so "dynasties" since then. The current rulers are Queen Marleyna and King Alran Farwynd. Traditionally, Itervian monarchs have pursued an expansionist foreign policy, frequently clashing with its southern neighbor of Alumnall. Itervians come off as cool and aloof and slightly condescending to outsiders, and they uphold rigid standards of propriety. Itervian domestic politics is just as icy as the landscape of the realm, with subtle threats hidden behind frigid nonchalance and brittle smiles. Nobles curry favor with the priests and priestesses, who are actually more powerful than the royal family, since they have the capability of removing a king or queen if Ophelia deems it fit.
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[hider=Cyraine]
[i]There once was a maiden, young and fair
they said she had the sun in her hair
her eyes were green, like cheerful new life
full of joy, free of turmoil and strife.

She wore flowers in her hair and grass grew where she stepped
she made things come alive, even when she wept
for her tears were rain, and her smiles were light
that was all she needed, to stop an eternal night.[/i]

Cyraine lies in the far south of mainland Almerinte. From its southern coast, it is merely a day or two of sailing across the Shimmering Sea before one reaches Meraly. Cyraine is mostly composed of fields of wildflowers and wide, expansive grasslands, though it has several forests and foothills to boast of as well. Quaint villages and the occasional small city dot the coast, which is the most populated area. Further inland, cobblestone streets give way to farmland. Indeed, Cyraine is a primarily agricultural realm. While the Cyrainese cannot compete with Meraliti spices or Itervian furs, their crops and flowers are indisputably the most renowned in all of Almerinte.

And for a good reason, too. Their goddess-Lativia-is carefree and kind-hearted, with a love for creating life. She is responsible for ensuring that crops grown and flowers bloom, and she does her job extremely well.

To outsiders, Cyraine is an idyllic paradise, but behind stone walls covered in ivy or slender willow trees and delicate morning glories, Cyraine is a land of cutthroat politics and sinister scheming. Lativia's gentle, trusting nature has led to various noble houses taking advantage of her generosity. They shower the priests and priestesses with lavish gifts in hopes of winning them over, but one must be careful not to go too far.

In one instance five hundred years ago, Lativia discovered that corrupt priests and priestesses were being bought off by wealthy aristocrats in order to lie to the populace. Devastated, Lativia retreated within herself in the meadow separated from the rest of Cyraine by the dense Cyrainese Forest that she had taken up residence in, neglecting the crops and flowers and insects that were so vital to Cyraine. Her despair caused plants to shrivel up and never-ending rainstorms, and Cyraine was blanketed in a cold, grey haze.

Even the greediest of the nobility recognized that something had to be done. First, they sacrificed animals in Lativia's honor, and then they moved on to precious jewels and silks. In desperation, some of them even sacrificed their children.

Horrified by the bloody displays, Latvia emerged from her meadow for the first time in centuries and pleaded with her priests and priestesses to stop the carnage. They, in turn, beseeched the goddess to return things to normal, and begged her forgiveness for their treachery. Latvia, moved by their emotion, agreed.

One would have to be a fool to believe that the corruption stopped there. The nobility forgot their history and turned to their corrupt ways once again, and the common people lament that it will not be much longer until Lativia discovers their shadowy dealings and plunges Cyraine into cold, rainy darkness.

The Cyrainese generally have peachy complexions and blonde hair and green eyes in a wide range of shades. Some Cyrainese have hair so pale that it is almost white, while others have hair like spun gold or hair so dark that it is practically brown. This is also the case with their eyes, which can be deep emerald and bright spring green and everything in between.

The Cyrainese capital is located on the banks of the Celine River. The Celine Rivers (known as the Upper Celine and Lower Celine) meander through all of Cyraine and branches off into multiple streams and tributaries before feeding into the Shimmering Sea. Kirralla, Cyraine's capital city, was built where the Celine Rivers intersect.

