General Layout:

The Kingdom of Cynalon sits on the southeastern shores of the continent of Brun on the plant of Arret. Arret has one moon and it is named Selune, after the Moon Goddess. The planet has an Earth-like environment and comparable gravity. Arret's sun is much like our own and is named Celestian after the Sun Good.

Celestian is smaller than Earth's sun. Because of this, Arret actually orbits closer to the sun than Earth. The Arretian year is 336 days long. For game simplicity, the year is divided into 12 months of 28 days each. Due to this, all life spans in the game are increased by 10% to make up for the shorter years. The months and days use our standard names for simplicity.

There are several distinct regions outside the kingdom. On the Southeastern coast is the old Keln Imperium. Keln, an Archmage from Alphatia, claimed this area. He was quite evil and invited several evil religions into the country. The most powerful of these were the Hextorites and the Cult of Set. Gateway was a city that was recently conquered by Cynalon a few years back. Gateway is situated on a plateau that overlooks the rest of the Keln Lands. The mountains north and south of Gateway are the Graystone Mountains. The road between Gateway and Crossroads is Graystone Pass. Gateway is about 100' above the rest of the Keln Lands. Several paths wind their way down from the plateau.

On the coast to the west lies Cynalon where most of the action takes place. The people are predominantly human, but there are some demi-humans. On the coast between Athenos and Kingsport is an area called the Shires. This is an area of heavy halfling concentration. They were originally independent, but later accepted Victor the First as their human king. Several halflings were fellow adventurers with Victor the First and given titles in this area. The halflings get the benefits of being part of a greater kingdom while still being somewhat independent. (In)Famous halflings such as Bernice, Rat, and Rooster are from these lands.

You'll note that Cynalon completely surrounds the Dorwynn Elfholds. The elves did help Victor the First, but chose to remain independent. The internal arrangement of the Elfholds is unknown save to those who are Elves. The Elves go to Crossroads and Pyris for trading and take the goods back into their lands. They are said to heavily patrol their lands. The Elves of Dorwynn are clannish in nature and have characteristics common to their clan. Some clans use their given names with the outside world, while others develop outside names. Names that they feel better fit their personality.

To the north of both Keln and Cynalon is Rockhome. This is the land of the Dwarves. Like the Elves, their internal arrangement is mostly unknown. They do make trading runs to both Crossroads and Gateway.

North of Cynalon and the Elfholds are the Broken Lands. This is an area of savagely twisted lands. It is the home of many, many Humanoids. Great hordes of humanoids have been raised in the Broken Lands in the past, sweeping across the continent like a plague.

Further west lies the Atruaghin Clans. These are simple tribes that somewhat resemble American Indian cultures. Each tribe has a sacred animal totem and derives their name from that totem. Some of the tribes include the Children of the Elk, Children of the Tiger and Children of the Turtle.

Further northeast in the Sea of Dawn lies the Isle of Neverwinter. For the past 15 years it was the Isle of Everwinter, a place locked in perpetual winter conditions. But that curse was recently removed and it is now a far more pleasant place.

Exact details of the northern part of the continent are not known at the present. Here is what is known to be true. Along the north East Coast live various barbarian tribes. They are not true barbarians, in the sense of the word, but rather cultures a bit more savage and a bit less advanced. They resemble the classic Vikings.

There are reputed to be wandering tribes that live on the great steppe to the north. They are supposedly the remains of a Jennite colony. It is believed that they call themselves Ethengar. The Ethengar are cavalry based warriors.

The mountains in the northwest are reputed to hold many monsters of various types.

There are many islands south of the main continent. Among these are the Ierendi Islands, a place where quality ships are built and a vacation paradise, Komman, an island of warrior cast people, and the Phelang City-States, a former part of the Keln Imperium that is locked in a state of civil war.

Further south of this map lies the Thanegoth Archipelago, a string of islands that is reputed to be a pirate's haven.

To the West, the Atruaghin lands continue along the coast. North of that the plains and hills give way to the Great Desert. After a many week journey over this desert, you'll come to the Land of Fate. There is some minor trade with these lands and the City of Elcadan.

Further north, you'll come to the wasteland of Vaasa. Here many Humanoids and other creatures live. The Witch-King Zhengyi is reputed to hold power here from his mighty Citadel. Also in these lands is the lair of the Lich Lords, the lost City of Oos. Along the coast are more barbarian tribes.

To the East, further along in the Sea of Dawn is the Isle of Dawn, holding colonies from Alphatia and the nation of Thotia. East of that is Alphatia Island.

Rivers and Lakes:

The famous Streel River runs from Athenos to far off in the continent. It also bisects Elcadan. The Streel forks just south of Elcadan. The portion that flows from Elcadan to the Southern Sea is called the Arbandrine River. The part that flows between Lake Amsorak and the Arbandrine is the Mond River.

The river that merges with the Streel between Elcadan and Athenos is the Helleck River. Up at Corunglain, the Streel is the right hand fork. The left fork is the Vesubian River.

The Windrush River travels past Kingsport and up to Alexandria. It is a large river that sees much travel. Kingsport Harbor is off of the Windrush River, as the city is not directly on the ocean coast.

The largest lake in this area is Lake Amsorak. On its Far Western shore are the ruins of old Elcadan. There are several islands in it as well, most too small to be shown on the map.

Cities and Towns:

Alexandria - (pop. 40,000) - This is the newest of the large Cynalonian cities. It is the capital and has the Royal Palace. It is located at the confluence of several rivers. The Windrush has direct access to the sea. In addition, the Kings Road leads to Kingsport in the south and Crossroads to the north.

Kingsport - (pop. 70,000) - This is the Kingdom's major seaport. It is an overcrowded city. Much trade and many foreign ships can be seen here.

