LINK TO RP: https://www.sylestia.com/forums/?thread=47219&page=1#forumtop

This is a role-play based on the book series (that I am co-writing), Dark Borders. It features a mystical land called Mythworld, which is composed of two continents, Nearside and Otherside, in which are multiple countries with their own customs, cultures, and creatures.

The Nearside Countries:

+Rhindom: A medium-sized country that is divided into four regions, or "Houses"--House of Fire, a burning desert land, the only habitable cool place being at the foot of a short range of mountains. House of Falcon, a foresty region covered in grass and trees. House of Water, a tropical beachy area that borders the ocean. And House of Heron, a cool, shady, rich-in-magic place primarily filled with scholars and wizards.

+Bahr & the Gurthian Islands (Barrgurth): A country filled with rowdy, adventure-seeking people. It was dominated by a race called the Xernatog or Xerns, which are very warlike. The few native Barrgurthians are currently at peace with this rulership.

+Marguth-Gurn: The native land of the Xernatog, this country is a barren, muddy wasteland, unfit for life. However, some Xern watchtowers remain in it. This land usually harbors runaways and convicts.

+Laramora: This country is prosperous and very peaceful. The citizens make it a goal to spread joy among others. They are mostly farmers and owners of livestock.

The Otherside Countries:

+Voy'lindar: A cool, shady land. The residents are known for their magical prowess. They are very philosophical and secretive.

+Raguth-Gurn: A country filled with rolling green hills, welcoming forests, and small lakes. Mainly a tourist attraction. Also the only home to a rare species of animal called the Bangleburr (images will be provided eventually ;D)

+Fao'dar: A foresty land with nomadic tribal people. It is criss-crossed with rivers and home to many kinds of animals and mythical creatures.

+Glindom: A barren desert wasteland, filled with a religeous, war-obsessed people with a strict caste syestem. If you are weak, you will either be on the bottom, or dead.

+Augurn: An old, abandoned country, full of dangerous minds, watchtowers, and caverns.

+Stin & the Magical Lakes (Stindom): A country that is stranded in the middle of three lakes. Not much is known about it. It is currently uninhabited, at least, according to what we know.

The two continents are separated by the Nag Sea, a deep, salty ocean.

There are also surrounding territories:

The Pirate Colony: A, uh, colony of pirates in the Nag Sea.

Elegar: A land said to be cursed. It is incredible barren.
Manzania: A desert land with a close-knit tribal people with interesting customs.
Estaceo: An ice desert, frozen, with a few nomadic tribes.
Drakenova: A tropical, foresty land with a few tribes.

Rhindom or Rhin
Meaning of Name: Divided Land / Land of Division
Capitol: Ier-Rintel
Official Language: Rhinnish
Form of Government: Divided Monarchy
Area: 3, 277, 453 sq. miles
Population: 240 million
Primary Exports: Produce and pelts, along with miscellaneous items
Details on Government: The current Kings of Rhindom are Tanadir of Fire-House, Satndir of Earth-House, Terdale of Air-House, and Dirfao of Water-House.
People: The people of Rhindom are very wary of outsiders, though naturally curious. As a visitor, it would be best to immediately say that you are not Rhin-born, or they might be suspicious as to why you kept it secret. Also, in some of the more violent divisions, you shouldnt bring weapons without permission from a high-ranking person, such as the Beta of House.
Education: Depending on which House, or division, the young people are taught very different things, the only common subjects being language and history. In the house of fire, they are taught skills in battle and weaponry. In the house of falcon, they often study nature and animals. In house of heron, they learn all sorts of mathematics, science, and other such studies. In house of water, reading and speaking capabilities are emphasized through their studies.
Land: Rhindom is typically four different biomes, each divided by a river, which is how the four tribes settled in so easily. In one corner is a dormant volcano range bordered by desert and a tiny grassy meadow, in another corner the river branches into a series of rivers and lakes by the sea. In the third corner is a calm lake surrounded by shady, cool moss-covered ground and pebbled shores, and the final corner is a thick forest with a few small meadows and hills.

Barrgurth
Meaning of Name: Red Terror
Capitol: Cyrspectl
Official Language: Xernatog Rhinnish
Form of Government: Monarchy
Area: 3, 362, 870 sq. miles
Population: 300 million
Primary Exports: Weaponry items and metal
Details on Government: Greth of the Xernatogs currently rules Barrgurth. The Xerns are a very warlike people, and have formed a great bond with the rough Barrgurthians. Barrgurth is legendary for its hostility among its bordering countries.
People: People in Barrgurth are rough but friendly among themselves and the Xernatogs, and do not wish to overthrow Greth. Unfortunately the people of Barrgurth are very hostile to outsiders and are the kill first, ask questions later kind. Therefore, although the Barrgurthian landscape is very beautiful and it holds a vast variety of environments, it is not a very good vacation place.
Education: The most important subject a Barrgurthian child learns is to fight, seeing as they are very warlike people. Further education is not required but often chosen.
Land: Barrgurth has a great variety of environments, the most famous being the Forest of Lightning, which is a very thickly wooded sequoia forest. Another place is the Eye Lake, which is 62o (15o Celsius) year round.

