Khalkaereon and Verdithian - an original RPG Campaign Setting

[Kalthorine]

Hi all,

I’ve popped over here onto the Cartographer’s Guild on the advice of messages I received on the pro-fantasy software forums, indicating that a wider audience might like to look at a series of linked maps (and assorted detailed descriptions) for a roleplaying campaign I am running. All maps on display were made using the Campaign Cartographer CC3+ and City Designer CD3 software packages, and were made with the emphasis very much on fun and adventure potential rather than realism, as you’ll probably notice.

For all the maps I show here, and some of the linked documents, I’ll give a link to view a higher rez version of each map (if one is available) followed by a lower rez snapshot . Please let me know if that’s not the way things are done around here, I’ll be happy to switch things around on the advice of wiser and more experienced heads.

I will also say outright that I have zero ego to bruise – these maps were done for fun and the enjoyment of the players in my RPG, and most definitely not for show. With that in mind I will be happy to read any comments, suggestions and constructive criticisms, as I can pretty much guarantee I won’t take offence at anything .

So without further ado I present to you…

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Khalkaereon.


Link to High-Rez Map of Khalkaereon




As far as an explanation of the land is concerned, my advice would be to download and check out the PDF guide I wrote for my players:

Link to PDF Guide



For those without the time or inclination to plough through the entire guide, a brief overview taken from the start of the guide follows below:

Khalkaereon. A land divided by Geography and Ideology, but united by fear and necessity. A land where magic clashes not only with technology, but also with itself. A land where, depending on your starting point, heading north can take you to frigid glacial mountain ranges, scorching deserts or desolate wastelands dominated by glowing green volcanoes.

Oh, and a land where a female samurai can argue with a wizard over the ownership of a clockwork robot…



Before going into the current political situation in Khalkaereon, an overview of the lay of the land is in order. With that aim, the following map strips away everything but the key features that most clearly define the layout of Khalkaereon. The coloured regions represent dominant terrain types in those areas, shaded areas represent forest, jungle and/or the extent of the northern wasteland’s influence, and main waterways, cities, roads and geological features are shown:

(No higher rez version)



The Rift: At some point in the distant past Khalkaereon may have been a single, roughly rectangular land encircled by mountains, but not anymore. Khalkaereon’s most distinctive historically geographical feature is a vast canyon that splits the land into two roughly equal regions East-West – the Rift. It is unknown whether the Rift was created naturally or not as it is truly ancient, nor is it known if it has a floor since no expedition has ever delved deep enough to find one. It is an obstacle to movement and free trade between eastern and western Khalkaereon, but other than that and the occasional discomfort caused by hot (but non-toxic) vapours rising from its depths it has so far posed no danger to the land in and of itself.

The Two Lands: More will be said of these later, but for now it is sufficient to understand that to the west of the Rift lies Jansswerd, a temperate land with a climate similar to central Europe, while to the East lies Fentaria – a land warmed by the prevailing south-west winds driving the warm, moist vapours from the Rift across it, resulting in an East Asian climate similar to that found in southern Japan or eastern China.

The Great Cliffs: Snaking across the land in a roughly south-western path from central Khalkaereon, the Great Cliffs further divide Jansswerd into a southern, mild region of plains and deciduous woodland, and a higher, cooler northern plateau consisting primarily of hilly terrain and coniferous woodlands and a more Scandinavian-like climate. The cliffs are tall and treacherous, with the only natural passing place located at its north-easternmost point (stopping short of the Rift). The only other two crossing places are man-made.

The Source Wastes: A triangular, rocky and inhospitable wasteland taking up a vast swathe of Khalkaereon beyond the northern end of the Rift, formerly known as the Northern Wastes it had throughout history being regarded as a haven for brigands, outcasts and all manner of evil and chaotic beasts. Since the Source Awakening, however (which will be discussed in detail later), it is now much, much worse… a foul, magically corrupt and poisoned land occupied by evilly mutated creatures, nightmare demons and the vile, bloodthirsty humanoid Dreggh – a constant threat to the whole of Khalkaereon.

The following map and accompanying notes give an overview of the current political boundaries and limits.

(No higher rez version)



1. Jansswerd:
A society similar in structure and culture to early Renaissance mediaeval central Europe, Jansswerd is ruled by a traditional monarchy from its capital Verdithian, set majestically atop the Great Cliffs. Jansswerd is a land under siege, however – the solid orange line delineates the current extent of Jansswerd’s borders, but the dotted line to the north-east of the solid orange border shows the original size of civilised Jansswerd before the first Source Incursions (see later). As can be seen, Jansswerd has lost a good quarter of its original land to Dreggh incursions.

2. Fentaria:
A warmer, wetter land, Jansswerd, as can be seen from the solid purple border outline Fentaria is also the smaller land (even given the latter’s losses to Source incursions). With a society very similar to eighteenth century Shogunate Japan, Fentaria has had things much easier than its western neighbour, thanks to significant natural barriers to the north – a combination of towering mountain ranges, scorching desert and impenetrable jungle. The Divine Emperor watches over his bountiful nation from the floating capital of Shobukawa.

In addition to Jansswerd and Fentaria, there are four small but strategically significant independent states within Khalkaereon:

3. Shinobe-Kyu: in the SE corner of Khalkaereon, a spiritual settlement fully independent from Fentaria but with friendly relations and close cultural and trade links with its larger neighbour.

4. The Desert of Ibn Satr: The glorious, Arabian-style citadel of the self-proclaimed Sultan Ibn Satr sits at the SW end of the Ashram Desert. Although the Sultan’s arrogance and oppression of his nomadic people is of concern to his allies to the south, his usefulness as a buffer between Fentaria and the Source Wastes mean his excesses are tolerated.

5. Drakenhold: Fully enclosed by Jansswerd and with close cultural and political ties to that land, the mountain fortress of Drakenhold is historically the seat of the High King of Khalkaereon and his Council of Twelve. While there has been no High King for millennia, Drakenhold has maintained both its independence and the Council, which is seen as a neutral, wise and impartial arbiter of disputes – whether those disputes are between individuals, or nations.

6. Riftspan: Arguably the most significant settlement in all of Khalkaereon, the independent City State of Riftspan is not only the main crossing point on the Rift, it is also the key hub of trade and technology not only for Khalkaereon but for surrounding lands as well. Ruled by a council of tradesmen and academics known only as the “Unseen Merchant Princes”, Riftspan’s reputation for neutrality both in terms of politics and in attempting to rise above the conflict between magic and technology can often seem strained, but has so far never been knowingly compromised.

For the history of Khalkaereon, you’ll just have to download the full PDF guide

The next post will detail (and map) one of the land’s major cities – Verdithian, capital of Jansswerd...