From the deepest depths to the furthest shore, the planet of Valyr is rich with magic and myth. In the southern hemisphere of Valyr, the monsters of old have retreated back into the shadows of history with the recent innovation of gunpowder. Firearms and cannons proved to be a far more effective means of ranged warfare over the traditionally unpredictable battle mages. With otherworldly threats such as demons and fey all but retreated from this realm, as well as the undead hordes of The Deadlands kept at bay, the entire continent of Ur'vael has entered into a new era of relative peace among its civilised peoples. However, with these supernatural enemies quashed, there is now room for old grudges to come to bear and imperial dreams to bloom.
Our chronicle starts in the Anderlynds, a kingdom between the Pale and Golden Seas built with grit and determination across several islands and the continent. Though they are the most welcoming nation to all peoples and creeds, don't mistake that for weakness. Much like the bear that is their symbol, the people of Anderlynd stand firm against all that would threaten their realm. It is said the kingdom was founded by an ancient order of druids led by the legendary hero Ander. Many of the nobility claim to be descendants of these first circles with ties to this land. A year ago, the nation suffered the devastating death of Queen Rosalind Whitlock, leaving her young son, King Aiden Whitlock, to inherit the throne. With the king's father, the Prince-Consort, tragically lost at sea, stewardship of the kingdom has fallen to the Council of Lords until the boy-king comes of age.
News has reached the King's council that The Stravin Empire have discovered riches beyond imagining in distant uncharted shores. The power it promises threatens to end the delicate peace and fuel the empire's divine crusade across all of Ur'vael. Not wanting to start a war, the court has put the call for aid out through the Guilds. The kingdom wishes to recruit privateers to intercept Stravin ships and secure the source of this treasure for the good of the realm. Four Guilds have stepped forward to accept this quest. Under one of these guild banners, for the good of Anderlynd, you will set sail off the edge of the map and into the unknown.
Cities & Towns
Most settlements of population size 3000 and under do not appear on the map. However these villages and towns are dotted across all of Ur'vael. The cities marked on the map are well developed metropoli with populations ranging from 100,000 to 300,000 people including their surrounding urban sprawl. Most cities have the latest civic technologies such as covered aqueducts for running water and cobbled streets that can fit one to two carriages across at a time. Improvements in street lamp technology has begun to be rolled out with pitch torches being replaced by arcane lanterns.
Time
There are 7 days in a week, roughly 4 weeks in a month and 12 months in a year. The days and months are named after ancient myths whose meaning is lost to time such as Monday and February.
Astronomy
Navigators have used stars to chart a course from time immemorial. Scholars have determined these heavenly bodies are balls of fire similar to our sun and even distant planets. There is a single moon that orbits the planet of Valyr. Scholarship is divided on what magical properties, if any, the night sky holds, though there is documented evidence suggesting the alignment of the sun and moon can affect the flow of arcane energies.