A Basic Introduction to the World of Tvara

The world is a vast place, populated by a multitude of cultures and races. Central to this are the three continents which make up the known world. They are called Olvera, Thane, and Hrothan. While not being a complete history or geographical compilation of information on the continents, the nations which exist there or the peoples which inhabit it, this introduction will go into some basic detail as well as provide some information on the grander-scale topics, such as the Elder Gods and their various names within the different cultures.

Olvera
This is the hub of civilisation, the place from which men and elves--and the Thekulsela before them--emerged. Central to this continent and spanning a large portion of it's western coast (spanning from the northern glaciers to the mountains which separate it from the realm of the dark elves) is Imperial Llysander, the Empire of Man. The history of the Empire is long and ripe with strife, war and a generous sprinkling of religion. South of Llysander, beyond the mountains, is the dark elven Kingdom of Tolaran. West from Tolaran you will find a vast, primeval, forest of enormous hardwood trees (mostly oak, beech and ash, but also with the occasional poplar or redbud). This is another elven nature, those who call themselves wild elves, of Maharan. Even further west, beyond more mountains, lies a vast desert with an ancient, mystical lake at it's heart. This is the realm of the so-called high-elves, with golden skin and ornately painted eyes, under the jurisdiction of their god-like Queen--a land called Avalorn.

Now we move east, beyond the lands of the elves and beyond the Empire, over the enormous mountain range which separates the heart of the continent from the western coasts. This vast grassland which seems nearly boundless is called Vasari and is home to the nomadic tribes of the strangest men who have, for many millennia, tamed and bred perfect horses. The furthest south-eastern stretch of this plain is desolate and ruined, some ancient curse having destroyed all possibility of life upon it. This wasteland is called Athara and is home of the King of Liches, Vardnan, and his sycophantic Necromancer Lords. It is a theocracy of the highest order, were it's few living inhabitants bow in utter worship of the Lich King, whose desire for godhood destroys all reason within his mind.

Finally, we move north and west. Nestled in a small valley between the forks of the vast central mountain range which separates Llysander from Vasari is the City of Carthys, a magocracy governed by a ruling body of powerful wizards and magicians who, for thousands of years, have guided the directions of the world according to their prophecies.

The continent itself is quite vast, spanning more than a thousand leagues from the Crested Mountains in the far east to the Sea of Olvera in the west. The vast grasslands of Vasari extend for nearly eight hundred leagues from the Crested Mountains to the spinal range which separates it from the coast. From the northern glaciers to the southern Middle Sea, the continent extends for almost a thousand leagues again. The climates and cultures of the continent vary wildly. From the nearly eternal ices of the Frozen Sea north of Llysander, to the desert of Avalorn, from the dense forests of Maharan to the near endless grasslands of Vasari.

Thane
Unlike Olvera, which has many cultures, Thane is almost entirely dominated by it's own Thanish Empire. Unlike Llysander, which exists beneath it's Emperor and is run by a two-body government (separated into the Senate and the Parliament), Thane has an Emperor but localised power is held by the Warlords. These individuals are constantly fighting with one another, taking land and prestige as they can, with the Emperor rarely able to exercise too much force, lest his Warlord's turn on him.

Like Olvera, Thane is a vast land with varying climates and landscapes. Little is currently known about it's geography, however, and so there can be no deeper look into it. What can be stated, however, is that two other cultures of elves inhabit the continent--the deep elves and the sky elves--as well as one small kingdom which seceded from the Thanish Empire almost two hundred years ago.

Thane lies to the east of Olvera, connected--yet separated--by the mountains which Llysandans call the Crested Mountains.

Hrothan
Information on Hrothan is rare. What is known is that it lies to the south of Olvera and Thane, separated by the Middle Sea, and that it is populated by dark-skinned humans and an ancient, brutal species for which the continent is named.

As more information is made available on this uncharted land, it will become publicly accessible here.

The Elder Gods
Those who exist. Who require no observer, no follower, no worshipper. The Elder Gods simply are. They are four in number with many names being attributed to them. They are:

Carthys	Llysander	Avalorn	Thane	Domain
Arion	Arius	Arün'wé	Arohni	Time/Sun
Charyon	Charius	Laénür	Lenahi	Space/Matter/Stars
Elyssa	Elyssia and Elussia	Aélysü	Alishya	Energy/Power/Moon
Crevyn	Crevius	Cānüs	Canini	Destruction/Rebirth/Comets

A note on Elyssisa and Elussia, they exist as separate entities as, in the doctrine of the Arionite Priesthood of Llysander, it is mentioned that in his jealousy of Arius, Crevius separated her into two goddesses.

The Lesser Gods
The Lesser Gods differ from the Elder gods in that they change from culture to culture--or in the case of Llysander, are omitted entirely--and are entirely dependant upon their worshippers for survival. The Lesser Gods are born from belief and, thus, are sustained only through belief. The multitude of Lesser Gods, however, is not for this document as they number almost uncountable.

Final Words
While it has been good to offer some information to this world of magic, it is time to bring this document to an end. I should hope that you will keep an eye for more of my works in the future.

Signed Sen. Corius Mareius Arthus