A Whole New World Collection

Month 1: Setting Update A Whole New World

Creating the Taker World

Month 1: Setting

Map:

Is this sci-fi or fantasy or something else entirely?
         This is a fantasy world that is dominated by Takers, a shapeshifting race that can shift into wolves with telepathic abilities. It has remnants in the real world but there are many things that make this a unique world as well. The details will follow in the coming months.
What is the general landscape like?
         The general landscape is that of a forested area, encompassing three major forests, that are plagued by three great rivers, a nameless amount of streams, a major ruin, a cavern, and a mountain range in the north.
If you were in this world, what would you see?          
         If you were in this world, you would see Temples built by a race called the Alunites, along with ruins from the once great Taker civilization called Lupine Castle Ruins. You would see dense forests, the Forest of Light, the Taker's Great Forest, and the Forest of Night, along with three great rivers and a mountain range to the northwest called the Black Wolf Mountains.
Describe the physical characteristics such as mountain ranges and rivers.
The physical characteristics are as follows:
         The forests are thick and dense with big tall pines, oak trees, cedar, willow and ash trees all appear in these forests. The growth in these forests include flowers, herbs, and other medicinal plants along with plenty of underbrush to hide footprints.
         Paths that once existed now disappear after a few yards in. An ancient road that was once a trade route in the days before King Hadrian is the only remains of things long since past.
         There are three main rivers that flow through much of the country side, the M'ythor, the Nor'easher and the Tracer. The M'ythor and the Nor'esher flow at a slow reasonable pace while the Tracer is full of white rapids that can easier sweep you away.
         Black Wolf Mountains are tall, snow peaked mountains that are said to be the resting place of all the Black Wolves that came before. The temperatures here are extreme in the high altitudes, leaving only the Seltins, a race that lives in the high altitudes in an extensive cave system. The Seltins only come down to the lower altitudes to hunt and trade. In these mountains is a cave that holds the remains of the ancestors of the Black Wolf, a shrine if you will that has seemingly been lost in time.
         The Lupine Castle Ruins are located to the far southeast and the cavern of the Black Wolf appears in a nearby area of rocks that were left to rot when the castle of Lupine was built.
         The Balandins live high in the Black Wolf Mountains and only come down to trade. They live in a system of caves that are extensive and use the materials inside and the trees on the mountain outside to build their furniture.
         The Seltins are a race that is settled in the southern part of the Taker's Great Forest, and they live in remote towns and villages scattered across the area.
         The Lovalites are a race that live in the Northern part of the Forest of Night in a central clearing. They are not numbered many, as you will see why later on when we discuss races.
         The Alunites are settled in the Forest of Night and their Temple sits south of the Forest of Night but I won't spoil the rest for later.
         The center hub of activity in this story emanates from the Northeast where the Town of Lacluna sits, with King Hadrian's castle at the south. Lacluna is surrounded by a wall of 15 feet, that was built during the age of King Hadrian's father's rule. It's a crumbling structure that no longer serves the purpose of keeping those unwanted out.
What are the animals like? Are there domestic animals?
         The animals in this are surprisingly similar to our own, with the added touch of the shapeshifting Takers. Horses are the only real domesticated animals, well along with donkeys, that are used by the various peoples. Not surprisingly, horses are not used by the Takers' as they smell of wolf and frighten the herd animal with their scent.
         Pets are common with the Alunites, Lovalites, Balandins, and humans which range from types of dogs, cats, and birds such as carrier pigeons and other messenger birds. The Seltins do not have pets.
         The rest of the animals are wild, such as hares, birds, deer, moose, elk, etc.
What do the buildings look like?
This depends on the race.
         When looking at the Taker's, the elite class of society has stone buildings, with elaborate layouts, kinda like mansions. The upper class, for lack of a better term right now, has houses made of the best wood harvested from the Forest of Light. They have two to three stories with nice amenities. The lower class, which is the majority of the people in Lacluna have shacks made of the cheapest wood, and utilize dirt floors and are small in size. This makes up the poor district or 3rd District in Lacluna.
         The Alunites have normal houses made of wood, nothing elaborate but simple and elegant in style. Their pride is the Alunite Temple, made of stone holding not only a small, simple shrine but also an academy dedicated to the art of healing.
         The Lovalites live in small tents and grass huts, they are kinda like our Native Americans, but still living in the wilderness. The tents are made of deer and elk hide, with elaborate designs stitched in to the skins depicting their history and extermination.
         The Balandins live in a cave system that is vast and protected. Their furniture is made from the material found insides the cave such as cave stalagtites and stalagmites and with wood from the trees on the mountain sides.
         The Seltins live in wood houses with wood fences surrounding the entire village or town. They are a fighting kind, and they protect themselves from the other clans by posting sentries and have secret hiding places in their homes. False walls, trap doors, and secret passages are common in these houses, though they are not big.
         Hadrian's Castle is extensive has dorms, long since abandoned, rooms for those visiting dignitaries, also abandoned and of course the huge suites for King Hadrian and his sons. The servants quarters are full with humans and poor Takers controlled by the serum.
         Trigger's cabin is made of the finest wood, but very simple and succinct.
Does the main part of your story take place in the city or rural areas?
         The main part of the story takes place in the both the city and rural areas. The story starts in the city and moves from there to other places on the map I've made. There are encounters, in planning anyway, with some of the people's listed and I haven't completed the entire plot yet. I know the bulk is taking place when on an adventure to retrieve something, but haven't really gotten past that point yet. The rest of the story takes place in the city with the dungeon being one of the main places, along with certain areas of the castle.
         Lacluna is a sprawling city of elite and poor alike, the middle class is a non existent entity. At the forefront is King Hadrian's castle with it medieval construct and stone edifices. The dungeon is a main hub of activity in this particular story as well. It's dirty, dank, and the desolate poor, thieves, murderers, and beggars living there aren't even given proper meals. It's also used more as a holding place for people of particular interest to the King and his sons, which you find out in the story.
What are the seasons in this world? What are they called?
         The seasons here are the same in this world as they are in ours but the equinoxes and the solstices are the main times of celebration. The seasons are not called the same thing, there is the dry season, rainy season, cold season, and dying season. These are if you haven't guessed their summer, spring, winter, and fall, respectively.


Serenity to you and yours!
Piratess Dawniebelle

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