luxardy

[luxardy]

GOÍN, EN ROUTE TO PIOCILY

Good evening. I write from the ferry on the return trip from Cabeza-Norte. At this time, I am overcome by pain. Everything hurts. I did not know so many things could be sore at once. My bag feels like it has increased in weight by countless magnitudes. Even writing this entry is proving to be difficult, just the motion of the wrist makes me ache. I may lay flat here on this deck and not move ever again. If only. These are pathetic thoughts, I must at least complete this entry before I succumb to my exhaustion.

On the note of pathetic thoughts, I want to apologize to anymore misfortunate enough to have read my memoirs for my time at the Grand Temple of Fertility at Delta del Rio Mandra. I had and have nothing but shame for both the state of that place, and how I interacted with it. Such a despicably dark artifact as the Mandra Ox has proven itself capable of driving one to such pitiful thoughts and actions. The Ox has been sealed away, where it can pollute the thoughts of people no longer. Not to say I am not holding on to it. I find myself thinking of ways it may be useful to me...

Excuse me. Such pervasive influence... Perhaps a bit of delirium on my part. Regardless, my visit to Delta Mandra was an embarrassingly low point to begin my epic, and it has been bothering me for some time now. I am writing this only to preface, and prepare you for my reconciliation, the awe-inspiring second chapter of my quest, where I was not a slight bit pathetic in any manner, at all. Swear it.

But first, I recount the prelude to my grand heist of Monte Ructar, beginning in the port town of Goín, Marlusca.

Setting out to Goín was a bit of a blur. I was still in quite the frazzle from the mishap at Delta Mandra. I practically sprinted from Polvoriento to Goín. Even when arriving I felt too close. I ran so fast, in fact, made it there far before the ferry to Piocily was scheduled to arrive. I had some time to burn in Goín. Which I really did not want, but alas. Maybe I'd find something to keep my mind busy.

Goín is a cute little town. I've been many times. It serves as the primary port for the Marlusca heartland. I find the markets of Goín to be nearly as lively and even more interesting than those in Polvoriento. Many different faces, flags, races, and items blur all about, buying and selling whatever happens to flow in from Undira's great blue prison. I would come to buy odd thingamajigs and doodads from sailors and foreign merchants, and resell them in Polvoriento and other towns around the Marlusca Valley.

Goín also serves as the ferrying point to Piocily for the Marlusca Valley, as it is the closest point to Piocily on the mainland. From what I understand, though, this isn't the primary place most use to get to Piocily. Piocilians speak a different language tha Luxardish, Piocilian, a language they have in common with the folks in Vestellar, which is why most exchange happens in that region.

I surveyed the marketplace, just like I did in Polvoriento. Before, I resisted the urge to dig in and peek at the city's offerings. This time, with the ease of time, my curiosity won. The familiar haggling with Escaravan and Thynglish vendors for their nicknacks was unusually soothing. I sought things for myself, to keep, to study. I am free of the trader's burden, and can look to find myself just one treat, one reward for my future contributions to knowledge. I deserved it.

Yet, as I spy, just a load of junk and fish. I muttered my complaints to the God of Stink, whoever is responsible. Deeply disappointing, the yield of Goín on this day, but I fell to my trader's burden, and I bought a fish anyway. I sought the strangest looking fish, a dark-scaled beast with striking eyes. It reeked like death, but I can't explain my choices. A dead fish in my bag, enabling the accursed God of Stink, or worse, to play hitchhiker. Great.

As if on cue, a foghorn rang out. Yeah, I get it, it smells. I then realized that it was time to go. I picked up the pace, packed up the fiah, and shuffled on.

With hope that my fellow passenger have forgiveness of my compulsive buying, the ship disembarked into the Gnathonean, with sights set on Cabeza-Norte.

I cannot write any longer. I am about to pass out. I suppose a chapter 1.5 will suffice. I resume tomorrow, back in Goín. The wait will be worth it, I promise. Monte Ructar was worth all these aches. Once in Goín, I must begin the hike up the Molareos to the Roncevalois border and the Temple of Breath. Hold yours, for a bit longer.

