The Geography of Ballicore

Ballicore would compare favorably with North America in the mid to late 17th century. The only significant differences would be Ballicore having more unexplored territory and using magic instead of emerging technology. The main concentration of settlements lies in a band between the seacoast and the Tarnished Mountains, beginning at Chion's Reach in the north to Vespersea and then thinning to sparse hamlets all the way down to the South Arm. Several groups of islands have been settled as well, foremost among them the Hithers where most mining activity occurs. In addition, the Gallows lie at the southern end of the explored territories and small islands inhabited by tiny fishing colonies and hermits dot the coastal waters between Chion's Reach and Vespersea. There are settlements west of the Tarnished Mountains, but they are relatively small and isolated because of the difficulty reaching them posed by the Tarnished Mountains.

SETTLEMENTS:

Vespersea is the largest settlement on Ballicore with a population of ten thousand. It is one of only two towns of any size on the mainland and serves as the conduit from the Ballicorean heartland to Chion's Reach and the inhabited islands. Vespersea's harbor is deep and protected by a breakwater. Tidepusher, the famous lighthouse powered by the strong currents that swirl past it guards the end of the breakwater and is the sight most rigging monkeys look for when vessels approach the harbor. Three long granite wharves extend from the cobbled street that curves around the harbor. Numerous taverns and boarding houses line the inland side of this street, while streets fan out into the city proper. Vespersea is divided into three sections; the mercantile area spreads in a narrow fan from the docks halfway to the edge of town. The main residential area and the small square surrounded by three temples and the town council building lie north and west of it. South of the mercantile district lie the slums where the poor, the insane and the criminal element live in uneasy proximity. Because government has been in such disrepute until recently, Vespersea's council has been reluctant to try anything that might cause unrest in the poorer neighborhoods. One other notable feature is the prison that dominates a barren islet off the southern edge of the harbor. Despite efforts by the council to maintain humane treatment standards, this is no place you would want to find yourself.
Chion's Reach is the second largest settlement and lies on the edge of the northern unexplored area about two hunded leagues north of Vespersea. Most of Ballicore relies upon shipments from Chion's Reach for finished timber and salt fish. The plentiful forests of gray and black spruce provide a good livlihood for many of its inhabitants. the town lies at the end of a long narrow fjiord. Strong tides bring schools of fish to the harbor where they are caught in large pens before being split, salted and dried for shipping. A network of rough roads fan out south and west to smaller settlements that are the heart of the timber trade. Water-powered sawmills make processing the logs an easy and profitable task. In fact no less than seven rivers or large streams flow into the fjiord. Chion's reach has a small town council but there are no direct roads between the town and Vespersea. Some say this is by choice as there is a strong sense of independence among the residents of the reach.
Blessed and Fierone are the only towns found on Blessed and Lesser Hither islands. These lie three days southeast of Vespersea. Blessed is the more civilized town with several nice inns and shops as well as a small cargo facility in the dock area that facilitates transfer of ores out and finished goods and lumber in from docked vessels. If there is such a thing as a vacation spot on Ballicore, Blessed and Fierone would qualify. Blessed attracts families and the wealthy because of its relative isolation while still providing a sense of being civilized and having several nicely secluded beaches. Fierone, on the other hand, lies on the tropical side of Lesser Hither and attracts rougher, primarily male visitors. The island is divided by a steep cliff that splits the center of the island. When warm ocean breezes hit it, they cool quickly, resulting in significant rainfall on the eastern half of the island and arid conditions on the western side. The gem mines lie in dense jungle and in some places reach better than five thousand feet below the surface. Miners are constantly being bitten or stung by several species of poisonous snakes and insects, necessitating the presence of competent healers on the island. There are also several naturally heated pools in the jungle that are reputed to have magical healing powers although no formal research has been done to prove or disprove this. Fierone proper has Ballicore's only house of ill repute.
Lesser Gallows Harbor lies far to the south. The town sprawls up the steep ridge that forms a half bowl around the harbor and those who are fortunate enough to live at the top have one of the most spectacular views on the planet. Verdance and Glimmertime are particularly pleasant here, but by mid-Harvestway you can feel the grip of Icefall approaching from the mysterious waters to the south. Storms during that season can be particularly brutal, often lasting more than a week with frigid gales that form ice so solid the daring have been known to skate for a full day before having to turn back. Lesser Gallows is renown for its scholars and for the large covered shipyard where vessels are built and repaired. Culture blends with covert lawlessness in the harbor. Perhaps that is why Bion Pikelasher settled here more than a hundred years ago.

LESSER SETTLEMENTS:

