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The Ravaging
by
Quill Travis Penkeeper III
The Concourse of The Quill
22 September, 1513 GR
The second Cataclysm known as “The Ravaging†occurred in the year 1016 by the General Reckoning.
The Ravager used His power to form a rip in the fabric of the universe. This created a pathway to a turbulent land of shadowy devastation.
Through this rip, The Ravager sent forth a massive wave of destructive power. The wave of destruction slowly washed over the entire World, obliterating most manmade structures and civilizations. The great realms of Baronia and The Grand Duchy were annihilated. Any subsequent waves would surely have destroyed every living thing and construction in existence - perhaps even The World itself!
Fortunately, the rip was repaired and the pathway closed by the efforts of The Great Heroes of Baronia.
The Ravager stubbornly persisted in his endeavor to create a permanent pathway. Over the last several centuries, He has made numerous attempts to recreate the rip. The attempts were only mildly successful, resulting merely in minor tears in the fabric.
The Ravager continues to send all manner of fell creatures and vile magical effects through these minor tears for no apparent purpose other than to see the torment and calamity that ensues.
Over time, this relentless pervasion has warped the way magic and other things function in The World. The very rules of reality have been altered.
Nearly 500 years have passed, and yet The World is still recovering. No kingdoms have risen since The Ravaging. The largest societies are merely city-states. The healing process has been slow due to the constant threats unleashed into The World by The Ravager.
The Ravaging left an abundance of corpses on hand to animate & infuse with necromantic power. Indeed, the forces of The Undead are a perpetual menace to all life.
Delta- This is the largest city-state in The World. It is a port located at the mouth of The Great River. It controls commerce entering and exiting The Great River.
Minolta- This is the second largest city-state in The World. This city-state is known for its wealth and population. It is located north of the Razor Mountains.
Dyspare- This is the third largest city-state in The World. It lies on the western shores of Lake Dyspare and is occupied primarily by Nekros followers and necromancers. The city-state is a theocracy, ruling in the name of Nekros.
New Ducala- This is the fourth largest city-state in The World. It is noteworthy for its Worldwide influence.
Urthos– This is the fifth largest city-state in The World. It is a “Magocracy†with an economy based on potions, scrolls, components, and other Mana-related things. It is situated between The Marshlands of The Swamp Lord and the Acertan River.
The Three Largest Cities:
Fairglaive- This is The World’s largest city that is not a true city-state. It is known for its vast wealth and substantial infrastructure. It is the easternmost city on The Continent.
Beacon- This is The World’s second largest city that is not a true city-state. The city of Beacon is considered a sanctuary from Ravager followers. Nexus priests designed the city to be one building with many connecting hallways and rooms. The city is a theocracy run by a high priest of Nexus. It is located in the southeast part of The Continent, south of Fairglaive and east of The Great River.
Twilight’s End- This is The World’s third largest city that is not a true city-state. This busy trade route nexus city is a popular stop for travelers. It is known for its wealth, population, and influence. It is located in the northeast part of The Continent.
Noteworthy Continental Cities & Towns:
Ironhelm- This town is known for the Ironhelm Dam that controls the canals and tributaries connected to the northern part of The Great River. It is located just west of Twilight's End.
Crag- This Dwarven town near the Razor Mountains is said to be home to the most rugged & hardworking folks in The World. Every resident is also a member of the very formidable town militia.
Aconapaeya- This is an Elven town located within The Wildwood. It is known to the elves as “The City of Treesâ€. Many Wood Elves and Wild Elves live there.
Shadow’s Crossing- This is the westernmost town on The Continent, located at the southern reaches of The Marshlands of The Swamp Lord. It is a dangerous place rumored to be cursed.
Silmeco– A town distinguished by it's training facility for mercenaries. It is located inland, just north of Minolta.
Sicari- This port town on The Great River is known for its intrigue and secrets. It is located north of Delta.
Magestyria- An isolationist silver elf town located on the southwestern coast of The Continent.
Krast- This rowdy town is overrun by Half Orcs, Half Ogres, and Minotaurs. It is a ramshackle place where rabble go to test their physical prowess in the gladiator pits. It is located on the eastern bank of the Blood River, just north of Lake Dyspare.
Ivy- This port town on The Great River is known for its hospitality and cheerful demeanor. It is located south of Ironhelm.
Verdance- This is a vibrant Elven town at the southern edge of The Deepwood. It is located east of The Great Elven Lake.
Fortune’s Crossing– A town located east of Twilight’s End.
