The World of Mithia

So in an attempt to bring some clarity to the wider world of Mithia, now that my map is fully complete, I thought it would be a fun exercise to examine my map more closely, remark about the various regions of the world, and try to draw some generalizations from it all. So essentially, this is me looking at the world map, and inferring things about what societies would live in those areas based on the names I assigned it and the geography of the region. So in whatever case, I hope its enjoyable for you. You can just read it as it is, but it is quite dry. So it is perhaps best to read it while comparing it to the map. If you have any suggestions on ways to improve this analysis of cultures, please leave those comments below, as there is always room for improvement. However, without further ado, here is "The World of Mithia."

The World of Mithia

Written by Anthony Stuertzel

The world of Mithia is vast, indeed. It is often subdivided up into the Western World and the Eastern World. There is also the polar ice cap, but as far as anyone knows, there are no civilizations that inhabit such a place, and thus, it is often not mentioned in any significant detail in any of the writings by scholars, historians, or cartographers.

The Western World is comprised of five major continents. Of these continents, Arrotha is by far the most interesting. For not only is it the smallest recognized continent in Mithia, it is also arguably the most important. For the geographical location of Arrotha puts it right at the center of busy trading ports, and in many ways, Arrotha connects the rest of the world together. To bulster this important geographical position, Arrotha also has a very advantageous harbor, with two panisulas breaking off around a larger central island in the harbor, which has the effect of making one of the safest and most accessible ports in all of Mithia. Thus, the most prominent cities of men are all harbor cities, who thrive on the constant trade and further prosper by trading with cities in Arrotha that are more inland. Arrotha is also, due to its busy ports and opportunities for great wealth, one of the most diverse continents in the region. Nearly every race or civilization is represented there by at least a small margin.

South of Arrotha, and one of the many trading partners, is Etoloth, which is the next largest continent in Mithia. Etoloth’s harbors are not nearly as secured as those in Arortha, but the continent does have a sizeable island in the northwest to support decent harbors, and therefore is pretty successful in trade. However, these port cities in Etoloth do not have nearby sources of fresh water, and therefore, many of the citizens that live there rely on wells dug deep into the ground to supply fresh water. Although these port cities are often very wealthy in the northland of Etoloth, they do not tend to grow large in population because of this common problem. Even more so, alcohol is often the primary replacement for fresh drinking water in these northern Etoloth port cities, and so, thereto, the brathals and gambling rings are popular as well. These port cities are sometimes referred to as “Cities of Darker Gods” to explain their wild and unruly tendencies.

But all is not as crazy in Etoloth, as the continenent is also a place common to elves who inhabit the many forests of the land. The most notable group of elves is the Sel’Dar’il or “Golden Elves” to the common folk, so named after the bright hue of their skin. They are known for worshipping Chaleyr, the Goddess of Light, rather than the traditional God Marovihn who was said to have been the original creator of the elves. And they are known, too, for their industriousness. This is rather significant and important in Mithia, as most Elven artifacts in the world are centuries or millenia-old, made by people’s long-past. And the Sel’Dar’il elves are the most prominent elven group known for making modern artifacts which trade and sell throughout the land for tremendous sums.

Looking to the northern parts of the Western World, we see the next largest land-mass, Tailus, which due to its northern geographical position is the least populated continent in Mithia. The northern parts of the continent are often referred to as “The Winter Planes” because they are vast areas of flat land often covered in ice. A few nomadic tribes live here, most notably the “Barende Tribe” of barbarians who are seen wearing thick layers of fur clothing and often taking up temporary residence in the Snowcap Mountains or the Broken Peaks when in the north-most parts of the continent. However, they have been known to travel across the wide expanse of the Winter Planes chasing the local heards of yetis and other such creatures.

Tailus is also home to the Qi’l Szar Elves or the “Winter-Touched Elves” as the locals call them. Not much is known about the elves, as they live secluded lives in the wintery forests of The Winter Planes, but legends tell of them having strange magic, and their forests are rumored to be guarded by long-dead spirits who have risen as ice-covered zombies. Of course, not many can attest to how true these legends really are.

In the northwest region of the continent, there is a large forest that is home to the Zhel’Tara, a civilization that was once wholly made up of elves, but now has less than a quarter elf population. It is said by historians and scholars alike that dwarven refugees of the Darhgun family of dwarves fled their homelands in the north, the region now known as “The Broken Peaks” seeking refuge from dark creatures that emerged from the far depths of the earth. The elves took the dwarves in and incorporated them into their society, and soon, the forests were home to runaways of human societies as well. Then, to everyone’s surprise, the tolerant elves took in a tribe of orcs, and so on. Many across the lands that hear of Zhel’Tara don’t fully believe the stories to be true and dismiss the place as a fanciful legend, but many sailors, adventurers, and lost wanderes who have visited Zhel’Tara have professed the truth of the legends and described the population of the once-elven home as being the most diverse and surprising population in all of Mithia. Though it is hardly a desirable place to visit due to the overwhelmingly cold climate in this northern continent, many still dream of some day visiting the fabled land.

The cities of men that live in this frozen northland are generally unremarkable due to both the harsh climate and the lack of accessible ports. Most civilizations that live in this northern continent rely on fishing as their primary source of trade, as it is difficult to grow crops and populations are generally small in any of the cities, but in the same light, due to the lack of access to these resources, trade is paramount for survival as well.