Elcadan - (pop. 50,000) - A huge amount of goods are manufactured in this city, making it a trading power. Two sets of waterfalls are located in the city. The northern part of the city is higher than the southern.

Athenos - (pop. 30,000) - The second best port. A small city located in the hills. Athenos has a thriving port district, while the wealthier live further up on the hills overlooking the town.

Pyris - (pop. 6000) - Pyris has a sizable lumber industry and some of the finest woodworkers in the kingdom. Due to its location between Elcadan and Crossroads, Pyris sees plenty of caravan traffic. It has a large number of inns, taverns, and stables. Pyris is renowned for its hospitality and is a favorite stop over for many.

Gateway - (Pop. 5000) - A city that was heavily devastated during the war. Just recently claimed and re-construction continues to this day. One of the Pillar Artifacts is underneath the city.

New Keln - (Pop. Unknown) - This was once the best ocean port in New Keln. Its current state is unknown. It is suspected that the Hextorites control the city and sanction many of the pirates that plague the Southern Sea.

Corunglain - (Pop. 7500) - This is a large fort and walled town. It is situated where the two rivers meet. It was built to stem the tide of Humanoid invasions.

Restenford - (Pop. 600) Small village on the southern shore of Lake Amsorak. This is the place where tribes from the Atruaghin Clans come to trade. It's also a stop over for adventurers on their way to either the Ruins of Old Elcadan or the Undermountain Dungeon under Itheldown Island. Recently reclaimed.

Lettered Areas:

A - This is the location of Shieldtree, an Elvish Village.

B - The locaiton of Fort Fletcher, now fallen to humaniods.

C - The locaton of the ruling city of the Barony of Stone Ridge, now fallen to Humaniods.

D - The location of Fort Runnels, now fallen to Humaniods.

E - The location of Rennydale, ruled by Lord Cavious.

F - Location of the village of Twin Forks.

G - Location of the Ruins of Old Elcadan.

H - Itheldown Island - Location of the Undermountain Dungeon constructed by the Archmage Halaster.

I - Location of the Towers of Gaz. Another Archmage who created three great towers. Only the dungeons level of the towers remain. However, each is believed to be 10 levels deep!

K - Location of Ilefarn, a recently reclaimed dwarven city.

R - Sharadin's Keep. Formerly Karn's Keep, and before that the Citadel of the Lich Queen Varalla. One of the Pillar Artifacts is underneath the Keep.

S - Ruined city where the Seekers had several adventures. Defeated a tribe of Humanoids there. Later on they defeated a green dragon and a demon. Another of the Pillar Artifacts is located underneath this ruined city.

T - Location of Shadowkeep, the obsidian palace of Keln. Reputed to be a very deadly place, but filled with treasure and magic beyond imagining.

W - Village of Whispering Hollow

Division of the Kingdom:

The Kingdom is divided up into numerous Duchies and Baronies. No one has yet to achieve the level of Count in the Kingdom. There are two somewhat distinct areas to the Kingdom, the Inner Kingdom and the Outer Kingdom.

The Inner Kingdom, the southern part of the Kingdom south of the mountain ranges, was the first part settled. Victor the First was the leader of a band of adventures, many of whom received titles and became the first Nobles.

These include the present day Duchy of Vorloi and includes the Barony of Dmitrov. The Duchy of Kelvin includes the Baronies of Rugalov, Penhaligon, and Rifillian. The Duchy of Korisegy includes the Baronies of Sulescu and Luln.

There is one more Barony that covers the Shires region. The Shire Barony is independent and is not part of a Duchy.

As the Kingdom expanded, it took over more and more territory to the north and northwest. Cynalon's borders reached all the way to Rockhome in the north, completely surrounded the Dorwyn Elfholds, to the Broken Lands in the northwest, and all the way to the far side of Lake Amsorak in the west.

Numerous new Duchies and Baronies were created during this expansion. Some of the older nobility in the Inner Kingdom look down on their Outer Kingdom cousins, seeing them as more uncivilized or at the least of lower status. Numerous military forts were also built to protect the lands.

In the aftermath of the War with Keln, Cynalon no longer had the ability to patrol its extended borders. Whole Baronies fell to humanoid invasion. Currently the lands west of the Streel River are considered to be mostly uncivilized and uncontrolled. The same can be said of the hills and mountain region between the Dorwyn Elfholds and the Rockhome.

Here is how the Outer Kingdom currently looks. The Duchy of Athenos sits on the edge of the Great Swamp. The Barony of Tothmeer is under Athenos control. They lost the Barony of Tenobar during the contraction. (Tenobar sat on the other side of the Great Swamp on the coast.)

To the North and East is the Duchy of Graystone. This area includes the Baronies of Gateway and Nemiston and contains the cities of Gateway and Crossroads. Forts Cruth and Hobart are in this area as well.

Further up the Streel River sits the Duchy of Elcadan. Associated Baronies include Ansimont and Elstritch.

Further north is the battered Duchy of Corunglain. The city of Corunglain has bore the brunt of Broken Land invasions in the past. The Barony of Stone Ridge has been captured by the humanoids and its main city Ardelphia is currently a lawless free town. The Barony of Favaro remains intact, being further southeast of Corunglain. Fort Fletcher. Fort Runnels, and Fort Lakeside have fallen into enemy hands. Fort Nell remains intact.

In the addition to these, there are several independent Baronies, ones that hold no allegiance to a neighboring Duke. These include the Baronies of Pyris and Restenford. The Barony of Akorros on the Eastern Shore of Lake Amsorak has fallen, along with Fort Anselbury. The small Barony of Restenford on the southern shore of Lake Amsorak was reclaimed within the last decade.

And that concludes the layout of the Kingdom of Cynalon.