Ardyria

Overview

Arising from the reconstruction of the Titanic Ring, Ardyria is the bastion continent of the Titanic Ring. Along with the three other major continents (Xorgaddon, Shah Vaedin, and Draulmyr), it represents the core of the Titanic Ring. Unified under the rule of the Twin Empresses, Ardyria is a land at the forefront of civilization on the Rings.

Counts of Ardyria

There are ten true Retainer Counts active in Ardyria plus one unofficial count who rules over the sanctuary city of Alluvium. Below are the current Retainer Counts as of 777 A.R.

County	Name
Ambresis	Count Dara urtel Ambresis
Cardyria	Countess Lavatera of the Orion Court
Drenth	Countess Karina Khan
Gravisburg	Count Weirden Xixson
Kestril	Count Benetar Crane
Mecklen	Countess Corania urtel Mecklen
Phalia	Countess Diana Skiritai
Raxony	Countess Yasmin Yasser
Saar	Countess Oceanne Allaire
Zauphen	Count Helmuth von Grayz
Alluvium	Viscount Castor Windsmith

Ambresis

Ruled by Dara urtel Ambresis, the county of Ambresis houses the largest natural desert on the Titanic Ring. In addition, Ambresis possesses vast mineral and spice reserves, which are distributed throughout Adryia, the Titanic Ring, and even the entirety of the Rings of Meropis. Ambresis also controls the Ionad Gate via its regional capital city of Zaigen and the great Albeck rail, which runs through the center of the county connects cities as far away as Tiras to the South Saoran sea where the goods are shipped from Zaigenhaus to the West.

Zaigen

The regional capital sits at the most important trading location on the Ionad sea (other than Amalathea). Zaigen controls the Ionad Gate, a strait that any merchant vessel seeking to enter or exit the Ionad must use. This has turned Zaigen into not only an important trading hub but a vital strategic stronghold. Many believe, though, that as long as the sure hand of Count Dara Ambresis remains on the Ambrenian throne, the county will continue to prosper.

The Kraken’s Ire

Few soldiers reside in Zaigen due to its near impenetrable defenses. One of these defenses is a gate known as The Kraken’s Ire. This gate, made out of proprietary S.J.C. industries enchanted steel alloy, is able to seal the Ionad Gate in under thirty seconds. Once the Kraken’s Ire is shut and locked, no fleet in existence could sail through Zaigen. After a thorough inspection, Material God Helmuth von Grayz called the gate “very good.”

Legendary Zaigen Emporium

On the Eastern side of the city, along the waters of the strait, lies the greatest market in all of Saora. Within the Zaigen Emporium is every type of vendor and item a person can imagine. Seekers of rare treasures journey from across the Cosmic Stack to peruse the stock found inside the market. There are thought to be tens of thousands of private rooms nestled within the Emporium harboring incredible treasures.

Noble Broker’s Guild of Ardyria

Zaigen is home to the Broker’s Guild of Ardyria. This Guild is responsible for controlling shipping and trade across the continent. Members of its seven-person board are some of the richest, most respected, merchants on the Titanic Ring. The Broker’s Guild controls billions of gold pieces worth of ships, inventory, and office buildings across the continent. However, the Guild’s power is not without limits. Twice sanctions from the Twin Empresses nearly bankrupted the Guild. This has caused the Brokers to walk a fine line between their economic interests and their Empresses’ equitable hands.

Loðbrok School of Sailing and Shipping

For those wishing to become sailors on the Titanic Ring, many will journey to the Loðbrok School in Zaigen. The school an institution that teaches sailing in all its many forms but with a specialty in merchant shipping. However, the school is also known for its cutting-edge naval combat techniques. Many graduates are headhunted after graduation and score lucrative positions in merchant convoys, government naval positions, or exploratory vessels.

Drautell

The small forest town of Drautell represents the main supplier of timber in Ambresis. Drautell’s forest are considered near sacred by its people as they represent their livelihood and future. For years there has been a great demand on Drautell as Zaigen and the whole of Ambresis has sought to expand. This has come to a head with Drautell’s refusal to install a Magna Rail line for fear that it would disturb the forest.

Vitis

Miners in Vitis journey into the mountains each morning to mine iron ore from the mountains. Using a flowing aqueduct, broken-up chunks of ore flow from the mountains into a great pit in the center of Vitis. Although demand is high, the workers of Vitis only work three days a week. This is partially due to the strenuous nature of the work, partially because the Twin Empresses decreed that all mine workers must gain one day of rest after working in the mines, and partially due to the creatures that dwell in the mountain. Miners speak of noises and shadows moving deep below the Ring. When the mines are two busy, the creatures advance further toward the surface. No creatures have been found after investigation, although this has not eased the anxiety of the miners. Many dread the day the creatures from below finally make their dreaded reveal.

