I claim,
Azillera, Number 19 - Light BlueAlso note that I am also claiming that small island to the south... Somewhere... Maybe as a submission separate from this? That would probably be more appropriate for such a minor locality.
Many craggy mountains are the prominent feature as you move SW out of the heavy rain area of the north. Neighbors are 18 to the east, 14 to the north and 20 to the west.
CONSTRUCTION UNDERArea Overview, AzilleraAzillera is split up between two rival monarchies, in the west the Empire of Noss rules around the Boulder Lake and in the east the Kingdom of Nothalo rules the coastline. The two were founded by the brothers Nothalo and Noss, respectively. The two have never been on good terms, constantly bickering and fighting. The fighting has been going back and forth, reaching many stalemates with many surprise happenings, a full history of the conflict may be found elsewhere.
Nothalo (people from Nothalo are Nothalian, plural Nothalese. An item from Nothalo would be Nothalic. E.g. A Nothalic sword, a Nothalian adventurer, Nothalese merchants.)
Nothalo is the eastern kingdom of Azillera, it lies on the coast there and has a strong naval presence in that sea which borders Idaina-Hugrland, Hesurach, and Skaldeval. This navy is primarily for trade (though they are also heavily concerned with the possibility of invasion from that front). Note that the Nothalese do not call their region Azillera but rather Azilleranothalo. Nothalese are a very patriotic people, very proud of their founder and of their kingdom.
Nothalo is known most for its great library, the Sanctuary of Baradu. Nothalo himself discovered the breadth of information stored in the library after he founded his kingdom, so he built a road to make it accessible to his people. Then he created a law that free lodging was to be given to any scholar who carried certification from the crown, and that the crown would pay back the expense. He also sent personal invitations to many scholars who were known to him who lived in foreign lands to come and visit and see the library. He also hired many scribes to work at the Sanctuary, copying down books, helping resort and catalogue the sanctuary's vast collection. This was of course, subject to the approval of the monks of Baradu. And he ordered the construction of the Academy of Nothalo.
Notes on the word NothaloNothalo is the name of the kingdom and its capital city. It is also used as a suffix and a general adjective meaning something like "good, exceptional, wonderful, quality, whole" or "holy, revered, highly respectable". "The Nothalo" is the ruler of Nothalo. Nothalo the First is the founder of Nothalo. And it is sometimes polite to call a friend Nothalo if they are from Nothalo or if you are, as a term of respect or endearment. Understandably, these various uses confuse people who are not from Nothalo, but for the Nothalese it is a common practice.
So, for example, if two Nothalese merchants were bargaining over the price of a sword, their discussion would likely revolve around whether the sword was Nothalo or not.
HistoryDungeonsItemsLifeformsWinged TurtlesAround Boulder Lake there are turtles who have feathery wings that grow out of their shells. These wings vanish when the turtles go into their shells. They do not recede through any actual hole in the shell, they vanish by some magic. The turtles do indeed fly by these wings, and spend some of their time in Upsidedownland, some time Downland, and some time living under the water of the lake.
LocationsThe Sanctuary of BaraduThis ancient building is hidden high within the craggy mountains of Azillera, in a place that was once all but unreachable (and is still a long and difficult journey away from Nothalo). It is said that the Sanctuary's library contains books that date back to the very day when the world was created. Regardless, the library is extensive, with books written in almost every known language and alphabet. The majority of the texts are everyday things: personal letters, accounting checkbooks, censuses, genealogies of aristocratic families, etc. Though there are also various mystical and religious and philosophic texts. Along with texts written by craftsmen and skilled workers of various trades, and letters between these.
The seclusive monks of Baradu are not devoted to any one religious doctrine (per se). Their legends say that the temple was built long ago by a rich man from an immeasurably distant land who loved knowledge (and so happened to have these books), his desire was to withdraw from the world to seek enlightenment in peace and quiet. To keep Baradu from being discovered, the monks traveled alone, and built the Sanctuary themselves with their own powers of craft.
The monks sometimes mind the hustle and bustle that is brought about when too many scholars visit them at a time, so they are particular about the number they allow to visit and how long they may stay. Though some of the monks do like to meet visitors and learn about ongoing events in the world, and the monastery was not hidden as a way to stop friendly visitors, but as a way to keep the Sanctuary safe.
UpsidedownlandIn the center of the Empire of Noss, there is a lake called Boulder Lake. It is called this because there is a giant boulder that is almost as large as the lake itself suspended in the air above the lake. On this boulder gravity works in reverse. The boulder is called Upsidedownland, or Upland, the people who live there are called Uplanders, or Upmen. The people who live in the city around the lake (the Noss) are called Downlanders or Downmen.
The odd gravity extends down and over the surface of the lake, so any boat attempting to float across it will find itself floating into the air until it lands softly in Upsidedownland. The only except to this is that the Swan King (the ruler of Upsidedownland) has the power to banish anyone from his land, negating the effect over them (and their descendants). In the first meetings between Downmen who wanted to fish on the lake and the Swan King, when the would be fishermen asked to be banished, the Swan King took their request as an insult. This is why the lake was mostly uninhabited until Noss the First came and managed to establish friendly relations with the Swan King.
Downmen think of Upmen almost as a pet or curiosity. Watching the Upmen go about their day is a common passtime. Though Downmen are respectful when dealing with Upmen. Upmen think of Downmen in virtually the same way.
PhilosophiesNotable PeoplePlotsSociety/OrganizationsThe Azilleran MovementA political movement which started in the Academy of Nothalo, originally based around the belief that Noss and Nothalo should merge into one, the Country of Azillera. The idea has since expanded to include the notion that the Country of Azillera should not be a monarchy, but rather some other form of government (this idea may have come from Skaldeval). The movement has grown to include members across Azillera, some even in positions of influence within the governments.