Tália

[luxardy]

THE FIRST GRAND TEMPLE: FERTILITY AT DELTA DEL RIO MANDRA

Today, I arrived in Polvoriento to make my first stop at the Grand Temple of Fertility at Delta del Rio Mandra.

There's a few things I should explain first.

To begin, the Grand Temple at Delta del Rio Mandra is one of several of its kind across the region. Each Grand Temple the headquarters of the cults of one of the gods of the pantheon, and their apparent sacrifice to the sculpture of man. The roster of Grand Temples are all subservient to the Supreme Temple of Life in Luces. Each Grand Temple also houses a sacred ancient artifact. It is these artifacts that I am interested in.

There's a few in adjacent nations, like a 2 or 3 in Escarava or so, but I've decided to focus for now on the 9 in the Luxardish realms, as that is my first language. Maybe I'll get around to the other temples eventually.

I've been forced to start at the Grand Temple of Fertility at Delta del Rio Mandra. Delta Mandra is the base of the Cult of Blescor, the God of Fertility who gave up their own fertility so that man may procreate or whatever.

Most cults are centred geographically around the location of the corresponding Grand Temple. Unfortunately, this means I grew up in the diocese of Fertility. My family are devotees of Blescor, and the current king of Marlusca is a real Blescor fanatic. Personally, I am not a fan. There is a real void of...civility and holiness that should be innate to these types of places. Regardless, I was not there to engage in these kinds of sick rituals. I would get what I was after, and then get the hell out of there.

It had been some time since I had visited the big city. I would often visit as a teenager to try and sell my family's alcohol. Polvoriento was as smelly and chaotic as I remember it being. Despite being built on the Mandra river delta, the city was renamed Polvoriento, due to the dust-like pollution which crept through its alleys at all times.

The only thing that had truly changed is the sort of things peddlers were peddling. Since the apparent discovery of new worlds, many sorts of strange things were turning up in marketplaces. Part of me was curious. Really curious. I did kinda want their junk. The chance to study unknown relics from distant lands stoked my inquisitive urges like nothing in years. Yet, I knew my greatest weakness was getting sidetracked onto those winding paths to nowhere. This was one of Polvoriento's many temptations that I must resist, and so I pressed past the peddlers and powered onwards.

Finding the Grand Temple was harder than I expected, but in a different way to how I had been preparing myself for. From what I know, most Grand Temples have been built far away from city centres, in remote locations difficult for commoners to access. Perhaps this was once the case for Fertility as well, but if this was their goal, they didn't think very far ahead.

The Grand Temple of Fertility was built on an island in the Mandra River delta, paying tribute to the fertile banks of the Mandra, granting prosperity to all the Marlusca Valley. As one would anticipate, a place so fertile as the Mandra delta would inevitably be home to a great settlement, and so the Grand Temple was swallowed by Polvoriento.

I eventually found the Grand Temple nestled rather uncomfortably in a residential quarter of the street. It was rather unglamorous, for the King's most beloved temple to be surrounded by poverty. Unsurprising, however, as neither the King or the Cult of Blescor is known for their glamour.

The temple was fairly modest in size. It may have been the case that it was once larger, but portions of it were separated and used for other things. I couldn't make out the back or sides of the building, which were flanked by urban notingness. I could only see the front, whos ancient ornate granite sculpting of oxen was rather improperly defaced by prude graffiti and lanterns. Not a good impression.

Another incorrect assumption I had about the Grand Temple of Fertility, is that it would provude an escape from Polvoriento's lascivious culture. A Grand Temple is supposed to emulate the sacrifice of their God, and the clergy are meant to give up whatever it is they praise. I suppose I should have clued in upon seeing the giant phallic scribblings on the temple's mahogany doors. Someone needs to tattle to Luces, as they definitely were not sticking to their divine sacrifice. Yuck.

