#august worldbuilders

[leilandgoldwell]

August Worldbuilders: Day 10

Theryl is filled with legends of Seekers: heroes and champions chosen by the Divines. Seekers have won wars, dethroned tyrants, stopped calamities and founded nation. The protagonists of my books are all Seekers, but there are a few noteworthy ones predating them.

Orphex the Mighty was a great warrior blessed by Yalid, the god of light. In the days before the founding of Elux, the land was plagued by a terrible monstrosity called the Noxeklee. Orphex, along with his good friend Rose Regnus, united the people of the plains to tear the Noxeklee from the sky...

Makia the Wave Walker is a somewhat enigmatic figure. Legends say that she led her people across the see in a great exodus to flee disaster, but no one recalls what that was or where she even came from... But everyone agrees that she was crucial in founding Pou as it is known today.

Dharma of the Burning Brand is said to be the first Seeker of Vashamala, who ended a long and bloody conflict between the scattered tribes of ancient Hol. It was Dharma who founded the Branded: an army dedicated to upholding the laws of warfare that persist to this day.

There are several others, but I think these three really encapsulate the essence of what it means to be a Seeker and their impact on Theryl's history.

[leilandgoldwell]

August Worldbuilders: Day 9

It's said that the nation of Pou was founded when the Seeker called Makia led her people in a great exodus across the waves. No one quite remembers the reason why, but it's understood that they were escaping some great crisis.

The original Pounese built a number of stone cities that can be found all across the islands, but the most prominent of these are on Kekua Island. However, these cities have long been abandoned, also for unknown reasons.

Over the years, many scholars both native and foreign have sought to study the ruins and translate the ancient Sapo'li texts found within, but precious little progress has actually been made. Why were these cities abandoned, and what truly became of their inhabitants?

[leilandgoldwell]

August Worldbuilders: Day 8

The founding of the queendom of Dhesa is equal parts history and legend. The land, once ruled by the Kaitsar, nearly fell to ruin thanks to the machinations of a wicked sorceress called Yaba.

It was only after the Kaitsar's own daughter, Diana, stepped forth with the blessing of Aka that hope returned. She traveled her nation, combating Yaba's followers until she finally confronted the sorceress herself at Castle Raznade. There, a great battle was waged...

Diana emerged triumphant, and for her deeds, was awarded the throne. She disbanded the reign of the Kaitsar and instead built a new nation upon the remnants of the old, which became Dhesa as it is known to today.

The legend of Saint Queen Diana is known far and wide, and though it is by and large accepted as the undisputed fact of the queendom's founding, some question the accuracy of certain details... Though the Holy Church regards such questions as heresy.

[leilandgoldwell]

August Worldbuilders: Day 8

The Royal Knight's Academy in Elux is government owned and funded. It primarily sustains itself through donations made by the nobility. Ekoholona, the most esteemed combat school in Pou, is independently owned and operated by dojo's owner.

Most schools in Dhesa are part of the Holy Church, and will naturally integrate religious doctrine into their curriculum. Schools in Vienta are open to the public, but have different requirements for who is allowed to enroll.

It goes without saying that different schools throughout Theryl have their own rules and regulations about that sort of thing.

[leilandgoldwell]

August Worldbuilders: Day 4

At Vienta's Brighthaven Academy, there is definitely an air of elitism present. The Overseer of Knowledge, along with the school board, generally accept only the best and brightest. Though you don't NEED a noble background to get in, not having one hurts your odds.

To that end, foreign students also tend to be looked down upon. Vienta is the Nation of Innovation, after all, and most other countries are woefully behind in terms of progress. That's the general belief, at any rate...

[leilandgoldwell]

August Worldbuilders: Day 2

The Royal Knights' Academy of Elux teaches a variety of skills: swordplay, spearplay, horseback riding, archery, and strategy. They also teach some basic subjects such as money management, etiquette, history and literature.

In Dhesa, schooling usually starts with basic skills: reading, writing, math, and history. Once a child discovers a patron deity, their education will shift to focus on that deity's sphere of influence. If you find affinity with Ure, for example, you'll probably take acting lessons or music classes.

Vientian schooling offers a wide variety of subjects to study, including alchemy, psychology, and mechanics. Their curriculums tend to prioritize innovation and scientific discovery.

[leilandgoldwell]

August Worldbuilders: Day 1

It somewhat depends. Some nations in Theryl don't even have a traditional concept of schooling. In Hol and Skogach, you're generally taught by your community. In Hyo and Urgaia, only the privileged really get to have any sort of formal education.

Elux and Pou have military academies; the former trains knights to serve in the king's army, while the latter has various dojos where aspiring warriors can study one of Pou's three techniques: Hornet Style, Turtle Style and Bear Style.

Dalug, Dhesa and Vienta are the places with the most "traditional" schooling system, teaching a variety of skills and talents to anyone who can afford to attend (and entry fees are usually affordable for the middle class.) That said, Dhesa's schooling often takes place in churches...