The Kingdom of Xocrium
Xocrium’s territory covers a large portion of southern Theavia, the Realm’s western continent. Its weather ranges from cold in the north to tropical and warm year-round in the south. It is divided into four provinces; Everguard, Lightfield, Barepond, and Mosshold. They border the Land of Rivers to the north and Padwell to the east.
Click on a map label to be redirected to its information.
Map of Xocrium by J-Haskell. See full-sized version here.
Everguard Province
Xocrium’s northernmost province, currently ruled by House Phoenine. Everguard is home to Xocrium’s fortified capital, the Citadel, and famous for its dense temperate forests.
Background from Unsplash.
The Citadel
City name: The Citadel or sometimes ‘The City of Citadel’
Ruler: King Loreto Astro born of House Phoenine and his family
Founded: ??? B.A. (Before Adeodatus)
Region: Everguard Province
The Capital of Xocrium, a fortress not to be reckoned with and impossible to seize. ’Not only a place of defense, but the Citadel also houses a large city within its walls that a large portion of the Province’s people call home.
The Citadel itself was not truly a city before the civil war with Padwell, however. Decades ago, just before the war, the city of Citadel surrounded the fortress and acted as the first line of defense if someone were to come and try to attack, rather than being inside the walls. In recent years, specifically during the reign of Queen Andreas, many people from all provinces have flocked to the areas within the walls of the great fortress for protection and sanctuary. Citadel is the home to several noble families - the most notable being King Loreto Astro Phoenine and his family.
Citadel University (CU); The only established university and place of higher education in Xocrium. Citadel University is one of the largest building properties next to the Citadel itself and serves as the only place where Xocrian citizens can gain higher learning needed to better their careers or for their own personal interests. While the university is not as grand and prestigious as those in places like Meros or the Land of Rivers, the school’s faculties are always of great quality to follow current standards and their enrollment rates are always high.
The Hall of History; The largest museum in all of the kingdom. The Hall of History houses just about any historical relic you could ever really imagine; from portraits of extinct founding houses to tapestries of long since won battles, The Hall of History has it all. Aside from being a well-known museum, The Hall of History also acts as the front entrance into the actual Citadel. After you have had your way through the entire museum and have witnessed hours of Xocrian history, you will soon find yourself at the foot of large, grand doors. Behind those doors are the Citadel’s throne room and the place where the current King of Xocrium spends most of his time performing his more important duties. For these reasons alone, the Hall of History is heavily guarded and watched by the Royal Xocrian Guard at times to make sure no assassins can get close to the king, and to make sure thieves don’t make it out with priceless artifacts.
The ‘Actual’ Citadel; The biggest building in the entire city and the landmark that gives the city its name. The Citadel is the royal castle of Xocrium and the largest castle ever built in Xocrium.
The Warwick Academy; One of the most well-known knight schools in all of Xocrium. The Warwick Academy was founded and is currently funded by House Wolfhelm, a noble family renowned for their knighthood service and their training skills when it comes to raising up the next generations of knights. The Wolfhelms, who usually take up the last name ‘Warwick’ in honor of their house founder and the original founder of the academy; Sir Warwick Wolfhelm, pride themselves on having the opportunity to train and teach new knights and wardens. To them, everyone has the ability to become a knight - as long as they put in the work to do so that is. -
Ventura Bank; The only successful bank in Xocrium, currently owned and funded by… an interesting noble house; House Ventura. While House Ventura is known mainly for their ambition, business success, and for how they were able to bring a new business venture to the kingdom of Xocrium, they are also known for the many rumors that surround the family. While the rumors vary from place to place, many do know that the Venturas do not take actions against their members or against their business lightly. Because of this, there has been a lot of gossip about the Venturas among the other nobility but no one seems to have the guts to actually discuss things with the Venturas themselves.
The South Embassy; Xocrium’s main embassy; The South Embassy is located only a few city blocks from the actual Citadel and is signified by the massive statue of the Phoenix located in the front courtyard. Unfortunately, due to Xocrium’s historic disdain for dragonkind and its not-so-good relations with several Theavian countries, you will only find representatives from the following nations - Dutoria, Meros, and Ironbrook - working at the Embassy.
✪ The Lucent City
Ruler: Dame Audrey of House Wren and House Starla
Founded: ??? B.A.
Region: Everguard Province
The main tourist attraction of Xocrium; Lucent is the ancestral home of House Phoenine and a city that has an odd description; It is made of light. Many wouldn’t know what one would be saying until they actually visit the city. Lucent, aside from being a comfortable getaway for many, was historically a grand mining city. Much of the kingdom’s metals and jewels have been unearthed from the very caverns that are located beneath the city.
