Worldmap

Please scroll down for descriptions of each region.

About Each area

The Kingdom of Arken:

Arroes, the Capital City of Arken:

Imagine a place where the sun hardly ever shines. A place where the streets are as dark as the hearts of the people who roam it. A place where the sun only shines when the queen sleeps. A place where hope is unknown. Love is despised. Kindness slain. Arroes is a large city surrounded by a fifty foot stone wall. All gateways are closed with iron barred doors. To get in, you must go through the guards, and they are not the nicest in the world. The city sits on the edge of a cliff overlooking the ocean. Down below the cliff are the docks, built strong to withstand the waves. The palace is large, made from volcanic rock taken from Mount May’em. The doors are iron, thick, large, and oppressing. In the courtyard, before you get to the hundred steps that lead up to the doors, there are the statues of the queens that have ruled Arken before. Shea’s being the youngest statue. Two massive statues of greyhens sit on either side of the large steps spewing fire from their mouths. Arroes is a very dangerous place for anyone, more so if you are a pure of heart. Evil lurks around every corner. Take heed of a warning: Go there only if you dare.

Darkwood:

A town surrounded by a dark forest, where all the buildings are made of wood, even the wall surrounding the town.  The surrounding forest is often too dark to see in, even during the day, and haunted by monstrous beings hidden by black fog.  This is the place where most of the pure of hearts live in Arken. Trapped during the Queen wars on the wrong side of the magically formed Border, they reside here, waiting for a chance to get across the border unseen. They hope to one day have a life in the Kingdom of Ighten, one of peace. It’s a dream that most of the good people in Arken share, a dream that might never be fulfilled. A lot of smuggling goes on here. Most of Shea’s spies and soldiers that are preparing to go over the border and into Ighten stay the night here before making the dangerous trek up the border.

Ishtassy Village:

A village made from stone painted with the blood of their enemies. The first thing you are greeted with if you decide to make your unfortunate trip to the Ishtassy village is one armed guard. No, he is not heavily armed. A dagger is all he has. You think that surely you can fight this man off. However, the Ishtassy’s training is so intense and superb that fighting him would be like fighting five normal warriors. If you happen to get around him and live, then you will find a world that is dark and filled with violence. Ishtassy children are taken as babies and thrown into a world of conflict and harsh training.  If they do not survive, then they were unworthy of being known as Ishtassy. They hate everyone and serve no one but themselves and Queen Shea. They are her most prized fighters, and act as her personal guard in battle. In the center of the town there is an empty fountain. When they go to war, they fill the fountain with the blood of their enemies. The night before they leave for battle, the soldiers drink from the fountain, hoping to learn the secrets of their enemy through their blood.

Ra’esh Desert:

Miles and miles of nothing but sand. At first the desert is a hard, flat surface of cracked and dry earth. The further you get out into the desert, the more sand you see until you are walking on an ocean of sand. Dunes can go as high as mountains at some points. During the day it is so hot that living sometimes becomes unbearable. At night it’s freezing cold and the moon causes the sand to glow white. If you happen to run out of water and wish for a drink and it begins to rain, do not drink. The Gods did not bless you with rain, for the only rain that falls in the desert is poison. In the middle of the desert is a village that few women would ever willingly go too. It is a village ruled by men, who enslave women. They are called Raiths. The men, once enslaved by women, rose up against their oppressors and now have taken their places. Though, the men are far harsher to the women, remembering how they had been enslaved so wrongly, than the women ruled with out magic. The men were given a magical gift to help overthrow the women, so in a way, they cheated.

Mount May’em:

It rises higher than any mountain in Heirot. Fire spews from the top and it is constantly raining ash down around the base. Thousands of Fire Mages occupy houses around the base of the mountain, living in peace with the lava rivers and firestorms. Many of those who worship the Fire God Gargon make a climb each year to throw a sacrifice into the very active volcano. Around the mountain, on the opposite side, is a tower that is covered in soot and ash. The tower is the Citadel of Dark Robes - a place where sorcerers and sorceresses go to learn the ways of magic. It was the home of Shea while she was learning magic. The tower is surrounded by a magic wall through which only those who are gifted in magic can walk. It keeps out those wishing to destroy magic users as well as also any annoying little pests who were not born with talent.

