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Moonspear

Started by Zero, May 21, 2015, 11:06:25 AM

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Zero

<a href="http://www.spiritsoftheearth.net/wiki/index.php?title=Moonspear">MOONSPEAR</a>

History

Named for Serendipity's first queen, who was called Shaith the Moonspear due to the enchanted spear she wielded in battle. The Moonspear province is one of the three founding provinces of Serendipity. It has longstanding and strong alliances with Featherfall and Ravensway.

The patron god of Moonspear is Fyarion.

Geography

Moonspear is one of the centrally located provinces, resting just above Kia's Court and the capital city. The grand Emperia Road connects the provinces two main rivers from east to west, and provides the most popular and widely-used trade route from the coast to the Ora River, the largest river on the continent. Moonspear is mostly flat, fertile grasslands with a few gentle, sprawling forests. Its largest cities and towns are located along the rivers and the Emperia Road, while the inner areas are dotted with farms and villages and are less populated.

Almost in the dead center of the province, a few days ride from the Shaith Temple, there is a small forest. No one enters the forest, but there seem to be few animals there. It's a dark, foreboding place, a harsh contrast to the gentle serenity of the Temple. Deep in the forest is a rocky mound, surrounded by blighted ground. Under the mound is a dark evil, sealed there generations ago, before even Shaith's time. Kept safe from meddlers, a secret order of mages guard the mound, strengthening the spells that hold the evil in and keeping any travelers away. The ruling House keeps the knowledge of the evil a tight secret, quickly denying and silencing any rumor of its existence.

Areas of Note

Shaith Temple
One of the most famous places in Moonspear is Shaith Temple. It rests near the center of the province in a scared grove. Here is where Shaith's enchanted spear rests. The Temple is simple and elegant, full of sweeping, open rooms and lots of bright, natural light. Pilgrims voyage to the temple for the chance to pray at the altar displaying the famous Moonspear. A large sacred spring resides in the Temple and is believed to have healing properties. Weapons forged with water from this spring gain holy properties and become deadly to demons and other fiends. Only women may serve at the Temple and parts of it are forbidden to men.

Rillaria
The capital of Moonspear. It lies along the Ora River's main tributary, making it close to the center of the province. The city is beautiful, though it lacks the ethereal grace most associated with Serendipity. It looks reminiscent of a fortress, with thick walls and a layout made for easy defense, however, the city has grown out past its walls. The ascetic here is more of solid, sleek power than of delicate elegance. There are several beautiful churches throughout the city, almost gaudily decorated compared to the simple strength of the rest of the buildings.

Emperia Road
A broad, paved road connecting the Ora to the eastern river, and thus, to the coast. A heavily-traveled route, as this road is the main way of moving goods from the coast to the inland. Use of the road requires a small tax and many merchants pay one lump sum once a year for use of the road that year.

Selevea
A huge trade city that borders Moonspear and Whitesands. It is split down the middle by the river that divides the provinces, and each province rules the half that falls on their side. Maintaining order and good relations has proved remarkably effective, both provinces working together to create an orderly and lucrative arrangement for this potentially contentious situation. Because of the multiple leaders, rules are different depending on which side of the city you are on. Smuggling is rampant, using the confusion to sneak illegal goods through or avoid paying taxes. As with any major trade hub, it is a hive of criminals and smugglers.

Society and Culture

People

The people of Moonspear tend to vary between the heavily populated areas along the major trade routes and the rural areas. The cities along the trade routes are much larger and grand, catering mostly to merchants and travelers, with many inns and much entertainment. Even the smaller villages still tend to have inns to stay at. Friendly and open, most of the people there are used to the odd and different.

The inner areas of Moonspear tend to be a little different. Much less populated, those areas get much fewer travelers and tend to be much lower in population and much more set in their ways. There is a number of areas that still practice fae worship, with powerful fae protecting the land still.

All throughout Moonspear is a strong hatred and distrust of any undead or demons. Those creatures aren't welcome in Moonspear and if discovered are often subject to mob attacks if they Order of the Moon doesn't get them first.

Style

Moonspear is home of the tsina goat, which has especially soft, warm wool. Combined with the exotic dyes they import in from Thanatos, Moonspear has a tradition of spectacular fashions and their clothes are often in high demand. They almost always keep their necks covered. It is considered rather indecent to expose one's neck. Hoods are also a common theme in Moonspear, and they often go bare armed. Men often wear short robes or skirts over simple pants while most woman favor long, lose dresses.

Rich colors are common to the area, with the forests and grasslands providing a number of dye colors. Peasants tend to wear simple, functional clothes, mostly long tunics and hose for the men and layered dresses on the women.

Organizations

Order of the Moon
An organization in the service of Moonspear, are warriors dedicated to the extermination of vampires, devils, demons and other fiends. They are all master fighters and powerful mages that are trained to destroy these powerful creatures, and as a result they have developed a few spells to help their cause. One of their most famous spells lets them make moonlight and starlight as deadly to fiends as the rays of the sun.

The knights all have their weapons blessed and forged in the sacred spring water at the Shaith Temple. This makes the weapons dangerous to any creature of the hells. They call Rillaria their home, but they trek out to many lands to see their missions through.

Most of the warriors have a very strong, almost religious devotion to the Order and each other.

Zero

GREAT HOUSE ORLOV
House Motto:
"Fyarion favors the faithful."

House Colors:
Black and Gold

House Crest:
Black Pegasus on a golden field

Common Traits:
Most Orlov family members have light hair and eyes, and olive skin tones. Heights tend to be average, not leaning towards tall or short. The more removed from the main bloodline the more the traits deviate.

Family Members:
Head of House Orlov and High Lord of Moonspear
Dimitri Orlov

High Lady of Moonspear
Lariena Orlov

Heir
None

Other
N/A

Family History:
Orlov is a very old name in Serendipity. Since the founding House Orlov has served the ruling families of Moonspear, of which there have been very few as the ruling family very, very rarely changes. At first they were very minor nobles, but through the centuries House Orlov has increased their holdings, standings, and renown. The largest leaps in power and prestige have happened within the last few generations.

Since the founding House Orlov has been heavily involved in the church, with the patron deity of Moonspear being the patron deity of their house. They worship Fyarion devoutly and it is not uncommon for members of the noble family, especially younger sons and daughters, to become members of the clergy.

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