Zaigenhaus

The sister city of Zaigenhaus sits on the coast of the Ambres Desert. It sits at the end of the Great Albeck Railroad and provides a port to ship goods from the rail around the Titanic Ring. As the importance of magna rails increases, Zaigenhaus only grows in importance in Ambresis. However, this has also attracted attention from not only the Dark Triad but also bandits. They come seeking to poach the excess goods like flies to carrion. For this reason, many defense contractors employ mercenaries to defend the magna rail transports from attack. Some come solely for money while others come to protect the life-giving river of supplies that keep hundreds of towns in the Ambres desert alive.

Eckhart

Once, in the early days after the Titanic Ring was reformed, the people in Eckhart cried out for relief. The Ambres desert took the weak while the skies refused to give rain. Eckhart petitioned the Twin Empresses for aid. In response, in 719 A.R., Ishin arrived in Eckhart on a ray of sunlight. Eyewitness reports say that the Empress blessed the people, and she relieved their sickness. Then, she blessed the livestock and made them hearty and healthy. Finally, she walked to the center of Eckhart before blessing the ground on which she stood. A great geyser shot forth from the cracked ground. Before long an oasis formed, which remains to this day, tied to the power of Ishin, giving life to the region. During times of drought the people of the Ambres desert flock to Eckart to receive succor from the gift of the Redeeming Empress given long ago. This gift has allowed Eckhart to thrive in the middle of the desert. One of the many stops on the Great Albeck Railroad, it is a distribution point for goods traveling across Saora. The Noble Broker’s Guild has one of its main offices (the Silver Keep) in Eckhart for this reason.

Ossberg

The Blue Sands of Ossberg hold a series of rare minerals. Workers venture from Ossberg each night from the city to mine the desert until late morning when it becomes too hot to mine the sands. Dysprosium, Praseodymium, Mithril, and various rare magical salts are taken from the Blue Sands. In 775 A.R. everything changed for Ossberg. Workers from Ossberg found a nugget of Zostrium weighing 0.8 ounces was found. Now, those seeking their fortune venture to Ossberg in hoping to find Zostrium. As of 777 A.R. 1.6 ounces of Zostrium was extracted from the sands, a total 7.8 billion gold pieces in worth. However, this has also attracted the attention of the Dark Triad and other malicious powers. Since the discovery of Zostrium, miners, usually outsiders seeking Zostrium, are under near-constant attack by everything from Mind Flayers to dragons. The Twin Empresses and the Count of Ambresis have both ordered additional defenses in Ossberg but this has not stemmed the tide.

Strausing

Home to the Great Forge of Morthwyl, Strausing was once the permanent home of the Titan. Today Strausing is a forging hub along the Great Albeck Railroad. Mastersmiths make their home in the middle of the desert, away from distractions, and hone their craft. Those looking for masterwork pieces often journey to Strausing.

Cardyria

The lush county of Cardyria is home to rolling highlands and magical glades. Cardyria’s people, taking after their countess, have become independent and strong-willed over the years. This norm has progressed to the point where calling someone “Cardyrian” is a synonym for stubborn. The Cardyrian way of life has produced some of the most talented mages, inventors, and performers during the 8th century. Bands like Part-Time Poet, Electric Acid, Lemon Confession, People Food, The Upstairs Neighbors, and Uncle Randy all started in Cardyria. Many scholars have sought to study the conditions imposed by Countess Lavatera to create such a period of excellence. Sadly, most are met with a rye smile and a door slammed in their face.

Bellataria

Sometimes known as the Jewel of the West, Bellataria was once a small fishing village. In less than a decade the town has evolved into a new city complete with illustrious spires, granite streets that are cleaned every morning at dawn, and an incredible number of theaters open to the public. The regional capital is one of the most prestigious on the Titanic Ring.

Storm Hold

The great palace of Lavatera, Storm Hold is a castle constantly surrounded in a blustering hurricane of rain and blue lightning. Some have said the Storm Hold is ostentatious with its thirty-two spires, half a dozen ballrooms, and an electrified outer wall that can send thousands of volts of electricity through an oncoming attacker attempting to breach the hold. When a local reporter asked if the countess believed the Storm Hold was superfluous, her response was that the reporter and most other Retainer Counts in Ardyria “have no taste.” Those who have entered the Storm Hold note the awe of the design. The mystic of the Storm Hold only grows since only a select few ever enter the castle since the countess is picky about visitors.

“The lightning is nice but I have a serious problem with all the stairs.”

- Countess Yasmin Yasser, when asked about her trip to the Storm Hold.

