Geography (updated 2005/07/10)

  - Ambar World Map -    Alornea    Belerion (Old Alornea, Land of Cairns)    Forandol (The Wintercrown Mountains)    Haradjiaa (the Red Waste, the Great ...    Harnendor (The Southmaren Empire)    Hrivlyggdor (Northern Wilderness)    Kitania (The Young Kingdom)    Lyonesse (Lothian)    Nan-Avathar (The Cradle of Vampires)    Rochir Plains    Saurgoth (Westmarsh)    The Dragon Sea    The Great Goblyn Empire    Urulokidor (the Draconian Empire)    Vokrazum (The Toxic Jungle) 

The nucleus of civilization on Ambar is the Dragon Sea, a vast inland ocean that is roughly circular in shape and a thousand miles in diameter. Anyone attempting to travel away from the lands ringing the Dragon Sea soon finds other great seas, tall mountain ranges, desolate wastelands, and other barriers that defy easy exploration. Even the Dragon Sea itself is inscrutable, with pirates, violent storms, uncharted isles, and (if rumors are to be believed) ghost ships crewed by soulless "dark elves". One thing is certain--vessels that brave the deeps and are quickly swallowed up and join the graveyard of lost ships.

Once, the entire region was ruled by the Draconian Empire of the Baal. Ruins of this ancient theocracy can be found all around the Dragon Sea, particularly the distinctive dragon temples and shrines hewn from black basalt and obsidian. To the east are volcanic lands and the holiest dragon temples of the Baal, to which the Baal gathered when their empire fell. The world anxiously dreads the eventual re-awakening of their dragons and rekindling of their burning conquest.

Many coastal towns of the Southmarens dot the isles and shores to the south, and the colorful sails of their merchant ships billow in every sea lane and harbor throughout the entire sea. Unsurpassed sailors and navigators, only Southmaren ships can safely cross deeps of the the Dragon Sea. The Southmaren Empire of Harnendor once even extended to coasts south of the Dragon Sea until it came up against the Great Goblyn Empire even further south. Over centuries of wars all but one of the great Southmaren city-states fell. Aquila is the oldest and largest continuously populated city on the world, a place of culture, learning, and decadence.

Alglondor lies to the northwest, Kitania to the west, and the Rochir Plains to the southwest. These young Alorn kingdoms have open minds and dreams of conquest, but face many challenges. The Alglonds build fortresses of stone to halt the advance of the undead legions and Avathar armies to the north, while the Kitanians and Rochir hasten to fortify their realm against the eventual re-awakening of the hordes of the Great Goblyn Empire that destroyed Harnendor, establishing fortresses such as Si'Anwon.

The northern shores are covered by thick forests, arctic tundras, and majestic fjords ruled by nomadic barbarians known as the Kith. Their Wyrm-prowed longboats ply the waters with nearly the same prevalence as the Southmarens. While they lack the sophisticated navigation skills of the Southmarens, the Kith can be quite fairly described as death-defying, and some of their ships brave the deeps of the Dragon Sea.

Anyone attempting to travel away from the lands ringing the Dragon Sea, soon finds other great seas, tall mountain ranges, and desolate wastelands. Most of the land is pocked with enormous craters from the meteors that fell to earth during the Breaking. Aside from dangerous inhabitants in these wild outlands, many of these barriers are impassible. The mighty Dragonspine and Cloudspine mountains two such barriers, and mark the limits of known lands.

- Ambar World Map - (updated 2007/07/20)

Alornea (updated 2008/02/05)

  Alahan    Alglondor (The Shieldlands)    Anduran (Westwall)    Dorthonien (The Land of Pines)    Old Alornea, the Valley of Kings    Pelador 

This vast and ancient region is the heart of human civilization in Ambar, encompassing the lands of Alglondor, Anduran, Alahan, Istaria, Lyonesse, Pelador, and Dorthonien.

