[[:Template:Hurlan]]
Hurlan
Often referred to the as the “Land of Ten-Thousand Seas”, Hurlan sits across the Vaheem: The Western Reach. It is nearly double the size of the Ta Los, yet unlike Ta Los or even Ka Los, the whole of Hurlan has been carved into hundreds of pieces by hundreds of inner seas, great lakes and gigantic rivers.
Many of these lakes and seas are just mere feet deep and span hundreds of miles and others are incredibly deep reaching many miles in depth but are only mere miles in width.
Despite the fractured landscape there are whole islands are filled with dense forests, others covered with nothing but fine wind swept sand and still others covered in ice and snow. It is a land riddled with many port cities as well as cities completely landlocked.
Most Ta Losians are familiar with the few port cities along the Vaheem Coast that trade with vessels from the Kingdom of Nashatras and the wares of these trades make their way through out Kralis. It is a land of traditions, emperors, warring nations and raiding hordes.
Hurlan is a land of silks, incense, monasteries, and strange creatures. The depths of the culture of Hurlan have yet to be explored beyond the few port cities of the land.
Hurlan is home to a number of species other than humans. Ta'Jahu that established small kingdoms through out the lands, there are some 20 Chovah stronghold and realms in Hurlan, some having built stone cities on many of the smaller islands. Ha'vatu, while present, have not established any major realms or holds, Bhahuul have founded the Realm of Kultharix in the south-east near the Straits of Havdulth.
There are a large number of Acirean tribal lands in between the various human realms.
Major Realms
Hurlan is vast and while there are realms that have been defined, most of the land is wild, untamed and filled with greater dangers than within the various realms. Many small cities and towns have successfully established themselves in and there through out the land.
Naku
Naku is generally the first that travelers from Ta Los venture into. It dominates the western portion of Hurlan and controls the Sea of Jungan and most of the land within hundred miles around the sea.
Naku is predominately known for the large blue fin sagu fish that the Sea of Jungan seems to have unlimited amounts of. The bones of these fish are nearly as hard as steel making them valuable to fighters and warriors through out Hurlan for both armor and weapons.
Naku is divided amongst 4 ruthless and cunning brothers and their sister, all of whom view the other as a threat that must be defeated. While neither of the four nations have taken control, currently Naku is seen as being ruled by Hhunal Illithar from Kuthtal on the Isle of Ridul, which sits in the center of the Sea of Jungan.
Most of the region is connected by unkept roads, sailing ships or airships. There are several large cities along the coast of sea, of those there are four that are considered the metropolis’ of the realm and each ruled over by a brother or their sister: Kultik, Iron Keep, Jul-Tun, and Yutaun.
Tonghu Federation
The largest northern realm, Tonghu spreads east to west along th coast of the Sea of Kult. While it is not as large or as strong as many of the nations of the inner seas, it plays an important role of protecting the southern nations from the darkness that comes from the Lands of Iztalik. Tonghu sits at the top of the world of Hurlan and stretches some 2400 miles in length.
Tonghu is ruled by a council of 6 captains that each control a large swath of the land and sea that make up Tonghu, each roughly controlling 400 miles of territory and each reliant on the others for mutual defense against the onslaught from the darkness that dwells in Iztalik.
Kingdoms of Mhungwa - The central portion of Hurlan is dominated by the Empire of Mhungwa. Mhungwa is the largest of Hurlan’s nations and is considered by many a whole realm, in similar fashion as Ta Los’ Northern or Southern Realms are. The Empire is further divide into 7 kingdoms of pirate kings, barons and dukes and duchesses.
It is well known for the fine silks that the region produces from the giant alkhor spiders that haunt the various forests and caves spread through out the realm.
The various armies of Mhungwa are often made up of mercenaries from around Hurlan and are loyal only to the one the can pay the most. There have been records of these mercenary armies changing hands many times during a single battle as one or another pirate king, duke or duchess increases their pay.