The inside was an absolute mess. It looked like minor underfunded temples I had visited in Geazor. I don't remember it being like this as a youth. Some sort of broken oath has turned this place into a den of iniquity. Does King Felipe know about this? Or has he had a part to play in its denigration?

I supposed the diminutive remnants of the Grand Temple would make my job simpler. I spotted my prey, the sacred artifact, guarded only by a damp chain protecting the central altar. The Mandra Ox, an ancient statuette of a weird fat bull supposedly carved from granite by Blescor themselves. Supposedly carries the power to ensure fertility for the holder. Not particularly interested in that, but a holder's bonus in case I ever need it.

I passed by who I assumed was the Temple Master on my way to "study" the centrepiece, Ysabel de Soloa. Rumour has it, she occupies simultaneously both the intended chastity and the rampant lust of the Cult of Blescor. I don't know how this is supposed to be true in practice, but glancing at her, she looked ... immensely uncomfortable. In a very weird way. It creeped me out.

She made no attempt to accost or even approach me when as I quite easily leaned over the chain guard and lifted the Mandra Ox off its display. I stood rather awkwardly holding it in my hands before the altar for a minute or two, knowing full well the Temple Master was staring into my neck. I'm not sure why I was so bold in this moment, but I seemed to have not been punished for it.

Until I began to feel it. That viral sickness. Like an eel writhing in my abdomen. I began to sweat. The stress of intending to steal the artifact alongside what I presume were the forsaken side effects of holding this thing was a sensation I couldn't bear. My heart was racing, my skin burnt. I stopped thinking rationally. I had to get out of here.

This was when the Temple Master finally said something. In a owlish and bizzarely unnerving voice, she attempted to inform me

"Y-you are aware the Ox is for public fulfillment, yes? You're welcome to enjoy it for as long as you like."

This was enough to send me over the edge. In a fluster, I pressed the infernal idol into my rucksack, and made a mad dash for the exit. De Soloa shouted after me

"WAIT! NOT FOR THAT LONG!"

but I kept running. I ran with that heavy bag in my back until my indecent sweat was washed away by the decent sweat of exertion. This was my cue it was time to leave Polvoriento. The City of Temptation was absolutely horrific and I would not recommend anyone visit. There is my review. I am so outta here.

And pray thanks to that decent sweat, as I would be happy to escape the big city's filth and set out for Piocily, and the Temple of Flesh, where hopefully I'll be sweating for normal reasons.

I now possess the Mandra Ox, the first of the nine sacred artifacts of Luxardy. Now I know of what it is capable of personally, studying it has been made significantly harder. I hope there's some sort of deactivation method, or at least some kind of way to harness it without all that junk.

Piocily will be a welcome change of pace. I have embarked for Goín, and I will take a ferry to Cabeza Norte hopefully in a few days. I need to move quickly, I don't want my profile rising faster than I can.

With hope for good fortune,

Tália

[luxardy]

My name is Tália Ladratora

I am a merchant and soon-to-be archaeologist from the town of Fluencar. I take an interest in the ancient and arcane. I am unsatisfied with life as a trader, and I know there is more to this world than what I have witnessed.

I plan on uncovering the secrets that the clergy hides from the scholars. I will reach and infiltrate every last grand temple in Luxardy, all nine. Not to worship, but to research. It will be a dangerous and possibly deadly journey, but I'd rather die living than live dying.

I bring with me nothing but what I can fit in my bag. It's likely I will never return to Fluencar, but I find it unlikely I'll think of anything to miss. I will record every thought and discovery of my travels in this journal.

I head for Polvoriento tomorrow, and the Grand Temple of Fertility at Delta del Rio Mandra. Not where I'd like to start, but it is closest. Get it over with.

With hope for good fortune,

Tália

[luxardy]

VISCITOS LEASE SANTO GERONIMO TO SALGON

Salgon has secured itself quite the boon, an agreement with the Chieftess of the Viscitos, a temporary lease to develop the port of Santo Geronimo, on the second largest island in the Viscides. In exchange, Salgon agrees not to further infringe on the integrity or affairs of the Viscitos.

