:: Aulduron: Capital of Kelystovia ::

:: Saturday, April 19, 2003 ::

Republic of Kelystovia - Once called Keashtohnvaard, it was a northern kingdom, one of the first to break off from the Vantlovgaard empire. In the year VD (Vantlovgaard Duration) 2,989 Duke Thurgam Velaroy presented a proposal to the Imperial Protectorate indicating a general vote to break his kingdom off from the main empire of Vantlovgaard. The Protectorate rejected his proposal, causing massive riots and ultimately resulting in a bloody civil war that broke the empire down into 23 separate entities. 4 of these suffered economic upheaval and ethnic battles, and eventually were conquered by adjacent factions. The 19 remaining countries settled into an uneasy peace, broken often by terrorist attacks or conflicts between ethnic groups. Nearly 300 years later, a massive earthquake left 2 of the countries in complete ruin. 10 years of war followed, as the other countries each claimed some of the land. Finally, the 17 remaining countries settled into peace for a while. (See appendix x for more information on the Vantlovgaard Empire)
:: joelman 4/19/2003 [+] ::
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Crystal Lake - also known as the Crystal Sea. A massive, 4,695-mile long, deep freshwater lake reaching all the way into the polar regions. The very southern most point of Crystal Lake is some 103 miles into the corporation limits of the city of Aulduron. The lake reaches depths of over 6000 feet in some areas. From the air it's almost like a great gouge in the earth, but filled with water. Some scientists speculate that its origin could've been from a massive earthquake, a comet impact, or even a massive storm such as the famed catastrophe called Namatus. Crystal Lake has an intricate and often tumultuous history. It is perhaps the most unique body of water on the planet. It has countless islands, tributaries, lagoons and estuaries. Some of the more famous islands include the Draebeck islands, headquarters to the Society of Kid Geniuses. Of more infamous fame, Thrashprag island is one of Cult leader and suspected crime lord Devony's retreats. The Facet Estuary is home to the port of Aurelorin, the last village for nearly 1000 miles of a northern expanse of Madlands. The very northern tip of the lake is home to a unique race of ice-dwelling people. They carve their homes and cities out of the interior of the ice. The temperature in the northern regions has never been known to reach above 25° F, eliminating the danger of their society melting. Their source of food is unknown for sure, but some anthropologists studying their culture have noted that they seem to obtain fish somehow and that they may cultivate some unique sub-polar crops in the ice. (See appendix 2 for more information on Crystal Lake)
:: joelman 4/17/2003 [+] ::
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Saw Grass Lakes - A large system of shallow lakes, surrounded by saw grasses and full of many varieties of reeds and lilies. There aren't many crags in the immediate area of the lakes, because they have a bedrock bottom. These lakes are situated in a very low region of the Madlands. There are some marshes in the area, but the primary water source is the lakes. On the northern end of the Saw Grass Lake System is a field research center. This center conducts ecological surveys of the area, examining local fauna and foliage. It also sends out scientists on field studies of crags in the Madlands. The Saw Grass Lakes are situated to the west of miles 234-279 of Crystal Lake.
:: joelman 4/16/2003 [+] ::
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The Madlands - A vast, sweeping region of undulating plains covered with a myriad of grasses. Many of these grasses are very tall, the most common being the saw grasses, swordblade grasses and canopy grasses. There are also a number of tree species, most of these being short and not very leafy. The Madlands are perforated with dry, sandy depressions called crags. These crags often have small fissures that run through them. Some 12,000 of these fissures have been plumbed, but hundreds of thousands more still wait. Crags aren't visible from the air, unless they are very large. Most crags are over shadowed with canopy grasses and saw grasses. Situated on various high bluffs in the Madlands are miniature jungles called lurches. Here the undergrowth is far denser and there are high reaching trees. Often lurches are home to indigenous species of plants, insects and birds. These species are often exclusive to the particular lurch. Lurches are few and far between, making species migration from one to another unusual.
:: joelman 4/15/2003 [+] ::
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The Flames of Hell - This renegade gang of "hover-biking bad boys", routinely engages in petty theft and other small-time criminal activity. They ride on suped-up hover bikes that have been equipped with, among other things, flamethrowers.

Sciorpiscant Clan - Operating out of the deserts in southern Kelystovia and parts of Vantovia near the Kelystovia borders, this group of xenophobic nomads will do as they please and go where they will. Often tangling with customs and the militaries of Kelystovia and Vantovia, they pose a most potent threat against local farmers, whose crops have been routinely pillaged by the group.

:: joelman 4/14/2003 [+] ::
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