This map shows Yevsburg's contiguous territory along the Dvenshev sea, and some of the major cities, roads, and rivers within it.
Bullet points on Yevsburg:
Ansuro is the national capital.
Most of the population is in the northwest, along the Dvenshev and surrounding Ansuro.
The south is covered in dense forests, making it a difficult place to live in.
Yevsburg is equatorial, with the equator being shown as the more prominent line. While it does receive high amounts of rainfall, equatorial regions on Hessdalen are not as warm as on Earth.
The Russo family has been the reigning royal house for hundreds of years, beginning with their construction of Fort Ansuro.
Yevsburg has numerous overseas territories, from the other side of the Dvenshev to Rosnen and the Kythelons.
Yevsburg shares a land border with Osbac, Gurngeshia, Rusland, and Torqnia in Rosnen.
Yevsburg controls the Strait of Julshev, the only way in and out of the Dvenshev Sea. It lost control of this opening to Gurngeshia during that country's war with Montethé.
Yevsburg was once known as Rusovia, and under that name ruled one of the largest and most influential empires in Hessdalanian history.
Tekov's Eyes, a naturally occurring marble like object that possesses explosive capabilities, originate in Yevsburg and were utilised for Rusovia's expansion.
Yevsburg is a member of the Trans-Continental Alliance.
I'm trying out representing geographic features on my maps. But I feel like it looks a bit messy.
Most of Aspenia's territory is covered in a dry sandy desert, especially the section that was south of the Pelgriece Canyon. This region is harsh but has long served as an essential place for travellers to pass through. The desert was a better alternative to climbing through the Cethoks, over the surrounding highlands, and through the wilds of western Montethé.
The main trade route from northern Norphendra to the south of the continent was established through Aspenia and the Inpent Desert. The trail connected the dots between the oases of Clos Vin, Clos Mor, and the largest oasis at Clos Ein. But most importantly the route went over the Arch of Turrice, the only crossing point of the Pelgriece Canyon.
This trade corridor was the main factor behind Aspenia's earlier success and garnering of wealth. Some of the 12 ruling families can trace their origin of power to the beginning of the trade route.
Some of the features on the map:
Pelgriece Canyon: Largest canyon on Hessdalen.
Pelgrohve Mountains: A mountain range mostly situated in Mohvesto.
Cethok Mountains: The tallest mountain range on Hessdalen. Trecherous to pass through.
The Great Dunes of Rynnia: A section of the desert covered in immense sand dunes that form towering ridges of pure powdery sand.
Nevence Depression: A large section of the Inpent Desert that is below sea level. A former lake.
Other points:
Next to the Aspenian flag is the symbol of the ruling family of Clos Ein, the oasis city being the most important in the region (rivaling Turrice).
The red highlighted borders show Aspenia's border with the Cazkanian controlled regions.
Aspenia is located in the heart of Norphendra, Hessdalen's largest continent.
Aspenia was an important power in the Early Ages, and was a major rival of the great Rusovian Empire.
The Aspenian caste system is strict. 12 families rule the country, and have ruled it since its inception. The wealth divide between them and the bottom classes is gargantuan.
Later in the year of 160, Aspenia would be attacked by Cazkania in a conflict that became known as the Aspenian War. This war was impactful in many ways, especially for some of my characters. I'll make another post about the invasion and go into more detail on its impacts.
Illira is a narrow country wedged between Soaratia and Transrhobor. At one time it was one of many, but now remains the only independent state in the transrhobor region.
Illira is most famous for being the birthplace of the Knights of Troidon. A millennium before the events of Cozar, Hessdalen was a dangerous place. There were no countries or laws, just wildlands where the wicked thrived by picking on the defenceless.
The Troidonites were a group of skilled combatants who rose up against the marauders, bandits and gangs who terrorized the communities of the Troidon badlands. They outmatched those evildoers, and replaced the lawless land with a sense of order and safety.
Bullet Points
Most of the population lives in the far south and southwest. The aridness of the badlands does not reach there, and the land is more hospitable.
The Troidon Badlands is an expansive area of dry land that covers much of eastern Illira as well as northern Transrhobor. It serves as a transition area into the Inpent Desert. There is little to no trees in this area, and it is challenging for most life to survive there. Canyons and hoodoos mark the terrain.
Poyau is the capital even though it is in the badlands. This is because Poyau is one of Hessdalen's oldest cities, being one of the first that the Troidonites protected.
The Troidonites were nomadic, passing between towns to offer their protection. This was their way as their order spread across the continents. But the closest thing they had to a home was the Temple of Troidon. It served as a place to house records, and find purpose.
