INTRODUCTION

(Post-Flood)

The Legend of Solvheil

Solvheil [sohl-veyl] was once the most powerful empire in Elrithorn that evolved from the birthplace of man. It was located on a landmass in the middle of a vast inland sea which sat in a basin surrounded by mountain ranges.

Rel, the creator, walked with man in the ancient civilization of Solvheil. It was here that arcane and divine magic were at their pinnacle. Priests of Rel possessed the greatest of healing while Solvheilian mages controlled the elements.

While ambition was the heart of man's strength, it was their never ending quest for knowledge and power that ultimately led to destruction. The ancient Solvheilians learned how to harness the gravitational energy of the earth and sea. In their tampering they pushed all of the water of the inland sea outward spilling out of the basin over the mountains.

The result was a catastrophic flood that devastated much of the outer lands and left the inland sea a dry sandy basin without water. Solvheil shook on it's foundation and crumbled from below sinking onto itself and buried under rock and sand.

Rel

After Rel created the world he left it alone for some time. Chaos bore demons upon the land which ruled in destruction and contempt. Rel banished them to the underworld and created Ehllelo to do with the land as she wished. It was only some time after that Rel created mankind as his proudest achievement in the heart of an inland sea. So pleased with them, he decided to instill profound knowledge directly with his presence leaving Ehllelo to watch the world from above.

He descended from the heavens and set a human foot upon the ground. Rel walked with man in the ancient civilization of Solvheil. Sacrificing omnipresence and immortality to live along side his creations in mortal form. From them, he chose representatives for his arcane and divine teachings who were placed in high positions of authority within the church.

Several conspired against Rel and tricked him into unwillingly relinquishing some of his divine power unto them. They presented him a golden jeweled sarcophagus as a holy resting chamber which slowly drained his power while leaving his mortal shell continually ill. The Sarcophagus of Rel channeled his power to the powerful crystals below the chamber.

Dogma

Domains: Plant/Animal/Healing/Good
Favored Animal Avatar: Bear
Title: Creator, The One True

Shalihir Desert

Shalihir [shal-uh-heer] is a desert setting resembling more arid regions of the Middle East. It is ruled under a Sultan, but is in essence comprised of several independent tribes. The Shalihir desert lies between Dalreon to the West and Orilyn to the East lies and in a vast basin surrounded by mountain ranges.

Primarily sanded dunes and flats, it also contains some large rock features that protrude into the sky. The land is ruled by a Sultan who resides in a palace in Quil N'aair.

Shalihir is a savage and fierce mass of burning sand and deadly inhabitants. What law exists there is clustered in its few settlements. Hordes of black orcs and other tribal beasts tear through pillaging all in their path. Some of the most lethal of all wild creature call the Shalihir their home.

The use of magic among men is higher in the desert than anywhere in the known world. It is not uncommon to find a street mage or two in town, or find rogue mages living in solitude.

It is said that all of humanity originated somewhere in present day Shalihir when the great desert was once a mass inland sea. When the legendary kingdom of Solvheil knew man at its most powerful. The people of Shalihir maintain their lineage is closely tied to the lost kingdom and that is the reason for their arcane nature.

The Flood

The Flood, or Great Flood, generally refers to the time in history when the Imlan Sea spilled from its mountain basin and washed across the outlying lands. What once held the seawater dried to become the desert of Shalihir. This event is tied to the destruction of Solvheil.

Results

The following places were dramatically affected by the flood:

• Imlan Sea: Expelled to become Shalihir Desert
• Solvheil: Destroyed
• Cardobah: Destroyed
• Ulnara: Destroyed
• Nalass: Destroyed
• Kazatharis: Destroyed
• Orilyn: Turned into wetlands
• Great Forest: Large area became Barl Swamp
• Archonvale: Damaged as Hearleforne roots are flooded.

"The time of gods and men ended with the flood. When those who sought to attain their own divine portfolio tilted the world on its axis. The floodwaters washed clean the slate, started everything anew.

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It is now in mortal hands that the fate of society rests, while the pantheon watch from behind the veil. Without divine hand-holding, mortals are often left questioning the purpose of their lives.

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This uncertainty can either fill one with thought and wonder, or empty sorrow."

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-Shalihir Philosopher

Sinking in the Sands

While most believe Solvheil sank into the sands during the great flood, it in fact sank into an extra-dimensional pocket created during the shift in the material plane which caused the flood.

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Because of this anomaly, a majority of the ruins are sunk below the fabric of the material plane and unreachable by conventional methods of travel.

