07
May
09

The Maps, Landmarks and Main Villages

While I know that I mentioned I would be adding mountains, valleys, rivers and more to these maps, as they are now will have to do until my confidence with the program I use grows. I am rather fond of how they look at current as is and see no reason to really modify them.

Now, under this cut we will be discussing the four realms and its center island where all seasons live. All maps can be clicked to be seen full size, images will load in a new window/tab depending on your browser of choice and your personal preferences. Every realm has at least a landmark linked to the other realms along with two landmarks that are all its own.

Also, in this post was merged with the landmarks post and the Main Villages post. Remains the Population post and coming eventually a post about the Dress Code as well as a post with a bit more information on the continents themselves, what the landmasses are covered with as well as the main-climate, animals and more.

The four realms are as follow:

Lismona – the Spring Realm
Diamae – the Summer Realm
Taleous – the Autumn Realm
Fyrmien – the Winter Realm
and the ‘fifth’ realm, the lone island where all seasons come: Quade Island

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Lismona – the Spring Realm
(pronounced Lee-smo-nah)
Lismona - Spring

Lorna, Balim and Armosa are Lismona’s three main continents, Nasir, Tolia and Saloria are its three smaller continents. While Saloria could be considered as a split continent, its inhabitants consider it a one-piece for the island bridges connected the two main parts of the land. Armosa has an archipelago named Bamos.

Here are Lismona’s main landmarks and its biggest, main village:

Ilsidia Village:
This village is known as the main village of Lismona, where most elders of the realm come to live once they are of certain age. Ilsidia has much the same bright demeanor as its people. Spring-borns inhabit this plentiful village, one whose chief products are white silk and fragrances. Ilsidia is located near the northern most point of Balim. As with all villages, a statue-portal exists in the center that leads to the center island, the ‘neutral’ land between all four realms.

Crisata Manor:
The legend of the Crisata manor is one that is ever-changing through the generations of Lismona-borns. Some say that this manor is filled with treasure, others say it is cursed. The manor, after its owner’s death, was made into a house of safety for lost youths–yet none know how they arrived, and none know how to leave. It is placed in the center of a sea of moonflowers which bloom hourly, and none dare to leave for fear of the creatures that lurk beneath the waist-deep beauties. Crisata Manor is actually located on Nasir though nowhere on this continent has one actually been able to find the portal-statue. If it needs to be found, it will be found. There seems to be little else on Nasir, other than the Manor and the moonflower sea.

Alstoria Fields:
The Alstoria Fields, located on the south-east end of Balim, contrary to Crisata Manor, is a place where most come and go as they will. Beauty incarnated, the fields are home to more flowers than one could spend a lifetime counting. Colors and fragrances mix and match in an area that seems to have no end in sight. Some have indeed been lost to the high grass and flowers, much to the dismay of parents that only wanted their child to witness the beauty of life reborn. Flowers bloom and close back upon themselves depending on the hour of the day.

Larise Forest:
The forest of Larise is a unique one, and consists of naught but cherry trees. Located on Tolia and taking up nearly a third of its landmass, it bears a season-portal, joining Lismona and Diamae via the angelic statue placed in its heart. In Lismona, the trees are alive with cherry blossoms that flutter like snow in hues ranging from white to rich pink. Be careful to not get lost in the maze of beautiful, young trees.

Coldamin Park:
Also linked, this one from Lismona to Taleous, the Coldamin Park is in the north-east arm of Balim. Tall, century-old trees line a stone walk-way that circles and cuts through the heart of the park. Full of life and bright peridot foliage, there is little more enjoyable than time spent walking within the park or taking a moment for a picnic with the family.

Fardiun Waterfalls:
The Fardiun Waterfalls are a sight for sore eyes. Located at the edge of Lorna’s over-sized lagoon, the waters flow freely down four sets of waterfall, each bigger than the last until they roar their way into the lagoon and small underwater cave that leads to mysteries untold.

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Diamae – the Summer Realm
(pronounced dee-ah-may)
Diamae - Summer

Diamae has three big continents: Devona, Shaynor and Sandari. Ilsame, while being a large lot of islands, almost an archipelago, is technically also considered a continent by the inhabitants of Diamae.

Here are Diamae’s main landmarks and its biggest, main village:

Omuiae Village:
Due to the warmth of Diamae, the village of Omuiae could be considered an island one, with traits quite similar to those of Earth’s. Due to this, their chief products are fruit and fish, and in the center-village, the people are known for their exotic and warm features. Omuiae is located near Devora’s eyes, its two large lagoons.