The most central lands of this region are dominated by the ash-laded mountains of Nan-Avathar, and ruled by the hated Avathar usurpers. This region housed the tombs of many Alornean kings and was known as the Valley of Kings, but fell long ago to necromancers who came to call themselves Avathars. Many Alorns dream of the day when the Avathars will be defeated and Nan-Avathar will be restored to Alornean rule, however unlikely this may be.

Alornea has many allies within its reaches and without. Alorns recognize their kinship and work together against the Avathar threat. Immediately south of Alornea is the realm of Kitania, whose people are of Alornean, Rochir, and Southmaren descent. The Alorns also have long-standing friendships with ancient folk such as Dwur, Karrocks, Kitanians, Ithilrhi, Baal, and Istari.

Belerion (Old Alornea, Land of Cairns) (updated 2009/08/26)

  Afon Conwy (River Conwy)    Afon Dyfrdwy (River Dee)    Belerion Mountains    Caer Berwyn (Castle Berwyn)    Caer Ddegannwy (Deganwy Castle)    Caer Dolbadarn (Castle Dolbadarn)    Dewiniaid (Forest of the Magi)    Glass Islands of the Dead    Istaria (Land of the Floating Cairns)    Llanberis    Llangollen    Migneint Moors    Powys    Rhi'Annost    The Belerion Sea (Lynn Conwy)    Tregaron 

Belerion is the ancient homeland of the Alorns, from which they spread south and west through Lothian into Alglondor, Dorthonien, Pelador, and Kitania. This land forms the northeastern edge of greater Alornea.

Belerion is located along the eastern ridge of the Forandol Mountains, from which it further runs east to the mighty Afon Conwy (Conwy River), which forms a natural border with Hrivlyggdor. Afon Conwy flows from the Dragon Sea, through the Belerion Sea, and finally to the Isilnen. This massive river exhibits a massive tidal bore during some cycles of the moons.

The northern Mountains of Belerion, often called "Istaria", are renowned for their brightly painted skies and supernatural winds that prevent the uninvited from entering. These mountains form the eastern ridge of the Forandol Mountains, and are among the tallest in Ambar. The lands that run along these mountains are a vast alpine tundra, a rocky highland with few trees. This region is sacred to the sect of Alorn priests called the Istari, and and few others travel here except to make pilgrimages to the Istari temples. The capitol of Istari is Heth'Mthus, on the Afon Conwy at the Llyn Conwy (Lake Conwy).

The land drops precipitously as it runs towards Afon Conwy. Trees begin to grow more successfully as the elevation drops, eventually becoming a thickly forested lowland with large waterways. Most of Belerion's people live in this region. The forests continue east across Afon Conwy and become the vast wilderness of Hrivlyggdor. Belerion is similarly rich in wood and stone, but poor in metals.

The Alorns of antiquity followed the old Alornean faith of the Istari. The Istari have many temples here, the greatest of which is the "Eternal Fortress" of Dinas Emrys. High up on the downs the old burial mounds of Ithil'Rhi and others, long lost, remain undisturbed. Unspoiled through the ages, this land is one of the greatest mysteries in Ambar, a realm of great magic and power. Belerion is often called the "Land of Cairns" for its numerous standing stones, which the Istari claim channels and focuses spiritual energy to ward away ancient evils. [ more... ]

Forandol (The Wintercrown Mountains) (updated 2007/10/27)

  Cirith Forandol (Southgate of Forandol, ...    Ealde (the First Land, the Undying Land)    Forandol Rangers    Deurguldor (Sepulchre, Land of the ... 

These tall crags surround what was once the ancient paradise of the Eldar, green paradises on the roof of the world known as Ealde, the "Undying Land". Legend states that their immortality and prosperity were sustained by the mythical Great Weirs and the Wells of Life, springs of holy waters given by the gods. The Breaking and the Battle of the Thousandfold Curses broke this fair land and scattered the Eldar.

