The locale of our setting begins within Whetstone, in The Suragal Empire, east of the Nations of Aurelia, in the year 3323.
Suragal
A varied aristocratic republic that prides itself on its advancements and the greatness of its historic figures. Its motto is “Growth and Learning”. Its capital in the north, Docens, is home to famous academies and political institutions. It has no Imperial religion, though those in the southern provinces are overwhelmingly animists, drawing their power from the planet and forces of nature. Churches to celestial gods are rare. Much of the rest of the Empire draws its power through arcane study and basic science.
Aurelia
Colloquially, the “World of Boons”. Each of the eight Nations of Aurelia tends to turn its ear to a different deity in the Sibling Pantheon, a group of linked gods that seem to coexist and cooperate with one another, each granting the people of their nations different gifts. Each of the nations runs its own government, and there is a conclave of leaders between the nations that meets at least once per season. At war, Aurelian armies fought under the banner of the Aurelian Conclave and those of their individual nation.
War of Shields
These two parties, Suragal and Aurelia, had a thirty-four year war of attrition that ended less than two years ago. Thousands of fighters on both sides of the war were conscripted into their armies. The causes, motivations, and parties involved in the war’s beginning and end are subject to wide dispute and theory, as propagandists on both sides have written their own tales, each claiming moral righteousness and ultimate victory. Travel and trade between the formerly warring parties is now severely restricted. At this point, most soldiers have returned home from war on both sides and are starting new versions of normal life.
The Mosslands
Physically located between the two warring sides, the Mosslands was the primary area of dispute and site of most military conflict in the War. In the peace resolution, the Mosslands were given autonomy to govern themselves, but now pay a modest natural resources tribute to Suragal. The Mosslands are in a period of reconstruction after a generation of violence.
Whetstone
A coastal province in southwestern Suragal. The large province of Full Moon is to the east, the Galleon Ocean to the south. To the west is the Aurelian Nation of Rhinoceros, and its northern border is with the Mosslands. Despite this proximity to the war Whetstone saw very little conflict within its borders. Its cities and towns tend to be named Whetstone as well, its capital being Whetstone Dome, its largest coastal city Port Whetstone, and its travel hub Whetstone Bridge.
Whetstone is a largely untamed land, with varied and extensive forests, beasts, and natural wonders. Practically all forests in Whetstone are haunted, enchanted, or otherwise magical, and there are severe restrictions on logging. These laws are partly enforced by a limited number of local peacekeepers, but are mainly enforced by the forests themselves. The most common occupation in Whetstone by far is farming, and the most common races are human and halfling. (And those who are a racial mix of both. The local slang for these is Snowbirds.)
The Linn River
A winding river that cuts Whetstone in half, running south to the Galleon Ocean bordered on each side by tall greystone cliffs. The Whetstone Bridge crosses the Linn. The Linn also serves as the border between New Moon and the Mosslands.
Whetstone Bridge
A village in central Whetstone. A travelers’ hub with few permanent residents, Whetstone Bridge is famous for its hotel and tavern, the Plum Root, and extensive trade marketplace. The market is a line of carts and temporary shelters that sit atop the giant Whetstone Bridge itself, a remarkable man made structure the village was named for.
Suragal
A varied aristocratic republic that prides itself on its advancements and the greatness of its historic figures. Its motto is “Growth and Learning”. Its capital in the north, Docens, is home to famous academies and political institutions. It has no Imperial religion, though those in the southern provinces are overwhelmingly animists, drawing their power from the planet and forces of nature. Churches to celestial gods are rare. Much of the rest of the Empire draws its power through arcane study and basic science.
Aurelia
Colloquially, the “World of Boons”. Each of the eight Nations of Aurelia tends to turn its ear to a different deity in the Sibling Pantheon, a group of linked gods that seem to coexist and cooperate with one another, each granting the people of their nations different gifts. Each of the nations runs its own government, and there is a conclave of leaders between the nations that meets at least once per season. At war, Aurelian armies fought under the banner of the Aurelian Conclave and those of their individual nation.
War of Shields
These two parties, Suragal and Aurelia, had a thirty-four year war of attrition that ended less than two years ago. Thousands of fighters on both sides of the war were conscripted into their armies. The causes, motivations, and parties involved in the war’s beginning and end are subject to wide dispute and theory, as propagandists on both sides have written their own tales, each claiming moral righteousness and ultimate victory. Travel and trade between the formerly warring parties is now severely restricted. At this point, most soldiers have returned home from war on both sides and are starting new versions of normal life.
The Mosslands
Physically located between the two warring sides, the Mosslands was the primary area of dispute and site of most military conflict in the War. In the peace resolution, the Mosslands were given autonomy to govern themselves, but now pay a modest natural resources tribute to Suragal. The Mosslands are in a period of reconstruction after a generation of violence.
Whetstone
A coastal province in southwestern Suragal. The large province of Full Moon is to the east, the Galleon Ocean to the south. To the west is the Aurelian Nation of Rhinoceros, and its northern border is with the Mosslands. Despite this proximity to the war Whetstone saw very little conflict within its borders. Its cities and towns tend to be named Whetstone as well, its capital being Whetstone Dome, its largest coastal city Port Whetstone, and its travel hub Whetstone Bridge.
Whetstone is a largely untamed land, with varied and extensive forests, beasts, and natural wonders. Practically all forests in Whetstone are haunted, enchanted, or otherwise magical, and there are severe restrictions on logging. These laws are partly enforced by a limited number of local peacekeepers, but are mainly enforced by the forests themselves. The most common occupation in Whetstone by far is farming, and the most common races are human and halfling. (And those who are a racial mix of both. The local slang for these is Snowbirds.)
The Linn River
A winding river that cuts Whetstone in half, running south to the Galleon Ocean bordered on each side by tall greystone cliffs. The Whetstone Bridge crosses the Linn. The Linn also serves as the border between New Moon and the Mosslands.
Whetstone Bridge
A village in central Whetstone. A travelers’ hub with few permanent residents, Whetstone Bridge is famous for its hotel and tavern, the Plum Root, and extensive trade marketplace. The market is a line of carts and temporary shelters that sit atop the giant Whetstone Bridge itself, a remarkable man made structure the village was named for.
