Continentbuilding VI
Water, Hill, and Dale
(Ei’lagana)
In these lands, dominated by rough terrain, the naming convention is slightly twisted from nearby Conorodon, with the first syllable mutated and marked with an apostrophe. Groups of people and places often tend to have the same name throughout this realm.
51. Eu’fractana
Today’s word is Rhyme. This calls to mind music and song and bards, so the people of Water, Hill, and Dale are a musical one. Halflings and thirdlings and quarterlings, they thrive on telling the ancient epics and making up silly nonsense, mostly protected from invasion by mountains and highlands on all sides, the hardship they know mostly confined to weather and natural disaster. The people and the only city of any consequence among them are both known by the name of Eu’fractana, which is located just upstream from the great marshy lake.
What can be found or done here
All manner of old lore may be stumbled upon, and instruments collected from across the continent.
52. Ah’rochodor
Today’s word is Sympathy, a type of magic involving the particular alignment of similar materials and energies to effect change even across large distances. The people of Ei’lagana hope to be called to the service of their people as a member of the order of sympathy-wizards known as the Ah’rochodor, which is also the name of their mountain fastness, a pair of spired towers high in the unfathomable mists and waterfalls of the mountains.
What can be found or done here
Magic itself, delivered with a certain meditative calmness.
53. Uo’valaca
Today’s word is Circus. The people of the southern mountains, Uo’valaca, just one pass from the MnèdhStökt, merge their performance traditions with many beasts and animals. They form both permanent local circuses and traveling pavilions to share the wealth of their entertainment traditions both in Water, Hill, and Dale and far beyond.
What can be found or done here
Well-trained animals of all types, for anything but war, and certainly some creepy carnival mysteries.
54. Qthn
Today’s word is Snails. In the shadow of the Rings live a race of sentient, gigantic snails known as the Qthn. They speak telepathically and have impressive memories and knowledge, though they refrain from intervening in much of the outside world, tending to offer advice that is no help because it argues both sides.
What can be found or done here
If a snail can be truly befriended (or, in rare cases, tricked) they may provide more definitive answers or lend their impressive mind-reading powers.
55. Eh’olodon
Today’s word is Lottery. In the eastern meadows, Eh’olodon, on every solstice and equinox, the people hold a great lottery and swap meet. People come not only from across Water, Hill, and Dale but from across the continent to participate, either simply to share their creations, find something interesting, or win a grand and unexpected prize.
What can be found or done here
The lottery takes place in the open fields around an ancient and forgotten tower that no one can enter, as every door or window yawns black and empty and all who attempt to go in vanish. Confusing spirits swirl about the tower, unable to talk about their curse, trying to turn back the foolish.
56. Ui’grithifin
Today’s word is Swimming. Though the shallow, swampy lake of Ui’grithifin is full of reeds, swimming in the summers to keep cool is a beloved pasttime of the Eu’fractana, especially at the cleaner places where various streams enter the lake.
What can be found or done here
Rare and powerful magical herbs amongst the reeds, and all manner of magical fish and other lake creatures that have absorbed the energy of the place.
57. Oi’Zimnizimn
Today’s word is Honey. A place called the Honeyreed Fields already exists in the Cactus Forest, so the analogue here is a strange hive of giant bumblebees exists upon the sacred island of Oi’Zimnizimn. While they do make honey, it is blasphemy to harvest it, as the bumblebees are at least semi-intelligent, and while they are benevolent they are protective and isolationist, so the surrounding people are equally protective of them.
What can be found or done here
The honey, of course, is profoundly magical, gathered as it is from the flowers of magical swamp plants, but it is considered both evil and sacriligous to steal it. Such theft is uncommon, but when it occurs, the people will go to great lengths to hunt down and stop the perpetrators.
58. Ai’ogothon
Today’s word is Inspire. Nothing inspires more awe than the great statue known as Ai’ogothon, sword upthrust in defense of the lake. Though ancient, the statue is well-tended, as it contains an extensive network of stairs and tunnels allowing travelers and merchants to climb between Water, Hill, and Dale and the lowland deserts.
What can be found or done here
Climb through the awesome statue, explore the forgotten depths, talk with travelers from many lands!
59. Ai’shelepel
Today’s word is Spring, as the great waterfall of Ai’shelepel springs forth from the Ai’ogothon statue. It falls into a great pool and flows forth into the mighty Djwiefll river.
What can be found or done here
It is said that those who bathe in the dangerous waters beneath the immense waterfall gain infinite wisdom, so there are probably a lot of dumbass skeletons with treasure at the bottom of the pool.
60. Ey’reteste
Today’s word is Vivid. One of the most prominent aspects of the great ridge that separates Water, Hill, and Dale from the dangerous deserts below is Ey’reteste (commonly known as the Purple Plateau), an immense table mesa composed of the most vibrant, vivid, violet rock. The people who dwell atop and within the plateau (who surely have some dwarf to them) talk and chant rather than sing, though the feel of music and stories is still in their blood. They are especially collecters and tellers of histories from far-flung lands (and made-up lands).
What can be found or done here
The rock itself, of course, is enchanted, but is nearly impossible to mine, though within the rock are found on occasion rare and powerful amethysts.