Vanori

Geography and Climate

  Vanori is a continent diverse in its geography and rich in ohmi. The northern region is characterized by a subarctic climate, with frigid winters and short, cool summers, making it a land of hardy flora and fauna. The central region is marked by temperate climates, with lush temperate forests, expansive rivers, and fertile plains that make it the heart of agriculture and human civilization. As one travels south, the climate shifts to a humid, tropical atmosphere in the south-central region. It’s home to the dense and mysterious jungle, Tuca Wilds, the largest rainforest on the continent. Finally, the southernmost part of Vanori is both arid in the southwest region and subtropical in the southeast region. The southern region is truly a test of endurance and adaptation.  

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Natural Resources and Landmarks

    Rich in both natural beauty and resources, the continent has many notable landmarks.  

• Burning Plains- Located in the western central region, these plains are home to the ancient creatures known as phoenixes, whose fiery presence has scorched the land, giving rise to its name.
• Cadasha River- The Cadasha River is the longest and widest river in Vanori. It flows from Haerford Bay, through Tuca Wilds, and ends in the Kingdom of Shaedal.
• Lowever- The eastern counterpart to the Burning Plains, Lowever is a vast expanse of flatlands, often called the breadbasket of Vanori due to its fertile soil.
• Mangrove Glades- A unique subtropical region in the southeastern part of Vanori, where the Sentis have made their home among the tangled roots and brackish waters for centuries.
• Muckwood- This boggy wetland in the northeastern region is both feared and revered. It is home to the duchy of Druyle, a key territory within the Kingdom of Hodrana, where the land teems with ancient ohmi.
• Rahgmara’s Belt- The spine of Vanori, this massive mountain range splits the central region in two. Its peaks towering over the landscape create a natural border that influences weather patterns across the continent.
• Riven Ocean- At the heart of the Riven Ocean, several miles off the east coast of Vanori, lies the Great Gyre. Over the centuries, many have tried to cross this treacherous stretch of water but to no avail. No one has entered and returned, nor has any remains ever been recovered.
• Sappheiros Lake- In the north lies Sappheiros Lake, a natural wonder renowned for its sapphire-blue waters that sparkle even under the dullest skies, a place of legend and beauty.
• Smaragdos Lake- In the southeast lies Smaragdos Lake, another natural wonder renowned for its emerald green waters that empty out into the Mangrove Glades.
• Tivermouth Sea- The Tivermouth Sea borders Blacklam to the northwest. Its waters are predominantly ruled by the nation of Smaustan.
• Tuca Wilds- A sprawling rainforest in the south-central region, Tuca Wilds is a labyrinth of towering trees, exotic wildlife, and hidden dangers. Its air is thick with humidity and mystery.
• Violaceous Ocean- The Violaceous Ocean makes up the western coast of Vanori and is known for its violet-hued waters and mysterious occurences. Out of all the oceans, the Violaceous Ocean harbors the most ohmi.
• The White Expanse- Known for its enormous glaciers and permanent ice sheets, it's the northernmost ocean in Iorasica. Because of the extreme temperatures, few marine life inhabit the desert, and only microscopic fauna exist. Seafarers in Hodrana fish in its outer perimeter.

 

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Inhabitants and Cultures

  Vanori is a melting pot of cultures and species. Humans are the most widespread, forming the backbone of the continent’s civilizations. In the Kingdom of Hodrana, its inhabitants focus on familial structures that endorse authority and status privileges. In the Kingdom of Blacklam, its inhabitants value individualism and acknowledge that political revolution is on the rise. The Smaustanian nation, with its 4 city-states, reflects a rich tapestry of each region’s cultural differences and its growth to cohabitate with one another despite their differences. In the southwest, the Kingdom of Shaedal, thrives amidst the jungle and desert.   The continent is also home to fantastical creatures such as phoenixes, dragons, tigons, and unicorns. The nomadic Sentis tribe, believed to be descendants of an ancient race, once wandered the Mangrove Glades, living in harmony with the land. Meanwhile, the cursed Canidae are feared and misunderstood, living in clans mainly in Shaedal and the blighted lands of Zetrionia.  

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History and Mythology

  Vanori’s history is steeped in mystery and legend. The ancient city of Feim, once the crown jewel of Zetrionia, now lies in ruins, its fall attributed to the wrath of the The Ohmites. This event has shaped the continent’s existence, with many fearing to repeat the mistakes of the past. The remnants of Feim serve as a haunting reminder of a civilization that once was, now buried beneath layers of time and legend.  

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Political Structure

  Vanori is divided into several powerful kingdoms and nations, each with its own culture, governance, and ambitions. The Kingdom of Hodrana dominates the central and northeastern regions, while the Kingdom of Blacklam controls the western central lands. Smaustan’s 4 city-states operate independently yet under a common banner, reflecting the diversity of their cultures to the northwest. The Kingdom of Shaedal, with its strategic location in the southwest, controls key resources. The nomadic Sentis once maintained a delicate balance with the natural world. The Canidae pacts exist on the fringes of society, and their lives are governed by the cycles of the moon and the curse they bear.  

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Economy and Trade

  Vanori’s economy thrives on the extraction and trade of ohmi rich resources, timber, minerals, textiles, exotic spices and magical artifacts. Trade routes crisscross the land, connecting the northern tundras to the southern desert, with each region contributing its unique resources. Blacklam serves as the central capital of trade between all nations.  

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Conflicts and Challenges

  The Great Sentis War has left deep scars on Vanori, particularly between the Kingdom of Hodrana and the Sentis tribe. The surviving Sentians live in fear, constantly on the run, as Hodrana’s ruler hunts them down mercilessly. This conflict is but one of many challenges facing the continent, where natural disasters, political intrigue, and the ever-present threat of ancient omens keep the inhabitants of Vanori in a constant state of vigilance.