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The result of mortal tampering in both arcane and divine magic, the flood would forever reshape Elrithorn. Ancient man was forever cut off from his pinnacle of advancement and returned to a more simple and primative form while the whole world shared in the price.

Primative Return

Centuries had passed since the Imlan Sea expelled its waters, leaving behind a sandy seabed which became the Shalihir desert.

All of the lands beyond the surrounding mountains drank the floodwaters, and the divine folly of man destroyed his birthplace as Solvheil was swallowed by the sands. Whatever wonders had existed in the old world were gone, replaced by a new world, scarred and barren.

Scattered were the humans of Solvheil, and the once prosperous kingdoms of the Imlan Sea; Cardobah, Ulnara, and Nalass.

Surviving tribes of men were eventually enslaved by beasts, by demons, and of course, by other men. Men who could control both beast and demon, men whose practice of arcane arts had made them seek both knowledge and power with reckless abandon.

Magocracy

Magic was almost completely lost in the flood and destruction of Solvheil. Nevertheless there were those who survived still gifted in the arcane arts, and they quickly rose to power.

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Many tribes of men in the newly formed desert were unwilling servants of these sand mages. Forced to work in constructing their towers, used in experimentation, or being sent on deadly quests to recover artifacts.

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Spellcasting was forbidden among the common, and even advanced literacy was discouraged as those in power feared an uprising of the educated and determined.

The Age of Burning Towers

A time of revolt in Shalihir when the mundane overthrew their magically adept rulers. After generations living in fear of their arcane overlords, humans were finally given a fighting chance at rebellion.

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Man had encountered dwarf in their assigned journeys. Remembering their own former enslavement by the goblinkin, it was Dwarven Stonecutters who taught man to read through runic script.

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It was also great fortune to have rediscovered the Sarcophagus of Rel, a powerful artifact from Solvheil that still held some divine power of the Creator. Carried by several men via poles along the side, it could be used to expel great amounts of directed energy.

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Durina the period known as the Age of Burning Towers, man used the Sarcophagus of Rel to destroy the strongholds of those who ruled them. After the mages were overthrown, man began anew yet again rebuilding society from its ruin.

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Not long after, the sarcophagus once again fell into legend as it was lost to time.

Ruins of Kazatharis

Once a thriving port on the western edge of the Imlan Sea, early pioneers from Solvheil built this fortress of a town into the Crenmantle Mountains directly above some old dwarven halls.

Before the massive flood that expelled the Imlan Sea, most residents escaped west to the areas that would eventually become Dalreon and Harrn.

The tidal waters were held at bay by a collective effort of mages and bards combining spell and song to form a barrier. Though almost all were killed holding back the waves, their efforts secured the escape of humanity.

The city mostly crumbled, the docks now dry. What remains of Kazatharis stands as an abandoned shell overlooking the desert sands where there once was a sea.

There are two approaches to the ruins of Kazatharis. The first is from the Shalihir Desert on the East with a treacherous climb below the now dry docks. The other is a pass through an ancient dwarven hall in the Crenmantle Mountains connecting the Barl Swamp below to the ruins plateau.

While the city has largely been laid to waste, there are still numerous structures that survived the deluge and hold both mysteries and perils from the ancient world.

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Kazatharis Map

Quil N'aair

The largest city in Shalihir is also its Capital. Quil N'aair is built at the base of the large landmass that once was home to Ulnara. While not a direct stop on the main trade route between the East and West, Quil'Naair still enjoys a vibrant economy and serves as the political center of Shalihir.

Oasis of Azullain

Large oasis in the Shalihir desert. It was originally discovered by the explorer/adventurer Azullain, and quickly became and important watering hole and trading post along the caravan routes.

Tahamman

Tahamman is the Westernmost human settlement in Shalihir. It acts as Dalreon's gateway to the desert with its close proximity to Albrynn separated by a mountainous pass.

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A true desert trade town, Tahamman is crossways for many different cultures and walks of life. What would sound the town bell in Dalreon barely raises an eyebrow here.

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Places of Interest

• The Empty Hump Tavern
  Proprietor: Bimbalish Felladd
  
  
• Najif's Ore-asis
  Proprietor: Najif Ulearas
  
  
• Armond Alchemy
  Proprietor: Zeihnol Armond
  
  
• The Blade of Sand (Weaponsmith)
  Proprietor: O'rleat Krelnn
  
  

Oasis of Azullain Map

Tahamman Map

Ritual of Return

Entering Solvheil is not as easy as walking across a breach. There is only one known stable portal to the hidden dimensional pocket, and it requires elaborate detail to manifest.

