Huna
A large reddish-orange moon, Huna rotates the planet on a monthly basis. Ridges mark its surface, and it exhibits some volcanic activity. The presence of Huna and her two sister moons has caused nocturnal predators to thrive on Terra and Darin, and most scholars believe the three moons are also responsible for the planet's unpredictable tides. The water usually fluctuates about six spans, but records indicate swells of seven spans, three hands, and two and a half fingers.
Sirius
Also known as the Trickster by the general populace, this moon has what looks undeniably like a face etched into its surface, and most consider it bad luck to stand under Sirius when it is full. This moon orbits the planet at the same speed that the planet rotates, locking it over the continents of Terra and Darin. This causes it to always be overhead and to wax into existence each night and then wane away in the morning. Sirius has much more volcanic activity than her larger sister Huna, and the lava flow is responsible for its somewhat frightening countenance. Due to the volcanic activity, the moon’s surface is always shifting, causing its face to distort and change slightly. This phenomenon is exacerbated by Aura, the third and final moon.
Aura
A small blackened moon with a purple hue emanating from its edge, Aura orbits Sirius and seems to absorb light from her larger volcanic sister. This phenomenon is what causes Sirius’s face to shift and change by the hour. Not much is known about Aura, and the question of whether or not it is a moon at all has been the source of some debate.
THE MOONS OF DARIN AND TERRA
THE GREAT HOUSES OF DARIN
House Lochling
Sigil: Stag
Location: Darkloom
Flag: Red stag on black fading downward to gray
Other notes: The second largest source of iron in the realms, though a much harder area to mine than Creed due to the frozen ground.
House Stoneridge
Sigil: Bear
Location: Ardendale
Flag: Green bear on checkered cloth of red and gold
Other notes: A magnificent town surrounded by lakes, ancient architecture, vast gardens, and old money.
House Morison
Sigil: Crocodile
Location: Riversplit
Flag: Green crocodile on a field of gray intersected with a black X.
Other notes: Small settlement on the edge of one of the great bayous. Leather is their main export, and traveling through here is the safest way to Darkloom.
House Willfort
Sigil: Raven
Location: Norinspire
Flag: Silver raven on a black field
Other notes: One of the three great houses that governs the capital. Their house is known for shrewd negotiation.
House Bowman
Sigil: Tree
Location: Norinspire
Flag: White tree with green-and-black diagonal stripes
Other notes: One of the three great houses that governs the capital. Their house is known for incredible patience.
House Duvan
Sigil: Bull
Location: Norinspire
Flag: Black bull on a field of purple fading to yellow
Other notes: One of the three great houses that governs the capitol. Often at odds with House Bowman, as they are a bit more rash and eager to get things done.
House Talamer
Sigil: Scarab
Location: Blackbarrow
Flag: Yellow scarab on a field of black
Other notes: Blackbarrow has recently been taken by the blight. So far the scientists of Darin do not know the source of the tainted ground and vegetation. The Academy would love to get a sample of the vegetation for testing.
House Hibarb
Sigil: Shark
Location: Grenisport
Flag: White shark fin and waves on a field of blue
Other notes: Largest port town in Darin. Nearly all import and export of goods to and from Terra, including slaves, go through their harbor.
House Rocktell
Sigil: Lion
Location: Windmore
Flag: Red lion’s head on a field of black, dotted with seven white stars
Other notes: Largest importer of slaves and home to the Coliseum. The Rocktells are known for ruthlessness and a savvy business sense.
House Lawlen
Sigil: Anaconda
Location: Ellisfjord
Flag: Green snake on checkered red and gold
Other notes: The second biggest port town in Darin. Most importers and exporters do not go through here unless they carry something less reputable, as the bayou discourages honest trade by its very nature.
House Stolle
Sigil: Wolf
Location: Swordbreak
Flag: Black pack of wolves on an orange field
Other notes: A militant people who mostly abstain from realm politics. Swordbreak is surrounded by steep cliffs and has a single mountain pass for an entrance. House Stolle has historically stayed out of realm wars, and Swordbreak has never been taken in recorded history, even during the War of Iron and Blood.
Systems of Measurement
Fingerspan: the average width of a finger, often just referred to as a finger
(~1 in. or ~2.5 cm.)
Handspan: the average width of a hand, often just called a hand
(~ 4 in. or ~10 cm.)
