Ericadia
21-09-2004, 04:51
A fact book entry about the fantasy nation of Ericadia
Ericadia is home to two different races. Originally there were many different races, but as you will read, they were wiped out.
The Ravon, cunning and skillful at anything they set out to do, were masters of all they laid eyes upon. They warred with anything they thought stood in there way. Many races who resisted were completely annihilated. The one race that did survive the onslaught was the Creox. The Ravon found the Creox to be strong and dumb, the perfect combination for a good slave. Instead of slaughtering the Creox, the Ravon captured them and sent them to work.
100 years of back breaking slavery drove the Creox to the edge. It is unsure who was responsible for the organizing of the Creox resistance, but whoever it was must have had quite a bit of cunning and charisma (In fact there are some conspiracies going around that a Ravon organized the revolt).
The sheer mass of the Creox army overwhelmed the Ravon forces wherever they did battle. With only seven cities left standing, the Ravon were getting desperate.
A daring young ravon by the name of Eri Don Zie presented his people with a plan: He and his brother (Jer Ant Zie) would write a song good enough that the sky would bless it with the power to bring the cities into the sky (I‘ll explain a little more of this further down). The plan was accepted, the song was written, and in order to get the blessing right, had to be performed in the cities at roughly the same time.
The Creox army was approaching and would be upon the city of Denya before the blessing could be complete. A brave general by the name of Fluric offered to lead a final assault against the Creox, in order to give Eri Don Zie the time he needed.
While the Ravon army went out for the last time, the orchestras started playing the song in every city. Denya and Xeros where the first to rise, followed by Eqany, Lebel, Necrelion, and Stelkla. The seventh city, Dal, was left on the ground because it was located in the mountains, easy to defend, and was the only remaining source of the Ravon’s metals.
The Ravon were now at peace floating high above Ericadia’s landscape. The people were overjoyed with Eri Don Zie and made him the ruler of the Ravon. Eventually they learned to train Nyoc (docile flying creatures) and used them to trade between cities. The army was rebuilt and the city of Stelkla was renamed as Fluric‘s Hold. Things had never been better.
The Creox however were not so fortunate. Once they had no common enemy left with which to fight they had no reason to band together. They disintegrated into minor tribes and clans, warring with each other over land and resources.
Ravon Governance: The Ravon government is like a fiefdom: Each city has a lord or lady and each lord or lady has to answer to Eri Don Zie. When Eri Don Zie is feeling generous he will allow his people to vote on certain things (a right they have never had before).
Ravon cities in order of size:
Denya - This city is wealthy and blanketed in fountains and statues. Eri Don Zie’s largest palace resides here. This city’s lord is Jer Ant Zie.
Fluric’s Hold - Named after the hero Fluric. Fluric’s hold is a fortified city with many training barracks and farms. This city’s lord is Fluric the II (Son of Fluric)
Eqany - Eqany is the city where the first Nyoc was trained, and so most of the Ravon’s trade revolves around this city. This City’s lord is Spimat.
Dal - This city is the only Ravon city still on the ground. It has been kept safe from attack mostly through bribes to the surrounding Creox tribes (although the large military garrison also helps). Dal is located in the mountains and is the industrial capitol of the Ravon. This city’s lord is Prolvess.
Lebel - Originally Lebel was located at the base of the mountains in a very rain heavy area. When It was lifted it left behind a crater (like the other cities). Over time the heavy rain filled the crater and made it into Lake Lebel. A large serpent nicknamed “Old Abby” lives in Lake Lebel, although it is unknown how she got there. This city’s lord is Tre Har Mou.
Xeros - Xeros is named after the first recorded king of the Ravon and is home to temples to many different deities. This city’s lady is Kaira.
Necrelion - Nicknamed the enlightened city, Necrelion is a pinnacle of educational, scientific, and artistic achievement, boasting many academies, laboratories, theatres, libraries, and public works. This city’s lord is Veswil.