Most of the details are broken or lost to time, and no one has a complete list of all of the requirements.

• Shape: The runic pattern of Alakanthor and Portal Stone
• Sound: The ringing bells of Alakanthor in harmony
• Color: The lost color
• Material: Of specific textile and weave
• Scent: Specific Incense
• Lighting: Candles set behind colored glass

Shape of Alakanthor

The monastary/temple known as Alakanthor was built by the Dwarven Stonecutters Guild into a perfect runic pattern. The very floorplan itself takes the shape of an ancient passage rune.

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Bells of Alakanthor

Three bells crafted by the finest metalworkers the mountains had to offer, and designed to create a specific harmonic frequency when used in unison. Their specific placement atop the structure directs the focal point of the tone at the Portal Stone.

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Color Lost to Time

Said to be beautiful color of divine majesty somewhere between blue and gold. The color is created from the ink of a beast found somewhere in the Sea of Aluun.

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Material for Shroud

The Portal Stone must be adorned with a fabric shroud of a specific pattern of weave and dyed in the lost color.

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Placement and tint of light

Even the lighting requires special care as candles must be set in specific sconces, and their flicker filtered with a tinted screen.

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Alternate Portals

There are legends of other portals even more obscure than Alakanthor, such as the Blood Portal in the deep jungle, or a portal at the bottom of the Sea of Aluun.

None so far have been confirmed, and there are no known parties that have successfully found the ruins of Solvheil. Possible plot hooks could involve powerful groups either seeking these lost details or preventing their discovery.

Lyritholln

Also known as "The Great Forest" in human tongue, Lyritholln [leer-uh-thawln] is a massive wooded region of deep forest and towering trees completely contained within the Kingdom of Dalreon, although it is much older than the human kingdom around it.

Lyritholln is a kingdom not in the civilized sense, although there are settlements. It encompasses a majority of the Great Forest situated around Hearleforne tree, and the Elves fiercely defend its borders.

Settlements in Lyritholln and very non-intrusive of their surroundings, and are built into the natural structures. The most common design consists of tree-top dwellings connected by walkways and bridges. While less popular are the earthen structures built into the ground and cave structures.

The Hearleforne

Believed by fae to be the axis of existence, and fulcrum of the Material Plane. Ehllelo planted the Hearleforne which sprung life to the Great Forest of the West. Its name translates to "Heart of the Forest", as it was the first plant to grace the presence of the ground, and stands to represent all that is green and grows.

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Because of this, it is protected by the elves and supported by all of the elements, who themselves are original creations of Ehllelo. Through the elemental primes, the Hearleforne thrives as uses each gift individually.

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Pulanthor grants it a base and source of nutrients, while Sevantha feeds it from above and below with Glinthana who cools it helps it to breath, and Veldarish stays clear from harming it and burns the forest of that which is dead to return their essence to the ground.

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During the great flood, the depressed ground around its mighty roots became flooded with water from the Imlan Sea.

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Archonvale

The Hearleforne houses more than the center of the natural world, it is also the home of the elven capital of Archonvale. The Lyrith Elves have made their homes among the plentiful and reaching branches, and nested around the ancient roots of the great tree.

A far cry from the metropolitan fashion of other kingdom's capitals, Archonvale leaves the influence and structure to the existing flora, instead living among what nature has provided instead of bending it to their will.

Elegant and organic best describe the architecture, with flowing curves and symmetrical spirals forming patterns a far cry from the rigidity of dwarven runes. Bridges and stairways connect the districts that surround the cradling grasp of the Hearleforne.

The Aluriel family still rule in Lyritholln. With Eldrynn long since passed, Elrinne Aluriel now wears the elven crown. Where he lacks in physical capacity to be like the champions of old, he makes up in thoughtful contemplation and measured stoic wisdom.

With much of their history and knowledge lost to the flood, the elves have settled again into their role as defenders of the forest.

Lyrith Elves

Elves are slightly shorter than humans and display a fair skin tone and mainly blondish brown to white hair. They also display sharply pointed ears and a slim build. Elves are also among the best archers due to their natural dexterity and heightened senses.

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Elves enjoy a long comfortable lifespan of a couple centuries and share a bond with the forest they were created to protect. Their reverence for nature and the elements, as well as their worship of Ehllelo, grants them druidic magic. This power is greater when within the bounds of the forest because of the density of the vegetation.