The Amigain Mountains stretch north from Illira through Roloughnia and block much of the equatorial moisture from passing over Norphendra, creating the Inpent Desert that covers Aspenia.
The Oartasash Rainforest is Hessdalen's largest rainforest, with most of it being located in neighbouring Soaratia. The foliage is extremely dense, and much of it is unexplored. It is known to be filled with dangers, and many who go in do not come out.
Illira is bordered by Soaratia to the west and southwest, Transrhobor to the east, New Rosnen to the north, and Roloughnia to the northeast.
Rules: Post five images of a place in your world and tell us a bit about it.
I decided to go with the City of Cellano
Cellano is the capital city of Daskosa, and is home to almost 4 million people. It is where the nation of Daskosa began, starting off as just a city-state.
Located fairly far north on the Lenvaian continent, Cellano gets its fair share of snow. But things warm up in the summer time, allowing for nice greenery in the many parks and residential areas. It is known for being one of Hessdalen's cleanest cities, as well as among the safest.
The city is coastal, located on a bight of the same name. It wraps around the horseshoe-shaped bay, illuminating the water with the lights of its streets, docks and skyscrapers at night.
Cellano is the official main residence of the royal family of Daskosa, the Kovests. The royal palace is surrounded by public gardens that are filled with flowers, shrubs, and statues. The city's tallest building is also government-related, being the modern and prominent Capitol Tower.
Rules: Pick three pictures that summarize one of your characters.
I had a bit of a tough time finding images to summarize Cozar while also not being cryptic, because I don't want to give away too much about his past. So I picked these three.
The first one is the kind of environment Cozar spent his first years with the Obsidian Axe in. This is of course the clan he would come to lead, and though they are a nomadic group this was sort of their home region for many years.
The second shows that he is a physically strong and disciplined guy. He puts a lot of effort into maintaining his physical abilities in order to remain on top. And while the one armed push up is an impressive way to show of, Cozar does only have one arm that he has to train.
The final shows how Cozar views his metal arm. Something that is part of him but isn't natural, something that comes at the cost of his flesh.
Tagging @frostedlemonwriter @clavateur @shadow-of-tea-and-tea @wylanzahn, and if I didn't tag you but you'd still like to try, please go ahead!
Labachen Island, sometimes called Labachland, is the largest island in the Dvenshev Sea of central Norphendra. The island has long served as a point of interest in the sea, with cities like Penchul and New Beltovush (formerly Ekepo) becoming key ports.
Labachen is an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Yevsburg.
The island was conquered by Rusovia hundreds of years ago because of its important spot in the middle of Dvenshev. Having this base made controlling the sea much easier.
Some of the island's settlements were renamed by the Rusovians, like New Beltovush and Port Yevuch. Others have returned to their Labachian names, like Pengrul once again becoming Penchul.
There was once a large Troidonite presence on Labachen, but the knights were expelled after the Rusovian takeover. Most Labachians did not want the Troidonites to leave, and resent the Rusovians for forcing them out. This remains a base for distrust of Yevsburg to this day.
There is an independence movement on the island, but its support has dwindled after autonomy was granted in 168.
The Trans-Continental Alliance (TCA) has a strong focus on Labachen, given its proximity to Ivrensian-controlled Gurngeshia.
The flag of the island predates Rusovian control, and flew over the independent kingdom. It symbolizes Labachland's place in the middle of the sea, as well as the national colors of red, white, and green.
About 1.5 million people live on Labachen
Penchul county is the most populated county since it has the island’s largest city. Barlen county comes in second, with a high number of Yevsburgish settlers.
Penchul has a safe and sheltered harbor, which has made it an ideal port for centuries. Located on Trestic bay, the south side of its harbor is guarded by a former island that has been connected to the mainland by a sandbar.
(Also I am really impressed with that flag I designed lol!)
This will be a big post with lots of images, but I'm excited to talk about this!
Though it only lasted for half a year, the Aspenia War as it came to be known had far-reaching and long-lasting consequences. These impacts would linger for years, even decades after the war concluded, and would add fuel to the growing flames of the political climate of 173 and the three-sided cold war Hessdalen found itself in.
This was southern Aspenia before the war began. Tensions had been growing with the Cazkanians for several years. Though they did not directly border each other, Cazkania controlled Mohvesto, Syrum, and Transrhobor as its satellites. From here it had been massing troops and equipment along the Aspenian border. Never believing they would actually attack, the Aspenians ignored this. Leaving them vulnerable.
