Moonshire - Area Information

1.1 Moonshire Global Area information

Below is the general information of the Moonshire region,

A mixture of races lives here in the Moonshire, but the main population is human. Moonshire is reasonably well faring and living off a large diversity in trade. You will find not only human farmers, but also some halflings too. Also in the south east you will find dwarven mineworkers and gnomish tinkerer inventors. There are also elves in the southwest that are good craftsmen and can do a lot with wood. You will find groups of different races together in different areas in the land, especially during yearly or specific celebrations.

The region of the Moonshire contains different areas, with different capitals. A capital is the main location of one part of the lands. Multiple smaller and larger towns report to the nobles in their local capital and also they can count on protection when needed or in more difficult times. The capitals are also visible on the map and details are recorded in this chapter below. There are the follwing capitals.

1.2 City & Town Overview

Below are descriptions of the cities and adjacent towns.

Silverdale - the Capital of the Moonshire region, known for its intricate bureaucracy, sprawling administrative buildings, and political intrigue, where laws are made and disputes settled

Derby - large city east of the lands, flourishing coastal metropolis with a vibrant maritime culture, bustling docks, and bustling trade routes, serving as a gateway to distant lands across the sea

Bremen - Large city west of the lands, renowned for its rugged terrain, harsh climate, and formidable fortifications, a bastion against northern threats, where resilience and strength are valued above all

Calador - large city south of the lands, mystical haven of wizards and scholars, where arcane knowledge is pursued and ancient secrets are guarded, a place of wonder and mystery

Highwood - Mysterious and well organized Elven capital, a tranquil sanctuary nestled amidst ancient trees and shimmering glades, where harmony with nature is paramount, and the arts of magic and music intertwine

Stone’s Way - large city of dwarves, gnomes & halflings near the mountains, bustling hub of industry and craftsmanship, where the clang of hammers and the glow of forges illuminate the subterranean tunnels, and the spirit of ingenuity thrives among the stone halls and winding passages

1.3 Areas of the Lands

Below is area information such as forests, wildlands, rivers, etc.

The Marshes: an area with much mud, water, old trees and quicksand

The Traveller’s Inn: a famous inn, in the middle of the country. There are often many travelers here and various goods are traded. The famous knight of the circle John Mitchells guards the place here

Tower of High Magic: a variety of wizards live in these towers, experimenting with magic. The 3 types of wizard robes, the white robs of good, red robes of neutrality and black robes of evil are all living together here. The state tolerates them due to the rulership of the lenient king Archibald.

1.4 Trade & Goods Information

Silverdale

- Legal documents and contracts - Due to its bureaucratic nature, Silverdale is a hub for legal affairs, with various legal documents, contracts, and agreements being traded and processed.
- Precious metals and gems - Silverdale's wealth and influence attract traders dealing in precious metals and gems, used for both decorative and monetary purposes.
- Fine textiles and clothing - The city's affluent population demands high-quality textiles and clothing, leading to a thriving trade in fine fabrics and garments.
- Exotic spices and herbs - Imported from distant lands, exotic spices and herbs are highly sought after in Silverdale, adding flavor and variety to the local cuisine.
- Artisanal crafts and pottery - Silverdale boasts a rich tradition of craftsmanship, with artisans producing exquisite pottery, ceramics, and other handmade goods coveted by collectors and connoisseurs.

Derby

- Seafood - Being a coastal city, Derby's primary export is seafood, including fish, shellfish, and seaweed, harvested from the bountiful waters of the Great Sea.
- Shipbuilding materials - With a thriving maritime industry, Derby trades in various shipbuilding materials such as timber, lumber, sails, and ropes, essential for constructing and repairing vessels.
- Pearls and mother-of-pearl - Derby's proximity to oyster beds allows for the harvesting of pearls and mother-of-pearl, prized for their iridescent beauty and used in jewelry and decorative items.
- Salt - Produced from seawater through evaporation, salt is a valuable commodity in Derby, used not only for seasoning food but also for preserving fish and other perishable goods.
- Nautical instruments and navigation tools - Traders in Derby deal in nautical instruments and navigation tools, catering to the needs of sailors and ship captains navigating the treacherous waters of the Great Sea.

