Locations

## The Lotus Basin

Although based in the most populated of the settlements founded by adventurers of the Guild that first strolled into the wilds in pursuit of curiosities some one hundred and thirty years prior, the Lotus Council holds the smallest territory of all of the major Realms of the Present. Centred around the City-State of Whittengrove, the influence of the Lotus Council spreads up much of the length of the Lotus Run river, from which is gained its name, as well as Oyster Bay and the Cobalt Sea beyond, both of which paint a stunning vista from atop the towers adorning the city's walls.

## Tourmalini'i

Lush and vibrant, the lands of Tourmalini'i are filled with all manner of life, with numerous species of flora and fauna exclusively endemic to the region. This vibrancy is true within the residents of the settlements scattered between the verdant rainforests, crags weathered through perpetual tropical downpours and stunning beaches nestled against the warm waters of the Tvia and Petal Bays. Highly coveted historically by the Realms for the wealth of natural resources, the allure of gemstones, exotic hardwoods and rare herbs and other plants of medicinal and magical value still spurs further exploration and discovery, though danger still looms in the deepest throngs of the jungle.

## The Hoarfrost Expanse

The frozen crown upon the northern brow of the continent of Ahlus, the Hoarfrost Expanse encompasses tight-packed pine forests, frosted heaths and hilled valleys that carve up the tundra and ice plains. Experiencing the harshest weather of any of the major settlements of Ahlus, Howell Town burns as a beacon against the cold toiling beneath the scrutiny and guidance of its long-standing ruling Lord.

The gelid lands are not without merit or gain however, for one of the richest ore mines in the continent is located in the region, and Brokunn Bay is home to vast shoals of fish, pods of whales and flocks of birds aquatic and airborne alike.

## Atralran Refounded

Once held amongst the greatest of Realms in Ahlus, Atralran was annexed by the Astedian Empire, and subsequently largely destroyed during the Materialisation of Hadar in 1099AG. The former ruling family, the Goldlors, were slain in the invasion though unbeknownst to most a single heir survived, secreted away into the Feywild by merit of the dynasty's long standing relationship with the eladrin of the Aldergreen Court. Returning to reclaim his birthright after the passage of one hundred and fifty years on the Material Plane, the ranger Sílon would reveal his true identity to be that of Eldarion Goldlor, ascending to his father Gilbert IX Goldlor's throne a little less than a decade later.

## The Aethelwald

Standing in proud and vibrant contrast to many of the other populated regions of the Ahlusian continent, the Aethelwald is a stretch of hills, forests, mountains and rills that may outwardly seem devoid of common civilisation, save for the roads that wind throughout. Lined by fields of wildflowers, these roads link the three major settlements of the region, considered by many to be the extent of the lands, a folly and a falsehood. Whether by means of forgotten ruins, or in woodland valleys that have sprung into being within the last few decades, the Fairy Club has grown and found itself reincarnated anew, reincarnated into bickering factions of the Aethelwald of southwestern Ahlus.

## The Ironfangs

Though strictly only the mountains that arch through the centre of the continent, the Ironfangs have come to be used to mean the lands and their contents many miles to the north, south, west and east of the peaks and summits. Historically, the Ironfangs created a series of natural barriers that defined the borders and territories of the Realms, and to this day bound jungle, desert, steppe and grassland alike.

## The Hollow Concord

Holding domain over the northwestern lands of the continent, the Hollow Concord rules from the city of Rydoon, the largest city in Ahlus. The Hollow Concord and the extent of their dominion was established following the deposition of the tyrant-king Namerta, who had originally claimed the city shortly after the Manifestation. As the Riverkings of Kingbourne had done in centuries past, the new nobility formed a council of nine members, meeting in the recently renamed Renewal Hall in the Radiant Heart district of Rydoon. Historically, the region was harried by border attacks from the the Legion of the Black Hand, the Lockfang War Band and The Hive, but after each were defeated in turn, they could instead seek to rebuild and conciliate their presence on the continent.

With the emergence of the Bristlebacks, the lands of the Hollow Concord have been more resolute and steadfast than ever, maintaining a presence on the continental scale.

## The Timberlands

Stretching across the southern coast of the continent, the lands collectively known as the Timberlands were once home to some of the most influential Realms of Ahlus. From the shorelines of Ester Bay, the Astedians would eventually build their vast empire, flanked all the while by the steadfast Gawylthlian people and the devoted residents of the numerous Duchies of Tynd.

Though not nearly as densely forested, the Timberlands sprawl for a wider area than even the jungles of Tviatin to the northeast, and are thus the largest forested region in the continent, an expanse over four hundred miles from east to west.

## Aviacrest

A floating city heralding from the years of the Astedian Empire, Aviacrest revealed itself to the settlements of the continent in 101WD, coming to a stop over a crossroads of the Great Conduit known as the Wayfinder's Confluence.

Now stationed above the Halmbrae Hills in northeastern central Ahlus, Aviacrest is a nexus of the rail, with most major routes of the Galerider Rail passing through the city.

## The Brumal Deep

Though the southern edge of the Brumal Deep is heavily trafficked by vessels travelling to Rydoon by means of the Hempweed Straits and Crown Bay, much of the Brumal Deep remains untraversed by most, a vast stretch of frigid water filled with sea ice to the east nearest the northern coast of the Hoarfrost Expanse and vagrant bergs and floes elsewhere.

Despite the chill of wind and wave, life flourishes beneath the surface of the Brumal Deep, with vast shoals of many species of fish drawing the boldest and hardiest of fisherfolk, whom compete with marine mammals, cephalopods, dragons and humanoid races that call the waters home with each and every catch. The depths of the Brumal Deep are believed to be the deepest in all of Ahlus, the seafloor marked and marred by vast seamounts and trenches stretching down into the unknown. By nature of the geography, the vast majority of the region remains unmapped.

## Other Locations

Not all the settlements of Ahlus fall within conventional geographic boundaries, nor do some pay fealty or involvement with the major regions of the continent. Just as not every location and point of interest has been listed in the prior sections of this chapter, the locations detailed herein are not the only other settlements of the continent, but rather are names and locales that the more learned or astute may be distantly aware of, however their visit is most unlikely.