#themortalplane

[vennadore]

The World Map of Vennadore aka the Mortal Plane

[vennadore]

Southmerrow Harbor

From the bow of the boat you're on, Southmerrow Harbor comes into focus like a vivid dream. Above your head, the seagulls swoop and call out in uniformed cries, but you pay no mind to them as the city comes into full focus. Homes, identical in shape in size align the streets amongst the many different shops selling things from ice cream to armor, and in the town square, the main market sells the fresh catch of the day. Around you, the locals carry on with their daily routines; sitting at cafe's, eating fish, drinking wine, while smiling and laughing amongst the crowd. Although there is beauty at every corner, the main attraction is the crystal blue waters where the boats and ships bob and creak, tugging to the moorings along the docks. You stare off into the distance and watch the waves, bewitched, and utterly in love by The Narrow Sea that rolls along the coast.

Established: 145 DK

Patron God: Iher, the God of the Sea

[vennadore]

Whitecastle

One step onto the sacred grounds of Whitecastle and you perception of sight changes in an instant. Nobody knows why this is, but some say the city is magic, some say the ancient city was placed above a ethereal crypt. There's never been a real answer. However, wherever you should wander, you carry a sense of peace along with you. Somehow, you knew coming to Whitecastle was the right choice. With many cathedrals to choose from, you opt for the large marble temple in which your god or goddess of choice is being worshiped. Once inside you find yourself in a place where life seems fuller. You have no worries other than your own, no rules other than the ones you preside, no pain other than the grief you place on your own shoulders. This holy land makes you wonder things beyond your comprehension, but it doesn't bother you, in fact, you'll find upon your departure you had a better understanding of things from when you first arrived.

Established: 175 DK

[vennadore]

Vlencya

The city of eternal daylight, where night doesn't touch the people, where the darkness cannot find its way into this safe haven. Vlencya is a home to all, serving as Aedadin's second-largest city after Polis, so much so that the Elders decided to enchant the city to remain in daylight forever, to prevent the land's dark creatures from crossing the city's borders. The blue sky shines from above, where the birds fly in formation and the sun shines through the soft clouds. With every new citizen of the city, Vlencya continues to expand, extending even over the river, where a massive bridge expands over the waters to the other half of Vlencya on the other side. Greenery is abundant within the city boundary, with grass, trees and flowers growing so thickly, especially along the riverside and over every bridge and archway. The river itself drops off a ledge in the midst of the city, creating an ever-flowing waterfall; it is a delicate sight to see before the towers and floating island of Moiria Falls.

The eastern section of the split city is where merchants and artisans sell their works to the people of Vlencya, the commonfolk bartering for a lower price. In the centre of eastern Vlencya, there is a grand clock tower which chimes every hour on the hour to help its citizens to determine whether it was day or night in other parts of Vennadore. While this city was enchanted to stay alight throughout the day, many believe this charm was a curse to the people. Many lose their sense of time and are up at odd times due to the constant daylight that shines through the windows of shops and dwellings found in the western section.

Western Vlencya is reserved for homes and temples, where the people retire after a day at the shops. Another grand clock is found at the centre of western Vlencya to serve the same purpose as its sister in eastern Vlencya. Towering over both sections are massive temples not far from the clock towers are temples dedicated to two gods; Tita, the Goddess of the Sun found in the eastern section of Vlencya, and her sister Elarae, the Goddess of the Moon found in the western section of Vlencya. The bridge that connects the two sections represents the sisterhood that the Goddesses share in the Elypherity religion.

Established: 77 DK

Patron Goddesses: Tita, the Goddess of the Sun and Elarae, the Goddess of the Moon

[vennadore]

Boreas

Formed along the edge of a cliff, the town of Boreas is home to those who prefer the cold weather. This town wasn't built by the cliff by accident, as it has a dark history which is of great importance to the people of Boreas and its success. Massive sized ice walls surround the village along the edge of the cliff, its brilliance gleaming white that can be seen for miles as one walks, approaching the town. After trudging through a few feet of snow and mud, the township comes into view.

The township itself looks quite beautiful indeed, you somehow stumbling into an icy wonderland of sorts. Crystal icicles wink at you from the eaves of the buildings and huts nearby. The huts are moderately sized and scattered about the icy grounds, smoke rolling from most to keep them heated. Slate tile rooftops and ironwood walls make up most of the huts, a few shops built from the same materials strung about the village. Villagers are chatting, their words emerging in frosty fog as the frigid temperatures seem to not bother them.