Solarae Coast:
Miles of glittering sand form the coast Sandari’s south-most east arm, caressed by dazzling turquoise waters. Inhabitants of Chiera travel even from other Realms to view the coast’s beauty, and rightly so. Come bask in the never-ending rays of the summer sun.

Toldae Hills and Misrae Rapids:
Not all plains and smooth terrain, the Tolda Hills, located in the north area of Devora and just beyond the Bandag mountains, offer the people of its realms a location that can be gotten to easily enough, a beautiful area where couples and family often come for picnics when the sky is clear. In the midst of the hills and mild valleys the Misrae Rapids are a great way to cool down when the sun settles high in the sky. Luscious hills with just enough trees to offer the proper shade and cool-water rapids that, if you’re not careful enough can drag you away and further down the river are part of one of Diamae’s beauties that is a must seen.

Larise Forest:
The forest of Larise is a unique one, and consists of naught but cherry trees. Situated in the north-east arm of Sandari, the blossoms have long since vanished in Diamae, unlike Lismona’s own version, leaving vibrant hues of green leaves in their wake. Be careful to not get lost in the maze of beautiful, young trees.

Phulnest Fishing Area:
Phulnest, while both in Diamae and Taleous, sees far more people in Diamae. The fishing area is used to its full extent when the fishermen are out at ’sea’ instead of simply on the shore. The Fishing Area is located in Shaynar. Beautiful water with fishes that, at times, are bigger than one would ever be able to pull out of the water by themselves, be it for work or pleasure, Phulnest is a place easily enjoyed.

Bandag Mountains:
Bandag, just below the hills and rapids of Devora is a series of mountains sitting in such a way that it creates something of a half-wall, nearly separating the continent in two. The mountains are an easy enough climb for those who know what they’re doing and the sight from the lightly snow-capped mountains, the only snow one will ever find in Diamae, is breath-taking.

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Taleous - the Autumn Realm
(pronounced ta-lay-oos)
Taleous - Autumn

Taleous has five main continents: Borlamos, Ilmar, Pearin, Calsero and Nateos and one smaller continent: Talem. One can notice that Borlamos and Ilmar are linked by what the inhabitants of Taleous call the Lestem Bridge, a series of islands connecting both continents.

Here are Taleous’ main landmarks and its biggest, main village:

Phyrius Village:
The village of Phyrius is one of the more fertile in regards to products. The staple of the Taleous-borns in this realm is that of bread and meat. All manner of breads are baked here, and much of the land is dedicated to farming and raising a multitude of creatures. Laced in golden and auburn hues, it is also known as the Fire Village. It is located in the northern area of Ilmar.

Diarmius Hot Spring:
Something that for generations had almost been forgotten in favor of the hunting grounds, the hot springs are a place not to be missed. Located in Borlamos and hidden by the edge of the mountains, hard workers try to visit when they can to sooth the pain of pulled muscles and strained bodies. Natural springs with heated water, the cool air of the Autumn realm keeps it from being too hot to approach. Though simple and plain looking, not all things have to be beautiful on the outside to be just right on the inside.

Calsseus Hunting Grounds:
Though most of the meat eaten and sold comes from animals bred for the purpose, there always will be the hunters brave enough to face the dangers of the Calsseus Hunting Grounds. Beasts unlike what one would find in the usual wilderness, their flesh is tender and sought after. Expensive for how rare it is, only well-trained hunters can survive the trails of the hunting grounds. Usually going for a week or two at once instead of leaving at dawn and coming back at sunset, the hunters are sent off with a prayer and hope of a swift return. The Hunting Grounds are located in Calsero and take up quite a bit of its landmass.

Coldamin Park:
Situated in Nateos, near the hiking trails, Coldamin park has tall, century-old trees which line a stone walk-way that circles and cuts through the heart of the park. In Taleous, the park is colored with vibrant reds, browns, and oranges. The trees do not seem to lose their leaves as they do in autumn leading to winter, they merely retain their colors though they do seem to shift between their shades so visitors come back again and again.

Phulnest Fishing Area:
Phulnest, located near the south of Ilmar is used by the inhabitants of Taleous mainly for fun since fish is not their main source of produce. Beautiful water with fishes that, at times, are bigger than one would ever be able to pull out of the water by themselves, be it for work or pleasure, Phulnest is a place easily enjoyed.

Tusdemia Hiking Trails:
The Tusdemia Trails, in Nateos by Coldamin Park, seem to have no defined starting or ending point. They weave through the country-sides, in and out of forests, along hills and into valleys. There are small cabins settled along the way where one can often stop and rest for a night or two. The trails have been there for as long as anyone can remember, as if the world had created them instead of those who had discovered the land, ages ago.

