Cities

Elf Cities

Name: Elesseas
Inhabitants: Pren elves
Location: Eastern Linosea Forest
Appearance: Almost invisible to travelers, Elesseas was built in the canopies of the larger trees in the east. Connected by rope bridges and wooden walkways, the city has very few access points to the ground. The homes were all sung from trees, and one tree could provide homes to many families. The largest tree, at the center, acts at the city hall for the elves, including the library and the storage area for food.
Culture: Those here believe in community. Life is centered around the large tree at the center. Prayers and offerings are given at the tree or in the direction of the tree. The tree must be taken care of. It is said if it starts to die, the world will come to an end.

Name: Sirithell
Inhabitants: Visek elves, including the King and Queen and most of the royal family
Location: Southern shore of Odslig Lake
Appearance: The greatest accomplishment of the Visek elves, Sirithell is the capital of their kingdom and the greatest center of their population. Built within a massive ring of towers, the city has used up every bit of available space in an organized sprawl. Hundreds of houses form the outer ring of structures, interspersed with gardens and shops. The middle ring of structures have cathedrals, large markets, and larger homes, while the inner ring is a massive, gleaming citadel. This citadel contains libraries, academies, military barracks and the Royal palace. A single large beam of light stretches into the sky from the heart of the citadel. Large Ballista are set on the walls of the citadel and the towers, always standing ready in the defense of the city.
Culture: Unlike Santyn, Sirithell prefers to keep to themselves, though in public prefer to show themselves off. The closer to the royal family, the more military personnel are present. However, trade is plentiful within the city.

Name: Nyeaar
Inhabitants: Nixie
Location: Odslig Lake
Appearance: Nyeaar is a very lush green city, with the buildings being woven out of the lakeweed and reeds at the bottom of the lake. Not a very large city by any means, most of Nyeaar’s building are houses. Most of the buildings are hidden by long reeds, and many outsiders don’t even know it’s there.
Culture: The people of Nyeaar are very relaxed. Their lives are simple, as not a lot of trouble comes to their part of Katakarthia. Most of their business is done outside of Odslig Lake, and is the primary reason why Nyeear consists mostly of houses. The nixies of Nyeaar travel to the nearby elven cities to trade. Their primary exports are cultivated freshwater pearls, jewelry, woven baskets and textiles, and fish..

Name: Santyn
Inhabitants: Visek elves
Location: In the plains between the Northern Siriene Mountains and the Linosea Forest
Appearance: Built around dozens of spires, the city is a gleaming gem in the plains. Massive walls and a moat of sparkling water protect it from attack, and gardens are everywhere inside the walls. Each spire sends out a pillar of light into the sky, though the purpose of the lights vary. Trade caravans travel to the city, as it is the gateway to the Elven realms. Almost every structure is made of white marble, and at the city’s heart stands the great elven College, where all may come to study the secrets of magic.
Culture: It is said the strongest Visek elves originate from here. The elves here focus on magic over strength to mirror the magic used in the city. Santyn is welcoming to other types of elves and even a few other species who wish to study magic.

Name: Ancestra Village
Inhabitants: Faeries
Location: South of Linosea Forest
Appearance: Ancestra Village is small, though this is due to the minute size of the fairies who live there. The village itself is protected by a magical cyan colored barrier that is strengthened by the Giving Tree, and is only accessible through fairy bloodline. Series of mushrooms, stumps, and hollow trees surround the interior of the dome in which in these structures the fairies call home.

On the surface, their lands are grasslands from Linosea Forest, with mossy rocks scattered about. At the center of this enchanting fortress is the Giving Tree, a tree so mighty it puts the rest to shame. Glistening, glowing orbs hanging from its branches. Some say that it's the remains of past fairies who lived a peaceful life, and were granted eternal slumber with the Giving Tree.

At the upper area of the trees is where the guardians and their leader, the Queen, keep watch over the village. Vine bridges connect the trees to one another, though they see little use. A nearby creek serves as the city’s main source of water.
Culture: The fairies of Ancestra Village are peaceful and relaxed. With the Guardians to protect them, the villagers lead carefree lives. The fairies that are civilians spend most of their time farming or crafting. Their needs are few, and what needs they do have are easily met. The quiet life of their village livens up once a year, when the entire village throws a grand festival to honor their goddesses.