In bitter irony, "Undying Land" is still an apt description for this place, for now this place is known as "Sepulchre", or Deurguldor, "Land of the Undead". Ruins of Ealde dot the landscape, luring many treasure-seekers to their dooms.

Haradjiaa (the Red Waste, the Great Dragon Blight) (updated 2007/06/24)

  Kish    Nerull    Nippur 

Until a few hundred years ago, Haradjiaa was the eastern-most province of the Southmaren Empire, but now consists of independent city-states. The land is desolate like no other, and the few crucial oases and cities are ruled by the silk-robed Halifs of the Haradjinn desert people. [ more... ]

Harnendor (The Southmaren Empire) (updated 2005/10/14)

  654-656 - Lean Times in Aquila ...    Aquila    Edun hao'nath    Edun path'andim    Grand Canal of Mrmym    Imperial Harnendorian Legions    Imperial Highway (Road of Ruins)    Migdia (the Sea of Fallen Stars)    Nan-Surinen (The Valley of the Wind)    The Jade Isles    The Plains of Fire    Tuln    Uruinen (The Boiling Sea)    maps: Harnendor 

This ancient southern empire once controlled all of the cities along the southern coasts of the Dragon Sea, and even lands beyond. Ruled from the imperial seat of Aquila, its vast fleets and legions ruled the seas, stopping at every port and sailing beyond to discover and claim new lands. Many southern realms reachable only by ship were claimed as colonies, such as the island city-states of the Sea of Fallen Stars, the Jungles of Klesh, the everglades of the Jade Isles, the Weeping Moors, and the mangrove swamps of Vokrazum. Magic was at its zenith when the vast empire of the Southmarens ruled Ambar, and scholars flocked to visit the famed Imperial Library of Aquila. Now, only a few of the great Black Wizards of Aquila remain. [ more... ]

Hrivlyggdor (Northern Wilderness) (updated 2003/09/30)

  Drune Southlands    The Wolf's Maw 

The cold wastes of the north are a frigid region of lofty pines, majestic mountains, deep gorges and incredible ice falls. The only human inhabitants able to survive in the arctic climate are the Kith, ice barbarians known for their great strength and ferocity. Most barbarian Kithocs have an ice shaman or druid who is responsible for the health and well being of the tribe. [ more... ]

Kitania (The Young Kingdom) (updated 2009/08/16)

  Madrigal (capital of Kitania)    Cabed'Avaggdu (The Troll Canyons)    Cloudspine Mountains    Covenant    Nanelmogth    The Ermine 

Kitania is a wealthy young kingdom on the Dragon Sea, and the southern neighbor of Alornea. In recent years this realm has been expanding at the rate of a budding empire, enveloping the vast Rochir Plains through the construction of strongholds and treaties with the nomadic Rochir people.

Kitania was an northern province of Harnendor filled with the country estates of the Harnendorian nobility, and retains its elegance and splendid chateaux. The southern marches of Kitania abut the plains of the Rochir horselords, who once roamed through Kitania as far north as Pelador. The Kitanians have an even stronger kinship with the Rochir than the Southmarens.

Kitania is bookmarked by two powerful cities, the capitol Madrigal in the north and its sister city Covenant in the south. Both are major trade hubs through which great wealth flows. Despite their opulence and sophistication, the cities are far from soft, boasting extensive fortifications that rival Aegis. The Kitanian heartlands between the sister cities are considered among the safest and most peaceful in all Ambar. [ more... ]

Lyonesse (Lothian) (updated 01/26)

  879 - The Burners (Campaign)    Aket, city of Mercenaries    Ashenrise Mountains    Blackmist Forest    Er'Neharl    Forest of Malbas    Gnar    Gower    Kyrgar, city of the drowning towers    Mor-Alltach    Skaarm    Skrael    The Wolf's Teeth    Torvilis    Wyrmskrol (Wormsprawl) 

Lyonesse is a vast borderlands on the western coast of the Dragon Sea, northeast of Nan-Avathar and southwest of Belerion and Hrivlyggdor. The north reaches of Lyonesse are the ancient battlegrounds of Nan-Avathar and Belerion, and the region has long been famous for its mercenaries. Their basalt-walled cities are built upon Baal ruins and are well-guarded from attack by the things that sometimes wander in from Nan-Avathar and any marauding Kithocs seeking plunder.

