Volume 2 – Nigh Rising
Chapter 105- Keepers of Light Part 1
3 Days have passed since we left the dark elf settlement and headed east towards the light elf settlement. According to Douglas, the settlement is made using the world tree candidate as a home. This giant tree is located northeast of Allenshire in an area called the Solar Grotto.
The Grotto is at the southern tip of a 50,000km mountain range leading to the Country's border with The Principality of Papos. This mountain range snakes throughout Duxley leading to the Principality. It also acts as the natural barrier along the northeastern border between the Principality and the Merchant's Republic.
Further, the mountain range is home to the most dangerous monsters and the most precious resources. It's for the latter reason, the Principality had waged numerous wars with Duxley. Each of those wars ended with Duxley gaining more and more control over the mountain range.
Quick geography lesson. When explaining landmarks on Ohmdorra (to the Earthlings who might stumble upon this memoir of sorts), it would be best if I fill you in on how big this planet actually is. This way, any comparisons to Earth and how life functioned there can be put to bed.
Earth Scientists and mathematicians had come to a consensus in which the surface area of Earth is approximately 510.1 million km2. Comparing Earth to Ohmdorra (in terms of surface area) is the same as comparing Earth to Pluto which has a surface area of approximately 16.65 million km2. Meaning Earth can house 30.64 "Pluto's" on its surface. This according to both the system's calculations and uncle's confirmation is not a far-off comparison for Ohmdorra's size.
During my time both inside the inheritance realm and my 3 sols training period, I asked uncle and the system this question. The answer, Ohmdorra's surface area is approximately 17.63 billion km2. In other words, about 3 and a half "Ohmdorra's" can fit snuggly on Jupiter's surface.
Landmass makes up 58% of Ohmdorra's surface area. The remaining surface area is bodies of water. Focusing on landmass, Ohmdorra has fourteen continents. Three of those continents are known as the forbidden zones. Two are uninhabited by anyone in their right mind and the rest... you get the point.
The three forbidden lands are the Dragon continent Parisdolla. Fun fact... in the celestial language "Parisdolla" means "Eternal Spring." The second forbidden land is the demonkind continent of Hellscape. Finally, the last is called Celestia's Cradle. To be honest not much is known regarding this place. This continent is the central most continent in Ohmdorra, completely shrouded by a fog barrier and magoi storms.
As I mentioned previously, there are 2 uninhabitable (by anything but monsters) continents sit at the planet's poles. These continents are covered in never-ending magoi infused blizzards, and are home to monsters only adventurers at the Sapphire and above ranks dare face. They are the continents Neversol and Lunafross.
Finally, the moment you've all been waiting for! The 9 inhabitable continents are divided into continental clusters. The first cluster is the continent of Eliador; the continent of Galaebrand which is far to the south of Eliador. Lastly, Frontanium the eastern neighbor to Eliador and Salamor the Northern most inhabitable continent in Ohmdorra.
The Next cluster is the continent of Darganta in the far eastern area of Ohmdorra. The second is the continent of Palanndora the southern neighbor to Darganta. The third and final continent in this cluster is the continent of Valtoria, home of the League of Adventurers which lies to the west of Darganta.
The final cluster is unlike the other clusters as one of the continents is nomadic and the other… let's just say Mi*ha** Ph***s would have a hard time swimming there. They are the underwater continent of Azur Aquatica which lies under the western Peltonic Ocean. The other is the floating continent of Zephoria which has no fixed location.
Although it does not stay in one place, Zephoria does however, float in a very methodical direction almost like a river current. This "current" is called the Golden Sea. Which means (for those who might be wondering), the Markov homeland Engelheim is in fact a floating island. (how fitting)
In the past, there had been a total of 16 continents. Sadly however, two of these continents no longer exist. The first was the elven continent of Elvalidora. It now lies at the bottom of the Serpatian ocean to the north of Celestia's Cradle. This ocean is named after the fact both Jormungandr and Ouroboros now reside in that ocean.
The other lost continent is Ariveoss. At one point, it used to be the eastern neighboring continent to Salamor. However, it was destroyed during an intense battle between two ancient Emperor stage Battlemasters. There battle occurred 10,000 sols before the demonic dragons came. It's the legend of their battle which has become the power marker for all Emperor stage Battlemasters!
With that out of the way, why does any of that matter? Eliador alone has a surface area of 1.7 million km2. The 50,000km mountain range doesn't even reach a quarter of the way across the continent! I mean... the mountain range zigzags all throughout Duxley then straightens out once it reaches the Principality. Anyway, that's enough learning for one day.
We are currently 1 hour away from the grotto and I started to notice a most interesting spectacle. In comparison, the Emeraldshade Forest has this vale of darkness blanketing the entire forest. Here, the area near the grotto is extremely well lit despite the sun starting to set.
I guess this is the reason the locals call the place the Solar Grotto given the never-ending daylight. As we drew closer, a group of light elves stood awaiting our arrival. At the head of the group was a familiar face, Douglas. Stopping the carriage a few feet away, my family and I stepped out of the carriage and greeted the entourage.
"May blessed life find you, children of the light. May its rays bring favor to our sister clan." I said nodding my head while placing my right hand on my chest and my left hand by my side. In response, Douglas bowed causing his clansmen to also bow as he said,
"May blessed life find you, Ancestor. May the light of the Creator guide your steps in these uncertain times."
After saying such, Douglas and co arose. He then gestured with his hand beckoning us forward as we walked together towards the cave tunnel entrance leading to the grotto. Meanwhile, Katya, Ivy and Saphire attempted to gather their luggage, only for 4 young men to magically appear and take their luggage while guiding the carriage to a pre-designated place. Seeing them dumbstruck by the sudden appearance, Douglas spoke up,
"Don't worry, ladies. Those young men have been tasked with ensuring your belongings are directly sent to you living arrangements while the carriage is being directly transported to the golem stable where our Master stage Alchemic Craftsmen will repair and tune-up your golems and carriage."
Hearing "Master stage" Alchemic Craftsmen, Katya's eyes lit up like a firework. I can already tell where she intends on spending most of her time. No longer worrying about our belongings, the girls and I followed Douglas as we entered the cave.
Once inside, lights shown forth so brightly, you would have thought we were still outside. The cave tunnel was a short one which lead to the grotto on the other side. To be honest, grotto would be an incorrect word to describe the settlement. Once we exited the cave, a phantasmagoric landscape came to view.
-End of Chapter