Ethis: A land of great size and span with four distinct realms of varying races, geography and nature. After years of civil war and infighting, the god Ethis, in an attempt to force peace, carved up his realm into four. He gave each of his children their own realm and named each for their new ruler. Thus the four realms were created: Azura, Calate, Zybar & Leoth.
Azura: Richest of the four realms. A peaceful province located on the southern seaboard of Ethis. Ruled by the much loved King Sylvan, his wife Arielle, and his only child and sole heir - Galyn.
Calate: Neighbouring realm to Azura. Mountainous and larger in size, but with less productive lands. After the sudden death of their elderly King, Calate is now ruled by his son, the tormented King Valdr.
Zybar: Sprawling desert realm across the ash sea ruled over by the aged King Torrik. Attacked Azura after the betrothal of marriage between his youngest daughter to Prince Galyn of Azura was broken without warning. Outraged and insulted when the prince married a Princess of Calate instead, King Torrik declared war on Azura.
Leoth: Island realm in the middle of the ash sea, located to the far north of Ethis. Inhabited by the Leothine race. The Leothine do not recognise a family of royals, and are ruled instead by a group of fierce warriors and sharp minds in the form of a ruling council. Feared by the rest of Ethis, Leoths are a formidable race who possess exceptional strength and fighting skills. Their lands are also rich in iron mining and subsequent steel production. Leoths are stronger when on their own territory and grow weaker when separated from their lands too long. It is believed this is because they receive regenerative power from the air and atmosphere of Leoth, their life force bound to its very core.
Leothine Translations
Varveh: A horse-like beast native to Leoth. Some variations of the species can fly, others swim, however most use land. They are loyal only to their Leoth masters, and are envied by the other realms as weapons of war.
Valka: The art of war as taught to Leoth men and women when they come of age.
Visier: Those gifted with the skill of the All sight. The ability to see into the past, present and future. Outlawed in most realms except Leoth where they are still very much respected.
Menodice: The anointed guards of The Court of the Moon. Chosen from the most skilled in Valka. They are required to take a vow of silence. The Menodice also serve The Twelve as concubines.
Lumiya: roughly translated as 'royal one'. A term of endearment.
Lakaari: Healer.
Velius: Brother.
Isdar: Leader of the Leoth council
High Visier: The messenger of 'The Dark One' on the mortal realm. Though Leoth's council judges crimes and passes laws, the High Visier is considered the voice of 'People and God' and is the highest order of the realm.
The Twelve: Twelve females selected by the High Visier as her closest council. From this group a 'Primed' is chosen to succeed the High Visier after her 'Thousand Moon Rule'. All of The Twelve have the gift of All Sight. Their gifts are quite undefined but they also have the power to alter the minds of others.
The Primed: The female chosen above all others to succeed the High Visier after the 'Thousand Moon Rule.'
Note: This story will feature the Leothine Language - a complete creation with a basis in a couple of different languages (namely the Scandinavian languages as well as some Gaelic thrown in for good measure). I won't be translating this entire language in the glossary because that would be insane, but I will try, where the narrative allows, to translate it in world.
Welcome to the Four realms.