Realm Contest (Judged!)

[FlyingPanther]

Realm Name: Yucata Jungle

Lay of the Land: The surrounding landscape is not completely appealing, For whatever the reason, maybe because of the different temperatures along the edge of the region territories, the plantlife is not extremely thick, and it's not rare for their to be patches of barren and dead plants. It makes it fairly unappealing to want to enter into. However, if you get far enough into the center, then you are suddenly met with vast and thick rainforest. The air is extremely moist, and it always at least sprinkles once per day, leaving the plants happily vivid greens. There are tons of vines hanging down from extremely all canopy trees, and the floor is litered with decaying material, giving the air an extremely earthy smell, especially after it rains. It is extremely easy to get lost in the jungle if you are not a local and are brave, or foolish, enough to enter. Scattered around the region are large grey stone cities, and at the very center, there is usually an extremely large cleared expance, with a step pyramid like structure in teh very middle. It is not uncommon for their to be steps leading up to the top, and equally uncommon for the stone steps to be stained red.

Colors/Patterns: The base color can range anywhere in the spectrum of Tan, the lightest being a Golden Tan and the darkest being a Bronze Tan. Sometimes they have lighter colored bellies, though for the most part, they tend to be a singular base color. Along the top of their backs and spines, they sport rather strange black markings looking similar to [ ] s with up to 4 perfectly round black spots between the bracket like markings. Those individuals who are considered higher class (Queens, Kings, Jacks, Tens, Nines, and Eights) always have Turquoise 'war-paint' upon their faces, either in straight lines or perfect outlines of circles. Squiggley lines are considered extremely unappealing, so the only 'war-paint' shapes done are either angular or complete circles like the sun. The higher in rank the individual, the more likely they are to have more markings, even stretching down along the body. Almost all of the members of this region sport long jet black manes which they braid intricately in many or just one braid. Those of a lesser rank might just sport a pony tail, or even worse, short hair. Short hair, or no mane at all, are considered EXTREMELY unattractive, and often will never find mates, and are sometimes sacrificed at birth in their religious ceremonies. Elder members of the region tend to have grey, white, or 'peppered' hair with the absence of the melanin in the hair. Members of the region that express any other colors then the ones they commonly naturally come in, are often seen as curses upon the race, and their imperfect selves are often sacrificed at birth. Those who are in the upper class (Q, K, J, 10, 9, and 8) often adorn themselves in feathers, bones, pelts (of local wildlife), Gold and Turqoise. It is extremely extremely rare for them to be sporting anything different from that, mostly because that is all they have in their region.

History: There is very very little known about the Yucatans, mostly because they are an extremely secretive and illusive people. What little IS known about them is from about 3 or 4 people who had managed to locate people within the region, and meraculously gain their trust enough to learn a thing or two before leaving.

They are an extremely secluded people, that will most likely never be in the official courts of Hearts, Diamonds, Spades, or Clubs. They have their own form of government, not completely unlike the 'outside world's, and very similarly Hearts and Diamonds are considered top class citizens, even in low ranking individuals, because of the beautiful red color that they associate with blood. Red cards are considered purer of blood and therefore those who have the symbols are considered to be closer then anyone to the gods, especially royalty of those card suits. A Queen of Diamonds or Hearts is basically the equivelent of a god, and is often not only the ruler of the particular city within their region, but also the spiritual leader and sacrificer.

They are a deeply religious people, though it is unknown exactly who they worship and if there is more then one god. No one could stomach their yearly festival long enough to figure it out, as there are many many sacrifices made that day. The blood of mortals, or so it is thought that they believe, keeps their gods alive for one more year, before he next festival occurs and the process starts over again. Those that are considered imperfect, as well as the MOST perfect of the region are often the ones sacrificed, and they often gladly face their 'dooms'. They believe they live on as the gods themselves, and often black suits will volenteer whether or not they were chosen for the ritual in order to gain honor and be closer to the gods (which they are naturally less close due to their suits).

They do NOT cannibalize the bodies, instead prefering to bury them underneath next years crop so that the earth and themselves could be fed. It is considered a ritual of mourning to eat food grown above that of a loved one's body, and it is said that they often feel much better after doing so. This of course is done after all the blood has been drained from the corpses body.