The Kingdom of Ighten:

Lowight, Capital City of Ighten:

Built by the hands of a widowed Queen and her shunned people, this towering beacon for goodness was originally made of sticks and stones.  Now, looking at the white marble that covers the outside of the upper class homes and palace, you would never know of Lowight’s humble beginnings. The middle class homes and business area are made of heavy granite, while the lower class buildings are made from smoothe-cut stone. The palace is directly in the middle of the large and wealthy city. Its large and heavy wooden doors have the symbol of a half -sun and half-moon that come together where the double doors open. Behind the palace walls is a garden of enchantment, a maze of wonders and mystery.  The garden is also a place of peace and tranquility. Unless it is specially engaged, anyone is allowed into the palace’s garden between dawn and nightfall. Businesses are booming at all times, and there is always a place to work for those who are looking. Education is at a high in Lowight, with schools for any age and class. However, Lowight is not without its criminal originations. Mostly, these will be found towards the wall surrounding the city. The port to the city is probably the most well-guarded area besides the palace, so not much crime occurs there. In the town square, where the gate to the palace wall is, standing at the top of the large fountain is the statue of the longest reigning Queen of Ighten, Sinead.

Hepian:

Found just beside the border, Hepian was the first capital of Ighten, and is the second oldest city in Ighten. Its buildings and city walls are made of weathered and crumbling stone. Roofs are thatched in some places and covered in mud shingles in others. On sight, it looks like a poor town. For those trying to get from Arken to Ighten who survive the crossing of the Border, it is one of their first stops. Many criminals have resided here, hiding in the slums of the city and dealing their dirty work. A lot of good is here, too. Education is for all classes of wealth. The job market is scarce for those untrained in their trades. The town is run by a pompous and very overweight lord who allows many of the criminals to get away with what they are doing as long as he gets a share of the cut. In short, the city is a good place to find weapons and an even better place to find trouble.

The J’ra Village:

When you first arrive at the J’ra village, you are met by the laughter of children as they run through a meadow speckled with pink flowers. Beyond the small river that separates the village from the meadow is a town made from gray stone with specs of real gold. The village is rich in culture and history, as it is the oldest village in the realm of Ighten. Statues of warriors long past line the buildings in their own selected grooves. Oak and willow trees occupy their sacred places, planted in memory of those who have fallen in the name of the Queen. Though the J’ra people are trained at birth in the ways of combat, they are also known for their art and sculpture. Many people visit the peaceful village each year to see the J’ra people, though many J’ra never leave the village unless it is to serve their Queen. The village is led by the oldest living warrior who is capable of leading the village. The J’ra people, who are gifted fighters, rarely use their skills unless they absolutely must. Though they are deadly, they would rather talk than fight.

The Ashgrown Forest:

The Ashgrown Forest covers the majority of Ighten's landmass.  Many years ago, the great volcano May’em erupted. A cloud of ash was carried to where Ighten now is. The ash was so thick that it destroyed much of all plant life until the forest was gone. Many years later the forest began to grow back, thick, lush and deadlier than ever. New breeds of plants have grown back. Since it rose from ashes, the forest is called the Ashgrown forest. Some trees stand more than a hundred feet tall. Others are low and shaped oddly so that you have to crawl under their arm-like branches. In some places deep in the forest, some plants have a thirst for something other than water. Creatures of a different kind live here, and many of the demons who were trapped in Ighten when the border was created have made a home in the dark jungle-like forest. Just because Ighten is known as The Kingdom of Light doesn’t mean the whole place is good. Many things are hidden in this forest. Many things indeed. Creatures that the Witch Queen created during the Queen Wars still hide here waiting for a pure of heart to come along for dinner, and wild animals abound.  As the land known as The Light slowly begins to lose its purity and the food source grows scarce, the creatures that have been hidden for so long are starting to come out to play. Towns are hidden here and there all around the Ashgrown Forest, but don’t expect a warm welcome…

The Shores of Ighten:

Ighten's shores are lined with beautiful beaches with white sand, palm and deciduous trees, shacks and houses of people that live along it. It's also an easy way for Arken people to enter Ighten, since it is more or less unguarded. Arken's shores, which make up the other half of the continent, consist of craggy rocks and barren cliffs.

