Scaeptre

**Scaeptre** is the wealthiest and best known continent of the four.

The continent is wide and long, extending from the ruined city of Fallhorn's Peak in the West to Castle Rho in the far east. The far west of the continent is very desolate, whereas parts of central Scaeptre are quite busy and full. At its widest point from north to south, Scaeptre stretches out for about 550 km. It stretches out for approximately 1000 km from west to east.

Scaeptre's western coast borders the West-End Deep. Across lies the continent of Talvi Mäa and its many islands and coves. To the east lies the Eastern Sea, with its few islands, such as Jamila and the Goldrock Isles. The continent of Silva lies across the Ocean to the South and the Claw of Carlysle. Arena lies across the Ocean to the North.

The four major cities in Scaeptre are: the Capital, Westwatch, the Gate, and Geoffport. Other minor cities, and province capitals, are: Clyffeton and Castle Rho (and the former city of Fallhorn's Peak).

The Kingdom of Scaeptre is divided into six provinces: Aurelia, the Gatelands, Radclyffe, the Coasts, the Beak, the Woods, and the West. They are all under the rule of House Carlysle, who have their seat in the Capital.

## Aurelia

The largest province of the six stretches out in almost the shape of a square across Scaeptre. It is quite densely populated and busy with trade. It is home to the Capital, the marshy lands of the Bow, the Smoke Valleys, Cape Royale, and the island of the Claw. The Claw used to be an entire province on its own, but Tyran Carlysle incorporated it into his kingdom, as House Carlysle reigned on the Claw during the reigns of the emperors.

Aurelia was named after Emperor Aurelius' wife, who loved travelling and discovering the province. House Augustus ruled the province as emperors first, followed by House Carlysle as kings.

Aurelia is bordered by the Woods and the Beak in the west, the Gatelands in the north, and the Coasts in the east. People from this province are often called ''king's men''.

## the Gatelands

Possibly the richest and second largest province is the Gatelands. It is densely populated and very busy with trade as well. It is home to several ports, that are scattered across the coast of the Ocean to the North. Here men trade silver from the mines, silks from other continents, and food.

The Gatelands are ruled by the lords of House Anthony, who have served as King's Lords since the ascension of Aurelius Augustus. They rule from the province's capital of the Gate. Their current lord has crowned himself and renamed himself King Oscar Anthony I.

The province is bordered by the Beak and Aurelia in the south, and Radclyffe in the east. The people of this province are often called ''gate's men''.

## Radclyffe

Radclyffe is the fourth largest province in Scaeptre and is located on the kingdom's northern half entirely. It is a fertile area, as it contains two large rivers, that intertwine eventually. It is the domain of House Radclyffe, renamed from House Marysh in 164 A.E. after House End was defeated in their rebellion.

House Radclyffe rule from the large town of Clyffeton. Their current lord is Eryc Radclyffe.

The province borders the Coasts in the east, and the Gatelands in the west. The people of this province are often called ''çlyff's men''.

## the Coasts

The third largest province, and second most desolate, covers the entire eastern coastlands of Scaeptre. It stretches from the Last Mountains in the north to the Bow in the south. The soil is infertile due to missing rivers and the province is often seen as the poorest in the realm, along with the Woods. The climate in its northern parts could be slightly hotter and more humid. The people trade mostly fish and rueful livestock.

The Coasts are ruled by House Stormeblood, who have their seat in the town of Castle Rho. Their current lord is Russell Stormeblood.

The province is bordered by Radclyffe in the west, Arena in the north, and Aurelia in the south. People are often called ''coast's men''.

## the Beak

The smallest and one of the richest provinces stretches from the area of Fallhorn's Peak in the west to the starts of the Mountains of the Shooting Star in the east. Because of its wealthy ports and beautiful landscape, it is an ideal visit for rich men and women from all over the world.

The Beak is ruled by House Geoffrey, and has been for over six centuries. Their seat is in the city of Geoffport, where Lord Alymar Geoffrey rules currently.

The province is bordered by the West in the west, Aurelia and the Gatelands in the east, and the Woods in the south. People from the Beak are often called ''beak's men''.

## the Woods

Often seen as one of the poorest provinces, the Woods are located in the western region of Scaeptre. As the name implies, the lands are filled with forests. Almost all of the province's trade consists of wood and paper. Most people from the Woods are secluded and do not meddle in others' affairs. The mountain range in the north forms almost the entire border of the Woods.

The Woods are ruled by House Laghnall, an ancient family of hunters and warriors who migrated to Scaeptre from Talvi Mäa before its year of doom. The current lord, Raymonde Laghnall, rules from their capital city of Westwatch.

The province is bordered by the West in the west, the Beak in the north, and Aurelia in the east. People from the Woods are often called ''wood's men''.

## the West

The most desolate province stretches out along the entire western coast of the kingdom, as the name implies. The soil is mostly infertile, but several mines were used by House Braeden in the hills when they ruled there. However, they rebelled a whopping three times during their reign in the West. This caused them to go extinct and for the West to become almost entirely abandoned. Some migrated east, others were killed in the wars.

The ruined city of Fallhorn's Peak was the second largest in the realm, but after the Battle at the Horn and the sacking of it, none remained in the city.

The province is bordered by the Beak and the Woods in the east. People from the West are often called ''westerlings''.

## People

In Scaeptre, three types of people can be found. The Scaeptalvi, the Scaeptena, and the Scaeptarians.

### **Scaeptarians**

This group is by far the largest ethnic group in Scaeptre. These people's forefathers are the original settlers of the continent. They are the richest in the kingdom and live in the wealthy parts of cities, or own a farm in the countryside. Most of them are great soldiers, though the Scaeptena challenge them in terms of discipline and skill.

The Scaeptarians are mostly fair-skinned and black-haired, though there are some exceptions. House Carlysle often has brown hair, whereas some of House Geoffrey have blonde hair. Most men grow beards, but they are not as large or lang as the Scaeptalvi's. They build stone castles and like to settle along the coast.

### **Scaeptalvi**

This group has its roots with the men and women from Talvi Mäa, who migrated to Scaeptre with Jarl Lägh to avoid the year of doom and the continent's utter freezing. Most eventually settled in the Woods, where they built their city, Westwatch. Some, though, settled on the Claw or in the West. House Laghnall is fully Scaeptalvi, and some claim House Braeden is partly Scaeptalvi as well, though they seem to deny that.

The men are often bearded, broad-shouldered and quite full of themselves. The women are powerful, hard to look upon, and caring. They speak Scaepta as well as Mä'ish. Many people in the Woods still worship the nature gods of Talvi Mäa, but not all.

### **Scaeptena**

This group has its roots with the men and women originally from Arena. Emperor Aurelius Augustus brought them with him in his army, or they migrated there later on when he had conquered Scaeptre. The largest amount of them live in the poorer parts of the Capital and other cities across the kingdom. The hotter, northern parts of the Coasts and Radclyffe are occupied by them as well. One of the major Scaeptena Houses is House Pelaris, from the isle of the Claw.

Scaeptena are honey-skinned, thin, sometimes quite muscled, and disciplined warriors. They speak Scaepta, and some still speak Arenean, though after the death of Emperor Atticus most of this tongue vanished from the realm. Most of them still worship the Five Gods.