Other then the once a year festival, very little to no bloodshed takes place. They are an extremely peaceful people, just happy to live among themselves and create wonderful works of jewelery, pottery, and other artisan creations. Those of higher rank are educated in everything from primative math, to the written language, to the history of the people. Marriage is an extremely looked forward to event, as much as the yearly festival some say, and first takes place at a young age (around 15). Often times, one individual (of either gender...as long as they exibit a dominate personality within the community) will be married to several other individuals. They (despite gender) are the 'man' of the relationship as foreigners have labeled them, and they can have as many 'wives' as they want, while 'wives' cannot have more then one 'man/husband'. If they do...it tends to be a rather sour affair, and very few 'husbands' will touch her/him after such an event. They will most likely become divorced and never marry again. These individuals eventually sacrifice themselves during the festival for atonment purposes.

They do not interact with outsiders of the region, so everything they own, eat, etc is made by someone within the community. Their way of gaining is through trade, and there is no currency, though they do have a concept of value. Obviously shiny things will require alot more to exchange with.

Two strange features of the region, is that the majority of the Yucatans are feline in breed. This is because they are considered the most beautiful (as well as possibly having some sort of connection to their god(s)). This doesn't mean there aren't other breeds, but it does mean that felines are an extremely common sight. The other strange feature, is that everyone of that region is entirely mute. It is unknown weather the region has taken a vow of silence, if they actually physically don't have vocal cords, or if they just don't talk to foreigners. All that is known is that they do not speak AT all, even if their lives depend on a warning sound. All communication is done through art or the written word.

Location: Located in the section of uncharted land between Tugley Wood and Golfam Marsh/The Lowlands. The region does not extend beyond Tugley Wood and The Lowlands.

Feelings: Most everyone hads no idea this region exsists at all, due to the way the region appears to everyone at first glance, and the fact that people are very rarely found wandering around, and usually when they are, they slink back into the forests just as quickly as they exposed themselves. From rare sightings, which hardly anyone believes due to the rarity (kinda like the lockness monster or the yeti), people have come up with small myths of cannibalistic barbarian phantoms, who come and steal people who have wandered into their forests never to be seen again. Because of this, those who do believe there are any people in the region stay well well away, even more so then one would attempt to avoid the Marshes, Wastes, or Tugley Wood.

The regioners themselves avoid other regions like the plague, and tell legends of monsters to keep people within the region walls. This is not ment to be a weird controling government conspiricy like it might sound. They are just honestly afraid to confront anyone who is not their people, because of the legends, that may possibly have some historical truth to them, if you think about where they are situated. Many people already believe Lowlanders, Golfamites, and Tuglians are evil, so its not so far a reach for the Yucatans to believe the same.

---

Where it is located on the map


Sample of Yucatan. Traditional Ponytail/Braid, with several extra braids. Obviously of high rank due to large amounts of Turquoise. Sample of back Spots.

[Kari Muffin]

Realm Name: Elderian Pass

Lay of the Land: Elderian has a few rolling hills and a few prosperous farm lands. They have engineered the land to have a "practical" and "logical" layout to defend themselves from hostile outsiders. Little of the natural grasslands that were once their remain, however, there are a few rolling hills and farmlands that are someone lush and green.

Colors/Patterns: Residents of the pass have gray fur, with red spot markings and silver socks or silver random patches. Their eyes are often two different colors.


History: Elderians don't believe in pansy philosophy and getting away with murder. They follow a strict law code, and scoff at people who simply want to gain knowledge for the sake of knowledge. The Elderians are slightly paranoid, and can maintain their lands in complete self sufficient believing that strength and justice will prevail over all. All members of the pass are trained to defend themselves. If a woman, man, or child can't cut the mustard they're kicked out and left to defend themselves in either the Wood or the Lowlands. The weak don't make it very far. They highly value aspects of the family, and the honor of having one, but if there is a weak link in the family it is quickly dealt with. One imperfect is everyone's imperfection.

