Special Chapter Five Point Five The Varixyies Region
1.1k 3 20
X
Reading Options
Font Size
A- 15px A+
Width
Reset
X
Table of Contents
Loading... please wait.

The Varixyies region is a highly mountainous and forested region near the center of the Altis Continent. The region is famed for its rough terrain and stable weather. It is generally warm year-round in Varixyies. The region regularly gets gentle rains, but snow is only found near the higher elevations. Two major rivers can be found in the region. The smaller river, Yutal, feeds into the larger river, Vulkira, near the largest settlement in the area. The Town of Arcs.

Arcs is not only the largest settlement in the region, but its commercial center. The vast majority of trade in the region runs through it. Small ships and transports regularly move goods down the river. Most of the land near Arcs is just as rocky and forested as the rest of the region, which makes the ground unsuited for farming. Some land near the river, however, is flat enough for farmers to grow crops. The river is not only important for trade here in Arcs, but it is also the town’s main source of freshwater food. Like most settlements, the town of Arcs is surrounded by high walls. Near the outer walls is the town garrison. Manned mostly by a mix of infantry, archers and mages. Like most towns in Varixyies, the local military and militia forces do not use cavalry. This is primarily due to the fact that the entire region is poorly suited to cavalry.

The local townships, however, maintain a number of roads that are passable for horses, but only the local breed. Which are smaller and better built for the local terrain. The local horse breeds are quite strong and well suited to pulling heavy loads while also being decidedly nimble on rough terrain. Their small size makes them a poor choice for riding, however. They are often used for transporting goods and occasionally for pulling small carts. Local carts are designed with special wheels that allow them to function on the rough terrain. The wheels are wider and sturdier than the ones made elsewhere. The axles on the cart are made thicker and with tougher woods. In addition, mages often enchant the wheels and axles to prevent them from being broken or ensnared. All of this means that only the wealthier families in Varixies can afford a cart. Most people who own carts are merchants. Most people who own a horse don’t bother with a cart and just use saddlebags to carry what goods the horse can take with them.

Horse Riding is a skill that, to say the least, is rare in Varixyies. The locals, however, are used to walking in rough terrain and can navigate it as easily as others would flat terrain. Allowing them to make better time in the forest and mountains than foreigners would. Most people living in Varixyies are hunters and spend a lot of time in the woods tracking the dangerous beasts that make their home here in Varixyies.

Common monsters like goblins and orcs can not be found here in Varixyies. Rylarks are among the most common of the local monster. These cowardly bird monsters rarely attack unless they have a significant numerical advantage. They are fairly large birds. Their bodies are covered with scale feathers that are typically colored black and red. Their most prominent feature is a long supple tail ending in a stinger. Rylarks are renowned for their natural mind magic and special venom. Their venom makes its unfortunate victim highly susceptible to mind magic.

Male Rylarks typically scout for prey, and when they find a suitable victim they sing to alert the females of prey. Their preferred prey is young girls. As soon as the females hear the singing of a male, they will begin to gather, and when sufficient numbers have gathered they will attack. They typically use their numbers to distract their prey, while one of them moves in from behind to sting the target. Once their victim has been stung they will then use mind magic to exert their will on their victim. They will then bring their victim back to their nest and lay their eggs in said victim, or eat them alive. Neither fate is considered pleasant.

The next common monster to be found here in Varixyies is the Spineback. Spinebacks are actually a fairly gentle monster species and are not known for killing people. An adult Spineback can grow to be nearly ten meters long. They are named for the long and thick spines that grow on their backs which are their chief defense against their biggest predator, Dragons. Their diet is composed mostly of plants and rocks. Their large size and sturdy muscular frames make them natural siege weapons. While being gentle creatures they have been known to attack human settlements, mostly because they want to eat the buildings. Which is why they are considered monsters. Spinebacks are also famous for being very deadly when angered. Their long spiked tails are deadly weapons, and their thick hides can easily shrug off most attacks both physical and magical. Bringing one down often took an army, equipped with siege weapons such as the ballista.