When the reign of the Elder Drakes ended and the Night of the Red Moons ceased, much of the city and the mines crumbled. But to much surprise, with the destruction of the old mines, new mining opportunities opened up. When miners were sent down into the caverns to access the damage, they were greeted with a newfound cave. Upon entering the cave, they were amazed to find that the entire thing was filled with immense amounts of jewels and prized stones, a good portion of it being candlestone; a stone that gets its name for the natural light it produces at night. After many years of planning and large amounts of manual work, most of Lucent became embedded with candlestone. To this day, streets are lined with the small stones for miles and most of the city’s light sources are powered off them. For this, the city is no different during any time of day and is always lively.
Many people come from around the realm to see what the city is like at night and they are never disappointed to hear that despite many of the city residents working the mining industry, they know how to party and have fun. Oddly enough, Lucent has sometimes been compared to another city with a similar description; Urbis Lumen in Ironbrook, with both being known for their more social-centered cultures and the fact the lights in the cities never go out.
The Starla Institute of Astronomy (SIA); An advanced astrology school founded in honor of Lady Ameria Luna Starla, a late famous researcher from the city’s current rulers - House Starla - who was responsible for discovering one of Xocrium’s main contributions to the realm’s scientific field - Planet Starla. Known as the largest planet in the known solar system, Starla is a ringed planet and has 26 moons. After Ameria’s discovery, the planet was promptly named after her and she became the most famous person in Xocrium during the time. Ever since, her descendants have been doing their duty in continuing her legacy.
The Starla Estate; Home to the city’s current rulers, House Starla; The Starla Estate is located on the easternmost side of the city, sitting right on the city’s actual limits. The manor is known most for the stars and constellations that are painted on the outer-fences and the large statue of the late Lady Ameria Luna Starla that can be found in the front courtyard. The Statue itself depicts Lady Ameria with her eyes closed and smiling, holding up what seems to be a crescent moon; the moon itself always glowing as it is said to be made of candlestone. The Starlas have taken great pride in making sure that their ancestor’s memory gets the proper respect it deserves.
The Sparkling Mines; The original mines that forever changed Lucent. The Sparkling Mines get its name for the precious jewels, gems, and the famous candlestone that are still being mined from its walls, despite how long the mines have existed. Aside from its usual usage, the Sparkling Mines also serve as a tourist attraction during a certain period of the day. Many tourists flock to mines just to see what many consider to be the pride of the citizens of Lucent.
The Little Forest; Of the many taverns and bars that exist in the city, The Little Forest competes where no one can ever compare. Due to its location next to the city’s central park and for the fact that said part is located in the outer heart of the city, the tavern’s success has never been able to be matched. Many will find that celebrities from all over Xocrium flock to the Little Forest just to get a taste of the fine drinks and the fun times that the tavern has to offer.
The Sparkling School; One of the more prestigious knights schools in Xocrium. The school is known mostly because just like most of the city, the lights are purely powered by candlestone.
✪ Grand Harbour
City Name: Grand Harbor or ‘Harbor City’
Ruler: Ser Cyneric of House Auden and his wardens
Founded: ??? B.A.
Region: Everguard Province
A shining star in southern Theavia; Grand Harbor is Xocrium’s main port city and is known as the largest human-owned trading hub and shipping port in all of southern Theavia. The city itself contains dozens of markets filled with vendors from all over the realm. While nothing can really be on par with the renown traders of Meros, pretty much anything can be bought at Grand Harbor - from exotic fruits found only in the tropical regions in Cyr to even frozen flora from the northern fields of Dutoria, sometimes even old armor of Hovellian warriors.
The Great Marina; Located along most of the city’s coastline, The Great Marina is home to dozens of ships - small and large - owned by many of the city’s citizens and oversees foreign visitor ships throughout most of the year. Aside from being home to a quantity of ships and vessels, The Great Marina also serves as one of the largest markets in the city. Some say that if one wishes to start a career in trading or just being a simple merchant, The Great Marina is a great place to start.
The Old Adelaide Docks; The oldest relic in the city aside from the Adelaide estate, The Old Adelaide Docks were once home to an immense shipping fleet known as The Adelaide Fleet, once owned by Grand Harbor’s original rulers before Ser Cyneric took the mantle of leadership - House Adelaide. House Adelaide were among the twelve original founding houses of Xocrium and were said to some of the realm’s most adventurous travelers.
The Lost Adelaide Fleet
A tale of how House Adelaide won and lost their famous fleet.
Due to the war and the toll it took on the house’s finances, House Adelaide had to give up their original homestead in the city of Aether and move to Grand Harbor - Granted, running the city and renting out their fleet to various nations was what was keeping them afloat. During the reign of Lady Sabin Adelaide, however, things became a bit too complicated. With not only having to help run the supply lines on land, the Adelaides also had to oversee the military advances the kingdom was making via the Heaving Expanse. This only stretched the House’s finances thinner than what they already were.