[hider=Palace] [img]https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/c8/d2/66/c8d266e7bc838d29cda5e873f7e8dfdc.jpg [/img]
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[hider=Cyrainese Buildings] [img]https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/0c/cd/0b/0ccd0b9a734fc25b6af9a2467ebf03a0.jpg [/img]

[img]https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/7c/73/c7/7c73c7b449e99a7f8e1d7371a6c42d02.jpg [/img] [/hider]

[hider=Lativia]
[img]https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/3b/5c/56/3b5c562857cad68803030c0b22fdf8aa.jpg
[/img][/hider]

Cyraine is currently ruled by Queen Gracelynn and King Aren Allyrion. Cuisine in Cyraine features many fruits and vegetables that grow in temperate climates. Breads and cheeses are also popular. The rich wear colorful, hand-sewn gowns decorated with delicate lace and expensive jewels, while the common people favor loose, flowing clothing in more muted hues. One unique feature of Cyrainese fashion is their penchant for hats, hand fans, and parasols. The Cyrainese countryside is scattered with grey stone towers which serve as the "temples" built in honor of Lativia.

[hider=Tower-Temple] [img]https://greatergrafton.files.wordpress.com/2009/07/img_3269.jpg[/img]
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[hider=Alumnall]
[i]There once was a maiden, fierce and bold
they said she painted the trees red and gold
she was as swift as a fox and as silent as an owl
the rapid rushing wind was her defiant howl.

She had hair made of fire and eyes made of mirth
she drew mischief from the squirrel and adventure from the earth
but beware the scarlet maiden, is what they say
for her carefree laughter means the cold’s not far away.

[/i]

The realm of the youngest of the sisters, Alumnall lies in between Itervia and Cyraine and is composed of forested mountains and gently rolling hills. Alumnall is famous for its trees, which have leaves of vibrant red and gold as opposed to deep green. The majority of Alumnall's cities lie in the western portion of the realm, where there are not as many mountains. Alumnall's western coast has numerous port cities that bring in trade goods from all of Almerinte.

[hider=The Alumnallen Landscape][img]http://www.getupanddosomething.org/wp-content/uploads/2-69.jpg[/img]
[img]https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/a1/47/c9/a147c9a94ab1cc2928a3c707651c10cb.jpg[/img]
[img]http://wallpaperbackgrounds.com/Content/wallpapers/earth/autumn/176261-26579.jpg[/img] [/hider]

Alumnall's goddess, Scarletta, is very energetic-they say that Alumnall's blustery winds are created as she travels. Quick-tempered and capricious, Scarletta's moods change as rapidly as she moves.

Alumnall is the most populous of all four realms. Its major industries include trade and innovation and the arts; merchants from all over Almerinte convene in Alumnall's bustling cities to hawk their wares, and inventors tinker with newfangled contraptions on a day-to-day basis. From glassblowers to potters to seamstresses to writers, Alumnall is the realm of the craftsmen and artisans and musicians, the realm of creativity (legend has it that, thousands of years ago, Scarletta had a human lover who was a painter. He fostered her love for the arts and convinced her to paint the trees red and gold).

Mischievous and sly, Scarletta is an active player in Alumnallen politics, unlike her three older sisters. She frequently changes her appearance and poses as a regular human, going about court and playing games with the courtiers. Scarletta does not have the patience for long-term politics, though. She usually comes and plays a couple of tricks before disappearing into the night, gone as fast as she appeared.

Scarletta's priests and priestesses are just as devout as any of their Meraliti, Itervian, or Cyrainese counterparts. They recognize that it is in Scarletta's nature to be fickle, but that quality is what makes Scarletta so respected in the eyes of the populace. For many, the knowledge that their goddess mingles with them on a day-to-day basis shows that she does not consider herself superior to her people in any way.

The Alumnallen capital city of Corvell is located in a valley. There are no temples dedicated to Scarletta; instead, individual households create small stone altars and burn incense for the goddess. It is believed that Scarletta makes her home high up in the trees, nestled in the branches and leaves. Alumnall's forests and streams run abound with wildlife, from deer to birds to fish. Staples of Alumnallen cuisine include nuts, berries, and roots, and cold-water fish and waterfowl. Some Alumnallen dishes feature venison and elk as well, since Alumnall is home to the best hunters in Almerinte. They also import food from the three other realms, giving Alumnallens the most varied palate in all of Almerinte.

