Converging Valleys

Hard Sand Valleys by the City of Teyfuba at Morning Daybreak. (AI-Generated Image generated by Gencraft)

## General Information

### Aliases

* Land of Sand
* South Sands (archaic namesake)

## Location Information

### Points of Interest

* Oasis
* Bandit's Barrage
* Overpass
* Goldpoint
* Sandtadel
* Eye of the Valley

## Geography

### Notable Flora

* Mana Banana
* Tana Plant
* Shagros Cactus
* Agarici
* Palm Tree

### Notable Fauna

* Riding Lizard
* Desert Glutton
* Resonant Rattler
* Sharapa
* Valley Prowler

## Commerce

### Imports

Spices, Textiles & Fabrics, Magical Items

## Society

### Languages

Unhellish Tongue (Javenian Common), Lugha (Con'Va Common), Draconic, Reptilian, Beast Tongue etc.

### Races

Dragonborn, Beastman, Human, Elf, Demon, etc.

## Category Links

### Categories

* Inhabitants of the Converging Valleys
* Locations in the Converging Valleys
* Factions in the Converging Valleys
* Settlements in the Converging Valleys
* Geographical Locations in the Converging Valleys
* Events in the Converging Valleys
* Items from the Converging Valleys
* History of the Converging Valleys

The Converging Valleys (Con'Va, pronounced /konˈvæ/) is the central region and inner-most Continental Layer of the Torrid Continent.

It is an isolated isthmus-like landmass featuring a large twin set of convergent valleys. The isthmus of the valleys connects two ocean-like desert plains: the Eastern Sea of Sand, and the Western Sea of Sand.

It is where the main setting where Campaign 1: Paradigm Shift begins.

## Geography

The Con'Va is a crater of civilization that thrives at the center of two large ravine-like valleys. Part of the land consist of beds of sand dunes, while the other areas are occupied by rocky mountains, mesa-like badlands, and the ravines of the twin convergent valleys.

The Con'Va is landlocked at its Northern Border by the Merciless Mountains and at its Southern Border by the God Mountains. Two dangerous areas containing a high concentration of powerful monsters.

Beyond the north of the Merciless Mountains is the largest natural barrier between the Con'Va and Javenia – the Ma'Ut.

As aforementioned, the Con'Va is surrounded at its Eastern Border by the Eastern Sea of Sand and at its Western Border by the Western Sea of Sand.

As a result, the geography of the Con'Va largely functions like a large spherical basin, similar to an ocean. This is further evidenced by the Heavenly Bridge.

Though the Con'Va is a dry and arid environment, it does contain forested areas and water sources. Its most concentrated timbered area is the Forest Flower, while the largest forested region by surface area is the Merciless Mountains. The largest water source in the Con'Va is the Lake of Ga'Ator. Though, the main water source used by the Sultanate and Coalition comes the natural springs in the Lake of Asphodel.

### Unique Geographical Features

The Con'Va is host to many unique geographic features.

##### Pada – "Hard Sand"

*Main article:*  Pada

Padang Padat (commonly abbreviated as Pada, otherwise known as Hard Sand) is the term used to describe typical sand and desert-like sand plains that exist in the Torrid Continent.

Pada is a fine and granular material that consists of weathered particles of stones and minerals. It has similar physical and chemical properties to common sand found in other continents such as the Butterfly Continent and the Fiery Continents.

#### Sea Sand – "Soft Sand"

Sea Sand (otherwise known as Soft Sand) is the term used to describe the unique fluid found predominantly in central landmass of the Torrid Continent.

Sea Sand is a mud-like fluid that exhibits similar physical properties to quicksand and salt water. Sea Sand consists of a largely heterogeneous mixture of two unique fluids: Slime Sand (otherwise known as Ceiling Sand) and True Sea Sand.

#### Slime Sand – "Ceiling Sand"

*Main article:*  Slime Sand

Slime Sand is shear-thinning non-newtonian fluid that increases its viscosity as pressure increases. It commonly appear as a brown mud-like substance, however it has a sticky slime-like quality. Hence, Hard Sand tends to coat the surface layer of Sea Sand Oceans like the Eastern and Western Seas of Sand.

It also has a low-density and floats above True Sea Sand. Hence, most creatures that step on Slime Sand will fall through it after the Slime Sand reaches its elastic tensile limit. The Ma'Ut and Eastern and Western Seas of Sand are coated with a an upper-layer or 'ceiling layer' of Slime Sand, hence the alternate alias of "Ceiling Sand."

#### True Sea Sand

*Main article:*  True Sea Sand

True Sea Sand is a largely pale cream and translucent fluid. It has a high viscosity and similar density to that of salt water. It is usually present below the 'ceiling layer' of an ocean of Sea Sand like the Eastern or Western Sea of Sand.

