Antediluvian Secrets (official POC worldbuilding thread)

[Agritum]

Poppy Blossom is a pretty English name, as far as I know. What's the in-universe equivalent?

[Glorious ReBublic of Alevstan]

ooh

is this still a thing in the modern day

Not anymore, it got disbanded after the Technological Revolution, also known as the Civil War, some four hundred years ago.

Okay. Were they actual mages, or just tricksters? If they were real, can magic still be harnessed/is it still known how to be used by humans?

[Galter Gulcher]

Poppy Blossom is a pretty English name, as far as I know. What's the in-universe equivalent?

Also sounds like a strippers pseudonym.

Just saying what everyone is thinking.

[Agritum]

Not anymore, it got disbanded after the Technological Revolution, also known as the Civil War, some four hundred years ago.

Okay. Were they actual mages, or just tricksters? If they were real, can magic still be harnessed/is it still known how to be used by humans?

Apparently, magic was real, but it appears Antediluvia is either covering it up or just purged it.

[Transoxthraxia]

Poppy Blossom is a pretty English name, as far as I know. What's the in-universe equivalent?

Highlands Thorn is modeled after Anglo-Saxon, so perhaps an Nahumo-Highland Thorn combination?

[Ayreonia]

Okay. Were they actual mages, or just tricksters? If they were real, can magic still be harnessed/is it still known how to be used by humans?

Apparently, magic was real, but it appears Antediluvia is either covering it up or just purged it.

Exactly.

[Nature-Spirits]

I was thinking I might develop the phonologies and morphologies of the languages (based on what Trans and I have discussed, the names of the characters and places, and keeping in mind that English would have to be a result of the linguistic evolution outlined by Trans). Trans, any thoughts on this?

[Transoxthraxia]

I was thinking I might develop the phonologies and morphologies of the languages (based on what Trans and I have discussed, the names of the characters and places, and keeping in mind that English would have to be a result of the linguistic evolution outlined by Trans). Trans, any thoughts on this?

Sure. I'm a bit tied down with the religion right now, so if you want to brainstorm about this I wouldn't be adverse to that. Just telegram me once you've come up with some ideas.

[Glorious ReBublic of Alevstan]

Are communism and/or any sorts of socialism around in this world, and are there any movements for them? On a similar note, what forms of governments do the other three states in this world have?

[Nature-Spirits]

I was thinking I might develop the phonologies and morphologies of the languages (based on what Trans and I have discussed, the names of the characters and places, and keeping in mind that English would have to be a result of the linguistic evolution outlined by Trans). Trans, any thoughts on this?

Sure. I'm a bit tied down with the religion right now, so if you want to brainstorm about this I wouldn't be adverse to that. Just telegram me once you've come up with some ideas.

Great. I'll start work on that in about an hour (right now I have Chem class).

[Transoxthraxia]

Gammar Gammura

Gammar Gammura is one of the dozens of religions that are practiced throughout this world. It is important to note, however, that Gammar Gammura is the most prevalent and popular, by far, of any set of religious beliefs that still exist on the continent today. This religion, which is practised throughout both the Ezeric and Thornorgisilic Worlds, is followed by millions, though in the modern times, less so than in previous ages, and has influenced countless hundreds of literary, cultural, and artistic movements, as well has having been the motivation for a large amount of inward and outward conflicts and wars throughout the history of the continent. So, without further ado, I present to you Gammar Gammura: The Religion of the Antediluvians, Precambrians, and most other Ezeric and Thornorgisil people of the continent. First, I will delve into a brief history of the religion, mostly concerning the founding of the religion, before going into the beliefs that those who follow the religion.

Gammar Gammura has its roots in the Easternmost part of the world, past the limits of the Ezeric world. Here, an independent, unrelated group of languages and cultures holds serious cultural sway, and have done so ever since their records can permit. No culture, Ezeric or otherwise, has been able to supplant the Easternmost Culture, ever since they emerged from whichever primordial crack in the world they came from. From here, the original ideals of Evil and Good are said to have originated. Not, however, evil and good themselves, but the terms and definitions of them. From this eastern corner of the continent came the first organized religion: Priya Rukmeni. This religion was really just a codified version of the beliefs of a single tribe that had been the first to write down their myths, legends, and beliefs so they spread far and wide among the Eastern Tribes. Priya Rukmeni was a religion that focused mostly on a codified pantheon of shamanistic Gods and Goddesses, essentially having a God or Goddess for every single thing on this Earth, believing that they were simply manifestations of the Gods' divine power. Now, this religion survived and thrived among the Eastern People, but it failed to catch on to their Ezeric and Thorn neighbours, who preferred their own Pantheons,some Thorn going so far as to burn any Priya Rukmeni believer who transgressed into their borders. After the Fall of the Nahumian Empire, however, something strange happened.

