Tierra Catuela

Tierra Cateula is a region in Tandeli run by Advisor Virgil Pumice from Oscureloj. Far north of the country, north of the river Aliado. It's almost pressed into the top corner, with the mountains to the north and east, Ayuda Forest and river to the west, and the Aliado river to the south.

## **Flag**

Storm clouds top half, multiple lightning strikes hitting the ground, greyish background and dark green bottom.

## **Geography**

### Man-made Structures

Miedo Bridge

Tunnels, predominately man and dwarf made

### Natural Landmarks

Limestone tunnels to the far north, mountains to the north, the northern part of the river Ayuda flows down from the mountains, and in the southern part of the region the river Aliado flows down to join the Ayuda. The lands around the rivers are quite fertile.

The dwarven tunnels in Catuela are vast and labyrinthian, going deep into the mountains and under the north of the kingdom. Their exact size and origin are unknown, but the main theories are that these tunnels were either constructed by the Dwarves or dug by rebels during the Waldren Occupation. Either way, these tunnels have been recently re-discovered in Tandeli, revealing the hidden remains of old customs, ceremonies, magic, language, and history dating back to the Ancient Era, hidden away from the invading colonizers of the Waldren Occupation. This allowed for the revival of the old form of Grancinco Spanish, which shares similarities, but is different enough to the modern form to be worth learning. To this day, no one knows everything hidden in those tunnels, and texts are still being found. In the well-explored tunnels, families have set up homes; it wasn’t being used for much else after all.

### **Climate**

Despite being just on the other side of the Southern Mountains, the weather could not be more different from House Jameson of Duilintinn. It is often dry, if a little chilly, right up in the mountains. During the summer rainy season, the area gets more humid, which breaks when they get rain.

## **Culture**

The home of the lost. Those who find themselves not fitting in, not sure of what to do or just wish to be lost gravitate to this House. Darker colours here. Similar to Eticora, all are welcome, but love and community bonds are expressed differently. It’s a lot quieter, people keep to themselves more. Communities and support networks are smaller but easily as strong.

Tierra Cateula’s people are quiet. People generally keep to themselves or in small groups when it comes to personal matters. They don’t need the whole world to know something needs sorting, just, their world. The people here may seem cold and distant, but it is simply because they are slower to trust than many in the Kingdom, for many different reasons. There are no loud gestures of love, but it is not hard to gain a few very close friends who look out for you, and you will be expected to do the same. There will always be someone to help you; it just won’t be as obvious as some places.

With Tierra Catuela (although less likely because Advisor Virgil is still working on changes) you will learn the history of Tandeli very early on, the best way to fortify a settlement, how to remain calm, and wild animal behaviour. It is also here where you’re more likely to learn the older form of the Grancinco Spanish, as here are the tunnels that kept it safe and hidden from Waldren.

Their opinions on magic are almost unique in Tandeli. All mages are welcome. Anyone can learn or practice magic here, free of judgment as long as no one is getting hurt. Changelings are welcome, and actively sought out by a certain group of Mages, the idea being that a Changeling doesn’t wander, lost and alone, into danger.

### Architecture

Most of the buildings here are small and low to the ground, nothing immediately stands out as more important than another, although as a general rule, the closer to the centre of the settlement, the more important. A variety of materials are used, proximity to the mountains allows the use of sandstone, limestone, and shale in a lot of buildings, some of which had darkened with age. The settlements closer to the forest will use logs or hazel frames covered in baked mud.

Due to the proximity to Duilitinn’s Fae Garden, one consistency in Catuela architecture is the use of gargoyles. Leering, monstrous faces designed to scare off unwelcome visitors.

In the mountains or otherwise steep slopes, you may find old houses built into the rock face, with only a door and a small window telling you anyone lives there! Similarly, due to old tunnels running through Catuela, people have started to live in them as well, since some parts of them currently aren’t being used for anything else.

In some of the major towns and cities, there are a lot of old Waldren buildings, some of which have been abandoned or neglected, others knocked down. The ones that remain have been painted dark, neutral colours so they don’t stand out so much.

## **Settlements**

Oscureloj

Magos Perdidos compound

## **Economy**

### Common Professions

An eclectic mix of professions here, but farmers and the few mages usually end up here, as well as any who actually wants to study magic. Shares responsibility for the military. Historian, mage, Guard, covert guard, writer, farmer.

### Guilds

The Farming Guild (secondary hub) in Oscureloj

The Navigator's Guild (secondary hub) in Oscureloj

Armed Forces (Plain Branch) in Oscureloj

Magos Seguros in Oscureloj

Magos Perdidos in Oscureloj

The Tunnelers in Oscureloj

Los Libros Antiguos in Oscureloj

The Mountain Carvers in Oscreloj

The Builder's Guild in Oscureloj