Name: Londe
Inhabitants: Tume elves
Location: Southern Siriene Mountains, near the sea
Appearance: Built as a port city for the Tume elves to trade with the rest of the world, Londe is designed to look more inviting than typical Tume architecture. Most of the buildings are made out of wood or light marble, and the port itself only appears Tume because of the number of elves present. Large walls surround the city, and the docks stretch out to sea, making room for the large ships the elves need to supply their kingdom.
The actual city proper is divided from the merchants and docks by a large black wall. Gargoyle statues, and actual gargoyles, dot the wall, keeping uninvited guests out of the true city. The true city is as dark as Kidwe, with large stone structures built into the valley. Tunnels carved into the walls lead to the fortress at the city’s heart, and connect to the rest of the massive network the Tume elves call home.
Culture: The elves here are more resourceful when it comes to planning and designing. The Tume elves look to the weather as a sign of the gods pertaining to the sea. To be trapped at sea near Londe is believed that the elf or crew has committed a crime and the Gods are punishing them. Those who survive are advised to make an offering to the Gods for the pity on their life.

Name: Kidwe
Inhabitants: Tume elves, including the Royal family
Location: Under the northern Siriene mountains
Appearance: A sprawling city built in a massive cavern under the mountains, Kidwe is the home and Capitol of the Tume elves. Built around a central spire, the city sprawls outwards. Massive support columns keep the cavern stable, even as the elves widen it to fit more people. Several smaller spires have grown around the Royal spire, including the warmage academy and the military barracks. Light is provided by glowing gems and mosses in the cavern ceiling.
Culture: The elves close to the Capitol believe they are superior to those around them even amongst other nobles. Many are comprised of nobility with servants around. Those further away live in peace amongst each other. The further away, the more humble they are and more willing to help one another.

Name: Pezcaville Village
Inhabitants: Freshwater Merfolk, Nixie, Nox
Location: Along the Kiriel River
Appearance: Something about this village gives off the impression that it’s deliberately a bad place to live. The worn-down, dilapidated state of the few settlements within the river banks seems to be a warning to others. You have to be tough to establish a home right next to a war-zone, after all. There is no visible life except dams and lodges built out of mud, but there are complex underwater systems build into the floor and banks of the river.
Culture: Many of the Mermaids have learned to live alongside the various wolf dens that neighbor their village. Because of this, they’ve learned to communicate with wolves, albeit not fluently. They take an aggressively neutral stance on the nearby Angel-Demon War, meaning that if anyone comes to the village for assistance, they will violently decline. There are rumors that after an Angel or Demon has been killed in their village, they will eat the remains, as no bodies have ever been discovered.

Demon Cities

Name: Conquest Fortress
Inhabitants: Conquest demons
Location: Northeastern part of the northern Katakarthia peninsula, hidden between hills.
Appearance: The castle is built deeply into the earth, with towers that rise only just above the treetops, and are thickly overgrown with ivy and other vegetation. Inside the main walls, however, the antechamber presents a long, winding hallway that spirals down, gathering heat as it does so. Natural hot springs are transformed into bathing rooms; veins of molten rock, carefully captured in translucent stone, form elegant artwork in the obsidian walls, depicting ancient visions of the gods and doubling as a source of dim light. The deeper one goes in the fortress, the hotter it gets, and the worst prisons in the Conquest stronghold are not only well lit but warm to the point of suffocation.
Culture: Left for leader to finish

Name: War Fortress
Inhabitants: War demons
Location: South of the Ifaistelo Volcano in the northern Katakarthia peninsula
Appearance: Unlike its brethren, which tend toward subtlety, the stronghold of the War demons stands boldly out from its surroundings; three walls ring the inner keep, each comprised of bright red stone and progressively higher than the one outside. Five tall towers tipped with obsidian spears rise from within the walls; the tallest, and thickest, burns with a constant flame in mimicry of the volcano blazing to the north. All of the walls are fitted with arrow slits, and each archway into the keep is guarded with a portcullis of sharpened spikes, in addition to murder holes set above the squat entrances.
Culture: Of all the demonic regions, the inhabitants of War are the most militaristic, and their formations and highly trained warriors make them formidable foes. Demons of War are taught from a young age to pursue honor in all things, but especially battle. Spilling unworthy blood is dishonorable, as is being wounded by an opponent you don't finish off. Their culture is entirely based around their soldiers, with all crafts being directed towards the army, and non-military pursuits are few and far between.