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Although Lyritholln is within the boundaries of Dalreon, they consider themselves and the Great Forest sovereign and fiercely defend its borders. Relations with Humans is tense due to the destruction of parts of the forest from both the flood, as well as deforestation as humans settled the land for agriculture. This with the flooding of the Hearleforne, whom the Elves are sworn to protect in the name of Ehllelo, caused a great schism between the two races.

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The humans of Dalreon may have long forgotten what caused the flood or the extent of the destruction it wrought, but the elves have longer memories and hold man accountable for their past travesties. Their relations with the dwarves of the North are strictly emmisarial as their ideologies and cultures greatly differ.

Ballad of Eldrynn and Illithan

Much of the history of the Lyrith Elves is contained in the story of brothers Eldrynn and Illithan Aluriel, as their actions shaped much of what became of elven society. Many stories, poems, and songs have been written about the ill-fated brothers as both historical accounts and cautionary tales.

Elven Rebellion

They took the name Ith'inaar, which means "Away from home" in the elvish tongue. Illthan's journey beyond the forest led him East to the Imlan Sea, and eventually to the ancient human kingdom of Nalass.

There he learned of the forbidden practice of necromancy, and the tampering of the veil between life and death. Secret sects of Threll from Solvheil raised corpses from the dead and bound them to their will.

This made sense to Illithan as he had already witnessed a fallen adversary used to stop a war when his brother Eldrynn scattered the Goblinkin Horde with the Goblin King's severed head. If such a simple gesture could save Archonvale, imagine what could be done by raising fallen enemies to be used as defensive force.

These elves away from home learned the dark arts from the humans, and returned West to Lyritholln to share the fruits of their expedition. Expecting to be lauded as heroes for their efforts and innovation, they were instead rebuked as the other elves in Archonvale viewed necromancy as a slight against nature, and Ehllelo herself.

Illithan refused to acquiesce to the demand of ending all practice of necromancy, and he and his followers were cast out of the Great Forest. The splintered group who were once Lyrith Elves were forever branded as the Ith'inaar as a reminder that they would forever be away from home.

Vowing revenge for the percieved betrayel, Illithan led them again West, this time to the Crenmantle Mountains. It was here that their acts would forever stain them and drive them further from what they had started as.

The Ith'inaar raided the Crenmantle Dwarves, slaughtering and raising the fallen as they worked there way deeper into the mountain. Illithan harbored little more than disdain for the dwarves after the Goblinkin War, and viewed them more as a resource than a sentient race.

The dwarves of Crenmantle were little match for the invading elven outcasts. With every battle their numbers dwindled while the undead sent against them grew in strength. They retreated to the deepest depths of the mountains, but there was no escape.

Backed into the farthest of mines, the last of the remaining forces of Crenmantle Dwarves were overcome by their fallen brethren, leaving the Ith'inaar to rule over their ancestral home.

Illithan Aluriel, still in his Lyrith form

Transformation

Not understanding runic magic and architecture that served as dwarven protective wards, the Ith'inaar inadvertently released an ancient evil that had been trapped deep beneath the Crenmantle Mountains. It was a pact with this chaotic force and their turning away from Ehllelo that caused "The Darkfall" forever changing their appearance.

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Their skin darkened to match the night sky, while their hair faded bone white. Their eyes also took on unnatural tints such as violet or red, as the foray into the mountainous depths permanently altered their vision to be attuned to darkness, leaving them with bright light sensitivity.

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Consequently, this also led to their discovery of the massive underground known as Hollowdown (the Underdark).

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Whatever part of them that had once been Lyrith Elf was forever erased as the dark communion left its mark both on the surface and deep within. The Ith'inaar were now Dark Elves, a twisted reflection of their forest origin. They no longer served nature, for they worked actively against the natural cycle and sought to subvert life and conquer death.

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Illithan Aluriel, one-time prince of Archonvale and devoted brother, had become evil and twisted and bent on revenge against Eldrynn for his exile.

The appearance of an Ith'inaar after the Darkfall

Return to Archonvale

Their skin changed and their souls tainted, the Ith'inaar were driven now more than ever for revenge on Lyritholln. Illithan sought the crown to rule over the Great Forest and further his murderous conquest over Ehllelo's creation. For any place so teeming with life represented untapped resources and undead minions.

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Leaving the Crenmantle Mountains to march on Archonvale, the Ith'inaar slew and raised bears, knowing their religious significance. Illithan's memory of symbolism would prove effective as initial battles left the Lyrith Elves in a state of disarray as they were not permitted to harm bears, in reverence to Ehllelo.

