Click for larger version. Ki'nem (pronounced 'Keen-Em')
Capital: City of Bendene
Government: Mageocracy; there hasn't been a sole ruler in centuries. Mages mostly deal with the larger cities, villages are mostly left to be taken care of by their Elders.
Inhabitants: Humans, Elves, Dwarves, Beast Men, Half-Bloods and small pockets of other humanoids.
Population: The larger cities are more densely populated than the open areas. Gehenna took its toll in some places though.
Terrain: Rather mixed- mountains, flatlands, forest, marshland and even a bit of desert.
Effects of Gehenna:The first few Weeks intensified feelings that already existed, but War was the beginning of the roughest time in Ki'nem's history. Disputes of all sorts cropped up and it seemed war with the Catai Empire was on the horizon. It seemed the Empire was no longer content with the land they held and if they had their way the people of Ki'nem and the rest of Aejiss would be under the Empress' rule. It took some time and far more casualties than were reckoned but the invaders were repelled. Most of the entire eastern coast was damaged in some fashion; Port Kadar was nearly destroyed, part of Keroon Forest was razed and much of the grasslands near the coast were stained red with blood.
While the people of Ki'nem were still nursing wounds from War, sickness began to spread in the cities, marking the beginning of Plague. To this day no one is sure of the exact nature or origin of the illness, only that it claimed lives quickly and in large numbers in more populated areas. Given that there was no known cure for the affliction, many who exhibited signs of it were exiled from their villages to avoid it spreading further; sometimes it appeared be enough, some places were not as lucky.
Famine and Decay seemed to come as one to Ki'nem. Rain no longer came to give life to crops, stores spoiled, animals died for seemingly no reason. Ki'nem's citizens demanded help of the Mages, who had no answers for them. In anger at the Mages' inaction, one of the council members was murdered. Those who still had faith prayed to any number of gods for help, but it seemed none was forthcoming. In recorded history the cause for the 'Great Decay' is blamed on the bodies of those taken by the sickness that were buried rather than burned. That the Earth Mother, afflicted by sickness, is what caused living things to wither and die.
In the aftermath of previous weeks, Hell was mild in comparison, even if it was the longest. Survivors that couldn't get to the large cities sought to stay together, clinging to what was left of their families and land. The likes of demons had not been seen on Ki'nem for at least a hundred years or more. The last time due to a Mage seeking to summon and bind one, and ended up getting far more than she had bargained for, loosing her life in the process.
A strange pleasantness seemed to settle over Ki'nem once the demons were done away with. This is when the healing and rebuilding began with the hopes that this was not truly the End. People went on with their lives and worked to restore their homeland to its former prosperity. At first when the stars began to disappear it was kept quiet, but when the trend did not cease it eventually became noticeable to the untrained eye that all was not right with the sky.
People beseeched the gods again for help, at first it seemed as it had before that no help would come and their world with be swallowed whole by the ever-darkness in the sky. It took some time, but eventually the land began to heal, crops began to grow and life slowly returned to normal.
Major Cities & Settlements→
City of Bendene - This is the capital city of Ki'nem and the seat of the mageocracy. It is the home of most of the nobility as well as the Mages. It was the first true city built on Ki'nem in ancient times, though exactly how long ago no historians can agree on exactly when. The only point of agreement is that it had to have been during the time when sole monarchs still ruled the land. That in itself is rather vague, but notes from history of that time were not as well kept as they are now.
Bendene sits just off the banks of the Tiberius river, and outside its walls are several large villages as well as rich farmland. According to most it is the most beautiful city in Ki'nem, with its own mage school, a university (for those not gifted in the arts of the arcane), as well as the largest library on the continent. It's market is second in size only to the one in Telgar, but the hospitality found for traveler's in the city's Inns is second to none.
The great city's luster has dulled somewhat due to Gehenna, like a jewel that hasn't been polished in some time. Repairs to undo the damage left by Decay have been done, but no one now has the skill that the ancient stone masons who built the city did. Aside from that things are beginning to flourish again and life returns to normal. Any travelers to the city would be met with Bendene's famed hospitality.
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Telgar - In stories Telgar is referred to as the City of Crossroads and it truly is. The roads from both ports, the capital and the forest converge here. This city is the center of trade for Ki'nem, and market takes up a good deal of the city proper. The remaining space is taken up by the homes of wealthy merchants, minor nobles and the 'less savory' folk of society. Telgar lies north of Bendene and can be reached simply by following the road form the capital's northern gates. It is nestled in an odd place on the continent, between the open grassland, Ramoth Marsh and the odd patch of desert.
Being the centre of trade Telgar in particular was heavily effected by Gehenna. Many of the merchants lost their livelyhood to War or the weeks that followed. A good deal chose to cut their losses and make their way to Bendene. Telgar one of the highest death tolls during Plague and Decay, primarily among those living in the less developed sections of the city as they weren't so well maintained. If one were to venture into those parts of the city there would still be collapsed buildings left, partially scrapped for materials to build new dwellings.