Vorlaks are among the most feared of the local monsters. They are the stronger monster counterpart to the Lyzardi, a beast species common to the area. They have large wolf-like bodies, and they are covered in sturdy scales. They have thick sturdy spiked tails and a venomous bite. Their venom is a powerful paralytic. They are deceptively fast, despite their large size. Fortunately, unlike their smaller beast cousins Vorlaks are solo predators.

The deadliest monster in Varixyies is the dreaded Drava. These bipedal lizards are very fast and have been known to spit acid. Their hide is resistant to magic, and their coloring gives them excellent camouflage in the forest making them hard to spot. The Drava are a species of predator found only in northern Varixyies. Typically found hunting in packs.

The region itself is under the dominion of the Kingdom of Kamisoli, whose capital lies in the neighboring Ukova region. Economically, Varixyies is the chief producer of several valuable commodities for the kingdom including Ironwood, Leather, with valuable variants like Spineback Leather and Magesteel. Magesteel is a magical alloy used in the production of mystical weapons and armor. As such, it is the most valuable commodity produced by the region. Ironwood is also highly prized as it is sturdier than normal wood, making it useful for buildings and weaponry. 

The result is that the local economy is strong, and much wealth flows through the land. Thanks to a steady flow of commerce, migrants are attracted to the area. Most of the people who come to the area settle along the river in the large towns there. Which are also the chief agricultural producers in the local area. In addition, most of the local trade flows along the river and associated towns.

Voros is one of many villages in the region. Voros has a good location a couple weeks travel south of Arcs. The local villagers are mostly hunters and leatherworkers. Some of the local families also work with Ironwood. Many of the trees in the local area are Ironwood trees, making them a source of the valuable wood. The Contreys have been a long-standing mage family in the village and chiefly produce valuable potions and magical items that are the family's main source of income. In recent years, some members of the family have moved to surrounding villages and towns. The Village is also built on a nexus, a point of convergence for several ley lines, making the site highly valuable to mages. Also of import is the fact that the area is home to several Solune Groves. Solune bulbs are prized medicinal plants that produce a gel that, when properly refined, can be used to heal any wound. In its raw state, however, it is highly toxic and skin contact has been known to cause severe rashes, followed by peeling skin if contact is maintained. Ingesting the stuff is typically fatal. Solunes are also known carriers of a nasty, if typically non-fatal, parasitic virus called Bovi. The Contrey’s maintain magical wards around the local Solune Groves as a means of protecting people from contracting the virus or stupidly poisoning themselves by touching the Solune bulbs.

Harvesting Solune gel in any significant quantity is a difficult and dangerous task that the Contreys undertake themselves. Many of them are practiced in the creation of specialized protective barriers for the task.

There are many villages along the Drakian mountain range. The Drakian mountains are rich in valuable metals, including Mythril and orichalcum. The mining villages in these mountains are in constant need of labor and protection. Bandits regularly ambush trade caravans transporting the valuable metals to the towns in the river valley below. As such soldiers are regularly recruited from the towns below to patrol the roads and riverways. 

The Kingdom also regularly recruits from Varixyian towns and villages to fill the ranks of its army. Varixyians make poor horseman, but they do make great foot soldiers. Since many of them make a living hunting in the foothills and forests of Varixyies, they tend to make great archers. Most of these recruits end up patrolling the only real border between the Kingdom and the Dragon Clans. Varixyies is also home to two passes into Dragonsreach, which is where the Dragon Clans make their home. Neither pass is guarded by kingdom troops, nor is there a fortress in the passes as would be typical for mountain passes on a border. The main reason for this is the fact that both passes are home to dragon nests, making passage through the passes dangerous, to say the least.

Varixyies is well known for Dragon sightings. The Acuie Mountain range in northern Varixyies is home primarily to Frost Dragons and Drakes. At the lower regions, Frost Wyverns can be found. These species are more commonly found on the colder northern slopes of the mountains and hunt primarily in the Frozen Wastelands. Other races of Dragon can be found in the Drakian mountains to the east and the Syra mountains to the south. This includes the common fire dragons. These dragons regularly hunt in the surrounding territories. Dragons favor prey, such as Spinebacks, cows, horses, Ogres, Trolls and other large creatures. Humans are often ignored as they barely qualify as a snack. Female dragons have, however, been known to attack human settlements, but contrary to popular belief they are not looking for food.

20