The Cazkanians attacked in early August, storming border crossings and securing defensive positions in small towns and the few natural barriers the desert had to offer. The Aspenians went into full defensive mode until the country could properly mobilize, a task that would take precious time.
Also, until this point the TCA and Cazkanians had a shaky, but functional, relationship. In fact on August 3rd a joint scientific conference was underway in north-west Cazknaia with some of the alliance's best scientists and engineers in attendance. When news broke of an attack though, the TCA cut all talks with Cazkania and urged all of its citizens to return home. The conference ended abruptly and messily as all TCA nationals fled the country.
However, there were some who did not escape. These individuals, among them some children of the visiting scientists, were never heard from again. The Cazkanian government ignored all requests from the TCA for these people to be located, greatly contributing to the decline in relations.
By October the Cazkanians had made further gains, but by the end of Septemer the Aspenians had managed to ready themselves. They took a firm stand in Esspono as the city came under siege, and managed to push back the invaders in some locations. But unfortunately, for every step they took forward in one place, they took two more back in another.
October turned out to be a relatively successful month for the Aspenians. They continued to hold out in Esspono, and by November they had cut the western front in two and made significant gains in the northeast.
Unfortunately, time was weighing on the Aspenians by December. Esspono had fallen, and the Cazkanians were making a two sided charge for Clos Mor and the Nove Outpost. If Nove was captured, the key supply route from the core Aspenian territory to their forces on the front would be cut off.
The Cazkanians enacted a new goal that had formerly been considered too difficult: Taking Turrice. If they could capture the only crossing point of the Pelgriece canyon, the war in the south would be finished. So their forces move in from Mohvesto along the canyon.
Seeing the Cazkanian plan clearly, the Aspenians began to panic. Though they had been successful in defeating the first attack on Clos Mor, they knew if they lost Turrice that all would be lost. So they diverted more men to the new front.
The Aspenian army had a growing problem: morale. Their army was full of forced recruits, poor men from the lowest tiers of the caste system that were losing the small bit of connection they had to the country that ruled them as the war dragged on. The Cazkanians picked up on this and exploited it. Though their country was authoritarian and with few liberties, it was an improvement to the slavery of the Aspenian caste system.
The Aspenian soldiers began questioning their purpose, and if their enemy was really invaders... or liberators.
The Cazkanians captured Nove Outpost. And with it they cut off the easiest supply route for the Aspenians. With that, they began an onslaught that overwhelmed the Aspenians.
Desertion became rampant on the Aspenian lines, with many joining the Cazkanians after being subjected to their propaganda.
A group of Cethok fighters who knew the mountains well held out despite being cut off and even made some gains, but this was the only good news for Aspenia.
Despite being fought for every inch, the Cazkanians crawl towards Clos Ein and Turrice.
On March 18th, 161, Clos Ein fell to the Cazkanians. With this the Aspenians agreed to negotiate a peace, and were forced to give up every bit of their territory south of the Pelgriece canyon. This region became a Cazkanian puppet state that adopted Oretekism and completely abolished the caste system. And while the regime was oppressive, it was an improvement for the poor classes who came to see themselves as liberated. And so South Aspenia was born.
Aftermath
The Aspenian War had major consequences. It got exactly what Cazkania wanted, that being the final piece of their natural border wall. But this act of aggression on a peaceful nation, even though it was not a member state, led to the collapse of relations with the TCA, bringing the three-sided cold war into a new stage.
Most members of the highest Aspenian classes left the south before the Cazkanian forces could reach them, either moving to the north or abroad. Some landed in Rovaya, becoming important figures in that country's notorious shady side. Of those who did not leave, their property and wealth were stripped away, and they were integrated with those they used to subjugate.
Aspenia isolated itself from the world in humiliation, partly at least. The government was also afraid that the rest of their country would be exposed to the lure of "liberation" and demand they be freed of their caste as well. So the oligarchs made the desition to isolate from the world to protect their ancient system from a revolution.
The TCA was very vocal about the missing persons, with families wanting to find their loved ones again. But the Cazkanians would not grant a single response on the matter, and sadly as the years went by it became outshone by other matters in the TCA governments. Most families had given up hope by 173.
The historic trade corridor that was the Arch of Turrice was shut down to all traffic. At one time the land bridge over the canyon saw a constant flow of wealth cross it each day. But after the war it became desolate, and a point of interest in global geo-politics.
A Cazkanian Chief General was appointed to be the head of state of South Aspenia and direct the occupation. It was not difficult to integrate the majority into the Cazkanian sphere as they were given a better life under this new rule.
Today Aspenia remains divided, and unification is an idea far out of reach.