### Ma'Ut

*Main article:*  Ma'Ut

The Ma'Ut is a vast ocean-like sand plain that is almost entirely consistent of Sea Sand. It is a hostile climate that is consistently plagued with violent sand storms and turbulent ocean-like currents that ripple through its ocean of Sea Sand. The Ma'Ut is larger than both the Eastern and Western Seas of Sand combined.

The Ma'Ut is also home to some of the strongest monsters and hostile creatures that live in the Torrid Continent. Some examples include: Colossal Dunefin, Titan Ganapau Whales, and Nehash Gargantuas.

The Ma'Ut is not completely explored yet.

#### The Din Wall

One of the core geographical features of the Ma'Ut is the Din Wall (commonly referred to as the Din or the Wall). The Wall is a large rectangular strip containing high-pressure Sea Sand that is being consistently ejected and cycled to form a tall vertical wall that stretches from the Dire Straits to the open seas of the Sunken Continent.

Entering the Wall is not lethal in itself. Because the pressure of the Sea Sand currents increase as you approach the center of the Wall.

Archeologists have dated the existence of the Wall to minimally 0 B.C. Many speculate that the Wall was not present before the Mana Cataclysm.

Many geographers speculate that the Wall is a natural byproduct of a high-pressure ravine that lays 3,000m below the average 0m baseline of the Wall.

Though the true height of the Wall is unknown, many modern airship aviators and explorers still seek to find the peak height of the Wall. The latest record holder for 'the explorer that measured the tallest measurement of the Din Wall' is Pavlov Geiser, who measured the Wall to be 666km on his last expedition.

### Merciless Mountains

*Main article:*  Merciless Mountains

The Merciless Mountains is a long-chain of mountain ranges that expand from the Death Forest to the peripherals of the Sinksand Sea. These mountain ranges are host to unique ecosystems, terrains, and climates; each with unique flora and fauna.

Many cities establish themselves behind the ranges of the Merciless Mountains to seek refuge from vicious sandstorms that come from the Ma'Ut. They use the natural geographical protection of the rocky mountains to deter the winds of these violent tempests.

#### Eastern Merciless Mountains – Roboros Ranges

*Main article:*  Mount Roboros

The Roboros Mountain Ranges (abbreviated as Roboros Ranges) is the smallest region denoted by the Merciless Mountains by surface area. It features its tallest mountain peak: Mt. Roboros.

Mt. Roboros is also one of the two tallest points in the Torrid Continent, the other being the Gemelo Peaks. It is also the end point of the optical range for the Heavenly Bridge.

The Roboros Ranges are populated by breaches of small forests containing flora such as: Infini Tree, Torrid Chorus, and Torrid Dragonfruit. Most of the fauna found in the Roboros Ranges are flying creatures such as Merciless Roc, Gliding Giant, Sharphawk.

Many denizens within the Roboros Ranges worship the Endless Dragon God Ouroboros.

#### Central Merciless Mountains

*Main article:*  Merciless Mountains

The Central Merciless Mountains is what most adventurers and explorers refer to when they describe the Merciless Mountains. It is the largest region denoted by the Merciless Mountains by surface area.

It is a densely forested area with winding, rough, and rocky terrain. Most of the seemingly flat land within the region are angled at inclines dependent on adjacent mountain faces. This makes scaling the Central Merciless Mountains an arduous climb for most explorers that traverse it by-foot, making airship travel a popular mode of transport for explorers looking to scout this region.

The northern-most cliffside peaks of the Central Merciless Mountains provide a wide view of the seemingly empty expanse of the Ma'Ut.

The Central Merciless Mountains contains a diverse range of fauna, however it boasts the largest concentration of draconic creatures in the Con'Va. It is the homeland of most True Dragons and Dragonborn in the Torrid Continent. It boasts the largest concentration of dragon tribes and draconic lairs within the Torrid Continent. Some creatures that call the Central Merciless Mountains home are: Trihorn Beast, Merciless Roc, and Hellkite.

This region is host to small lakes; winding rivers, and ever-autumn flora. The largest lake in this region is the Asphodel Lake. Some flora unique to this region are: Torrid Dragonfruit, Merciless Tana Plant, Brutebrush.

The cities of Overpass and Bandit's Barrage are located in this region.

#### Western Merciless Mountains – Golden Mountains

*Main article:*  Goldpoint

The Western Merciless Mountains (otherwise known as the Golden Mountains) are sparsely populated with flora. It is a largely rocky landmass consisting of steep stone slopes and low valleys abundant with ravine openings.

This region hosts rock-like fauna and an abundance of natural resources such as precious metals. The City of Goldpoint is located in this region.

### Eastern Sea of Sand

*Main article:*  Eastern Sea of Sands

The Eastern Sea of Sand is the largest Sea Sand Ocean in the Torrid Continent by surface area. It connects the Con'Va with the Eastern Coastal Jungle. There is little to no flora that exist at the surface of the Eastern Sea of Sand, and few explorers have sufficient evidence to conclude there exists floral life beneath the Sea Sand of either Seas of Sand. However, the region is teeming with marine-like creatures and fauna.