During this entire ordeal, there was the appearance of the Springbournes, a powerful merosian family from the reaches of Chrysos. While they indeed were wealthy, if not wealthier than most nobility in Xocrium, they were unfortunately down on their luck. Like the Adelaides, they were adventurers who made a living off of their many discoveries across the realm. However, during one of the more storm-ridden months, their entire fleet - formally known as the Springbourne Armada - was sunk and they had to put a pause on all their current business deals. While the fleet could have been easily replaced by faster, more modern ships imported from Ironbrook, nothing could replace the fact that the Armada was also one of the Old Castellanos’ designs. The Springbourne couldn’t bear to lose the business that having one of his designs brought. When word of the Adelaide Fleet’s success reached Meros and for the fact that the fleet, like the Armada, was also designed by the Old Castellanos, The Springbournes knew they had found a replacement. They spent years sending letter after letter, deal after deal - some even offering their entire family vault as compensation for the Adelaides’ cooperation - trying to sway Lady Sabin into giving over the Adelaide Fleet to them. Her answer to them was always the same; No. Her family were the ones who commissioned the fleet to be built, by the ashes, they even helped in the manual building process of the fleet. The Adelaide Fleet belonged to the Adelaides and nothing, not even their financial situation, could change that.
Alongside the war, the Springbournes, and the stress everything brought onto them; More tragedy struck. Sabin had given birth to a healthy set of twins, Sabata and Annora Adelaide. Two weeks after their birth however, the baby Annora was stolen right from the twin’s crib. After years of intense searching and countless investigations, the baby Annora was never found. While Lady Sabin mourned the loss of her stolen daughter, she vowed that she would not let that besway her from doing right by her family and giving her now only child the best life she could possibly offer.
Sabata grewed in that promise and would soon become the new Lady of Grand Harbour; Passionate and humble, Lady Sabata was all that people could ask for. She married a dashing son of a Xocrian captain, the soon to be Lord Sano Adelaide. Their life was rather pleasant together and it only became more so when a surprising miracle happened. Lord Sano adored playing games and betting money with the foreign captains who visited the Great Marina. Not only because of the games themselves, but mostly because whenever Sano gambled big; He always came out on top. One fateful day, a famous fleet owner from the likes of Chrysos had found their way in Lord Sano’s favorite bar. The two spent the entire afternoon getting drunk and just spending time together. In the evening however, while playing poker, Sano was on a horrid losing streak. He had bet off riches and after riches to the Captain that it was almost laughable. With only one last trick his sleeve, he wagered one last time with the Captain. The captain, drunk as can be, laughed off Lord Sano’s proposal and gave an impossible reward - The captain had offered up everything Sano had lost but also wagered his own family’s personal vault as well. Given that the captain was from Chrysos, the immense wealth of the Captain was parallel to even that of a Founding House, if not a lot more.
In a shocking turn of events, Lord Sano had won the ultimate wager. The wealth he gained from the captain was able to swiftly put his wife’s family back on their rightful pedestal while also having funds left over for himself and his wife. While Lady Sabata’s initial reaction to her husband’s gamble with their livelihood wasn’t a pleasant sight - more of a “You did WHAT,” followed by long lectures of responsibility and the Lord Sano having to spend some time outside the castle - , she was proud that her husband had managed to pull off the impossible. In the summer of 485, Lady Sano and Lady Sabata, who was heavily pregnant and was almost due, went on a small vacation out in the gaping sea, planning to attend some business ventures in Meros. Some questioned their actions given the war and Lady Sabata’s condition but many of the loyal citizens of Grand Harbor protested that Lady Sabata and her family deserve a break after all the things her family had to sacrifice for the sake of Xocrium. Unfortunately, the legacy of House Adelaide had come to close when it was discovered that the family and their crew were lost at sea due to a heavy storm. The people of Grand Harbour still mourn their rulers to this day. It didn’t get any better when news hit the public that the Adelaide Fleet was being shipped off to Meros. It was apparently discovered that Lady Sabin had signed a deal with none other than the Springbourne Family; Stating that in the case of her family’s death, ownership of the Adelaide Fleet would be transferred over to them. Many, even the new Grand Warden, questioned the legitimacy of the Springbournes’ claim given that not only has Lady Sabin been dead for some time but also her disdain for them was rather public. Unfortunately, they had no other choice but to honor the deal as the paperwork was embedded with Lady Sabin’s personal seal.
✦ Perytown
Town Name: Perytown or ‘Peryton’s wilds’
Ruler: Lady Celestina “Cel” of House Autumnbow and her family
Founded: 1,456 B.A.
