Greater Continental World

Map of the Greater Continental World

The **Greater Continental World** is the planet in which the many realms reside. The observable world takes the form of one giant peninsula that encompasses one quarter of the planet. Traveling beyond the perceived borders of the world map has proven time and time again to be an impossible task for any traveler for a variety of reasons including intense land and sea storms, wind and snow blizzards, and insatiably hot and dry climates. For these reasons, only the peninsula on which the many realms reside is the perceivable world of life.

## Realms of the World

There are a total of six major realms of the world, each with their own distinct cultures and histories spanning for thousands of years.

### Dothoria

*Main Article: Dothoria*

The High Kingdom of Dothoria (old tongue for “The Land of the Tree Cliffs”) is the western land of the continental world that is the home to dominantly the race of elves and some other sentient creatures. Due to its obscure beginnings, it is often thought as the most ancient and continuous realm of the world. The elves are known for their pointed ears, insurmountable beauty, and long lifespan. They are also known for worshiping the rare population of widen trees in Dothoria which they grant as the source of their long lives and magical abilities. The ruler of the realm who bears the title “High King” or “High Queen” also acts as the leader of the elven religion, characterizing the realm as a theocratic absolute monarchy. The current ruler of Dothoria is High King Rothel of House Rothyngas. The realm’s banner features a white widen tree on a green field, and its capital city is Etholo.

* The region of Dragrada (old tongue for “The Land of the Great Dryads”) is a luscious forest region in the westernmost part of Dothoria that is home to the elven subrace known as dryads. Dryads, aside from having all the characteristics of elves, are known for their wood-like skin and peaceful nature as a result of their seemingly devout oneness to the forest. Unlike their vampire cousins, the sun is the source of their nourishment, and they are known to welcome all races as long as they bring no ill intent towards the forest. Unicorns, fairies, and other creatures of nature also heavily inhabit this realm. While having no official banner, many associate a brown widen tree on a green field for this region.
* The region of Vadarra (old tongue for “The Land of the Vampires”) is a small mountainous region in the southern part of Dothoria, northwest of the Dwarven Kingdoms and north of the Realm of Dragons. It was inhabited thousands of years ago by the exiled subrace of elves who came to be known as vampires. Vampires, characterized as having pointed ears, pale skin, and sharp fangs, are known for feasting on the flesh and blood of any creature they find, making the region one of the most dangerous and forbidden places in the world. Utilizing their ability to turn into flying demons, vampires occasionally flock to nearby regions to hunt for flesh, leading to the creation of a standing army on the borders of all the neighboring realms. However, due to their innate and fatal allergic reaction to sunlight, vampires must hide in the many caves that are found in the region, making the realm somewhat safe during the day. While no official banner exists for the region, most officials place banners featuring a red stake on a black field to signify the border into vampire territory.

### Great Desert

*Main Article: Great Desert*

The Great Desert is a barren landscape south of the Realm of Dragons and the Dwarven Kingdoms. No known native land creature lives in this landscape due to its incredibly hot climate and lack of vegetation. However, several camps have been formed in the northern area for exiles, nomads, and dangerous criminals. The borders of this realm are marked by a plain red banner.

### Helia

*Main Article: Helia*

The Kingdom of Helia (old tongue for “The Land of the Sun”) is the central land of the continental world that is the home to dominantly the race of men and other sentient creatures including centaurs, goblins, gnomes, and fairies. It was once composed of several petty human kingdoms but was largely united almost two-thousand years ago by the ancient mythical hero, Hospian. It is currently composed of six provinces each with their own accumulation of feudal lords in a feudal monarchical system. The current ruler of all of Helia who bears the title “King” or “Queen” is King Hospian XV of House Tyball. The realm’s banner features a golden sun on a blue field, and its capital city is Helar.

