Spheris, Duchy of the Sky
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Spheris is a large floating continent, stretching nearly from the north pole to the equator. It has a diverse range of environments, with mostly temperate regions, cold tundra’s on a nearby large sky island to the far north and a lush rainforest near the equator.
Geography
The hills and mountains are dotted with mines and quarries as brave Spherins work to uncover the hidden riches buried in the earth. Gladiatorial arenas are common in this area, but pit fighting is looked down upon as having no honor and offering no glory.
The Mountains
The hills and mountains are dotted with mines and quarries as brave Spherin’s work to uncover the hidden riches buried in the earth. Gladiatorial arenas are common in this area, but pit fighting is looked down upon as having no honor and offering no glory.
Geographical Features
Parvus Mountains - Situated in the center of the Valley Basin, this small mountain range houses the capital on its southern face. The Parvus Mountains form most of the northern boundaries of Spheris. There is much volcanic activity in this small mountain range.
High Guard Mountains - The High Guard Mountains form the western border of Spheris. High cliffs mixed with loose rock slide areas make this range difficult, but not impossible, to pass.
The Valley Basin
Filled with monsters, like Basilisks and Manticores, and flooding annually, the valley is a difficult and dangerous place to scratch out a living. Fishing, logging, and gathering wild plants make up most work in the area. True gladiatorial arenas are rare in this area, but pit fighting is quite common.
Geographical Features
Hidden Mire - This leech-infested swamp is a dangerous patchwork of bogs, deep water, and thick vegetation. The Hidden Mire is located in the heart of the valley basin.
Black Water River - The Black Water River runs through the west of the Parvus Mountains to the Lowlands. It is ruff and swift in the rainy season but calms during the dry season.
The Lowlands
Life in the lowlands is much more idyllic, with its rolling hills, lush forests, and fertile farmlands. Logging, farming, and herding are among the most common professions. Gladiatorial arenas can be found in large cities, but pit fighting is almost unheard of and considered quite scandalous. The Lowlands are often referred to as the breadbasket of the nation.
Geographical Features
Black Water River - The Black Water River runs through the center of the Lowlands to the sea. It is wide, and calm and while it floods in the rainy season, it is rarely ever severe. The river makes for fertile land and easy trade.
Cities
All Spheris cities have at least one administrative building (legislative and judicial may be housed together or separately), a military training ground (with single-story barracks), an open-air marketplace, a jail, and a colosseum.
Nimbus
The Empire's capital, Nimbus, has been described by human traders as "made from glass or insect wings." Other accounts by diplomats say that it is "a hypnotic swirl of ramparts and impossibly high towers, designed to catch the sun's light and break it to its component colors, which lie draped across its stones until you are thankful for nightfall."
Volemore
The northernmost of the two largest settlements in the Valley Basin, Volemores' population swells every spring to nearly 500,000 as the mountain runoff floods the swampy valley. The city is known for fishing, and a white soapstone monolith sits at the city's center. The streets are laid out in such a way that the monolith can be used as a sundial. They claim their globuli (sweet fried cheese curd) is the best.
Essen
Essen stands where it does because of the many small spring-fed ponds and rocky tors that create natural walls around the city. Due to its natural beauty, the city is home to many artists and poets. Essen is therefore liberally endowed with grandly-carved stone buildings, statues, and fountains.
Sonas
Famed for its gold production Sonas is the southernmost city of the mountain region. An aqueduct of red stone brings water down from a frigid lake. The main gate into Sonas is made of iron but covered in gold.
New Avian
New Avian was built on a series of cliffs and had three massive lifts connecting them. Perched atop the highest cliff is an elaborate temple to the gods. The streets are paved with large flat stones, many of which are carved with images directing travelers to various important sites and businesses.
Oxyn
Oxyn is a nondescript cluster of gray stone buildings, jammed together without parks or trees to break their gloom. The narrow and maze-like streets are set with many drains leading to large sewers to cope with the annual flooding. Visitors will look for landmarks in vain; there are none.
Voxstar
Centered on an old fort (now housing the jail, barracks, and training grounds), Voxstar has a series of three high walls linked by ramparts. The main street of the city passes through three huge ornate gates. A moat has been dug around the city, though in the summer months, it is dry.
Aerwich
Known for apple orchards and the best pie and cider in all the land Aerwich has many large stockyards, market areas, and caravan marshaling areas just outside the city walls.
Aria
Seemingly carved from the very mountain Aria overlooks the valley basin. A wide zigzagging road flanked by tall buildings leads from the city gate to the massive fortress, which houses both the administrative and military power of the city, including the Senate. During the annual floods in the valley basin, the population swells to one million.
Halo
Built on and around a cluster of tall, flat-topped rock formations, Halo has a large city square, and its outer wall encircles a lake and a good deal of farmland.
Government
Each city in Spheris has a praetor and a magistrate. The magistrate is an elected official that handles the administrative needs of the city. The praetor is a military position and is responsible for protecting the city and upholding the law. The magistrates’ jurisdiction only extends a mile outside the city, but the praetors extends as far as fifty miles.
The ten largest cities also have a senator who is appointed by the city’s magistrate. The Senate, led by its most senior member, runs the nation.
Military
Spheris has a standing army of 30,000 soldiers – mostly infantry and cavalry – and a reserve pool nearing 345,000 persons in times of emergencies, boasting one of the most powerful militaries of any nation in the world.
Law
Spheris Law defines property, contracts, and crimes.
Trial Procedure: In most civil and criminal cases, a magistrate defines the dispute, cites the law, and refers the problem to a judge. The judge, along with some advisors, listens to the arguments of the attorneys, weighs the evidence, and pronounces the sentence. Citizens have the right to appeal legal cases to the capital, while the others have to rely on local magistrates.
Society
Status is critical to Spheris. They value external and internal honor equally. External honor is basically prestige and/or reputation, while internal honor is doing the right thing while being fair and honest. It is imperative to respect your betters.