Aorea is a world much like Earth, full of variety in climate, culture, and population. There are six continents: Faerie, Nomansland, the Kemdarian Region (Old Sier), New Evra, Dahrigek, and Pendra, each of which is considered habitable…although not necessarily for humans. The borders between peoples upon each continent are ill-defined at best and often completely disregarded; however, the Kemdar (centaurs) take their territory very seriously, and see any uninvited trespass as a gross violation of their sovereignty. However, most other boundaries are considered relatively permeable, especially in such continents as Nomansland, New Evra, and Faerie, where no one species holds prominence. As Aorea is a parallel (and parent) planet to Earth, the placement of the six continents is relatively similar, with three continents in the eastern hemisphere, two in the western hemisphere, and one in the north.
FAERIE
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| Faerie landscape is mostly rain forest. Photo from here. |
Faerie is the largest and most famous continent of Aorea, as humans have always wandered in and out of that mysterious and ever-changing region, whether consciously or otherwise. Located in the eastern hemisphere, south of both Nomansland and Kemdar, Faerie is the native home of the Nietherans (unicorns). The climate of Faerie varies widely and is subject to change based upon the expectations of the individual experiencing it. However, for the most part, Faerie is filled with dense forest, varying from healthy rain forest in the south to temperate swamps in the north. There are many rivers, lakes, cliffs, and mountains throughout Faerie, each known by a thousand different names, and the changing landscape makes mapping the continent rather problematic. The Nietherans live predominantly in the rain forests of the south, but they have been known to roam throughout the continent upon occasion. Faerie is also the native home of Pixies, Brownies, and the many other types of Fae whence the continent gets its name. Outside of the Olde Isles—home of the Dracora, the oldest species (see
Legends of Aorea: Origins of Life for more information on the Olde Isles)—Faerie embodies the most magic, which is the lifeblood of Aorean existence.
NOMANSLAND
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The Endless Forest in central Nomansland protects
the Spinner's Sanctuary. Photo from here. |
Nomansland is located in the eastern hemisphere, north of Faerie and west of Kemdar. Southern Nomansland has a temperate climate, mostly forests with sporadic fields and farmlands. Numerous towns and villages, connected by the trader’s paths, dot the landscape, with larger port cities along the coast lines. Nomansland is home to Leshii (the mobile spirits of birch trees, always female, with flaming red hair and bright green eyes), several Lanti (see
Peculiarities Explained: The Lanti for more information), and a hodge-podge of other species and creatures who, for whatever reason, chose to live there. In the center of Nomansland is a particularly dense and treacherous woods known as The Endless Forest, a name it receives from its tendency to loop back on itself, creating the illusion of going on forever…unless, of course, a traveler knows how to navigate the twisting paths. The Corin Mountain form the southern border of the Endless Forest, which conceals and protects the Spinner’s Sanctuary, where the Spinner and her Nietheran Guard reside (see
Legends of Aorea: The First Spinner). North of the Endless Forest is the Alpines, which is mostly pine trees and a few settlements of Evrae (wood elves). The furthest north of the Alpines is known as Everfrost and is the birthplace of the Evrae. Nomansland is the primary setting for the
Circle cycle.
KEMDARIAN REGION
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The Kemdar rule over the plains and plateaus of the
Kemdarian Region. Photo from here. |
The Kemdarian Region (Old Sier) is a wild continent of plains, plateaus, sparse forests, and jagged cliffs. Technically the Kemdarian Region and Nomansland are one landmass, but a colossal, winding sea known as the Seperit Sea serves as the border. Mountains north of the sea further emphasize the border, which is more of a cultural and climatic barrier than a physical one. Huge lakes and rivers further divide the Kemdarian Region into countries, each one ruled by a different Kemdar tribe. The Kemdar are a very territorial and warlike species, and furthermore they consider themselves to be natural enemies of the Nietherans (who, incidentally, could care less about the supposed feud, and furthermore prefer to stay in the warm rain forests of southern Faerie). However, the Kemdarian Region was once populated almost exclusively by the Sierrens (see
Legends of Aorea: How Humans Came To Be for more information), at which point the entire continent was called Sier. Currently the Sierrens—greatly reduced in population—reside in a small country within the southeast of the Kemdarian Region. Kemdar constantly push the boundaries of the Sierren territory, and so the vast majority of the Sierren population stay confined to the underground city of Chell, as the Kemdar’s hooves make it difficult to navigate the slick subsurface stones.
NEW EVRA
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New Evra is the most mountainous continent in Aorea
and home to the largest Evrae colonies. Pic from here. |
New Evra is the northernmost of the two western continents. Originally unpopulated by sentient species, when the Evrae population became too much for the Alpines to support, they sent expeditions on ships across the ocean, thus founding New Evra. Prior to the colonization by the Evrae, New Evra had no name and served mostly as a hunting ground for the Dracora. New Evra is the most mountainous of the six Aorean continents, making it an extremely attractive home to the Evrae, who prefer higher altitudes and evergreen forests. (
Spoiler alert!) New Evra also becomes the refuge of the surviving humans who flee Earth following a nuclear holocaust…but that’s several stories in the future (see
Legends of Aorea: The Wolf Queen and the Tiger King for more spoilers). New Evra is the primary setting for the
Haven cycle as well as for
Guard: Searching for the Star.
DAHRIGEK
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Dahrigek is the most treacherous of Aorean continents,
home to harsh and volatile creatures. Pic from here. |
Dahrigek is the continent located south of New Evra in the western hemisphere and is commonly considered to be the most treacherous of the continents due to the creatures who populate it, such as the Giantis and Dimeldor (see
Legends of Aorea). The northern parts of Dahrigek are mostly jungle and rain forest, but the central and southern portions are almost exclusively desert and thus, inhospitable to most species. Jagged mountains in the south are home to the various Giantis, and a few troublesome strands of Pixies nest in the northern jungles. Dimeldor’s lair can be found on an island off the southwestern coast of Dahrigek. The magic of Dahrigek is harsh, dark, and complicated, and only the bravest (or most foolhardy) of magicians should attempt to control the This continent is the primary setting of
The Love of the Necromancer, the second book in the
Circle cycle.
PENDRA
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Pendra is located at the north pole of Aorea and is
home to the Fresians. Photograph from here. |
Pendra, like Faerie, is full of ancient magic. Surrounding the north pole of Aorea, Pendra is the coldest continent and also uninhabitable to most creatures; however, Pendra makes a fabulous home for the Fresians (snow elves), who carve castles out of the ice and grow specially engineered grapes to form a truth-bearing wine called vere. Pendra is home to several other species, but none of them sentient. The Fresians trade across the northern seas with the Evrae in New Evra and Nomansland. The perpetual cold and frost make Pendra a harsh but beautiful continent, and the closeness with which the Fresians keep their secrets makes it especially mysterious. No human has ever set foot on Pendral soil, as the land itself is held sacred by the Fresians. Even the Evrae, out of respect for their sister species, try to avoid landing their ships without express permission from Fresian leaders. Nietherans and Dracora are the only race the Fresians allow to pass freely over their lands, as these magical creatures do not violate the sanctity of their snowy paradise.
