Estwynd

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Located on the continent of Myast in the Northern Hemisphere, Estwynd is home to a population completely comprised of humans. It is rumored that tens of thousands of years ago elves once lived within the grand terrain, but little can be found of the once-civilization. The people now presiding in Estwynd are the only cultures that have retained their ancestry to some minute, bastardized degree. They are known to say strange words like "okay" and are the only people to speak of a god, or even of gods. They do not have much of a religion among them, though many believe in a higher power.

These are the lineage of the first humans to first come to this world. They are a people who have embraced science and technology, their cities built with clockwork machines to improve the standard of living. Airships of their own have been created and crafted utilizing minerals that defy gravity when given an electric charge.

There are many cities within Estwynd. Thol, being the capital, houses the High Queen and ruler of all within Estwynd. There are many other kings and queens, though they only rule over their lands as appointed lords. Each king and queen serves a ten year term before a new one is elected, though the High Queen serves until her death before another is appointed.

 

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Thol is the capital of Estwynd where the city of Redden presides. The High Queen serves her life term in this stretch of land where the senate also convenes for political sessions. It is located spanning the eastern coast, and Redden is known for its expansive system of waterfalls.

All of Estwynd relies on trade, and all trade routes lead to Thol. The High Queen's Aegis and the highly regarded Hemomancers have their establishments and housing within Redden. This is also where the technological renaissance blossomed within the last century opening up the Guild of Engineers and Forward Thinkers. The Julienna Skyport is also located in Thol and is known for its glittering interior cut from crystal geodes.

Towards the end of the First Era and early into the Second, Thol suffered a mass of disappearances without explanation. At first they thought it was a rise in Blood Mages, as it is known every Blood Mage disappears before they are attuned to their craft. But after citizens emerged without signs of a hemomancer's transformation panic ensued. Wild speculations threatened the foundations of Estwynd to the point where other kings and queens thought to plot against the High Queen.

After the Second Era, things progressively became crowded in Thol. Many of Estwynd's original citizens moved to the East Coast after the Northlyn Refugees were kicked from their continent due to a bloody war against magic and non magic. This soon began a war among humans as they fought for their homes.

 

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Located in the Southern regions nestled within the Faltak Curve is the Kingdom of Ecksoh. Six of Estwynd's Senators preside alongside the King or Queen to act as the head of the local government. It is known for its warmer temperatures, dusty terrain, and hearty folk.

Mercenaries, bandits, and highwaymen run rampant in Ecksoh as the law enforcement is a bit lax and prone to corruption via bribes. The local government often turns a blind eye until things get too out of hand. It wasn't until the Second Era that the United Government could quell the plague upon the kingdom, bringing crime down considerably by way of New Magic.

This kingdom would eventually house the Earth Academy where all those who bond to land dwelling magical creatures could preside, study, and grow. Luxomancers also eventually establish the Pinnacle upon a plot of land in which practitioners purchase to become a true neutral faction among the land.

 

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Sabletyn is a smaller region whose people have built within the canyons and mountain ranges. It borders the Winded Woods to its East making it the nearest route of trade to Thol before Eckso. Estwynd's army trains within this kingdom at one of the largest forts known as Fort Gilliam. This fort was built when the humans advanced further North from Eckso before Thol was established to push back the native orcs into Drasa. It still remains the central location in the Second Era for all those joining the army before receiving their assignment.

The citizens of Sabletyn were molded by the aspects of "survival of the fittest" and are arguably the most healthy and intelligent in Estwynd due to the nature of where they live. Land slides, floods, and ambushes have not only shaped their architecture but the people as well. The population of Sabletyn is few in number and rely on trade and tourism to keep their economy thriving. Most of their citizens wind up joining the army as it is a readily available source of income, which further contributes to their decrease in population.

Within the Second Era, Sabletyn explored the possibility of burrowing through the earth as some of their mines were tapped out. From this, they found fresh water reservoirs that further improved their daily living. They also discovered the ruins of an ancient elven city which foretold an untimely demise for a long extinct race.

 

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Located along the Western Coast spanning nearly its length is Neunyor. When humans first came to the world it was in this land they first colonized. While it is no longer the capital of Estwynd, it still holds the largest human population in all the kingdoms. They also house the largest number of Senators.

Just at the Southern End is the Quaryntime, and at its eastern border is both Eckso and Sabletyn. The Quaryntime is an area of land guarded much like the Fabled Lands where those who go in do not remember what was there if they come out. It is forbidden and considered a fate worse than death if sentence to exile within it.

Neunyor is where the crystals were first discovered and utilized in machinery. They are known to craft the best in airships, storm coils, and farming equipment. Agriculture is a large part of their society with farmland further inland, and they are the suppliers of most food in Estwynd.

In the Second Era, Neunyor becomes the location of both the Auquia Academy and the Sky Academy.

 

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Between the borders of Thol and Sabletyn presides the Winded Woods. It is a haunted land that suffers the plague of a fog that sifts through its trees. For centuries the fog remained within the confines of this vast and dense forest, and its composition is only known through distant observation. There are things that move within the fog, devouring whatever is within while shrouded in the grey. The carcasses that remain after the fog has moved on suggests a carnage brought about by beasts unknown to the land. No one really desires to know, for the scientists and explorers that do venture into the fog never return.

But the fog is not the only thing to populate these woods. Wyverns, giant spiders, gryphons, and even unicorns can be found within these woods. Any species presiding within the Winds has adapted to the treat of the fog knowing how to predict it and avoid it or even, as with gryphons, chase it away.

Due to the gruesome nature of the Winded Woods, it is a favored place to sentence criminals to exile. These criminals typically warrant the sentence due to a heineous act that does not merit a swift death by the firing squad, and are rather meant to suffer horribly in their attempts to survive. It is never known if any do, but none seem to make it back into the kingdoms.

There is a trade route that extends through the Winded Woods from Sabletyn to Thol, but is now rarely traveled due to the invention of the airship. Those that do travel this road are poor merchants or caravans.

 

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Map of Estwynd, Year 1498

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