Elderians are notorious for becoming soldiers, lawyers or law makers. To them it's pretty much the same thing. If justice isn't delivered properly there is no justice. No one can escape from the righteous. Strangers who visit the pass are expected to follow the same codes as the citizens. No one can escape punishment. They have a great hatred for Lowlanders for being so disorderly, and they aren't fond of the Tulgey Wood residents for being... there. Basically anyone who is a philosopher who thinks of free speaking without consequence isn't worth the time of day. They aren't warmongers, they really don't care for war. They just care about justice being administered properly. If they have to go to war for that to happen, then so be it.

Location: It's caught on a tiny strip of land between Tulgey Wood and the Lowlands, hence the the name "Pass." They are simply an entry way to another realm.

Feelings: The Lowlands despise the Pass for being so defensive about everything and dumping their weaklings on them... even if they don't survive. Most of the other realms think leaving the Pass to do what they want is the best course of action. Sometimes the Courts ask for soldiers or other small services, but generally no one wants to touch them with a five hundred foot pole.

[Kasatsu]

Realm Name: Cadique

Lay of the Land: With marshes up towards the north and woods in the south, much of Cadique is a bayou.

Colors/Patterns: They are born with vibrant colors of greens, browns, and whites which allow them to blend into their surroundings. As they grow up their fur grows lighter and lighter, bleached by the land, until it appears that they have albino-like coats.

History: They make a living from the land, especially in fishing and wild animal trapping then selling the furs. Being a very mischievous people, they love to play pranks and cause friendly havoc, especially on their neighbors. As they grow older they tend to mellow out some, though they still love a good prank.

Location: Lies between the Golfam Marsh, the Lowlands, and Tulgey Wood, extending a little farther to the east as well.

Feelings: Due to the rumors surrounding Tugley Wood and Golfam Marsh as well as their uncanny ability to move through the bayou with light-footed ease, other Cards gaze upon those from Cadique, especially the elders with their bleached fur, and are certain they see ghosts.

[Kasatsu]

Realm Name: Auspicia

Lay of the Land: It is a land filled with lush meadows, babbling brooks, and stretches of verdant trees; it's easy for the beautiful inhabitants of Auspicia to find inspiration all around them.

Colors/Patterns: They are born with bright colors with twining patterns, blotches, or a mix of the two markings. They do not tend to be of a certain set of colors, each person unique. At birth, parents make a wish of which skills they want their children to be able to succeed in, and then give their child an enchanted jewelry or piercing to symbolize it – nevertheless, ultimately the child's decisions will determine their skills, but they often have an extra boost if they do follow their parents' hopes. Some parents may chose to tell their children what they wished for while others may not.

History: Auspicia is filled with people who are ambitious and take great pride in their skills. The people tend to be into the Arts, training from a very young age in the skills needed of the professions (such as musicians, actors, dancer, and writers). They often enjoy sharing their skills with others, often taking jobs as tutors if they do not go into a profession themselves. They always enjoy performing for others and bringing out emotions from their audience.

Location: Lies above the Highlands and the Yarrow Gardens.

Feelings: The inhabitants of Auspicia are often sought after by those of the other realms due to their renowned skills.

((modified spelling XD))

[Bee]

Realm Name: Maniae Plateau

Lay of the Land: The plateau is one of the highest points in the known world, and quite difficult to reach without skills in either flight or mountaineering. The landscape features few trees and is quite flat, but it is a dizzying sea of bright flowers--from the fields of cultivated poppies to the bizarre local flora that covers every available surface. Everything seems to blur together into a confusing, swirling mass of colors. Due to the high altitude and bright vegetation, most visitors to the Plateau become extremely disoriented and need to lie down, or else they lurch aimlessly about, light-headed and fearful. In extreme cases, visitors unable to acclimate themselves have been known to simply go mad and throw themselves off the edge of the plateau. Likewise, residents of the Plateau who leave are easily spotted by their breathing problems and dazed, erratic demeanors.

Colors/Patterns: Residents often sport a blindingly bright array of colors, in dizzying, swirling patterns. It is extremely common for residents to have mismatched eyes--the most frequent combination being electric blue and vibrant orange. People from other lands are sometimes given headaches just by looking at them.

