The Serpent Sea and Surrounding Land (WIP)
Horn Island, named for the tapered curl of land, amidst a vast ocean is the home of the Wahl Kingdom. At the north west of the landmass, a pointed hook, and the south east two mountainous curling peninsulas reaching together and forming the Serpent Sea. The North Arm and South Arm mountain ranges are all but impassible creating a natural barrier from the more harsh torrents of the open ocean. The two ranges stretch out north-west and south-west respectively before curling back toward each other at the Nihlar River at its beginning. There they combine into a single range, The Spine, and continue on up toward that same curling end. The Spine divides all but the widest portions of the isle into strips and pockets of greenery. The Nihlar River is the main, and only really substantial river on the island. A few smaller tributaries branch out extending it’s life giving waters.
The waters of the Serpent Sea are considerably more shallow along the mainland and out to the nearest island. Though shallow compared to the deepest portions of the sea it surround it is still more than enough to pass the drafts of many vessels, only the largest of these must anchor away from the docks. The depths continue to descend gradually past the second and upto the third island where they drop off abruptly. These blue-black depths have claimed many a ship that has been sunk in battle or the infamous winter storms. Also, it is in theses depths where the sea’s namesake are said to reside. Reaching the relatively small opening between the North and South Arm ranges, the sea drops off again just a short ways from the range making any mooring nearby difficult at best.
The peninsula that juts out from the river delta and into the sea aiming to reach the islands that continue into the waters, is where the city of Wahlinvale, capital of the Wahl Kingdom can be found. The various sections of useful land that lays in spots and strips on either side of the Spine are divided up into various territories under control of several noble families.
The Wahl Kingdom and its largest city, Wahlinvale, received their names from captain-explorer turned landowner, Edward Wahl. As the story goes… on one of his many exploratory jaunts the open ocean storms has buffeted him and his crew. So when the calls for land broke through the sounds of waves, wind and rain it didn’t take much to make the decision to seek refuge in the waters of what is now known as the Serpent Sea. There was no way of knowing he was trading one storm for another.
The massive waves diminished and the winds died under the protection of the two Arm Mountain ranges. The crew and captain, weary from battling the sea, took a deep breath and began to change tack for the differing conditions and readying to drop anchor. This was the moment when a massive creature erupted for the strangely dark waters to confront whatever had made the mistake of trespassing upon its home.
The Wahl Kingdom and its largest city, Wahlinvale, received their names from captain-explorer turned landowner, Edward Wahl. As the story goes… on one of his many exploratory jaunts the open ocean storms has buffeted him and his crew. So when the calls for land broke through the sounds of waves, wind and rain it didn’t take much to make the decision to seek refuge in the waters of what is now known as the Serpent Sea. There was no way of knowing he was trading one storm for another.
The massive waves diminished and the winds died under the protection of the two Arm Mountain ranges. The crew and captain, weary from battling the sea, took a deep breath and began to change tack for the differing conditions and readying to drop anchor. This was the moment when a massive creature erupted for the strangely dark waters to confront whatever had made the mistake of trespassing upon its home.
Cannon, rifle, and harpoon faces off against fin, fang and a long naturally armored form of a leviathan. In then end the serpent lay floating alongside the heavily damaged ship as it was limped toward more shallow waters. Following rites and the healing of wounds, those that remained took to the task of harvesting the creature of scale, ivory, and flesh. At least they would have something other than gruel tonight and for the duration of the ship repairs.
During the repairs and for a time after parties went out mapping first the coastline and then a short ways inland. It wasn’t until years later that the mountains and valleys were properly surveyed. The location they landed, between the forks of the Nihlar Delta, was the site of the first and now largest city of Wahlinvale.
A good many generations later, Wahlinvale was a shining beacon for the surrounding land as a center for trade, a hub of information, and a veritable hive with the imports and exports. Located on a narrow peninsula with three small islands dotting the waters to the east. A large causeway, an engineering marvel in it's time, has stood the test of time. The white marble blocks formed broad arches that spanned the distance between each of the islands connecting the two land masses. The furthest was a garrison lighthouse that guarded the approach by sea and was the apex of a massive natural seawall which prevented a direct approach to the two bays on either side of the peninsula.
Further inland was the city proper ant at its center lay the palace and royal library. From astronomy to wizardry, the books housed here contained the most consolidated collection of knowledge in recorded history. All administered by the College of Magus. All known magic users in the kingdom are admitted and trained to the fullest of their abilities. Magic is generally sceptical viewed by the common people if not outright feared. This all came about due to a very powerful magic user, Laishan, who attempted to usurp the royal line. A great and bloody battle was fought causing many a commoner fled their homes.
Once all was said and done, the practitioner of magic slane by a blade made of a leviathan tooth. The wielder of the tooth blade, in the wake of the battle and the discovery that the current king had also found his end all looked to this man as the royal line had also been severed. This man, having found the respect of all the nobles, the common folk, and the mages that did not wish to follow the ravings of Laishan. Though he didn’t ask for it he soon found himself holding the power of the throne and backed by most of the noble houses. Thus began the current house and line of Belerian with Gendrick.
