[h3][center]~Map of Albion~[/center][/h3] [hider=Map of Albion][center][img]https://i.imgur.com/C3pLC0M.png[/img][/center][/hider] [h3][center]-Locations-[/center][/h3] [hider=Locations] [hider=Airedale] [img]https://i.pinimg.com/564x/03/a0/d0/03a0d0efa748b84f04f99b2009f079e5.jpg[/img] What used to be a small seaside village on a small peninsula, could now be considered to be a fortified town. After it was attacked by Fomorians, the current Queen drove them off with a furious storm, or so the remaining residents say. The village's eastern side meets the Southern Sea, and the land around it is lightly forested with rolling plains to the north. Its generally a safe region, with few fomorian sightings. However, like much of the land of Albion, large scale crops and farming was not possible until recently - the Queen purified the land through some means, allowing people to actually start agriculture in more than just a few plots of land for a few scraggly crops. [/hider] [hider=Hjrelskins Fall] [img]https://i.pinimg.com/564x/27/da/d6/27dad63b4c0cacf302cbb35d09fd80cf.jpg[/img] West out of Airedale, is the largest body of inland water in Albion. Known as Hrelskins' Fall, legend has it that it was created when an ice giant was slain, and their blade fell to earth and sunk into its depths, creating a hole in the earth. Others say its where the Ice Giant Hrelskin used to live - in a cave behind the waterfall that filters down into the lake from the mountains to the north. The lake itself is home to numerous fresh water fish, and the abundant nature makes it an idyllic and otherwise peaceful spot. If not for the Fey that haunt the forests around it... [/hider] [hider=Redwater Point] [img]https://i.pinimg.com/564x/7d/14/e8/7d14e8fd758c1ecdfe787df93b1c8f70.jpg[/img] The most prominent and productive fishing village in Albion. Once, it was under the Ethelred's family's care, though after their fall they fell under the jurisdiction of Lord Bernard Alistain who now rules through proxies and administrators due to failing health. Known for its milder climate compared to the rest of the Albion. The particular fish that can be found here are a bright crimson in color, and in certain seasons the sheer amount that can be found turn the sea surrounding the village red, hence the name. The surrounding land consists of forests, that soon turn into sweeping, rolling plains the closer to the Wastes it gets. Its rumored the old Ethelred castle became haunted after its defilement and abandonment... [/hider] [hider=Ethelred Ruins] The abandoned ruins of the Ethelred families castle and home, sitting forlorn upon a cliffside that overlooks Redwater Point. What was once a bastion of defense and civilization, has fallen into disrepair and silence. A story many a structure and family share in Albion, really. Still...some rumors say that the ruin isn't quite as dead as it looks. Surrounded on its southern side by sea, and the north by hills and plains, with a small forest upon the eastern coastline where a path leads to Redwater. [/hider] [hider=Southern Sea] The southern sea of Albion. A calm sea, compared to the stormy seas of Nid to the east and the frozen Whispering Sea to the north. It extends from the southern side of the land to the western, though most don't traverse the waters due to the leviathans and potential monsters lurking within if one travels too far from the coast. [/hider] [hider=Harzelslack] [img]https://i.pinimg.com/564x/ba/03/70/ba0370a64604c9af2fcf1cfabf6b3314.jpg[/img] Surrounded by rolling plains on all sides, the City of Harzelslack is currently the largest city upon the Albion landmass. Ruled over by king Harzelslack who built and founded the city after dealing with the bandits in the area it is the currently safest and stableist place to live in Albion. While he doesn't claim it - many people consider him to be the current reincarnation of the king. That is to say, most view Sorcha as the pretender. Who can really say who is right, here? The city is peaceful, but the king is known to be something of a tyrant. Broken laws and dissent is met with swiftest and harsh punishments, but loyalty and cohesion is rewarded. [/hider] [hider=Lylmesari Forest] [img]https://i.pinimg.com/564x/ae/cb/2d/aecb2d02128e1db9d072219e8485db03.jpg[/img] The mystical forest of the elves. Ancient and primeval, with ancient buildings once dwelled in by fey that no longer are inhabited by them...or so most believe. The marble, pristine while buildings are now home to little more than elvish outlaws and overrun with beasts and lesser fairies that were spared the curse from the Betrayed god. Within, somewhere, lays the Lylmesari city. The last city of the elves. [/hider] [hider=Kythels Coast] Named by the Dwarves after an ancient Goddess, the coast is made up of rocky cliffs and snowfields. Many old dwarf ruins dot the land here, and some can even be found as far south as the southern sea. The ruins are incredibly old - and also incredibly taboo for dwarves to venture into lest they incur the wrath of their goddess. Wild beasts and animals make the