East of the settlement, many frozen ponds are visible. A few of the ponds are designated just for ice fishing, small little wooden huts placed about on the ice for anyone who was willing to try their luck. The remaining frozen ponds offer other activities such as ice skating and simply sitting on the nearby benches and staring at the frozen ice sheet in awe. All and all, Boreas has something amazing to offer that the rest of the realm doesn't, so why not explore and figure out what that is?

[vennadore]

Ussilion

The city of concubines. Where sin runs in the cobblestone streets and the place where man looses his inhibitions. Taverns at almost every street corner with a brothel right next to each and every one of them. May man or woman lie with whomever and not be judged by their peers and merriment fill the nighttime sky. The smell of piss and ale fill your nostrils as you tread through this god-less city, looking for what tickles your fancy. Emptied barrels and crates litter the sides of the cobblestone streets, making it hazardous for even those who are sober to walk through the city without accumulating a bump or a scrape. While the city isn't heavily populated with its own citizens this city is where the rest of the realm escapes the stresses of their lives to enjoy a night in the town.

Established: 91 DK

Patron Goddess: Vatra, the Goddess of Chaos and Discord

[vennadore]

Valdeis

Follow the main road north beside the river's west bank, through the lower city along the path which slopes upward as the merriment and chaos of town is left behind. Enter Valdeis through the defensive wall circling the entire region and marking the transition into the Aitanaes' proclaimed capital, although the declaration holds little validity or practicality among the people. Valdeis Passage becomes Lower Valdeis after passing through the first set of watched gates and climbs past the wealthy district inhabited by rich merchants, Nobility, and aristocrats with their town villas and larger farming estates due west into Upper Valdeis. Onward to discover the Temple of the Gods, its magnificence reveals countless different places of worship pertaining to the deities, patrolled by armoured guards ensuring the safety of their sacred grounds. Women stand watch over the Goddess Ilmera wielding great labrys with sharp blades, men before her son, Tyneyr bearing long swords with equally keen edges. Priests in flowing robes with coloured cords of identification oversee the proceedings, and studious Initiates divide time between following and receiving instruction with armfuls of books and keen ears, and classes in seminary. Citizens from many backgrounds flock for prayers to their chosen, and askings for blessing, forgiveness or curse.

Journey further north-west and in the distance two tall towers rise, standing side-by-side marking the peak Valdeis. Nepe the spiral of learning, Salk that of secrets, identical in design except the doors of the former remain open and welcoming while the latter is shut at all times. The staircases within the pair are climbed by none other than noble-blooded practitioners of magics and their Allure. Beneath the shade of a large oak, a cluster of new students are gathered with a pile of twigs apiece. Watch as they concentrate one by one, attempting to reach the ball of energy within them and channel it along the arm and from the fingertips. Hoping for a puff of smoke or a spark marking the beginning of their route to success. A shout of glee shatters the absorption of all others as flames consume one pupil's rough pyramid and so, the next generation takes their first steps to greatness. Wander away from the celebration and back toward the river, crossing to the right bank and continuing along the winding road as it weaves upward and onward where an enormous palace looms like a stone fairy-tale, both pointed and crenellated turrets reaching high toward the Divine Realms. Grim-faced royal guards with keen gazes patrol the towering walls and overlook the magnificently detailed gates set firmly into the stone. Through the gilded iron and Aurum design, an expanse of manicured gardens is glimpsed surrounding a front courtyard at whose centre an elaborate fountain bubbles cheerfully. Stained glass windows winking in the light from their hidden niches among the artistically panelled glass.

[vennadore]

Haela

Hidden near the northern shore of Aitanaes rots a long forgotten settlement known as Haela. Ramshackle wooden buildings threaten to collapse upon their inhabitants- those few who stubbornly cling to the life into which they were born. The residents are a hardy people, generally middle-aged and only concerned with living day to day. Each dilapidated home is accompanied by a small garden meant to feed the family that maintains it. Children are rare as the younger generation often sets out for bigger cities and better living conditions. Newcomers are even more rare, leaving those that stay with few prospects of marriage. Despite these troubles and the growing signs that the village will eventually die out, the community bands together to continue Haela's existence for as long as possible. Wildlife is plentiful in the sparse forests and open tundra that surrounds the village. For those able to make the short trek to the coast, fishing yields a bounty of food as well.

On the rare occasions that a trader stumbles upon the small settlement, they are blessed to find hand-crafted items of a high quality. Honest dealers gladly pay a fair price for beautifully woven blankets, watertight baskets, and a myriad of other crafted goods. More commonly, however, the traveling merchants take advantage of the secluded village's lack of knowledge to scam them to gain the most profit. Regardless of their motives, these traders bring Haela's skills to the world without giving credit, meaning that Haela's crafts are beloved by many wealthy people, but the village remains a forgotten remnant of the past.