Bremen

- Iron and steel - Bremen's rugged landscape is rich in iron ore, leading to a thriving trade in iron and steel, used for weaponry, tools, and construction.
- Fur and pelts - The harsh climate of Bremen's northwest region provides abundant opportunities for hunting and trapping, resulting in a trade in fur and pelts from various animals such as wolves, bears, and foxes.
- Timber and lumber - Despite the challenging terrain, Bremen's forests yield valuable timber and lumber, essential for construction, shipbuilding, and crafting.
- Wool and textiles - Sheep farming is prevalent in Bremen's hinterlands, providing wool for the textile industry, where it is spun, woven, and dyed into fabrics and clothing.
- Pottery and ceramics - Bremen is renowned for its pottery and ceramics, crafted from the region's clay deposits and traded for their durability and craftsmanship.

Calador

- Magical artifacts and spell components - As a center of arcane knowledge and wizardry, Calador trades in magical artifacts, enchanted items, and rare spell components sought after by wizards and practitioners of the arcane arts.
- Alchemical supplies - Alchemy thrives in Calador, with traders dealing in various alchemical supplies such as potions, elixirs, reagents, and rare herbs used for experimentation and potion-making.
- Rare books and scrolls - Calador's libraries and academies house ancient tomes, grimoires, and scrolls containing invaluable knowledge and spells, traded among scholars and collectors.
- Exotic magical creatures - Exotic magical creatures such as familiars, elementals, and magical beasts are bought and sold in Calador's markets, coveted for their mystical properties and abilities.
- Enchanted jewelry and accessories - Crafted by skilled enchanters and jewellers, enchanted jewelry and accessories imbued with magical properties are popular items traded in Calador's magical marketplace.

Highwood

- Elven craftsmanship - Highwood is renowned for its elven craftsmanship, with traders dealing in exquisite elven weapons, armor, jewelry, and works of art, known for their elegance and beauty.
- Rare herbs and botanicals - The lush forests surrounding Highwood are home to rare herbs, plants, and botanicals with unique magical properties, traded among druids, herbalists, and alchemists.
- Elven wine and spirits - Highwood's vineyards produce some of the finest wines and spirits in the region, made from locally grown grapes and infused with elven magic, sought after by connoisseurs and collectors.
- Arcane artifacts and relics - Highwood's ancient ruins and mystical sites yield arcane artifacts and relics dating back to ancient times, traded among scholars, adventurers, and collectors for their historical and magical significance.
- Exotic fruits and forest produce - Highwood's fertile lands produce a variety of exotic fruits, nuts, and forest produce, harvested by elven farmers and traders for both sustenance and trade.

Stone’s Way

- Precious metals and gemstones - Nestled within the mountains, Stone’s Way is rich in precious metals such as gold, silver, and copper, as well as gemstones like rubies, emeralds, and sapphires, mined from deep within the earth.
- Dwarven crafts and weaponry - The skilled craftsmen of Stone’s Way produce renowned dwarven crafts and weaponry, including sturdy armor, finely crafted weapons, and intricate metalwork sought after by adventurers and warriors.
- Gnomish inventions and contraptions - Stone’s Way is home to inventive gnomes who trade in a variety of ingenious inventions, gadgets, and contraptions, ranging from clockwork automatons to mechanical marvels.
- Halfling agricultural produce - Surrounding the city, fertile farmlands tend to by halfling farmers yield an abundance of agricultural produce, including grains, vegetables, and fruits, traded for their freshness and quality.
- Stonework and masonry - Skilled stonemasons and builders in Stone’s Way quarry and shape the region's sturdy granite and marble into bricks, blocks, and sculptures, used for construction and architectural projects throughout the region.

1.5 Town Information

Town specific information is written here, such as buildings and other relevant information,