During the Razing of Nahumia, the capital of the former Nahumian Empire (Who, if any of you remember, wasn't even ethnically Nahumic.) there appeared a being from the Market Quarter of the city who seemed to be enveloped by fire, yet failed to be burned. The legend goes that this figure carried out eight hundred people from the city as it was being burned to the ground. When questioned on his identity by those that he had saved, He gave them the name Kama Kumara, which in a dialect of the Eastern Languages translates into "The Saved One who Saves". Kama Kumara and many of those that he saved began preaching at the ruins of Nahumia. Kama preached the existence of a single God, equating it to the Ezeric Pantheon Head Shealta, Deity of the Sun, as well as Obialta, Deity of the Moon. This God was known simply as Uriyah, and had two split personalities, Uri' and Yah', Uri' being the personality of Light, Good, and Order, and Yah' being the personality of Darkness, Evil, and Chaos. Uriyah was a necessary combination of the two, which came together when the universe was formed. When this universe was formed, the two beings merged with such force that millions of shards littered the Earth, which became the seeds of the beings that would eventually become Man. Because of the syncretization of the two so opposite forces, Uriyah is constantly in turmoil with itself. Since all beings on Earth are made up of the Shards that were once a part of Uriyah, Uri' and Yah' are not only fighting one another in the cosmos, but in the souls of Man as well.

However, as the movement gained more and more followers, the more zealous factions of the Ezeric pantheon began to persecute the believers, some to such an extent as to burn them alive. However, it was said that for every believer of Uriyah burnt, Kama Kumara gained an inch in height. The preaching continued, and Kama Kumara set up serious communities in the Western parts of the mainland and the eastern parts of the Western Isle.

I have a sort of Familial Emergency right now so I have to stop working on this for the time being.

[Mincaldenteans]

It's just painful writing on a tablet.

House zu Heltzer

Linvale is home to Alrick zu Heltzer and the rest of House zu Heltzer. House zu Heltzer established itself in Linvale after the success defense of the (then) village from destruction. Linvale has seen it's share of conflicts and prosperity that has left its citizens to look at life with a healthy sardonic and cynical view, a view still shared in current times. Growing steadily through the centuries from village to a burgeoning city, the House is known throughout the lands for its medical and pharmaceutical products.

House zu Heltzer is a pious one (at least on the surface): to them everything is a sign, a warning, a portent of things to come. In the old days it was not uncommon for members of zu Heltzer to confide in priests and 'oracles', so much so that the house built a grand cathedral in the city that has since become synonymous with the city itself. Today however, they look upon their religion as one to uphold spiritually... and politically. The cathedral is something of a misnomer itself as it stands as the seat of power of House zu Heltzer and main stage where most of its internal and external court politicking take place.

[The Carlisle]

I guess I'll post my thing on the duchy. I sent it to Trans, Nature, and Gren. I'll post it here. I'll also post something on the Oorburg Dynasty.

[Ayreonia]

Gammar Gammura

Gammar Gammura is one of the dozens of religions that are practiced throughout this world. It is important to note, however, that Gammar Gammura is the most prevalent and popular, by far, of any set of religious beliefs that still exist on the continent today. This religion, which is practised throughout both the Ezeric and Thornorgisilic Worlds, is followed by millions, though in the modern times, less so than in previous ages, and has influenced countless hundreds of literary, cultural, and artistic movements, as well has having been the motivation for a large amount of inward and outward conflicts and wars throughout the history of the continent. So, without further ado, I present to you Gammar Gammura: The Religion of the Antediluvians, Precambrians, and most other Ezeric and Thornorgisil people of the continent. First, I will delve into a brief history of the religion, mostly concerning the founding of the religion, before going into the beliefs that those who follow the religion.