#### Mesavalé

*Main article:*  Mesavalé

Mesavalé is the largest landmass consisting of Hard Sand within the Eastern Sea of Sand. It connects the Merciless Mountains, Ma'Ut and North of the Eastern Coastal Jungles with mesa outliers and pillars. It is the first location where Canyon Claws were discovered.

#### Sand Bay of Vel'Quo'Rado

*Main article:*  Vel'Quo'Rado

It is a large bay-like section of the Eastern Sea of Sand, named after the Wind Dragon God Veloras. It is a large expanse that lays adjacent to the majority of the Eastern Coastal Jungle. Piracy is uncommon here, because of the large threat of bestial attacks on transportation and trading convoys in this region.

Some common monsters that live in the region are: Dunefin, Jumpserpent Vulture, Barren Burrower.

There are few safe ports of entry into the Eastern Coastal Jungle from the Bay of Vel'Quo'Rado. Because when travelers are outside the reach of the monsters of the Sand Bay, they enter the reach of the monsters within the Eastern Coastal Jungle. Despite this, there exists one small safe-haven port known as Pali's Port, a popular destination for adventurers en route to the City of Kaiga.

#### Kheri's Forest

*Main article:*  Kheri's Forest

Kheri's Forest is the second largest forested area in the Con'Va, behind the Merciless Mountains. It is named by the Bug God of the Rising Sun – Kheri.

Many geographers in the past have debated whether Kheri's Forest is considered a subregion of the God Mountains or the Eastern Sea of Sand. However, due to a recent expedition through the God Mountains, the Sultan has decreed Kheri's Forest to be classified as the southern-most subregion of the Eastern Sea of Sand or its own unique region. Because the rocks that make up mountains such as Kheri's Trident are made of a unique material different from the stones found in the God Mountains. Additionally, Kheri's Forest contains many pockets of Sea Sand that act as 'Sand Lakes.'

Kheri's Forest is a densely timbered area that contains largely flat surfaces with a mixture of jungle soil and Hard Sand. Unique to the region, Kheri's Forest features lakes of Sea Sand that have been coined by the Sultan as 'Sand Lakes.' Kheri's Forest contains a diverse set of unique flora such as Spriggan's Fruit, Replecia Flower, and Ankhev's Gift.

Kheri's Forest predominantly host insect-like creatures and carnivorous plants. Some creatures that live in Kheri's Forest are: Relic Tarantula, Giant Tree Spider, Greenfly.

Kheri's Forest is not completely explored yet.

#### Sinksand Sea

*Main article:*  Sinksand Sea

The Sinksand Sea is the large central and western-most region covered by the Eastern Sea of Sand. It is the largest subregion here by surface area. This region also has the most unpredictable climate and weather.

The currents the Sinksand Sea are similar to those within the Ma'Ut, with the only two key differences:

* The strength of the monsters that live beneath the currents.
* Brief periods of peaceful and calm currents.

The Sinksand Sea's weather consists of shifting cycles between scorching daylight that extends the day period into 20 hours and violent sand storms from the prevailing winds of Sand Bay of Vel'Quo'Rado.

The Sinksand Sea, similar to the Sand Bay of Vel'Quo'Rado, sports no proven flora but has an abundance of fauna. It shares some common monsters with the Sand Bay of Vel'Quo'Rado, such as: Barren Burrower and Dunefin. However, the Sinksand Sea has creatures unique to its region such as: Shifida, Mesa Krait, Capstone Kraken.

Fleeing the Sand Bay of Vel'Quo'Rado, pirates in the Sinksand Sea persist their raids and sails. Because they utilise the Wandering City of Woodrift that periodically shifts from the southern-most peripherals of Mesavalé and the Sinksand Sea. Through illegal exchanges or looting of sand ship cargo bound for Woodrift, pirates can consistently restock their supplies and repair sand ships, allowing them to continue pillaging travelers passing through the Sinksand Sea.

A popular area within the Sinksand Sea that pirates frequent often is the Ravager Belt. Because pirates use the Ravager's Belt to create an isolated safe passage that they can predictably navigate through when attacking sand ships that pass through the Ravager Belt or by using the Belt itself as an escape passage that cannot be consistently followed.

### God Mountains

*Main article:*  God Mountains

The God Mountains is what is typically referred to by most adventurers and explorers as the "Southern-Most Point of the Torrid Continent." Because the other southern regions of Torrid Continent such as the Southern Sky Jungle and the Southern Scorched Jungle have seen few consistent expeditions.

While the God Mountains are the most explored region in the south of the Torrid Continent, the dangers in the region are on par with if not greater than those in the Ma'Ut. From past history of large scouting companies embarking on grand expedition to explore the God Mountains or those seeking to reclaim the Lost City of Sha'Ta'El, the monsters in the God Mountains become stronger and more numerous, the deeper you venture south.