Salgon has continued to profit off of trade coming to and from the Viscides, however a major anxiety has been realized with the arrival of the Crown of Marlusca in the region, jeapordizing the Salgonese monopoly on Occidental trade. The native Viscitos too are nervous, with the return of the viscious Nadalger Nasazur beneath the flag of Marlusca. It seems by circumstance the appearance of Marlusca has pushed Salgon and the Viscitos into closer cooperation, resulting in this new agreement, locals growing wearier by the day of trade with the Luxardish crowns.

[luxardy]

NASAZUR RETURNS TO THE OCCIDENT, DISCOVERS NEW LANDS FOR THE CROWN OF MARLUSCA

After a highly theorized fling with King Felipe the Philanderer from explorer Nadalger Nasazur following his dismissal by the Crown of Salgon, the natural alliance of Nasazur's bitterness and the Marlusca's ambition/envy has bloomed, and Nasazur has come under the service of the Crown of Marlusca, sent away from Polvoriento to return to the Occident, with a proper armada and army beneath him this time.

Stopping briefly for the fourth time in Costa Justa before being chased out again by the Viscitos, who have come to recognize and revile his face, Nasazur and his fleet disembarked on the land he only briefly explored while under the Crown of Salgon, and named it Tierra Luísa after the Salgonese queen. He decided he didn't like that name anymore, and instead decided to call it Tierra Nadalga, after himself. A colony would be established here on this land, which he called Puerto Felipe, named in honour of the Marluscan King, a new overseas territory for the Crown of Marlusca. The native people here, baring similarities to the Viscitos of the Viscides, were easily dispersed and disposed of from the area by the arms sent by King Felipe.

What he thought was an island was actually a peninsula. Nasazur charted much of the coastline of Tierra Nadalga north, claiming all he saw for Marlusca, before running low on supply and returning to Puerto Felipe. For the fourth time, Nasazur returned to Luxardy as a hero, finally finding a Crown which would back wholeheartedly his imperial dreams.

Marlusca has arrived in the Occident.

[luxardy]

Salgon establishes trade relations in the Viscides

Following a rocky introduction due to Nadalger Nasazur's pillaging of the archipelago, the Crown of Salgon seems to have managed to soothe the bad blood, and has begun regular trading expeditions with the Viscitos at a few ports they were allowed to construct, including at Costa Justa, Santo Geronimo, and Paluma.

The Salgonese bring refined metal tools, weapons, domestic animals, and cloth, in exchange for sugar, agricultural products, and gold from the Viscitos.

This policy of diplomacy and pacifism towards the Viscides seems odd from the oft violent Queen Luísa the Lunatic, but who the hell ever knows what she's thinking anyway. Reportedly, a Salgonese delegation met with and pretended to communicate with the presumed leader of the Viscitos, a chieftess named Anani.

The Crown of Salgon has begun amassing a considerable wealth for itself from its expeditions to the Viscides. The Casuaran continent itseld has geared into a frenzy of exploration, with the Kingdom of Escarava making a notable discovery of a land known as "Quantua" in the south. Yet, no discovery has yet yielded the impressive riches of the Viscises.

Attitudes have shifted in Luxardy, and Salgon is no longer considered the less significant of the two Luxardish realms. Even the Pontiff in Luces has surrounded himself with the Viscidean gold. Supposedly, there is a sense of envy from the Crown of Marlusca after losing its spotlight to its smaller neighbour.

[luxardy]

Nadalger Nasazur DISMISSED by the Crown of Salgon

Rumours have been confirmed that the Crown of Salgon has dismissed Nadalger Nasazur, the man who's bright idea it was to sail into the deep blue and discover the Occident in the first place.