place their home, and recently an Elder Beast has taken to stalking the land along with its cult-like followers that worship it. [/hider] [hider=Kythel's Hand] The only Dwarvish settlement upon the mainland, and the staging ground for many of their raids. A peninsula sticking out into a frigid, frozen sea. Its one of the few places safe from dwarf raiding parties. That is to say, they don't tend to attack or bother non-dwarves here from an unwritten rule of not harming those seeking shelter or protection. Surprisingly safe. Rumors exist of other routes to Emain, via ancient tunnels. [/hider] [hider=Emain] [img]https://i.pinimg.com/564x/a1/ce/c7/a1cec7b5d32626dc8f56be2d3e7bc67b.jpg[/img] The bastion city of the dwarves situation upon three islands. Normally, its surrounded by frigid winds and a sea of ice, with waves as threatening as any fomorian. Normally, its impossible to cross unless you have a dwarvish guide to bring you through the storms. Once you hit the island proper - its a surprisingly pleasant place. The deep timbre of dwarves singing rumbles the earth and causes the sea to swell outside their walls from deep within the vast tunnels below the islands. [/hider] [hider=Llobrokor Mountain] The mountain of Giants which extend high into the heavens. In their language it means 'Root of the Tree.', and in certain tellings of their own history is where the root of a massive, ancient tree once connected this world with that of many others. They were sworn to protect it, but they were betrayed by those of the Ice. Being as reclusive as they are, most never leave the mountains and their singular settlement upon its slopes, and most humans have no reason to visit. The mountains are exceedingly dangerous, and a number of Elder Beasts call the place home, including the most dangerous of all - Dragon kin. Rumors say a river of Lava flows under the mountain across Albion that feeds into an ancient realm of Demons. [/hider] [hider=Gheslias Wastes] Wastelands are nothing new to Albion. They may come, and go, drying up crops and entire swaths of forests and lands, but the one at the foot of the mountains to just north of Hrelskins fall, is the constant. Windy, grassy plains where nothing can grow. Elder beasts avoid the area like the plague. Fomorians stalk the land, hunting any human unlucky enough to travel here. The air is thick, choked with visible malice that makes ones skin burn even in freezing temperatures. There is no reason for any human to come to a place so steeped in hatred. Yet, within the center...people say there is a shrine, that is always empty but always full of fresh offerings. [/hider] [hider=Field of Ghosts] A vast expanse of snow and ice. The land here is especially cursed - that is, it is so filled with hatred for those that live that the land itself causes the dead to simply rise from the graves. Spiritual grudges will manifest, and the gate between this area and the underworld is especially thin. A massive frigid Elder Beast of frost and decay stalks the land, seeking to add more to its collection. [/hider] [hider=Whispering Sea] The frigid and uncrossable northern sea of Albion. The wind howls constantly, the waves crash upon the glacial cliffs. They say, far, far to the north across the frigid wastes lay a paradisical realm where great kings and warriors are allowed to live in paradise. Some though, say it is a land where both the horrors and miracles of the Endless Night remain untouched by the world and any who travels there is doomed to die there. All rumors, of course, carried by the wind. [/hider] [hider=Castle Lightsword] Located at just the end of the Field of ghosts, in the northern most region of the land is Castle Lightsword, home of the Lightsword clan. In ancient times they were warriors and fighters under the care of an Elder Beast. Part of their family was also tasked with guarding the tombs of giants in the plains below. Still, with remnant powers from the Field of Ghosts nearby and the inherent death-seeped land of the giants graves, dead do raise here occasionally and mystics who seek to further their more darker arts tend to call the place home. [/hider] [hider=Giants rest] Located south of castle lightsword and to the west of mt. Sliabh, is the graveyard of Giants. Massive stone monoliths indicating where giants rest dot the land. Giants tend to bury their dead in a rather unique fashion - they first cremate the body in a bath of lava, letting their soul return to the mountain. Next, they take the ashes and bones that remain and carry them to their final resting place - giant underground tunnels. The land itself is marked with ancient runestone tombstones, and littered with warm, hot gyesers that blast boiling water into the air heated from somewhere below. Its a popular spot to rest upon the road should travelers be heading through the area. Aside from the undead, beasts, fey, and fomorians its a surprisingly pleasant place to rest. That is to say, you probably shouldn't linger for more than few hours unless you have business. [/hider] [hider=Ithica Lake] A lake of