[hider=Palace] [img]http://pre14.deviantart.net/5c61/th/pre/i/2015/077/0/a/steampunk_palace_by_allanwalkey-d8m6d1f.jpg[/img] [/hider]

The current rulers of Alumnall are Queen Letitia and King Philander Forrester. Scarletta selects new ruling families as she sees fit with a mixture of direct communication with her priests and priestesses and her own maneuvering in court. Scarletta maintains a 'presence' in the back of her people's minds if she so chooses, though she does it on a whim and never really stays consistent like Ver'lya does with the people of Meraly.

The technology of Alumnall is the most advanced in all of Almerinte. Scarletta is curious and adventurous, and her people are, at the very core of themselves, thinkers. As such, Alumnallens have pioneers in technological innovation since the dawn of time. From wind-powered airships to mechanical wings imbued with magical properties to curious little timepieces that operate with gears, if you can't find it in Alumnall, then you can't find it anywhere.

Alumnallen fashion features primarily white, brown, gold, and black, with a dash of red or green or orange. Nobles and aristocrats wear waistcoats of Meraliti silk and ball gowns sporting a riot of ruffles and a fashionably high neckline, while people of lesser means don jodhpurs and blouses and boots. Alumnallens have red hair that is usually a more fiery hue, although darker, more auburn-leaning shades and lighter, more strawberry-blonde shades are not unheard of. They tend to have lightly tanned complexions and warm brown eyes. Scarletta herself has curly flame-red hair, a small stature, and a smattering of freckles across her face.

[hider=Scarletta][img]https://beautyeditor.ca/.image/c_fit,cs_srgb,dpr_1.0,q_80,w_620/MTIxNDI3Mjk2MDI3NDQ0NzQ5/christina-hendricks-red-lip.jpg[/img] (best picture I could find) [/hider]

Almunallens and Itervians have had tense relationships for as long as anybody can remember, partially due to the natures of Scarletta and Ophelia. Both are unyielding and stubborn, and where Scarletta is blunt and expressive, Ophelia values the art of invisible strength and rarely allows her emotions to show through (save for instances where she is really, [i]really[/i] angry). In turn, Alumnallens and Itervians have grown to resent each other for the very traits that the others are proud of, despite the many peace-keeping efforts headed by Cyrainese dignitaries (and the even rarer efforts made by Meraliti nobles).   

[/hider]

[hider=Summary]
*Four realms: Meraly, Itervia, Cyraine, Alumnall
*Four realms used to be ruled by the four goddesses (who were the daughters of Mother Moon and Father Sun); they relinquished direct control to hand-picked rulers once the human population was significant

*Ver'lya (Meraly) chooses to 'connect' herself with her people, though she remains physically separated from the affairs of the realm and does not meddle with Meraliti politics. The people pray to her for advice and wisdom and trust that she will maintain the environmental conditions of the island-realm.
*Ophelia (Itervia) only communicates with her priests and priestesses. She is normally isolated from Itervian politics, though if she finds something that angers her greatly, she will create devastating snow storms that can destroy entire cities. Itervians pray to Ophelia mostly to keep her happy and to prevent her from leveling their homes and such.
*Lativia (Cyraine) communicates frequently with her priests and priestesses in person, though the average person will not see her face. Like Ver'lya, she maintains favorable environmental conditions, though she is a very emotional and flighty goddess. The Cyrainese pray to her for good harvests and warm weather. Lativia does not get involved with Cyrainese politics.
*Scarletta (Alumnall) communicates directly with her priests and priestesses and assumes the form of a normal human being in order to communicate directly with the populace (who do not know that it is her). She sometimes chooses to 'connect' herself with certain individuals. The Alumnallens do not pray to Scarletta in the traditional sense of the word, but they honor her and sometimes may ask her for favors. Scarletta frequently appears in court as a human to meddle with Alumnallen politics.

*Nobody knows what is beyond the Wastelands (ruled by Brother Desert), and nobody who has tried to find out has ever returned
*The relationship in between Itervia and Alumnall has always been rocky. Cyraine and Meraly have always remained neutral; Cyraine because its nobles are more interested in trade, and Meraly because the Meraliti have always pursued a policy of strict isolationism.[/hider]

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