Story Map: Asialdan

So now that I know people are actually going to read my blog post because of my networking on twitter, I guess I'll describe some of the important aspects of it. Like the map.

This is the map that I painted for the Legend of Asialdan. I will go through and explain each area.

The continent of Onaesean (left land mass):

Vautlan (the top left corner of the map): Vautlan is the land of the dwarves. Its terrain is mountainy, snowy, and so, so, so, so cold. Not somewhere I would want to live. The king and queen are unknown, but the land seems to run itself. Dwarves are very independent and self sufficient.

Haalirith (below that): Haalirith is the home of the sun elves. The sun elves have a history of violent behavior, which is why they are separate from the high elves. Sun elves also have a crystallized source of light magic stored in their territory, so they are able to forge holy weapons without the druid god's power. The ruler of the land is the lazy, carefree Queen Arora. Since she is so inattentive, though, her son Prince Lorenzo takes care of most of the work around the kingdom.

Knodagh (the small area below Haalirith): Knodagh is the land of the orcs. The area is a desert; it's dry, cracked, and a little sandy. The orcs don't really have any allies, as they, too, are known for their aggressive, brutal behavior. Over half of the land is still plagued by the disease sent over by the demons in the second Great War, but there is still enough space for their war-loving people. King Matuk and Queen Ghak rule this land.

Nydaemos (the very bottom, left corner of Onaesean): Nydaemos is home to the serpent people. Blessed (or maybe cursed) with the power to see the future, the serpents normally have no visitors to their muggy, dark, rain forest like land. In the very middle of Nydaemos sits a lake by the name of Qobirb. It is known to many people as the lake of the past, because it shows you the memories of your past that mean the most to you. The land is ruled by the strange, yet humorous King Iltot.

Yayri (the bottom right of Onaesean): My personal favorite. Yayri is the land of the demons. It's dark, warm, and a mix between barren land and lush growth. The more you move away from the castle, the more alive it becomes. Yayri is the reason for both Great Wars, and the reason that Asialdan is always so on edge. After the second Great War, when the king of the elves killed Piers Hawtrey, king of demons, Piers' wife took control of the kingdom, and has made the land prosper. Queen Ai is the sole ruler, but she is assisted by her daughter and military commander, Amicia, and her son and heir to the throne, Corren.

Liliveth (at the very top right of Onaesean): Second favorite. Liliveth is the land of the religious, peaceful high elves. Their land is built around and into the vast forests, and they try their best to live with the animals and life around them. Liliveth is also home to the oasis of life. Many elves go here to communicate with the druid god Almedha, and some even get changed by it. Liliveth is the - if you will - "police" of the world. They try to keep all the races at peace with one another. The land is rulled by King Druindar, and he is assisted by his son, Elariand, and his daughter Pyria.

Sevialla (in the very middle of Onaesean): Sevialla is the neutral grounds of Onaesean. Any race can go here and meet up without fear of harm. However, deaths and fights still happen, but are prevented as much as possible by the guardian who lives there.

Adrion (the far right continent): Adrion is the home of humans. After the first Great War the humans were 'banished' to this land by the elves for their own protection from the demons. They have quite a bit of the continent settled, however, a lot of it is still unexplored. There's a rumor that Adrion houses a gateway to the Underworld, but no one knows for sure. The land is ruled by King Knell, and the military commander is his son, Edmond.

Aadda (the continent in the middle of the map): Aadda is the trading grounds between Onaesean and Adrion. This is to prevent the humans from traveling to Onaesean as much as possible, and vice versa. Humans are the most delicate creatures of Asialdan, so certain protections must be in order for them (per the elves.) Only the northern half of Aadda is explored, though, so what else is on the island is a mystery. Some say there are hunters lurking in the forest.

Let me know what you all think!

-Megan Ransdell

#amwriting #ammapping #amwritingfantasy