When the people returned, and furious with being displaced by the madman, began razing the homes of the remaining magic users they knew of. The city was placed under martial law and though much deliberation and not wishing to see more of the citizenry, King Gendrick, established the College of Magus and had constructed a building for the learning of the arcane. The head of the college sits upon the Royal Council and reports the status of those under his care. The citizenry, still angry and fearful, were at least placated enough to stop their rioting seeing as the savior of the city, slayer of mages, was keeping a watchful eye upon the remaining users.
Nearly four hundred years passed by the time of King Gera Belarian. His reign marked by the expansion of trade and the completion of the Sky Spire, the tower dock for all of the incoming airships. The tower rose into the sky from the base of the peninsula, each of the eight levels held three suspended paths each capable of handling two airships. Large elevator systems were constantly raising and lowering through the center of the tower with goods and travelers from all over. This port connected the twin sea ports and the three shared a considerable number of warehouses. The land that had previously been set aside for their landing outside of the city was soon reclaimed and turned into farm fields and livestock pens. At the age of eighty five King Gera passed on a clear evening that shown the sliver of a moon, known as the Serpent’s Fang.
This began the reign of Queen Danielle Belarian at the age of twenty-three. The only thing she was able to accomplish had done much for the common folk. The prosperity that was brought by her father had been passed on to them. Specifically the orphans of the city who were place into the care of various tradesmen and women to learn useful skills and pull them out of the gutters. Sadly, and suddenly through a wasting fever, her reign ended eighteen years later at the age of forty-one with no known heirs.
During the repairs and for a time after parties went out mapping first the coastline and then a short ways inland. It wasn’t until years later that the mountains and valleys were properly surveyed. The location they landed, between the forks of the Nihlar Delta, was the site of the first and now largest city of Wahlinvale.
A good many generations later, Wahlinvale was a shining beacon for the surrounding land as a center for trade, a hub of information, and a veritable hive with the imports and exports. Located on a narrow peninsula with three small islands dotting the waters to the east. A large causeway, an engineering marvel in it's time, has stood the test of time. The white marble blocks formed broad arches that spanned the distance between each of the islands connecting the two land masses. The furthest was a garrison lighthouse that guarded the approach by sea and was the apex of a massive natural seawall which prevented a direct approach to the two bays on either side of the peninsula.
Further inland was the city proper ant at its center lay the palace and royal library. From astronomy to wizardry, the books housed here contained the most consolidated collection of knowledge in recorded history. All administered by the College of Magus. All known magic users in the kingdom are admitted and trained to the fullest of their abilities. Magic is generally sceptical viewed by the common people if not outright feared. This all came about due to a very powerful magic user, Laishan, who attempted to usurp the royal line. A great and bloody battle was fought causing many a commoner fled their homes.
Once all was said and done, the practitioner of magic slane by a blade made of a leviathan tooth. The wielder of the tooth blade, in the wake of the battle and the discovery that the current king had also found his end all looked to this man as the royal line had also been severed. This man, having found the respect of all the nobles, the common folk, and the mages that did not wish to follow the ravings of Laishan. Though he didn’t ask for it he soon found himself holding the power of the throne and backed by most of the noble houses. Thus began the current house and line of Belerian with Gendrick.
When the people returned, and furious with being displaced by the madman, began razing the homes of the remaining magic users they knew of. The city was placed under martial law and though much deliberation and not wishing to see more of the citizenry, King Gendrick, established the College of Magus and had constructed a building for the learning of the arcane. The head of the college sits upon the Royal Council and reports the status of those under his care. The citizenry, still angry and fearful, were at least placated enough to stop their rioting seeing as the savior of the city, slayer of mages, was keeping a watchful eye upon the remaining users.
Nearly four hundred years passed by the time of King Gera Belarian. His reign marked by the expansion of trade and the completion of the Sky Spire, the tower dock for all of the incoming airships. The tower rose into the sky from the base of the peninsula, each of the eight levels held three suspended paths each capable of handling two airships. Large elevator systems were constantly raising and lowering through the center of the tower with goods and travelers from all over. This port connected the twin sea ports and the three shared a considerable number of warehouses. The land that had previously been set aside for their landing outside of the city was soon reclaimed and turned into farm fields and livestock pens. At the age of eighty five King Gera passed on a clear evening that shown the sliver of a moon, known as the Serpent’s Fang.
This began the reign of Queen Danielle Belarian at the age of twenty-three. The only thing she was able to accomplish had done much for the common folk. The prosperity that was brought by her father had been passed on to them. Specifically the orphans of the city who were place into the care of various tradesmen and women to learn useful skills and pull them out of the gutters. Sadly, and suddenly through a wasting fever, her reign ended eighteen years later at the age of forty-one with no known heirs.
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