Stride or Pace: the average distance of a step, or half a span
(~2’-9” or ~0.8 m.)
Span: the average height of a person
(~5’-6” or ~1.7 m.)
Story: the average height of a single floor of a dwelling, or about two spans.
(~11’-0” or ~3.4 m.)
Brick: based on the average weight of a brick used by a mason in the realms.
(~10 lb. or ~4.5 kg.)
Monetary Increments
Topaz flakes
Typically used for food, a room for the night, small goods, etc.
Ruby chips (worth 10 flakes)
Typically used for larger goods and services such as tools or weekly wages
Sapphire shards (worth 10 chips)
Typically used for horses, farming equipment, and other more expensive goods
Diamond fists (worth 10 shards)
Typically used for homes or other large expenditures
Emerald crystals (worth 10 fists)
Typically used for business transactions between the extremely wealthy and jewelry for nobles
Moonstone orbs (worth ~100 crystals)
Typically uses are unknown; moonstone is nearly unattainable. Small pieces have been hoarded by nobles, but most have been lost over the centuries.
Note from the translator: (There is another sentence written here that has been scribbled out entirely.)
NOMENCLATURE
THE FORMER GREAT HOUSES OF TERRA
House Kilmond
Sigil: Badger
Location: Ebonstall
Flag: Metallic black badger on a field of black
Other notes: Ebonstall is home to the greatest temple to the thirteen gods. House Kilmond has always been extremely militant and provided much of the force that initially invaded Darin. Massive black walls ten spans in height surround the city and were built even before the Academy was diligently recording history.
House Wynmar
Sigil: Octopus
Location: Lancaster
Flag: Purple octopus on a field of white
Other notes: The town of Lancaster was nearly reduced to rubble during the War of Iron and Blood. It has since been rebuilt but is nothing compared to its former glory.
House Coben
Sigil: Leopard
Location: Creed
Flag: A golden leopard on a field of black fading to green from left to right
Other notes: Major production has always come from mining. Creed was often engaged in the numerous wars between Terra and Darin and was historically the source of fighting between the two realms.
House Lockney
Sigil: Ant
Location: Brineveil
Flag: White ant hill on blue field intersected by a yellow cross
Other notes: House Lockney always worked very closely with House Estiger. The two of them were of the same mind on most political issues, and they often mistrusted anyone not from the sands. Neither Lockney nor Estiger participated in the War of Iron and Blood, and their respective noble houses were both spared.
House Estiger
Sigil: Hippopotamus
Location: Swiftbell
Flag: Metallic gray hippo on yellow-and-black checkers
Other notes: Swiftbell, also known as the Emerald in the Sand, is home to the largest flourishing desert town. The river and lake provide much of the resources needed for life.
House Ruxnor
Sigil: Wolverine
Location: Stonewood
Flag: White wolverine on a plain black field
Other notes: A small settlement with major exports of lumber, precious metals, and coal. They do have large deposits of iron as well, but it is much easier to extract from Creed.
House Dristwell
Sigil: Boar
Location: Ravenstar
Flag: Silver boar on black-and-white checkers
Other notes: The town mostly revolves around the Academy. Students come from all over, even Darin, to learn at the Academy. House Dristwell put a lot on value on knowledge and money into the Academy before the War of Iron and Blood.
House Calidis
Sigil: Stallion
Location: Ramos
Flag: White horse on a plain green background
Other notes: One of the three great houses that governed Ramos. House Calidis used to be the glue holding the Darin nobility together, and they led the initial conquest into Darin.
House Valenstar
Sigil: Rhinoceros
Location: Ramos
Flag: Gray rhino on a red field with a cross of orange
Other notes: One of the three great houses that governed Ramos. House Valenstar was known for their involvement with infrastructure and city planning. They can be traced back to the origins of many of the great features and ancient structures filling the city.
House Orilen
Sigil: Hawk
Location: Ramos
Flag: Purple bird on a field of black
Other notes: One of the three great houses that governed Ramos. They were known for opposing the war initially, but that did not spare them at the end of it.
PANTHEON
Aethia: God of Judgment
Gender: Female
Facets: Justice/Vengeance
Symbol: A bird perched atop a set of scales
Depiction: A woman with high cheekbones and a proud-looking face. Her light side is blindfolded and carries a set of scales. Her dark side has empty sockets and a falcon on an arm.
