- Torvalt, from the old words Tyhre Velt, or "Their World", referring to the old Gods. Alternate translation: "Her World"
Culture Groups
- Primary culture groups, in descending order of commonality:
- A germanic culture that migrated from further inland, displaced by Sylvans, conquering this land from the celtic culture
- A celtic culture that originally settled this area, now mostly surviving on the border islands
- Sylvans, a race of highly variable demihumans with naturalistic (i.e. animal or plant) characteristics. Many thousands of years ago they were the original inhabitants of these lands but they didn't keep pace with technological development. For a while their magical advantage kept them dominant, until the first magic users of humanity wrested control and permanently changed the power dynamic.
- An offshoot of the germanic culture that settled some islands and the rocky cold shores to the north--basically vikings
- A swarthy, southern race that inhabited the arid but wealthy plains to the south, associated with mercantilism and learning
- Abberants--former humans twisted by the corrupt magics of the Undercity.
- etc
Timeline
Today = 0
| When | What |
|---|---|
| 800 ya | City founded |
| 350 ya | First wizards in the city |
| 200 ya | Germanic culture moves in, takes over |
| 54 ya | Helena born |
| 39 ya | The great war starts |
| 34 ya | Great war ends, city is stabilized |
| 21 ya | Helena's daughter born |
Earlier Sylvan city founded like 3000 ya, abandoned by 2000 ya
Gods
Old system was pantheistic, greek-inspired, with gods like Pollus, Hellas, and Karthas (if I feel like raiding Oathkeep).
This was revised to a pseudo-monotheistic religion worshipping the Great Divine, manifested in various facets, most commonly the Four:
- (the patriarch) (diligence, temperance, integrity)
- Sophia (wisdom, compassion, learning, invention)
- Lilith (passion, fury, independence, creativity)
- (the son / the brother / the adversary) (yearning, joi'd'vivre, curiousity, aspiration)
These are referred to as "Names of God", mere facets of a single, luminous, non-human being. Secular historians of religion note that these images--and others less well-remembered--have been worshipped as icons far longer than any artifacts hinting at their oneness.
Religion is hardly at the center of life in the heavily industrialized city. However, in what little countryside remains, it is of paramount importance. Properly sanctified temples produce magical sanctuaries which protect townsfolk and farmers from monster attacks. Holy knights roam into the countryside, forfending those who get too close. It is only by this grace that the city has any functioning farmland at all, and thus any food for the countless thousands within.