Bhrea (BRAY-ah)
An empire made up of a central state and annexed nations like Algara. There are several subcultures within Bhrea, but they are united under a common government and religion. It is surrounded by ocean to the north, west, and east, and the Sopangya and Peritam Rivers are the southern border. Shares the southern border with Zulda.
Terrn (tairn): The capital city of Bhrea, located the Verimar River and nestled into the eastern reaches of the Gendekh Mountains. Distinct features of the city are the Temple of Joss and Desera Suskem.
Avet (AH-vet): A major Bhrean city on the confluence of the Verimar and Sopangya Rivers in the Detma Forest. It is an ancient city and the former capital of the Altiyet Empire, a regime that existed several centuries before the Bhrean Empire. It is known for having older buildings carved into the trunks of enormous trees.
Detma (DET-mah): A city at the northern edge of the Detma Forest, from where the city gets its name. It is largely industrial, serving a base for mining and processing porya.
Jessel (JESS-el): A major city on the far western side of the Gendekh mountains, one of the oldest cities in Bhrea. It was founded by an extinct culture called the Jolans. It has extensive harbors and is the center of trade on the western coast.
Betsaida (bet-SIGH-dah): An old city from the days of the Jolans, it rests in the foothills of the Bakisjam mountains and on the Kevrisar River.
Akrima (AK-ree-mah): Another old city from the days of Jolan Empire, Akrima sits amidst the marshes of southern Bhrea, near the confluence of the rivers Sopangya, Tokri, and Leminaal. Akrima has several different cultural influences–from a unique southern Bhrea tradition to Zuldan (from when it was occupied by a Zuldan consulate for many years).
Getsjibet (GET-zhih-bet): A city founded by the Pronegh when they migrated from the southeastern plains to the eastern coast. Surrounded by pine forests and the Bakisjam mountain range, Getsjibet is known for its quiet beauty and peacefulness. Many poets write of Getsjibet, Selinar being the most famous.
Dejdima (dej-DEE-mah): Another city founded by the Pronegh, it rests on the eastern coast and is the main avenue of trade along the eastern coast.
Choza (CHOH-zah): A city in southwest Bhrea, surrounded by the towering Gendekh mountains and the smaller Kelimat range and resting on the innermost point of the Gezimar Bay. It has received cultural influence from Bhrea and Zulda. “Choza” is the Bwe’at name, while other Bhreans call the city “Jossar.”
Algara (ahl-GAHR-ah)
Derived from the Bhrean phrase “cold profit.” It is the frozen lands to the north of Bhrea proper, populated by tribes that collectively call themselves the Faghaena. Algara is rich in porya, thus the Bhrean interest in controlling the territory.
Zulda (ZUHL-dah)
The kingdom to the south of Bhrea, called Zahai by its native people. The capital city is Chel on the River Hukar. Though surrounded by harsh desert, the River Hukar provides an oasis stretching from the Brenya Sea to the western ocean. Zuldans consider the River Hukar their lifeline–the bringer of life and civilization. Throughout history, the grasslands and desert land between Zulda and Bhrea have been subject to war between the two countries–both major and minor. Over the centuries, the border has fluctuated as one country’s power and influence grows and recedes. At times, Zulda controlled as far north as the Bhrean city of Akrima.
Chel (chell): The capital city of Zulda and the largest city along the River Hukar. Even by non-Zuldans, it is considered a gem of the great desert that surrounds it–with beautiful buildings, clean streets, and the aroma of many fruit trees.
Kturan (ktur-AHN): The northernmost major city in Zulda, on the River Hukar and almost reaching the Iqiq Bay that leads to the Brenya Sea. It is a city of commerce due to its proximity to Bhrea, though the trade routes through the desert are treacherous. Thus, it has an extensive harbor with ships that go through the bay to the Brenya Sea to reach the eastern coast of Bhrea.
Paluptiq (pah-LOO-pteek): One of Zulda’s major cities on the western side of the continent, sitting at the edge of the Hukar Delta. It is also an important city for trade like Kturan, but on the opposite coast. Its trade routes extend all the way to the Amnasi Islands
The Syant (syahnt)
This area rests between the River Hukar and the Sopangya. Though no central power controls this area, it is still occupied by numerous tribes that call themselves the Sehyhet. Over the centuries, both Bhrea and Zulda have controlled this region.
Amnasi Islands (am-NAH-see)
A group of islands to the southwest of the main continent, inhabited by people who called themselves the Amnasi. Though united under a common culture, there is no central government. Each town/city may be lead by a Chief, but that is largely an informal role–usually occupied by the wealthiest and most well-connected person. Towns and cities are largely independent–even the languages can be unintelligible from village to village. Some outsiders have observed that over one hundred languages exist on the Amnasi Islands, not including the linguistic pidgins used for commerce. Amnasi culture is ruled by tight competition and trade–the best ways to survive on the islands. An Amnasi is born with a given name and family name, but at a young age earns another name based on an achievement–anything from a successful trade deal to surviving in the jungle for a certain amount of time.
Sum Ba (soom BAH): The largest city on the central island in the Amnasi Islands. It rose to prominence after its Chief arranged exclusive trade deals with Bhrea. Its harbor rivals any in Bhrea or Zulda. It is also famous for being close to the great mountain in the center of the island, known as the mountain of god. A secretive class of priests reside there to conduct rituals to please Am Dash.
Gorindae (GOR-ihn-day)
A colony named after the Bhrean king who acquired it, meaning “land of Gorin.” It is a tropical island far to the southwest of Bhrea–across a large portion of the western ocean. It is rich with precious metals and gems. It is part of a chain of islands called the Amnasi Islands by its native people, the Amnasi.