Typical worshippers: Rulers, Justiseers, city guards, and law-abiding citizens
Amara: God of Love
Gender: Female Facets:
Love/Lust Symbol: A flower
Depiction: An extreme portrayal of the feminine form. Her light side is often depicted with a baby in hand. Her dark side is clad in very little and suggestively posed.
Typical worshippers: Common folk of all types, brothel workers, and anyone looking for love
Borix: God of the Sun
Gender: Male
Facets: Driven/Stubborn
Symbol: A plow tethered to a water buffalo
Depiction: A large man with long hair pulled back and a scraggly beard. His light side is usually shown working alongside his buffalo, Kargo. His dark side is typically portrayed riding on Kargo’s back and wielding a scythe.
Typical worshippers: Farmers, botanists, and hard-working common folk
Durno: God of the Forge
Gender: Male
Facets: Protection/Jealousy
Symbol: A hammer and anvil
Depiction: A man with a close-cropped beard. His light side is often portrayed as an artisan wearing a leather apron. His dark side is clad in plated armor with a warhammer in hand.
Typical worshippers: Blacksmiths, carpenters, masons, glaziers, and laborers
Evintri: God of Hope
Gender: Female
Facets: Hope/Denial
Symbol: A harp
Depiction: A beautiful woman proportioned more realistically than Amara. Her light side is often sculpted or painted with a swollen belly. Her dark side holds a harp and wears a knowing smile.
Typical worshippers: Bards, common folk of all types, and anyone looking to get pregnant
Isidri: God of Faith
Gender: Female
Facets: Kindness/Weakness
Symbol: A candle
Depiction: A woman wearing the long, flowing robes of a priest and always with face covered. Her light side keeps her head bowed in respect. Her dark side looks outward with shrouded features.
Typical worshippers: Priests, common folk, merchants, and slaves
Korinth: God of the Ocean
Gender: Male
Facets: Confidence/Arrogance
Symbol: A net and spear
Depiction: A bare-chested man with well-toned muscle, clean shaven, and always smiling. His light side carries a spear. His dark side holds a net.
Typical worshippers: Fishers, sailors, privateers, and merchants
Malthean: God of War
Gender: Male
Facets: Honor/Wrath
Symbol: Shield crossed by sword and spear
Depiction: A man clad in light plates of armor. His light side holds a spear and a plain unadorned helmet. His dark side holds a two-handed sword, and his helm is covered in spikes.
Typical worshippers: Soldiers, politicians, and privateers
Otix: God of the Moon
Gender: Male
Facets: Cleverness/Deceit
Symbol: Sirius
Depiction: A plain-looking man, clean shaven. He typically wears a well-cut suit, and nothing changes between his light and dark side except perhaps his expression.
Typical worshippers: Aristocrats, thieves, assassins, and anyone else who is more than they let on. Otix is often worshipped in secret, and therefore, it is hard to judge the full extent of those who follow him.
Pirel: God of the Hunt
Gender: Female
Facets: Courage/Abandon
Symbol: A bow nocked but undrawn
Depiction: A wiry woman draped in furs and a painted face. Her light side holds a bow. Her dark side holds a hunting knife or occasionally just clutches an arrow by the shaft.
Typical worshippers: Hunters, tanners, and common folk
Rula: God of Law
Gender: Female
Facets: Truth/Derision
Symbol: A book and gavel
Depiction: A tall, thin woman in a clean suit. Her light side wears spectacles and carries a book. Her dark side needs no glasses and carries a large gavel.
Typical worshippers: Government officials, Justiseers, guards, and law-abiding citizens
Sashesh: God of Ambition
Gender: Ambiguous
Facets: Success/Complacency
Symbol: A multifaceted gemstone
Depiction: They are depicted as a well-dressed noble with high cheekbones and prominent features. Their light side is often shown in deep conversation. Their dark side is usually shown with arms crossed in condemnation of overindulgence.
Typical worshippers: Nobles, merchants, slaves, and anyone who is trying to climb the social ladder
Usin: God of Weather
Gender: Male
Facets: Prudence/Pessimism
Symbol: A storm cloud
Depiction: An older bearded man typically wearing traveling gear. His light side is calm and collected and carries a walking stick. His dark side wears a cynical gaze and bears a ball and chain.
Typical worshippers: Common folk of all types, farmers, desert cultures, and travelers
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