map by the marvelous Lei, aka Sergeant Evander KincadeOverall, the climate and landscape of the island are similar to those of Italy or other mediterranean countries: hilly, but with expanses of grassland, it's excellent for growing figs and barley. The climate is generally mild, though winter can be harsh; in summer it is very hot. The kingdom across the channel just to the north of Thiasa, Scalia, has a colder climate. Scalia is ruled by King Hadrian VII in name, but in fact most of its baronies are attempting to splinter off from the kingdom. The southernmost barony of Scalia, on the coast, is the Blauvelt Barony, which opposes King Hadrian VII; beside it is the Lilienthal Barony, which is still nominally loyal to King Hadrian VII.
*Heaton Fiefdom-Lord Bertram Heaton belonged originally to the Kingom of Scalia, across the narrow channel that separates the island holding Thiasa and the Barbarian Lands. However, he gladly surrendered to King Aedan's father, King Aelfric, when he began to conquer the uncharted lands, breaking away from his native Scalia. Supplied by ships from Scalia or lands beyond, Heaton Fiefdom's opulence rivals that of Thiasa Keep, and it's been called more frivolous. Like the other fiefdoms, Heaton consists of a central manorhouse, surrounded by a wall and outlying fields.
*Thiasa Keep-Built by King Aelfric when he was only Sir Aelfric of Scalia, the Keep is surrounded by a high stone wall which took longer to set in place than the structure itself, and nestles between branches of the Medi River. Also inside the walls is the bustling township where the majority of Thiasans live. For added security, the Keep stands on top of a hill, making attack extremely difficult. Surrounding the walled Keep are terraced fields cultivated by farmers, who grow figs, barley, and olives.
*Medi River-Slow-moving and not as treacherous as the Oran River, the Medi River keeps the farmers of Thiasa supplied with water, and provides a place for bathing, fishing, and recreation.
*Newbury Fiefdom-Granted to the Lord Cullen Newbury for his brave service to King Aelfric, when Newbury was only in his teens, it's now an established fiefdom, which Newbury keeps well-supplied by merchant caravans. It's a more austere fiefdom, dedicated to battle-readiness and poised in readiness should any barbarians attack.
*Lawley Fiefdom-Lord Elliott Lawley was a hard-bitten commander in King Aelfric's army, and he built Lawley Fiefdom after the first Barbarian Wars, leaving him just enough time to see a few years of peace in his own lands before he died. His son, Lord Darien Lawley, who has been in charge of the fiefdom for several years, has been called spoiled, reckless, and hotheaded... but he nonetheless does an adequate job of running the fiefdom.
*Oran River-This deep, treacherous, fast-flowing river once ran red with blood: on the occasion of the first skirmishes between the barbarians and the Thiasans. Now it stands as a barrier between the two lands, and few venture to cross its chill, dark waters. The barbarians occasionally venture to fish on their bank, and the Thiasan soldiers stationed on the other side do the same. It's become a truce zone... for now.
*River's End-River's End serves as a truce zone for the two tribes of the Baskar. Though traditionally enemies due to long difference in certain matters of religion, they meet here united against the dread enemy to the North, the Thiasans, with whom they are at an uneasy standstill regarding their lands.
*da'Endika Central Camp-This collection of enormous longhouses, wooden structures hung with animal hides, provides rest for all the greatest leaders under Warlord Endika's command. Surrounded by lush fields, where they allow their vast herds to graze, the camp is situated near a small river, which provides them with all their necessary food and water.
*da'Zeru Central Camp-Warlord Zeru lives similarly to Warlord Ekain. He too stays in a longhouse, but the doorflaps of his buildings must face east and never west. In addition, at the center of the camp lies a pyramid-like mound built from earth, to the top of which the Warlord ascends to pray to the Sungod, Eguzki, each morning.
(a note: 'da'' simply means 'the home of' and refers to the realm of the leader of the tribe)
Political Geography of Thiasa, the map and a gloss of the domains