cool, fresh, clear water situated within a secluded grove within Gaints rest. No one is quite sure of the origin of the name, but it is supposedly where the Old King received the blessing of Heroism and was given a golden blade by a wiseman that would later serve as his advisor and train him to becoming a proper king. The giants say that the lake is a remnant from the old world and bears the name of a Moon Goddess. The dwarves refute this, of course. Their Goddess is one of the ocean and heroes, not a lake and her name is Delpithi, not Ithica. Perhaps its a simple translation error. [/hider] [hider=Mt. Sliabh] The home of the Tuatha. They rarely travel from the mountain, except when a young one now coming of age goes on a pilgrimage to see the world. Intelligent and wielding primordial magics and knowledge, they are often sought after to be advisors and hired by those aspiring to kings or queens. The mountain is off limits to most humans, and aside from it being the place in the entire realm where the curse is the weakest no one knows much about it. [/hider] [hider=Castle Reinhardt] The noble Castle Reinhardt. A mere shadow of its former self. Walls crumbling, unable to be kept up. The only thing they are good at now, is keeping the rain out. Situated as it is...its a good thing the Fomorians and Fey have no interest in such a place, otherwise the few who remain would have been tormented to their demise long ago. Surrounded on all sides by the Laughing wood, its family was once the one who kept the Fomorians and Unseelie in check around the area, but with their dwindling numbers, the Fomorians and Fey both have grown in number and the effects are most certainly being felt across the land. For if a habitat is overflowing. They those without, seek their own elsewhere. Fomorians are no different. [/hider] [hider=Laughing Wood] The opposite of Lylmesari, once the home of the Fey, now mainly inhabited by Fomorians and Unseelie. The forest is dark, mystical, and oddly entrancing as if whispering invitations to those inside to get lost, only to laugh mercilessly as they themselves become a permanent resident of the forest. Its an utter mystery, really, aside from those of House Reinhardt. Anything within the forest is cursed, and partaking of anything will result in an inevitable curse falling upon a human. [/hider] [hider=Nids End] The cost of the Laughing wood. Supposedly, an ancient serpent met its end here. Not much is known, but the coast itself is home to particularly terrible and vicious fomorians that inhabit the coastline and caves upon it. Not even dwarves dare to step foot here, lest they fall victim to the Fomorian and Elder beast that lives here. An elder beast, that is said to have somehow learned to command Fomorians and fey both. [/hider] [/hider] [h3][center]|Glossary|[/center][/h3] [hider=General Knowledge & Misc. Myths] [b]Wasteland[/b] Land afflicted by the betrayed Gods curse. Contrary to popular belief, it does not necessarily mean a land that is nothing but a barren land of hard, dry soil and hills. It can be roughly described as any land that refuses to allow any plants or food to grow aside from trees or hardy, tough shrub that also angers and causes local wildlife to go berserk. Disease, undead, and famine all are common here. Like seasons, Wastelands can come and go, afflicting land seemingly at random. There is very little that can be done to combat this, but the Tuatha are able to purify land using complex rituals and maintenance. [b]Wings of Light, Wings of Dark[/b] A tale from just after the time of the Betrayed Gods fall. As his now cursed ridden body fell to the ground, his soul was split in twain. From it, the first Dragon Elder Beasts were born. Notably, a terrible dragon of black and a radiant dragon of white. Both, were born from the gods malice towards the creatures that had betrayed him. The black, was utter destruction and hatred. The White, was of righteous divine fury that would judge all as sinners. [b]The Endless Night[/b] When the old world ended, the world was shrouded in endless darkness. Only a fractured moon would hang above the skies, lighting the world against a tide of abhorrent beasts, nightmarish creatures, and soulless husks that had lost their way in the madness of it. Albion would have been wiped clean, had it not been for a single, surviving god. Whatever its reasons were, it protected the humans that had no where else to go, the giants that had remained loyal to it, and the fey and elves that had been cut off from their home. When the sun finally rose upon the world once more, the God desired rest - But the Elves and Fey were greedy. Seeing the cold, arctic world the wanted more, and realized that if they could use the Gods power themselves, they could likely make Albion much warmer. To weak to directly harm the God, they presented him with a cursed gift. Unfortunately, in turn, they too would be cursed, transforming into hideous monsters themselves. Perhaps they were just homesick for their green, endless forest. [/hider] [hider=Myths of the King] Colloquially known