Sin walked through the streets under reconstruction in Alnuum when he came upon a pile of old and semi-burned books. The young man, interested in the knowledge that the capital of Nannu held, searched among the charred books until he found a small green-covered book. He picked up that book and opened it to a double-page spread, a large but rudimentary map that seemed to have been drawn by hand by someone. Sin saw that it was titled Gallea, giving title to the map he saw, however, the map of Gallea he had seen in his elementary school was completely different from what he had seen. Sin sat under a tree and began to read that book.
Small book of geographic and cultural studies of the Gallea continent
By: Fausto Heinz
Date: Thirteenth sun of the year 668 of the second era of heroes
Dear gentlemen and ladies of the Vernun senate, I Fausto Heinz, second son of the late senator Abraham Heinz, deliver to you this complete study on the continent of Gallea. Naturally, I know you would want it with much more anticipation than I deliver it to you today, please do not consider me too petulant with this delay, however I can affirm to you that this is the greatest work of my entire life, I hope it is pleasing to the lords who placed so much trust in my attributes.
Our world is called Yera, they say this name means 'Father' in the ancient language but I am not certain of this, well, what matters is that in this world there are 4 great continents. Ember, the largest and most populous. Gallea, the oldest. Serasta, a little visited continent, they say there are isolated humanoid tribes in that continent, and Merea, where they say it is the home of dragons and fantastic creatures. But as I was hired to only treat of Gallea, let us restrain our attention only to that continent.
Gallea
Talking with elves, I discovered that they believe Gallea was the first continent to emerge from the seas, they believe Gallea was the only continent cared for and treated by the gods themselves, this theory does make some sense, seeing as in this continent there are many fantastic things that date from the beginning of days on this land. But it is impossible to have any certainty, since there is no one alive who witnessed such feats and clearly there are fantastic things in other continents as well.
Gallea in the ancient language means 'First Created', and because of this we can believe that the first continent to receive thinking beings was Gallea, since the others do not have names with this meaning, but as I said before nothing in this introduction is absolute certainty, so keep this in mind when telling others. In any case let's talk about the countries and their constructions, unfortunately I have not yet found many maps of the geopolitics of this continent in ancient times, therefore the map that I will show you now was drawn by me, and for that reason is quite recent with the current geopolitical structure.
Within Gallea, currently we have thirteen structured countries and two separate lands, I was unable to reach the Dragon's Home of Severas and the land after it whose name was long lost, so I will focus only on the thirteen countries I had access to and studied.
Kingdom of Karastea
Located in the western extreme of Gallea, sheltered under skies often adorned by torrential rains, lies the Kingdom of Karastea. This territory, blessed and cursed by its fervent devotion and its vast plains, becomes a stage of contrast between faith and despair. Here, in a country where green rarely sprouts under the immensity of its arid land, almost two million souls find refuge. Humans and demi-humans weave together the fabric of a society that, although challenged by poverty and ravaged by implacable crime, remains unbreakable in spirit.
The Luminorian religion, as intrinsic to Karastea's essence as its dry soil, serves as the backbone of its culture. The great Cardinal Minoras XVII, a figure as venerated as the king himself, is the beacon that guides the people through the storms of life, both literal and metaphorical. His voice, laden with divinity, echoes across the plains, inspiring faith where there is desolation.
Karastea's geography is marked by a peculiar feature - a vast stripe of arid land that tears through the country from North to South, culminating in the imposing mountains to the south. It is in these mountains that the lizardmen make their homes, mysterious and powerful beings, observing from their rocky fortresses the unfolding of life on the plains below.
Despite its adversities, Karastea endures. Its people, hardened by trials and blessed by faith, carry on, always hopeful for better days. And while the kingdom may not be rich in gold or precious stones, it is priceless in courage, faith and the tireless determination of its inhabitants to seek the light, even under the darkest of rains. Karastea's capital is called Kaslarum and sits on the banks of the Sirus river.
Militarily, Karastea is not very powerful, I fear they do not even have supplies to sustain a war for a week.
Apparently the kings of Karastea are controlled like puppets by the High Cardinals, unfortunately I could not enter deeper into the palace as it is strongly guarded by monks aligned by the church's faith.
Kingdom of Tenai
Among Gallea's vast domains, the Kingdom of Tenai rises proudly, a bastion of erudition and diversity under the same tropical sky that bathes Karastea. With a population reaching eight million, this kingdom is a vibrant mosaic of humans and demi-humans, all united not by faith but by the insatiable thirst for knowledge. Unlike its neighbors, Tenai's strength lies not in its religious beliefs but in the wealth of its mind and the profusion of its fauna and flora.