Reports have been made on Nasazur's immense cruelty and ineptitude as the self-declares Governor of the New Land. Not only his violence and plunderings towards the Viscitos, but as well his brutality and unfairness towards his inferiors and those under his command. Stories have been told of Nasazur summarily executing and even torturing without trial those who cannot meet his expectations.

Salgon sent a fourth and fifth expedition to the Viscides, without Nasazur, in an attempt to foster trade relations with the Viscitos, rather than igniting hostilities. Thanks to Nasazur, the Viscitos are still weary of Salgonese merchants, but there is hope diplomacy can be fostered over time.

Nasazur was stripped of his honours and responsibilities when he returned to Lluvia from his third expedition, but maintains the immense personal wealth he looted from the Viscides. It is believed Nasazur and his cohorts have departed from Lluvia on a money-flaunting pilgrimmage to Luces, and then eventually on to Polvoriento in Marlusca.

[luxardy]

Salgonese expeditions chart the Viscides

After Nadalger Nasazur's groundbreaking first voyage across the Great Sea to discover what he thought was the Occident, the Crown of Salgon has again sent Nasazur on several further expeditions.

Nasazur would be credited in discovering even more islands, forming a chain which he would call The Viscides, after the inhabitants of the island, the Viscitos, called such for their Slimeous complexions.

On his second voyage, Nasazur would return to the small outpost he left on Costa Justa, to find his 15 men disappeared, and the camp razed. In a fit of rage, Nasazur ordered Costa Justa pillaged, killing and capturing many locals, and looting their valuables. Nasazur would return again, pillaging in both Santo Geronimo and Zaperdido, and establishing a more well-fortified settlement in Santo Geronimo, which he called Fuerto Vidrio after its impeccable defenses. Nasazur returned to Lluvia hailed as a hero, carrying wealth of the kind never before seen in the world. The Crown of Salgon is rumoured to be preparing trade expeditions to exchange with the Viscitos. (Without Nasazur?)

[luxardy]

BREAKING: NEW LANDS DISCOVERED BY NASAZUR'S VOYAGE!

Nadalger Nasazur has returned, by some miracle, from his expedition sponsored by Salgon, bearing exciting news. Rather than coming around the other side, he announces that he had successfully found La Occidente, the Western lands. He named, charted, and claimed three islands which he explored after sailing southeast.

Nasazur recounts his first thoughts during his landfall on the first landmass he step foot on, Costa Justa.

"I first did notice the fair and whyte beaches of this land which did welcome the bann'r of Salgon comf'rtably and easily. I wouldst name this land: Costa Justa, and claim it for Salgon.

The sky was shimmering blue, as mine nose. The sea was shining blue, as mine nose. The sand was glistening white as mine no- as mine leg. The climate was warmful and comfort-rich, as mine leg. "

Nasazur then, to his surprise, encountered a party of what he assumed to be this land's locals. He described them as

"Grene and Slimeous"

The natives and Nasazur and his crew had a stare off for a good 7 minutes. Not one moved. Nasazur then broke the awkward silence and apparently heroicly stepped forward and said:

"HO! Holla, Greetings, O Weird and Grene Symians! I am NADALGER NASAZUR, world-famous explorer for the Crown of Salgon! Kneel before me, and then go fetch me thy golds and opals and also your KING so HE may also kneel before me!"

The locals reportedly just stared back, without a hint of understanding. Realizing they did not speak Luxardish, Lucet OR Roncevalois (what sort of barbarians are these?) Nasazur then decided to wave his rapier around at them, banking on them understanding his might. They instead responded by beating him to a pulp with their spears.

"By Snod, Fie! I hadst never witnessed such barbarities in my most handsome life. We would do well to skewer this cabal of Cantankerous Swampdoodles like the Eastern Shrike. Yet, one kind Beastie, a lonesome forlorn Womanly-specie, in an act of unusual hospitalities, thus invited me, in some disgusting gutteral bunkum, to Design her as mine own loyal steed, and mount her so I may capture this lands treasures!"