Gammar Gammura has its roots in the Easternmost part of the world, past the limits of the Ezeric world. Here, an independent, unrelated group of languages and cultures holds serious cultural sway, and have done so ever since their records can permit. No culture, Ezeric or otherwise, has been able to supplant the Easternmost Culture, ever since they emerged from whichever primordial crack in the world they came from. From here, the original ideals of Evil and Good are said to have originated. Not, however, evil and good themselves, but the terms and definitions of them. From this eastern corner of the continent came the first organized religion: Priya Rukmeni. This religion was really just a codified version of the beliefs of a single tribe that had been the first to write down their myths, legends, and beliefs so they spread far and wide among the Eastern Tribes. Priya Rukmeni was a religion that focused mostly on a codified pantheon of shamanistic Gods and Goddesses, essentially having a God or Goddess for every single thing on this Earth, believing that they were simply manifestations of the Gods' divine power. Now, this religion survived and thrived among the Eastern People, but it failed to catch on to their Ezeric and Thorn neighbours, who preferred their own Pantheons,some Thorn going so far as to burn any Priya Rukmeni believer who transgressed into their borders. After the Fall of the Nahumian Empire, however, something strange happened.

During the Razing of Nahumia, the capital of the former Nahumian Empire (Who, if any of you remember, wasn't even ethnically Nahumic.) there appeared a being from the Market Quarter of the city who seemed to be enveloped by fire, yet failed to be burned. The legend goes that this figure carried out eight hundred people from the city as it was being burned to the ground. When questioned on his identity by those that he had saved, He gave them the name Kama Kumara, which in a dialect of the Eastern Languages translates into "The Saved One who Saves". Kama Kumara and many of those that he saved began preaching at the ruins of Nahumia. Kama preached the existence of a single God, equating it to the Ezeric Pantheon Head Shealta, Deity of the Sun, as well as Obialta, Deity of the Moon. This God was known simply as Uriyah, and had two split personalities, Uri' and Yah', Uri' being the personality of Light, Good, and Order, and Yah' being the personality of Darkness, Evil, and Chaos. Uriyah was a necessary combination of the two, which came together when the universe was formed. When this universe was formed, the two beings merged with such force that millions of shards littered the Earth, which became the seeds of the beings that would eventually become Man. Because of the syncretization of the two so opposite forces, Uriyah is constantly in turmoil with itself. Since all beings on Earth are made up of the Shards that were once a part of Uriyah, Uri' and Yah' are not only fighting one another in the cosmos, but in the souls of Man as well.

However, as the movement gained more and more followers, the more zealous factions of the Ezeric pantheon began to persecute the believers, some to such an extent as to burn them alive. However, it was said that for every believer of Uriyah burnt, Kama Kumara gained an inch in height. The preaching continued, and Kama Kumara set up serious communities in the Western parts of the mainland and the eastern parts of the Western Isle.

I have a sort of Familial Emergency right now so I have to stop working on this for the time being.

Awesome, man. Awesome.

One little thing, though: I think I've stated earlier that Precambrians mainly follow a philosophy similar to the real-world Gaia hypothesis. I'm working on it as we speak. Let's call it Cambrian Pantheism until you or Nature come up with a more epic name.

Oh, and a tiny little correction: our planet is called Soil, not Earth.

It's just painful writing on a tablet.

House zu Heltzer

Linvale is home to Alrick zu Heltzer and the rest of House zu Heltzer. House zu Heltzer established itself in Linvale after the success defense of the (then) village from destruction. Linvale has seen it's share of conflicts and prosperity that has left its citizens to look at life with a healthy sardonic and cynical view, a view still shared in current times. Growing steadily through the centuries from village to a burgeoning city, the House is known throughout the lands for its medical and pharmaceutical products.

House zu Heltzer is a pious one (at least on the surface): to them everything is a sign, a warning, a portent of things to come. In the old days it was not uncommon for members of zu Heltzer to confide in priests and 'oracles', so much so that the house built a grand cathedral in the city that has since become synonymous with the city itself. Today however, they look upon their religion as one to uphold spiritually... and politically. The cathedral is something of a misnomer itself as it stands as the seat of power of House zu Heltzer and main stage where most of its internal and external court politicking take place.