The capital, Bercuranon, is an architectural jewel whose roots delve deep into the tapestry of time, extending back thousands of years in the past. Its towers and libraries are examples of the kingdom's ceaseless evolution, housing knowledge that spans eras. In Tenai, education is the cornerstone upon which society is built; every citizen, from the lowliest to the noblest, has the right and duty to contribute to the collective pool of knowledge.
Tenai's lands, vast plains interspersed with rare mountains, are an agricultural paradise with a landscape lamentably devoid of trees. Far from being a disadvantage, this geographic trait is seen as a blank canvas for advances in agronomy and natural sciences. The result is a country not only self-sufficient but also an exporter of food, knowledge and technology.
Militarily, Tenai is a force to be reckoned with. The combination of an educated populace and abundant resources has allowed the development of a sophisticated and effective war machine, a guarantee of its sovereignty and a means of defense against any external threat.
In Tenai's heart, however, lies an indomitable spirit of questioning and discovery. It is a kingdom where a person's worth is measured by what they can contribute to mankind's vast ocean of knowledge. And as the rains fall upon its plains and nourish its soil, so too does the thirst for knowledge nurture the souls of its people, making Tenai a beacon of light and wisdom in a world often darkened by ignorance.
Something strange permeates the lineage of Tenai's kings, the people suspect the Arkons perform pagan rituals to gods so they may be blessed in some way, more than anyone I believe that in a country where intelligence and ability are placed on such a high pedestal, the kings would not resort to gods or anything that has no proof of existence, but what I can tell you is that with total certainty, the Arkons are doing something strange in the bowels of their palaces.
Kingdom of Volkaron
In Gallea's arid and mountainous lands, rises the indomitable and mysterious kingdom of Volkaron. Governed with an iron fist within a velvet glove, this country of approximately 4.5 million souls is an enigma, shrouded in tradition and isolationism. Volkaron's resilient and warrior-like people live under the constant warming of the three gigantic inactive volcanoes that surround the country, conferring upon the land and waters a heat that pulsates like the heart of the nation itself.
The capital, Emarlal, is a stone fortress and haven situated on the edge of the largest volcano, Gorgon. Here, life pulses to the rhythm of the earth's inner fire, a constant reminder of the uncontrollable power that sleeps beneath their feet. Volkaron's wealth is not merely measured in gold or precious stones, but in the robustness of its economy, focused almost entirely on internal consumption and sustained by a people who know little poverty.
Despite its riches, Volkaron is an almost hermetic kingdom, its borders rarely crossed by demi-humans or the influences of outside cultures. This is a land where cultural homogeneity is both a strength and a prison, a deliberate choice by its warlike people and ruler. The king of Volkaron not only commands his country with a vision of autonomy but also ensures the kingdom's war machine is always ready, always evolving, to defend its lands against any threat.
Volkaron's geography challenges traditional agriculture, but its people are innovative. They have adapted to the volcano-warmed soil to cultivate unique and valuable crops, transforming an apparent disadvantage into a source of pride and prosperity. The natural hot springs, fed by volcanic heat, not only serve as relaxing oases for citizens but also attract tourists from the farthest corners of Gallea, eager to experience the beauty and healing power of those warm waters.
Therefore, Volkaron is a land of contrasts: rich yet isolated; warlike yet prosperous; a land where the earth's fire fuels life, and the fire of war strengthens the spirit. It is a kingdom whose essence is as complex as the mountains that define it, a place where the earth's heat is a constant reminder of the indomitable power residing in the hearts of its people.
The Vermillions are bold and warlike, their ancient feud with Nannu's Aquarion people seems to have no end, but even while not relinquishing their endless battle with the water people, the king of Volkaron looks favorably upon taking a large piece of Obastar's territory, unfortunately I was unable to discover what motivates King Vermillion, but I can affirm to you that when it comes to Vermillions, wars are always the answer.
Kingdom of Obastar
In northern Gallea, between the cold embrace of the Northern Sea and the lengthening shadows of the temperate forests, lies the kingdom of Obastar. Marked by a stark natural beauty and a history rich in artistic splendor, this kingdom now faces a period of privation and despair. With only 850,000 souls remaining, Obastar stands on the brink of an abyss, its lands and people lacerated by a relentless plague that has already claimed the lives of 120,000 of its inhabitants.