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Fyrmien – the Winter Realm
(pronounced feer-me-en)
Fyrmien - Winter

Fyrmien has three main continents: Alpior, Strumöld and Celdona, a smaller continent: Fordam which is linked to Alpior by what the inhabitants call the Pikiens Bridge.

Ellaren Village:
Much like the Ellaren Village itself, details of this most stoic and cool area are shrouded in fine mist. Lost in the miles of snow-laden land, outsiders marvel at their means of living in the harsh climate–but they are capable because of both their bodily adaption, and their chief products: wool and jewelry fashioned of the cleanest quartz and other clear gems. Using this, they can trade for an abundance of supplies in the central island. Ellaren is located in Alpior.

Sadalien Caves:
The population of season-borns that are unfamiliar with the Sadalien Caves, situated in one of Strumold’s south arms, believe it to be drenched in darkness and evil. In truth, when the pale sun illuminates the outer mouth of glassy icicles, the light refracts through every facet of mirroring ice inside to cause this natural structure to glow with a vague bluish hue. There are, however, creatures that live within these caves that deter many tourists. The walls are said to be made of diamonds, as well as ice, and any unlucky enough to lose themselves within…often find the thousands of reflections enough to drive them mad.

Phosdaren Lake:
A frozen body of water set amid an endless stretch of eternally snow-covered acres. Out for a walk in the chilled afternoon, or in search of quiet solitude? Take a seat upon one of the stone benches, or wander through the endless trails, but be sure to dress warmly. The Phosdaren Lake can be found in Celdona.

Fardiun Waterfalls:
The Fardiun Waterfalls are something to behold. The water, utterly frozen, creates a large wall with four over-sized steps, each bigger than the last until they lead into a just as frozen lake and, to those who wish to explore, a small underwater cave that leads to open water. Much the same applies to the Winter Realm except for the point where the falls are frozen solid. For those who enjoy rock climbing, this is a perfect activity so long as you keep in mind the simple facts of security. The falls are found at the top of Alpior’s arm.

Bandag Mountains:
Bandag is a series of mountains sitting in such a way that it creates something of a rather literal wall. Located in the south of Celdona, whatever is beyond that wall seems to be a mystery as the water leading to the southernmost part of Celdona are treacherous and most who have tried to brave them to discover the mysteries have lost their lives. Considering the amount of snow that is forever upon those steep walls, the climb is somewhat difficult but closer to the top there are areas and small caves where precious clear stones can be found and are worth the exercise.

Tusdemia Hiking Trails:
The Tusdemia Trails, in the north of Strumold, seem to have no defined starting or ending point. They weave through the country-sides, in and out of forests, along hills and into valleys. There are small cabins settled along the way where one can often stop and rest for a night or two. The trails have been there for as long as anyone can remember, as if the world had created them instead of those who had discovered the land, ages ago.

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Quade Island

Of all the Realms, the island of Quade serves as a center, one which connects all four. If you look at all of the maps, you will notice that Quade is the same, no matter the realm. What keeps inhabitants of the realm from merely reaching it through the waters, is that the island cannot be seen from any water, nor any land. The only way into the island is through the trans-dimensional statue portals.

The cobble streets are filled with merchant carts where the products from each Realm are traded. It is also ‘neutral’ ground, and no quarrels are permitted between season-borns. A no-man’s-land, if you would. All four seasons come in turn as they would on our planet though they are generally mild so that those who come about are able to handle the season they are not familiar with and not become ill. Summers that are warm and not extremely hot, winters that are cool and know a little snow but no storms.

Every realm can be accessed through trans-dimensional statues situated in select areas. The portals cannot be opened by anyone under eighteen and cannot be walked through by anyone over a month old or under sixteen. It means that should an adult open the portal, they can take their children along so long as they are either under a month old, or sixteen years and older.

Usually, children born in Quade Village will spend their lives in that very village. Most born in Quade are those of mixed blood and they rarely are welcomed in whichever realm their parents were from. Some teenagers, of course, are curious and once old enough, will go through the portals to explore those realms they were never supposed to step into. There are times when they do find love and the only place they are safe to stay, should they want to be together, is the neutral village.

One thing that has to be kept in mind, is that long ago the realms were at war for reasons that have long since then been forgotten. To this day, realm-folks keep to their own realms unless they need to gather supplies that cannot be gotten from their own areas.

As explained above, each realm has one main village and that village has its chief and leader, usually the heir is blood-related and normally the leader’s first born child, be they son or daughter.


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