Lodoss
The Accursed Island of Lodoss is a land of enchantment and war. Its history dates back five hundred years, but empires have reigned and fallen many hundreds of years before, Only in recent decades have the warring states of Lodoss become united, at least by treaty. Yet Lodoss is still plagued by monsters, dark wizards, and evil priests. The lands and towns of Lodoss are as different and diverse as the colors of the rainbow.
Lodoss is about a thousand kilometers east to west (621 miles), and seven hundred kilometers north to south (435 miles). Lodoss would be comparable to, but slightly smaller than, Oregon and Washington states combined or may be seen as an island about the same length but twice the width of Japan, excluding Hokkaido. It is a good three week journey (under the very best conditions) from the eastern side of Alania to the western coast of Moss. Travel through northern Lodoss might be difficult, due to the Storm and Fire Desert.
Lodoss has nearly every type of climatic region imaginable. In the low lands are beautiful lush forests and valleys of gold and green. In central Lodoss is the Central Mountain range, which does pose a barrier to would be travelers between Alania and Valis. The mountain pass between Alania and Valis is long and hard, and though shorter than the southern route, passes through the Forest of No Return, few dare to venture through this dangerously enchanted realm of the elves and fairies. Mountains can also be found in Moss, Kanon and near Raiden. The tallest mountains are in northern Alania, where the land reaches an altitude of nearly ten thousand meters, and the climate turns bitter cold. Here, amidst the frozen caverns and mountaintops was the icy domain of the dragon Bramd. In the central northern region of Lodoss, in the country of Flaim, is the great Storm and Fire Desert, once an impossible land to navigate, now the desert is blessed with many frontier towns, forts and oasis—a welcome relief for those wishing to travel from Alania or Valis to distant Raiden.
Distance and Travel
Distances in Lodoss are fairly confined. There are only five major regions, and all are accessible to each other by a series of roads and travel paths. The major roads can be seen on the maps, however, it should not be forgotten that there are countless other paths criss-crossing the countryside. The maps are relatively accurate, but a with a keen eye, you should be able to notice some discrepancies. This is to be expected, as map making is not an exact science in this time period. Where there were once roads when the map was made there may no longer be a road; and newer, better roads may have been built in their place. Never be afraid to ask a kind-looking villager for directions.
Many of the major roads in Lodoss seem to zig-zag and take roundabout routes. Usually, this is to avoid mountains, deserts, large bodies of water, or such dangerous places as the Forest of No Return. There may be other routes over or through these dangerous zones (and ships can always be taken over water), but you should be forewarned about making such daring ventures. Mountains pose a terrible obstacle in central Lodoss, and there is just one good route through the Central Mountains.
Travel time is highly dependent upon weather conditions and road conditions. On horseback, at a steady pace, a rider or group of riders can make about 30-40 kilometers on a good day. Walking you make about 30 kilometers (assuming your are in excellent shape), and an army would do well to move 15 kilometers in a day. Under bad conditions (rain, snow, or a really hot day), the distance per day may be halved, or worse. Bad road conditions, such as rocky, swampy, or forest terrain can also slow your progress. Climbing over mountains with a poor pass, or no pass at all, can cut travel time to just 5 kilometers a day.
Nations
The humans of Lodoss have divided the land into five nations; Alania, Flaim, Kanon, Moss, and Valis. There is also the ancient anarchistic city-state of Raiden, and a few independent towns in the region of Raiden. The island of Marmo off the southeastern coast of Lodoss was once it's own nation, but has recently been claimed as a duchy of Flaim.
Alania | Flaim | Kanon | Marmo | Moss | Raiden | Valis
Elven Forests
At the end of the War of the Gods, the remaining elves settled into the forests of Lodoss. Four of these forests are homes to ancient trees, massive golden-leafed trees that were planted by the gods from shoots of the world tree, Yggdrasil. These ancient trees were bound to both the spirit and physical worlds, and raised the forests around them. The Forest of No Return, the Glassy Woods, the Mirror Forest, and the Dark Forest are all home to ancient trees. It was these four forests that the elves chose to settle in.
Forest of No Return | Glassy Woods | Mirror Forest | Dark Forest | Other Settlements
Lodoss | Alecrast & Azarn Islands | Djana En & Crystania | Chaos Land & Farland