Due south of Tailus and the western-most continent, we observe the next largest, and third-larges continent of all, Aeror. Like Arrotha, Aeror has a very safe harbor. Not only is the harbor closed off to the rest of the open seas, but also faces inward towards Straephus, the next largest continent, which we will soon discuss. Therefore, Aeror is a very popular destination for trade as well. However, Aeror has long mountain ranges that separate the north and south areas of the continent. The eastern region of the southern areas of the continent is home to the Gobi Desert, which is surrounded completely by large mountains on the western side. The Gobi Desert is scarecely populated and generally thought to be inhospitable, as its name is derived from the great carnivorous land worms that are rumored to spring out of the ground and devour unsuspecting victims whole. The only connection to the desert and the mainland that doesn’t require passage through thick mountains is a rocky pass, often referred to as “Bandit Pass” because of the persistent problem with bandits robbing carivans in that area.

South of the Gobi Desert, there is a crest of mountains known as the Nez’Dem Kel’Tar, named by elves in the Amrun Tel’Sir Forest. This region is rarely visited, as the journey to the forest is generally very difficult to traverse, and so the elves tend to be secluded. However, it is said to be the largest and most ancient elven homeland in all of Mithia.

To the west of the elven forests, there is the Westshore Andes, atop an island considered a part of Aeror, but nearly as large as Arrotha. This large island is home to several well-off cities due to the natural resources there, but fails to rise up to a greater standing due to its lack of significant port access. Most of the cities here are self-sufficient, requiring minimal trade.

The midland of Aeror is vast and rich with natural resources. This is a great expanse of human socities, with other nearby civilizations of non-human origin inhabiting the region as well. The northern reaches of Aeror are no less populated, and several clans of dwarves are said to live in the Dragon’s Den Peaks and trade with nearby human socieities. However, due to reports of dragon sightings in the area, few are willing to traverse the mountain peaks. It is rumored that perhaps the dwarves have somehow worked out a bargain with the dragons that inhabit the mountain, and that the breath of the mythic creatures aids in the construction of their fine dwarven weapons and armor.

The eastern-most continent of the Western World, and the second largest continent, is Straephus. This continent has a long range of mountains that breaks through the center of the continent much like Aeror, but the mountain ranges of Straephus are broken up and much more passable than those of Aeror. In the northwest mountains, known as Kinderriden Heights, several prominent societies, believed to be the central empire of giant-folk, reside in the mountains. Not much is known about these societies, as most tend to avoid the region entirely.

On the eastern side of the northern planes is Nagduhn, home of the Tymar clan of dwarves. The dwarves here are rumored to be taller than other dwarves and with strange dwarven accents that are difficult for most other dwarves to understand.

The planes of the northland of Straephus is home to many human civilizations that have grown along trade routes in the mainland. Aided by lakes and vast expanses of rivers, they have been able to grow quite large and proserpous in some areas.

Straephus is also home to several large jungles. The Kijadheer Jungle is known for complex tribal societies who worship strange gods. And the Chilal Jungle in located on an island to the south and is known by locals in the area as “Chiphua Kalul” meaning “Sea of Monkeys” in the tribal tongue of the native tribes there. And indeed, the jungle is rumored to have more different species of monkeys than anywhere in all of Mithia.

In the southern region of the midlands of Straephus is a desert known as the Mazacoatl Desert, which is so named because it is commonly reported that the desert is inhabited with strange horned snakes known as the Mazacoatl. Wizards are particularly interested in these creatures, as they are often reported to possess magic and are rumored to be distantly related to dragons, though there is much debate on the subject.

In the western midlands, there are several suitable ports, the most notable being Nenuldur, which is the largest dwarf-city port, inhabited by the Avrarlum dwarves of the Thol Lodar mountains, notable for their fiery red beards. These dwarves are considered the most social dwarves in all of Mithia and the most active in trade, and unlike most dwarves who worship Bhelrigg as the creator of dwarves, the Avrarlum dwarves have a complex pantheon of dwarf gods that according to their mythology, rose to prominensce and took Bhelrigg’s throne. Naturally, the Avrarlum dwarves have a rocky relationship with many other dwarven societies who view them as heratics. And thus, the Avrarlum dwarves have the best relationship with non-dwarf races of all the dwarf clans.

The southern reaches of Straephus are murky and wet, home to many swamps and bogs. The dwarves of the Derkahm mountains are said to be fierce warriors and have developed unique ways of dealing with trolls and other swampy creatures.

Finally, the largest continent, and the only continent in the Eastern World is Zabrun. Zabrun is notable because of its vast size and because it is the most isolated continent in the world. Zabrun trades with other continents frequently, but unlike the commerce between the Eastern World continents, trade with Zabrun is often slow, dangerous, and expensive. And therefore, only large merchant companies that can take on risky ventures dare treck the vast oceans, while smaller merchant companies prefer to trade locally.

Zabrun also lacks significant ports, and the safest ports in the continent are those located in the frozen northland. However, much like those that live in Tailus, the northland port cities are often scarecely inhabited due to the harsh weather conditions, and icy waters surrounding those port cities also presents challenges and dangers for those that wish to trade. Therefore, some prefer the port cities in the south or in the east, but these ports are not well-protected against the ocean and are not ideal port cities, either. Thus, inland trade is incredibly important for Zabrun.

As such, the kingdoms and empires created by men are constantly changing, as it is important to control critical junctures for trade. These changes come about by war, by agreement, or by devestation wrought by monsterous races that overtime can lead to the collapse of a under-defended city.

Zabrun is also home to wide-expanses of forests that house various races, as well as rather hospitable hilled vallies in the north, and large expanses of grassland on savanahs. The Kanguro Jungle to the south is notable for a wide array of mammals that aren’t found anywhere else in the world. The Dagh Faldir mountains in the northland are also home to a unique group of dwarves who seem to have an exceptional tollerance for cold weather from generations of working the frozen peaks.

Zabrun is also home to what is known as The Living Desert, which is seldom visited due to its lack of resources and useful land. However, those who have visited the desert have told stories of giant living cacti that inhabit the land, thus giving it the name The Living Desert.