Name: Death Fortress
Inhabitants: Death demons
Location: In the Immortal Wood in the northern Katakarthia peninsula.
Appearance: The entrance to Death is among the most well-hidden of all of the demon keeps; a series of half-buried skeletons, worked into the forest itself, lead to the top of a cliff that oversees a beach and the ocean beyond. There lies the complete skeleton of a dragon, coiled up in eternal peace. Between its jaws is a dark tunnel that plunges into the heart of the cliff itself.
Though also underground, Death's keep holds none of the oppressive heat of Conquest. Instead, the tunnel slowly widens into a grand hall; its walls remain earthen, with bone-white roots peeking through, but the space of the hollowed-out cliff is dry and filled with comfortable chambers furnished richly in rare cloths, wood, and treasures. No doors in this fortress - funeral veils, white and translucent, mark the thresholds of living spaces. Will-o-wisps are captured in glass lamps and placed in intervals throughout the keep, illuminating it in an ethereal, flickering light. It is cool inside and temperate, though those rooms closest to the cliff face can hear the thunder of the ocean during storms. Elsewhere, it is as quiet as the grave.
Culture: Left for Sav to finish

Name: Famine Fortress
Inhabitants: Famine demons
Location: In the center of the northern Katakarthia peninsula.
Appearance: The Famine fortress appears to be a jewel born from an oasis. A magnificent castle, several times the size of the other fortresses, with towers stretching high into the air. Wide courtyards filled with water feed beautiful plants. The interior is covered in gold and beautiful carvings adorn the walls. Many decorative columns add to the image of wealth and beauty. The fortress rivals any castle anywhere in the world, since it was designed as a testament to the greatness of the Famine kingdom.
Culture: For a people with very little demons of famine are very excessive, consuming resources they simply don't have. Left for creation by King player

Angel Cities

Name: Light Fortress
Inhabitants: Light angels
Location: Southern part of the northern Katakarthia peninsula, on the northern bank of the Elliriana River
Appearance: Carved from a bright marble, this massive citadel stands vigil over the entire region. Great spires stretch into the sky, and sturdy walls keep out all trespassers. The forest slips into the city, covering walls and filling the streets with glowing plants. A stream of sap runs from the Liushani Tree to the heart of the Fortress, feeding a sapling grown from a cut of the great Tree itself. Along this stream, plants and animals gather and drink, gaining the bioluminescence the forest is known for from the sap.
Culture: The people of Light are entirely based around their service to the light. Service to the royals and to the light itself are ingrained into all angels from a young age, to the point where disobeying the orders of the king or queen is almost unthinkable. Many angels are taught to spend their free time in reflection, studying and caring for the many light plants that spread from the Forest of igh. The greatest honor is to be appointed to the guardians of the great Liushani Tree, which is seen as a physical embodiment of light itself.

Name: Plenty Fortress
Inhabitants: Plenty angels
Location: The southwestern part of the northern Katakarthia peninsula, surrounded by fertile fields.
Appearance: The plenty fortress is a massive castle, overlooking all the fields and collecting the crops from each. The main building is a massive domed structure, many stories tall, with a ring of six towers surrounding it. The towers are easily an additional half on top of the dome, and provide a good vantagepoint to see all the way to the desert. The halls are elaborately decorated, but not to the point of opulence. Below the main level is the Vault of Plenty, which is a large enough storeroom to feed the entire world for a year, and enchanted so the food inside never spoils. Outside, a ring of smaller structures and homes has grown up around the main castle, supporting the many angels who work the fields.
Culture: Open for creation by King player

Name: Liberty Fortress
Inhabitants: Liberty angels
Location: Northeastern part of the northern Katakarthia peninsula, hidden between hills.
Appearance: The Liberty fortress is a massive castle, overlooking the region by a unique method: one day, the entire castle and the surrounding area suddenly lifted into the air, completely becoming clear of the ground. Massive chains keep the fortress from drifting away, and small rope bridges and lifts allow people from the ground to come up to the castle. The castle itself is a large collection of fortified buildings clustered on a large hill. At the center and top sits the Royal keep. Near the outskirts of the towns are clusters of balista, just in case something capable of flying decides to cause trouble.
Culture: Open for creation by King player