The market is filling out again, but merchants lament the loss of goods from the Catai Empire as they were always good trade. Mayhap one day more than an uneasy peace can be formed and trade between the two lands can continue as before. For now they content themselves with trading goods with the folks of the Isles.
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Daniloth - This is the smaller of the two port cities of Ki'nem. It is primarily a port used by fishermen, the harbor a home to a large number of smaller craft, though occasionally trade does pass through the city. The town grew up from seaside, beginning as a just a quaint village for small time fishermen. The town's heart and small market is practically a stones throw from the shore, just beyond the docks. Further inland are where houses have been built, now a far cry from the tiny shacks that were there when the city's life began.
The people of Daniloth were fearful when the war with the Catai Empire broke out. Worried that enemy ships would come and lay waste to all they had worked so hard to build. Thankfully they were spared, with the offensive contained primarily to the eastern coast. Things did turn sour however when Plague and Decay passed. Numerous fish washed up dead on the beach, an ill omen to any fisherfolk. Some of the town succumbed to the illness sweeping the kingdom, mostly those very old or very young. Prudently they burned the bodies, rather than bury them, instead offering the ashes of the dead to the sea.
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Port Kadaar - This is Ki'nem's primary port for trade with foreign lands. It is a very large and prosperous city, nearly the size of the great capital. Its population is the most varied of all, as there are always visitors from other places passing through or finding a new place to call home. Its primary feature is an impressive harbor that is home to large trading vessels as well as the small naval fleet Ki'nem commands.
Like Daniloth, Port Kadaar grew outward from the docks and is now an expansive city. In addition to the merchants and traders, some nobles have retreat houses in this city, to be able to enjoy the sea and take a break from inland city life. Anything you could dream of could be found in Port Kadaar, if the price is right. That is, before the war broke out.
The Catai Empire attacked a sleepy city, early in the morning during the Week of War. The small navy fought their hardest to stave off the invaders, but it was to no avail. Now, most of Ki'nem's navy lays beneath the waves save the few ships they were able to salvage and repair. Considerable damage was done to the city, many lives were lost and once the soldiers of the Catai Empire were done with the port town the survivors were left to deal with the wreckage, their dead and the Weeks that followed.
Like the rest of Ki'nem this town been brought back to life considerably. At the forefront was the restoration of the dock and warehouses, so trade could resume and bring money back into the city. Homes have been built anew atop old ruins, though some nobles have decided to relocate their seaside homes to Daniloth instead.
Landmarks→
The Guild - This was Tien's 'Temple' before the Fading, or rather the closest thing she had to one. She played the part of the Thieve's Guildmaster for all of Ki'nem, though few had any knowledge of who she actually was. She offered a home to all sorts of vagabonds, petty thieves, merchants and wanderers.
The Guild itself was hidden up the mountains, well out of the way of any city or village, lest the Mages catch wind of the location. If anyone with the right intentions and mischief in their heart sought to find it their feet would show them the way. Elsewise they would likely end up lost in the mountains. If one who had been there tried to explain its location they would find themselves unable to which the exception of vague and unhelpful responses. It is unknown if this enchantment held after Tien faded.
The building itself is a fortress of a sort, built partially from the mountain it resides near. Beyond the main gates is an open plaza, this area would be dotted with tents and small firepits of those staying with the guild temporarily. There were also overhangs in places to allow better shelter from the elements. A set of heavy double doors beyond the plaza leads into the main guild hall. It is a large open room, with long tables that could be pulled into place for a meal or removed for other entertainment. Tien would hear petitions and settle disputes here, her own little sort of 'court' in a way. Beyond this were the doors that led to the personal chambers of her retinue, linking and weaving tunnels carved from stone. One must tread wearily though, in a rogues home. The hallways were often armed with all manner of traps to keep visitors and residents alike on their toes.
The last major feature of note is the Gauntlet. Tien's prized creation, designed to test the awareness and cleverness of those who seek a permanent place among her retinue and to be brought into her confidence. It combines traps, puzzles as well as physical challenges that must be overcome to reach the exit.
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Ramoth's Marsh - There is a tower located in the center of the marsh that used to belong to a Mage, named Ramoth. She lived here several centuries ago, until her death at the hands of a Demon she summoned and could not control. The demon nearly wrecked the tower and set out to terrorize all of Ki'nem until it was sealed away by the Council of Mages at the time. Ramoth's Tower still remains standing, full of potentially magical items, if anyone has courage enough to pass through the marsh.
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Desert Temple - There is no real recorded history on why the temple is there, only that it has always been there. Perhaps it is a forgotten temple to Desert, or somewhat else and the land around it has just changed. The occasional excursion is led out to try and reach the temple, but they can never seem to reach it and always return empty handed.
Important NPCsThe Council of MagesThe Council rules Ki'nem.
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The Thieves' Guild→
Religion...