The king of Obastar, a reclusive figure impotent before this calamity, has shut himself away in his citadel in the capital, Vallarum, leaving his kingdom at the mercy of fate. Once a beacon of culture, art, and music, Vallarum has degenerated into a den of corruption and decadence where pleasures are as cheap as human life.
Obastar's temperate climate, while conducive to exploitation of its vast forests, offers little solace to its inhabitants struggling against harsh winters and a lack of arable lands suitable for cultivation. The southern lands, which could provide relief from this scarcity, have become the epicenter of growing conflict with Volkaron, whose covetous eyes see in them an opportunity for expansion.
This territorial dispute only aggravates the suffering of Obastar's people, who find themselves trapped between the sword and the wall: plague on one side and the constant threat of invasion on the other. Many choose to flee to the border with Tenai, seeking refuge from the cold and disease in a desperate hope for a better life.
Still, in Obastar's heart and in its people, an indomitable spirit resists, a flame darkness could not extinguish: music. Despite the gloom that swallowed its kingdom, music remains as a reminder of lighter times, an expression of hope and beauty that neither plague nor war nor merciless cold can completely silence.
Obastar, with its sighing forests and legacy of art now stained with sorrow, remains as testament to human resilience. Amid decay, disease, and despair, music still echoes, a silent hymn to the hope that one day Obastar may rise again from the ashes of its own desolation.
The royal family of Obastar, the Kaldons, have locked themselves away in their palaces fleeing the plague and famine, but it is said among the people that soon a great rebellion will stir around the capital. I fear the king and his family will not last to see this plague run its course.
Kingdom of Nannu
In the lands where the Nuumea river weaves its life through verdant territories, rises the kingdom of Nannu, a jewel set in the heart of Gallea. Known among the elves as the blessing of the west, Nannu is a symbol of harmony and prosperity, blessed with fertile lands and abundant waters that promise sustenance and wealth. The capital, Alnuum, a city carved at the confluence of the three tributaries of the Nuumea, is the pulsating center of this vibrant kingdom, home to a diversity of humanoid races united under the banner of a common history and a shared future.
Founded over seven hundred years ago by the last great hero, Nannu flourished, becoming a bastion of education, faith and health. Its economy, rooted in fishing, farming and livestock traditions, is complemented by an equal fervor for education and the cultivation of spirit. The Imperial Grand Academy, an institution venerated beyond Nannu's borders, attracts knowledge-thirsty minds from all corners of the world, eager to drink from the vast well of wisdom the academy offers.
The kingdom is a mosaic of beliefs and deities, celebrating freedom of worship with an inclusiveness rarely seen elsewhere. The Cathedral of the Eternal Spring, dedicated to Selerian, is not just a monument to faith, but a beacon of hope and unity for all the peoples of Gallea. It symbolizes Nannu's essence: a land where diversity is not merely accepted, but embraced with fervor.
Nannu also stands out for its advanced healthcare system, which ensures a high quality of life for its nearly 7 million inhabitants. This is a society where longevity is not a privilege but a right guaranteed to all, reflecting a government that values each life.
The Aquarions, descendants of the last hero and rulers of Nannu, maintain the kingdom with a firm but gentle hand, guiding their citizens through times of peace and conflict with equal wisdom. And despite its peaceful nature, Nannu's military might is formidable, a guarantee of security against emerging threats.
Nannu is, in essence, a kingdom of light and learning, where the Nuumea river not only irrigates the lands but also symbolizes the continuous flow of knowledge, faith and health that nourishes the heart and soul of its people. It is a country that lives not just in the present but also in a profound legacy, weaving a history that is both a testament to the last great hero and an invitation to future generations to build upon this exceptional foundation.
Sin, animated by his reading, noticed that night was falling and grabbing the book returned to his tent.
"Why do you seem so excited, Sin?" asks Katara.
"It's because I found a very interesting old book!" replies the boy.
"Really, what subject does this book talk about?" asks Katara, also getting excited to see Sin so enthusiastic about something.
"It talks about what the kingdoms were like more than 200 years ago, maybe I can learn a little more about this land!" responds Sin.
"Very good, now go wash up and call your sister to come eat as soon as possible!" requests Katara.
"Yes," concludes Sin.
Sin places the book under his pillow promising to open it again tomorrow to continue his reading.