Dormus

> *"Dormus. Home. Home to the self-proclaimed divine Valar, and all the 'lesser' races, who dwell under their grace."*
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> Excerpt froom: "Endless Homeland", High-Magus Rolmeo Magnes
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The most western continent of the Known World is *Dormus*, the home of both Valar and Thaska. Dormus is rather "new" in the eyes of most Humans and Dravken, even though the land is older, than most in the East know.

## Background

*Dormus* was isolated from the rest of the Known World for most of its time. Especially, as the inhabitants of Vona and Ghalgenia never sought to sail west, to make contact. Only during the Golden Age, when the Eternal Empire crossed the Misted Sea to set foot on Vona, did this change. Some Scholars even presume, that contact was established earlier than that, as some found in today's Laiin points towards Valarian influence .

In the beginning, *Dormus* was ruled by the T'ashk, who called the land Xolal. But when the Valar, which origin is still unclear, appeared, the native T'ashk lost dominion over the continent, while the Valar established their Eternal Empire in the north. From here, they expanded their influence even into Vona, until the Crusade fended off the Legiones, which started the downfall of the Empire. On the other hand, some Thaska gained their freedom from enslavement at the hands of the Valar and started a rebellion in the south of Dormus. They liberated themselves and founded the Mihqueh Dominion. Similar, some valarian dissidents, unhappy with the state of the Empire, created a haven in the Marshland to the west from the Empire.

Most of the continent is known and charted. Only the Hinterlands, far in the north, past the Aethercollis, are still foreign. The waters there are as treacherous and the mountains high, cutting it off the rest of *Dormus.*

## Climate

### Heartland

The regions of the Eternal Empire cross several climate zones. While it is, similar to Vona; colder up north, near the Aethercollis, the central regions of the Empire are moderate. Wide shires and rich farmland dot the lands, with numerous rivers and a lake-delta, on which most valkarian cities are built around. Additionally, the Chia-Mushrooms, originating from the Marshes, grow here, amongst the normal vegetation.

Further to the south, nearing Xolal, the weather becomes warmer and dryer, while the land is drawn by yellow grass. The region is known for its hound-sized insects, known as Shirv, who built their tunnels in the Limes Mountains. This rather steep mountain functions as a natural barrier between the Empire and the Dominion

### Xolal

Originally the name for the continent by the T'ashk, is Xolal now the southern region of *Dormus*. Separated by the Limes Mountain, resembles the land here the Empire's on the northside. Yellow grass, a warm climate and the Shirv-Swarms. The open region is used for farming and husbandry by the Thaska.

Further to the south, is becomes more humid though, which rising vegetation. A dense jungle rests at the southern tip of the land, where thaskian freedom-fighters once hide from their slave masters. Some of the most dangerous animals of the Known World live here, like the Coatl'itzintla. Giant, feathered serpents, who move through the woodworks. Near the Jungle of Iyolo also sits the capital of the Dominion, Cualtzin.

Lastly, east from the mainland, lays the Island of Tecoli, with the same vegetation than in the south. But on the northside of the isle sits one of the biggest volcanos of the Known World, spitting ash from time to time to the north-west. While the land around it is rather hostile, the ash makes the mainland so more fertile. The rest of Tecoli is inhabited by the last native T'ashk, who were forced her into a reservation by the Directive of the Dominion

### Marshes

Directly west, from the heart of the Empire, lies the Free Marshes. An especially wet area, characterised by river, swamps and lakes. This flatland is the home of the mysterious Uoma, an amphibic people, known for its odd mannerisms and impressive unhanded combat style. Nowadays, only a few Uoma still live, by some dissidents from the Empire took it upon them, to protect their culture and the Marshes from the influence of the Valar.

The *Marshlands* are densely vegetated, with the tree-like Chia-Mushrooms amongst the Flora. Additionally, some alien animals live in the marshes, nowhere else to be found. Amongst them count the Swamp-Shark, a sort of predator fish, hunting in the shallow waters, with strong frontal fins to crawl on land as well.

### The Hinterlands

Bordering to the Empire from the north, sits the Aethercollis, towering over the world. The highest mountain of the Known World and possible beyond as well, is home to the fabled Arch-Dragon Imperax and his Sky-Dragon roost. Beyond that lays the *Hinterlands*, a mostly uncharted territory. While the waters around it are treacherous, making it almost impossible to sail there, the Aethercollis separates it from the rest of *Dormus*. Only the Uoma went there, giving us some sort of idea, how the land looks. A frigid tundra, with smaller hotspots and spring, while giant creatures roam the empty plains. According to the Uoma, they still have haven somewhere in the Hinterlands, untouched by the Empire.

## Nations

* The Free Marshes
* Mihqueh Domain
* T'ashk Reservation
* The Eternal Empire