Region: Everguard Province
A small, historical town located near the northern border of Xocrium; Perytown was founded in 1,456 B.A by the town’s current rulers; House Autumnbow - A family of not only skilled archer knights but also runesmiths. The family gave the town its current name due to the countless species of Peryton that tend to not only roam about the surrounding area, but throughout the town itself. Citizens of Perytown take great pride in tending and caring for the animals that also call their town home.
The Autumnbow Ranch; Built by the Autumnbows themselves back around 16 A.E.D, The Autumnbow Ranch is one of the largest properties in all of Perytown aside from the School of Autumn. The ranch is not only home to the Autumnbows themselves but also their wide variety of livestock and companions; Yeep, cattle, perytown, and even a few hippogriffs and Hippalectryon. A lot of things call the ranch home and working on the ranch is seen as an esteemed job by most of the town.
The School of Autumn; One of the more prestigious knight schools in Xocrium but also considered one of the smallest compared to a knight school like The Sun School or The School of Valor. The School of Autumn is known to produce some of the best archers Xocrium could ever offer. This is also due to the fact that members of House Autumnbow, the town’s rulers, usually retire here to teach the next generation or volunteer when they are not on active duty.
Lightfield Province
One of Xocrium’s central provinces, currently ruled by House Valor. Home to many major religious landmarks in Xocrium, as well as abundant farmland.
Background from Unsplash.
✪ Sunkeep
City Name: Sunkeep
Ruler: Lady Geva born of House Valor and her family
Founded: ??? B.A.
Region: Lightfield Province
The capital of Lightfield and the ancestral home of House Valor. Many citizens of Xocrium remark Sunkeep to be the city of the Blessed; A city said to be watched over and protected by the Phoenix himself. The people here greatly value the Phoenix and his principles while also not taking disrespect towards Xocrium’s deity lightly. While the city is very dedicated to the Phoenix, being that it houses the headquarters of the Phoenix’s high priesthood, the city is also very dedicated to the knighthood culture that takes a main focus in Xocrian society. Kids, even in regular schools and even more so in knight schools, are given highly extensive lessons on not only Xocrian history/achievements but on the legends and myths of its knights.
The Sun Castle; Located at the center of the city near the town square and next to the Sun-blessed Cathedral, the Sun Castle is one of the crown jewels of Sunkeep. The Sun Castle gets its name from two things; There are many Phoenix-related motifs that can be found throughout the castle’s decorum and for the giant, stained-glass domed roof that can be found about the castle’s throne room. The roof itself is colored in the shades of the sun as well as many warmer colors.
The School of Valor; Named after the famous rulers and knights of House Valor, the School of Valor is the most prestigious and expensive knight school in all of the Xocrium. Noble families, high and low, pride themselves on sending their kids off to school, not only for the social standing it provides to their family’s name, but for the school’s facilities. No one can truly say they have learned nothing of what it means to be a knight of Xocrium from attending the school, even if they put no real effort into their studies.
The Sun-blessed Cathedral; Considered one of the most important places in all of Xocrium, the Sun-Blessed Cathedral is a sacred place of worship and prayer dedicated to the like of Xocrium’s divine deity, The Phoenix. The Cathedral itself is vast, its property is fenced off and the surrounding area outside of the main building filled with luscious greenery and dozens of statues dedicated to the Phoenix. Upon entering the main building, one is greeted by a long and massive corridor filled with historical artifacts - be it sculptures, statues, and even paintings - of the Phoenix. Throughout the corridor there are many doors that lead in different parts of the cathedral; the library that holds all of the ancient texts, the barracks where priests and those who have been taken in by the priesthood live, and then the mysterious Room of Light. At the end of the corridor, one is finally greeted by a large set of doors that lead into the main sanctuary. Throughout the day, prayers are conducted at the altar and sunday, where a grand service - that is universal to all places of worship dedicated to the Phoenix in Xocrium - is held.
The Harding Academy; The Harding Academy is an impressive estate that has stood on the outskirts of Sunkeep in a quiet neighborhood since its foundation by Lady Maitane Harding in 358. The Academy is well-known across the kingdom as one of the most prestigious schools focusing on non-combat-related subjects, such as mathematics, architecture, and the sciences, and equally infamous for how difficult it is to get into. The Harding Academy will gladly take even the poorest of students if they’re a prodigy, but no money in the world for an idiot, even if they are from a powerful family.
The estate is fenced in for the security of its students and the valuable texts within its walls. Inside the walled area is a wide area of greenery and gardens, and a few buildings bordering a courtyard and a large, central oak tree; the main academy, dormitories for the students to live in during the semester, and a small chapel dedicated to the Phoenix. The main academy, which has classrooms and the Harding family’s famous library, is constructed from wood and stone, decorated with paintings and carvings often featuring the Harding family’s oak tree. There are four main student dormitories, each themed after a different province in Xocrium, designed to help the students feel at home, with a small library of books popular in the province and a calm sitting area for the students. Those who are too rambunctious or noisy are ushered outside to make use of the wide fields there to burn off extra energy.