Some unique monsters discovered from these expeditions are: Gorgecrawler, Jungleback, Ereptus.

The majority of the explored terrain and routes moving through the God Mountains consist of an endless range of mountains and steep valleys. This creates a few unique biome terrains.

The current record for the longest successful expedition into the God Mountains was the Shatter Valley Expedition. It lasted for a total of 3 years, requiring a 9 month return period. It traversed 3.690km into unknown God Mountain territory. It was completed by the party of the Legendary Warriors of the Converging Valleys in 2100 A.C. It is also the reason for why the now Lost City of Sha'Ta'El was initially founded.

#### Atiari's Valley – Avalé

Atiari's Valleys (otherwise known as Avalé) are narrow and steep pathway-like winding valley terrain that can be commonly found throughout the lower elevations of the God Mountains. This type of terrain was named after the Bovine and Serpentine Goddess Atiari, because they acted as either passageways into safe caverns which expedition parties used as sanctuaries from the hostile creatures of the God Mountains or doomed terrain used to fight against the hostile creatures that have adapted to live and fight in this kind of terrain.

Avalé commonly contain precious stones and metals such as Chromium and Netherite. They also act as passageways to large deposits of ores with similar rarities to Chromium and Netherite.

#### God Mountain Peaks

The steep mountainous terrain of the God Mountains are what most adventurers and explorers commonly refer to when they describe the God Mountains. They are tall peaks that provide enough height to view the Merciless Mountains on the other side of the Torrid Continent. Apart from a few named God Mountains, most are largely unexplored due to the threats of high-altitude monsters that would be incredibly difficult to battle on the unstable terrain of the peaks of the God Mountains. This is why military-grade airship fleets are used when aerial expedition parties embark on their quests. The main reason why most of these expedition fleets still fail to return is because they will encounter aerial monsters more frequently than a ground-based expedition party will encounter ground-based monsters such as the Sons of the Gorge.

#### Gemelo Peaks

*Main article:*  Gemelo

The Gemelo Peaks is the highest point of elevation in the Con'Va other than Mt. Roboros. It provides vision over the entirety of the Con'Va and a vast area of the God Mountains.

It is also one of the coldest areas in the Con'Va due to its high altitude.

The Gemelo Peaks does not consist of steep cliff-sides and mountain faces, but rather it has long circular and winding paths. It takes a considerable amount of time to trek to the peak of the Gemelo Peaks.

The vantage point that oversees the highest point of the Gemelo Peaks, and by proxy the Con'Va, is called the **Heavenly Bridge**.

The **Heavenly Bridge** is named this way because the vantage point acts as a bridge between the two highest points in the Con'Va: the Gemelo Peaks and Mt. Roboros. A bridge at the heavens between these peaks.

The Gemelo Peaks does not boast a robust flora nor fauna, most of the flora found in the Gemelo Peaks can also be found in many parts of the God Mountains and the Western Coastal Jungle. Many of the creatures that live in the region are also shared by the Gemelo Sea (e.g. Gliding Giants and Dunefins). However, the Gemelo Peaks is uniquely home to elementals such as Wind and Earth Elementals.

### Western Sea of Sand

*Main article:*  Western Sea of Sand

The Western Sea of Sand is the only other Sea Sand Ocean in the Torrid Continent, other than the Eastern Sea of Sand. It connects the Con'Va with the Western Coastal Jungle. It is smaller than its counterpart the Eastern Sea of Sand, but contains similarly scarce evidence for floral life.

While the Eastern Sea of Sand has a large concentration of fauna and unpredictable currents, the Western Sea of Sand has a calmer temperament and less fauna. While occasional bestial attacks occur and annual closures are conducted for the Sandtadel's Rain Spells, the region is largely used for commercial trade and possesses critical trading routes that connect the Con'Va with the rest of the Torrid Continent and all other Continents in the Unhellish Planes.

#### Golden Open

*Main article:*  Goldpoint

The Golden Open is the northernmost region of the Western Sea of Sand. It is closest to the City of Goldpoint. This region is within the jurisdiction of Goldpoint and is regulated by Aureus and Azrael Forces.

It is a large and empty Sea Sand expanse that occasionally befalls monster attacks from Dunefins or Barren Burrowers. The only civilization within the Golden Open is the City of Pravi, which is built on an artificially erected arcane earth plateau.

Most caravans and cargo sand ships passing through this route export precious metals from Goldpoint to other places in the Torrid Continent. One of the most popular trading routes in the Golden Open is Route 66 (otherwise known as the Guardians' Road). The end of Route 66 is marked by a statue of the Guardians of Goldpoint named the 'Guardians of this Roadpoint,' sculpted and erected by Farle – the Guardians of Goldpoints' regularly contracted artisan.