Great! Will add.

I guess I'll post my thing on the duchy. I sent it to Trans, Nature, and Gren. I'll post it here. I'll also post something on the Oorburg Dynasty.

Nice. Looking forward to it.

[Rupudska]

Marta Kobor's name would probably be a real challenge for you, NatSpi, since it's Hungarian IRL and therefore not Indo-European at all.

[Gvozdevsk]

I kind of want to get in on the worldbuilding by creating a Czech-equivalent region for my character to come from. Obviously not speaking Slavic languages, but claiming to be direct descendents of the Slavic speakers and still holding on to Slavic naming customs, explaining why my character's surname is a feminine form rather than a masculine/gender neutral form.

[Nature-Spirits]

Gammar Gammura

Gammar Gammura is one of the dozens of religions that are practiced throughout this world. It is important to note, however, that Gammar Gammura is the most prevalent and popular, by far, of any set of religious beliefs that still exist on the continent today. This religion, which is practised throughout both the Ezeric and Thornorgisilic Worlds, is followed by millions, though in the modern times, less so than in previous ages, and has influenced countless hundreds of literary, cultural, and artistic movements, as well has having been the motivation for a large amount of inward and outward conflicts and wars throughout the history of the continent. So, without further ado, I present to you Gammar Gammura: The Religion of the Antediluvians, Precambrians, and most other Ezeric and Thornorgisil people of the continent. First, I will delve into a brief history of the religion, mostly concerning the founding of the religion, before going into the beliefs that those who follow the religion.

Gammar Gammura has its roots in the Easternmost part of the world, past the limits of the Ezeric world. Here, an independent, unrelated group of languages and cultures holds serious cultural sway, and have done so ever since their records can permit. No culture, Ezeric or otherwise, has been able to supplant the Easternmost Culture, ever since they emerged from whichever primordial crack in the world they came from. From here, the original ideals of Evil and Good are said to have originated. Not, however, evil and good themselves, but the terms and definitions of them. From this eastern corner of the continent came the first organized religion: Priya Rukmeni. This religion was really just a codified version of the beliefs of a single tribe that had been the first to write down their myths, legends, and beliefs so they spread far and wide among the Eastern Tribes. Priya Rukmeni was a religion that focused mostly on a codified pantheon of shamanistic Gods and Goddesses, essentially having a God or Goddess for every single thing on this Earth, believing that they were simply manifestations of the Gods' divine power. Now, this religion survived and thrived among the Eastern People, but it failed to catch on to their Ezeric and Thorn neighbours, who preferred their own Pantheons,some Thorn going so far as to burn any Priya Rukmeni believer who transgressed into their borders. After the Fall of the Nahumian Empire, however, something strange happened.

During the Razing of Nahumia, the capital of the former Nahumian Empire (Who, if any of you remember, wasn't even ethnically Nahumic.) there appeared a being from the Market Quarter of the city who seemed to be enveloped by fire, yet failed to be burned. The legend goes that this figure carried out eight hundred people from the city as it was being burned to the ground. When questioned on his identity by those that he had saved, He gave them the name Kama Kumara, which in a dialect of the Eastern Languages translates into "The Saved One who Saves". Kama Kumara and many of those that he saved began preaching at the ruins of Nahumia. Kama preached the existence of a single God, equating it to the Ezeric Pantheon Head Shealta, Deity of the Sun, as well as Obialta, Deity of the Moon. This God was known simply as Uriyah, and had two split personalities, Uri' and Yah', Uri' being the personality of Light, Good, and Order, and Yah' being the personality of Darkness, Evil, and Chaos. Uriyah was a necessary combination of the two, which came together when the universe was formed. When this universe was formed, the two beings merged with such force that millions of shards littered the Earth, which became the seeds of the beings that would eventually become Man. Because of the syncretization of the two so opposite forces, Uriyah is constantly in turmoil with itself. Since all beings on Earth are made up of the Shards that were once a part of Uriyah, Uri' and Yah' are not only fighting one another in the cosmos, but in the souls of Man as well.

