Asa Loko
Lightning
The World Map
The Empire of Cantha:
An Empire, that is known to exist ever since people knew how to write and read. In the past, it used to be much smaller than it is nowadays and was far different from the present state. First a mainly feudal nation with bow-cavalry, known as "Samurai", Cantha rose in power quickly over the past centuries and made a name for itself on the vast continent. Fifty years ago, it annexed the former Kingdom of Himmelsfeste, a nation similar to the Empire with a feudal society just with heavy infantry and cavalry forces, that many referred to as "Holy Knights". The one thing within the Empire, that stayed the same over the course of centuries, was the fact that it is a monarchy ruled by the imperial family Cantha. However, the hierarchial-feudal-system was abolished and replaced with one, where wealth and influence decide the standing within the Empire and society. However, the current Empress Asako Cantha, who praised to be a formidable warrior, still has the last say in all matters regarding the Empire. May it be inner or outer political.
Religion within Cantha is a double-edged sword in more than just a metaphorical way. With the annexation of Himmelsfeste came the monotheistic belief of "Israfil", a single supreme god. The complete opposite of the polytheistic believes of Cantha. The canthan citizens believe in local spirits and supreme deities, who make sure the land is safe. The more extreme parties of both religions have tensions with each other, while the main population prays to both local deities like "Susanoo" or "Amaterasu" and the god of light, "Israfil".
Kamasilvya:
Trees as far as you can see. Thick vegetation and blooming flora and fauna, that is mostly unknown to scholars. It is the lands of the elves, dryads, ents and many other races and creatures. It is mostly unexplored, but the elves, that ventured out of the forests and are to be found all over the world, have seen it all. It is no clear whether they are hiding or merely protecting the sacred lands of Kamasilvya, that has been blessed by Mother Nature herself, "Silvya".
Khuzdul:
The twin-mountains, that are separated by the river "Ilyasch" , are called "Khuzdul", which is just dwarven language for "two mountains rivaling each other in size". They are home to the most refined craftsmanship in existence, but also possess richly filled chambers of gold and gems. The dwarves, who live there under the rule of the "Dynasty of Durin" and his many sons, are fierce warriors. They pray to their own dwarven gods, some of which they even share with the people of Osturland. Due to them mining the mountain's and earth's riches, they brought not only the attention of other kingdoms onto them, but also of dragons and other broods. Some say it's the curse of being "filthy rich", others say it's just greed from others. But one thing is clear: The dwarves under the many sons of "Durin" will resist with everything they have.
Osturland:
The people of Ostur are very grim according to all other nations. They paint their bodies in ink depicting strange runes and live of pillaging from others. At least, that's how things used to be. Nowadays mostly tame, the many Jarls who serve under the "High-King Thor Odinson" are loyal to their demi-god ruler, who brought a new era of advancement. Now striving of trade instead of warfare, it is a close ally fo the South Sea Alliance and provides them with much needed ressources in form of wood and ores. At the same time they provide men and ship as mercenaries for their Ally, who ships them food.
Hellenas:
"Bread and circuses" is the motto of most people from Hellenas. Completely secure behind the mountain wall, that shields their home from any real threat from the outside, the nation developed very quickly back then in ancient times. However, due to their politic of isolation, they quickly lost the position at the peak of civilizations. Thus "the Senate", a democratically voted parliament made up of full-time politicians, decided to open up their borders and turn their gaze from the in- to the outside. Bringing forth a major conflict between themselves, their allies and the South Sea Alliance. At the top of the Senate is "Alexander the Great", the self-proclaimed god of kings. A young man with a silver tongue, a keen eye for tactics and a formidable warrior. He is also a direct disciple of "Hellena", the nation's goddess of war and wisdom, who is at the same time the namesake of the nation. Next to her are many other gods, who represent another virtue or aspect. Sun, underworld and so on.
Aszhara:
Home to the most beautiful and greatest riff in existence, but also to the most densely populated area with beings, that live beneath the surface of the water. Nagas, serpents, Kraken, giant-squids and so on and on. No mortals besides few selected ones from Hellenas and Kemet were ever allowed to enter, given the tree nations form a triumvirate. The goddess of water "Aszhara" who the under-water kingdom is named after, rules over it with an iron-fist for thousands of years already. In ancient legends, it is to be said, that she used to be a high-elf from Kamasilvya, but was banished from it and was driven into the sea due to her greed, that threatened to swallow up the land. How the story continues is unknown to the most.
Freeman Isles:
A conglomerate of pirates, so-called "free men". They possess no real economic or political power but are merely a thorn in the eye of the sea trade of the whole world. They respect nobody and nothing, thus they pray to several deities, that revolve around stealing and shadows. An example of such gods would be "Mask" or "Laverna".
South Sea Alliance:
A relatively new formed country consisting of merchants from all around the world. They possess the biggest naval force the world has ever seen. Since the "Merchant's Council" consists of the richest men and women alive, they can provide the needed amount of money for so many mercenaries. Thanks to their rule over the grand sea, not many dare to rise against them. The only ones who did so, are the people of Hellenas and Kemat with the help of the aquatic kingdom of Aszhara.
Just like the Empire of Cantha, the oligarchic South Sea Alliance provides equal rights to all the people within its territory. Only money decides who you are there. Hence the people on the isles of the SSA pray to "Ballaton", the god of gold.
Darkshore:
Lands completely devastated and robbed of their natural beauty. Painted by war and conflict. It is home to the "Charr", a race made-up of tall, massive beasts who strive of war and destruction. They don't believe in any gods, as they say, that they have killed their own gods. However, they are not the only destructive races, that live there. Orcs, goblins, ogres and few giants live there too. It is a single barrel filled with black powder, surrounded by sparks from all sides, as the different monsters at the Darkshore constantly fight each other to come out as the strongest.
Ruins of Orr:
A faint memory of what once used to be. Where once big, beautiful cities proudly stood, are now thick forests. Nature took back what once belonged to it, after the brute forces, who live now within the Darkshore, rolled over the lands. A big mangrove jungle grew on top of the burnt lands of Orr and are now the only thing remaining next to the ruins. However, Orr was said to be a very advanced civilization, relying on both Magic and technology alike.
Wyrmrest:
Not much is known about the - assumed - homelands of the dragons. It is said to be a mythical place, where one cannot possibly enter without the guidance of one of their kind. Many have tried, none have succeeded. The sentient kinsmen living there tend to be the complete opposite of their free-roaming brethren, that are purely led by instincts and the thirst for gold.
Sultanate of Qasim:
Just like the South Sea Alliance, the sultanate is a newly formed country. Its population split up from 10 years ago from Kemet and formed their own country after they fought for it in a bloody civil war, that took its stroll on the people of both nations. The "Sultan Qasim Al Mudschahed" is the holy prophet of "Batu", the god of enlightenment. He is the spiritual and political center of the Sultanate, that forbids the worshipping of any other deities within the borders.
Kemet:
The "Black Lands", as its name would be translated into the common tongue. A monarchy, where the state of the head is at the same time the main deity alongside the huge pantheon, that is being prayed to: The "Pharaoh". Currently, the pharaoh is "Kemetrapa", the Goddess of Sand and ruler over the nation, that strives on slavery and is deeply connected with Hellenas. Rumors say, that the pharaoh is in love with the god of kings "Alexander".
