BlackFlame/Vvardenfell
Vvardenfell was the setting in Bethesda Softworks awesome game Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind. I am in the process of converting it over to Exalted to use one of the main locations in my current campaign. I put alot of hours into the game and I really like the setting, and I think it converts to Exalted fairly well. Let me know what you guys think, and if you have any suggestions feel free to make them.
Contents
Summary
Vvardenfell lies in the Northwest. It is about halfway between the Coral Archipelago and the mouth of the White Sea. Its location makes it a trade hub between Coral, the North, and the Realm. It has avoided the attentions of Coral due to distance, the Realm due to generous trade agreements, and everyone else thanks to the power of the Exalts that call it home.
The island is dominated by the titanic volcano Dagoth Ur and its associated ash wastelands. Most of the island's population is confined to the relatively hospitable west and southwest coast, centered around an ancient city now known as Vivec and the Great House district centers at Balmora, Ald'ruhn, and Sadrith Mora. The rest of the island is covered by arid grasslands and volcanic badlands. Because of this it is thinly populated by the various nomad tribes. You can see a map here
Government
Vvardenfell is divided into four sections (five if you count the shadowland in the center). Three of these sections are governed by a great house. Hlaalu in the southwest, Redoran in the northwest, and Telvanni in the East. The Lord of each house is considered to be the highest authority in each of the provinces, though they are all subservient to Vivec, who in theory directly controls the southernmost, and smallest district.
House Hlaalu is ruled by the Hlaalu Council. The Council is in charge of the day to day operations of House Hlaalu and the area of Vvardenfell under the control of the House. The Council is made up of seven senior members of the House, one of which is the High Councilor who is chosen for a three year term by the other councilors. The office of High Councilor is passed around the elders, with the most popular at the time of voting winning the office.
House Redoran is organized like a military chain of command, with its founder, Redoran, at the top. The Redoran Province is broken into districts, which are further subdivided, with each division reporting to one above it. Redoran leaves most of the minor details to his underlings, but is directly involved in all major issues facing his house.
House Telvanni is made primarily of sorcerers, their families, and their retainers and servants. As such the structures in place to govern the province is rather...odd.
Places of Interest
Vivec Province
Ebonheart - Ebonheart is the main port and shipping center for Vvardenfell, this makes it the first city that most visitors experience. It is a bustling port city that possesses a few inns and taverns for travelers and sailors who do not wish to say on board ship, quite a few warehouses where trade goods are stored, docks for the loading and unloading of cargo, and of course a fortress to defend the town and harbor. Ebonheart was named for the main export that passes through the town, Black Jade as dark as night.
Vivec - Taking its name from the Lord of the isle, Vivec is the capital of Vvardenfell and the seat of its central government. Vivec is a short boat ride from Ebonheart and both cities can clearly be seen from the other. The city is a series of pyramidal structures, called cantons, connected by arching bridges. The catons are left over from the First Age, though there are only half of the original number. The cantons themselves are divided into levels with different classes divided the same way. Upper class people live in the plaza area at the top, middle classes in the middle, and the lowest in the underways. In the current age there are nine pyramids, each of which has its own purpose and personality, though there are residences in most. From north to south they form a 1-2-3-2-1 pattern which would form a diamond pattern if not the southernmost canton, Vivec's palace, being much larger than the others. The first is the Foreign Quarter, with inns, warehouses, and other businesses that cater to travelers. The next "level" is shared by the Arena and the Legion Pyramids. The Arena is still occasionally used, but most of the interior space has been converted into residential areas. The Legion Pyramid is the headquarters of the Southern Legion, as well as the Ordinators. The next "level" contains Redoran, Hlaalu, and Telvani. These function as operational centers for each of the houses in Vivec, as well as providing a place for agents of each house to stay so that they do not have to resort to an inn. The next "level" contains the Library, as well as the Bureaucracy. The library contains many sources of knowledge, and is a popular destination in the city, while the Bureaucracy contains Vvardenfell's government, and no one wants to go there. Finally there is the Palace, the home of the Lord of Vvardenfell, Father of the Houses, Creator of the Ghostfence, The High Ordinator, Vivec himself. It is the size of four of the other cantons combined. Not much else is known about the Palace, except that for the last hundred years Lord Vivec has not exited and no one except his two surviving sons have entered.