* The Province of Arnahl (old tongue for “The Orange Fields”) is the biggest and most ancient province of Helia, known for its dominantly orange fields of tulips and its prominent population of deer. It is also known as the most peaceful of the provinces and is more accepting of non-human creatures as it is on the border of the elven realm of Dothoria and contains several regions of native fairies, gnomes, and various others. Its current ruler who bears the title “Prince” or “Princess” is Prince Bennard V of House Van Hoyten. The province’s banner features a black stag’s head on an orange field, and its capital city is Tola.
* The Province of Bergradia (old tongue for “The Land of the Great Boroughs) is the third largest but densest province of Helia, known for its multitude of river cities and urban atmosphere. The many cities of Bergradia are known for being notoriously rich in crime and corruption. Feuds between warring clans are common in the inner cities, leading to the common saying, “the streets always run red in Bergradia.” Despite high crime rates, it also has a very diverse non-human population rivaled only by Arnahl. Its current ruler who bears the title “Voivode” or “Voivodess” is Voivode Stanislaus VIII of House Kaprovski. The province’s banner features an orange sword on a red field, and its capital city is Arrasko.
* The Province of Fremondy (old tongue for “The Free Men”) is the easternmost province of Helia located on its own peninsula, known for being the biggest exporter of wine and other ailments because of its highly fertile lands and massive population of merchants. The folk of the province are known for their carefree attitude and radical lifestyles. The province also has a diverse group of non-human creatures, but because of its location in the east, they are not as prevalent as Arnahl or Bergradia. Its current ruler who bears the title of “Marquis” or “Marchioness” is Marchioness Isidora II of House de Chartrux. The province’s banner features a white goblet on a green field, and its capital city is Frelis.
* The Province of Helmsburg (derived from the phrase “Helmut’s Borough'') is the youngest and second smallest of the provinces of Helia, known for its cold weather since it is in the northernmost peninsula. Its folk are known for their strength, valor, and tall stature, earning them the nickname, “the giants of the north.” It also has a high bloodhawk population often utilized as letter carriers or even as pets. Its population of non-human creatures is low due to its cold climate, although it is known to have large beasts native only to the region. Its current ruler who bears the title “Baron” or “Baroness” is Baron Chrodo II of House von Ziller. The province’s banner features a red hawk on a yellow field, and its capital city is also referred to as Helmsburg.
* The Province of Ralkburn (derived from the phrase “The Land Ralko Burned”) is the second largest province of Helia, known for its high butterfly population and luscious forests. Its folk are known for upholding honor and duty as the foundations of society, and a majority of knights in the standing army of the kingdom are from Ralkburn. It has a moderate population of non-human creatures but has a history of persecution especially in times of war. Its current ruler who bears the title “Duke” or “Duchess” is Duchess Taylor I of House Teubelle. The province’s banner features a pink butterfly on a black field, and its capital city is also referred to as Ralkburn.
* The Province of Rapton (derived from the phrase “Rappan’s Town”) is the second youngest, smallest, but richest province of Helia, known for its vast number of seaports and centers of trade as it is on the border of both Dothoria and the Realm of the Dwarven Kingdoms. Its nobles are known for living incredibly lavish lifestyles rivaled only by that of the king. Despite its vast areas of trade, folk are known to be incredibly hostile towards non-human creatures, and some are captured and sold to work as slaves or pets. Its current ruler who bears the title “Count” or “Countess” is Count Thomis IV of House Babermont. The province’s banner features a golden eagle on a purple field, and its capital city is also referred to as Rapton.

### Realm of Dragons

*Main Article: Realm of Dragons*

The Realm of Dragons is a long mountain landscape west of the Dwarven Kingdoms, southwest of the Vadarra region of Dothoria, and north of the Great Desert that is only populated by the large magical beasts known as dragons. This realm is also forbidden territory for any other sentient creature due to its dangerous terrain and the hostility of the dragons. However, there have been attempts by the Dwarven kingdoms to invade the mountains due to their detection of precious ores, leading to a never-ending feud on the Dwarven border. Despite this, it is still heavily advised by all realms that no creature should dare enter this region. The borders of this realm have been marked by a banner featuring a red dragon head on a white field.

### Realm of the Deep

*Main Article: Realm of the Deep*

The Realm of the Deep refers to the vast oceans and seas that surround the continent that are populated by dangerous sea creatures such as merfolk, sirens, and sea dragons. While the waters in the immediate vicinity of land are relatively safe, voyages far beyond the sea are only recommended for larger ships that can withstand any attack from below along with the strong winds and hurricanes that are often present when venturing far enough from land.

### Realm of the Dwarven Kingdoms

*Main Article: Realm of the Dwarven Kingdoms*

The Realm of the Dwarven Kingdoms is a loose confederation of petty kingdoms largely populated by the race of dwarves. Located south of Dothoria and Helia, east of the Realm of Dragons, and north of the Great Desert, the Dwarven Kingdoms inhabit a heavily mountainous terrain and therefore live in large underground complexes that also contribute to their mining operations. The race of dwarves are known for their short stature, hairy facial features, and love of coinage. There are a total of seven dwarven kingdoms that have been established for thousands of years, each focusing on a specific type of ore in which they export to the other kingdoms and realms. Every five years, the seven kings and queens vote for a ruler amongst themselves to become the “Chieftain of the Dwarves” and lead the whole realm forming an electoral monarchical confederation. The current ruler is Chieftain Brodigan “Longhammer” of House Colbronsen, King of the Silver Kingdom. The realm’s current banner that changes with every new chieftain is a black pickaxe on a silver field, and its capital city is currently Silverfort.

* The Bronze Kingdom mines and exports bronze and is currently ruled by Queen Aenhelda II of House Lottenholme. Its banner features a black pickaxe on a bronze field, and its capital city is Bronzefort.
* The Diamond Kingdom mines and exports diamonds and is currently ruled by Queen Elangrid I “Wisehart” of House Gorloc. Its banner features a black pickaxe on a white field, and its capital city is Diamondfort.
* The Emerald Kingdom mines and exports emeralds and is currently ruled by King Ollanger III of House Aethanid. Its banner features a black pickaxe on a green field, and its capital city is Emeraldfort.
* The Gold Kingdom mines and exports gold and is currently ruled by King Aberhard XI of House Odegrow. Its banner features a black pickaxe on a gold field, and its capital city is Goldfort.
* The Ruby Kingdom mines and exports rubies and is currently ruled by King Odoald I of House Sollomsen. Its banner features a black pickaxe on a red field, and its capital city is Rubyfort.
* The Sapphire Kingdom mines and exports sapphire and is currently ruled by King Bradbert I “Axehand” of House Sidvensen. Its banner features a black pickaxe on a blue field, and its capital city is Sapphirefort.
* The Silver Kingdom mines and exports silver and is currently ruled by King Brodigan X “Longhammer” of House Colbronsen, the current chieftain. Its banner features a black pickaxe on a silver field, and its capital city is Silverfort.