Glasshouse

Located in the heart of Bellataria, the Glasshouse is a conservatory for talented individuals. The institution, founded by Countess Lavatera in 728 A.R., seeks talent in all forms. Jugglers, illusionists, smiths, musicians, potters, thieves, and more all find their way to the Glasshouse. Those who pass the grueling entrance exam and performance find a near-limitless set of resources to help them hone their craft. Although a tempting place to stay, most leave the Glasshouse after a few short years of patronage. It is a tradition that those who have honed their skills eventually set out to leave their mark on the world. In recent decades the tradition has helped the Glasshouse grow in prestige. Many nobles will pay premium prices for a night watching the skills of a Glasshouse member. If a member of the Glasshouse gains enough notoriety they may even receive an invitation to play for the countess at the Storm Hold. This is thought to be the highest honor one could be bestowed.  

The Wolf Gate

Near the Storm Hold is a large silver archway known as the Wolf Gate. Those who pass through the gate find themselves in a pocket dimension filled with wild game in a vast forest. It is not recommended for outsiders to enter though. Inside the Wolf Gate dwells a great clan of werewolves known as the Storm Pack. Fiercely loyal to Bellataria and their count, the Storm Pack is allowed to live within the Wolf Gate. However, in times of trouble, the Earth-Bone Witch Lavatera has been known to open the gate and unleash the Wolves of the Storm. Those tracked by the Storm Pack rarely, if ever, escape. Many are drug before the countess a blubbering mess. Others are simply bones when returned to Lavatera.

Olben

Many entering Cardyria pass through Olben. This hub city ships goods all across Cardyria. From musician instruments to crops grown in the fertile countryside, Olben has it all. The city is also home to the Primordial Pass. This building contains a series of transportation runes that allow a person to travel between the Titanic Ring and the Primordial Ring.

Ravindorf

Nestled at the top of Savris’ Maw, Ravindorf is a place that most pass through to enter the northern half of Cardyria. Its elevation and climate make traversing the sheer cliffs and mountains around the city nearly impossible. Even in the winter months, workers must be set to clear ice from the tracks.

The city is split into two pieces: the upper city and the lower city. The upper city consists of storehouses, magna rail stations, and a series of shops for travelers passing through. Many officials conduct business in the upper city. However, the lower city which hugs the cliffs, is a different story. Lower Ravindorf is home to strange folk magics that wrap their way through the streets. Legend has it that centuries before the destruction of the Titanic Ring, a cabal of magics attempted to channel dimensions within the Cosmic Stack through different streets within the lower city. Their experiments left abnormalities in the lower city which manifest in unpredictable occurrences. While the locals have adjusted to life mixed with the strange, travelers often find themselves snatched by one of Ravindorf’s many secrets. The Twin Empresses have sponsored private rescue teams whose mission is to suppress these strange magic anomalies. These rescue teams, known as Spooks by the locals, risk life and afterlife each day attempting to learn the secrets within Ravindorf.

Varinthia

Do you know what happens in Varinthia? Most don’t. Even if you pass through the city that shines with a pale violet glow, you likely won’t remember you stay. At best you’ll have glimpses, flashes, of moments and memories. People with generational wealth walk in one morning and leave later with no memory, no money, and no recourse. The opposite is true as well. What happens in Varinthia? Only the Countess Lavatera, the Twin Empresses, and a few well-connected people know. For this reason many travel to Varinthia just to experience the strange amnesia that comes with entering the city.

Strem

This harbor town sits in the frigid north of Cardyria. For much of the year ice sits in broken chunks within the waters of Strem. However, during the spring thaw and the summer heat, Strem is a bustling town. Once it was larger, being one of the main trading cities for the continent of Xorgaddon, but that trade avenue has dried. While Strem isn’t the shining trade power it once was the people still make a decent living. Yet, in recent years, something strange has begun to occur off the coast of Strem. Since 770 A.R. ships have been found floating abandoned to the West of Strem. The ship’s crew are all missing with no signs of struggle. Curiously, the cargo all remains intact except for medicines and certain alchemical supplies which are always taken during the event. While these events are infrequent, the Strem disappearances have the locals concerned.

Titan’s Rest

Resting upon the cliffs of Kost with pristine forwards to the east, Titan’s Rest was once a vacation spot for the Titans. Technically, it still is to this day. Titans, like Zolona or Wierden, will occasionally return to the shores to rest. However, many now flock to Titan’s Rest to get away from their problems. The entire town is essentially a resort. Titan’s Rest is also heavily enchanted to create an even more relaxed environment. These enchantments keep drinks filled, outside communications out, anxieties low, and the temperature always perfect.