Revision as of 02:47, 11 January 2013

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 doted 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 that is believed to have been a holy place of the native faeries. Here is where Shaith's enchanted spear rests. The Temple is simple and elegant, full of sweeping, open rooms and lots of bright light and decorations.

Everyone in Moonspear is expected to make a pilgrimage there at least once in their lifetime. A large sacred spring resides in the Temple and is believed to have healing properties. Weapons forged with water from this spring are believed to have powers against demons and undead. The Temple is run by women and there are parts of it that men are forbidden from entering. The head Priestess is a half-fae woman, seemingly ageless and proud.

Rillaria - The capitol of Moonspear and home too one of the largest libraries in the world, if not the largest. It lives along the Ora river, making it well traveled by traders and merchants. The city is very beautiful, though it lacks the ethereal grace most associated with Serendipity. It looks reminiscent of a fortress, with thick walls and the layout was made for easy defense, however, the city has grown out past its walls. The ascetic there is one 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.

Named after Queen Lorna, the Lornian Library is quite famous. Anyone traveling through the city with a book is required to bring it to the library. There, if the library doesn't have a copy, it is copied by one of the many scribes there and not released back to the owner until it is finished.

Imperial Road – Connecting the (insert river name) to Ora is a large road. Well maintained by House Talii, it is heavily traveled by traders. 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. Moonspear refuse to allow any traffic of drugs through their province. However, drug use is not illegal, it is just illegal to transport them. It’s not uncommon for the wealthy to use drugs.

Tshina Wall – A small wall built between Featherfall and Moonspear. It was built a few generations back, mostly out of sheer spite then anything else. It serves little real purpose other than to further restrict the movement of Featherfall’s citizens and trade and to fuel the rivalry between the Providences.

Selevea – A huge trade city that borders Moonspear and Whitesands. It is spilt down the middle by a river and each Province rules the half that falls on their side, with a sort of unofficial agreement between the two sides, with each side appointing a mayor that works with the other to have some semblance of order. Just up river from Cerenis, it receives a lot of merchants and tradesmen. The city also has a large section controlled by traders from Featherfall, using bribery and coercion. 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 on their goods. It is a hive of criminals and smugglers, making many parts of the city dangerous to be in.

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 tshina goat, which have very 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, a subtle nose thumb at the vampires in Jadenshine. It is considered rather indecent to expose ones 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, function clothes, mostly long tunics and hose for the men and layered dresses on the women.

Traditions, Festivals, and Events

Moonspear celebrates the Midsummer Festival every year at the summer solstice.

Noble Houses

Organizations

Order of the Moon – An organization dedicated to killing undead and demons.