#### Sandtadel Sea – Delta Sea

*Main article:*  Sandtadel

The Sandtadel Sea is the easternmost and smallest region within the Western Sea of Sand. It is the region closest to the Arcane Fortress City of Sandtadel.

The Sandtadel Sea is the most peaceful region within the Western Sea of Sand due to its nigh year-round lack of monsters. However, this is because of the biannual Rain Spell Rituals performed by the ARM and Sciquis Institutes' Elemental High Mages. The ritual itself it used to create two distinct arcane entities: the Arcane Eye of the Storm and Scatterclouds. The Arcane Eye of the Storm is used to become the main attractor of all the monsters that detected the ritual. While, the Scatterclouds were used to distribute artificially evoked rainclouds across the Con'Va. This would inevitable attract all monsters in the Western Sea of Sand and even the God Mountains to this region for the next 7 days. Afterwards, there would be little to no monster activity within this region.

Most of the time, this region is used for the Sandtadel's various magical academies and technological institutes research, development, and experimentation purposes. For example for the test of destructive spells such as Arcane Diffusion Bomb or military technology such as the Rods of God.

Most local Sandtadel denizens will refer to this region by an alternate namesake – the Delta Sea. This is because of Sandtadel's long and rich history with arcane magic and code-string spellcasting. Many spellcasters in the region regularly practiced code-string casting, which had an effect on the naming of many items, places, and figureheads in the region. The names attributed to these items, placed, and figureheads would end up becoming anagrams of abbreviated namesakes that appeared completely disconnected from their original names.

#### Gemelo Sea

*Main article:*  Gemelo

The Gemelo Sea consist of the centermost and southernmost regions of the Western Sea of Sand. The Gemelo Sea is the most densely populated region within the Western Sea of Sand. It contains the most trading routes within this region and a high level of commercial activity and transportation. Because the Gemelo Sea connects sand ships between the Eye of the Valley, the Sandtadel, and the commercial port of Kotalau. Kotalau Port connects the Sultanate and the cities of the Western Coastal Jungle (e.g. Vatea's Gate, Especia and Puerto Caliente).

The Gemelo Sea also features some unique geographical features of its own, for example Gem Peaks. Gem Peaks are sharp protruding peak-like rock formations that breach the Slime Sand. They usually contain precious metals which are often mined by excavating parties due to the mysterious abundance of these Gem Peaks.

Other than the City of Pravi, the only other city built upon an artificially raised earthen plateau is Gemelo Pillar. Gemelo Pillar is the largest city that is situated within the Western Sea of Sand. It is also a large commercial trading hub for trading groups and excavating parties passing through.

#### Bay of Thieves

*Main article:*  Bay of Thieves

The Bay of Thieves is the Westernmost region of the Western Sea of Sand. As the name implies, it is a region densely populated with pirates, thieves, and criminals. It is a lawless region that is not owned by the Sultanate nor the Coalition. While the Coalition has been trying to retake the Bay of Thieves for the past 450 years, it has remained untouched and unclaimed by any major faction. This is because it is a high conflict zone consisting of smaller warring factions that are attempting to subjugate the area and declare independence from both the Coalition and the Sultanate.

There have been few political attempts by the Sultanate to enter and stabilize the area. Because the area serves zero purpose to the Sultan.

> "The Bay of Thieves is allowed to remain a sovereign area. If its people can fulfill two conditions:
>
>
> 1. They do not jeopardize any trade routes in any other region of the Western Sea of Sand.
>
>
> 2. They do not lay a single finger on Kotalau Port, the safe-haven of the Western Sea of Sand.
>
>
>
> If they can abide by these rules, we will play along just fine."
>
> -By Royal Decree of the Khalifa Sultan Aljinu of the Converging Valleys

The Bay of Thieves is also what connects half of the Western Coastal Jungle to the Con'Va. As a result, many sovereign factions that oppose the Coalition use the conflicts in the Bay of Thieves and risk their lives to flee into the neighboring jungles neighboring to seek asylum.

Due to a few large-scale conflicts in the Bay of Thieves involving arcane magic, such as the Pig Day Event and Sharkstorm, the area has a higher mana concentration that the other regions in the Western Sea of Sand. This attracts fauna from the Western Coastal Jungle and hence the area has the highest concentration of monsters in the Western Sea of Sand.

Due to the migration of groups of creatures from the Western Coastal Jungle into the Western Sea of Sand, the monsters in this region have evolved to create unique hybrids and eccentric creatures from the two ecosystems. Some examples include: Squaloalatu, Sandtreader Beast, Deadswimmer.