A little more about the Creox: The strongest tribe by far are the Pamolp. Their leader is Hujalt, the strongest and most feared Creox warrior in Ericadia. The Pamolp also are among the few tribes who have a shaman. Their shaman, Jormund, invokes chaos and causes mischief with his magics.
How magic works in Ericadia: Almost all Ericadian magics are enchantments.
The Ravon wield magic power through sheer mental will. All Ravon have the ability to learn basic magic (healing, resistance, etc), but the gifted go on to become powerful. (Eri Don Zie is a good example of a gifted magic user).
The Creox wield magic through hand gestures and runes.
Music to Magic in Ericadia:
Songs in Ericadia have the potential to invoke special powers.
“Play the soul to the sky, and if the sky is pleased, the soul becomes more.” -Eri Don Zie speaking to music students about how a song becomes blessed.
The Ravon believe that if you play a song to the sky, and the song is good enough, the song will be blessed with powers. If the song that is blessed has 14 instruments to it, then all 14 instruments must be played to invoke the effect. Humming the melody to yourself will get you nothing. :P
The effects that are generally bestowed upon the songs are mainly enchantments. Most of the blessed songs have the power to unlock the mind and send it on a trip of fantasy, a hallucinogenic play where you are the star, and sometimes all the characters.
There are only 2 songs that have extreme powers: “Theme of Ericadia” This song is what keeps the cities afloat, it must be played at least 10 times a year in each city. “Theme of Dal” This song is generally played to troops, and the elite guardsmen of the Ravon: The Iron Griffins. The song makes people act like clockwork, perfect and precise in every respect except that their minds are focused on one thing: following commands. The effects of the song take days to wear off.
The Creox have a similar system to this, except their songs must be played to the fire. The only Creox song that has extreme effect is “Hujalt” a song written for the most powerful warrior in the Creox race: Hujalt. This song’s effects send the Creox into a killing frenzy, making their eyes glow an eerie gold, and is usually played on the battle field when troops are wavering.
Ericadia is home to two different races. Originally there were many different races, but as you will read, they were wiped out.
The Ravon, cunning and skillful at anything they set out to do, were masters of all they laid eyes upon. They warred with anything they thought stood in there way. Many races who resisted were completely annihilated. The one race that did survive the onslaught was the Creox. The Ravon found the Creox to be strong and dumb, the perfect combination for a good slave. Instead of slaughtering the Creox, the Ravon captured them and sent them to work.
100 years of back breaking slavery drove the Creox to the edge. It is unsure who was responsible for the organizing of the Creox resistance, but whoever it was must have had quite a bit of cunning and charisma (In fact there are some conspiracies going around that a Ravon organized the revolt).
The sheer mass of the Creox army overwhelmed the Ravon forces wherever they did battle. With only seven cities left standing, the Ravon were getting desperate.
A daring young ravon by the name of Eri Don Zie presented his people with a plan: He and his brother (Jer Ant Zie) would write a song good enough that the sky would bless it with the power to bring the cities into the sky (I‘ll explain a little more of this further down). The plan was accepted, the song was written, and in order to get the blessing right, had to be performed in the cities at roughly the same time.
The Creox army was approaching and would be upon the city of Denya before the blessing could be complete. A brave general by the name of Fluric offered to lead a final assault against the Creox, in order to give Eri Don Zie the time he needed.
While the Ravon army went out for the last time, the orchestras started playing the song in every city. Denya and Xeros where the first to rise, followed by Eqany, Lebel, Necrelion, and Stelkla. The seventh city, Dal, was left on the ground because it was located in the mountains, easy to defend, and was the only remaining source of the Ravon’s metals.
The Ravon were now at peace floating high above Ericadia’s landscape. The people were overjoyed with Eri Don Zie and made him the ruler of the Ravon. Eventually they learned to train Nyoc (docile flying creatures) and used them to trade between cities. The army was rebuilt and the city of Stelkla was renamed as Fluric‘s Hold. Things had never been better.