Name: Life Fortress
Inhabitants: Life angels
Location: The southeastern part of the northern Katakarthia peninsula, near the coast.
Appearance: The Life fortress is a massive castle in the hills. Being near the river, it sits next to a large waterfall that fills a small lake around the castle's base. Bridges connect the castle to the outlying areas, including the temples. Aqueducts bring water up and down the castle, aiding in the growth of plants that seem to have overtaken the area, though not covering the buildings themselves. The base of the Royal palace itself, at the top of the hill, features a small waterfall as well. This moves down the city through channels and aqueducts, creating dozens of waterfalls that feed the lake. The buildings are constructed from marble, and favor carefully crafted columns and curving, gentle roofs. In the royal palace, a courtyard sits filled with a reflecting pool. In the center of the pool is a large chalice, made of pure gold, from which pours the water of life. A small channel off the pool leads this water to the waterfall, and from there through the entire city.
Culture: Open for creation by King player

Wolf Territories

Name: Enkratis Den
Inhabitants: The Enkratis Wolves
Location: The western edge of the Enkratis Packlands, nestled between a tributary river
Appearance: The dens are a system of burrows and caves within the island that houses the dens. Filled with chambers full of bedding made of leaves and grasses, the dens are a very comfortable place. Their underground warmth is a comfort to those who live there, and deeper within are the whelping chambers, where mothers can raise their pups in privacy.
Culture: The Enkratis pack s a close knit group. They spend a lot of time together socializing and grooming at the end of the day. While generally peaceful, they will organize and attack if necessary.

Name: Chortari Den
Inhabitants: The Chortari Wolves
Location: Northwest of the training grounds, bordering the scrub lands
Appearance: The den in housed in a large stone outcropping, and serves as more of a meeting place than an actual den. There are several levels within, allowing for a good view of the center floor where the alpha speaks when the pack is called together.
Culture: The Chortari are often distant loners, only coming together when called. It's survival of the fittest, and betrayal and political games are all too common. It's advised not to trust anyone, even your friends.

Landmarks

Name: Linosea Forest
Location: All of southeastern Katakarthia
Appearance: Linosea Forest is an enormous expanse of woodland that covers much of Katakarthia. This forest is home to elves and elementals, as well as many different species of animals. The thick trees provide a covering against the harshest weather, and much of the forest is continually in the shade of the canopy, so that direct sunlight is rarely seen. Streams flow through the forest from underground springs, keeping the plants green and well-nourished even in the blazing summer weather.

Name: Siriene Mountains
Location: Central range in Southern Katakarthia
Appearance: The southernmost peaks of the Siriene mountains are lush and green, with plenty of plant and wildlife. However, as the mountains stretch north, the landscape becomes more barren and rocky and the plants disappear. In the northern peaks, the only sign of plant life is by the shores of Odslig Lake.

Name: Odslig Lake
Location: Nestled within the northern Siriene mountains
Appearance: Odslig Lake is a pure, clear lake filled with fish and aquatic life. Wild animals frequent this area as well, for this is one of the few sources of pure water for miles around throughout the mountains. Many Dorcha elf tribes remain near the lake throughout the year as well, for this lake does not dry up in the summer and provides fresh water to all.

Name: Malina's Shrine
Location: Deep within the Linosea Forest
Appearance: The shrine is housed within a massive, ancient tree, one of the largest in the forest. The bark is overgrown with moss and tiny flowers that seem to glow in the dim light of the forest. Butterflies constantly flutter around the tree, and fae lights guide visitors to the shrine's entrance.

The interior of the tree is hollow, with a spiral staircase along the outer edges leading up high into the tree's canopy and branches. The branches hold the rooms of the shrine's caretakers, and look out over the entire forest. The alter is seated at the very top of the tree, which blooms with beautiful pink and white flowers. A curtain of vines surrounds the alter, which is a stature of the goddess with her hands outstretched.

Name: Plythio's Shrine
Location: Katakarthia's southern peninsula
Appearance: Plythio's shrine is reminiscent of a castle, built of beautiful silver stone accented with tapestries in rich shades of crimson and purples. The alter is seated within the castle's main hall, and rests upon a throne of gold. The adjoining rooms are where the offerings are kept and held, as well as where guests are allowed to stay and rest after a lengthy pilgrimage to the shrine.

Name: Cysnial's Shrine
Location: Western Chortari peninsula
Appearance: Cysntal's Shrine is more luxious then that of the other wolf god. It isn't exposed, but instead enclosed with many treasures offered to the goddess in hopes of earning her favor and fortune. The walls have white gold etched into them, and they seem to glow either golden or slightly red depending on how the goddess is said to be feeling.

Some people come here to try to see all the treasures left here, and those who attempt to steal are met with misfortune and untimely ends. This is one of the more eye pleasing shrines, as this goddess is known for being materialistic.

