“The land itself is a test... and we are all its subjects.”
The Stormspire Mountains
The kingdom’s northern crown... a range of stone spears that pierce the clouds. Here stands Thornehold, the mountain citadel of kings, hewn directly into the rock face over centuries. Deep mines yield veins of silver and black iron, guarded by soldiers as fiercely as any fortress. The air is thin, sharp, and always smells faintly of frost and steel.
The Weeping Vale
To the south, where the mountains release their tears into slow rivers, lies the misted green of the Weeping Vale... soft hills, silver fog, and deep secrets. The Vale is ruled by
House Velmire, whose scholars and alchemists are said to distill life from death. Between its vineyards and ruined temples, whispers of the Old Gods still cling to the moss and root.
The Thornwood
East of the Vale sprawls
the Thornwood, a dense, ancient forest shrouded in perpetual twilight. The peasants claim it is cursed... that the trees bleed sap like blood, and that lights flicker between trunks where no fire burns. Those who follow the old faith still pray here, to gods whose names have been stricken from the Crown’s histories.
The Ember Coast
Aldvaaron’s western edge meets the sea... a jagged shoreline of dark cliffs and wind-beaten ports. Here lie the trade cities of
Emberfall and
Varros, where gold changes hands faster than truth. Sailors, thieves, and scholars from the
southern Lethari Principalities mingle here, bringing both wealth and unrest.
The Hollow Marches
Far to the south, the land gives way to bog and bramble...
the Hollow Marches, a borderland between loyalty and rebellion. The soil here is red and heavy; crops struggle, but discontent thrives. Whispers of uprising echo through the marsh winds, and the king’s banners burn too often for comfort.
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🌍 The World Beyond Aldvaaron 🌍
“Every border is a wound that never quite heals.”
The Dreadlands of Kael Varn
Far to the north beyond the Stormspire peaks stretch the ruins of Kael Varn .... a desolation of ash and shadow. Once a kingdom, now a graveyard of gods and giants. From here, many believe the heretical
Hollow Flame cult first crawled into the world.
The Varnathi Covenant
To the east lies the Covenant... a theocracy
ruled by seers who claim to dream the will of their gods. Their armies wield psionic and biological horrors, and their emissaries speak of peace through unity… and marriage. Their eyes linger too long upon Aldvaaron’s crown.
The Isle of Aerelun
Beyond the western mist lies Aerelun, the island of seers and scholars. Exiled philosophers and disillusioned priests dwell there, claiming to keep the true history of the world — and of Aldvaaron’s first king. None who have sought their archives return unchanged.
The Lethari Principalities
Across the southern sea, the Lethari thrive in splendor and sin. City-states of marble and gold where assassins dine beside merchants. Their spies flow through Aldvaaron’s ports like ink through paper, carrying both news and poison.