However, as the movement gained more and more followers, the more zealous factions of the Ezeric pantheon began to persecute the believers, some to such an extent as to burn them alive. However, it was said that for every believer of Uriyah burnt, Kama Kumara gained an inch in height. The preaching continued, and Kama Kumara set up serious communities in the Western parts of the mainland and the eastern parts of the Western Isle.

I have a sort of Familial Emergency right now so I have to stop working on this for the time being.

This looks good so far.

I hope your emergency isn't serious and that everything works out alright.

Marta Kobor's name would probably be a real challenge for you, NatSpi, since it's Hungarian IRL and therefore not Indo-European at all.

Yeah.... Uralic languages are really cool, but I don't know as much about them as I do other language families. It might be fun and educational to try and figure that name out. Of course, we don't have a Uralic equivalent in this world as of yet....

Hm. Trans and I have been discussing what the third language family should look like, and among other language families, Uralic did come up, so maybe that can be taken into account. I'm kind of thinking that it should have features from several language families.

I kind of want to get in on the worldbuilding by creating a Czech-equivalent region for my character to come from. Obviously not speaking Slavic languages, but claiming to be direct descendents of the Slavic speakers and still holding on to Slavic naming customs, explaining why my character's surname is a feminine form rather than a masculine/gender neutral form.

That should be okay, I guess. I imagine it would be quite remote, and quite Thornic in culture (with, of course, the Ezeric influence that permeates most of the continent). Perhaps an offshoot of the Hengistic (Lowlands Thorn) group, so there would actually be a fair bit of Ezeric influence. There would be little distinctive trace of the Vyorony culture in their practices, but perhaps they have an unusually large number of Vyorony proper nouns, and a few slang words that can be traced back, ultimately, to the Vyorony language, though said words would be heavily Thornicised (i.e. they would be derived from a Slavic root, but would also sound fairly German).

[Ayreonia]

On magic, mages and pseudomages

Magic has permeated Soil for as long as there has been a Soil. Its exact origins are unknown, but Cambrian philosophy argues that it's residual energy from the forming of Uriyah during the birth of the universe. Its practitioners are known by many names: mages, wizards, magicians, sorcerers, et cetera. To a layman, these terms are synonymous, but to practitioners, each carries a different meaning. More on that later.

Through the ages, magic has always been a tool of the few seemingly random individuals who have simply grasped it naturally. It wasn't until three decades ago that Precambrian scientists discovered a gene that controlled affinity for magic. Further research proved that every single human being had this gene, but it was "dormant" in most. This discovery allowed the development of magical techniques for non-affinites, but the results were underwhelming: people with the dormant gene were, and still are, exceedingly hard to train, and even if they do learn, they cannot hope to reach the power, precision or finesse of affinites.

This is where pseudomages come in: the same Precambrian scientists came up with a way to forcibly mutate the gene through magical therapy. This "wakes" the gene up and makes it absorb some of the therapist mage's energy, resulting in the receiver of the therapy becoming a so-called "pseudomage." Pseudomages are still non-affinites and thus learn much more slowly than natural mages, but they can easily reach and even surpass affinites in pure power, while still lagging behind in precision. For example, while an affinite sorcerer can light a roomful of candles one by one or at the same time, a pseudomage sorcerer can light the entire neighborhood on fire. An affinite wizard can manipulate an enemy scout so that they return with false information without realizing anything is wrong, while a pseudomage wizard simply makes the entire scouting party kill each other.

Wizards? Sorcerers? Allow me to explain. The differences between the various classes of magic users are purely semantic, but professional pride runs high among them and there exists a fierce rivalry between the groups. We've already covered pseudomage. Mage is a catch-all term that includes all affinites who are trained in the arts. A sorcerer is a mage or pseudomage who focuses on direct energy manipulation: temperature, sound, even light and movement. Most beginning magic users receive training in sorcery, since its basics are arguably the easiest to grasp, and many of its teachings are applied in other fields of magic. Wizards practice wizardry, the art of bridging the five basic senses with magical effects, creating and manipulating illusions and emotions. Magician is a portmanteau of "mage" and "technician," and their art is called magicraft. Magicraft is combining the physical with the magical; the "super armor" effect described in the OP is an example of highly developed magicraft.

[Glorious ReBublic of Alevstan]

snip

Uralic could be from that small NE island on the LARGE world map.

