Another Time, Another Ivalice: Dalmasca
As I work on fleshing out my Ivalice D&D 4E game, I've been writing up some small descriptions of the major powers in the Galtean region. Here's a sample:
The Kingdom of Dalmasca
Capital: Rabanastre
Government: Hereditary Monarchy
Primary Religion/God: Sarenrae
Other Commonly-Worshiped Gods: Iomedae, Shelyn, Pharasma
Current Ruler: Dynast-King Raminas
Description: Located at the crossroads of the region, between Rozarria and Nabradia, Dalmasca (and its capital, Rabanastre) was founded roughly 700 years ago by the first Dynast-King, King Raithwall. Raithwall had divine backing in the form of three relics of Sarenrae - the Dawn, Midlight, and Dusk Shards - that confirmed his right to rule and established the sun goddess as the state's patron diety. Since that time, Dalmasca has flourished as a hub for travel and trade.
The capital, Rabanastre, is located at the intersection of two major trade routes. Caravans from the west carry goods and people from Rozarria, and the lands beyond, across the dangerous Yensa Sandsea, while wagons and airships travel south from Nabradia, Archades, and other kingdoms on the Valendian continent. As a result, the population is very cosmopolitan, coming from all manner of races and walks of life. Besides the humes, seeq, and bangaa that make up the bulk of the populace, dwarves from the north and tieflings and gnomes from the west are not uncommon, and even the rare garif trader or viera outcast can be found. The markets and bazaars are always buzzing with activity, full of items both mundane and exotic, and the taverns are full of merchants and travelers exchanging tales, rumors, and secrets. For those with such an interest, adventuring work is not difficult to find, as there is always someone in need of having something retrieved, protected, gathered, or destroyed.
Outside of Rabanastre, Dalmasca is sparsely populated, consisting mostly of open dunes to the west and desert canyons to the north. Small waystations dot the trade roads, providing refuge from the blazing sun. The kingdom extends north to the Nibra river, a blue ribbon of water that marks the end of the desert and the beginning of the Mosphoran Highwaste. Villages dot the river, surviving on fishing and ferrying travelers across. The western portion of the kingdom is mostly empty wastes, dominated by the Yensa Sandsea, a massive expanse of flowing, shifting sands. Ancient spires can occasionally be seen poking up through the waves, the remnants of an ancient kingdom struck by disaster. The Sandsea is dangerous for two reasons. First, it is jagd, permeated with energies that wreak havoc with airships and render air travel impossible. Second, it is peopled by the Urutan, a crustacean race known for their aggressiveness and xenophobia. Armed escort is a requirement for caravans wishing to brave the east-west route between Rozarria and Dalmasca.
To the south, the desert gives way to the warm, grassy Giza Plains. During the dry season, nomads herd flocks of large birds and gather sunstones, dark chunks of magicite found only on the plains that absorb the sun's radiance. When the rainy season comes, the nomads retreat into the mountains to the north and east, and the plains become boggy wetlands. Seasonal tides along the coast also cause the land bridge leading to the Ozmone Plain, to the south, to become alternately passable and impassible.
Common Backgrounds (See PHB2): Desert, Urban, Poor, Wealthy, Artisan, Merchant, Military, Rare Egg (Bangaa only), City Viera (Viera Only), Merchant Dynasty
The Kingdom of Dalmasca
Capital: Rabanastre
Government: Hereditary Monarchy
Primary Religion/God: Sarenrae
Other Commonly-Worshiped Gods: Iomedae, Shelyn, Pharasma
Current Ruler: Dynast-King Raminas
Description: Located at the crossroads of the region, between Rozarria and Nabradia, Dalmasca (and its capital, Rabanastre) was founded roughly 700 years ago by the first Dynast-King, King Raithwall. Raithwall had divine backing in the form of three relics of Sarenrae - the Dawn, Midlight, and Dusk Shards - that confirmed his right to rule and established the sun goddess as the state's patron diety. Since that time, Dalmasca has flourished as a hub for travel and trade.
The capital, Rabanastre, is located at the intersection of two major trade routes. Caravans from the west carry goods and people from Rozarria, and the lands beyond, across the dangerous Yensa Sandsea, while wagons and airships travel south from Nabradia, Archades, and other kingdoms on the Valendian continent. As a result, the population is very cosmopolitan, coming from all manner of races and walks of life. Besides the humes, seeq, and bangaa that make up the bulk of the populace, dwarves from the north and tieflings and gnomes from the west are not uncommon, and even the rare garif trader or viera outcast can be found. The markets and bazaars are always buzzing with activity, full of items both mundane and exotic, and the taverns are full of merchants and travelers exchanging tales, rumors, and secrets. For those with such an interest, adventuring work is not difficult to find, as there is always someone in need of having something retrieved, protected, gathered, or destroyed.
Outside of Rabanastre, Dalmasca is sparsely populated, consisting mostly of open dunes to the west and desert canyons to the north. Small waystations dot the trade roads, providing refuge from the blazing sun. The kingdom extends north to the Nibra river, a blue ribbon of water that marks the end of the desert and the beginning of the Mosphoran Highwaste. Villages dot the river, surviving on fishing and ferrying travelers across. The western portion of the kingdom is mostly empty wastes, dominated by the Yensa Sandsea, a massive expanse of flowing, shifting sands. Ancient spires can occasionally be seen poking up through the waves, the remnants of an ancient kingdom struck by disaster. The Sandsea is dangerous for two reasons. First, it is jagd, permeated with energies that wreak havoc with airships and render air travel impossible. Second, it is peopled by the Urutan, a crustacean race known for their aggressiveness and xenophobia. Armed escort is a requirement for caravans wishing to brave the east-west route between Rozarria and Dalmasca.
To the south, the desert gives way to the warm, grassy Giza Plains. During the dry season, nomads herd flocks of large birds and gather sunstones, dark chunks of magicite found only on the plains that absorb the sun's radiance. When the rainy season comes, the nomads retreat into the mountains to the north and east, and the plains become boggy wetlands. Seasonal tides along the coast also cause the land bridge leading to the Ozmone Plain, to the south, to become alternately passable and impassible.
Common Backgrounds (See PHB2): Desert, Urban, Poor, Wealthy, Artisan, Merchant, Military, Rare Egg (Bangaa only), City Viera (Viera Only), Merchant Dynasty