as the 'Scéal Rí', it is the most prominent legend that exists after the Endless Night, taking place a scant few years after the fall of the Betrayed God and the ending of the Endless Night. It is split into four parts, each corresponding to a different time of the Kings Journey and Rule, and a popular story to tell children, as well as something that simply gives the people of Albion a hope for the future. The first, tells of the Kings childhood and training under the guidance of a wise sage of the Moon. He traveled around Albion, meeting all the different people as a knight errant. Future knights of various houses, Unseelie fey and Seelie fey. Fomorians, both good and bad. The second, tells of his rise to kingship and the many tales of the knights which served under him up until he was officially crowned king. The third, focuses on the Golden Age - the age in which Albion was considered the safest. The age in which the King Ruled. The fourth, focuses on the betrayal of the king by one of his knights and the subsequent fall of the realm and devastation of Albion that followed. The Peoples Heart - The dragon of black ravaged the land, bringing curse and destruction, while the dragon of white would devastate the people, bringing divine fury to the beings that had sinned whether they be human, fey, tuatha, or giant. The king, would slay the dragon of black to gain recognition of people along with his knights. No one is quite sure what happened to the White Winged dragon. Some say it recognized the king as pure and just, and would fall into a deep slumber. Some say it blessed the king, before disappearing and leaving Albion in the hands of mortals. [/hider] [hider=Knights of the King] Lunestel Castle - The Lunar Citadel The Castle of White, the Castle of Light, the Throne of the King. When the people of Albion recognized the king, the Giants would build the king a castle. Instead of building it from brick and mortar, they would find a mountain and quite literally, within a week, carve the entire rock into a majestic castle that towered above the land. The castle's location while not lost, few remember where it is, and fewer dare to venture there. King Arthwys: The eponymous king of the Sceal Ri. The king who held Albions future in his hands. A brave lad that was initially from a village near what is today Ithica Lake with his brother and sister. The very same lake that he would first meet the Sage of the Moon that would lead him to become a king. After all was said and done, he was unceremoniously killed by his most trusted knight, his body so badly burned and torn to pieces barely anything remained of it. His holy sword was lost, though is said to have been enshrined in a place where the Moon meets the Earth by Queen Morgana. Queen Madwen Morgana Alafan: The kind and loving queen of Albion. Was a simple village girl living in a village near the Laughing wood along with her brother working as a healer and was the one who'd run off the malevolent fey if they bothered the village. Eventually she and the king would fall in love. What became of her after the Kings death is uncertain. Sigurd helped her escape the castle, but after that it is uncertain. Rumors say she pleaded with the moon for Vengeance. Lady Erahith: A tuatha mage who stood steadfastly by the king, joining him shortly after his training had concluded. Fell in love with Gerainth. She carried his magical sword far, far away so that it wouldn't fall into the hands of the rebels. Supposedly died peacefully, passing the sword down to her children - who some say would still bear the blood of Gerainth. Lord Regimbald: A human of dubious origins. A wise man with 'eyes which reflected the seas of another goddess'. He joined the king some years after the slaying of the Dragon of Black. His reputation is a bit mixed - considered knowledgeable and insightful of many things, but also possessing a somewhat ill temperament and personality. When the rebels stormed the castle, he was found on the vacant throne laughing before he thus told the rebels the prophecy for the future. Supposedly only one man who saw him that day left the throne room alive. The Nameless Knight of Betrayal: once of the Knights closest knights and confidants, she led a rebellion against the king. Legend says she was jealous that he would take another woman as his wife. Possessing armor and spear crafted from a storm dragon, she was considered the strongest and most loyal of knights up until that moment. Her true name is only spoken in hushed tones, and most general folks likely wouldn't know of it. Depicted as having a spear made of the corpse of a storm dragon, and wearing armor the color of gold and red. Said to have been slayed by the Dragonslayer, Sigurd. Sigurd the Dragonslayer: One of the most well known and also popular knights from the tales. Sigurd slayed the dragon Fafnir, gaining incredibly powerful physical ability upon doing so. Supposedly crafting weapons from its body, he went on to become a beast-slayer that defended the land from the likes of many Elder Beasts. A children favorite