Greetings one and all! I hope you’ve been well and enjoyed the weekend. It’s time for an update on how work on Encyclopedia Sarcadia is travelling.
Things are going fantastic! I’m flying through the edit a lot quicker than what I anticipated. I honestly thought I might slow down a bit, but the writing has been non-stop ever since I got back from New Zealand. I guess I should go on more hiking adventures to keep the creative juices flowing!
My work on Sarcadia’s countries and continents continues and is nearing completion. This week I’ve finished two continents and five – yes FIVE – countries! I’m proud of how far well the encyclopedia is progressing, considering my “supervisor” has been micromanaging me…
As you can see, Zoya has made it her business to get involved in my business. While I do appreciate her support there’s only so much a cat can type with their paws. No offence to any feline readers out there! I’m sure you mean well but you need to let your human-slaves do their thing. We can take care of ourselves. Well, not as well as we take care of you…
Back to the book update!
It’s tough to summarise two continents and five countries in a quick update, but I’m going to give it a try! It’s time for a brief lesson of Sarcadian Geography 101!
Stagnum
Stagnum is a swamp continent that sits in the middle of Sarcadia. Within this murky land of slimy green live the lizard humanoids Reptilian and Draconian races. Reptilians are peaceful by nature unlike their larger Draconian cousins who are more aggressive.
Humans also live on the swamp wasteland though most of them were forced there due to their diseases or deformities. Stagnum’s most famous resident is the Cardinal’s Beatrice Ellsworth. The self-proclaimed “Duchess of Stagnum” controls the continent with her large army of ghouls and the gluttonous, disgusting Tenebites known as the Garlom.
Rykhart
Rykhart is the largest continent in Sarcadia. Those who live in the north experience colder weather than those living in the south. Rykhart is home to some of the largest animals in Sarcadia, such as giant boars, dire elk, and red bears. It’s also home to giants, humanoids who grow to an average ten feet tall.
Rykhart was once ruled by cannibalistic Ogres who enslaved the human population. The people of Rykhart eventually be liberated by Atriarch during his conquest of Sarcadia. When the All-Father ascended to the Realm of Light, Rykhart became home to Sarcadia’s bloodiest battles and power-hungry empires.
Rykhart is divided into two: West Rykhart which contains the countries of Rykland, Rusovania, and Strordom, and East Rykhart where one can find the countries of Hartland and Edaleen.
Rykland
Rykland was one of the most powerful empires in Rykhart, controlling West Rykhart at the peak of their prime. Their ruler and founder, Kaiser Rykard Heidermann, used fearful tactics to rule his subjects and defeat his enemies. This included the use of dire wolves in battle as well as the recruiting werewolves into his army.
Rykland’s empire would crumble following a series of rebellions from the people they oppressed. Today, the country is only a quarter of its former size as a result of been slowly conquered by Rusovania. Rykland believes the next invasion from the new West Rykhart powerhouse could end their existence.
Rusovania
Rusovania is the largest country in Rykhart. They are a proud, fearless nation founded by Ivan Rusov, who led a violent uprising against their Ryken suppressors. It has been a long tradition of Rusovania to heavily fortify their borders before launching a strong offensive. They’ll only launch their invasions of Rykland when the next “reincarnation” of Ivan Rusov is born and ready to lead them into victory.
Strordom
Strordom is the oldest country in Rykhart. They keep themselves secluded from the rest of the world, barely venturing out of from their borders. They’re allied with Rusovania due to their mutual dislike of Rykland.
Hartland
Hartland was once the strongest country in East Rykhart. It was made up of fourteen duchies who decided it was better to control the country together instead of fighting over it. For years the eight “superior” duchies of Hartland bullied the “inferior” six duchies. Civil war would eventually break out, resulting in the six duchies founding the country of Edaleen.
Despite losing a third of its land, Hartland continues to thrive and exists as an “elective monarchy”. The duchies vote for a “Grand Duke or Duchess” to rule Hartland until they abdicate, die, or if the duchies remove their leader after a vote of no confidence.
Edaleen
Edaleen is one of the youngest countries in. The Edalese were very peaceful people and their leaders were always fair and just. Many considered Edaleen to be a beacon of harmony until Queen Angelique Dubois came to power.
The fear of aging and paranoia about being usurped would drive Queen Angelique into the arms of the Cardinal. She would be turned into a vampire by Thomas Torino. Now under the bloody rule of “Night Queen of Edaleen”, Edaleen is now a haven for Sarcadia’s second largest vampiric population.
Well, I’m just as exhausted as you are, so I think we’ll stop today’s lesson! Remember, this is just a brief snapshot of the countries in Sarcadia. Keep an eye out for more detailed posts in the future once the encyclopedia has been completed.
That’s all for now! Thank you for reading and thank you for your continued support.
Until next time, be safe and take care!
W.F. Thorne
W.F. Thorne 