Back to Geography

Cevelky     Cevelky, the “Great Beyond,” the “Seventh Realm,” the “Scarred Domain” - it is the stuff of legend. Many commoners speak of it as though it were another planet, and even adventurers shudder to visit it. It was the domain of Tellas the Green, the first Protodragon to leave Lur-Asko. Today viewed as an apocalyptic figure and possibly even an unfathomable evil, only one thing is certain about Tellas: his departure was abrupt, and somehow it fractured the climate he had created for his realm.
    The Michl Mountains practically sever the realm from the rest of Lur-Asko by land, leaving only sea or treacherous coastal routes to Skreti and I'Gremsul. South of the mountains, the entire realm is perpetually overcast, and the thick stagnant clouds themselves are mildly toxic. This region is mostly barren of plant and animal life, except for several strains of bioluminescent fungi; the eerie green light from these growths helps to make up for the lack of sunlight, but the realm is still very dark. Only the Michl Mountains themselves are untouched by perpetual darkness, but they are rugged, cold, and wholly inhospitable.
    Anyone would deem these conditions totally miserable and non-viable for life, begging the question of who would dare settle this realm. The only Alacris to inhabit Cevelky were those of the cities of Standux and Épex - militaristic regimes for whom the realm provided natural defense. After the Fall, Cevelky became the home of a limited number of harried, hated individuals: vampires. These “supersoldiers” of the Third Alacrian Era were feared throughout Lur-Asko, and the equally feared realm of Cevelky was the only place they could find a peaceful life.
    Of course, vampires need "food," and alone they could not form the entire culture of Cevelky. The first non-vampiric residents of the realm were captives brought along for the ride; once settled, the non-infected population became first a slave caste, then a serf class. Today they exist in a clearly inferior but mostly peaceful position relative to the Vampire Lords, who at the very least understand their vital necessity and obsessively protect them. To feed the non-infected of the realm, some effort has been made to adopt the fungal agriculture of Chthon. However, agriculture of any kind remains rare, as the Vampire Lords "encourage" the population to focus on mining and production, particularly related to goods desired by other realms; export/import tariffs are by far the largest means of income for the vampiric nobility. Crops and fish from I'Gremsul provide the bulk of Cevelky's actual food supply, and the realm maintains large caches as backup in the event of war or disaster.
    In ascending order of authority and influence, the noble titles of Cevelky are viscount, count, earl, and duke. A carefully-constructed array of traditions and rituals functions to preserve the status quo of the realm as much as possible, as well as disincentivizing conflict between vampires. This is due to essentially the entire nobility following the Survivor's Code - a strain of Nihilism focused on pure survival above all else. For this reason, despite the charges of domestic tyranny so frequently leveled by outsiders, Cevelky is very peaceful and agreeable in its relations with other realms. Visiting adventurers - sometimes to their surprise - usually find themselves welcomed and gainfully employed, providing they do nothing to disturb the local culture or sow "sedition." The Vampire Lords are well-aware of the vital necessity of adventuring, but also unwilling to allow even the slightest risk to their own power.
    Meanwhile, in the Michl Mountains north of vampire territory, a far more sinister presence has lurked for millennia: Eer’Kalla. Perpetually covered in fog by aeromancy, this is a city of twisted stone formed by thermokinesis and telekinesis. It is the timeless home of the white dragons, and the center of their culture and feudal hierarchy. Never conquered despite repeated attempts during the Draconic Wars, Eer’Kalla is a fabled and untouchable stronghold of Lur-Asko’s worst evil. Literally translated “under-world,” Eer’Kalla’s name originally referred to its position in a low mountain valley below sea level. Today, it invariably connotes the low depths of unfathomable evil regularly committed by white dragons and their acolytes. The Vampire Lords devote tremendous military resources to insuring against an Eer'Kallan attack; some detractors accuse Cevelky of being sufficiently evil that the dragons have no interest.

Major Cities Levante Kune     Estimated population: 60,000
    This city is located on a river, and nearly all of the limited fungal agriculture that is even attempted in Cevelky occurs here. Levante Kune boasts extensive quarries and industrial districts, forming the bulk of Cevelky's civilian infrastructure. The nearby outposts of Standux provide interest for elite adventurers, though the Alacrian city itself has never been successfully entered.

Senfina     Estimated population: 55,000
    Often described as a creepy and unwelcoming place, the vampiric capital city is nevertheless safe for outsiders, provided said outsiders behave themselves. As the center of the nobility, the city is the best place in the realm for adventurers to find work; attempting to gain private employment without making oneself available to the Vampire Lords first is frowned upon. If adventurers intend to travel to the ruins of Standux or Épex, they are seldom burdened with other tasks; it is simply good practice to visit here first, obtaining the paperwork that can make one's visit to Cevelky much less dangerous.

Martelo     Estimated population: 40,000
    At the edge of the western hills lies the community of Martelo. This city has greater interest to outsiders due to its proximity to the Alacrian city of Épex. Unlike Standux, this fortress-city is well-explored and open to adventurers. The catch is that Épex tends to “adapt” to new arrivals very quickly, providing an endless supply of techs to drive them out. As such, Épex is a favorite destination of necromancers looking to expand their hordes. Unfortunately, any party that tarries too long will be quickly overwhelmed and massacred by the techs.

Sanga Haveno     Estimated population: 25,000
    Sanga Haveno is a port city; the Cevelkian River between the ocean and Lake Austinian is large enough for most cargo vessels to transit. Although much shipping from as far north as Hal'Tayat arrives on the western coast via Senfina, Sanga Haveno is a far busier port. Ships from I'Gremsul fill the river almost constantly, bringing food to the dark realm in exchange for mineral riches.