Pagaia is the “New World” that was recently discovered by the west. This land is technologically primitive comparatively to the west. Not much is known about this land except that the Elven Empire extends throughout these lands. Some of the initial explorations have been futile, meeting with disaster time and time again. Only a half a dozen expeditions have come back without total losses.
These explorations have shown that the continent is massive, easily as large as Athania. The cultures that have yet been discovered have shown to be tribal in nature. The nature of the people is heavily dependent on the geography, as is any culture, and we have broken them down by the regions and the peoples there in.
The first lands (Islands) that are encountered, or at least the first peoples that will undoubtedly be encountered will be the elves. The Northern Golden Elves hail from “The Empire”, or more appropariately The Golden and Righteous Empire of His Magesty the High King Lord Rallaanadass of House Malathar.
These Elves are a haughty people, arrogant to the last, defiant and self assured. Gold Elf Tendencies taken to the extreme. The Rule the Northeastern Islands and the sea all along the northern and central waters, clashing with their cousins, Shadziiri Elves for rights over the seas. The Empire currently has some small outposts on the mainland of Pagaia and an alliance with a strange magical medieval city on the western coast of Pagaia known as DragonHold.
The land Known as Pagaia has three distinct parts: Eastern Pagaia, The Central Mountains and Western Pagaia.
Eastern Pagaia seems to be a primitive land, undeveloped technologically speaking. The northern portion is dominated by Wood Elves mostly, which are in a state of constant battle with the Darker races. The Empire has begun to combat this terror on behalf of the brethren and have many garrisons on the mainland for this effect.
On the central coast sits a strange magical human medieval city known as DragonHold. They claim to have come from a “Far-Away-Place” many years ago. Their magicians, were powerful enough to transport their entire city to a new land of freedom. Since then, though the knowledge and power to do so has been lost. It is as powerful as a city state with several small outlying hamlets and villages on the coast, river and fields. They are not however permitted to claim any of the forests as their own, in accordance with the edicts of The Empire. They do however have a mining contract with some of the Dwarven Clans and a grant from the Empire.
Southeast Pagaia is home to tribal barbarians, river and seafolk. The sea trade is dominated by the Shadziiri Nation to their south, and therefore they are forced to live in a “dark age”. They do however have access to the dwarven trade route thru the Grey-Spine Mountains, and enjoy vigorous trade with the Stone-Brother Dwarven Nation and across the mountains to the lands of Western Pagaia.
The Central mountain region is home to the Stone-Brother Dwarves. An ancient Family of Dwarven Clans that inhabit most of the Grey-Spine Mountains. While they trade with most outsiders, they trade only at specific trade outposts that are well guarded and defended. They do not allow non-dwarves to enter their lands, so no detailed reports can be given. Yet rumors abound
About the mysteries and wonders of the Dwarven Underhalls. Talk of strange weapons, gadgets and machines that can annihilate entire cites can be found deep in their halls. Tales of the Dwarves tell that they are of such pure blood that they can emerge from the stone and travel thru the stone as we do thru the wood. While none of this can be corroborated by the dwarves, I’m sure they find their legends to be helpful in deterring bandits and warmongers.
Western Pagaia is home to many races but primarily humans. The land is again divided into three regions: The Highlands, the Midlands and the Southlands.
As we were allowed to pass the “Strait of Drogos” by the Shadziiri, with a hefty toll, we reached The Western Southlands; a Mediterranean wonderland. The sun is warm, the land fertile and vigorous trade with the mainland makes this region a paradise. The cities we have seen have marvelous architecture. This land is commonly run by the merchant lords or “Sealords” as the are known. It was here that we learned that the mainland is not nearly as primitive as the land of Pagaia, and if even some of their stories are true, the mainland may be as advanced as Athanaia, a sight I wish to see for myself.
The Midlands is a fertile area of plains and woodlands. It is home to humans, elves and many half elves. This region is prized for the richness of the soil where farming and logging are king. The elves and humans here have an accord to aid each other and to develop together in a peaceful harmony. The land is dominated by large farming stead’s which govern this region. Each Head of Household is accorded a “Seat at The Table of Counsel”. The Council of Homesteaders meets semi-annually at the stead of the Council Lord, to discuss the region’s issues. The council and the people do their best to maintain fairness and equilibrium so as to maintain the egalitarian nature of their region.