Royal Oak

Town Building - Description
Adventurers Guild - Meeting place of brave adventurers
Apothecary - Sells ointments, salves etc.
Barracks/ Armory - Place of the guards, and the armour
Bank - Deals in money, gems, lending, etc.
Farms - Peasant houses, most are around town and not inside
Graveyard - Where the dead are buried, it also has a stone morgue building
Grocery Store - Buy food and household equipment here
Houses - Commoner's houses
Inn - Rupert’s Finest inn
Jeweller - Sells and cuts jewels, also sells art
Library - One can borrow books there
Mage Guild - A small mage guild is here, one needs to be a member
Marketplace - Weekly market place is on the town's square
Mayor’s House - the house of the mayor, is lying outside town
Nobles Houses - Some nobles live inside more luxurious homes in town
Smithy - Where the Blacksmith resides; one can buy & repair weapons and armour here
Stables - Horse trader
Tavern - ‘The monkey’, a smaller tavern than Rupert's Finest Inn
Temples - For priests to pray, meditate, rest, do piety work, etc.
Thieves Guild - Where is it?
Town Hall - The officials and councillors gather here for administration work, discuss the latest updates, voting for ideas, etc.
Supply store - Buy your standard supplies here
Zoo - Up a hill near the town is a zoo containing various animals, also exotic ones, lions, bears, tigers, monkeys

Area Building - Description
Abbey - Some miles traveling outside town one finds a small stone building where monks reside
Abandoned huts - Uninhabited huts outside town
Forest - A thin forest is near Royal Oak, containing trees & bushes
Forest - Oak trees are at the other side of Royal Oak
Rocks - Some medium rocks and hilly area is nearby
Road - Some roads are nearby
Watermill - An old watermill is outside town

1.6 Other Kingdoms

These are kingdoms outside of the Moonshire Realm

Andieux - A mixed elven & human community. The land has sharp traders and is also skilled in magic and religious activities. More stylish and aloof. Some zealot clans come from Andieux, like the clan of the green dragon and the order of the lotus. Half elves also live here. The gray elves and high elves can live here. It has a well known Tower of High Magic that attracts travelers who want to study the arts of magic from afar

Cities:

Ansalon - The land of Ansalon with the capital of Lyonne has a Ruling Council that has much influence to the lands around. The Council runs the land of Ansalon and delegates their plans to local governors and regents. They make sure the government rules are followed for trading, exploration, construction etc. Ansalon tries to act by promoting trade and as an organizer and peacekeeper between different lands. It strives to maintain good relationships with the whole continent, if possible. It also has a good fleet run by the International Seafaring Alliance under the lead of Admiral Johnson. They protect merchant ships against pirates.

Cities:

Ardonne - An elven kingdom near the coast. It is a land which exists for a large deal out of farmers. It is also rumoured to harbor some pirates. The elves prefer to keep to themselves and it is hard to permanently be allowed to reside in this land.

Cities:

Briar - a mountainous community that has thick rich forests. During the day it can be warm, especially in the summer, but the nights cool off tremendously due to the mountains. Many secluded hermits and monks live there. Some say the mountains collect rich treasures of ancient civilizations that the monks guard, others say it contains much lore such as books. In any way, the area is very inaccessible and the people there live in a secluded way. There are some farming communities, but these too are quite tricky to reach and won't bring you higher up.

Cities:

Byzanth - A desert like area where many towns are situated around the sand. Some vegetation is here. More to the east is the great desert. This is home to many eastern like people and nomads. Far away goods are exported from here like spices, clothes, tapestries, scimitars, blue jewelry and so on. The capital is Al-Aduin. Be careful when dealing with the very busy tradesmen there as every market can feel like a black market. They will offer you a discount or special price many times, and they have their own rules.

Cities:

Fynn - A hilly land with some occasional mountains. To the north are more grasslands and meadows. Halflings and gnomes live here, together with some orcs and ogres. The gnomes have enough room for their experiments. Many communities love to buy unusual equipment and gems from the gnomes, but they do shun their crazy inventions which could cost a life if they do not watch out. Fynn means ‘song’ in gnomish. Dwarves also live here. They prefer to name the lands 'Fellworth' but their capital turned this idea down. It has one very large hill, which is used for monumental visits and also ritual sacrifice to many gods.

Cities:

Leng - A hilly and mountainous land where orcs, ogres, trolls & kobolds live. Some communities are quite civilized and live from trade, more from Vortax than from Phalanx. However, trade is at times neglected due to the aggressive nature of the orcs. You never know what mood they have. ‘Leng’ means rock or bald in orcish language and could be used as a cuss word. However, the famous orcish intellectual poet Roga hails from there.

Cities:

Logkarst - A multi cultural kingdom, ruled by a council. They not only contain many peasant communities, but a very strong mixed army containing out of all kinds of different races. They are sure that their council is also represented by at least one member of every race.