most of the time. Fiercely fought the traitor knight until he could no longer and was one of the few survivors. He returned to the castle, where it was said he would protect the castle until the new king of Albion would return. Gerainth the Valiant, Saint of the Sword: the 'Most handsome knight' under the kings command. Supposedly a bit of rapscallion with a habit of being a bit to fond of women, the knight possessed reportedly innumerable magical blades they could call upon at will to pierce foes. Was slain by Isolt the Lion at the edge of the great bridge, giving Sigurd enough time to evacuate the queen and its civilians. Gave his sword to Lady Erahith to protect as his dying wish. Mathilda the Watchful Star: Not much is known about this knight, her deeds less well known and fewer. However, her importance was no less than any of the others. Possessing a bow made from the mysteries of the Endless Night, it was said she stood atop the tallest tower in Lunestel Castle. Her eyes could see across the entire land, and her bow could rain stars down upon the unsuspecting interlopers who would dare stand against the king. In the end, she could not bring her bow against the King, nor could she bring herself to harm her former comrades. So she left before the final battle, taking a dwarven ship across the northern sea to find solace. Lord Harzel Alafan: A man who was half brother to the queen, sharing the same father. A serious sort who was cursed to be 'Beloved by the Unseelie' Possessed no remarkable skills other than a sturdy body and was often in charge of more dubious operations under the king and had learned many tricks for dealing with Fairies and how best to kill or placate them over the years. Killed by Waltram, the Champion of the Sun in a duel after Harzel had made terrible mistake. Supposedly his body was stolen away by the Unseelie Queen at the time. Some say she revived him with particularly terrible magic. The knight he loved would later go on to give birth to a second child...who's descendant would eventually become known as King Harzelslack. Isolt The Lion A cavalry commander bearing lance and riding upon a horse kin to an Elder Beast. Supposedly an artificial creation by a fomorian who turned against their masters. Possessed incredible strength and speed and a lance that could 'roar like a mighty beast and make the heavens and earth shudder'. Was close friends with the Traitor Knight, and in the end threw her lot in with her. Was wounded by Gerainth in the final battle, but would recover not long after the battle had reached its end. Though her pride and honor were tarnished, she would travel far, far below where not even giants nor dwarves dare to tread to find the answers she sought. Waltram, Champion of the Sun Often considered a foil to the king. A former ruler in his own right, who possessed a blade similar to the kings, but of Sun and Hope instead of Moon and Portent. Supposedly had the blood of giants, he wielded great strength and honor, and had a penchant for challenging opponents to knightly duels in order to resolve differences. He had been returning to the castle from a Wyvern extermination when he received news of what had happened. Initially he desired to help the king, but would end up in a duel with Harzel where Harzel would be slain. Not realizing the full scope of what had occurred, he'd grow disillusioned upon seeing the body of Gerainth and Margeth and the pure white walls of the castle stained with blood. For once, in his life, the hope he inspired in others vanished and his blade dulled, never to duel again. He would seek his end among the giants that he called kin. Princess Margeth Harzel Daughter of Harzel and supposedly a knight he fancied. Was gifted a magical axe by the Tuatha upon her birth, and would later go on to be a knight errant, traveling around the kingdom to solve problems. A bright, spunky and friendly girl by most accounts. Had a tendency to wear full armor and used magic to mask her voice to avoid suitors. However, when she got word that the Traitor Knight was leading a rebellion she hurried back, forgetting to bring her axe. She was slain by her father in the initial chaotic moments of battle not realizing who she was. Sir Friedwald, the Beast-speaker: A man from the north, from what is now known as the Field of Ghosts. Unlike most, he preferred life among the wild and the beasts - and supposedly had even befriended several of them. How true it is, is up for debate but it is true he was the first one the king turned to when dealing with elder beasts to see if a more peaceful and less violent solution could be found. For whatever reason, he threw his lot in with the Traitor Knight, using the power of a particularly tricky beast that could travel great distances in instants to sneak past the main body of the kings army and ambush the castle, nearly obliterating the forces before they had a chance to even react. Eventually the remnants of the Kings army would chase him all the way to the north once more, but the beasts of the land supposedly protected him. [/hider]