Meishu
Like Naku, Meishu is one of the first realms that travelers from Ta Los become familiar with as they enter Hurlan. Residing in the north it joins Tonghu as one of the defenders of the north from the forces of Iztalik. Meishu is made up the Fyr Nation, the Yter Duchy, the Irth Empire and the Kingdom of Eyr.
Khongat Dominion
South of the Mhungwa Realms, Khongat dominates a large swath of open-ocean, inner sea and landmass on the southern waters of Hurlan. It is a realm that is filed with a number of smaller nations each claiming the world to be theirs. There are an estimated 150 nations in the realm, some not bigger than 1 mile in diameter.
The various nations of Khongat are well known for their dark dealings with things of the “otherwordly” purpose and power. Sages have long thought that while Chaos is locked deep beneath the lands of Ta Los, it is seeping its control into the lands of Khongat.
Chautan Federation
While the Mhungwa Realm is the largest conTrolled portion of Hurlan, Chautan is the largest realm in all of Hurlan and is composed of 359 City-States. Travelers in the region can easily pass through the influence of many other city-states in a single days travel while moving from one city-state to another. In one instance you could be a thief being chased by the local law of one city-state to suddenly find yourself safe from the chase as you cross into the region of another city-state.
Nation of Fuhar
Fuhar is truly both a realm and a nation under one rule that of King Tulhar Grymfol. Fuhar, like that of Naku, is a true Inner Sea Realm-Nation. King Tulhar rules over the Ghunlung Sea and the Four Tear Islands that reside in the dark blue waters.
Fuhar tends to keep to itself and is slightly xenophobic against one that is not of Fuhar. They trade very little with outsiders and those merchants that do tend to never return to the Four Tears, rather they set up large town-like ground on the edges of the realm where they store their wares to later be taken into the interior of Fuhar.
So great is this xenophobia that there hundreds of airships that patrol the borders of the realm to defend both from monsters but also from interloping travelers.
Major Ports
Khathgan
The largest western seaport city on the shores of Hurlan. It is located at the mouth of the Tungsa River as it spills into the Vaheem: The Western Reach. The city sits as far north as it can before running into the natural glaciers of the frigid north. It is built mostly on the raised mounds of earth that make up the area. Many of the buildings stand upon heavy log support legs so that the swampy areas beneath have continued to thrive. The harbor is deep and well dredged. Ships from Ta Los and the other coastal cities of Hurlan are constantly anchored here in search of trade for rice, silks and other exotic goods.
Like most port cities of Hurlan it is filled with strange sounds, exotic smells and packed with people. The city is roughly square in its layout with main streets running east to west in perfect symmetry. Minor streets run north to south and there are very few alleys or hidden places.
It is a city of laws, and rigid customs. The culture of all Hurlan can be felt and seen within this perfect city.
Roku
Situated on the sandy shores of the Plain of Gaituh the sprawling city of Roku greets visitors with its rich smells and nearly constant music that seems to come from every quarter of this roughly circular city. The city is known for its master entertainers and great chefs. Roku is also known for the vast undercity that lies beneath its busy streets. Roku was built upon the ruins the first great city Gaijah which was sundered some 5,000 years ago, its buildings and roads buried beneath a great tsunami.
Present-day Roku is a busy sea port popular most with the sailors from Ta Los for its cooking and its working class women. The Sihuru, or female Hurlan entertainers, whose skills include performing various arts, such as classical music and dance, have long been sought after by many.
Roku’s ports are shallow and can only be accessed by skinners or shore boats.
Dunghar
Cut from the jungles of Kuojo, Dunghar is a forest city built into the heavy trees that seem to grow hundreds of feet high and abut the Vaheem: The Western Reach with little, if any beachhead between the trees and the shore. Many trees have grown right from the briny sea water and have made for an interesting sea port as ships dock against these trees and crew must take a long winding stair up into the boughs of trees and the city.
It is a heavily populated city despite its odd local. While humans are the dominant species within the city, the city holds a great population of Pithikos who are natural residents of these great trees.