Name: Chortari Training Grounds
Location: Southwest Katakathia
Appearance: Dry scrub land is the hallmark characteristic of the Chortari training grounds. The land here is as tough and rugged as the Chortari themselves, and makes for an excellent proving ground.

Name: Kiriel River
Location: West of the Siriene Mountains
Appearance: The Kiriene River is fed by Sadmadhi Lake and runs south into Chortari territory. This is Katakarthia's only major river, and supports a wide variety of life.

Name: Sadmadhi Lake
Location: Central Katakarthia
Appearance: The largest body of fresh water in Katakarthia, Sadmadhi Lake is spring fed from and underground source. To the south is becomes the Kiriel River, and to the west it becomes a smaller unnamed tributary, which is home to the Enkratis Pack.

Name: Saithithe Marsh
Location: East of Sadmadhi Lake
Appearance: The Saithithe Marsh is an expanse of wetlands rich in fish, frogs, and other wildlife. It makes an excellent hunting ground, even if the terrain is soggy and, at times, unpleasant.

Name: Feaya's Shrine
Location: The western shores of Sadmadhi Lake
Appearance: The Shrine of Feaya is at the edge of Sadmadhi Lake, which feeds the two rivers where it is believed the first wolves came from. Here the shrine rests in peace, and the lapping water of the shore surrounds an offering table, where wolves travel all over to bring the goddess things in hopes to gain her favor.

The shrine itself is open, with crude walls that expose it to the natural weather of the area. The alter room is exposed entirely, with the alter resting back at the lake's edge.

Name: Enkratis Training Grounds
Location: North of Sadmadhi Lake
Appearance: These grasslands border the angel territories of Liberty and Life, and serve as the training grounds for the Enkratis pack. The land is lush and breezy, and the open expanse makes a good place for Enkratis pups to learn how to hunt without being seen.

Name: Haliea's Shrine
Location: Southeastern Life territory
Appearance: Haliea's shrine takes the form of a beautiful and ornate observatory. The shrine itself is round, and built out of gleaming white stone that glows under both sun and moonlight. The floors of the shrine are a dark blue stone, polished to a mirror shine, and glitters with flecks of silver and gold. The walls are decorated with a sun, moon, and star motif--something that is featured heavily through the shrine's many rooms. The most impressive feature of the shrine is its domed glass ceiling, where one can view the celestial bodies at night.

The altar is held in the center of the observatory, and is set under a spinning golden model of the celestial bodies. Studded with gems, the model is designed to shine brightest when the sun and moon are at their peak in the sky.

Name: The Warring Wastes
Location: Between Angel and Demon territories
Appearance: A once lush prairie, The Warring Wastes has been reduced to desert scrub under the constant skirmishes between angels and demons. The land itself is soaked in old blood and ill-will, essentially cursing the land so nothing will ever grow here again.

Name: Ifaisteio Volcano
Location: Northwest Katakarthia
Appearance: The Ifaisteio Volcano is usually belching out thick clouds of smoke and gas into the skies above the demon lands. While the occasional eruptions make the lands fertile--for some of the demon kingdoms--the volcano adds an air of doom and gloom as a whole. Major eruptions are few and far between, and the demons have generally stopped caring about the volcano's potential threat.

Name: Nyamene Island
Location: Northeast Katakarthia
Appearance: Home to Vaerath's shrine, Nyamene Island serves as neutral ground among the Demon kingdoms. Meetings are held here between the Lords on occasion, as blood is not to be spilled within the shrine's hallowed halls. Supposedly. The island is also home to the shrine's worshipers and caretakers, who live a rather modest existence farming and fishing on the island, importing the rest of what they need from the mainland.

Name: Vaerath's Shrine
Location: Nyamene Island
Appearance: Vaerath's Shrine is found on an island off the main coast, and serves as neutral ground for both demons and angels. Even though many angels do not come here, it is not forbidden. The island itself has little normal source of food and most is important from the mainland.

The shrine's entrance are black doors in the side of the volcano, with golden etches marking the home of the god. It stands at an impressive height, and is tall enough to let a giant dragon in with no effort. The smoke coming off the volcano makes the air smell of fire, but the shrine itself is cool. The passage was are wide and lead down to and underground chamber, where the shrine itself is housed. The walls are lined with torches that cast light, and shadows are cast in stark contrast. The light is just bright enough to show the eternal battle between light and darkness.