The Highlands of the north is a rough landscape to tame. Rocky and steep lands that are not very good for farming. The people here have learned to adapt by becoming pastoral herders. And some farming in the low river valleys. Life here is not easy, where it is dark for most of the year and rampaging orc gangs from the mountains rain many times a year.
There is a loose collection of Baronies creating a feudal society. These “Lords” lack any real power or capacity to bring safety to the region as they vie for power and land. They keep their people poor and uneducated, thereby empowering the Dark Races to hold dominion over them.
The Shadziiri Nation is a collection of smaller islands at the mouth of the inland sea guarding the Strait of Drogos. The nation is ruled by dark elves, a term I’ve heard is Illythiiri or Jungle Elves. Dark skinned, dark hair and dark eyes. While we were encouraged to keep to the sea lanes, which they control, as we passed their islands at a safe distance. As we passed we did hear some small talk that the nation recently converted to a new form of government (in elven terms that may mean in the past few thousand years?). Since that time they have made a presence on the seas and in the markets of the nations of Pagaia. Some claim that they help reform governments with a well placed dagger or coin. Undoubtedly they seek more power and control, but none can truly attest to their methods.
At the center of the Pagaian main continent is an independent city known as Dallin’s Falls. Situated at top of the great falls this city-state seemingly has more power and influence than any other in the realm. Our inquires indicated that the is an unspoken agreement that this city harbors a council so powerful that if the city fell, the entire realm would be chaos and fall into a dark age like never before witnessed. Technologically this city may be on par with some of cities of Western Athania. But we were not overly impressed.
The lands to the south of Pagaia are a strange land of the weird, bizarre and at best, the odd. The people, cities and land has been warped and twisted to by something unnatural. Tales suggest that beings from another dimension have settled these lands and have brought strange magicks with them that warp reality and the mind of any who enter here.
The southern lands are comprised of plains, prairie, desert and forbidding mountains. These lands are home to many societies, bandits and pirates. Giants tear through the landscape while the bandit kings claim what they can for themselves.
Legend has it that a race of mystical giants rule the desert keeping secrets and power over the weather and unleash it upon their foes as needed. Rumors abound that this desert region was once home to a powerful race that forced the gods to bow to them, but it was destroyed by it’s own hubris.
As we made our journey to the central continent we found that the Dargath Mountain range that runs thru the continent is ruled by savage orcs. These orcs are smaller, smarter and have gray skin, and are aptly called Gray Orcs. They control all trade crossing the gap from the SE to the NW, keeping trade and information to a minimum. They have beaten back their arch rivals the Dwarves, and are now in control of the region and the trade routes.
The Dwarven realm and halls have become more isolated, producing less ore and finished goods. Many have been displaced from their homes and are trying to learn how to live on the surface and in cities.
North of The Gap is a large forest home of the Elves of Eathyr. They are a guarded people but willing to lend a hand when needed. Legends speak of magical forest cities so majestic that normal mortals would succumb to tears if seen. The Elves here are a bit shorter than those of Athania, and seem… more mystical than their wood or high elf brethren. Some claim that they are the original elves of the world and seek solitude so as not to diminish their connection to the living mother earth goddess.
North of the Elves of Eathyr is a bleak land known only as Darkmoore. We had no contact nor did we see this land, but our guide told us tales that he land is blighted from a sinister force from ages long past. The land has not, and cannot heal naturally. Alien monsters wander into other civilized lands from time to time, and often a plague will follow and decimate the population. But these are only legends.
Northwest of Eathyr is the land of Aurillion. It is a civilized land where the kingdom has been ruling for over 500 years, but is currently in a dark age. They are a Nordic people, proud, tall and muscular. They farm and herd animals and take to the sea. They are not a magically inclined people and are even suspicious of it. Our own magician stayed aboard our ship so as not to cause trouble. But even he felt the darkness that has covered this land. A blight of winter that releases late in the spring season and enters hard in the early fall.
They speak of evil beings in the deep mountains, small rampaging dwarflike creatures and huge and menacing Jotuns. Raids from Black Orcs during the dark months diminish already scarce supplies. These creatures keeps the humans restricted and from exploring the land.
The king and his soothsayers told us of legends that their people came, or more aptly fled, from across the western sea during an age long forgotten. That the principle of steadfastness, endurance and freedom come from that time. Principles that are aiding them at the present.
(This Setting will include the Blue Rose Romantic Fantasy Setting)
From here we are to sail west… to see where the sun takes us next!
