Rivyn -> History, Lore and Technology

History, Lore and Technology

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Raiona

Posted: Apr 15 2012, 01:19 AM

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History and Lore

Not many histories exist that are dated more than a couple centuries ago. At least, not many that are written down. All we have are the tales of the people that have lived here, the oral histories passed down from elders to children for millenia.

We know that the Humans that settled in Coridia arrived some 3000 years ago. They came by boat, from a distant land. Some versions of the tale insist that these humans came from another world as well. Another group of humans, perhaps also from another world, arrived on the Western coast soon after. This group settled in the desert, while the first split. One group stayed in Coridia, the other moved to settle at the nearby lake.

This land did not belong to the humans, though. They were strangers here. Intruders, some say. For before the humans the land was shared by the elves and the beastkin. Coridia at the time when the humans arrived was more of a trading outpost between the Elves and the Beastkin. The humans set up camp as well. The whole area grew and melded into the Capitol, and the three camps became the three districts

The elves, in their stories, came from tree spirits, long before the arrival of the humans. These spirits formed corporeal bodies and over time became less and less spirit. The earth magic and longevity of the elves is all that remains of this former spirit existence.

When their numbers swelled, there became a strange dichotomy among the elves. Many were content in the forest, with simple structures and simple lives. Others, however, dreamed for more. In their minds' eyes they saw rising structures, glittering cities and the conquest of magic. This latter group moved out of the ancient depths of the forest to the south where they built their city. Exposure to the sun lightened their skin and hair and eventually these became known as the High Elves. Their brethren, the Wood Elves, remained in the forest, though they soon erected a city of their own.

The Beastkin too have a tale of how they came to be. They were once common animals, and once the Islands were one great mass. In the forest on this island was a fountain, where there was a great concentration of the magic that permeates Rivyn. The animals that drank from it changed. They developed intellect beyond what they already had, and they gained the ability to speak. Generations passed and these skills sharpened. Genetic mutations occurred as well, causing some of these animals to acquire other traits, or lose some. Though these animals all came from different species, they found that this change caused them to become one. And so they became the Beastkin.

Unfortunately today the fountain of legend is buried beneath rock and ocean, though, as roughly 2000 years ago the volcano on the Island blew its top. The effects were cataclysmic. The Island broke into bits, ash choked the sky and the waterways, bringing devastation to all living things.

Some say that this event was a blessing in disguise, however, as it caused the elves, humans and beastkin to all pull together, pool their resources, and get through the time together. When the earth had recovered, they all went their separate ways again, but the time together erased many of the prejudices that each held against the other.

During this time, a band of humans from the far East, beyond the known borders of Rivyn, came to the desert. They had come once before and done battle with the humans of the desert (for it was known that the mountains of the desert were rich in minerals). This time, however, they brought a stronger force, determined that the oasis and its riches would be theirs. They thought that the volcano would have left the humans in the desert weakened. They did not count on their attack coming at a time when all the races and cities had banded together. The incursion was smashed ruthlessly and no bands from the far East have been seen since.

Technology

The world has progressed over the years since then, as one would expect. The old trading post of Coridia perhaps most of all. The Capitol is now a giant bustling city of 300,000. As the city became more and more populated, its citizens found that life began to demand different things of them.

In such a crowded place, water soon became a problem. A series of pipes and pumps was soon erected in the city, however, and now most buildings are supplied with water. With the growing demand for information, a single printing press was constructed and is housed in the Capitol building. One will not find the spark of electricity here, but torches and oil lamps are common. In the wealthier parts of towns you will find lamps that are powered with magic, flooding the streets with their light.

For transportation you will find many carts that you can hire. Some are pulled by horses, with a driver guiding them, but many beastkin make their living as taxis as well.

In Coridia, and in some of the larger towns, you will find that service-based professions are not uncommon. Coridia is home to a fair few judges, officers, chauffeurs and the like. There are eating establishments, taverns, and the headquarters of many shipping and trade businesses. This shift in professions also caused a shift in style. Since the men and women were no longer expected to spend their days working soil or traipsing through the woods, they began to care more about their appearance.

Frilled collars, velvet coats, fine embroidery, silver baubles.. these have become the marks of a capitol dweller. The elves have taken to this trend as well, and even the beastkin will adorn themselves in this manner.

Gunpowder is a scarce commodity, and can only be found on the wealthy merchant ships, to supply a cannon or two.

Away from Coridia, you will find that many of the older ways are still alive and well. Many people make their livings by hunting, gathering or farming.

The Eastern Kingdoms are in much the same state as the Heartland technologically speaking. The goblins and halflings live the most primitively, but the Dwarves discovered steam technology about 300 years ago. Since then they have built many rails through the mountains to help their mining operations. They guard the secrets to this technology well and no one else has yet been able to replicate it.

The below timeline will eventually be filled with things. Feel free to suggest an event in the Updates board!

Timeline

The year is currently 3,008

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