## Settlements

The Con'Va is comprised of 6 unique city-states, that are governed by two distinct political authorities:

* City of Goldpoint (governed by the Coalition)
* City of Overpass (governed by the Coalition)
* City of Barragebury (currently known as Bandit's Barrage, previously governed by the Coalition, now a sovereign rogue state)
* City of Oasis (governed by the Coalition)
* City of the Eye of the Valley (governed by the Sultanate)
* City of Sandtadel (governed by the Coalition)

Here is a list of some other notable cities within the region:

* Street City of Rode
* Jeweled City of Vajel
* Aphiba Hati
* Gemelo Pillar
* Train City of Kudah
* Wandering City of Woodrift
* City of Jala
* City of Pravi
* Township of Pitaba
* Teyfuba
* Hole City of Hora
* Township of Prehayra
* Township of Cliffeye
* Village of Igni
* Village of Xiener

### Goldpoint

*Main article:*  Goldpoint

The City of Goldpoint is the oldest city in the Con'Va. It is the a central hub for explorers, traders, and diplomats. Known for its export of gold, the city stands as a shining beacon of commodity trading to the the north-western Torrid Continent.

The Coalition had its headquarters based in this city since its founding, until 2650 A.C. when the Brandslayer Incident forced a re-election of the entire cabinet of the Coalition's representatives.

### Overpass

*Main article:*  Overpass

The Overpass is the largest commercial hub of domestic trade within the Con'Va. It is the city at the center of the Merciless Mountains and the convergent valleys themselves. It is the busiest city in the Con'Va, second only to the hustle and bustle of the adventurers of the Eye of the Valley. Caravans and travelers pass, enter, and exit the city on a daily basis, allowing for a fresh set of hands to mould the city at almost any time of the day.

It is a city where opportunity, tools, and people meet.

### Barragebury (Bandit's Barrage)

*Main article:*  Bandit's Barrage

The City of Barragebury (now renamed Bandit's Barrage), was a vast and peacefully quaint city home to hundreds of thousands of families seeking refuge and work. It is where the Asphodel Barrage is located, which was once the main source of water for the entirety of the Con'Va.

However, now, the city has been laid to waste. The streets run rampant with crime as syndicates and underground factions vie for control over the Asphodel Barrage. It has become a Bandit's Barrage. With food sources dwindling due to the Great Blight of Bandit's Barrage in 2750 A.C. and the resurgence of a powerful crime syndicate – the Bane Company, both the Coalition and the Sultanate hesitate to retake the conflict area. The people of this city are left to suffer at the hands of conflict and strife, allowing their hearts, livelihoods, and will to be stolen by the bandits, marauders, and pillagers that raid this place they now call home.

### Oasis

*Main article:*  Oasis

The Oasis is a luxurious safe-haven away from the dangers of the Con'Va. It is an aristocratic hub of wealth and luxurious commodity trade, run on the gold of the upper-class.

In the Oasis, the night is always young. It is a place where debauchery meets comfort – a sanctuary that most adventurers aspire to retire to when they 'make it big.'

While it is the youngest city out of all the Major Cities of the Con'Va, it is also one of the most technological advanced city-states as well. Smaller cities within the State of Oasis such as the City of Kudah and City of Jala are innovation hubs for transport development and arcane research. Making the State of Oasis a prosperously diverse region with high prospects for prosperity and fortune even into the future.

### Eye of the Valley

*Main article:*  Eye of the Valley

The Capital City of the Torrid Continent and of the Con'Va. The regal capital of the Sultanate boasts the largest size out of all the Major Cities.

It is where the great meet to create greatness. While novice adventurers remain awed and inspired walking the streets of the Eye, only veterans and truly great adventurers roam the halls and alleys of this city looking to become chronicled in the next great mythos.

The unique districts of the Eye of the Valley can take up enough space to fill most other Major Cities entirely, but for good reason. The population density of the Eye of the Valley is extremely high as it is a bountiful wellspring of opportunity, hopes and dreams. Under the eccentric and excellent rule of the Grand Khalifa Sultan Aljinu, the people of this city know not of the word "impossible".

### Sandtadel

*Main article:*  Sandtadel

The Arcane Fortress Sandtadel is a mysterious bastion of magic and might in the Con'Va. The city itself only consists of its towering sandstone structure – the Sandtadel itself which reaches a maximum of height of 348m.

The Sandtadel is a hub for magical innovation and is where the Sandtadel Shihiri preside. It is rich cultural heritage site for the arcane history of the Torrid Continent and is host to the most prestigious magic school in the Con'Va – the Sciquis Academy of the Converging Valleys. In the Sandtadel, magic meets majesty in a dance of iterative innovation and drastic discovery. Only those with the fire of their wills can effectively brand their names into the halls of these sandstone walls and the halls of history.

## Society

### Human Demographics

The local humans of the Torrid Continent are known as Valleyans. Most of the humans in all Three Continental Layers of the Torrid Continent are equally diverse and dispersed.