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By the time they reached Archonvale, Ehllelo herself had blessed Eldrynn's spear, and charged him to defeat his brother in defense of The Hearleforne.

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Eldrynn wounded and defeated his brother Illithan, stabbing him with the blessed spear and driving the Ith'inaar again out of Lyritholln as they retreated to the darkness of the Hollowdown.

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Eldrynn Aluriel, two-time savior of Lyritholln, would go on its champion, while Illithan and the Ith'inaar were forever banished from the forest.

Flooded Roots

The Great Flood caused by the destruction of Solvheil expelled the Imlan Sea over the mountain basin that held it in. The waters washed over the surrounding lands causing catastrophic devastation, forever changing the landscape.

In the West, lowland portions of the Great Forest that had been near the mountain basin became what is now known as the Barl Swamp as the seawater found a new home.

The Hearleforne was not spared as floodwaters swept across The Great Forest and filled the recesses around its massive protruding roots. The seawater initially shocked the Hearleforne, and stunted foliage for a good number of seasons afterward until the mighty tree made a recovery.

The arcane library was located down among the roots, and much of the ancient tomes and scrolls that once filled its shelves deteriorated in the giant pool that remained. The power of the written word dissolved in a liquid had long been known to transfer magical properties.

This along with the power of various artifacts that once adorned or were kept safe in the library combined to make the waters volatile and magically unpredictable. Any arcane attempt to magically remove or cleanse the water fizzles at best.

It is said that what was taken by the floodwater is forever lost to the specters of the drowned souls who haunt the submerged roots. To this end, much of the knowledge of elven high magic had been erased.

Devastation caused by the folly of man had nearly cost Lyrith Elves everything, and it was an offense that would not soon be forgotten. Even after humans had been taken back to a more primitive form and lost nearly all memory of pre-flood civilization., the elves remember.

To the elves, this was the result of man not living in harmony with the natural world, and their arrogant quest to dominate while nearly destroying it in the process. Wiping themselves out would be one thing, but nearly taking the world could not be forgiven.

With the knowledge and beauty of the lower portions of the capital destroyed, the elves adapted Archonvale to focus on the upper portions of the city. A new temple to Ehllelo was errected up high among the branches, although she had been notably absent since the flood.

The magic infused waters below were mostly quarantined and avoided, as the dead and wild magic pockets it caused were deemed too dangerous.

In Defense of the Forest

After the flood, scattered tribes of humans began to migrate to occupy the lands west of the mountains. Those who came from Kazatharis and Nalass particularly encroached on the lands occupied by The Great Forest.

As they sought a new home they relied on the natural resources of the area, especially timber, to fuel their migration. As the woods near the mountains has been transformed to marsh, the humans continued their movement further into The Great Forest, clearing trees and hunting for sustenance.

This put them in direct opposition to the Lyrith Elves who were sworn to protect the forest, and were already seething from the flood that had threatened to destroy the Hearleforne, their most holy of places.

Conflicts were instantaneous, as humans and elves were at odds from first sight. Having lost everything, the newly primal humans initially had no idea why they were subject to raids by these perceived savages, but did not hesitate to retaliate and escalate hostilities.

Camps begat settlements which in turn begat strongholds; the greatest weapon against the elves was human civilization. Dwarves, who had established a far more mutual relationship with man, often aided in expansion efforts. Even some smallfolk of the Waylands integrated into this new society.

After endless years of conflict, and significant losses to both elf and forest, some form of truce was needed. The Treeline Treaty, A compromise that was highly controversial in Archonvale and beyond, officially ended aggression between elf and man.

It stated that the majority remaining portion of The Great Forest was sovereign, officially recognized as an autonomous entity. Humans would refrain from further expansion or harvest beyond the agreed upon borders of Lyritholln, and Elves would respect the remaining lands as the kingdom of Dalreon.

While Lyritholln remained almost entirely surrounded by Dalreon, it forged a new alliance between the two, although a distant one that was not without isolated incidents. Elves never integrated into human society in any great number like others, but could now traverse their towns raising only passing suspicion.

Half-elfs, although rare, live probably the most isolated of existences, as they are never truly embraced by either culture. While they retain certain elven qualities, they have enough humanity in them to seem clumsy and unrefined in Archonvale. While their ears are normally a deal breaker for blending in completely among humans.