Topography and Noteworthy Features of The Continent:
Death Bay- This is a large bay in the northern part of The Continent. Legend has it that it was the site of many bloody naval battles in ancient times. There is said to be a necromantic aura about it, possibly as a result of such a saturation of deaths.
The Marshlands of The Swamp Lord- This frightful area is supposedly controlled by a terrifying evil creature known only as The Swamp Lord.
The Razor Mountains- These foreboding mountains are inhabited by several clans of Mountain Dwarves. The surrounding hills are home to many Hill Dwarves and Gnomes. The rolling hills and dells to the south are home to numerous Halflings.
Taran’s Folly- This ancient trail links the town of Ironhelm with the city of Twilight’s End. It continues onto the vicinity of Fortune’s Crossing. Some sections are known to be of a perilous nature.
Harbinger’s Way- This overland trade route connects New Ducala and Delta.
Dankmire- A mysterious place said to be inhabited by High Elves that have gone mad. It is located somewhere in The Deepwood.
The Wildwood- This overgrown region covers all of the northern section of The Continent that is east of the Blood River. Many Wild Elves inhabit the area, particular on the northern coast.
The Deepwood- This heavily forested region covers all of the northern section of The Continent that is between the Blood River and the Acertan River. This forest is said to be the ancestral home of the Wood Elves.
Lake Dyspare- This large lake is located in the central part of The Continent. It is fed by the Blood River.
The Geat Elven Lake- This large lake is located in the northwestern area of The Continent. It is fed by the Acertan River.
The Great River- This is the largest river in The World. It is an immense aid to commerce on the eastern half of The Continent.
Siren’s Demise- A small peninsula on the southern coast of The Continent, just south of the Razor Mountains. It is mostly uninhabited.
The Blood River- This river connects Lake Dypare with the northern coast of The Continent. It runs though the western part of The Wildwood, forming a border between The Deepwood and The Wildwood.
Acertan River- This river connects The Great Elven Lake with the northern coast of The Continent. It runs though the western part of The Deepwood.
Off The Continent:
The Eastern Isles- These four large islands are the domicile of an ancient civilization based on personal honor and discipline. The islands are situated off the southeast coast of The Continent. Most of The World’s silk is produced here.
The Isle of Silver- By far, this is the largest of the Eastern Isles.
Silvercarp- This city is located on The Isle of Silver. The ruler of this city claims dominion over all of the Eastern Isles.
The Isle of Ivory- This is the second largest of the Eastern Isles.
Ivorygull- This is the largest town on The Isle of Ivory.
The Isle of Jade- This is the third largest of the Eastern Isles, being just slightly smaller than The Isle of Ivory.
Jadeturtle- This is the largest town on The Isle of Jade.
The Isle of Marble- This is the smallest of the Eastern Isles, being tiny in comparison to the others.
The Southern Isles- These three large islands are situated off the southwesten coast of The Continent.
Isle of The Mithril Spires- This island is named for the magnificent mountain chain that forms a barrier of protection around the entire coastline.
Tatom-Ki- This is the grandest of the remaining ancient Silver Elf cities. It is located at the center of the majestic mountains known as The Mithril Spires.
Isle of The Great Desert- This vast area includes two distinct civilizations: the Akbarians and the Pyramidians. These peoples are collectively referred to as “The Denizens of The Great Desertâ€.
Akbaria- This trade city bustles with merchants all day and all night. It is located on the eastern coast of the Isles of The Great Desert.
Isle of Rain & Shadows- This tropical rainforest is home to many exotic species of animals and monsters. This island is south of the Isle of The Great Desert.
The Chain– This is an island chain far off the western coast of The Continent. The islands are an enigma, as they cannot be accessed by any means. Some folks claim that it is merely a visual illusion.
The Northlands- This area is mostly controlled by fierce barbarian tribes. There are some Stone Elf settlements in the western parts.
The Alabaster Promontory- This peninsula of unforgiving tundra is deemed the birthplace of the Stone Elves. Some say it is the birthplace of Reason. It extends southward from the western area of the Northlands.
Mica- This is an ancient Stone Elf stronghold. Some say this citadel is the primary sanctuary of this race.
The Five Seas are The Northern Sea, The Southern Sea, The Western Sea, The Eastern Sea, and The Underworld Sea. These are colloquialisms, as nobody really considers these names “officialâ€. The seas are the sections of ocean seen on the map in relation to The Continent. The Underworld Sea is not on the map. Its size and location is disputed.
The seas in their entirety are called “The Oceanâ€.
