Acitern
A Godless Land You might find it odd that I'm focusing so much on mythology and yet I've included a land completely free from mythological influence. Well, that's because of the players. I'm aware most people don't have the enthusiasm for this stuff that I do. So I made a place for the classic fantasy tropes to help people make characters without putting tremendous amounts of thought into it.
Geography
Acitern is a land of many environments from mountains to plains to forests. Its climate is temperate, with a wide seasonal variation seen across the continent. Generally, it gets warmer the further south one travels, although elevation plays its part in the climate of this land as well.
The northernmost kingdom here is Pranish to the northwest. This is a land dominated by tall, majestic mountains and occasional wetlands in the deep valleys. Even such communities as the city of Anslev can be found among the peaks. This land tends to be bitterly cold, giving it a harsh reputation similar to Bjornland.
To the east of Pranish lies the kingdom of Aurand. This land is the most varied of all the nations in Acitern, including swamps, meadows, and forests. This place has the highest population of any nation in Covenant and includes the northern port city of Tarke, the largest city in the world.
Furthest east is the relatively small nation of Reynardia. This land is the most densely wooded in the continent, and one of the least populated. It is also home to many small rivers and lakes, the largest of which is Lac Reynard, with the capital city of Bellailles on its shores.
The vast land on the southern portion of the continent is Llanuria. This is a land of wide plains that is home to the holy city of Santania. It also has long, level coastlines that is where the capital city of Puertana can be found. It's southern location makes it noticeably warmer than the rest of the continent.
Ecosystem
Due to the variety of terrains found here on Acitern, the natural ecosystem is varied and lively. Indeed, this land has one of the most diverse environments known to Covenant. A vast number of animals from bears to gophers, and goats to lions can be found somewhere on this continent.
Conversely, the magical creatures found here don't vary between location as much as they do in other lands. It is believed this is due to a lack of divine interference. Such creatures include the likes of griffons, werewolves cockatrices, and others. There are also a few rare creatures specific to certain places, such as Pranish's vila and Aurand's questing beats.
History
While most places in Covenant were originally populated by the gods that rule over them, Acitern has no such gods. There are two primary theories about where the first people here came from. The most well-accepted one states that the first people on the continent came from Skogsmark, although this doesn't account for the presence of races such as halflings and gnomes.
The other theory places the ancestors of the Aciterni clans as the first people in Acitern. They are believed to have originally come from the land that is now Llanuria, but no one knows where they would have come from before that. If asked about this, most Aciterni only smile quietly.
No matter which is true, it is generally accepted that Aurand was the first of the continent's kingdoms. Their legends state that the son of a she-wolf named Atarin Lupisene was chosen by the land, itself as symbolized by sacred treasures including the sword Caliburn. He then conquered Aurand and founded Tarke around Castle Kaelin.
Then, during the next period of the continent's history, both the nations of Pranish and Llanuria were founded, although it's unclear exactly when. Pranishan tales attribute the kingdom's founding to the discovery of the Heart of Pranish beneath Anslev. Meanwhile, the Llanurians believe the founding of their kingdom came with the taming of the horse.
Next came the founding of Reynardia, a much more well-documented event. A collection of escaped prisoners took shelter in the eastern forests. There they met the archfey trickster known as Reynard the Fox, who used his powers to hide them from their pursuers. More came after, eventually creating a true nation.
Some time during this period, a glorious being descended from the sky and gave the golden Book of Radiance to a simple herdsman. This man-- who deliberately stayed anonymous-- then preached the word of the celestials. This led to the founding of the Church of the Light, as well as the holy city of Santania.
These nations traded and sometimes fought with one another. Aurand was usually the aggressor in these wars, usually against Reynardia, but sometimes against other nations. Aurand has even conquered Reynardia more than once. Still, the unruly Reynardians would always eventually manage to free themselves.
The greatest threat that the continent had faced was the lich Karad Blackheart, a hero born under the sign of the Wild Hunt. He blamed the gods for the struggles he'd faced and sought to attack them by waging war on their people. To do this, he tried to convert the people of Acitern into his undead legions, eventually even besieging Tarke.
Another hero opposed him in his efforts, a Bjornlander wizard named Vidar Elf-Child and his companions, including a Reynardian archer named Simone Arquiox and the Aciterni swordsman Pieter Ammoran, tried to unite Acitern against him. In the end, they were able to get Llanuria, Pranish, some Reynardians, and even the Aciterni clans to lift the siege.
While this war was being waged, the adventurers worked to defeat Karad, and were able to destroy him in combat. Still, as a lich being rid of him was not so simple. They did end up tracking down his phylactery, and managed to destroy it, ending the threat, though at great cost.
Not long after, the true Book of Radiance disappeared from the Cathedral of the First Light. Just as the church began to lose hope, history repeated itself. An angel descended from the sky in the Cathedral. This angel, Taelafel, continues to rule the Church of the Light everywhere but Pranish where the guardinal Peristeri serves instead.
Type
Continent
Included Locations
Inhabiting Species
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