Velath
Velath
Brennus likes his position as a religious figure. i.e. an avatar of
the local War God who appears and generally causes trouble. He also
likes to travel in various guises as a mercenary, sailor, trader,
nobleman. He could try and get armies to follow him but the nature of
the place is too disjointed, the religion is full of sects - many
wouldn't follow a war-mongering demi-god, they might even oppose him!
The time flow is about 3 times faster than Amber. It lies outside
the Golden Realm - farther away from Amber than Corwin's Shadow Earth.
Geography
The great realm of Velath is a beautiful harmonious continent, a
land of life and passion. The fertile coastal plains are dotted with
woods and hills, they give way to rolling hills and dales again dotted
with forestation. which in turn give way to the moor and mountains of
the untamed lands, further still from the abodes of men lay great
virgin forests little known and mysterious.
Peoples
Many races make their home in Velath some are few in number, the
most prominant have carved great realms. On the plains live the
Charna, the dark men of the golden coastal city-states, and further
inland live the Edomi or red men of the feudal cities of the
Brotherhood. As the land gives way to hills the nature of the people
changes, dwelling in the fertile fields of the great Kingdoms are the
Ezari or stone people, the great fortresses of their Dukes and Barons
dominate these civilised realms.
Away from the realms of men and into the majestic moors and
mountains we find the Zephani or hidden ones, called by some the
dwarves. Beyond which lies the great forests of Shir-Hadar ('glorious
song' in the Old Tongue), which rear up and hide the mysterious
woodland folk, a people of many names, Elves, Fey, Sidh and in the Old
Speech the Aku, people of the moon.
General
A land of chivalry and magic, knights errant roam the land and seek
glory, whilst numerous monstrous foes still trouble mankind, chief
amongst these are the great serpentine dragons, a constant threat.
Bards and troubadours roam from city to city in search of new lands
and new songs, and dark sorcerors terrorise the common folk.
In the cities scholars and philosophers seek to unlock the
mysteries of the universe, whilst craftsmen and merchants carry on
with life as such men will in all lands.
A varied land rich in history and tradition.
Notes
- The Charna
Human. Short stocky dark traders, explorers.
- The Edomi
Humanoid. Middle height, red-skinned (literally), bald, yellow
eyed. Otherwise totally human.
- The Brotherhood.
The Edomi are organised along monastic-militaristic lines, akin to
the Templars. Extremely xenophobic zealots, they are a menace to all
who venture near.
- The Ezari
Human. Tall, muscular, colouration ranges from tanned to pale,
black hair to blond. The typical Velathian. Culturally similar to
Medieval Europe. N.B. named the stone people because of their
predilection for building in stone.
- The Zephani
Very short (5 feet-ish), very stocky, dark skinned dark
haired. Eyes are catlike and have similar night sight, glow as per cat'
s eyes too. Clan structure, but cooperate and although apparently
barbarians are in fact quite advanced. Do have some subterranean towns
and cities.
- The Aku
Few dare set foot in the Shir-Hadar, a land of perilous Elves and
ogres according to description. This confusion is based on the varied
descriptions attributed to the Aku.
Some fit the diminutive European elf pattern, others the
Tolkienesque tall, elegant (possibly Sidh like) pattern, there are
also confusing accounts of goblin or ogre-like beings which are
apparently also examples of the Aku peoples. One thing is certain
though; Aku females are beautiful and perilous.
Friends, Foes and Lovers
- Allon - Master-thief of the Ezari kingdoms, small, wiry, average appearance, brown hair, grey eyes. Around 55 years old, avoids combat where possible. Very wily and intelligent. Business associate. A good source of information.
- Chava - A beautiful woman of the Aku, tall, lithe, honey blond with violet eyes. Currently a pirate captain, which speaks for her abilities in the vicious cutthroat world of the sea-thieves. Very much the noble hearted rogue, extremely loud and flamboyant. Exceptionally fine swordswoman and knife fighter. Associate, some time lover. Very trustworthy. Apparent age 22ish.
- Dathan - A very short very stocky man with unkempt black
hair ad beard. A loud mouthed yobbish (red neck?) lout, or appears to
be. A very skilled thief, particularly skilled in mechanical skills
such as lock picking and such. Could be described as cowardly due to
tendency to avoid violence, towards him or others. A friend of
Brennus. Actually a Zephani (Dwarf).
- Ithiel - A huge burly warrior of the Ezari, something of a
berserker. Well over 6 feet tall, extremely broad and muscular,
shaggily bearded with long red hair. Sometime bandit and rogue. A
cuththroat, of suspect courage and trustworthiness. Left for dead by
Brennus some 6 years previously (local time). If alive would be 40ish.
- Jael - A good-looking man (notwithstanding the
peculiarities of the Edomi). Originally a high-ranking member of the
Edomi Brotherhood respected by his peers, a man of honour, also a
great warrior of his people. Made the mistake of opposing Brennus, was
tricked into disgracing himself. Currently banished from
homeland. Bitter enemy of Brennus. Approx age. 45.
- Orah - Peasant born con artist from the Ezari lands, she
met Brennus in his recent piratical phase in the Charna lands. An
attractive rather than beautiful woman, but vivacious and full of
life, she is short, a red head, and has brown eyes. Brennus doesn't
trust her as far as he can spit. An occasional business associate, and
lukewarm friend.
- Shamira - A ravishing beauty of the Ezari Nobility. Tall, slim and elegant, intelligent with an eye for the main chance. Had short liaison with Brennus when he was passing through her territory. Approx. age 30. Last met Brennus 5 years previously.
- Shira - A beautiful young woman of the Charna, a streetwise tavern girl. Quite short and dare I say buxom, she is Brennus' most recent lover in Velath. She is deeply in love with him. Approx age 21.
- Tomer - A ladies man, painfully handsome and vain, tall
slim, dark haired, pale and light eyed, an Ezari. A flamboyant rogue,
with a reputation as a swordsman. Enemy of Brennus since Brennus gave
Tomer a facial scar in a duel, Tomer was forced to yield and ask for
quarter. Not averse to backstabbing, would dearly love to kill
Brennus. Approx. age 35. Last met Brennus 10 years previously (local
time).
- Yoel - A pirate captain of the Charna. Darkly good looking but saturnine, ruthless and totally untrustworthy, a snake. A close friend of Brennus, well as close a friend as is possible given his personality. Approx 50 years old has known Brennus for around 20 years (local time).
Gods of Velath
Gods of the Charna People
- Dakkan - Lord of the Sea and Storms. Associated with the
unpredictability of the sea, not a protective deity.
- Ashtara - Goddess of the sea. Queen of the Ocean, Mother of
the Sea's bounty. Associated with fertility, protector of fishermen
etc.
The God of the Edomi Brotherhood
- Athar - God of Fire and the Sun. Symbol of cleansing flame
and purity. The faithful propitiate him. Believe that he is the only
true god; all others are fake or demons masquerading as gods.
Gods of the Ezari
- Ashru - God of War and Fertility. Symbol of Kingship and
well-being of the 'nation'.
- Kishra - Sister of Ashru. Goddess of the Earth and
fertility. Mother goddess.
The God of the Zephani
- Enill - God of natural forces. Associated with the Earth, Wind, Air, Hurricanes and Floods.
The Goddess of the Aku
- Terah - Goddess of the moon, magic and the wild.
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