west – andante

‘The Medial Sea’

March 28, 2023Leave a comment

“You know… I’ve seen my share of maps. Even the old maps. The ancient maps. The maps crawling with secrets older than your grandparents. The older the map is, the more likely you’ll see the big secret. What secret, you ask? Well, I’ll tell you: the single largest body of water in this land wasn’t always here. All of this seawater you see? Solid land, for the most part. The Medial Sea just… up and appeared one day.”

The Medial Sea. A completely landlocked body of water around which the Ring circles. The Medial Sea serves as a key transportation network throughout the world. Boats, both large and small, are common sights across its surface. The combined naval might of the Fellowship of Five Towns keeps the main body of the Medial Sea safe and free of pirates. Well, mostly free of pirates. The Misty Marionettes have been known to inhabit the waters and rivers around the southeastern part of the Medial Sea. This makes the City of Lanta all the more isolated, as many are unwilling to risk an encounter with pirates to get there.

As you could imagine, the Medial Sea is the subject of many a tale and piece of folklore. Many have wondered exactly how deep the darkness stretches beneath its surface. Many have imagined what secrets the depths concealed. Some speculate that there is a large serpent lying dormant in the water, perhaps a relative of the serpent chained to the bottom of the Sea of Fire. Others whisper of a sunken city full of forgotten treasure. Who knows what the truth could be?”

‘Turtle Rock Island’

March 28, 2023March 28, 2023Leave a comment

“Hey, wasn’t there a little island dotting the horizon there the other day?”

Turtle Rock Island. While cartographers may disagree exactly where it sits within the Medial Sea, they are all in agreement: it exists. Somewhere. What these cartographers do not know is that Turtle Rock Island is less of an island or a rock and a lot more of a gigantic turtle that floats around the Medial Sea. Those in the know have often speculated what motivates the turtle to move around the sea, but even fewer are in the know when it comes to the inhabitants of Turtle Rock Island. Perhaps even more confusing is the fact that several onlookers have reported seeing a small cottage on the back of this behemoth.

Here dwells the mysterious Moonstone Witch, a sociable recluse accompanied by her many familiars. Those close to the Moonstone Witch know her by her chosen name, Seles. Her pets come in many shapes and sizes: a toad, a black cat, and a raven, to name a few. She is no stranger to the Five Townships and will visit them as her whims dictate. She is known as a lawful Witch throughout the Ring and so it is not uncommon for denizens of Andante to seek her out in hopes of some blessing or boon. For this reason, among others, her visits are always brief and unannounced.

‘The Tumultuous Plains’

March 21, 2023March 21, 2023Leave a comment

“There lies our neighbor to the northwest, the Tumultuous Plains. A massive stretch of barren flats dotted by decimated ruins. Many years ago, the storms made their home with twisting castles of cloud that stretch jade green as far as the eye can see. These storms have since evicted any and all possible neighbors from their territory, save only the desperate and the mad.”

The Tumultuous Plains, stomping grounds of Mother Nature. Even as you gaze upon it from a safe distance, you can see massive shapes swaying as they meander across the plains. All of the old settlements upon the plains have been leveled by tornadoes and lightning strikes. There are those who have been curious or foolhardy enough to venture onto the plains despite the danger. Some who were lucky enough to survive have reported seeing a distant figure soaring through the dark skies with wings outstretched. The origins of this creature are a mystery to all.