The New Nature

What was known as the natural world was partially remade by the flood. Landscapes altered, civilizations destroyed, and even magic and nature changed forever. The world that was, was simply no more. While the elements are still present in the material world, their binding to it seemed shifted.

Some elven scholars wonder if the ancient texts could be recovered from the flooded roots, would their incantations even apply anymore. Whatever caused the Imlan Sea to empty itself outward had changed much more than just the location of water, it had altered the fabric of reality itself.

Elves were not alone in their role as wardens of the new nature, as they were joined by Waylanders, Living Trees, Fey, and even some of their human neighbors. Druids and rangers from the human kingdoms began to serve along side in conservation.

Ehllelo, although not encountered since the flood, was surely pleased with this new alliance in her defense. Locations such as the Lorn Grove led by Forthryr the treant are places where druidic forces meet.

• Ruler: King Jorlaan II
• Capital: Evertide
• Magic: Rare
• Rivers: Albrynn Fork, Fen River, Thynoth River
  
  

Indigenous Races

Humans

The Kingdom of Dalreon is populated of mostly Humans whose ancestors were pioneers from Solvheil. They consider themselves more "civilized" then their neighbors to the North in Harrn. Dalreon also surrounds the Great Forest and the Elven kingdom of Lyritholln within it.

Waylanders

Beyond the Eastern edge of Lyritholln lies the Waylands. Small in stature, these folk are often underestimated when they travel beyond their home borders.

Dalreon Army, the largest human fighting force in Elrithorn.

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Albrynn

Albrynn is a hilltown in the kingdom of Dalreon aside Caneari Lake at the end of the Albrynn Fork off of the Thynoth River. The population is comprised of mainly terrace farmers and shepherds.

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It shares a close proximity to Tahamman in Shalihir and is often used as a staging area for caravans headed for the desert.

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Albrynn is home to one of the areas more popular drinks, the Albrynn Pale. A refreshing light ale that has earned praise from many a patron in taverns far beyond the Thirsty Tortoise tavern.

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Places of Interest

• Thirsty Tortoise (tavern)
  Proprietor: Paulis Asher
  
  
• Bitter Leaf Apothecary
  Proprietor: Remnar Kollan
  
  

Albrynn Map

Evertide

Situated on the Southwestern edge of Dalreon where the Sea of Aluun meets the Thynoth River, Evertide is an impressive feat of human craftsmanship. The Crown Palace of Dalreon overlooks the sprawling districts and busy harbor below.

Playing more than just the role of capital for the Kingdom of Dalreon, Evertide also serves as the economic hub. Imports come in across the Sea of Aluun via Crown Port from the Orilyn Empire, while goods also arrive via caravan from the desert and get shipped downriver.

Evertide is home to several independent trading companies as well as the private houses of some nobility. Among some of the larger trade organization are the Ardent Anchor Trading Company and the Golden Gills Trading Company. These rivals both deal in the flow of goods across the Aluun Sea and economic diplomacy with the Orilyn.

It is also home to Dalreon's Ministry of Antiquities, who oversees any expeditions and excavations of discovered ruins or other finds of historical significance. They are often at odds with the Church of Tornne as to who has jurisdiction over artifacts and sacred relics.

The Crown College of Wizardry is a relatively new construction as the kingdom adapts to the reemergence of arcane magic.

Evertide Map

Rindleforde

Rivertown in the kingdom of Dalreon. Situated at the split of the Thynoth River, where the Fen River heads North toward the Barl Swamp, lies Rindleforde. This walled city is built around its impressive docks that server as the end of Dalreon's waterway.

Beyond this point on the Thynoth River lies the Great Forest and the kingdom of Lyritholln. Having been kept from developing any further into the forest by the elves, Rindleforde represents a sort of border between civilized land and the untamed wild.

Rindleforde Map

Crown Port Map

The East

Orilyn is as far East as one can travel and still be in mostly inhabited land. The Empire known as Orilyn [ohr-uh-lin] is loosely based on Feudal Eastern Asia.

Monkey Dynasty

When the Monkey Lords traveled West from the Zhanthul Jungle, they conquered most of what was Orilyn quickly disarming the people and removing any claim to land. After they had sufficiently brought the populace under their rule, they began work on a capital on a island offshoot West of the mainland.

Hu Taar was constructed as a sprawling stone complex with many of the architectural styling found in ruins of the Zhanthul Jungle.

It was during this time that the Seven Masters took a group to the Zhanthul Jungle where the Monkey Lords had come in search of a way to defeat them. Returning with secrets revealed to them in the wild, their forces overwhelmed the Monkey Lords with unarmed fighting styles modeled after the animals they had observed.

