The World- Varkess Map and Country Descriptions

The world of Varkess experiences biomes in a strange and unexplained way. Each country seems to have unique flora, fauna, and climate. Please note- the sheer number of unexplored land and islands is overpowering. The map below does not indicate any of them, so feel free to have your character discover a place of their own (though ask first please)! Also, the countries are all spaced much farther apart than the map tells you- they were crushed together for sake of space and clarity. As for Oceans, there are two- The Western Ocean and the Eastern Ocean. If you imagine drawing a line between the upper right corner and the bottom left corner of the map, the top triangle is the Western Ocean and the bottom is The Eastern Ocean. Each country has it’s share of bays and ports, and all of which could not possibly be plotted on a map. You’ll have to ask a local the best place to fish.



Note: The map was drawn- in all of it’s poorly executed splendor -by Ruby. If you want certain cities, forests, mountain ranges, or what have you, to be added, just specify where, and she’ll add it without too much complaining. Please, we encourage you to take control of the space and express you opinion for a richer experience!

Varkridge:
Perpetually wet and cold, with brisk mountain breezes, earth bound clouds of purple heather, and peat so golden and thick that it quiets the heaviest of boot steps. It would be a somber, quiet place were it not for the Northern Wanderers, skilled craftsmen and senior fun-havers. Diving Dragonback among their expertly carved masts that bob in the gray harbor, their whoops disappearing into the sky and tumbling, year long clouds of mist, you can’t help but feel a little thrill along your spine. These are proper, strong hearted, kind faced, people, but at the first sign of snobbery, cruelty, or threats to what’s rightfully theirs a sweaty red hue puffs to their cheeks, and their axes are unhooked from their belts before you you can begin to apologize. Spending their days exploring the numerous unnamed islands of Varkess and bonding with their beloved Dragons, they don’t take kindly to trickery or lying, and rarely travel South.

Varnae:
A country famed for frivolous eating, masterful architecture, and beautiful forests, this is a land of plenty, drama, and of clashing nobility, all surveyed by the Queen Violet. The forests are dappled in buttercups, berries, and ivy-twisted old things that lend escape from the buzz of civilization. These woods are quiet. Nearly… too quiet. Spending their days munching on bite sized dragons and wearing fang jewelry and stuffing the playful Hippocamp, this progressive Utopia sends creature after creature into the past. No nibbly drakes to lazily nudge their horns against your fingers, or crispy circles of grass that indicate a wicked battle. If you want to see Dragons, best go to a posh breeder or spectate the bi annual Games Of Claw, where the best dragons are pitted against each other in a myriad of entertaining challenges. The losers are cooked up and served at the festival that takes place after the Games. The Wanderers aren’t fond of the Varnaens. Not in the slightest.

Vargriff:
Religious peasants live in muddy poverty down in the swamps of Vargriff. The day of work begins with prayers, said to oneself as the milky light of an orange dawn flutters across your shoulders, then perhaps a lean out the window and a great breath of the black mud, of the gnarled, growing things, the tangled thorny things, and the long, delicate grasses. Meals are sparse and silent. They do with little, because they need little, little but the feel of a shovel in their grasp and a wide brimmed hat on their head. This is nowhere land, country land, talk to the animals land. And what animals! While Dragons rule the North, every other creature you could imagine holes up in the south. Griffins, Hippogriffs, Hippocamps, Mermaids (the friendly swamp variety affectionately nicknamed Mudmaids), Unicorns, Pegasus. Eventually, the bugs just leave them alone, these peaceful swamp people. Friendships learn that distance is not enough to break them, and charity is a way of life. This is the west side of the country. The East is thick, wet, rainforest, with towering trees, strange flowers, and colorful Dragons. Few people live here, for the dangers of the jungle are infinite.

Varsell:
Sandstone ports line the coast, full of hardworking men and women who have lived their lives learning to work with the desert and its many dangers. And then, there are those who come to this country to hide from their crimes, rebels, outlaws, thieves, etc. They are of the many residents of this dry country, and while most of them go about their lives close is the less harsh environment on the coast, some live in the small towns built around the many oases dotting the desert. Some have built houses along the river of Bocel, others make work building canals branching off from the river. Their king, an old man with a temper harsher than the desert, is ridden with incurable illnesses that have only gotten worse. His two sons sit waiting for his demise, though they will have a fight of their own to decide who gets the throne. Overall, the monarchy of this country couldn’t be worse off, and because of their lack of initiative to force out criminals from other countries that come here to seek refuge, the towns and cities in this country aren’t much better off. For transportation, they use Hippogriffs, which are found in herds all over the desert. They are easy to train if you get them young enough, and are the fastest way from point A to B in the desert.