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Post by Necromancer on May 18, 2016 4:28:02 GMT -5
This is the thread where I will present information about the different countries and other locations of interest in Xul. I will divide the posts here in alphabetical order, so it will be easier for me to add, edit and expand on the entries later on.
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Post by Necromancer on May 18, 2016 4:30:35 GMT -5
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Aqbaria
Aqbaria is by far the wealthiest and most powerful of the Black Kingdoms. Situated in the southeastern part of Xul, the country is mostly covered by jungles. Several rivers run down from the mountains in the east to the western shores, and the region is rich of natural assets. Larger cities are to be found along the coastline and the rivers, while the rest of the country is mostly tribal areas. Aqbarians are known to be skilled craftsmen and architects, but they also make great warriors. Trade is important, and merchants carry freights of steel, gold, precious stones, high-grade wood, pearls, herbs, fur and silk all over Xul.
Arakistan
Arakistan is situated in the southwestern parts of the Amaleyan mountains, north of the Shaharanyan Desert. It's a harsh country, with cold winters and very hot summers.
Assini
The island realm of Assini is the northernmost of the Black Kingdoms, situated between Aqbaria and Mandragoria. Agriculture, fishing and ship-building makes the livelihood for most inhabitants, but Assini is also famous for advocating sorcery, science and philosophy.
Azarak
The Azarakian empire is the greatest of all nations in Xul, rich and powerful in every aspect. The many provinces might differentiate quite a lot from each other, from the fertile western coastlines to the mountainous regions in the east, and from the desert landscape in the south to the considerably colder northern parts bordering the Pnumian Woodlands. The Azarakian legions are known throughout the world for their discipline, combat skills and superior tactics. The empress rules this vast and diverse nation from the jade throne in the Forbidden City, situated on the western shore. Commerce is important, and several of the trading houses are influential and powerful. The Azarakian society has also brought forth many successful engineers, architects, poets, artists, scientists and artisans.
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Post by Necromancer on May 18, 2016 4:33:13 GMT -5
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Post by Necromancer on May 18, 2016 4:33:40 GMT -5
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Post by Necromancer on May 18, 2016 4:34:22 GMT -5
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Dazumalaam
Dazumalaam, sharing its name with its capital, is situated in the southeastern part of Xul. This hot region is mostly desert-like, but with fertile soil along the rivers and lakes. Rich mines are to be found in the mountains of the north. The capital is the centre of commerce, famous for its bazaars. "If you can't buy it in the bazaars of Dazumalaam you can't buy it anywhere" is a popular saying. The country is well known for its alchemists, artisans and scientists.
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Post by Necromancer on May 18, 2016 4:34:48 GMT -5
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Ebony Coast
The Ebony Coast is situated in the southwestern part of Xul, between Aqbaria in the north and Zambessinia in the south. It is not a kingdom of its own per se, but rather a region containing several smaller territories and kingdoms. This is mostly tribal area, with a lot of ongoing conflicts. The inland is mostly covered by jungles. Along the vast coastline many are devoted to piracy, making its waters fearsome to sail.
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Post by Necromancer on May 18, 2016 4:35:50 GMT -5
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Floating Islands
The hot plains between the Shaharanyan Desert and Kanghali is truly a weird landscape. Mysteriously, large overgrown rocks are floating in midair all over the region. Scholars debate whether it is some kind of strange natural phenomena or the result of aeons old sorcery.
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Post by Necromancer on May 18, 2016 4:36:24 GMT -5
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Grass Sea
The Grass Sea is a vast region of plains in the norteastern part of Xul. This is the home of nomadic tribes, herding their reptilian cattle here as they have done for generations.
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Post by Necromancer on May 18, 2016 4:36:54 GMT -5
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Post by Necromancer on May 18, 2016 4:37:25 GMT -5
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Post by Necromancer on May 18, 2016 4:37:55 GMT -5
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Post by Necromancer on May 18, 2016 4:38:40 GMT -5
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Kanghali
Kanghali is the easternmost of the Black Kingdoms, situated south of the Floating Islands and north of Xanithou. The region is mostly covered by savannah, populated by dinosaurs and nomadic tribes.
Kher-A-Kosh
A meteoric crater of gigantic proportions now turned into a swamp, that is what makes up the mysterious realm of Kher-A-Kosh. Green haired primitive tribes live as hunters and fishers in small villages in the outskirts of the swamp. The unexplored watery inlands host overgrown step pyramids belonging to a long forgotten civilization, now haunted by fierce reptilians. Swamp elephants, dinosaurs, giants insects and serpents are common here.
Khorustan
Khorustan is a small but rich principality in the northwestern part of the Amaleyan mountain range. Walled cities with domed palaces and temples have been built along the mountain sides, and the khorustani people are well known for making excellent miners, artisans and merchants. Trade is important, especially with the Azarakian empire.
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Post by Necromancer on May 18, 2016 4:39:08 GMT -5
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Post by Necromancer on May 18, 2016 4:39:42 GMT -5
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Mandragoria
Mandragoria is a volcanic island, covered by swamps and jungles, directly to the west of the continent of Xul. It's inhabited by tribal clans, loosely gathered under a king. Mandragorians are reputed for being fearless, savage warriors.
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Post by Necromancer on May 18, 2016 4:40:23 GMT -5
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Noor
Noor is a truly strange place, being a necrocracy, where the long dead and mummified king and queen still are placed on their thrones, considered to be the righteous rulers of the country, having their "will" interpreted by a council. Death permeates the society, with every building covered in ashes, and morticians and professional mourners are much esteemed. Reanimated skeletons work the fields as mindless, undead serfs.
