Continent: Gan-go; Domain South

GAN-GO is the name of a southern, island- continent connected via an archipelago to the rest of the world. It is sub-tropical, and is mostly high, rolling plains that are broken by clumps of ancient forest. Storms and flooding are frequent and expected. Many small towns are scattered across the land, and each is not only built on a hillside, it also possesses two distinct districts: the Upper City and the Lower City. As deduced by their names, the name depends on altitude, but also on wealth. Not many people enter or leave Gan-go due to the danger of crossing the ocean. Therefore it is also considered the backwater continent of the world.

GORANGA is a city in SW Gan-go located on the western bank of the Horjang river. The city is predominantly poor, and many houses in the Lower City are built on stilts to prevent flood damage. Unlike some other Gan-gonian cities, the streets in Goranga are found on the rooftops as often as on the ground. Oftentimes, the mud on the streets causes the people to flee to the rooftop streets in order to get from place to place. The place is very wet most of the time, because of frequent storms.

GRONDAGA is the largest city within five days ride from Goranga. It contains a Citadel, a fortress/palace at the top of the Upper City, where the wealthy govern. Grondaga also has a very large army, maintained by private citizens to keep the poor in line. Grondaga is a city that was built on the remnants of an older city, and ruins can be seen throughout, mainly in the form of giant, iron I-beams and roads. Some ancient buildings still stand, but most have fallen into large stones that clutter roads and fields. Grondaga is the city were Siveki Ornadyo once taught classes in the Citadel. Much of his work there focused excavating the ruins beneath the city.

THE SACRED ISLES: Domain South: These are a group of very high, cliffed islands just about on the equator of the planet. They are connected by bridges, and this is the only way to travel between the islands. Surrounding the main isles is the "Fringe," a wide area of reefs and high pinnacles that act as a barrier between the oceans outside and sea inside. The Fringe also acts a barrier from large storms.

AYENROKI: The Sacred Isles are home to the Ayenroki, a race of half-men, half-beasts who, for the main part, are warriors. All full-blooded Ayenroki possess tails, fangs, lengthened ears and unnatural height and weight. They do not often leave the Isles, and are considered a myth in the human world--a scary myth. Their only human allies are the Knights at Ca-dalèn.

Government: The Ayenroki don't require much in the way of government, and have only one major political/legislative/judicial body: The Three Elders of the Halls of Life. Chosen by fighting prowess and overall intelligence by an open vote, the Elders remain in charge until they die.

Traditions: The Ayenroki are very close followers of the Four Winds, and consider themselves the closest allies of the legendary guardians. Nearly all traditions mirror a love and respect of battle: song and dance are reserved for celebrating the deaths of warriors in battle; the Seven Trials of the May'ekrandi decide whether or not an Ayenroki may graduate to the status of "warrior." Those who fail the trials are banished and expected to kill themselves honorably. Normally, most die in the attempt, and do not live past failure.

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SANLAGA: Domain North: Sanlaga is the northernmost occupied continent. It is large and crescent shaped, possessing two major mountain ranges: the smaller Ekolkla Mountains and the very large Carin-Laruth Range. Both mountain ranges are visible from the Fortress of Ca-dalèn. The only other major city on Sanlaga is Nangemi, a fishing port far south of Ca-dalèn.

Ca-dalèn: This Fortress is home to Knights of Ca-dalèn, an order of warriors (both men and women) who are led by the Weapons Master—a man or woman who knows and can teach the use of nearly every weapon of war. The Knights of Ca-dalèn are loyal followers of the North Wind, and consider themselves under his protection. They are the only people in the world that can, without a doubt, consider him their guardian. Most other places curse the North Wind just as often as the East.

Customs and Traditions: Northern peoples are by nature very traditional. Since their patron Wind protects "whomever and whatever he sees fit," they do their utmost to keep themselves in his good graces. Children and families are prized, and protected with the lives of the warriors. Also, in the North there is a strong tradition of equality between gender and races, something that does not exist in many other lands.

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THE FOUR WINDS: This story does not start at the beginning of the War of Winds--it starts at the end. The Winds are ancient and powerful, but not gods. Ever since the original war briefly mentioned in the introduction, they have been rarely been seen by the people of the planet. If you are confused about what they do, or the whole introduction, I suggest you go here.