Continents and Nations of Terra

The Deluge, unleashed by the dragon-gods in -6,000, separated the supercontinent Sarvamsaha (“all-enduring”) into four major landmasses. Over time, Terra’s inhabitants adapted and went on to build civilisations of remarkable complexity and grandeur.

Terra, a world of countless stories, is the name given to a planet in the Sol system, chosen by the gods to harbour life. The supercontinent Sarvamsaha was abruptly divided into four distinct continents, each with its own climate, landscapes, and cultural customs, reflecting the vast diversity of this world.

The waters of the Deluge that flowed between them solidified into oceans and seas. The Sea of Khal is steeped in stories and nautical legend. The Arc Stream is infamous for its violent, unrelenting currents. The Bay of Embers gleams like a beacon to seafarers and stands as a lasting symbol of home. Lastly, the Ocean of Lost Souls earned its name from the Bretannian Trade Navy, as none who entered its waters ever returned.

These waters are the veins of Terra, conduits of exploration, commerce, and sagas that oscillate between wonder and warning. On Terra, land and ocean are not merely settings, but living realms, each a cradle for the epics and legends that shape this world.

Dracomben

Dracomben, derived from the Eruditan Draco Racumbens (“Reclining Drake”), lies in the northwest of Terra. Diverse not only in culture but also in species, Dracomben is home to elves, dwarves, and humans, though the dwarves mysteriously disappeared in 350 AV.

The elves took their first steps in Fallvale (Old Elven for “hidden valley”), a land of lush green valleys and cascading waterfalls that carry the enchantment of ages past. The Ljosalfar built cities of soaring spires and radiant architecture, blending elegance with ancient magic.

Bravoure (Bravan for “land of the brave”), ancient and resplendent, is a melting pot of culture and language, where Eruditan buildings still stand tall after centuries of weather and change. The mountain chains of Dracomben, known as the Mounts of Gurdal (Old Elven for “valley of spears”), are said to trace the sleeping spine of the dragon-god Varko, King of the Gods. It is within these mountains that the first holy scriptures were inscribed in temples older than the Deluge. Due to its cultural diversity and history as a home to humans of varied origins, as well as elves and, long ago, dwarves, Bravoure recognises Common Tongue as one of its official languages. However, Bravan remains the language of law and governance, with the Code of Law and various official documents formally redacted in it.

Sharing a border with Bravoure is Tazman (Taz for “strong people”), a peninsula of dense jungles and abundant wildlife. Once an independent queendom, Tazman was conquered by Vanhauian forces in a campaign that lasted a century. The conflict came to an end when Bravoure signed a treaty with Vanhaui, formally annexing Tazman into its territory.

Isqala (Isqalimun for “place of fish”), once only the land of ice, is now also the land of steadfast warriors and mystical shamans, where strength and spiritual heritage flourish in unison.

These nations, distinct yet deeply intertwined, form the living chronicle of Dracomben, a realm of historical depth, mystical allure, and feats of architectural grandeur.

Terre de Lys

  • Hauvian States

  • Rallis

  • Ilia

  • Ailura

  • The Moors

Terre de Lys (Lutessian for “land of lilies”) lies at the heart of Terra, pulsing with life and echoing with a symphony of languages and traditions. It is the cradle of the Hauvian States, formerly known as Vanhaui (“highlands”), a political and cultural union comprised of Hauvia (Old Hauvianic for “highland”), Bretannia (Old Bretannic for “highlands”), and Lutessia, from the Eruditan Lux Tessera (“token of light”), each with its own dominant language. Befest (“fortification” or “siege”), the capital of Hauvia and the seat of the Hauvian States, is a jewel of splendour, rising from the ashes of the demigoddess Amarynth and embodying both solemnity and sanctity.

If luxury defines life in the Hauvian States, then squalor defines it in the sands of Rallis (Eruditan for “the place stripped bare”). A hive of lizardmen known as the sithrax, Rallis is a harsh, barren landscape where ruthlessness and warmongering rule under the banners of clan leaders. The mere whisper of Rallis strikes fear deep into the hearts of Terrans. It is for this reason the Erudites erected a magical barrier between Rallis and the human world, to isolate the sithrax and protect the rest of the continent.

In addition to the mainland nations, Terre de Lys includes three key islands: Ilia (Old Lutessian for “island”), Ailura (Draconic for “land of cats”), and the Moors. Ilia, once an extension of Lutessia, is now a sovereign realm ruled by a king. Ailura is the ancestral homeland of the sindur, though it was conquered by the sithrax in 1101:AV and remained under their control for over 400 years before liberation. The Izityene (Izityenic for “those who departed”) tribe of that era was completely destroyed by the sithrax, and its surviving people were absorbed into oppressed Ailura. The Moors, a Bretannian colony, serve as a vital hub for trade between the Hauvian States, Bravoure, and Ghaliz.

Onkan

  • Kan’juuna

  • Ka Mui

  • Vargna

  • Elb

On the far east of Terra lies the continent of Onkan (Kanjuunese for “gentle cold”) and its neighbouring islands. The mainland is home to the nation of Kan’juuna (“land of gentle cold”), a realm forged through the unification of peoples once divided by the War of States, now peacefully ruled under a single banner.

Beside it lies the volcanic island of Ka Mui, hypothetically named from the Kanjuunic Ika Hui or the Whakatere Kana Mure, two phrases that, interestingly, share the same meaning: “place of the gathering fish”. Ka Mui is a verdant island renowned for its wide variety of flightless birds, including the kākāpō. It is formally part of Kan’juuna.

To the southwest lie two more islands: Vargna (Old Elven for “wolf-born”) and Elb (Old Elven for “white land”). These islands are inhabited by manalfar and solalfar who departed Fallvale thousands of years ago and have lived in isolation ever since. Both nations remain closed to outside trade and maintain limited contact with the rest of the world.

Ghaliztan

  • Ghaliz

  • Camagu

  • Inuskali

  • Teh

Ghaliztan, Banuelic for “harsh land,” is the official name given to the vast continent in the southwest of Terra. It is home to two nations, with two nearby archipelagos contributing to a richly diverse cultural region.

Ghaliz (called Galies in Old Elven) is an arid nation celebrated as the Land of Sultans and Sorcerers. It is known for its grand palaces of ornate design, bustling markets filled with pottery, mosaics, spices, and flavorful vegetables. Ghaliz is especially renowned for its artisans, whose textile work weaves stories into tapestries and carpets with patterns as intricate as the legends they depict.

On the mainland, isolated from Ghaliz by the mountains of Kal’Hilal (“the crescent”), lies Camagu, the oldest human civilisation in the history of Terra. The name Camagu means “blessed” in the Ukhokho language. Though advanced in magic and knowledge, Camagu remains shrouded in mystery due to centuries of self-imposed isolation. While Camagu delegates have shared stories abroad, little has been formally documented about their homeland.

In the surrounding waters, the archipelago kingdom of Inuskali is known for its language, Indavi, which evolved directly from the language of the Erudites. Inuskali is famous for its pristine temples from the old ages and ancient structures left behind by the Erudites. Its tropical climate supports extensive spice farming and a wide variety of fruits, making Inuskali a vibrant centre of trade across Terra.

Further south lies Teh, the archipelago of the Whakatere, whose name means “navigators.” The Whakatere are renowned seafarers and fierce warriors who settled across many southern islands, ultimately establishing their kingdom on the largest, Aoteh (“white cloud”). Deeply spiritual, the Whakatere follow ancient traditions tied to nature and the sea. After the Deluge, they journeyed across open waters in search of a homeland, eventually arriving in the Ghaliztan region.