Nubitania
Nubitania is one of the Black Kingdoms, a large island situated to the west of the continent of Xul. The landscape is dominated by a mountain range in the west, forests in the central parts and cultivated lands along the eastern shores. The Nubitanian society is very hierarchical, with a landowning warrior nobility, living by a strict code of honour. Everyday life is regulated with a lot of ceremonial and traditional aspects. The nation is quite isolationistic, trading mostly with Aqbaria.
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Post by Necromancer on May 18, 2016 4:41:01 GMT -5
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Origuala
Origuala is a volcanic island, covered by steaming jungles, situated between Mandragoria and Nubitania. Among the overgrown ruins from a long forgotten civilization only ophidians and cave men dwell these days.
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Post by Necromancer on May 18, 2016 4:41:44 GMT -5
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Pnumian Woodlands
A forest region covering a vast part of northern Xul , known as the Pnumian Woodlands. This is the home of the Pnumian people - tribes of primitive humans, living as Stone Age men. Apart from a wide range of wild beats, there are also many insectoid communities here.
P'tah
The city state of P'tah is found in a dry and hot region in the eastern part of Xul. A large walled city, centered around pyramid-shaped temples and palaces. The elite warriors of the army is known to be mounted on pterosaurs.
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Post by Necromancer on May 18, 2016 4:42:32 GMT -5
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Quantoun
Quantoun is a city state in the far east, famous for its commerce. Truly a melting pot, people from all over Xul can be found here.This motley place is also reputed for hosting many smugglers, thieves, pirates and shady merchants.
Quetzaptolia
Quetzaptolia is a harsh mountainous region in the northwestern part of Xul. It is the home of several tribes of the strange bird-people.
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Post by Necromancer on May 18, 2016 4:43:05 GMT -5
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Radiant Desert
The Radiant Desert, in eastern Xul, is a most feared region. Once the home of an alien race, now it is a vast desert plagued by radiation. A handful of deserted domed cities are to be found among the windswept dunes, and rumours of treasures and arcane knowledge to be found there have been the death of many adventurers. Apart from scattered villages with mutant inhabitants, this is a most desolate place.
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Post by Necromancer on May 18, 2016 4:43:51 GMT -5
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Sea of Fog
The Sea of Fog is a vast region, placed between the Quetzaptolian mountan range and the Pnumian Woodlands. For reasons unknown it is constantly covered by a thick fog. Airships cross the top layers, but what is hidden at the unseen ground remains a mystery.
Shaharanyan Desert
The Shaharanyan Desert covers a vast region of central Xul. Infernally hot, it's scarcely populated by nomadic tribes, of which the baudouaregs are the most renowned. There are rumours about aeons old ruins among the dunes - rumours that has caused the death of many gold-seeking adventurers...
Syrakia
Syrakia is probably one of the most isolated countries in Xul. Situated in the north, wedged in by the Azarakian empire, the Pnumian woodlands and the Grass sea, it's surrounded by mountains in the west, east and south. Along the northern border, a massive towered wall has been built, keeping its inhabitants within the country as well as possible invaders out of it. A priest-king rules the country, aided by the noble castes - the priests and the land-owning warriors. The economy of Syrakia is built upon serfdom. Trade is seen with disdain by the nobility, but despite that some merchants are allowed to visit the country, rigorously guarded. The Syrakian society is permeated by a fatalistic faith, and the priests wield great power.
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Post by Necromancer on May 18, 2016 4:44:30 GMT -5
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Thelemia
Thelemia is a small country, situated in the southeastern part of Xul. It's a magicracy, ruled by a council of sorcerers.
Tsun
The shunned high plateau of Tsun is situated in the eastern parts of the Amaleyan mountain range. It's a desolate place, plagued by cold winds and scarcely populated by scattered villages along the mountainsides. Not much is known about this country, but rumours are being whispered about haunted ruins in the heartland of Tsun.
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Post by Necromancer on May 18, 2016 4:44:59 GMT -5
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Post by Necromancer on May 18, 2016 4:45:28 GMT -5
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Post by Necromancer on May 18, 2016 4:45:57 GMT -5
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Post by Necromancer on May 18, 2016 4:46:37 GMT -5
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Xanithou
Xanithou is a vast and exotic country, situated in the southernmost part of Xul. Several large rivers run through the country, apart from some desert like areas mostly covered by jungles. Xanithou displays a highly developed culture, strongly hierarchical. They make excellent architects, famous for their adorned temples and domed palaces. It's a rich country, and merchants from other parts of Xul travel far on dangerous roads to buy precious metal, silk, spices and other goods.
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Post by Necromancer on May 18, 2016 4:47:11 GMT -5
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Post by Necromancer on May 18, 2016 4:47:54 GMT -5
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Zambessinia
Zambessinia is one of the Black Kingdoms, situated in the southwestern part of Xul. Most of the country is covered by steaming jungles. Loosely gathered under a formal king, this is otherwise mostly tribal area. Many Zambessinian tribes are cannibals - a fact that strikes fear into the people of neighbouring countries. Despite this, trade occurs as Zambessinian merchants sell precious stones, high-grade wood, slaves, herbs and intricately woven fabrics.
Zarkovia
Zarkovia is situated in the southernmost part of Xul. Jungles grow along the rivers floating from the mountains in the north. The rest of the land is quite dry, almost desert-like. Scattered across the lands are ruins from a long forgotten civilization. Zarkovia is ruled by a species of highly developed ape-men, living in fortified villages. Their society is very hierarchical, and they are advanced in terms of agriculture, science and arts as well as warfare. The ape-men of Zarkovia are openly hostile towards humans - humans entering the country is at risk of being killed or enslaved.
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