During the school season the Academy is closed to visitors aside from the friends and family of staff and students, but do tours in the summer and host events for the city of Sunkeep.
Queen Aurora Valor’s Grand Statue; Located in the city square of Sunkeep, this statue is one of House Valor’s most prized artifacts and one of the few things that survived the wrath of the Elder Drakes. Next to the giant Phoenix statue that sits within the front courtyard of the Sun-Blessed Cathedral, it is the largest statue in all of Xocrium.
✪ Emberrock
City Name: Emberrock
Ruler: Ser Darrene of House Aiken and his wardens
Founded: ??? B.A.
Region: Lightfield Province
The fiery heart of the kingdom; Emberrock earned its name from the constant heat the bears down on the city during the summer months and for the historical areas of scorched forestland. No one knows the cause of these areas, or why the areas have never been able to revive their greenery. Aside from Emberrock’s interesting geography, the city has an interesting history. It was the ancestral home of House Rhiannon, one of the twelve founding houses, and was originally named Mightrock - to pair along with the family’s pride for their military strength. Despite being an extinct house, their legacy has continued into present day and has turned into several traditions; Any knights that graduate from Knight Schools in Lightfield or otherwise become knights while in Lightfield are exclusively trained at Emberrock for their required one year of serving as Semi-knight and if one plans to be a knight actively serving in the military, they will be provided with one year of funded knight school at Mightrock academy and afterwards be trained more extensively at one of the many barracks across the city.
Emberrock Prison; The bane of any Xocrian criminal’s existence - Emberrock Prison, sometimes referred to as the Knight’s prison is one of the few maximum security prisons in the kingdom. The worst of the worst criminals of Xocrium usually call this place home and while the prison is seen as a grand place of punishment, it is also seen as a place of reform for many former inmates who have returned to the outside society. While incarcerated in Emberrock, inmates are given the task of apprenticing for the province’s most well-known blacksmith; helping produce new armor and weapons, repairing older and outdated mechanics, etc. Through this, all prisoners earn a living wage that can not only be used while they are in Emberrock, but can also roll over into a reimbursement when they complete their required sentence. From this and the experience they earned through working with the blacksmiths, many former inmates find it quite easy to be able get their lives back into working order and fit back into Xocrian society as respectable, working citizens.
While in the prison, many will find that even those that have committed the worst atrocities can become respectable and perhaps even loveable people while they are incarcerated inside the prison. A known example would be the infamous Caine Fairhurst, a former knight who was imprisoned after his dragonling condition surged out of control at a crowded market. Despite his reason for being in the prison, Caine has grown to be not only enjoyed by the other inmates but also by even the guards themselves. Many who reside at the prison find that Caine, despite his… interesting appearance, has grown from his original crime. One can find that, unlike the other inmates, Caine is tasked with conducting tours of the prison - for new inmates and for those looking to see what Emberrock is like.
Lady April Rhiannon’s Statue; Located in the city’s square, this monument is one of the oldest in all of the kingdom - the statue is of Lady April Rhiannon, the final head of the Rhiannon family and the last ruler of Mightrock.
Mightrock Academy; Founded by the late Rhiannon family, Mightrock Academy is one of the more prestigious knight schools and is one of the oldest that has existed since before the time of the Elder Drakes. Many of the knights that graduated from the school are said to be some of the most brutal knights compared to other schools; living up to the Rhiannon family’s legacy of pride and strength.
✪ Aether
City Name: Aether or ‘City of the Heavens’
Ruler: Dame Athela of House Lark and her wardens
Founded: ??? B.A.
Region: Lightfield Province
A city that sits touching the heavens; Aether is the ancestral home of House Adelaide and is the only city in Lightfield that sits elevated on a hill. The city can only be accessed through a long road that spirals around said hill. Aether also provides and produces a good portion of Lightfield’s wheat and grain with all the fields that are located down the hill.
The High Castle; The highest point within all the city; The High Castle was once the ancestral estate of House Adelaide was given the nickname - ‘Seat of the Traveler’. Since the disappearance and apparent extinction of House Adelaide, the castle has been manned and cared for by both the city’s grand warden and House Valor - the ruling family of Sunkeep.
✪ Golden Forge
City Name: Golden Forge; also known as ‘The Golden City’
Ruler: Ser Chandler of House Aldwyn and their family
Founded: ??? B.A.