[Nature-Spirits]

On magic, mages and pseudomages

Very cool.

Also, I like the choice of the name Soil for the world. It actually works better, in my opinion, than the word Earth, since "earth" is Germanic in origin and "soil" ultimately comes from Latin (and I think it makes sense for an Ezericised culture to use an Ezeric-derived word for the world).

[Nature-Spirits]

Uralic could be from that small NE island on the LARGE world map.

Possibly, but that would then require an explanation as to how and why the ethnic group from that island migrated to the continent and their language remained (at least somewhat) intact even with the linguistic domination of the Nahumic and Thorn cultures. The survival of such a minority language even in names (especially in given names) is fairly unlikely, IMHO.

[Rupudska]

Uralic could be from that small NE island on the LARGE world map.

Possibly, but that would then require an explanation as to how and why the ethnic group from that island migrated to the continent and their language remained (at least somewhat) intact even with the linguistic domination of the Nahumic and Thorn cultures. The survival of such a minority language even in names (especially in given names) is fairly unlikely, IMHO.

Well, if the mountains to the south aren't dominated by either of those two major cultures, the Uralics could be from there.

[Nature-Spirits]

Possibly, but that would then require an explanation as to how and why the ethnic group from that island migrated to the continent and their language remained (at least somewhat) intact even with the linguistic domination of the Nahumic and Thorn cultures. The survival of such a minority language even in names (especially in given names) is fairly unlikely, IMHO.

Well, if the mountains to the south aren't dominated by either of those two major cultures, the Uralics could be from there.

That's a definite possibility. I'm not going to make any executive decisions, though; Trans will need to weigh in.

[The Carlisle]

Duchy of Verstact

Encompasses the high mountains and the bowl shaped Verstact (Hidden) Valley. Capital and largest city is Oorburg, which is one of the largest cities in Antedeluvia and the largest city in the Northern Ranges. Ruled over by the Family Oorburg. For centuries the realm had been independent, Ruled over by the Hidden King. Back then, the realm could fight of Ezeric incursions by using its large population and defensive positions. It wasn't until when gunpowder was invented that they fell to Ezeric rule. Because of it's isolation and fiercely stubborn culture, the Thornorgisil language spoken there is still alive and well, although there is a lot of loanword from the modern Nahumic language. In saying this, most denizens speak modern nahumic fluently as a second language, though there are pockets in the fringes that speak solely Thornorgisil. The main trade in the duchy is the mining and smelting industry. The rivers are too shallow for boat travel, but this is made up by a well connected rail and road system. It's also a burgeoning cultural center, as many famous artists were born and/or raised there. Beauty is a secondary export, as many lesser and noblemen vacation in the beautiful mountain valleys of Verstact.

Soldiers from this area would have the insignia of a farming valley with a large city in the distance tucked between two mountain peaks, with a mine on the left and a cabin on the right.

House Von Oorburg (Of Ear-Town)

House Von Oorburg is a major noble house who rule over the Duchy of Verstact. An ancient and prestigious house, whose roots extend back to over a millenium. It has ruled over the Duchy of Verstact for over 700 years, when the Ezeric King finally conquered and thrown down the Verstact King. Instead of appointing an Ezeric, they appointed a local Thorn branch that was loyal. And that is how house Von Oorburg was promoted from being barons of a wealthy castle to duke of Verstact, which is equivalent to the old kingdom.

Von Oorburg's title is not only prestigious, but also extremely wealthy. They own several steel smelteries and the entire rail system in the duchy rail system. They even hold the oldest aluminum smeltery in the entire world, which still operates to this day. The wealth of Von Oorburg equates to about $25,000,000,000. Of course, they reinvest a good amount of their gains back into the public sector, making the Von Oorburg family well loved among the populous.

Von Oorburg rule has been a lot more independent than other dukes. This is mostly due to the fiercely stubborn culture of the Thorn people in the Verstact Valley. For one, language laws are different in Verstact than other duchies due to Von Oorburg influence. This helped preserve the Thorn language and culture in Verstact. Another is special zones, often villages and towns on the fringes, where pure Thorn is spoken only, preserving the local culture. Another is the different tax Von Oorburg pays to the king, which is less than other dukes. This is mainly due to Von Oorburg unbroken dedication to reinvesting their wealth back into their duchy.