Lyonesse encompasses the chain of volcanoes known as the Ashenrise Mountains and the lands immediately on both sides, including most of the Blackmist Forest. While Nan-Avathar nominally controls the southwestern side of the mountains, the lands there are in practice free cities of Lothians more closely tied to Lyonesse than Nan-Avathar. The distinctions blur and change frequently.

Lyonesse has verdant green hills and forests that are rich in wildlife due to the region's mild winters and heavy rainfall. The waters collect in the mighty Afon Lothian (River Lothian) that run from the Wintercrown Mountains through Aket and down into the large port city Kyrgar. Thick layers of ash from the ringing volcanic peaks help to replenish the soil, allowing the tall pines to flourish, and the two deep-water ports of Lyonesse export vast amounts of timber throughout Ambar. In addition, many Kithocs come here to trade, either by land or longship, and bring all manner of exotic northern goods in exchange for southern metalwork. The two major ports, Kyrgar and Wyrmskrol, have thus grown into the trading hub of Hrivlyggdor. Lyonesse is even on stable terms with Nan-Avathar, conducting trade through the westernmost Lyonesse city of Torvilis.

Mountainous rock formations are found throughout the region that consist of tight packs of angular basalt towers. Mostly hexagonal in shape, the staggered columns climb upwards, creating a twisted stair-like formation. The top of the basalt pillars end abruptly in flat plateaus, which allow shaggy beds of grass, moss, and wildflowers to grow. The plateaus are favorite grazing spots of the mountain goats native to the region. Some have also become the sites of towers, castles, and even towns.

People from every nation have wandered into Lyonesse and made it their home, and call themselves Lyonese. However, the indigenous people of the region are the Lothians--a hardy stock of Alorn, Kith, and Avathar descent. Their name derives from the ancient name of this region, Lothian, which is also a distinct language. [ more... ]

Nan-Avathar (The Cradle of Vampires) (updated 2005/08/11)

  Csethe    Illych    Jasri    Kurg'Rhi ("Vampire Lords")    Nechushtah    Sarresh    The Sour Downs    Val'Negra, Black Tower of the Blood ... 

Straddling the Silver River and nestled at the feet of the Wintercrown Mountains, the former heart of Alornea is now a harsh realm held in a grip of tyranny and superstition. This land is no longer a proper nation, but a wilderness territory known by various names such as: Nan-Avathar, the Valley of Shadows, the Cradle of Vampires, and Old Alornea. [ more... ]

Rochir Plains (updated 2005/07/10)

  860 - The Borderlands of Gryphon Keep ...    869 - The Rise of House Cennyth ...    Arrowsnake Kithoc    Avernus (The Deep)    Blue Whinnis Burrows    Emaniya (Moonwood Moor)    Huorn Hill    Magara's Tower    Mines    Morbrethil (The Black Birches)    Na'Alanthra (Desert Temple of Pyrose)    Na'Ronatha (Stoneheart Temple)    Na'Ututhra (Bonesong Hill)    Plume Marsh    Plume Wood    Quarry Town    Rochir Camps    Rochir Desert (The Plains of Fire)    Rotwood    Si'Anwon (Gryphon Keep)    Tarhan    The Shard Mountains    Tokhan Stronghold    maps: Rochir Plains 

The vast Rochir plains are home to the Rochir horse lords--staunch allies and kinsmen of the Kitanians. Wild horses, gazelle and bison roam this arid savannah. Goblyns hunt them at night for skins and flesh, or tame and ride them. Goblyn warriors of course prefer to ride Wargs. [ more... ]