Region: Lightfield Province
One of the more ancient cities in Xocrium; The Golden City gets its name from two things: One, being the fact that the city itself it dedicated to the art of blacksmithing with most of its citizens taking up the profession and similar fields and Two, many of the current residents adore themselves in jewelry made from the finest gems and metals taken straight from the earth, many taking up the color gold in their clothing as well.
Unlike other cities, similarly to Lucent and those in the Shattered Isles, Golden Forge is governed by a noble house instead of a Grand Warden. Their current rulers, House Aldwyn, have quite the history. In older times, they were of lower nobility and had a mere village to their name. Despite their social position, they were on excellent terms with the Golden City’s original rulers and founders; House Fitzroy. House Fitzory were among the twelve ancient Founding Houses of Xocrium and were said to be the best blacksmiths that the realm could ever conjure up. The Aldwyns, even without the grand tools that the Fitzroys were always described to use, were seen in a similar light. Word of their talents traveled throughout Xocrium and soon reached the throne room of the Old Fitzroy Castle. No one in present time can really say what the Fitzroys saw in the Aldwyns, some say it was pure luck and others say that even the Fitzroys were impressed by their work. The Fitzroys invited Aldwyns into their city and offered them an apprenticeship; Something not many founding houses ever offer out. Of course, no one in their right mind would ever say no to a one-in-a-lifetime offer so the Aldwyns accepted the job. From there, the Aldwyn and Fitzroys had become as some would call “the bestest of friends.” This relationship even resulted in the Aldwyns being promoted to the high nobility by the Fitzorys. Ever since, the Aldwyns had taken to doing everything in their power to honor and thank the Fitzroys for their generosity.
Unfortunately, not all good things last forever. Just at the beginning of the Divide of Knights, while away in their southern estate in Virtanen, there was a massive fire at the Fitzroy home and only the last head of the family, Lord Leeroy Fitzroy, was able to make it back to Xocrium alive. The man…. had lost everything. His family, his home, some say even the will to live. After only a few weeks, rumors hit the city of Fitzroy children supposedly being held by the new “royal family” of Padwell. Without a single word to anyone aside from the head of the Aldwyns at the time, Lord Leeroy left in the night and headed for the marshes, never to be seen or heard from again. Since his disappearance, the Aldwyns have taken up the honor of protecting and ruling over the Golden City. Since their crowning as the city’s rulers, House Aldwyn has always held a large festival in the Old Fitzroy Castle, to pay tribute to Lord Leeroy and his late family during the month of Remembrance.
The Old Fitzroy Castle; The pride and joy of the Golden City. The Old Fitzroy castle was the home of the late House Fitzroy, the founding family of the city and the original rulers before House Aldwyn. After the disappearance of Lord Leeroy Fitzroy and the crowning of House Aldwyn as the new rulers, the castle has been buzzing with activity. From those wishing to learn about the legacy left behind by the Fitzroys to the constant cleaners and volunteers who keep the castle in great shape, the castle is never dark. Along the outer-walls and at the top of the center building, the Fitzroy Coat of Arms is hung with pride. The Fitzroys were beloved, and the citizens make sure that people will always remember that.
The Forge Market; Located just in the city square, spanning almost two whole city blocks and surrounding the old Fitzroy Castle - the Forge Market is a place where people can buy all sorts of crafted items from the finest swords to even the smallest trinkets. Many say that if one is an up and coming blacksmith, the forge market is the best place to try and get ahead in their profession. Of course, that’s if they can survive the market’s ever growing competition.
✦ Clearfront
City Name: Clearfront
Ruler: Ser Camdyn of House Aldway and their wardens
Founded: ??? B.A.
Region: Lightfield Province
A small town turned industrial giant; Clearfront, while a small town dedicated to industry such as mining and craftsmanship, somehow manages produces more than half of all of Lightfield’s metal production. It may be a small place with very small communities but the people of Clearfront take a lot of pride in their work and are accustomed to seeing the best rewards for it.
The Small Mines; Clearfront’s largest mine and the town’s golden prize; the mines themselves are rather small and the passageways are usually only large enough to fit three people at a time. Despite its challenges, three-quarters of the city’s metals and gems come from this very mine.
Oddly enough, despite only two cities ever known to exist in the Isles, many of the islands are filled with all different types of ruins - buildings, towers, statues seemingly dating before the Night of the Red Moons. Researchers have done their best to figure out what and where these ruins have come from but they have come to one conclusion; a large majority of the ruins in the isles all seem to have been violently torn in half - another mystery that researchers have not been able to figure out.
Ruler: Lady Arwydd of House 'Rhiannon’ and her Family
Founded: ??? B.A.