Marguth-Gurn
Meaning of Name: *unknown*
Capitol: The Xernatog Capital
Official Language: Xernatog
Form of Government: Monarchy
Area: 3, 103, 031 sq. miles
Population: 170 million
Primary Exports: Clay art and carved ivory
Details on Government: Greth of the Xernatogs currently rules Marguth-Gurn. Xerns are the only people that have managed to survive in Marguth-Gurn.
People: The Xerns are a very strange kind of human and are sometimes considered animals rather than humans. They have the ability to adapt in strange environments but naturally seek comfort and have tried to take over the more life-supporting countries such as Barrgurth and Rhindom.
Education: The youth in Marguth-Gurn are often not given an education at all, but sent to the Xern Capital to learn fighting skills before joining the army. Many of the bordering countries have protested against this neglecting of children but have not been able to stop the mistreatment.
Land: Marguth-Gurn was once two separate countries, Marguth and Gurn. The Xernatogs dwelled in Gurn until they took over Marguth and joined the two countries. Marguth-Gurn is made of swamp, mud, earth, and stone, and only the harsh Xerns can survive for a long time in its climate.

Laramora
Meaning of Name: *unknown*
Capitol: Satnah
Official Language: Rhinnish
Form of Government: Communist
Area: 4,465,901
Population: 497 million
Primary Exports: Art, tapestries, and inks
Details on Government: The Laramoran government is equal to the people, excepting the fact that it is in control of making decisions. This is so no Laramoran can claim to be higher than another.
People: The people of Laramora are very kind and thoughtful, generous, and carefree.
Education: The children of Laramora go through an education that is very much like our own school system, but with more time for art and creativity.
Land: Laramora has many forests, meadows, and rock climbing areas, and is one of the most visited places. It is a great tourist attraction, and is thought of as one of the best vacation spots.

Voy'lindar
Meaning of Name: Moonlit Ground
Capitol: Mountain Fall City
Official Language: New Rhinnish
Form of Government: Constitutional Monarchy
Area: 4,897,953
Population: 527 million
Primary Exports: Magical remedies and potions
Details on Government: Voylindar has a Constitutional Monarchy, which means that its kings governing powers are restricted by a constitution.
People: Voylindars people are supportive of magic and such things. Many of their customs and holidays are based on supernatural thingssupernatural even for Mythworld, that is. It is thought this interest comes from the giant mountain in the center of the country, which seems to pulse with secrets. No one has ever ventured up to its heights.
Education: The most important things taught to students in Voylindar are magic and myths. Voylindarians believe that if a child is brought up in such ways they will be better prepared against the strange and wonderful parts of Mythworld.
Land:At the heart of the country is a massive, smooth-sided, solid stone mountain. It is said that many years back, a terrible serpent lived at the peak. According to legend, this giant snake was slain, and its blood flowed down the mountain, flooding the land with magic. Supposedly, any child born near the mountain would be gifted with special abilities. The rest of the land seems to support this legend, as the formation of the ground, were you to look down on it from above, appears as a giant ripple spreading from the mountain as if some great force had sent waves across its surface.
(in the map, the mountain is depicted as having a large snake coiled around it)

reserved for Fao'dar

reserved for Stin & the Magical Lakes (Stindom)

Glindom
Meaning of Name: Land of Folklore
Capitol: Nardom
Official Language: Glindomi
Form of Government: Monarchy/Caste
Area: 3,103,031 sq. miles
Population: 180 million
Primary Exports: Slaves, weaponry
Details on Government: The Glindomi are controlled by a very strict caste syestem, with leading families at the top, important army leaders underneath them, and other people according to occupation below them.
People: The Glindomi are led by their strong belief in six gods: Asa, god of the other gods, of day, light, the sun, and the stars. Sura, Asa's wife, goddess of the moon, dark, shadows, and night. Kaysj, goddess of intelligence, and all who wander. Zjmly, god of good fortune, and all things entertaining. Makky, god of war, and the signature god of soldiers. Finally, Shafa (or Sapha), goddess of the work/rest relation, caretaker of the farming and working class. The people are also driven by a strong loyalty to their country. The Glindomi are known for being very strong in battle, and warlike, skilled especially in their own land.
Education: The youth of Glindom are trained according to their predestined occupation. Most are drafted into the army and trained for war, sometimes at only eight years of age. School is tough, and the weak are either filtered out, killed, or given as slaves. It is a very harsh system.
Land: Glindom is a dry and barren land. It is mostly desert, but unlike the soft sands of House of Fire in Rhindom, the sand in Glindom is dark in color, large, and sharp, like small shards of glass.