Saurgoth (Westmarsh) (updated 2009/08/14)

  Eevanmaransee 

The western lands are a vast wilderness known as the Saurgoth, or "Westmarsh". The few explorers who have braved the west have described a vast, trackless sea of grass, snarled trees and mires. In some places, the grass grows as tall as a man's shoulders, while in others it barely breaks through the spongy earth, alternately creating sharp-bladed forests, vast open stretches of salt-crusted flats, evergreen jungle glades, and sucking mud pits.

The Dragon Sea (updated 2005/07/12)

  Yr'Kesh 

The Dragon Sea, also known as the "Inner Sea", or "Sea of Mists", is a vast inland ocean that is roughly circular in shape and 1500 miles in diameter. Despite its prominent role in trade and travel between the civilizations that ring its shores, very little of the Dragon Sea has been explored. Dangers such as pirates, violent storms, uncharted isles, and (if rumors are to be believed) ghost ships crewed by soulless "dark elves" keep all but the most intrepid (or desperate) explorers in the shallows. Everyone knows that vessels braving the deeps and are quickly swallowed up and join the graveyard of lost ships.

The sea is heavily traveled by all manner of vessels: small coastal fishing vessels; enormous Southmaren merchant caravels and their escorts; Wyrm-prowed Kith longboats; and even a last few Baal slave-oared drakkars. The major sea lanes are usually close to shore and heavily patrolled by the Imperial Harnendorian Navy out of Aquila. In an unspoken agreement between the navy and pirates, the sea lanes [ more... ]

The Great Goblyn Empire (updated 2005/07/10)

The southwestern oceans and shores of Ambar are the undisputed domain of the Greate Goblyn Empire. Their most recent conquests of terror drove north and swept across Harnendor, bringing all but the city of Aquila to ruin.

In the "Black Speech" of their people, the rulers of the vast Goblyn armies are called Gobbah. However, the Gobbah are not mere Goblyns, but "Deep Old Ones"--sea devils of old magic and chaos that have plagued Ambar since ancient times. Some say the Eldar were created to fight the old ones, whom they called Fomorians. From shoreline temples the Gobbah worship the Kraken and summon creatures of immense power--often Kaeden--to do their bidding. The Goblyns they rule are but pawns in their machinations to rule Ambar. [ more... ]

Urulokidor (the Draconian Empire) (updated 2007/06/29)

  Black Eries of the Baal    Orod'Uruthanc (The Dragonspine ...    Rhi'Uruloki 

This land is the heart of the Draconian Empire of Urulokidor. This empire of the dread Baal once cloaked nearly all of Ambar, and only this corner of the world is still the undisputed realm of the Dragons and their Baal'Shem sorcerer-priests.

The region is centered on the Dragonwing Peninsula and bounded by the nearby Dragonspine Mountains, considered the holy land of the dragons. Urulokidor stretches north as far as the cold forests of Hrivlyggdor, and south to the Red Waste.

Scoured by dragonflame, few humans have left their mark upon this scarred land. Urulokidor is inscrutable, unknown and alluring, a place to venture where few westerners have traveled and explore mysteries few outsiders have penetrated. Those mortals who do roam this realm do so at the grace of the Baal or in careful stealth beneath the dragon-filled skies. [ more... ]

Vokrazum (The Toxic Jungle) (updated 2007/06/29)

  Ahuizotl    Avathar Ruins    Goza    Vokrazum Lotus    Zogroth 

The remote southern land of Vôkrazum is a vast volcanic jungle, with many dangerous rivers and misty bogs. Far from the reach of civilization, this primordial area is inhabited mainly by tribes of Vôzen and insects of enormous size such as avian worms, ankheg, giant hornets, and the deadly, intelligent Kreen. [ more... ]