Region: The Shattered Isles
The only other large city aside from the Isle of Iceholde that exists within the Shattered Isles. Knightport is the only port city that connects Xocrium directly into Lake Four-Shore. Aside from the port serving as more of a trading route between Xocrium, Meros, and Dutoria; the military has started keeping an eye on the status of Knightport given the founding of the ‘Southern League’ - worried that they may have to mobilize in the lake if things were to tilt anymore out of Xocrium’s favor.
The city is ruled by Lady Arwydd of House 'Rhiannon’; An odd and curious young woman, bastard child of the last ruler of Knightport - Lord Kyledyr Bivin. While many were skeptical of Arwydd’s claim to Knightport and her father’s fortune despite her father’s unpleasant relationship reputation, her name was indeed listed first in his will. After her crowning as ruler, Lady Arywdd took up the last name ‘Rhiannon’, deeming herself and her siblings to be descendants of the historic Founding House Rhiannon themselves. While no researchers have been able to verify their claim due to loss of records and no validation from the other Founding Houses, Lady Arwydd is continuing to stand on her claim, even if it seems deranged.
Town Name: Iceholde
Ruler: Lord Francis of House Silverwood and his family Founded: ??? B.A. Region: The Shattered Isles A mysterious but intriguing settlement; Iceholde has been in existence for as long as anyone in Xocrian can remember. Oddly enough, the settlement earned its name for the strange and anomalous weather - It snows in the city all year long and there have been increasingly-frequent earth tremors that have terrorized the isle for some time now. No one has been able to crack the reason as to why these phenomena keep happening but many are worried for the people who still choose to live on the isle. The population is rather small and the people here usually stick to the already existing communities they have formed here. It is ruled and funded completely by House Silverwood - A fanatic but small noble family. They are the leaders of a lesser known religious order; The Order of the Shining Sun. According to House Silverwood, there were many religious orders that existed through the kingdom during the time of the Drakes - theirs along with the esteemed Order of the Phoenix and an extinct order known as ‘The Oracles of the Sovereign’ were the ‘main three’ that took the mantle of preserving and continuing the prime teachings of the deities in Xocrium. The rest of Silverwood’s supposed claims have been compressed into a popular legend in Iceholde known as the “Golden Reign’... |
The Legend of the Golden Reign Things were not all as they are now. Long ago, at the height of the Drake’s dominion over the realm - the Golden Queen took her place in the north alongside the serpents of the pale night. They lived far from anyone, thought to be untouchable by the rest of the realm. Like the rest of her kin, they followed the rule of El of Argyre, king of all drakes, but for what it was worth; they usually stuck to themselves. Hera, Drake of the Phoenix and ruler of Citadel, grew worrisome as time passed on. She had tasked our beloved goddess, The Ice Queen herself, with taking flight and seeing what those who dwelled in the north were up to. No one ever saw the Ice Queen again; all that remained was the little group of serpents that had survived the trip from their homeland and the Golden Queen bringing her wrath upon Xocrium and disrupting the Divine Order. After she murdered the drake that inhabited the lands she took refugee in, she broke into the divine plane and freed the darkness… Aelius. Taking hold of his newfound freedom, he possessed the pink vessel of the Golden Queen and acted his long awaited vengeance upon the land. He and the Tyrant tore through the earth itself… cities fell beneath the waves and the people cried out for the Drakes of Xocrium to stop them. Their pleas fell on deaf ears... |
Barepond Province
One of Xocrium’s central provinces, currently ruled by House Raine. Experiences warm summers and temperate - or even tropical, towards the south - winters. It and Mosshold Province both share a border with Padwell.
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✪ Arrowholde
City Name: Arrowholde
Ruler: Lady Adora born of House Raine and her family
Founded: ??? B.A.
Region: Barepond Province
The seat of the Divine; Arrowholde is the capital of Barepond and ancestral home of House Raine. It is the most lively place to live in Xocrium next to Lucent and carries on the legacy of Nightden; Arrowholde is a place that never sleeps. Taverns and bars are located on just about every street, parties are hosted every fortnight in House Raine’s castle, and let’s not forget, that during The Summer days Arrowholde holds the best festivals that outdo anywhere else in the kingdom. Despite how good the people here have it in Arrowholde, thanks to the leadership of the young Lady Adora Raine, they don’t take insults or attitude from those of other provinces. They may love to party and enjoy what life has to offer, but they will always be the first to mobilize if Xocrium were to be attacked at any given moment.
The Castle of Flowers; The home of Lady Adora and her family, the castle gets its name from the many flower beds that surround the castle almost like a lake. These flowers are carefully tended to everyday and none dares to mess with them - lest they want to find themselves spending a few weeks in prison. Every week, Lady Adora hosts a grand party within the castle known as ‘Joy Day’ - everyone who currently lives in the city is allowed to attend and it is Lady Adora’s way of constantly interacting with her people. While it is indeed a place for people to enjoy the finery of the castle, it is also a place where people are allowed to hold an audience with Lady Adora and talk about the health of their province.