Nasazur and his party then set out with one local who may or may not have willingly agreed to collaborate with the explorers. Nasazur would go on to leave a small outpost of 15 men on Costa Justa before charting two other islands, dubbed Isla Mardis and Isla Cuferion, before returning home with captured slaves, funny rocks, ugly artwork, and most importantly, GOLD!

It is expected Queen Luísa will order a second expedition to continue the no-longer Lunatic attempt to circumnavigate the world. What this means for Luxardy and Casuara at large will soon be witnessed.

[luxardy]

Salgon greenlights Nasazur's eastern voyage

In a maybe not so shocking turn of abnormalcy, a bout of madness has seemingly enlightened Salgon's Queen Luísa to dedicate considerable Salgonese wealth and resources to Nadalger Nasazur's fantasy globetrot. Despite theories about Marlusca's King Felipe III's fondness of Nasazur, there is seemingly no monarch insane enough to sponsor such a thing as the Lunatic Queen herself.

Announced as Nasazur's prize for winning Salgon's Champion of Clowns challenge, Nasazur will be granted a fleet of six of Salgon's finest junks, headed by Nasazur's ship, the Gran Pastor, and sail directly east over the horizon where he seems to think he'll come back around the other side. He was instructed by the Queen to drop bread crumbs in the ocean to follow if they get lost.

Nasazur for his part was seen bobbing in a barrell of some kind of liquid in Lluvia's harbour, celebrating finally getting to live out his only dream of disappearing into the Ocean Sea for all time. This may be Queen Luísa's most expensive and creative execution of all time. Goodbye, Nadalger Nasazur!

In other news, the Plaguey Plague has been detected in Luces. Yippie, pestilence!

[luxardy]

Nadalger Nasazur invited to prostrate himself before King Felipe III of Marlusca

After a high-profile encounter surivived with Salgon's Lunatic Queen, the crowned Champion of Charlatans with a big dream named Nadalger Nasazur has made quite the name for himself all across Luxardy. The tales of how he made himself the biggest fool in the world before Queen Luísa and lived has made him somewhat of a folk hero. So much so, that he has been summoned before the second Luxardish monarch of the week!

Marlusca's Philanderer King, Felipe III, known as the Seed of 1000 Bastards, is himself infamous for his escapades in the pants of possible thousands. Perhaps intrigued by the legendary fopdoodle rumoured by his company of consorts, the King summoned Nasazur to appear at his court in Polvoriento.

The King asked Nasazur to "perform." We are unsure what he meant by this, but after Nasazur's now iconic theatreplay on sailing across the world, Felipe wriggled his eyebrows a few times, bit his lip, and then ushered everyone else out of the room. We do not know what conspired after this, but it's safe to assume King Felipe enjoyed Nasazur's ardor as much as Queen Luísa did.

[luxardy]

Queen Luísa selects the winner of her Caravan of Clowns award

After a long and thrilling day of laughing, chortling, slapping, and executing a long line of the world's best fools, it seems Salgon's Queen Luísa has chosen her champion charlatan.

While her runner-ups included the Discus Guzzler of Gorjeta and Jose's Wonderful Whelk Choir from Morena, both of whom she graciously allowed to keep their lives, no clown in all of Casaura could cause the Queen to cackle like her champ chump.

Blindsiding all the bubbleheads in the chamber, a mysterious newcomer stood up and stole the show. Hailing from southern Ronceval, a man in a ridiculous costume named Nadalger Nasazur.

He strode before the Lunatic Queen with such bravado and braggart unprecented for that night. Somehow resisting the psychological barrage of the fearsome Luísa, unremitting, and with a completely straight face, Nasazur delivered a proposal to the Queen, detailing a theatrical and nonsensical theory on the possibility of circumnavigating the globe, and asked for her sponsorship for the voyage.

There was silence in the chamber for an excruciating ten seconds. The queen studied the man's prideful expression carefully, and then decided to burst into laughter. The entire chamber then followed, exploding into an uproarious cacophony of donkey guffaws.

