Post by jonathiel on Sept 27, 2009 0:28:11 GMT -5
Alva
Set on the North Eastern part of the Kingdom of Arlaydia, the outpost of Alva is one amongst many. Enclosed by big redwood trees, giant oaks and a variety of trees native to the slopes of a mountainous region that extend to the north giving it an ideal temperature for growing such great flora. The fauna is what one would expect of such setting. Moose, elk and a variety of deer find their home amongst the trees and are hunted by animals such as wolves, though these are twice the size of normal ones found elsewhere in the land, bears and mountain lions. The seasons are marked and easily recognizable. Autumn provides cool refreshing winds form the northern mountains that signal the coming of winter. The trees shed their foliage and carpet the forest floor as if in an effort to cover it as a loving mother relinquishes her coat to her child. When the first snow falls it is a signal for many animals to migrate and the woods and skies are full of retreating animals heading south towards the kingdom’s capital in search of greener pastures. Rivers freeze and lakes become still blocks of ice. Once winter strikes, it is hard to reach the outpost by foot unless you have time and equipment available. Once spring arrives the overflowing rivers provide life and dress the trees in bright greens and crisp colors of wild flowers. Birds and animals return and the sounds of life appear once more. Summer is not much different than spring only in the many festivals that occur on the surrounding villages. Temperatures stay within reason from crisp 60 degrees in the fall to below freezing in the winter back to 70’s in spring and summer would reach a max of 90. It is this extraordinary conditions that allow for the girth of such trees. There are many trees whose ages are far beyond that of the kingdom itself. The circumference is such that 50 men joined hand by hand would have a hard time hugging the tree. These threes are called Ancients and it is believed by the rangers of Alva that they are the spirits that look over them in their patrols.
Alva itself is no big architectural marvel. It is no bigger than 3 acres in perimeter. A wooden palisade protects the encampment and rises 10 feet high and two feet thick. The wooden gates open like two massive doors made of hard oak and they lead to the practice and parade grounds. Directly in front of the entrance is the Main hall were the administration and ceremonial procedures occur. It is a single story building that houses the office of the Master of the outpost and his dormitory. A banquet hall that doubles as a war room and it also holds a small library. Directly to the west of it is the barracks. These are a long house that holds 200 rangers from novices to veterans. The simple structure runs along the west side of the palisade. To the East of the Main hall are three buildings, an armory, a supply warehouse and stables where they keep their pack animals and a few fast horses for delivering official messages to the Capital. The rest of the outpost serves as a place to drill and train.
The landscape of the area is mainly forest, thick and mainly undisturbed by man which makes the outpost hard to find if you don’t know where to look and if you do it is isolated enough that few people come by it without purpose. The dense undergrowth provides great defense and surveillance opportunities for the rangers stationed in Alva. About five miles to the north a series of mountain ranges can be seen. Slightly to the west running almost parallel to the western wall is a deep lazy river from which the rangers draw their drinking water and bathe. The only road leading to the outpost joins two small villages to the south. Mainly farmers and people who work in the quarry to the east of the outpost. The villages are small with no more than 200 or so men in each plus women and children.
The name of the keep is worthy of note too. It stand for Dawn in a language long forgotten. Though small the light it provides to this region is praise worthy.
Jubal
Traveling Harper and Historian
Set on the North Eastern part of the Kingdom of Arlaydia, the outpost of Alva is one amongst many. Enclosed by big redwood trees, giant oaks and a variety of trees native to the slopes of a mountainous region that extend to the north giving it an ideal temperature for growing such great flora. The fauna is what one would expect of such setting. Moose, elk and a variety of deer find their home amongst the trees and are hunted by animals such as wolves, though these are twice the size of normal ones found elsewhere in the land, bears and mountain lions. The seasons are marked and easily recognizable. Autumn provides cool refreshing winds form the northern mountains that signal the coming of winter. The trees shed their foliage and carpet the forest floor as if in an effort to cover it as a loving mother relinquishes her coat to her child. When the first snow falls it is a signal for many animals to migrate and the woods and skies are full of retreating animals heading south towards the kingdom’s capital in search of greener pastures. Rivers freeze and lakes become still blocks of ice. Once winter strikes, it is hard to reach the outpost by foot unless you have time and equipment available. Once spring arrives the overflowing rivers provide life and dress the trees in bright greens and crisp colors of wild flowers. Birds and animals return and the sounds of life appear once more. Summer is not much different than spring only in the many festivals that occur on the surrounding villages. Temperatures stay within reason from crisp 60 degrees in the fall to below freezing in the winter back to 70’s in spring and summer would reach a max of 90. It is this extraordinary conditions that allow for the girth of such trees. There are many trees whose ages are far beyond that of the kingdom itself. The circumference is such that 50 men joined hand by hand would have a hard time hugging the tree. These threes are called Ancients and it is believed by the rangers of Alva that they are the spirits that look over them in their patrols.
Alva itself is no big architectural marvel. It is no bigger than 3 acres in perimeter. A wooden palisade protects the encampment and rises 10 feet high and two feet thick. The wooden gates open like two massive doors made of hard oak and they lead to the practice and parade grounds. Directly in front of the entrance is the Main hall were the administration and ceremonial procedures occur. It is a single story building that houses the office of the Master of the outpost and his dormitory. A banquet hall that doubles as a war room and it also holds a small library. Directly to the west of it is the barracks. These are a long house that holds 200 rangers from novices to veterans. The simple structure runs along the west side of the palisade. To the East of the Main hall are three buildings, an armory, a supply warehouse and stables where they keep their pack animals and a few fast horses for delivering official messages to the Capital. The rest of the outpost serves as a place to drill and train.
The landscape of the area is mainly forest, thick and mainly undisturbed by man which makes the outpost hard to find if you don’t know where to look and if you do it is isolated enough that few people come by it without purpose. The dense undergrowth provides great defense and surveillance opportunities for the rangers stationed in Alva. About five miles to the north a series of mountain ranges can be seen. Slightly to the west running almost parallel to the western wall is a deep lazy river from which the rangers draw their drinking water and bathe. The only road leading to the outpost joins two small villages to the south. Mainly farmers and people who work in the quarry to the east of the outpost. The villages are small with no more than 200 or so men in each plus women and children.
The name of the keep is worthy of note too. It stand for Dawn in a language long forgotten. Though small the light it provides to this region is praise worthy.
Jubal
Traveling Harper and Historian