The majority of humans in the continent, inclusive of the Con'Va, are born with an olive complexion. However, there is also a large group of humans with yellow skin and black skin. This is speculated to be due to the descendants of travelers that used the ports of Kaiga and Feng Port to emigrate from the Orient into the Torrid Continent and those that used the Dire Straits to move from the Fiery Continents into the Torrid Continent.

### Racial Demographics

The Torrid Continent is racially diverse. It is one of the few continents where humans are not the predominant and majority race.

The majority of the population in the Torrid Continent and by proxy the Con'Va, is actually the Dragonborn. Followed by Insectoids, Beastmen, and Humans.

The smallest minority race in the Torrid Continent and Con'Va is the Dwarf Race.

### Politics

The Con'Va is governed by two major political powers.

#### Sultanate of the Converging Valleys

*Main article:*  Sultanate of the Converging Valleys

The strongest sovereign power in the Con'Va is the Sultanate of the Converging Valleys (commonly abbreviated as the Sultanate).

It is a monarchic form of government where the Sultan has absolute political authority over all denizens in the Torrid Continent. The Sultanate's jurisdiction and authority spreads across both Coastal Jungles in the East and the West. The Capital City of the Eye of the Valley is also the residence of the Sultan.

The major military force recruited by the Sultanate is known as the Astreos.

#### Converging Valleys Allied States Coalition

*Main article:*  Converging Valleys Allied States Coalition

The Converging Valleys Allied States Coalition (commonly abbreviated as the Coalition) is the second strongest political power in the Con'Va.

It is also the oldest reigning political power and the previous strongest sovereign power before the Sultanate came into power 350 years ago.

The Coalition operates using a parliamentary cabinet system with representatives from the Major City-States of the Converging Valleys: Goldpoint, Overpass, Barragebury (currently known as Bandit's Barrage), Sandtadel, and the Oasis. The Coalition's authority spreads to the regions of the Major Cities and the majority of the central twin convergent valleys themselves. This includes the Lake of Asphodel, which was used as a water source for the Con'Va until 2950 A.C.

The Coalition has also been supported by the Aureus Paladin Company since its foundation in 1194 A.C. The military force recruited by the Coalition is known as the Azrael (also known as the Angels of Death).

While the Sultanate has stronger military presence and overall political presence in the Con'Va, both governments have agreed to cooperate to jointly rule and spread peace and order throughout the Torrid Continent. They jointly interact with other foreign powers such as Javenia and the Empire of Economy.

### International Diplomacy

Both the Sultanate and the Coalition have strong ties to the Empire of Javenia in the Butterfly Continent across the Ma'Ut. Despite its risk and slowness, Javenia and the Con'Va have established two functional trade routes that circumvent the Ma'Ut at its easternmost and westernmost edges.

The western route is known as the Dire Strait. Many travelers from the Fiery Continents use this route to gain entry into the Torrid Continent without dealing with the Ma'Ut. This route usually takes, on average, a 3 month journey to traverse. This is because of the harsh weather conditions on the Dire Straits and the occasional encounter with powerful monsters from the Fiery Continents.

The eastern route is known as the Torrid Dragon's Road. It involves island-hopping until travelers reach the City of Kaiga. Travelers from the Orient, hailing from the Twin Dragon Isles, usually arrive at one of these intermediate islands and use the remainder of the journey to enter the Torrid Continent. This route is significantly faster than the western route, as it takes on average 2 weeks to traverse. However, it involves significantly more encounters with monsters in the Haiga Ocean, which has led many international trading companies to lose shipments and manpower.

The Con'Va has strong economic relations to the Empire of Economy, one of the largest political authorities in the Fiery Continents. The Con'Va shares the western route of the Dire Strait with both the Empire of Economy and Javenia. The Sultan and the Chief Emperor of the Empire of Economy are also on good-terms and personally meet every 8 years.

The Con'Va has made minimal interaction with the nations of the Cold Continent and the Orient. Both governments of the Sultanate and Coalition have no economic relations with the Cold Continent or Orient and do not engage in any active and recognizable trade and political dialogue with these nations.

### Culture

While the Torrid Continent is a melting pot of various international cultures, the Con'Va primarily has its own unique cultural identity characterized by major factions such as the Aureus Guild, the Sultanate, the Salvatorus Church, and River Pantheon. It encompasses its language, cuisine, beliefs, customs, literature, visual arts, architecture and music.

#### Language

While the majority of nations across the Unhellish Planes use the Javenian Common Language of Unhellish Tongue, the majority of the Torrid Continent's residence speak their own unique Common Tongue, known as Lugha.

