[center] [h3] Kingdom of Gadabastia [/h3] [/center]
[img]http://vignette3.wikia.nocookie.net/powerlisting/images/c/c6/Fantasy_World.jpeg/revision/latest?cb=20160210204714[/img]
[center] The ancient kingdom of Gadabastia, a land of mysterious magic and strange, otherworldly beasts. There are many holds scattered throughout the land, but all answer to the high king Randar Valanthian III and his queen, Victoria. Under their supreme reign, the kingdom has experienced an extended period of peace and prosperity. Even the lower class enjoy a high standard of living within the city walls of the kingdom'a capital, Zespah. Business for the merchant class has expanded as well as their wealth, and the nobles live a life of marvellous luxury. 

It was not always the case, however, and before the kingdom was united, Gadabastia was a relatively untamed wilderness. There was little communication and trade between the separate holds, and even the roads were considered unsafe. Trolls, Ents, giant rhino and other magical beasts had settled the land. Uniting the kingdom was a magnificent feat that sent the humans into a new Era, and the Valanthian bloodline became legendary for it. 

The kingdom has survived many dramatic events since it's unification under the Valanthian bloodline, including attacks from dragons and invasion by foreign armies from exotic lands. The heir to the throne has always been well educated and recieved the best training, in all aspects of lordship. This is well accepted by the people as the reason for the kingdom's great success. 

Now, a new threat to the peace of the kingdom emerges, and high king Randar seeks a team of brave adventurers for a dangerous mission...

A massive portal has seemingly opened itself just outside of the capital, leading to another world. Although nothing eventful has happened so far, the people of the kingdom are worried, and have an understandable fear of the unknown. The king has promised great reward to the adventurers who are willing to enter the portal, find out why it has opened, and seal it once again.

Are you up to the task?

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An elderly farmer nonchalantly cruises toward the grand city of Zespah from atop his wagon, nearly overflowing with vegetables from the recent harvest. It's the middle of spring in the kingdom of Gadabastia, and the sun shines brightly overhead, blanketing the landscape with it's life-giving warmth. A network of roads extend from the capital in all directions, weaving through the grassy, rolling hills and off into the horizon.

To the north, far off into the distance, the road disappears into a precarious looking mountain range. The peaks extend high above the clouds, and the tallest of the mountains are capped with snow. Travellers and miners from the north claim to have recently seen ice wyverns flying about the mountain tops, although nothing has been confirmed yet. There is always the chance that these are just rumors being spread with some sort of hidden political agenda.

Westward, beyond the grassy hills surrounding Zespah, the dry plains of Adimar extend even further. There is little rainfall to the west, and therefore very little travel on the roads in that direction. The desert of Gi'Thai lies at the edge of the plains, although this is beyond sight from the city of Vespah. The inhospitable sand dunes of the desert are said to go on forever. Still, the occasional merchant rides from that direction, with mysterious origins and a rare selection of exotic wares. 

To the east, the road curves around lakes of various shapes and sizes before eventually reaching the Silver Ocean. Travellers and a great deal of fishermen come from the east with seafood, pearls, and other coastal wares to trade. There are also stories of enormous sea creatures spotted around the ancient islands. Apparantly, piracy is becoming a booming business as well, making the sea a dangerous but rewarding place to adventure.

To the south lies the fabled, enchanted Brayweave forest. It is filled with tall, gnarled trees and moss covered earth. It is mainly herbalists and alchemists arriving from the south, eager to sell their concoctions. Occasionally, even a wizard will make the trek to Zespah from beyond the forest, where the white citadel floats among the clouds. 

Arriving at the enormous city gate, the farmer steered his wagon in line to be checked into the capital. Guards equipped with heavy plate armor and bearing the heraldry of the Valanthian bloodline casually searched the various travellers as they passed through. The heraldry depicted a magnificent lion roaring triumphantly over a crossed sword and chalice, on a purple backdrop trimmed with gold. It was business as usual in the kingdom. 

Just within the city gates, outlined by the thick, towering walls and towers mounted with devious siege weapons, was the bustling market district. Huge crowds of people, nearly brushing arms, scour the market stalls as they conduct their daily shopping. It was here that much of the gossip and rumors of the kingdom spread, even with the official news printed and made freely available by the King. The sound of merchants haggling prices and discussing their wares, along with the idle chatting, made this a fairly noisy area to be.

Surrounding the market district are various housing districts, consisting of giant buildings elegantly carved from whitewashed stone. It is clear that the architects here are highly skilled, their work being very clean and displaying great precision. At the end of the main road, leading directly through the market from the main gate, stand another set of gates. These are much smaller than those at the entrance to the city, but are outfitted with beautifully carved wooden double doors. 

Behind them, many of the public amenities reside. Long, plain looking buildings contain the outhouses for the population, separated from everything else by a low stone wall. In the center of the public district, a beautiful garden is watered by servants, filled with flowers, bushes, and an assortment of trees. An enormous, cylindrical building with many floors contains the public library, and is known to be the largest collection of written knowledge in the kingdom. 

A temple dedicated to the various gods also resides in this district, along with public bathing pools and water fixtures. Another impressively large building houses the engineering facility, where the best craftsmen, scholars, and even mages combine their talents and draft various prototypes for the king. Adjacent to it, the prestigious Valanthian school stands tall, where every citizen of the kingdom is eligible for a free, basic education in history, geography, mathematics, architecture, and more. There are also seperate, smaller buildings surrounding it for those wishing to pursue more specific knowledge.

The grandest of all buildings, however, is the Opal Keep, an impressive fortress resting upon a small hill where the king himself makes his home. Two large banners bearing the Valanthian heraldry are displayed on either side of its doors, and another flag waves valiantly in the wind atop it's spire. On either side of the keep are the barracks and armory, respectively. Here the Knights and nobles perfect their skill with all types of weapons and pursue the noble art of chivalry. 

A smaller, more temporary building has been constructed at the base of the hill, with a sign displaying the need for some worthy champions. A handful of adventurers of different shape, size and even species wait outside this building, all tending to their equipment. Meanwhile, as two other adventurers duel in the courtyard, a representative of the king watches the display with keen interest. Despite being the capital of the kingdom and having the highest centralized population in the land, only a few brave adventurers have answered the king's request for aid this day...
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