The World of Terrax: A Traveler’s Guide

This document will give a brief description of each of the countries in Terrax. This is to provide the player the information any common traveler may know about an area. A character from a given country would of course know more information than transcribed in this document.

Kainan

Kainan is a country of lords, splitting the land among themselves. There are five lords of Kainan, and among them is their future king. The previous king of Kainan died a few years ago, and now a civil war has broken out among the remaining lords on who shall be next to wear the crown. Kainan is largely a human country, but is home to a few of every race. Just don’t let them find out you are of Elven heritage, or you might end up as a slave for a wealthy noble or even a lord. Kainan’s military force is second to none, though with their army having no war, the five lords are using these men to fight amongst themselves for the crown. The western hold of Meridia has a trade treaty with the Dwarven Tribes, so both humans and dwarves make up the major population of this hold.

Maho no Kuni

Thirty years ago Maho no Kuni was ruled by a group of mages led by a terrible lich named Xanbar Boneshaker. Since Xanbar’s defeat in the Battle of Maho, the council was found to be under mind control by Xanbar, and were released to help repair the damage they had caused while under his influence. Rigness Magnus now leads the country through this developing age and after thirty years of work has made good progress in creating a country that harnesses the magic of the world for humanity’s development. Maho no Kuni is the major country of the Gensai, along with several other races. People who wish to study the arcane arts may travel here as it was once the source of the Elemental Gate, a large crystal structure that once was a permanent gateway between the Material Plane and all other Planes. The Gate has long been destroyed, and the fragments are scattered throughout the world as conduits of the world’s feylines. Feylines, for the unknowing traveler, are the lines that determine the possible locations of portals to other planes of existence.

Formosus

Formosus is the name of a desert found between the countries of Fenice and Maho no Kuni. The land itself has no true government, instead tribes across the dust lands have established trade routes and a port city for the use of business with the outside world. The tribes of Formosus are known for two things: merchants and mercenaries. Blood flows more than water in this land, and many would pay a pretty coin for a guide through the harsh desert days this land has to offer. Some clans of Wood Elf have adapted to the desert climate, along with Dragonborn, Humans, Lizardfolk, Tabaxi, and even a few Tiefling.

Fenice

If you are in search of goods, Fenice is the place to go. Known as the Trade Capital of Terrax, Fenice is home to the greatest of craftsmen and merchants. Fenice is also the founding place of Magitech, originally created in the town of Chrono Villa by an elf by the name of Kai Goldengear. The land of Fenice is ripe for farming, providing many fruit and grain for the people. Just don’t travel to far north, or you’ll meet the Grand Barricade. Not many know the cause of its initial construction, but no one ever wants to be on the other side of that wall or they would meet a terrible fate. Fenice’s population consist of human, elf, dwarf, and gnome for the majority, along with anyone who is crafty or creative enough to set up shop in the capital of Eden.

Garula

Garula lies between Fenice and Ultima, finding its own culture within the valley of the two mountain ranges that establish its borders. Garula was once a part of Ultima, but several decades ago broke off and established itself as a kingdom that supported all races and cultures. This thriving community finds itself with farming as its main source of trade. A prominent city of Garula is Dagger-Ridge, home to the Garula Arena, where adventurers far and wide go to test themselves against the town’s mayor and champion, Damion Fireheart, or against monsters found in the mountains and forest surrounding the town.

Ultima

Ultima was originally a home to all, but in the last century has become nothing but a playground for their half-dragon king, James Draconis. The red half-dragon was once called James Drakitus, but changed his name once he took the throne. King Draconis rules his dragonborn and half-dragon brethren by claim of being a descendent of the god Draconis himself. No one is strong or foolish enough to challenge his claim, and so the Mad King rules his kingdom like a dragon; by claw and by fire. Mad King Draconis now has his mind set on expanding his lair into a mighty empire, reclaiming Garula and expanding further still. Travelers are advised to avoid the central and northern areas of Ultima, and traders are advised to only visit the port of New Light City.

Enon

A new city was recently established off the coast of Ultima known as Enon. It claims itself as an independent territory and has somehow kept the claws of the Mad King off of its land. The city is currently investing in various projects having to do with Magitech. The city was founded by a man named Arbor Vlasta, who previously was a well-known traveling merchant and tinkerer.

Astus

Astus is a Republic, ran by the voting power of all adult males in the country. In a crisis, General Xelophane “The Striker” is put into power until the crisis ceases. Astus is home to each and every artisan guild in the land, sitting itself as the throne of creativity. World renowned artists travel here to hone their craft or make a profit from it. Astus is the trading center of the western hemisphere with its impressive collection of trading vessels. Among these ships is also Astus’s military, as it is also home to the largest navy in the world. The capital of Sophia hosts most of the mage, bard, and artisan guilds found in Astus, save for one. In the city of Lugdush, long known as “The Village of Heroes” lies the original Beowolves guild hall.

Spaka

You want to start a bar fight and never see a jail cell or fine for it? You go to Spaka. Ruled by King Gatts, this land is home to the toughest of warriors and the best of blacksmiths. Spaka is known as the Land of the Feral due to its openness to the monster races of the world, such as Goblins, Lizardfolks, and Orcs. The country isn’t known for much in the way of farming or trade, but it is well established as a place you do not want to mess with!

Vilahlus

Vilahlus is more a collection of villages than a country. Each village provides one or two village elders (usually the elder and his wife). The elders all gather in Maize, the central village and decide which village will host festivals and how the other villages will help those who have suffered from a poor harvest. It’s a simple land, but the rolling hills and miles of farmland are well worth at least a stop on the way to your final destination.

Montia

Montia is home to the Oracle, chosen by the gods to share prophecies with the world. For this reason, Montia is the religious center of the world, home to the grand temples of many gods in the pantheon. Many travelers make pilgrimage to Sacredos, capital of Montia, and the mountain it is carved in, The Spear of Heaven. The population has the highest concentration of clerics and paladins seen throughout the land. When it comes to trade, a small village on the coast trades fish, spices, and ore mined from the mountain. Travelers are most welcome at any of the temples in Sacredos, but only some have the fortune of seeing the Oracle in person.

The Dwarven Tribes

All dwarves belong to a tribe, and all of these tribe have a central pact that dictates their laws and government. The Dwarven Tribes have a long standing peace treaty with the people of Kainan for the purposes of trade. The Dwarven Tribes are also the friendliest of those who dwell in the Underdark, as they are the only ones that even seem to tolerate surface dwellers. The capital of all dwarven culture is Azgaldor. The massive capital fortress of a dwarven city is found in the heart of the Ubane Mountains, and is home to many blacksmiths, jewelers, and tinkerers all ready to sell you their goods for coins or for spirits.

The Elven Society

The Elven Society is a simple government. Anyone of elven heritage can claim the Elven Society as an ally as long as they are not seen as an enemy by the Society. All elves are free and intelligent beings and deserve to be treated as such. Now despite all that, a few of the Society’s members claim superiority above all others, mostly High Elves. The only land claimed by the Elven Society is a set of floating islands that sit on the southern coast of the world, the only way to them is by airship. Few Drow live among these isles after being banished during the Elven Civil War several centuries ago, but that banishment has since been lifted. All are welcome to the Summerset Isles for both trade and travel (even Drow), just be prepared to converse with a snotty High Elf noble or two.