Behind one of the copies you find another book. There's
maps in it and pictures of towns and people.
"That's the book containing the surroundings of DesCas." Wildri says when he
sees you looking in it, "Go ahead. It can be a handy guide to the newcomer."
1. Grion Island (Castle DesCas)
DesCas
Castle Descas lies at the edge of an elongated desert on the island
Grion. Though it can be seen from the surface, a lot of it was actually
built underground. During nights the rock holds the heat while the shadowy
caverns cool the air during the day. Water is drawn from an underground
stream, welling up in a central fountain. From there a system of pipes and
canals carry it throughout the castle. The caverns are lit with the help of
mirrors during the day and by candle chandeliers during the later hours.
Zand
Description: A small town built around a steppe oasis. Houses are square and
painted white to reflect the sun. A lot of dust flies through the village
which is why most of them have adopted the old Arabic custom of wearing
scarves to protect their head with. Though not a rural community, these
Icarians earn their food with the fine arts.
Known for: glass blowing, paintings, metal ornaments and jewellery, wine
Meer
Description: A small city on the more moderate side of Grion. Though there's
a core of buildings, most of the inhabitants live amidst their fields making
the city seem quite big on a map. Because of the warm air blowing from the
North a lot of flowers bloom near Meer. Local farmers soon found an insect
similar to Earth's bee which they happily used to create more local products
with.
Known for: meat and dairy products, honey, wax.
2. The Kuryou Islands
Inju
Description: The Northernmost of the Kuryou Islands. Like all
Kuryou islands it's rocky with lots of forests. Little can be done there in
terms of farming. The people living there get their foods from keeping some
small livestock and fishing. A lot of people on the island are isolated from
civilisation except for occasional trips to the harbours.
Known for: fish, woodcarvings, furniture
Treur
Description: Treur is the most
Southern Isle of the Kuryou Islands.
It's very wild, with plenty of rocks and sharp outcrops. Though it's very
hard to live there many people come to live on Treur to work in the mines or
to work with the raw material. Because of it's mostly male population it's
entertainment usually centers on pubs, which on occasion become very rowdy.
Known for: cooking, mining, metal ornaments
3. The Continent
Meriallp
Description: A small town laying at the edge between forest and taiga. The
scenery of Meriallp is that of the cold plains of Northern Europe. There's
little variety in trees and it gets very cold during winter with a lot of
snow. Maybe because the winters at Meriallp are so gloomy it's inhabitants
have turned to music to lift their spirits. A lot of musicians visit
Meriallp and it's ranks of high quality instrument builders.
Known for:
music &
entertainers
Creek
Description: Creek lies furthest from DesCas and it's territory borders on
the vicinity of Acicade Castle, DesCas' daughter castle. Creek is a peaceful
town with a rural feel. With it's gentle sloped land and a sheltered climate
Creek citizens can boast that their fruits and vegetables are the best you
can find in a 100 mile radius.
Known for:
vegetables &
fruit
Darau
Description: Built near the estuary of a large river, Darau is an important
harbour on the Eastern half of Icarus. Ships and carts leave the large trade
city daily and it's size grows with every passing year. It's layout is
rather chaotic and many people get lost in it's narrow backstreets. More
than a few of them also meet the downside of the big city, getting mugged or
worse.
Known for: harbour, trade
Reik
Description: Laying at the water wedged between Jagharta and Darau, two
major trading cities, Reik did not hesitate to grab a piece of the action
for itself. With a lot of wealthy merchants wanting to give their children a
good education the people of Reik built schools, libraries and research
halls wherein the world's brightest could do as they please.
Known for:
scholars,
libraries, center of knowledge
Zerny
Description: A quiet, traditionalist town wherein the people hold on to the
ways of the time when humans first crashed on Icarus. Camels are the
transportation of choice and the relationship between man and animal is a
sacred thing. Because of their resources they are able to make a wide range
of fabrics, papers and thread.
Known for:
quilts, cloth,
fabric, paper
