Locations: Chief Features of Ashdod
Locations: Chief Features of Ashdod
Aelfhem: Located south of Ashdod, this forested area has long been
shut off from the rest of the world, due to a struggle between populations of
Eeee and the Aelfin that live in the area. Some tribes of Eeee dwell in the
mountains, while the diminutive Aelfin live in scattered villages in the
valleys. The closest thing to a "capitol" is the large village of Winterhome,
located toward the west of this small territory. Winterhome lies in the shadow of
the Sacred Mountain, atop which an ancient order of monks tends the Sacred Orchard of
the purest of sugarfir trees, used in holy rituals they perform throughout the year.
It is said that the monastery is guarded by a three-headed dragon, and that, just outside
the Sacred Orchard, there is a long row of trees that grow fur instead of leaves, a
testament to a strange magical battle that took place many years ago, involving a
cursed wand.
Ashdod Territories: The Ashdod Territories comprise an equatorial region,
ruled from the city-state
of Babel on the mountainous east coast. This land is dominated by the bat-like Eeee,
whose cities dot
the countryside. While the city-state of Babel is the dominant power here,
the resources of Ashdod are scattered, and there are plenty of tribes and
settlements that are virtually untouched by the concerns of the city-dwellers.
Gigi Coast: This is on the eastern side of the continent, south of
Ashdod. This coastal region is dominated by the golden felines known as the
Gigi, who are known for going in the face of stereotypes of cats and water
by taking to it as if born there. Its trade with the outside world consists
mostly of fish, pearls, as well as entertaining the occasional vacationer. There are a few small resorts built along the coast for wealthy vacationers, and as a stop-off for airships.
Hekoye Nation: This open area is roamed by the coyote-like people known
collectively as the Hekoye. Due to the transient nature of its people, it has no cities
as such, though the ceremonial meeting grounds of Ihtoli Maqahamok serve as a "capitol" of
sorts for the various tribes.
Saskanar: This was once one of the larger provinces of the Ashdod Territories,
until it seceded in 6103 RTR. This is a land of rolling plains, farmlands and orchards,
on the west side of
Ashdod. It is primarily populated by Eeee, and it has a very high population of "fruit bat" Eeee.
Shabar: This territory is defined by a Forbidden Zone, making air
access to this area fairly difficult. The terrain is particularly bizarre,
resembling needles of stone that rise to what looks like a liquid sky. The
area is home to numerous fierce flying predators, such as the large rakhtors,
and the even larger (and near mythical) flying wyrms. There is an outpost of civilization
deep within this Forbidden Zone, at the Sanctuary of Amber, a structure of
ancient origin and unknown construction that is suspended between several of
the stone needles, and covered in pieces of amber (hence the name). This was once an outpost
of the Rephidim Temple and the Knights Templar, but the Amber Lance broke away from the Temple during the "reign" of the false Captain-Astromancer.
Zahirinee: Once a loose cluster of farmlands and logging towns under the authority of the Ashdod Territories,
these settlements gathered together and seceded from the Ashdod Territories at the same time as Saskanar,
becoming an independent nation. They appointed the seer known as Master Zahirinee as their governor, and named the land after the line of the mage. The land is heavily forested, and there are also extensive cavern networks near the Saskanar River.
Zannara, Free City of: The Free City of Zannara is technically located in the
Ashdod Territories, but is an independent oceanside city-state that enjoys a choice location
next to an inland harbor, with some mountains of the Golan Range offering some buffer against
strong winds, and thus serving as an ideal port by land, sea or air. It is not as well
established -- or as well protected -- as Babel, but its fortunes have risen greatly with
the chaos presently reigning in its larger neighbor.
Back to Locations: Section 4.2.2.1