Camthalion

The Kingdom of Ongoreth:

Port Karelii, Capital City of Ongoreth:

The capital city of Ongoreth. Some call it The Jewel of the Sea. The greatest lighthouse of Heirot can be found there. It shines so brightly at night, almost any ship can find its way there. Many fishermen, the basis of Ongoreth's society, call it their home. It stretches halfway to the island's center. It has three layers of defense: The lesser riffraff are closest to the sea, counting only on the navy and watch towers for protection. The craftsmen and lesser statesmen are protected behind a medium fortified wall, and the Shogun's fortress and the homes of Samurai families and higher statesmen are only accessible once the mighty last wall is breached. It's ruled by Shogun Kitanai, former general of Ongoreth's forces, who declared its independence. Its army consists of elite forces, like Samurai, Ninja and Monks. Often many wannabe adventurers come to the island to train under its masters, serving under the armed forces for 5 years as an exchange. This makes sure there are always available expendable troops.

Iwama Forest:

It's home to many monasteries of the martial arts. Amidst the tall and welcoming trees there can be found statues of heroes and saints. Druids and Rangers are said to live inside, building trails in the forest and keeping what would otherwise be a perfect hunting spot free of malefactors. The forest is lush and abundant, green most of the year round. It’s clear, with out much excess brush around the edges of the trees so you can see for miles if the land is flat and the trees are evenly spaced. In the midst of the forest is a dormant volcano, the peak of which leaks gases that can make you sick. If you stay there for a longer period of time, you could die from the poisonous fumes.

Town of Armara:

A small mining town in the center of the island. Most villagers are miners, the others either farmers or students of Druids. The town is connected through the mines to a small dwarven village, and there is great friendship between the two settlements. The animals are exotic and friendly when come across, but more fierce than usual when threatened. Such happens with its people as well.

Riffraff's Resthouse:

The name given to the pirate town. It's a filthy place at best. All kinds of scum make the town their resting place. The most interesting place there is the World Bazaar, an inn where all kinds of things are sold: slaves, jewelry, body parts (of all species, rational or no), etc. Otherwise, it'd be nothing but a bunch of leaky shacks and whorehouses. The Shogun often sends his men to make sure things don't get out of order... and they don't, as no one's foolish or drunk enough to pick a fight with Ongorethians... Tribute in leaders and docking taxes makes sure the rulers of Ongoreth close their eyes. As such, command of the navy is entrusted to pirate leaders, who are allowed safe access to their town on the western side of the island.

Kenkakugumi Headquarters

This, as the name says, is the headquarters for the Kenkakugumi, a peace keeping group of swordsmen in Ongoreth. The headquarters is in a grounds 10 acres large that is walled off from the public. However, there is a town around the HQ complete with red light districts, marketplaces, and a temple grounds. Feel free to role play in this area even if you're not a member of the Kenkakugumi.

Other places in Heirot

The Border

This is the vast magically-created Border that most of the people in Arken want to cross. People in Ighten are not allowed to cross it unless under orders by the Queen herself. The perilous, impassible mountain range stretches across the entire main continent, separating Arken from Ighten.  The tops of the mountains are well below freezing, and no safe path exists across it.

The Slave Shop

This large island northeast of the coast of Arken, but outside any single country's rule, is where slaves are sold and bought by other slave owners. People from all three countries sell slaves here, though in Ighten it is illegal.

Sea of Ongore

This enormous sea connects the main continent to the slave shop and surrounds the main continent where Ighten and Arken lie.  It is also the only way to get to Ongoreth. The seas are horrible even during the slightest storm.

Emanon

In two words? Jury-rigged. Everything in Emanon is jury rigged, half of the stuff doesn't work half the time and the other halves are rarely seen. The complex itself was built long ago, before the Queen Wars and everything else that is recent history. Believed to be an old abandoned Dwarven fortress. Why it was built is unknown, but even more troubling is the fact that no one seems to know why it was abandoned. However, what is known, is that recently it has been reopened and people have come to live in its walls once more, though only the upper levels have been thus colonized.