Sunday, June 7, 2015
Sunday, May 10, 2015
Sunday, April 12, 2015
Wednesday, March 11, 2015
Monday, March 9, 2015
Tuesday, February 17, 2015
Welcome to Khorum!
Our adventure begins in Khorum, one of the Zanscare Empire's most diverse cities. Although it belongs to humankind's most prominent empire, it is located far from the capital on the very fringe of the Empire's territory. In truth, nothing short of a hostile invasion is likely to elicit more than token aid from the Empire, and Khorum has become moderately self-governing. It is run by a democratically-elected mayor, and protected by a militarized police force referred to as "the Militia." Crime rates, especially those of violent crimes, are fairly low, and the occasional raids by outside forces are swiftly and efficiently defeated with minimal loss of life and property damage. However, the Militia has no authority outside of Khorum, and will not police further than the handful of farms on Khorum's western outskirts.
One of Khorum's most interesting features is that the bulk of the city exists on a land bridge dividing the Madilim and Deora Seas. There are ports at both the north and south ends of the city. Between the seaports and it's location as the last Imperial city on the only land route to the East, Khorum is a major center of trade. In fact, Khorum's economy is based mostly on importing goods from outside the Empire and exporting goods from other parts of the empire, with tourism a contributing factor. Khorum doesn't produce much on its own, and what is produced locally is usually used locally.
Between traveling merchants and its frontier location, the population of Khorum is more tolerant and more diverse than many other Imperial cities. Humans, halflings, elves, dwarves, gnomes, and even dragonborn, orcs, and goblins can be found within the city. Some are simply passing through, others are looking for a place to make a living, honest or not, in a land where their deeds mean more than their heritage.
The land to the west of Khorum is some farmland that gives way to mostly grassy plains dotted with small forests. It is warm to hot and dry in the summer, cool and rainy in the winter. To the east, the grassland gives way to desert.
The city of Khorum itself has an unusual mix of climates due to it's location between seas, grassland, and desert. It is very humid, leading to fog most mornings. Summers are hot, with temperatures usually in the upper 70s and 80s, although temperatures over 100 can occur. Precipitation isn't common during the summer months. Spring and fall are more mild and occasionally rainy. In the winter, temperatures are usually just above freezing and it's very rainy. Dips below freezing are fairly common, especially after sunset, and the rain can turn to heavy snow.
Citizens of Khorum tend to be moderately educated. Public education is provided that teaches history, reading, writing, and basic mathematics and sciences. The wealthy may also employ private tutors or send children to a university.
One of Khorum's most interesting features is that the bulk of the city exists on a land bridge dividing the Madilim and Deora Seas. There are ports at both the north and south ends of the city. Between the seaports and it's location as the last Imperial city on the only land route to the East, Khorum is a major center of trade. In fact, Khorum's economy is based mostly on importing goods from outside the Empire and exporting goods from other parts of the empire, with tourism a contributing factor. Khorum doesn't produce much on its own, and what is produced locally is usually used locally.
Between traveling merchants and its frontier location, the population of Khorum is more tolerant and more diverse than many other Imperial cities. Humans, halflings, elves, dwarves, gnomes, and even dragonborn, orcs, and goblins can be found within the city. Some are simply passing through, others are looking for a place to make a living, honest or not, in a land where their deeds mean more than their heritage.
The land to the west of Khorum is some farmland that gives way to mostly grassy plains dotted with small forests. It is warm to hot and dry in the summer, cool and rainy in the winter. To the east, the grassland gives way to desert.
The city of Khorum itself has an unusual mix of climates due to it's location between seas, grassland, and desert. It is very humid, leading to fog most mornings. Summers are hot, with temperatures usually in the upper 70s and 80s, although temperatures over 100 can occur. Precipitation isn't common during the summer months. Spring and fall are more mild and occasionally rainy. In the winter, temperatures are usually just above freezing and it's very rainy. Dips below freezing are fairly common, especially after sunset, and the rain can turn to heavy snow.
Citizens of Khorum tend to be moderately educated. Public education is provided that teaches history, reading, writing, and basic mathematics and sciences. The wealthy may also employ private tutors or send children to a university.
Monday, February 16, 2015
The World
The campaign begins in the city of Khorum, which you can find on the southwest tip of the Zanscare Empire. More info on Khorum is coming, for now what you need to know is that Khorum is a major city, but one on the very edge of the Empire.
The Zanscare Empire is the main human land, and dominates the continent. It's capital is Politsmos. As large as it is, you can expect a variety in both geography and economic distribution. As halflings have largely integrated into human society, the Zanscare Empire contains both human cities and halfling villages.
To the north and west of the Empire is the Voreios Ocean. Nearby, there are two island nations. The first is Sylvas, the home of the elves. Sylvas and the Empire maintain cordial diplomatic relations and some economic ties, but they aren't fond of each other. The elves remember a time before the Godswar when they were the dominant power on the continent and are concerned about humanity's expansionist tendencies, while the humans of the Empire see the elves as old-fashioned and in the way of progress.
The other, smaller island nation is Minos. Minos is home to the minotaurs. While not officially at war, ships from Minos and the Empire often attack each other, and the Empire regards the minotaurs as pirates and raiders.
To the east of Zanscare is the Madilim Sea. The Madilim Sea is a smaller sea that serves as a border between the Empire and the East.
Existing mostly on a peninsula is Veda, home of the gnomes. Veda actually means "knowledge" in the gnomish tongue, and as a nation is dedicated to scientific pursuits. The gnomes are happy to share their knowledge, resulting in friendly relations with just about everyone.
Also on the eastern border is the Blackwall Mountains. These mountains are tall and exceptionally difficult to travel through. Because of this, they aren't actually claimed by any nation, but scattered tribes of dragonborn are known to live there. The dragonborn mostly keep to themselves, but occasionally members of some clans will trade with neighboring races. It is thought, though, that a clan will only trade with one other race, so clans that trade with Veda don't trade with the Empire, and clans that trade with the Empire don't trade with Veda. Dragonborn are known to trade with other dragonborn clans, though.
On the other side of the Blackwalls is Stal'Zemya, a kingdom ruled by hobgoblins. Little is known about Stal'Zemya, except that the hobgoblins there view the Empire as an enemy. The Blackwalls serve as a natural buffer between Stal'Zemya and the Empire, though, preventing war between them.
South of the Empire is the Deora Sea. This large sea is regarded as the most important seaway in the world, at least by the humans and halflings of the Empire. To the south of the Deora Sea is a large continent known as the Savage Land. The Savage Land has a few human settlements, but is largely unexplored. It is known, however, to be populated largely by orc tribes. And dinosaurs. A small purple area can be seen on the map... this is the northern tip of the Savage Land.
Beneath the Empire is Stennenhal, a large dwarven kingdom. The dwarves of Stennenhal maintain friendly diplomatic relations with the Empire, and the two kingdoms are important trade partners.
While this is the world of the Zanscare Empire, it's not the entire world. It is know that there are lands beyond Khorum, south of Stal'Zemya. Imperial explorers tell of a vast desert, populated by nomadic humans and halflings, and an enigmatic insectoid race known as thri-kreen. Beyond the desert is said to be another human kingdom, but one very different culturally from the Empire.
There is also land west, beyond the vast Voreios Ocean. It's wild, untamed land, dominated by gnolls, wild elves, and frost giants to the north. Stranger things are said to dwell in the jungles to the south. Few imperial explorers who left to explore the southern continent across the ocean have returned, and those that have returned had gone mad from their experiences.
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