Tranquility: The Wilds and The Veil
The Wilds
The northern border of the Celestial Empire marks the end of the Empire, and the beginning of the only land in the world that the Empire does not make any claim to. The border is not marked by any wall, but a series of watch towers extends along the border, each communicating with the one on either side of it via a series of signal lights, as well as a dwindling supply of magical methods.
Set further back from the border are two forts that house the bulk of Imperial might in Tranquility. When alerted of an incursion by watchtower signals, the hosts within can mobilize and deploy within short order. In practice, a full mobilization has not occurred in over 50 years, and commanding a fort is seen as a nice, safe way to give family members of the Council leadership credibility should they ever seek the office of King, or are groomed to take over the family land holdings.
The King’s son, Grindohl (referred to quietly as Grindohl the Gutless), is currently commander of the East Fort and is the favored candidate to succeed his father in office as the Council hopes for a continuation of the… pliable… leadership evidenced by his father.
The Wilds themselves are quite easily accessible, as it has been Imperial custom to allow enemies of the Empire to ‘self exile’ themselves to that ancient expanse of dark forest and black cloud shrouded peaks.
While it is both illegal and unwise to do so, some farmers have setup holdings in the Wilds, with varying degrees of success. Bandits, orc tribes and other… things… have visited misery and death upon these holdings for centuries, but some prefer this existence to life under the Imperial yoke.
Little is known of what lies in the heart of the forests, or in the mountains. Folklore talks about a civilization predating the Empire that looked inward and found something staring back that destroyed them. Folklore also talks about using various frog appendages to predict how the crops will be in a given year, so it may just be a story.
The Veil
The Veil appears as a shimmering wall of white extending from horizon to horizon. Those that approach the Veil can hear the whispers of lovers long dead, family long forgotten and see shadows of their forms enticing them to cross the threshold and be reunited. While some have claimed to pass through the Veil and returned unharmed, others have returned… changed or vanished outright.
The official word of the King is that the Veil is to be left undisturbed as it is a matter for the Empire itself to worry about.
Those who keep watch on the Veil note that it moves further north every year, leaving them little choice but to worry.
The northern border of the Celestial Empire marks the end of the Empire, and the beginning of the only land in the world that the Empire does not make any claim to. The border is not marked by any wall, but a series of watch towers extends along the border, each communicating with the one on either side of it via a series of signal lights, as well as a dwindling supply of magical methods.
Set further back from the border are two forts that house the bulk of Imperial might in Tranquility. When alerted of an incursion by watchtower signals, the hosts within can mobilize and deploy within short order. In practice, a full mobilization has not occurred in over 50 years, and commanding a fort is seen as a nice, safe way to give family members of the Council leadership credibility should they ever seek the office of King, or are groomed to take over the family land holdings.
The King’s son, Grindohl (referred to quietly as Grindohl the Gutless), is currently commander of the East Fort and is the favored candidate to succeed his father in office as the Council hopes for a continuation of the… pliable… leadership evidenced by his father.
The Wilds themselves are quite easily accessible, as it has been Imperial custom to allow enemies of the Empire to ‘self exile’ themselves to that ancient expanse of dark forest and black cloud shrouded peaks.
While it is both illegal and unwise to do so, some farmers have setup holdings in the Wilds, with varying degrees of success. Bandits, orc tribes and other… things… have visited misery and death upon these holdings for centuries, but some prefer this existence to life under the Imperial yoke.
Little is known of what lies in the heart of the forests, or in the mountains. Folklore talks about a civilization predating the Empire that looked inward and found something staring back that destroyed them. Folklore also talks about using various frog appendages to predict how the crops will be in a given year, so it may just be a story.
The Veil
The Veil appears as a shimmering wall of white extending from horizon to horizon. Those that approach the Veil can hear the whispers of lovers long dead, family long forgotten and see shadows of their forms enticing them to cross the threshold and be reunited. While some have claimed to pass through the Veil and returned unharmed, others have returned… changed or vanished outright.
The official word of the King is that the Veil is to be left undisturbed as it is a matter for the Empire itself to worry about.
Those who keep watch on the Veil note that it moves further north every year, leaving them little choice but to worry.
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