Nadalger Nasazur has been chosen as Queen Luísa's Top Fool! Congratulations on not being tortured to death! ¡El tonto más grande!

[luxardy]

Queen Luísa of Salgón invites the Caravan of Clowns to her court in Lluvia

Queen Luísa I of the Crown of Salgón has extended an invitation to fools and funny guys across Casuara.

As it goes every five years, in the great Caravan of Clowns festival, a parade of buffoons is touring eastern Casuara, capering about and bringing bemusement to the masses. This swing around however, the infamous Queen of Loonies herself has decided to throw her hat in the ring. A notorious sponsor of the Wacky Arts, Queen Luísa issues a challenge to those who may consider themselves the greatest larks in the land.

Those with enough foolish courage and foolish foolishness may try their luck, and be permitted to perform at Queen Luísa's royal court in Lluvia. The goober which bring the most impressive Shenaniganery before the Queen are promised a great reward beyond their most nonsensical imaginations. However, this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity may be just that. Queen Luísa the Lunatic is called such for a reason, and has a habit of brutally executing her jesters once she is finished with them, regardless of how much she enjoys them.

Good luck to all the goobers going for the gold! Tickle 'em to death! Laugh 'til it hurts!

[luxardy]

A map of the realms of Luxardy.

[luxardy]

Introduction to the lands of Luxardy...

Luxardy is a region in Casuara, occupying the majority of the Struthion Peninsula, bounded by the Gnathonean Sea to the south and the Bay of Acipenser to the north. It is bordered by the realms of Ronceval, Astoria, and Escavara to the continental north and Veria on the southeastern tip of the peninsula.

Considered the shell of the once dominant Lucean Empire of ancient times, Luxardy has been disunited for centuries. There exists many Luxardish realms and polities, but most are united under one of two composite monarchies.

The Crown of Marlusca is the largest of the two crowns, occupying more than half of the entire Luxardy region. Centered around the capital of Polvoriento, the second largest city of the region, the Crown of Marlusca presides over 11 kingdoms and other realms united under the reign of the current King, Felipe III the Philanderer. The lands of Marlusca are chiefly arid and dusty hillocks and shrublands. The Crown of Marlusca has recently emerged as the dominant power in the Luxardy region, thanks to its modest wealth acquired by cultivating its impressive mineral deposits, and its subjugation of its neighbours. Marlusca is a regional hub for culture and the arts, drawing in some of the world's most skilled architects and artists to beautify the otherwise unremarkable drylands. Marluscans are known as deeply faithful people, who make space for a bit of charm. Sorcery is largely restricted to the clergy in Marlusca, and Marlusca relies more heavily on non-magical means for its famed prowess in conquest.

The Crown of Salgón is composed of three kingdoms in the southeast, along the narrowest part of the Struthion peninsula. The stranger and more arcane of the two crowns, it is founded around the capital, Lluvia, and is ruled by the infamous Queen Lucía I the Lunatic. The lands of Salgón are patched with marshland, making for a significantly wetter region better suited for agriculture than in Marlusca. Salgón is significantly less developed and wealthy than its northern counterpart. However, the Salgonese are considered the both the most skilled sorcerers and seafarers in Luxardy. Owing to their dual coastlines and many navigable rivers, and bogs, the Salgonese often turn up in many places they may not be expected to. Salgón has a far more lax magical culture than in the rest of Luxardy, where sorcerors are trained as priests, soldiers, and increasingly, in civilian professions. Salgonese sorcerers specialize in magic of the mind.

Finally, independent from the Crowns of Marlusca and Salgón, is the Grand Pontificate, based in Luces, the largest city in Luxardy and the religious centre of the continent. Once the capital of the great Lucean empire, the city is still hugely influential. The institution of the Church is headquartered here, headed by Pope Jovian. Luces is home to many of the world's largest temples and monasteries, with some claiming to house the physical bodies of select Gods. The clergy in Luces are not only some of the most powerful and influential men in the world, but some of the most powerful magicians as well.