General notes about the region and map layout for Magehaven Academy's setting, Rembran. Physical map on the way. This story will feature the importance of food (from a cultural development perspective) so common regional cuisine is also featured in these notes.
Roughly imagine the continent is like a circle split down the center horizontally like the equator. The continent is surrounded by water on its North, South and East sides. It connects to a greater continent on the West.
The trend you'll find is Eastern kingdoms/regions are smaller but more developed as they were populated and expanded first. As you head est kingdoms get larger but less organized due to the great expansion and exploration (that's still underway in this story).
Additionally you'll tend to find Eastern cultures are more matriarchal while Western regions are more patriarchal even among same species. All regions (besides the Northwest) have issues acquiring food for one reason or another.
To the northwest we have plains, hills, and fine soil terrains. The North coast has a high, cliff like drop off. The NW has a grand mountain range to the East (separating it from the NE) and a dense jungle to the South (leading into the SW). You'll also find the occasional bog or marsh in the NW.
Inhabitants
Common races in the Northwest are Humans and Godbloods. Godbloods came here because they aren't well accepted in their own communities, many choosing to brave the perilous journey to the NW. Not many Mers inhabit the region due to the cliff blocking the ocean, the few that do come are usually freshwater/bog Mers (who got separated from the main ocean long ago and have integrated with bog life). Northwest people have the stereotype of being sheltered (due to their abundance of food and lack of interacting with other cultures) but kindhearted in nature.
Cuisine
Food in this region is inspired by mid-america, as some who immigrated to this region brought cultural dishes. Foods include chocolate cake, charcoal grill steak, chicken noodle soup, and several casserole dishes. Very sugar and fat heavy. Lots of corn and soybeans. Love cheese a lot. (Note: Northwesterners aren't as swayed by the heavier set = more attractive beauty standard because they have plenty of food. Other regions have this beauty standard due to food scarcity)
Northeast you have mountains, ice flows, and more rugged rocky terrain. The coast has a high, cliff like drop off but some in the past have carved out docks and pathways for boats.
Inhabitants
Common species include Humans, Dwarves, Artic Mers, Corvid Avians and the occasional Fae. Giants used to live here before the 100 year Magic War. People of the Northeast are very tough and hearty folks. Food is scarce due to the difficult travel to the Northwest and poor soil for growing. Because of this many turn to hunting, fishing (if close to a river) or have developed a way to eat typically non-edible foods. They have a reputation of being gruff but after warming up being loyal to the end.
Cuisine
Food is inspired by eastern Europe and many northern regions. You could find lichen soup, borscht, stinging nettle salad, roasted elk and triple berry pie. Lots of root vegetables in cooking, creative ways to use non-edible foods, and game meat. Careful when you accept food bc some do use actual poisons as spice (hemlock berries, apple seeds, green potatoes).
To the southwest we have a desert (small), a large collection of islands off the southwest coast (archipelago), and a more tropical atmosphere. You'll find sandy beaches, warm thriving creatures, and a few hidden coves.
Inhabitants
Common races include Humans, Mers, and Kea Avians. The Southeast is known by most as a tropical paradise, with a variety of unique plants, animals, and foods. Despite their long standing rivalry, the humans and mers of this region have the greatest relationship among all other humans/magical beings. This is due to three things, the close proximity, the need to pair up for survival, and the relaxing mood brought by the general regions. Mers would occasionally get stranded in the seating heat of the day while trying to find food, vegetation, or eggs that washed on shore. One human (of the original settlers) made it their goal to help mers no matter the risk to their own life. Despite the other settlers scolding them and the injuries they'd sustained, their hard work paid off. Mers started to trust humans. To repay their debt they'd drop off fish or escort ships for humans, making humans trust mers. All of this was the groundwork for today, where human and mer live together and share their love of the sea and relaxation. All members of the southwest are thought of as laid back and easygoing.
Cuisine
Food here inspired by Caribbean (for the archipelago) and Central/South American (for the mainland) cuisine. You'd find dishes like baked fish, jerk chicken, nopal, guacamole, and banana pudding. Region loves spice and often host competitions for creating/eating the spiciest peppers, fruits, and other magical dishes.
To the southeast we have several inlets and one grand sea that dips into the continent (North half of land split by sea has the occasional mountain or two). The southeast has a more Mediterranean vibe with clay rich soil towards the center of the region.
Inhabitants
Common species include Humans, Giants, and Mers. While giants aren't common, you'll find the highest amount around here. The climate is very temperate, benefiting the most from the cooling sea breeze from the east. The Southeast is very structured and has some of the longest standing buildings and alliances. Kingdoms tend to be smaller but they have a lot of history and tourism. Unlike other regions, the humans here do not get along with the mers. Even to this day it's common to hear about a ship being sunk in the middle of the grand sea. Humans here are generally mistrusting of magical races/creatures
Cuisine
Food here is inspired by the Mediterranean. Lots of goat, fish, olives and cheese. Dishes you'd find would include shawarma, paella, frozen yogurt/gelato, shakshuka and briam. Fishing is a lucrative career but a deadly one due to the Mers, leading many humans to try their hand at farming.
Dividing the Northeast and Southeast is the Great Fae Forest, a thick woods of great magical ability. Many trees are resistant to fire magics (but not natural means). Forest stops roughly before the center of the continent horizontally.
Inhabitants
Only fae live in this forest. They secluded themselves from the rest of the world long ago after the Magic War. Very rarely do they venture out from these woods, usually only for political delegations.
Cuisine
Fae are pescatarian and won't eat meat from land creatures. As such their dishes include seasonal honey drizzle salads, coffee crusted mushroom steak, seasoned potato wedges fried in witches butter, pumpkin risotto, and lobster bisque. Recipes are changed based on needs of consumer as some Fae range from vegetarians, ovo-vegetarians, lacto-vegetarians, and vegan.
As always I'm happy to answer questions about the region. My next set of general installments will be detailing the difference species and races with general anatomy, culture, and unique traits. Stay tuned!
