Royal Annex

OLYMPUS: The Capital City of Pandora. Population: 103,416. It lies along the south-western coast surrounded by light forests and fields. The terrain is fairly flat, only sparcely populated by hills. It is ruled by King Elliot Brackard V, Lord of Pandora. The city itself contains famous buildings and landmarks including the Royal Library, the People's Market, the Temple of Light, and the royal council "The Meeting of Minds". There is also a large coliseum, outdoor theatre, and several guilds: The Fighter's Guild, The Guild of Magi, and Mercenary Guild.

LANCHESTER: The city of House Hawke. Population: 1,307. It lies in the dense forests of the north-west. The city itself is built in the shadow of a large set of cliffs. About a 5 1/2 days ride from the capital, Olympus. The forests surrounding Lanchester are called "The Blackwoods" because the canopy is so dense in parts if the forest that little light gets through. One of the greatest wars ended at a mountain pass in the south-western part of the forest where over 20,000 men died trying to storm Edgebrook, a fortress belonging to Lord Benjamin Brackard, brother to King Elliot Brackard IV. Since the battle, the forest has been rumored to be haunted.

REDBRIDGE of NEACE: The county of House Renwald. Population: 3,500+. Famous for its strong breeds of horses as a chief export. The Renwald estates are located just outside the City of Redbridge in the county of Neace. Redbridge is located approximately 65 miles or 80 klm (about two+ days travel by carriage, depending on road conditions) north-west of the capitol city of Olympus and boasts a population of 3500+. Redbridge is supported primarily by farming and trade and has its own volunteer militia numbering around 600. This militia is made up of sword, pike and archers. In addition, it has 100 full-time, peace keepers who patrol the roads and surrounding lands, keeping highwaymen and other misfits in check. There is one small Church of the New Religion just outside the city limits, but has very few followers as the majority of citizens still practice the old ways due to their close connection with the land. Most of the people work, in one capacity or another, for House Renwald; be it as House Staff or on the farms.

The topography of County Neace is gently rolling hills of open grasslands and farms. There are several large, thickly forested areas to the north of the city where one can find an abundance of deer, elk, boar and other wild creatures. The forests are popular hunting sites for visitors and guests of House Renwald, but the locals shun them as being haunted. A river; the “Senunault,” or “Quiet Waters” flows from north to south and cuts through two of the Renwald estates. It then turns southwest and passes close to the city. The river is not wide, but it is deep and slow moving along most of its course. There are several sections within the forested areas where the river descends from the northern hills and these sections of the river are fast moving with a number of waterfalls and rapids. These hidden waterfalls are considered sacred to the locals and there are many myths and legends surrounding them. There are also several sacred wells scattered throughout the county. The locals occasionally visit these wells to ask various deities for boons or favors.

There is one main road connecting Redbridge with the Capitol, The King’s Road, which is maintained by the various villages, hamlets and towns scattered along its route. During peacetime the road is patrolled by the Kings Men who police its entire length. In times of hard winters the road is often impassible.

BORA: The City of Bora, resting on the side of a broad hill in the region southeast of Olympus, is nestled amidst some of the best wine growing land in the Kingdom. Bora is a small city, but a pleasant one. A defining feature is its many lattices, climbing up walls or extended over walkways, often crawling with vines or ivy. At its center (and the only flat portion of the city) is a heavily fortified monastery, the oldest building in Bora and one of the most beautiful building complexes in the world (due to a constant stipend paid by House Dunn, whose palace occupies a large wing of the monastery). The monastery has numerous smaller courtyards with gardens, ponds, meditation rooms, and shrines. The whole building is lined with stacked casks decorated elaborately. A famous feature of the city is actually its central drainage ditch, essentially a sewer, made more palatable by the eruptions of flowers and shrubs that swarm its banks. Called "the River" this strip of colorful land crisscrosses the terraced city traversed by whimsical little bridges or stepping stones. Bora remains a popular vacation destination for its lushness (As well as the nearby springs, some of which are key to certain wine productions). The city's terraces promote very close knit buildings and many a small street darkened by ivy-covered terraces above. Some rooftops and open platforms have a brilliant view of the south sea. Homes are small, the streets break up into steps over-burdened with potted plants, and the whole region is violently green, clinging against the hills facing the sea. Boran hospitality is quite famous, and life there is slow, serene, friendly, and dull.