Tiger Dynasty

Emerging as the most fearsome warrior of the Seven Masters in the defeat of the Monkey Lords, the Tiger assumed the rule of Orilyn as its first Emperor.

During this rule, Hu Taar was expanded vertically on top of the previous structures to include more ornate and angular design reflective of the ferocity of the Tiger style. The architectural shift was meant to visually solidify the end of the Monkey Dynasty, and build atop the foundation in the emerged Orilyn style.

Availability and practice of weaponry became more prevalent among the people as they vowed to never again fall prey to exterior threats. The use of seemingly mundane farming instruments as extremely effective weapons grew in popularity, as did the training of one's self as a weapon.

With the defeat of the Monkey Lords, an eighth fighting style was added adopting some of their natural technique.

The Tiger Dynasty ended when one of the Tiger's decedents was tricked by an evil spirit with a tigers head into taking a cursed blade to his hand and falling to the seduction of the Demon Lords which ushered in the Demon Dynasty.

Demon Dynasty

Tricked by a rakshasa, the great grandson of the Tiger fell to the seduction of a cursed blade and Hu Taar and the rest of Orilyn quickly fell to rule of the Demon Lords. During this time, the Zinyari revealed themselves en mass.

This Dynasty ended with the beginning of the Dragon Dynasty, when the Ninth Master emerged to defeat the Demon Lords and take his place as Emperor of Orilyn through the help of the Golden Dragon.

Dragon Dynasty

The Ninth Master defeated the Demon Lords using the Dragon style brought back from Mount Dramoto.

First Emperor

The Tiger, first Emperor of Orilyn, was in fact a weretiger who contracted lycanthropy in the Zhanthul Jungle during the exile under the Monkey Lords. Stories of him taking the form of a man tiger are accurate, as he would often shift to enhance the effectiveness of his fighting style since the Tiger Form is even more deadly with actual claws.

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Added Later

• Monkey
• Dragon

Hu Taar

The capital is a city that had grown toward the clouds, because that was the only direction available. When the Monkey Lords ruled, they forced Orilyn to construct a stone fortress for them on the island, which now serves as the city’s foundation. As with any good fortress, it was designed to take up as much as the available real estate as possible.

After the Seven Masters returned and the defeated the Monkey Lords, the Tiger, first emperor of Orilyn, built upon that stone a new city.

The Tiger Dynasty marked Hu Taar with a distinct architectural style that matched it ferocity with sharp edges, and hard angles; a stark contrast to the smooth and slightly rounded quarry block form of the initial construction.

Both dynasties to follow came with their own additions to the city, constantly pushing the rooftops to even greater heights. Unlike other cities in Elrithorn, Hu Taar forced one to think in three planes when navigating. Finding the right meeting of two paths may not necessarily put you any closer to your destination if it was three levels above.

Looking from below, it wasn’t hard to fathom the Orilyn having elven blood. The spires and columns of Hu Taar stretched up like so many sturdy trunks. Walkways stretched between platforms. Structures so tightly integrated, one wondered where one ended to begin another.

The only real easy distinctions were the four dynasties stacked on upon the other. Each one a visual reflection of a period of history, like rings on a tree.

Najoryn Map

Sojoryn Map

It was this very respect for both ancestry and shapechangers that led the great-grandson of the Tiger to be led astray by a manipulative Rakshasa who posing as the spirit of the first Emperor.

• Ruler: King Ulivon
• Capital: Jarldorf
• Magic: Rare
• Rivers: Jarlforf River, Stonegullet River
  
  

Indigenous Races

Humans

Taller than those found in Dalreon to the South, the human inhabitants of Harrn are of sturdy build, large stature, and thick skin. Although also descended from Kazatharis, as well as Nalass, they have gradually adapted to the harsh northern environment.

Dwarves

The Dwarves maintain a large clan structure and inhabit the Stoneclef Mountains that borders the North of Harrn. Their religion centers around Pulanthor, God of the Earthen Element. This drives them to mine their homes deep within the rocky crags of the mountains

Dwarven magic is runic and operates on the principle of power being executed by the spoken word and stored by the written. They are also capable of some minor forms of gemcasting, and have an ample supply of precious minerals.

Towns and Settlements

The various population centers of Harrn

• Jarldorf * (Capital)
• Coldstag
• Gronith
• Khalinmoor
• Storneth
  
  

Jarldorf

Storneth

Hilltop town at the base of the Stoneclef Mountains.