Von Oorburg has married into several noble branches throughout the years, mostly in the Central Mountains. But they have married several times into the King's dynasty, the most recent on being a generation ago. They have claims throughout the entire mountain ranges, even in Precambrian territory. Some Thornophobes state that they can go independent with the entire mountains and no one can contest it, though this is just a propagandist story with no real feasibility.

Von Oorburg family, while still mostly Thorn, is also Ezericized a bit. For one, the first names of the children are always Ezeric. This is because of an ancient pact between the first duke of Verstact and the Ezeric king where the king allowed him to rule as long as he proved his loyalty by naming his children with the names of his kingdom. Von Oorburg dynasty members all speak High Nahumic and Modern Nahumic alongside their original tongue of Highland Thorn.

House Oorburg holds great influence throughout the realm. Their prestige, dynastic ties, and wealth allows them to influence many organizations. The most recent, but hidden, act of influence was the prevention of corporal Maximilian Von Oorburg's promotion to to the rank of sergeant and his moving to squad leader into the Fourth. This was headed by the Dynastic head and ruler of the duchy of Verstact, Julian Apollonian Von Oorburg.

The Von Oorburg Coat of Arms is a man with a horn sticking into his ear, listening to the wind which carries words and music from all across the valley.

City of Oorburg (Ear-Town)

Oorburg is an ancient and largest city in the Duchy of Verstact, largest city in the Northern Ranges, and one of the largest cities in Antediluvia. The name means Ear-town in Thorn. This name comes from the loud, fast winds that blow throughout the town since ancient times, which makes it hard to hear. A more modern version is the smelteries make it difficult to hear anything, though not the origin still holds true. Locals joke that one needs good ears to hear anything in Oorburg.

Oorburg since ancient times was mostly a farming settlement. Situated in the fertile lower valley of Verstact, it became a center for agricultural goods. After the adoption of feudalism, rulers of Oorburg have been exceptionally wealthy because of the agricultural output of the lands surrounding the town. When the Ezerics finally conquered the region, it became the capital of the new duchy of Verstact. From then on, Oorburg became a trade capital, from where the goods of Verstact culminated to be bought by traders from outside the valley.

When the technological revolution came to Verstact, Oorburg exploded with growth. It shot up from its sizable population to one of the largest cities in the kingdom within fifty years. Oorburg experienced a golden age, where wealth, science, and culture grew exponentially. Dozens of mines opened up in the mountains, whose ore went down new roads to the new smelteries on Oorburg. People from inside and outside the valley moved to Oorburg to fill in jobs in the smelteries, turning Oorburg into a multicultural metropolis.

To this day, Oorburg is still growing. While still heavily smelting based, there is also a number of universities, services, and manufacturing industries within the city that also supplements the economy. There is also a healthy tourism industry, where people come all over to see the cathedrals, buildings and museums.

(To visualize, Oorburg looks like Munich)

[Ayreonia]

Duchy of Verstact

Encompasses the high mountains and the bowl shaped Verstact (Hidden) Valley. Capital and largest city is Oorburg, which is one of the largest cities in Antedeluvia and the largest city in the Northern Ranges. Ruled over by the Family Oorburg. For centuries the realm had been independent, Ruled over by the Hidden King. Back then, the realm could fight of Ezeric incursions by using its large population and defensive positions. It wasn't until when gunpowder was invented that they fell to Ezeric rule. Because of it's isolation and fiercely stubborn culture, the Thornorgisil language spoken there is still alive and well, although there is a lot of loanword from the modern Nahumic language. In saying this, most denizens speak modern nahumic fluently as a second language, though there are pockets in the fringes that speak solely Thornorgisil. The main trade in the duchy is the mining and smelting industry. The rivers are too shallow for boat travel, but this is made up by a well connected rail and road system. It's also a burgeoning cultural center, as many famous artists were born and/or raised there. Beauty is a secondary export, as many lesser and noblemen vacation in the beautiful mountain valleys of Verstact.

Soldiers from this area would have the insignia of a farming valley with a large city in the distance tucked between two mountain peaks, with a mine on the left and a cabin on the right.

