Latushin is a continent surrounded by ocean. It's shaped more-or-less like a rectangle, though there are irregularities, as on any coastline: Inlets, bays, rock formations jutting from the land, and other geological oddities. The ocean has no name; as far as the inhabitants know, it's the only ocean there is, so there is no need to distinguish it from other oceans. They do refer to it as the "north ocean" or the "east ocean" depending on what side of Latushin they're talking about.
Latushin is approximately the size of Utah, Colorado, Arizona, and New Mexico put together. Not big as continents go, but remember, the inhabitants don't have self-propelled vehicles, and only the wealthy ride horses. It's plenty big enough to intimidate travelers on foot.
The NoTell Mountains run west to east along the entire width of Latushin, a few miles from its southern edge. The narrow strip of land to the south of the NoTell mountains is called the UnKnown Land. None of the characters have ever been there, though some have speculated about what lies there. The NoTell Mountains are so named because no one who tried to cross them into the UnKnown Land has ever returned to tell what's there.
The country of Goerthe covers eighty percent of the inhabited part of Latushin, that is, north of the NoTell Mountains. Boutland is small country occupying the northwest corner of the continent. The terrain of Boutland is mostly tundra. It is less than desirable for farming or raising livestock, but the hardy Boutlanders have managed to make do over the centuries.
Boutland came into existence three hundred years ago when a wizard named Elshin petitioned the King of Goerthe for a permanent sanctuary for his followers. A religion called Diaballicism had taken hold in Goethe. The Diaballicans believed, among other tenets, that magic was the devil’s work and corrupted those who practiced it.
Elshin considered magic a tool, neither evil nor virtuous. He believed some people had inherent magic ability, in the same way some men have physical strength or some women possess graceful beauty. He also thought those born with magic ability had to practice it continually, else their skills withered. And he would have all children taught magic, because even those with no inherent ability could learn some practical spells.
The Diaballicans persecuted Elshin as only those consumed with religious fervor can. They pushed to have all wizards executed. The King, who had benefited from magic throughout his career, dismissed that demand. But the Diaballican priests whipped the populace into such an anti-magic frenzy that Elshin feared for the safety of all wizards, and even non-wizards who employed magic. He asked the King for permission to found a separate country. The Diaballicans by that time had influence at all levels of government and the economy, and fought the King. The King had just enough power to provide safe passage for Elshin’s band to Boutland and declare it an autonomous country.
Over the years, relations between Goerthe and Boutland have run hot and cold. Goerthe, of course, has the military might to wipe out Boutland, but no particular reason to do so. A few years ago, there was an incident at a town called Delta, a seaport at the mouth of the Riparian River. A Goerthe family was massacred, and evidence pointed to magic ritual. No one was ever formally accused, but since then, travel between the countries is restricted.
The Riparian River runs from south to north almost the entire length of Latushin. It’s not quite in the middle of the continent, but more westerly. The northern part of it forms a border between Goerthe and Boutland. Neither country has a navy or merchant marine of any consequence, but Boutland has begun building warships since political relations with Goerthe appear headed downhill. They are also beefing up their meager army.
The Goerthe capital city of Zormine is a port on the Riparian farther south than the point it becomes the border. The only other cities of any size in Goerthe are Effluent, near the eastern sea, but somewhat inland, and Delta, at the mouth of the Riparian.
The Boutland city of Delta is across the river from its counterpart. It’s one place on Latushin where citizens of both countries mix freely, in spite of the tragic murder of the Goerthe family. Taverns and merchants on one side of the river accept currency from the other.
A smaller river, the Polona, runs easterly through Boutland and joins the Riparian near the country’s southern border. Boutland’s largest city, Robles, is on the Polona, about midway between the Riparian and the western ocean.
Of course, hamlets and villages dot both countries, especially along trade routes, the coast, and the rivers.
The largely unexplored Xemolene Forest covers most of the eastern part of Goerthe, from the NoTell Mountains to just south of Effluent. It’s a mountainous area, and few people live near it. Those that do seem superstitious - They report strange, screeching noises from the woods, and tell of hunters who wandered into the forest and were never seen again.
To the northwest of Xemolene Forest lies SinkMore Swamp. It’s a dangerous place both because of the alligators and because it’s impossible to tell exactly where the land ends and the water begins. There are verified stories of people near the swamp suddenly disappearing into a sinkhole. In addition to the alligators, there may be … Other creatures.
Introducing The Cast
Goethe:
Brothgard: King - A conscientious man who tries to rule wisely, but suffers from human frailty.
Wilsa: Queen - A strong woman with a forceful personality.
Stigson: Their teen-age son - He’s … Well, he’s a teenager.
Treela. Stigson’s twin sister. She is the elder by a few minutes.
Xflan: A Diaballican priest. He conducts services at the chapel in Castle Essenmore, where the royal family resides.
Copam: Another Diaballican priest and frequent companion of Xflan.
Moggerrod (AKA Moggy): The court jester. Does a mean stand-up routine. Books and coordinates entertainment at Castle Essenmore. Is there more to him than meets the eye??
Nezcur: A brooding, secretive man who lives on the edge of Xemolene forest.
Cattatonia: Nezcur’s significant other.
Hiss: Cattatonia’s pet snake.
Boutland:
Jemmer: A caribou rancher living near the northern edge of Boutland, in the village of Der Foon
Baxlana: His wife.
Arwell: Their son.
Greena: Deputy Governor of the northern part of Boutland.
Phleeben: Greena's assistant. An ambitious young man.
Professor Homby: An instructor of magic at Der Foon School, and occasional advisor to Greena.
In addition, we have two characters whose location is unknown:
Dread: A mythical creature who, according to legend, shows up at random times in random places. Sometimes he helps people, but more often brings terror and destruction.
Puma: Dread’s pet cat.
OK, let’s see … We’ve got characters and location. What next?? Oh, of course! We need plot and conflict.
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