The Creox however were not so fortunate. Once they had no common enemy left with which to fight they had no reason to band together. They disintegrated into minor tribes and clans, warring with each other over land and resources.
Ravon Governance: The Ravon government is like a fiefdom: Each city has a lord or lady and each lord or lady has to answer to Eri Don Zie. When Eri Don Zie is feeling generous he will allow his people to vote on certain things (a right they have never had before).
Ravon cities in order of size:
Denya - This city is wealthy and blanketed in fountains and statues. Eri Don Zie’s largest palace resides here. This city’s lord is Jer Ant Zie.
Fluric’s Hold - Named after the hero Fluric. Fluric’s hold is a fortified city with many training barracks and farms. This city’s lord is Fluric the II (Son of Fluric)
Eqany - Eqany is the city where the first Nyoc was trained, and so most of the Ravon’s trade revolves around this city. This City’s lord is Spimat.
Dal - This city is the only Ravon city still on the ground. It has been kept safe from attack mostly through bribes to the surrounding Creox tribes (although the large military garrison also helps). Dal is located in the mountains and is the industrial capitol of the Ravon. This city’s lord is Prolvess.
Lebel - Originally Lebel was located at the base of the mountains in a very rain heavy area. When It was lifted it left behind a crater (like the other cities). Over time the heavy rain filled the crater and made it into Lake Lebel. A large serpent nicknamed “Old Abby” lives in Lake Lebel, although it is unknown how she got there. This city’s lord is Tre Har Mou.
Xeros - Xeros is named after the first recorded king of the Ravon and is home to temples to many different deities. This city’s lady is Kaira.
Necrelion - Nicknamed the enlightened city, Necrelion is a pinnacle of educational, scientific, and artistic achievement, boasting many academies, laboratories, theatres, libraries, and public works. This city’s lord is Veswil.
A little more about the Creox: The strongest tribe by far are the Pamolp. Their leader is Hujalt, the strongest and most feared Creox warrior in Ericadia. The Pamolp also are among the few tribes who have a shaman. Their shaman, Jormund, invokes chaos and causes mischief with his magics.
How magic works in Ericadia: Almost all Ericadian magics are enchantments.
The Ravon wield magic power through sheer mental will. All Ravon have the ability to learn basic magic (healing, resistance, etc), but the gifted go on to become powerful. (Eri Don Zie is a good example of a gifted magic user).
The Creox wield magic through hand gestures and runes.
Music to Magic in Ericadia:
Songs in Ericadia have the potential to invoke special powers.
“Play the soul to the sky, and if the sky is pleased, the soul becomes more.” -Eri Don Zie speaking to music students about how a song becomes blessed.
The Ravon believe that if you play a song to the sky, and the song is good enough, the song will be blessed with powers. If the song that is blessed has 14 instruments to it, then all 14 instruments must be played to invoke the effect. Humming the melody to yourself will get you nothing. :P
The effects that are generally bestowed upon the songs are mainly enchantments. Most of the blessed songs have the power to unlock the mind and send it on a trip of fantasy, a hallucinogenic play where you are the star, and sometimes all the characters.
There are only 2 songs that have extreme powers: “Theme of Ericadia” This song is what keeps the cities afloat, it must be played at least 10 times a year in each city. “Theme of Dal” This song is generally played to troops, and the elite guardsmen of the Ravon: The Iron Griffins. The song makes people act like clockwork, perfect and precise in every respect except that their minds are focused on one thing: following commands. The effects of the song take days to wear off.
The Creox have a similar system to this, except their songs must be played to the fire. The only Creox song that has extreme effect is “Hujalt” a song written for the most powerful warrior in the Creox race: Hujalt. This song’s effects send the Creox into a killing frenzy, making their eyes glow an eerie gold, and is usually played on the battle field when troops are wavering.