House Von Oorburg (Of Ear-Town)

House Von Oorburg is a major noble house who rule over the Duchy of Verstact. An ancient and prestigious house, whose roots extend back to over a millenium. It has ruled over the Duchy of Verstact for over 700 years, when the Ezeric King finally conquered and thrown down the Verstact King. Instead of appointing an Ezeric, they appointed a local Thorn branch that was loyal. And that is how house Von Oorburg was promoted from being barons of a wealthy castle to duke of Verstact, which is equivalent to the old kingdom.

Von Oorburg's title is not only prestigious, but also extremely wealthy. They own several steel smelteries and the entire rail system in the duchy rail system. They even hold the oldest aluminum smeltery in the entire world, which still operates to this day. The wealth of Von Oorburg equates to about $25,000,000,000. Of course, they reinvest a good amount of their gains back into the public sector, making the Von Oorburg family well loved among the populous.

Von Oorburg rule has been a lot more independent than other dukes. This is mostly due to the fiercely stubborn culture of the Thorn people in the Verstact Valley. For one, language laws are different in Verstact than other duchies due to Von Oorburg influence. This helped preserve the Thorn language and culture in Verstact. Another is special zones, often villages and towns on the fringes, where pure Thorn is spoken only, preserving the local culture. Another is the different tax Von Oorburg pays to the king, which is less than other dukes. This is mainly due to Von Oorburg unbroken dedication to reinvesting their wealth back into their duchy.

Von Oorburg has married into several noble branches throughout the years, mostly in the Central Mountains. But they have married several times into the King's dynasty, the most recent on being a generation ago. They have claims throughout the entire mountain ranges, even in Precambrian territory. Some Thornophobes state that they can go independent with the entire mountains and no one can contest it, though this is just a propagandist story with no real feasibility.

Von Oorburg family, while still mostly Thorn, is also Ezericized a bit. For one, the first names of the children are always Ezeric. This is because of an ancient pact between the first duke of Verstact and the Ezeric king where the king allowed him to rule as long as he proved his loyalty by naming his children with the names of his kingdom. Von Oorburg dynasty members all speak High Nahumic and Modern Nahumic alongside their original tongue of Highland Thorn.

House Oorburg holds great influence throughout the realm. Their prestige, dynastic ties, and wealth allows them to influence many organizations. The most recent, but hidden, act of influence was the prevention of corporal Maximilian Von Oorburg's promotion to to the rank of sergeant and his moving to squad leader into the Fourth. This was headed by the Dynastic head and ruler of the duchy of Verstact, Julian Apollonian Von Oorburg.

The Von Oorburg Coat of Arms is a man with a horn sticking into his ear, listening to the wind which carries words and music from all across the valley.

City of Oorburg (Ear-Town)

Oorburg is an ancient and largest city in the Duchy of Verstact, largest city in the Northern Ranges, and one of the largest cities in Antediluvia. The name means Ear-town in Thorn. This name comes from the loud, fast winds that blow throughout the town since ancient times, which makes it hard to hear. A more modern version is the smelteries make it difficult to hear anything, though not the origin still holds true. Locals joke that one needs good ears to hear anything in Oorburg.

Oorburg since ancient times was mostly a farming settlement. Situated in the fertile lower valley of Verstact, it became a center for agricultural goods. After the adoption of feudalism, rulers of Oorburg have been exceptionally wealthy because of the agricultural output of the lands surrounding the town. When the Ezerics finally conquered the region, it became the capital of the new duchy of Verstact. From then on, Oorburg became a trade capital, from where the goods of Verstact culminated to be bought by traders from outside the valley.

When the technological revolution came to Verstact, Oorburg exploded with growth. It shot up from its sizable population to one of the largest cities in the kingdom within fifty years. Oorburg experienced a golden age, where wealth, science, and culture grew exponentially. Dozens of mines opened up in the mountains, whose ore went down new roads to the new smelteries on Oorburg. People from inside and outside the valley moved to Oorburg to fill in jobs in the smelteries, turning Oorburg into a multicultural metropolis.

To this day, Oorburg is still growing. While still heavily smelting based, there is also a number of universities, services, and manufacturing industries within the city that also supplements the economy. There is also a healthy tourism industry, where people come all over to see the cathedrals, buildings and museums.

(To visualize, Oorburg looks like Munich)

Very nice. Adding.