Kandaria
Kandaria is a moderately
sized kingdom on the western side
of the continent, Vespa. The
impossibly tall Devil’s Spine
mountain range covers the western
edge of Kandaria running from
north to south meeting the Infernal
Hills at a section called the Barren
Peak. The Infernal Hills are a
volcanic range running from
western Vespa east to the Desert of Sorrow. The eastern border is made up
of Lake Welhelow and her tributaries, the Lifeless Creek flowing south to
north from the Infernal Hills and the Red River flowing from the Iker
Glacier far north.
There is a narrow passage in the Infernal Hills where the dwarfs
built two massive gates ages ago. The Hot Gates stand many storeys tall
and are made of iron five feet thick. The gates are moved by a pressure
system using the heat of the nearby volcano, Mount Blastfury. Through
this pass runs The Long Old Trade Road. The mines of Kandaria held the
most precious gemstones in all Vespa and the quarries supplied some of the
best granite and marble ever seen. A trade route was established that
eventually stretched from Kandaria to the Lands of Marsh on the far
eastern edge of Vespa. With the creation of the Northlands the road has
now extended to the north as well.
Within these natural borders is Fangwood Forest. Covering most of
Kandaria it is the oldest and most dense in the whole world . Word from
the north is that the forest has been cursed and the trees are lifeless and
large thorns have grown out of the limbs.
Kastle Kandar
After many miles north
from the Hot Gates there is a
clearing near Lake Welhelow.
There sits the Kastle Kandar.
Once a small town built near
the old mines it is now a busy
trade town and the capital of
Kandaria. The castle is built
within an old fortress that once protected the original trade town. The
mighty walls still stand as a testament of the fine stone quarried nearby.
There’s a southern gate and a northern gate, both large enough to fit two
wagons side by side. Each gate has a guard post and registration area for
merchants and travelers. The road leads straight through the middle of
town with the castle to the east. The southern edge of town is mostly open
leaving room for wagons to park overnight within the safety of the walls.
The road has mostly shops, inns, and taverns. The west part of town are the
homes of the local residents. The east part of town with the keep is the
barracks including the jail both built onto the side of the castle. The town
had been growing pretty steadily till the mines ran out fifty years ago. The
dwarfs that worked there moved further north leaving very few citizens
left. They created a new settlement near another mine that was recently
struck. That area is now called the Northlands, a kingdom of mostly
dwarfs including their ruler Henry the Red.
Kastle Kandar has a blue
dragon, Eedee. She is caged on a
metal platform sitting a few feet
above Lake Welhelow. It has a
metal dome grate covering it with a
large blue crystal positioned at the
top. Around the dome and in the
lake, are large metal spikes
arranged pointing away from the dome to deter any intruders. The almost
constant crackle of electricity from her body is channeled through the
metal dome up to the crystal and an electrical beam is transferred to a tall
tower. The tower beams the power to the castle and parts of the city. At
night the sky is lit by the light of the beams and can be seen for miles.
King Nigel Everhart, Ruler of
Kandaria, Champion of the Great Test,
Keeper of the Orb of Transcendence, is
an indecisive man and usually defaults
to his advisors. First of his name, he
became king by passing a series of trials
as was foretold. His head advisor is the
wise man, Myrddin, a human wizard
who has premonitions. The second
advisor is Cleodis Brewheart, the jolly
dwarf alchemist. The third is Nigel’s
adopted sister Sheila, an elf druid. Zendrak Toadspice, their general, has
recently died under mysterious circumstances and some believe it was
ordered by Henry the Red of The Northlands.
Fangwood Forest
A very ancient forest with large trees
called Fang Oaks with very sturdy and
thick branches that intertwine with the
branches of neighboring trees, most of them
are wide enough to walk across. With some
effort this wood can be crafted into very
strong items. The Fangwood Elves believe
the Fang Oaks contain the spirits of their
ancestors and they fight to protect them.
Not much light can penetrate the canopy
however there are small wisps of light
floating in the trees. They are always too far
away to reach yet close enough to provide
some light. They congregate in populated areas.
The first town along the LOTR is St. Olaf. The entire town is built in
trees. The houses and buildings were meticulously built around the tree
branches not injuring them but using them as support. Wooden bridges
and zip lines are used as a quick means to get around. In the center of town
is the largest Fang Oak. It sits on both banks of the river with a large split
down the middle. Wide enough for a small boat to fit through. The largest
building in St. Olaf is in this tree, The Shouting River Inn, built on a
massive stone slab and large smoke pit in the center. The inn has many
levels on the branches, the rooms have a space for privacy but are mostly
open design with balconies all overlooking the inn and St. Olaf.
Lake Welhelow
Named after the first Queen of Kandaria, Octavia Welhelow. She
drowned in it.
