[bThe Story[/b]
Years ago, the nation of Armana was in a shambles, with nine warlords - each the master of his own territory - vying for supremacy over everyone else. The Warlords Vebarran and Vimul, twin brothers, commanded two such factions, both loathing the leader of the Saebian group, a man named Fefzer. Internal war broke out amid the three factions. Fefzer enlisted help from the other six warlords while sizeable contingents of Titch and Bebble supported Vebarran and Vimul. Although both sides tried to recruit the Hanai and Melviol peoples, neither species would commit to the war.

Then, in the deciding battle, Vebarran murdered his brother, staging it to appear as though the enemy had committed the act. He thought to bring Vimul’s faction under his own control, but failed. The dead warlord’s troops were so disheartened by the loss of their master that they withdrew from the war, leaving Vebarran’s army alone.

A truce was negotiated at last, and - though he had taken precautions to assure his innocence - Vebarran’s treachery was discovered. The warlord and his army were banished to the desolate Western coast of Armana, Vimul’s army returning to their homelands in the Southwest. To this day, none of the other provinces have any sort of trade or relations with the two ‘Outcast Regions,’ continuing to maintain guard posts against unexpected attacks.

Not all attacks are straightforward, however. There have been reports of infiltrators in various cities along the Granvr Trade Route, as well as Armana City, the capital. Influential persons have gone missing or been found dead in remote areas, bearing signs of Vebarian and Vimulian execution styles.

The Governing Council of The Realm has come to the conclusion that there is nothing else for it but to send out an ambassadorial team to the joint rulers of Vebarran and Vimul in the city of Shistos along the shared border of the two provinces. Notices have been posted throughout Armana City in the hopes that adventurers (more skilled at evading danger than mere political lackeys) will volunteer to take on the journey.


The People


There are five different species in the Armanan Realm: Human, Titch, Bebble, Melviol, and Hanai. When filling out your character sheet, I’m going to ask you to NOT create a new race, please and thanks.

Human: . . . . If I seriously have to explain to you what a human is, why are you reading this? Really, people, this species isn’t rocket science. =P

While known for breeding pretty much like rabbits, Humans are not given overmuch to romantic relationships outside their species. Whether through prejudice or anatomical differences, it’s just not the done thing.

Titch: About half the height of the average Human, the Titch are no less aggressive. On the contrary, they are in possession of an easily ignitable temper, which they show by lashing out at whatever has triggered their ire. Titch live in mostly forested areas, hating too much heat and too much brightness. Dim lighting and damp air is where they flourish most.

Coming in a variety of skin, hair, and eye colours, Titch have as diversified an appearance as Humans, except for one small detail: all of them are the exact same height. No more than seven times in their history has a Titch grown taller or shorter than three feet. The average life expectancy is 72-75; about the same as a human.

Bebble: The mental imaging for this species is pretty easy: picture an Ewok . . . give it some different, less tribal clothing . . . and add in skills as a master thief. Just as Humans are known for their rounded ears, and Titch are known for their tempers, Bebble are known for being the slickest pickpockets anywhere in Armana.

Their fur can range in colour from dark gray to cream - never truly black or white, yet never patched in colour either. Faint stripes or uniform colour are the norm with this curious, cunning species. Their eyes are usually dark brown or black, with the occasional pink in light-furred specimens. They have longer-than-average lifespans, ranging to 200-225 years on average.

Melviol: It’s been said that it’s easier to melt an entire glacier by breathing on it than to make a Melviol lose his or her temper. A sophisticated, philosophical people, they have origins in Tasaad province, in the local capital of Bluren. However, colonies of the species have spread out over the Realm, interacting (if you can call it that) with the other species.

Generally pale, Melviol are bipedal, humanoid creatures. Their foreheads slope back, blending into light-coloured hair about midway. Also curious - they have no eyebrows. The brow ridge is still there - the hair is not. Their eyes are usually pale brown, green, or blue. They age at the same rate as humans, the oldest living specimen being 162.

Hanai: While not quite as withdrawn as the Melviol, the Hanai are still quite aloof and difficult to get close to. Exceptions are more common with this species, a good number of wayfarers being of the nature-loving Hanai. They are also the only species to have every member able to use magic to some degree. The stronger users are usually those who go off adventuring.

Humanoid as well, the Hanai have more delicate features and elf-like eartips (meaning they’re slightly pointed). They age slowly, appearing in their late teens/early twenties at around ninety years of age. Their lifespan has been recorded as long as 350 years.

The Places

Vebarran and Vimul

The so-called ‘Outcast Regions.’ They lie along the Western Coast, Vebarran in the Northwest, stretching down to meet Vimul in the Southwest. Nothing is known about the land or the people, other than that it is densely forested and that the people are to be avoided.

Shistos - The shared capital city of both Vebarran and Vimul. The standard is a black flying raven on a dark red background. Symbolizes the aftermath of battle.

Saeba Province

Standard: Golden four-point star on a royal blue background. Symbolizes the connections in every direction on the continent.

