The World of UirThe Lands and People of the "Order of the Thorne" series========================================
The Lands of the Great Realm of Uir========================================
The Wilds - The kingdoms that make up the Great Realm of Uir do not necessarily border one another. More often than not, these pockets of civilization are separated by vast tracks of land simply known as "The Wilds." The distance between kingdoms can be days or even weeks, and while there are roads through the Wilds, kingdoms joined by these roads seldom take responsibility for them beyond their borders. The roads found in the Wilds aren't maintained by nor do they fall under the authority of any one kingdom or kingdoms; they merely exist to allow for travel between kingdoms, and nothing more.
Occasionally, rich merchants and innkeepers will set up shops or provide accommodations for those brave enough to venture into the Wilds. Typically located where roads cross, these rest areas are usually considered "neutral ground," as somewhat safer areas. Even then, because these roads fall outside of the jurisdiction of most kingdoms, the Wilds are still dangerous for the average traveler. The threats to the unprepared traveler are twofold: thieves and brigands eke a meager living by preying on the unfortunate, and the abundance of untamed creatures — many magical, many not — that live in the Wilds; both can make for a journey fraught with peril.
The inn where Finn meet Brother Eoin is the halfway point between the Kingdom of Rosette and the Faerie Realm — two days travel back east to Rosette, and two days travel west towards the Faerie Kingdom. (KLY)
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Faerie Realm / Faerie Kingdom - The land of the Faerie people is filled with great magic, honor, and wonder. Four days travel to the east lies the Kingdom of Rosette, and further east beyond that is the Kingdom of Stoneland; to the northwest, the Faerie Realm shares a border with the Kingdom of the Spiders, and further west lies the land of Dolleajh. To the north lies the vast mountain range of the Mirror Mountains; to the south lies the land of Fresel. Large stone pillars located around the realm mark the borders of the Faerie Kingdom.
The village of Crann Naoimh, home of the Faerie Court and seat of power, is built around a magical tree located high atop a hill in the heart of the Faerie Realm. The Great Tree provides for the protection and safety of the Faerie Realm and the King's Court; the tree, in turn, renews its power by feeding upon the energy of the King while sitting on his throne. The life of the village and tree are bound to the king so long as he sits upon the throne. All life in the land springs from the Great Tree, and there is an ever-present rainbow over the city — further evidence of the magical nature of this land. While Faeries are the primary inhabitants, some Humans (Danthians) and Gnomes live there, too; Pixies have also been known to be found in the area.
The land of the Faerie Realm is mostly forest, with some large crystal outcroppings found immediately to the north and west of Crann Naoimh, likely from large underground caverns and caves beneath the Faerie Realm. The southern forest is referred to as "Gideon's Grove," in honor of Gideon, a Faerie King of ancient times. Because of the magic of the land, the trees of the Faerie Realm are rumored to flower all year long.
To the northeast lies Turtle Lake, a large lake containing the Isle of Honored. The Isle is a sacred cemetery for those who died defending the Faerie Realm against its enemies. A river flows southwest out of the lake along the eastern side of the Faerie Realm; it turns due west in Gideon's Grove, bisecting the southern half of the realm and continuing into the Kingdom of the Spiders. Near the western edge of the lake is the entrance to the large northern swamp — home to raptors and sloths — that meets the Mirror Mountains to the north. Closer to Crann Naoimh, the Opus Pond can be found south of a grove of trees where a group of Pixies have currently taken up residence.
While the Faerie Realm has been peaceful for the last century, it is no stranger to war. The Faerie Civil war occurred long ago; monuments to the fallen who fought for and defended the True King and True Queen can be found on the Isle of the Honored. In another war, the greatest of the Fae Generals, Preston Leinster, gave his life to defeat the evil Sorceress Abelia to restore peace to the Faerie Realm. A large statue on the Isle of the Honored is dedicated to General Leinster.
Of the great Faerie Wars, the most recent took place a little over a century ago: Lord Sinister, an ex-student of the Order of the Thorne, gathered an army to search for the fabled land of Avalon. In reality, he sowed a path of death and destruction before he and his army stopped at his stronghold in the Mirror Mountains. To honor those who gave their lives during this war, their names are inscribed upon two large stone pillars outside of the King's Court. {TKC, BLK, KLY}
Crann Naoimh / The Faerie Village of Crann Naoimh - This village is located high atop a hill in the heart of the Faerie Realm, built around the life-giving Great Tree. The Great Tree feeds upon the energy of the King as he sits upon the royal throne. In turn, the Great Tree's magical power not only protects the Faerie valley but the other surrounding kingdoms as well.