The wines of Bora were at one time famous across the continent, and there were, at one time, hundreds of varieties. The most recent war has strained the region for fields and skilled winemakers, and many styles have been lost. The most famous wines are the "Four Royals" called "the wines of kings and the kings of wines." The rarest bottles are ascribed nigh-mythical properties.

Boralo: The richest, most tannic wine produced by the Boran region, that is aged and barreled for years. Associated with strength and wisdom.
Tokashi: A very sweet, complex wine made from grapes afflicted with "noble rot."Associated with wealth and luck.
Enaus: A bright, fragrant wine made from grapes left to freeze on vines and blended. Associated with purity and protection.
Belesse: A syrupy vinegar made from cooked wine must and aged (Sometimes for lifetimes) in different barrels deep underground. Despite being vinegar, it's very complex and less acidic. Associated with power.

STAL:The city of House Murphy, Population: 2,000. Laying at the southern most peninsula of Pandora, to the far south of Laruzia. Surrounded by a dense jungle, and it's back against the sea, Stal is an easily defended city from any land attacks, and was proven such during the last war.

Due to it's close proximity to the sea, one of it's main exports to the rest of the Kingdom is fish, as well as wheat grown in the nearby farms that act as a buffer between the jungle, and the city itself.

House Murphy itself, played a small part in the war when it's city came under siege by House Dunwood, a former ally. The House's military having never actually been in conflict before, knew first hand of the horrors of war, not from the enemy that laid siege, but from their own Lord. Being allowed to send a messenger, Lord Henry Murphy, the Third, requested aid from House Montague, in return for future favors.

What it is most notorious for is it's harsh laws of the land, ranging from torture of criminals, to public execution, and a corrupt lord, who would kill just for his own pleasure.

CALYPSO: The city of House Montague. Nestled in the marshes of the south. The city is on the coast of an ocean cove and maintains strong ties with both Axiom and the Trader's Isles. The Montagues are one of the richest Houses in the kingdom, and often lend money to provinces or Houses in need. This equips them with a host of favors they can call in later on in the future.

THE TRADER'S ISLES: A scattered arrangement of islands in the south-east. The largest of the islands houses the majority of the Tsunami Syndicate's influence. The fleets of many different factions and Houses call the Trader's Isles there home.

KENSINGTON: Set in the icy mountains of the north. Population: 5,317. A collection of mining settlements. Houses the largest forge in all of Pandora. The journey to Kensington is dangerous, requiring the careful navigation through a number of icy mountain passes through treacherously vertical faces. It is always winter.

AXIOM: A large merchant city in the desert. Population 8,937. This city boasts a large number of mercenaries, traders, and people deemed "Free Folk". The city is ultimately lawless, run by a number of different factions. The economy is strong, offering wares from all over the world. It is appropriately placed in the center of Pandora creating a mixture of cultures, people, and treasures.

EDGEBROOK: A nearly impenetrable fortress on the edge of the Blackwood Forest. Population: 3,207. Ruled by Lord Jeremiah Brackard, son of Benjamin Brackard. The fortress is built at the peak of a cliff nestled in the canopy of the forest. The terrain surrounding the city is difficult to navigate making it prime territory for defense. Troops of Olympus populate the large castle, acting as both a coastal sentry point and point of refuge for the entire forest.

PORT SUMMIT: Capital of the Trader's Isles. Population: Undefined. This port houses the majority of the trading vessels in the entire cove. Home to the Tsunami Syndicate and its leader, Lord Thorne. The island has raised cliffs around most of its side. The port itself covers a large portion of the north side of the island. Weather is mostly tropical, often humid. Warm rains and monsoons are not uncommon.

LARUZIA: City of the East. Also called "The Holy City". Population: 13,665. The largest collection of temples in all of Pandora. A mixed bag of religions are assembled in this city. It was occupied by the Montagues during one of the first wars of the kingdom, but has endured sustained peace since then. The city considers itself unaligned, and are kept a close eye on by the King in Olympus. Many turn to this city for refuge from the political strifes of the kingdom. It has a reputation for harboring all manner of people regardless of their allegiance or crimes.