Armana City - The capital city of the entire Realm. It is here that the story begins, as the Governing Council sets up for an ambassadorial mission to the Outcast Regions. The streets are wide and clean - in the upper- and middle-class sections, anyway. In the common workers section, things take on a dirtier, tough-as-nails appearance.

Higaa - A small village in the Northwest area of the province.

Fefzer - The Bliss City, named after the founder of Saeba province. All sorts of illegal drugs are sold here, most of which will leave you ‘happy’ for several hours. The city’s governor goes to great lengths to keep up a good external appearance in compensation for the rotten undercurrents.

Daibaba - The centre for the black market, all sorts of shipments - both legal and not - come and go daily from here. Set high in the Kesta’Sae mountains, it borders the only desert - The Trackless Wastes.

Demenya - Agricultural, bordered by the Kesta’Sae.


Kestanaa

Standard: Two red stone picks crossed over an open book. Symbolizes the province’s two main interests - mining and knowledge.

Lensa - Trade town in the Northeast area of the province.

Jema - A small village with a large public market most days of the week. Tread lightly here - the people tend to be very xenophobic.

Rorate - Mining community. Little, edible creatures burrow into the Kesta’Sae that border the city on three sides - you just have to catch them first.

Lalenca - A walled city, containing the Sorcerers’ Guild and the Intellects; mages that pass on education in the magical area. Better known as the Centre of Magic in Armana.

Rashvorash - Capital city of Kestanaa province on the Southeastern coast.

Nii’sata - Fishing town on the coast about 100 kliks (miles) from Rashvorash.


Tasaad

Standard: Solid black mountain outline against a light brown background.

Faaba - Mountain stronghold against the aggressive Titch, whose ancestral home is hidden somewhere in the Kesta’Sae.

Vebura - A non-descript city, mostly used by smugglers and thieves as a meeting place.

Gemerra - The weaving/textiles centre of Armana. The people here are highly skilled and can produce a wide variety of fabrics.

Bluren - Traditional city of the Melviol. Smatterings of the other species can be found here as well, but they are definitely the minority.


Veneresh

Standard: A silver sword, pointing straight downward on a dark green background patterned at four points with a design that represents fishscales.

Pinion Point - Out on a peninsula, it is home to a tall watchtower, used to keep an eye on the Drifts for coastal assaults by Vebarran or Vimul.

Choshowna - Fishing town on the Southern coast of the province. Half the catch is skillfully preserved and shipped to Armana City for the markets there.

Forcin - Set at the mouth of the Mjinata River, which flows from the Dyursana Drift and dividing Venersh from Vimul, Forcin serves a guard post against forces from Vimul. It’s sister city, Forcet, sits on the opposite side of the river, in Vimul.

Nemina - A major shipping town, the Granvr Trade Route begins here, moving out to the rest of Armana.


Geserath

Standard: A warrior’s helmet, on a steel-gray background, with spears crossed behind it.

Weraia - Guard post against the Vimul/Geserath border.

Ashtiril - The most elite weapons and armour centre of the Realm. The finest blacksmiths and weaponsmiths come from all cities and all species to work here.

Emien - A booming trade town, this place receives shipments daily from Nemina.

Buria - A supply depot, business around here is very slow, due to the proximity of the Trackless Wastes.

Senciaa

Standard: A light tan-coloured background with wavy/curled light blue lines stretching across it, symbolizing the desert and the winds that blow across it.

Trackless Wastes - The only desert in Armana, stretching for kilometres in a giant patch across the Realm.

Ban - A prison city. All criminals in Armana are sent here. Escape is not all that it’s cracked up to be - the only places to go are into the Trackless Wastes, Vebarran, or drown in the Dyursana Drift.

Dur’Gilla - The coastal haunt of the Titch - those who have left the mountains, that is.

Wastes’ Edge - Your last chance stop before heading off into the Wastes. Stop here and get water - you’ll need it.

Kiloa - Shipping city. Shipments arrive daily from the Dyursana or Celina Drifts.


Tioria

Standard: A silver oak tree on a pale blue background. Symbolizes the nobility of the elves as well as the ocean.

Saiyana - Small fishing community on the coast of the Celina Drift. Anything and all things fishy are here. Suspicious circumstances arise regularly.

Na’an - Traditional city of the Hanai. Travellers aren’t welcomed with open arms, but you will be allowed to stay for 24 hours before you are asked to move on.

Tyngale - A very quiet city, known as the City of Scribes. Tyngale houses the most extensive library and largest number of scholars in all of Armana.

Hyllyard - A stop on the Granvr Trade Route, smugglers of all kinds slip in here to buy, sell, or hire.


Character Bio

Name:

Name Pronunciation:

Age:

Species: {No cross- or half-breeds, please. Stick to what’s there.}

Appearance: {No pictures, please. Give me a text description, but make it detailed}

Magic Abilities: {Yes or No}

Abilities: {Only applicable if answered Yes above}

Personality:

Strengths:

Weaknesses:

Weapons:

Birthplace:

Family:

History: {What has their life been like, up to the point where they’ve come to the Dark Moon Tavern. The Dark Moon is the meeting place for all characters.}


Thank you for joining up with us! We’re glad to have you!