#themortalplane

From the bow of the boat you're on, Southmerrow Harbor comes into focus like a vivid dream. Above your head, the seagulls swoop and call out in uniformed cries, but you pay no mind to them as the city comes into full focus. Homes, identical in shape in size align the streets amongst the many different shops selling things from ice cream to armor, and in the town square, the main market sells the fresh catch of the day. Around you, the locals carry on with their daily routines; sitting at cafe's, eating fish, drinking wine, while smiling and laughing amongst the crowd. Although there is beauty at every corner, the main attraction is the crystal blue waters where the boats and ships bob and creak, tugging to the moorings along the docks. You stare off into the distance and watch the waves, bewitched, and utterly in love by The Narrow Sea that rolls along the coast.

Established: 145 DK

One step onto the sacred grounds of Whitecastle and you perception of sight changes in an instant. Nobody knows why this is, but some say the city is magic, some say the ancient city was placed above a ethereal crypt. There's never been a real answer. However, wherever you should wander, you carry a sense of peace along with you. Somehow, you knew coming to Whitecastle was the right choice. With many cathedrals to choose from, you opt for the large marble temple in which your god or goddess of choice is being worshiped. Once inside you find yourself in a place where life seems fuller. You have no worries other than your own, no rules other than the ones you preside, no pain other than the grief you place on your own shoulders. This holy land makes you wonder things beyond your comprehension, but it doesn't bother you, in fact, you'll find upon your departure you had a better understanding of things from when you first arrived.

The city of eternal daylight, where night doesn't touch the people, where the darkness cannot find its way into this safe haven. Vlencya is a home to all, serving as Aedadin's second-largest city after Polis, so much so that the Elders decided to enchant the city to remain in daylight forever, to prevent the land's dark creatures from crossing the city's borders. The blue sky shines from above, where the birds fly in formation and the sun shines through the soft clouds. With every new citizen of the city, Vlencya continues to expand, extending even over the river, where a massive bridge expands over the waters to the other half of Vlencya on the other side. Greenery is abundant within the city boundary, with grass, trees and flowers growing so thickly, especially along the riverside and over every bridge and archway. The river itself drops off a ledge in the midst of the city, creating an ever-flowing waterfall; it is a delicate sight to see before the towers and floating island of Moiria Falls.

The eastern section of the split city is where merchants and artisans sell their works to the people of Vlencya, the commonfolk bartering for a lower price. In the centre of eastern Vlencya, there is a grand clock tower which chimes every hour on the hour to help its citizens to determine whether it was day or night in other parts of Vennadore. While this city was enchanted to stay alight throughout the day, many believe this charm was a curse to the people. Many lose their sense of time and are up at odd times due to the constant daylight that shines through the windows of shops and dwellings found in the western section.

Western Vlencya is reserved for homes and temples, where the people retire after a day at the shops. Another grand clock is found at the centre of western Vlencya to serve the same purpose as its sister in eastern Vlencya. Towering over both sections are massive temples not far from the clock towers are temples dedicated to two gods; Tita, the Goddess of the Sun found in the eastern section of Vlencya, and her sister Elarae, the Goddess of the Moon found in the western section of Vlencya. The bridge that connects the two sections represents the sisterhood that the Goddesses share in the Elypherity religion.

Established: 77 DK

Formed along the edge of a cliff, the town of Boreas is home to those who prefer the cold weather. This town wasn't built by the cliff by accident, as it has a dark history which is of great importance to the people of Boreas and its success. Massive sized ice walls surround the village along the edge of the cliff, its brilliance gleaming white that can be seen for miles as one walks, approaching the town. After trudging through a few feet of snow and mud, the township comes into view.

The township itself looks quite beautiful indeed, you somehow stumbling into an icy wonderland of sorts. Crystal icicles wink at you from the eaves of the buildings and huts nearby. The huts are moderately sized and scattered about the icy grounds, smoke rolling from most to keep them heated. Slate tile rooftops and ironwood walls make up most of the huts, a few shops built from the same materials strung about the village. Villagers are chatting, their words emerging in frosty fog as the frigid temperatures seem to not bother them.

The city of concubines. Where sin runs in the cobblestone streets and the place where man looses his inhibitions. Taverns at almost every street corner with a brothel right next to each and every one of them. May man or woman lie with whomever and not be judged by their peers and merriment fill the nighttime sky. The smell of piss and ale fill your nostrils as you tread through this god-less city, looking for what tickles your fancy. Emptied barrels and crates litter the sides of the cobblestone streets, making it hazardous for even those who are sober to walk through the city without accumulating a bump or a scrape. While the city isn't heavily populated with its own citizens this city is where the rest of the realm escapes the stresses of their lives to enjoy a night in the town.

Established: 91 DK

Follow the main road north beside the river's west bank, through the lower city along the path which slopes upward as the merriment and chaos of town is left behind. Enter Valdeis through the defensive wall circling the entire region and marking the transition into the Aitanaes' proclaimed capital, although the declaration holds little validity or practicality among the people. Valdeis Passage becomes Lower Valdeis after passing through the first set of watched gates and climbs past the wealthy district inhabited by rich merchants, Nobility, and aristocrats with their town villas and larger farming estates due west into Upper Valdeis. Onward to discover the Temple of the Gods, its magnificence reveals countless different places of worship pertaining to the deities, patrolled by armoured guards ensuring the safety of their sacred grounds. Women stand watch over the Goddess Ilmera wielding great labrys with sharp blades, men before her son, Tyneyr bearing long swords with equally keen edges. Priests in flowing robes with coloured cords of identification oversee the proceedings, and studious Initiates divide time between following and receiving instruction with armfuls of books and keen ears, and classes in seminary. Citizens from many backgrounds flock for prayers to their chosen, and askings for blessing, forgiveness or curse.

Hidden near the northern shore of Aitanaes rots a long forgotten settlement known as Haela. Ramshackle wooden buildings threaten to collapse upon their inhabitants- those few who stubbornly cling to the life into which they were born. The residents are a hardy people, generally middle-aged and only concerned with living day to day. Each dilapidated home is accompanied by a small garden meant to feed the family that maintains it. Children are rare as the younger generation often sets out for bigger cities and better living conditions. Newcomers are even more rare, leaving those that stay with few prospects of marriage. Despite these troubles and the growing signs that the village will eventually die out, the community bands together to continue Haela's existence for as long as possible. Wildlife is plentiful in the sparse forests and open tundra that surrounds the village. For those able to make the short trek to the coast, fishing yields a bounty of food as well.