There exists many dialects of Lugha but the most common ones are spoken by citizens of the Major Cities of the Con'Va:

* Li'San Dha'Habi (otherwise known as Golden Tongue), spoken by citizens of Goldpoint.
* Hashuruf (otherwise known as Coded Tongue), spoken by citizens of Sandtadel.
* Overspeak (otherwise known as Loud Tongue), spoken by citizens of Overpass and Underpass.
* Amdah Alshams (otherwise known as Noble's Tongue), spoken by citizens of Oasis and many nobility across the Torrid Continent.
* Deserter (otherwise known as Deserter's Tongue), spoken by citizens of Bandit's Barrage.
* Capital Lugha (otherwise known as Sultan's Tongue), spoken by citizens of the Eye of the Valley.
* Sha'Ta'El'Hua (otherwise known as Adventurer's Tongue), previously spoken by the citizens of the Lost City of Sha'Ta'El, now commonly spoken by veteran adventurers.

#### Cuisine

The three core elements of Valleyan Cuisine is: grain, meat, and spice. The base of most Valleyan cuisine is usually rice or pasta served with a plethora of sauces and spices, featuring some large meat.

It is largely believed that pastas and rice were cultural staple foods of the Orient that was brought into the Con'Va and the tradition of addition spices to foods was a staple practice in the Fiery Continents.

Some common Valleyan Cuisine include: Peren's Feast, Lion Goddess' Waisgna, and Kaab. l

#### Belief Systems

*Main article:*  River Pantheon

The Con'Va recognizes one valid pantheon of deities as its regional pantheon which is the River Pantheon.

Despite the emergence of multiple gods and smaller divine groups before the year 1000 B.C. the River Pantheon contained the strongest deities in the history of the Con'Va and had the longest recognized continuity, lasting two unique generations for an estimated minimum of 2,000 years in the B.C. time period. The leader of the River Pantheon was the Sun and Death God Ankhev.

Though active worship of the River Pantheon is still performed in many Major Cities across the Torrid Continent such as the Eye of the Valley, Especia, and Bandit's Barrage.

*Main article:*  Salvatorus Church

In recent years, the Torrid Continent has received much influence from the Butterfly Continent and missionaries from the Salvatorus Church which has spread its influence across the Torrid Continent, amassing a large number of followers and believers. Many of the missionaries had reported that there were believers in the Con'Va long before their arrival in the last 200 years.

#### Customs

Here is a list of some of the common customs believed and practiced by Valleyans:

* It is common to place Pearl Palms around one's home to signify the warmth of security and togetherness. Because Pearl Palms are associated with the Sun God Ankhev and serve as symbolic proxies for warmth from togetherness with loved ones.
* It is customary to remove shoes before entering a house unless you are of a higher ranking. Removing one's shoes declares that the status of the visitor and the host are equally clean. Whereas, keeping one's shoes one shows that the owner's home is dirtier than the streets that the visitor walks on.
* Valleyans often own Lyscian Fabric Hammocks used specifically for guests. Because Valleyans have a strong emphasis on hospitality. The elastic property of Lyscian Fabric allows the seat to mould to its user's shape and create a expanding texture that is comfortable to sit in.
* It is proper Valleyan etiquette to allow guests to pour water from the host's water pitcher into their own cup. This is symbolic of the Water Goddess Enkisia's scripture that states that "the people of this land will be given wonders of water abundant, but must dig the wells from which the wellsprings flow."
* It is common for Valleyans inside Sand Ships traversing either the Western or Eastern Sea of Sand to pour a dedicated flask of water into the sands. This is because they intend to give water to the Tana Plants believed to take root deep root within the Seas of Sand as a token of repayment for their contribution to the magic and spiritual energy of the land.
* Though few people throughout the Con'Va's history believed in this custom, due to the prevalence of common decency, a small minority of Valleyans believed in the custom of purity of body. This meant that with higher 'purity', usually measured by social status or societal ranking, one could reduce the amount of clothing they had because they had a higher purity that exempted them from emotions like shame.
* Valleyans value a strong and pure connection to music. Hence, aspiring musical artists are usually given a large discount on the first Shanlyra they purchase. This is because of the Myth of Zebe & the Shanlyra. It details how the Thief God Zebe had initially stolen a Shanlyra from a local store for a child that cried for one. However Zebe returned the Shanlyra because the store owner's own child had decided to steal another person's Shanlyra through Zebe's example, starting a huge chain of theft in the area. When Zebe decided to return the Shanlyra, the store clerk offered a discount instead, which as 1 Copper Coin. This allowed Zebe to conveniently pick up a Copper Coin laying on the ground and purchase the Shanlyra and give it to the child that cried.
* It is a tradition to offer and drink coffee during important meetings, as it stimulates initiative and interest. This is because of the local Myth of Dumo. Dumo is a lonely Valleyan that has been stuck in an oasis in the middle of the desert with nothing but food, water, and coffee. Until one day, he meets a traveling pair. One of them comes from the Fiery Continents, while the other comes from the East. The pair have been struggling to communicate with one another and Dumo also struggles to communicate with them. Dumo then has a stroke of genius and offers coffee to the pair. This allows the three of them to engage in exciting conversation due to the coffee heightening their senses and allowing them to speak past linguistic differences by reading intonation and body language instead.