Catherine Central Park; A beautiful park dedicated to the late Queen Catherine and her daughter; Princess Alice. The park is lively during the month of remembrance with people coming from all over the province to pay their respects to the late Queen and admire the park for all the beauty it has to offer.
✦ Tradedrift
Town Name: Tradedrift or ‘Trader’s drift’
Ruler: Dame Seberga of House Langstone and her wardens
Founded: 47 B.A.
Region: Barepond Province
Small but exotic; Tradedrift is a small city built looking out to the waters of the Heaving Expanse. There are many strange and remarkable imports and discoveries from the merchants and fishermen of the city; whether it be some rare fish species native only to the waters of the Heaving Expanse, to the lost treasure of a sunken Shipwrecker ship, pretty much anything can be found in Tradedrift’s markets.
The Lighthouse; A rather ancient lighthouse built at the edge of the city. Despite its size, its light is said to always shine for miles. It has said countless ships and has always warded attempted raids from Hovellians and Shipwreckers alike.
Ruler: Ser Amaury of House Capron and their wardens
Founded: ??? B.A.
Region: Barepond Province
An odd and quiet place; Deepgroove a rather simple A sanctuary village-based deep in the forests of Barepond. Anyone who wants to escape from the natural troubles of the known world is very welcomed here and those who do live here usually work in a tight community that helps each other, but keep to those that live in the village. Oddly enough, these are just words from Ser Amaury himself, who sends rather… strange monthly reports from inside the village. The words within the reports tend to rhyme a lot and oddly come together, almost as if Amaury is singing within his writing. Despite this strange fact, no visits have been made to the village and no incidents have occurred or have been reported. In all honesty, not many people have ever really been to the village itself due to its forested location and some doubt the village even exists….
Ruler: Ser Rolf of House Lynde and his wardens
Founded: ??? B.A.
Region: Barepond Province
Once the grand capital of Barepond, Nightden was a valued beauty in the province and was said to be ‘the city that never went out’. Taverns and bars were located just about on every block corner, parties just about every fortnight, and let’s not forget the view of the glittery water of Lake Four Shores during the night. People would travel days just to get a taste of what Nightden is like all-year-round.
That was until the civil war caused people to evacuate to the northern provinces or to Mosshold. The constant battles on the outskirts of the city and the fact that Nightden was right next to the northern border of Padwell caused many Xocrians to feel unsafe and flee from the city. Since then, the city has been mostly dark. Not many people live here and many try to avoid stopping here when they are traveling. Some even consider this place a ghost town.
Mosshold Province
Xocrium’s southernmost province, ruled jointly by House Dauntless and House Basil. Experiences warm, wet weather year-round. It and Mosshold Province both share a border with Padwell.
Background from Unsplash.
Ruler: Lady Ingram born of House Basil and her family
Founded: ??? B.A.
Region: Mosshold Province
The Seat of the Swan; Mosshold is the ancestral home of House Basil and the capital of Mosshold. While not as large as the walls of The Citadel, its natural environment and the mossed walls of the city are just as strong. Woodkeep has always been the station of action during the war. Some of Xocrium’s most famous battles with the likes of Padwell were planned in the very crown hall of Woodkeep’s castle. Even now after the civil war had ended, many troops from all over Xocrium are still being stationed here and within the city of Heartville, in case of any new surges of Redwing sightings.
✪ Heartville
City Name: Heartville
Ruler: Lord-General Gunter born of House Dauntless and his family
Founded: ??? B.A.
Region: Mosshold Province
The Seat of the Stag; just as well-defended as Woodkeep due to its proximity to the southern border and ruled by Lord-General Gunter Dauntless, Heartville is where most of Mosshold’s citizens live. This is due to the overwhelming presence of the military within the city walls and the fears that the Redwings or any of Padwell’s allies could possibly cross the border without detection. Despite all of this nonsense, the citizens of Heartville are oddly hopeful for the years to come. Many of them and their families were what was left of the refugees that had to leave their homes in Padwell when the war started, much of which went missing when escaping through the mire of the two kingdoms.
Heartville Confinement; The only other large-scale prison within Xocrium. While it is not as well-known as Emberrock prison in Lightfield, it holds just as many dangerous criminals.
Ruler: Dame Nancy of House Langdon and her wardens
Founded: 13 A.E.D.
Region: Mosshold Province
One of the few places that hasn’t felt the pull of the war; Whiteharbor is a small trading dock located between the jungles of Mosshold and a small patch of white cliffs. Just as with Tradedrift, people here mostly trade sea life and rare items that can be found near and on the shores.