Fetlock's Meet lies halfway between Vespersea and Tarn Estates. The town features a nice inn and a competent stablemaster. The Verging Mary, famed for losing her train of thought in mid-sentence and Lubber, the blade master are often found in the inn. Fetlock's Meet lies in the heart of orc and gray wolf country which accounts for the stone wall and rugged gates protecting the town.
The Hedgerow on Yenson Flowage lies northwest of Vespersea. Kallista Wolfblood's uncle, Mervyn owns a significant portion of the town including the prosperous gristmill and the moneykeeper's house. In addition, an extremely talented, but mysterious metalsmith practices his craft in the Hedgerow.
Tarn Estates isn't a town, but more closely resembles a large Spanish hacienda. Owned by the mysterious Tarn and managed by Wordhin, father of Elspeth the Huntress, it lies on the Wyre Flowage and encompasses several hundred acres of orchards, vineyards and fields. It functions as the unofficial waystation for those travelers daring enough to try passage through or around the Vulture Plains on their way to the tunnels through the Tarnished Mountains.
Coughlin's Burrows is the only major settlement west of the Tarnished Mountains and lies at the foot of the mountains just south of the main tunnel exits. Wyatt maintains a fine inn and this is where Clymer, the only smith on Ballicore with skills adequate to repair magic weapons plies his trade. The townsfolk farm, hunt and do a bit of trading with the smaller settlements to the north and west.
Searson's Crossing lies in the foothills of the Crags of Dread. It is perhaps the most isolated village on Ballicore. The residents raise sheep and cattle and there is a small mine that provides a unique type of gemstones with properties that are significantly different from those mined on Lesser Hither Island. In the years since the Battle of Farrow's Pass, the villagers have formed a trust and friendship with the Snow Lords who live high up in the Crags.
Thylon'sVale is northwest of Searson's Stopping, about halfway to the Chrons and Farrow's Pass. Gildred and Dahilia Lostin live there along with Ozone's younger brother who is a pretty good woodwright himself. The residents support themselves by farming, selling fine wooden items and by harvesting rare plants with unique properties from the dense swamp that lies west of the village.
Kree's Fief and Brittle's Crossing are towns southwest of Coughlin's Burrows. the fief is a manor town surrounding the house of Lord Douthwick, a self-proclaimed noble who assembled his lands and fortune by a combination of bullying and shrewd trading. He is perhaps the only trader who has had any success negotiating with the fishermen and seclusive folk who live on the coast of South Arm. Brittle's Crossing, while independent of Lord Douthwick, lies due north of his lands and many of the residents are dependent upon him for their livelihood. It was at the inn in Brittle's Crossing where Kallista made her ill-fated decision to bed and then rob Lord Douthwick's son, thus setting her on the path that became Like A Thief in the Night.

IMPORTANT PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY

Mountain Ranges:

The Tarnished Mountains extend from the South Arm all the way to the unexplored regions and lie a hundred-fifty leagues west of the coast.. Until recently, it was believed that the only way to traverse them was through the underground tunnels just beyond the Vulture Plains. Rumors have surfaced recently about a northern route that follows a series of cuts and canyons some hundred leagues north of Coughlin's Burrows, but nobody has actually verified its existence.
The Crags of Dread lie two hundred fifty leagues west-northwest of Coughlins Burrows. They are bleak and forbidding in appearance, reaching an elevation of nineteen thousand feet at their highest point. They form a rough circle and are not easily traversed save for a steep and little used trail southwest of Searson's Stopping. It is rumored that their higher elevations hold caches of rare gems and Elven treasure.
The Chrons, home of the famous Farrow's Pass, lie almost due north of the Crags of Dread. They are low and appear far older than other mountain ranges on Ballicore. The foothills are unsafe, in part because ghosts of men killed in the Battle of Farrow's Pass roam their twisting gullies, but mainly because Guardian Wyverns fly through the skies overhead and attack anything that attempts to pass through. On the western side of the Chrons lies a mysterious ruin beside what appears to be an ancient road. There is an invisible force preventing anyone from skirting the Chrons to investigate.
The Humblers are the most massive and mysterious mountain range on Ballicore. They lie five hundred leagues west of the Tarnished Mountains and dominate the horizon. Little is known about them save their intense blue color and high canyons. Vague rumors have circulated regarding an imposing building located at the end of one of these canyons.

Other Interesting features.

The Valley of the Talking Rock King lies deep in the Tarnished Mountains. It is almost impossible to access except by accident from the underground tunnels or from the air. The Yenson Flowage begins at one end, fueled by the glaciers in the high peaks above. The valley's proximity to volcanic activity has made it almost tropical. A living stone known as The Talking Rock King rules over the valley.
The Vulture Plains lie due west of Tarn Estates. They are a bleak desert-like region that is inhabited by various predatory creatures of terrifying proportions. A stupifying haze hovers over them, seeming to suck the very life from the purple tinted air. Most who want to reach the Tarnished Mountains skirt as much of them as possible.
The Inland Sea is another tropical oasis in the midst of a temperate climate. It lies due east of the Chrons and is about thirty leagues wide. The island at its center harbors the Way Temple, a mysterious monastery that trains magic users in the more advanced aspects of this art.
The Tiled Gorge is a massive set of falls due east of The Hedgerow. The Yenson Flowage forms several amazing cataracts as it crashes downward on its way to the sea.
Omiden's Swamp is due south of Tarn Estates. Elspeth's godmother, Omiden makes her home there among masses of flowers, clouds of butterflies and the last remaining flock of Swamp Ravens. She has discovered dozens of rare and potent plants in the swamp that she uses to prepare healing and other magical potions.
The Underground is the name given to the endless series of passages under the Tarnished Mountains. Tunnel Trolls and huge venomous spiders live there in wary proximity to each other. Caches of Elven treasure are hidden in false walls and behind waterfalls, while potent plants like Silver Cavegrass and Parson's Toadstool can be found if you know what to look for. Bion Pikelasher has a scroll that refers to similar tunnels in other areas of Ballicore, but none have been found.

The rest of Ballicore remains undiscovered. Most of what can be observed from the tops of mountains and the rigging of ships is an unbroken span of dark and forbidding forest. Perhaps Berek and his companions will find time in future books to explore and bring back tales from these unexplored realms.

If you have reached this point, please take a moment and give me your impression of my universe as well as the description of Ballicore and the characters in Sojourn. you can email me with your comments. Thank you.

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