Cities:

Smog - A dwarven dominated land. Smog means smoke. Dwarves work and mine hard here for a living. The mined ore is manufactured into bars or other equipment and, or exported to other lands. A lot of supplies are shipped by cargo ships through Fynn and warships built by Smog's architects reinforce the coast of Fynn and offer protection to their halfling friends. However let no one say that these dwarves are easy traders, when exporting goods they only accept the best deals and are masters in regulations by for example, calculating all kinds of import, export and special taxes.

William Barden of Phalanx has a special favor of drinking like a dwarf. He helped dwarves defend versus the rough lands of Loogh. Barden’s castle is located in Skolldingstone City. There was a statue and an outpost named after him. He was a well-respected leader of Phalanx, a great tradesman for them (the fact that he was first president is ignored)

Cities:

Phalanx - A strict and organized country that is mainly populated by various humans. Stef Barden, the first King of Phalanx, established Barden City. Phalanx has many people that are skilled at seafaring and also has many scholars. The capital Phalanx City has a lot of exchange of people, goods, various trade, and so on, also with Silverdale. This lands were colonised about 1000 years ago together with many others. It has many cities producing arms & equipment and their good quality guarantee is well known. Also the Barden family established settlements everywhere through the lands by having good relationships with the local inhabitants, before actually the lands came into being as we knew them today. Therefore it is not so strange to find Phalanx structures in other kingdoms.

Explorers under lead of Vic Keldor and Sam Woolgather searching for new trade areas. Keldor City was created, but the capital was Phalanx City because the natural harbor was better. Phalanx City created by Sam Woolgather after exploring the jungles of Phalanx. Phalanx City was created by Sam Woolgather after exploring the thick jungles of Phalanx.

A strict watch is held by the Order of the Phoenix, a group of Crusaders that takes care of the local safety on Phalanx. This is necessary, because illegal traders, brigands and pirates find this land a quite interesting place to get supplies from. Just as Vortax, there are some smugglers active. Also it contains various argrarical communities in the middle of the island. They

Phalanx had a president, Marie Woolgather who was poisoned during a state dinner. Together with the leader of the Order, Sten Blithesome, all despicable conspirators could be arrested. The cooperation between the Woolgather and Blithesome family increased, and West and East Phalanx were governed by their influence.

Cities:

Stone Haven - Dwarves, gnomes and halflings live here. It are hardworking communities and the population is not dense. It is one of the most important traders of raw ore, iron, coal, refined steel and even mithril to Ansalon and other countries. If you upset these hardworking people, surely most of the communities know it as word spreads fast and they will not trade with you anymore, or imply penalties.

Cities:

Vortax - A mostly human community. Many sharp traders have settled here through the years and they trade in all kinds of goods, supplies, wargear, spices, antiques, etc. This land has many rough parts and they are also suspected to harbour pirates in their bays. Unlike in Phalanx, the inspections for goods are less strict. Now and then a pirate ship is found with cargo for Vortax and engaged by the International Seafaring Alliance. Of course this doesn't fall well with Phalanx who also guards these waters.

Cities:

Tropical Woods - Laying very south, these woods are dense, ...and warm. It is home to many different species of animals, like multi-colored birds and reptiles. It also has much fruits and vegetables all year round. Also many native tribes live here and some are said to be very dangerous. Because it is so hard to explore, settlers have not even tried, although from time to time expeditions travel here to gather resources. The risk is there, but exotic goods can sell for a high price. Please note some councils like of Moonshire are against pillaging nature for plants, animals and also taking human slaves, which is looked down upon.

The Great Sea - a large sea where all kinds of ships enter and leave. The sea ranges from all the way north to where the cold mountainous areas are until the great pacific south.

The Small Pacific - the subtropical waters around the eastern islands

The Great Pacific - tropical waters south of the continent

Eastern Islands - these are away from the mainland, mysterious and remote, home to exotic flora and fauna. The islands lay reasonably south and much time of the year it is quite warm, though the evening temperatures are lower because of all the waters around. The islands, also called provinces, are owned by different lands such as Ardonne, Andieux, Phalanx, Vortax, and Moonshire. After some initial struggles, the lands are stable and divided by the different states. They are also guarded by various ships of the different lands, and some are used as hideout by refugees, criminals and pirates

The Cold Waters - the Northern sea bordering the continent's upper countries, which leads all the way to the polar area