No monetary system exists in the Faerie Realm; instead, people barter or trade for the goods and services they need. The Potions Shop and the recently re-occupied Monastery of the Order of the Thorne are found in the Eastern Section, while the Library and General Store are located in the Western Plaza. High above in the Great Tree is the "The Faerie Tavern of the Woodland Realm"; also referred to as "Woodland Tavern" and the "Woodlands Tavern," this establishment has served travelers from all periods of Uir's history since time immemorial. {TKC, BLK}
Forlorn Mountains - Located north of the Mirror Mountains and south of the Realm of Nevad 'Yrt Rule, this mountain range surrounds the Land of Sunlight on all sides. A mountain pass in the north allows for the only conventional entrance into the Land of Sunlight, while for the more adventurous, a series of caves allows passage from the east. {TKC, KLY}
Fresel - This land lies to the south of the Faerie Realm. The young man and woman having a picnic that Finn meets during the King's Challenge are from Fresel. {TKC}
Glen Morgana - Town in which Donal of Galway once played; Brother Eoin said Donal inspired the Order to continue on when none had the strength to do so. {TKC}
Mirror Mountains - This vast mountain range runs east-west across Uir and bisects the continent in half, from Stoneland in the east to Dolleajh in the west. Further to the north lies the Forlorn Mountains, within which is located the Land of Sunlight. Mount Dejardan is one of the highest peaks of the Mirror Mountains. The final battle of the last great Faerie War also took place here, starting at the base of the Mirror Mountains and ending in Lord Sinister's inner sanctum within his fortress stronghold. {TKC, KLY}
Mor Claiomh - Location of the great castle where the Order of the Thorne was established a millennia ago. {TKC}
Realm of Nevad 'Yrt Rule - One week's journey north of the Kingdom of Sunlight, not much is known about this insular land. They appear be highly xenophobic, going to great lengths to prevent any foreigners from entering their realm. The realm trades exotic silks and fine wines with the rest of Uir from the lone outpost located along its southern border. {KLY}
Rosette / The Kingdom of Rosette - This kingdom of Faeries shares a border with the Kingdom of Stoneland along its northeastern side, while the Faerie Realm is located to the west, separated by four days of travel through the Wilds. The King of Rosette is brother to the King of the Faerie Realm, King Quilhairn. It is while playing at an Inn somewhere in Rosette that young Finn the Bard hears of the King's Challenge and decides to enter. The King of Rosette also sends his High Priest, Abdon, to compete in this year's Challenge. {TKC, KLY}
The Spider Kingdom / The Kingdom of the Spiders / The Kingdom of Spiders / The Spider Dominion - Extending into the foothills of the Mirror Mountains that form its northern border, this land shares a border with Faeries Realm along its southeastern side; the land of Dolleajh lies to the west. The road through foothills is split in two: the Spider Kingdom controls the "Low Road" under the Mirror Mountains, while the pass over the mountains — known as the "High Road" — is under the control of no kingdom. Due to their common border, the trees of the eastern Spider Forest lead into the western Faerie Woods.
The Spider people, though highly intelligent and social creatures, are often misunderstood due to their appearance. They are good neighbors to the Faerie folk, however, and not the monsters some portray them to be. A proud and peaceful people, they won't attack indiscriminately — only to protect and defend their homes. {TKC, KLY}
Stoneland / The Kingdom of Stoneland - Located in the Mirror Mountains, this land shares a border with the Kingdom of Rosette along its southwestern side; to the east and south of Stoneland lie a great ocean. The King of Stoneland sent a Knight and Captain, Sir Gauen, to compete in this year's Challenge. {TKC, KLY}
Sunlight / Land of Sunlight / Kingdom of Sunlight - This land is located within the Forlorn Mountains, completely encircled on all four sides; to the south lies the Mirror Mountains, and to the north lies the Realm of Nevad 'Yrt Rule. Finn once traveled through this most beautiful land — full of breathtaking scenery and friendly people; he hopes to make it back again someday to see his friends.
However, some one or some thing has recently covered this once-beautiful land in darkness and desolation; suddenly appearing one night, a massive, menacing fortress now towers over the blighted landscape... {TKC, FOF, KLY}
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Sources:"Order of the Thorne: The King's Challenge" computer game by Infamous Quests
"Order of the Thorne: The King's Challenge" game manual by Infamous Quests
The Infamous Quests website (especially the Blog posts): "
www.infamous-quests.com"
• Including: "Order of the Thorne: Fortress of Fire" promotional materials
Various Q&As and Information from Blackthorne and Klytos of Infamous Quests
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