Hlaalu Province
Balmora - Seat of House Hlaalu. Since it is the seat of the House most involved in trade Balmora is a bustling city where most residents are involved in some form of mercantile endeavor. The Odai River enables goods to be easily shipped downriver to Ebonheart, by way of Hla Oad. In addition to the busy docks and the large warehouses the Hlaalu Council resides in Balmora.
Hla Oad -
Redoran Province
Ald'ruhn - Seat of House Redoran.
Telvanni Province
Sadrith Mora - Seat of House Telvanni.
Natural Features
Dagoth Ur, the Deathmount - In the mountainous center of Vvardenfell, surrounded by the Ghostfence, is a large shadowland known as the Peaks of Fear. In the center of the Peaks of Fear lies Dagoth Ur the largest and tallest of the mountains. At the peak of Dagoth Ur is a manse that was formally Solar aspected that has now fallen into darkness and a center of Abyssal power. During the First Age the manse was the home of the Solar Lord of the Isle, but now it has a darker master, The Shadow at the Heart of the Web.
Organizations
House Telvanni - Sorcerous House. House Telvanni was founded by Telvanni the first born son of Vivec. Telvanni was a Wood Aspect who believed that the most effective way to increase the power of Vvardenfell was sorcery. He studied sorcery under a former teacher at the Heptagram and eventually became a master. The house he founded still continues his sorcerous tradition, training its Dragonblooded in sorcery as well as adopting any Dragonbloods who wish to join and are of a sorcerous mind. Cities in their territory include: Sadrith Mora, Tel Branora, Tel Auhn, Vos, Dagon Fel, as well as various scattered towers inhabited by a sorcerer and his retainers.
House Redoran - Warrior House. Redoran is the Earth Aspected second son of Vivec. While his brother decieded to serve Vvardenfell by becoming a master of magic Redoran made himself, and eventually his followers, into a weapons to be used in the service of his father. In addition to training people born into the house in the ways of war and combat House Redoran adopts anyone who first proves themselves in the Legions, or preforms an act of valor that benefits Vvardenfell. Cities in their territory include: Ald'ruhn, Maar Gan, Gnisis, Ald Velothi, and Khuul.
House Hlaalu - Mercantile House. Vivec's third son Hlaalu considered himself a failure due to the fact that he did not exalt. He knew that he would never be able to match his brothers in their chosen fields so he made up his mind to make his homeland a strong economic power. In addition to there various trading operations House Hlaalu is involved in activities of questionable morality. One thing Hlaalu knew was that a trading rival whose merchandise never made it to market was a trader who was no longer a rival. Though Hlaalu died a few hundred years ago the house that he founded continues the practice of being Vvardenfell's merchants and ambassadors, as well as its thieves and spies. Cities in their territory include: Balmora, Caldera, Gnaar Mok, Hla Oad, Seyda Neen, and Pelagiad.
The Ordinators - Ordinators are the Royal Guard of Vivec. They are known more for their other duty, serving as the police force in the city of Vivec. Most are mortal, though there are a few God-blooded along with very few Dragonblooded who act as commanders. They wear Sentinel Defense Force power armor in most circumstances, however it is rumored they have access to other types.
Radiant Dragoons - These are the renamed Bouyant Armigers. I never liked that name. They patrol the Ghostfence as well as venture into the Shadowland.
The Illustrious Order of Thaumaturges - Remake of the Mage's Guild. This is a mortal organization since Exalts learn sorcery, though a few study Thaumaturge with the Order.
The Legions - The military of Vvardenfell. Land forces based in Gnisis, with the navy's main base and shipyard in Dagon Fel.
Notable Individuals
Comments
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