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Places of Interest

• The Titans Tankard
  Proprietor: Krythes Hounass
  
  
• The Mangled Mane Inn
  Proprietor: Zarneh Ossignet
  
  
• The Inked Blade
  Proprietor: Balenog
  
  

Storneth Map

Lontharvia

beyond the Shivering Pines Forest in the far reaches of Harrn lies the small region known as Lontharvia. The area is a boreal forest with long winters, short summers, and dominated by needleleaf trees and treacherous wildlife.

It is ruled by Baron Dra'ithkyrn from his castle in the Caspez Peaks. The territory was claimed by the Baron's ancestor, a Nalassian prince, long ago before the flood.

King Ulivon maintains the long tradition of allowing Lontharvia to operate nearly autonomous from the crown of Harrn in Jarldorf.

Because of this, the Baron has been able to continue the enforcement of Lontharvia's embargo on silver as he suffers from the same allergy to the metal as the rest of his bloodline.

All persons and wagons entering Lontharvia are subject to search and forfeiture of any silver weapons, items, or jewelery. Equal value of other denominations are issued for those wishing to exchange silver coinage.

The Baron makes infrequent public appearances often wandering no farther than Spinehollow, and rules Lontharvia from Castle Dra'ithkyrn that towers over the village below.

Castle Dra'ithkyrn

Ancient, stately, and ominous. Castle Dra'ithkyrn and its towering spires adorns the Caspez Peaks high above the village of Spinehollow below. From here Baron Dra'ithkyrn holds the lone seat of power in Lontharvia and executes his reclusive rule over the land from afar.

Spinehollow

Spinehollow sits in the mists between the Shivering Pines Forest and Castle Dra'ithkyrn in the Caspez Peaks of Lontharvia. A village with few sunny days as the cold skies stay overcast even when the rains aren't falling.

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Places of Interest

• Location
  
  
• Location
  *Proprietor: *
  
  
• Location
  *Proprietor: *
  
  
• Location
  *Proprietor: *
  
  

Spinehollow Map

Known Entrances

One can never be sure if the mountain cave they've sheltered in for the night, or the hidden cove they've sought refuge in is connected to The Hollowdown. There are however some well and lesser known passages between the world above and below.

Caspez Peaks

There are thought to be many entraces to Hollowdown in the Caspez Peaks and Shivering Pines Forest around Lontharvia.

Pulanthor's Scar

A giant gash that cuts deep into the ground even from the elevation of Hollowdown, Pulanthor's Scar leads to even deeper depths and has no known bottom.

Caverndeep

Duergar city at the end of Pulanthor's Scar, Caverndeep is carved into the rocksides.

Hell's Heart

Lake of fire and lava at the far edge of Pulanthor's Scar

The Underbarrens

Large expanse created by a series of gigantic caverns. Unlike other parts of The Hollowdown, The Underbarrens are much more open and seemingly devoid of walls.

Lake Trelyrr

Far below Caneari Lake in Dalreon lies another large body of water. Lake Trelyrr is fed from both above and below and is a main source of much of the water travel in Hollowdown.

Thistledrop

Waterfalls and giant thorns that connect the Caneari Cove near Albrynn in Dalron to the underground lake below.

Arcane

This form of magic must be studied to perform. Humans may be susceptible to Mage Madness at higher spell levels.

Material Components

Physical substance that is consumed during the casting process.

Material Focus

Physical substance required to casting but not destroyed in the process.

Verbal

Words are power, as they are will manifested as vibrational resonance.

Somatic

Posture and movement are often vital components of casting.

"Tyrants build towers, Darv. It has been that way since Solvheil sunk into the sands."

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"You imply wizards are tyrants?"

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"The ones in Shalihir were. They enslaved the masses and forced them to erect their towers. They built grand pedestals to stand above everyone else. To look down upon the less powerful."

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"Perhaps towers serve not as a way to look down upon mundane, but to escape it."

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"So it has nothing to do with power?"

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"Why should it? A tower can simply serve as a quiet place to read."

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"Then explain to me why you've spent the past hour arguing with dwarven stonecutters about the content, dimensions, and alignment of a single brick."

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"How would I be able to be at ease to read if I knew things aren't in their place?"

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"Sounds tyrannical to me."

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"Shouldn't you be in town at the tavern by now? I'm sure your musings are appreciated there."

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"Among the mundane?"

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"Precisely."

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     -Darvynus Dauntora and his resident bard