History: The Maniae Plateau first became known as a tremendously fertile ground for opium poppies--indeed, the Plataeu is today the main producer and distributor of the drug. They also cultivate a wide variety of other narcotics, and the residents are known for ingesting them--they must, in fact, consume at least a small quantity of opium daily, or suffer very ill effects. It is theorized that generations of drug use is what drove the people here to madness, but the Plateau dwellers have another idea. They see things more clearly than one might assume from their odd mannerisms and bizarre, mudded speech patterns; something in the poppies gives the people of this region the ability to see flashes of other times--pasts, and possible futures. For this reason they are sometimes employed by the Courts by paranoid members of the royalty who wish to know what the future holds. Such employers often become very frustrated by the fact that the Maniae can never tell it straight, and that they deal only in probable futures rather than absolutes.

Maniae, interestingly, are also incapable of lying. Some people have found that if they phrase a question correctly, they can actually receive a coherent answer. However, forcing a Maniae to obey order in such a manner is often physically painful for them--extended periods of lucidity can cause them to pass out or drop into comas, and death is not entirely unheard of.

Location: Situated between Yarrow Gardens and Corvistowne. It is a very small territory.

Feelings: Their Yarrow Gardens neighbors are quite leery of them, and for good reason; more than one misled Gardens youth has been pulled into the opium business over the years. They get along well with the Corvistowne residents, but even those eccentrics are sometimes perturbed by the sheer level of madness that seems to pervade the Plateau. Some of the more greedy or power-hungry regions might be interested in partnering up with a clairvoyant Maniae, due to the wealth of the region and the chance to glimpse the future.

[Nyx]

Realm Name: Midori Beach

Lay of the Land: The Midori beach is generally sunny and warm, even in the winter, it doesn't get all that cold, and snow is basically unheard of. Think of a tropical island. Because of it's location, and beach front, it is considered a great place for a vacation

Colors/Patterns: Base color is a bright but not neon green with swirls of bright pink running along the backs and up the legs. Webbed feet and manes are not uncommon. Manes are generally done in a dreadlock or braided fashion.

History: Anyone coming from Midori beach is generally laid back and easy to get along with. They are a lazy bunch and only really do any work when there are 'tourists' around. The consider themselves better than no one. Their speach is kinda slow, like they are too lazy to form full sentences, which sometimes they are.

Location: Between The Forest of Kahmden and Selkie Lakes

Feelings: The other realms pretty much forget that this one is there unless they are up for a bit of vacation, then it is generally the first place they think of. It is pretty easy to forget since the area is so small.

[Kitty]

Realm Name: Terzian Caverns (tuhr-Z-an)

Lay of the Land: The land it's self is entirely barren, the soil so terrible that not a single plant is harty enough to inhabit the surface, and yet life remains ... underground. The Terzians, who are blamed for the complete desecration of the habitat of their lands, have moved below the earth into an intricate, and entirely self engineered, cavern underground. And, surprisingly enough, there is life below with them, and sunlight reaches within as well. Actually, beneathe the surface there are at least seven large farming areas for plants that were imported in initially, and have thrived in the soil, which had been imported as well. It is rumoured that the soil is a mixture of every other realms... which is why it proves so fertile.

Colors/Patterns: Generally they are a beautiful golden color with a white face, tail and limbs, the white on their coat is swirled with black and any shade of blue, but the blue always matches their eyes. Horn mutations, of all types, are not all that uncommon in this race either, however, if they do posess it, the horns are almost always black.

History: It is rumoured that above the Terzian Caverns there used to be a lush and fruitful valley that was famed for it's decadent fruits and vegetables. However, the Terzian's became greedy and over cultivated the lands and made deals with Corvistowneians to create chemicals and engineer their crops until nothing would grow at all, devastating it's people. A great famine occurred and then everyone just ... vanished. However, several years later, they were popping up here or there and gathering supplies and at last the city was reopened, however far from it's former glory that it was. The residents, however, had been humbled by this experience and no longer hold farming as their main source of income, they had become magnificent glass blowers and mirror makers... anything made of glass really. This buisness keeps the caverns very warm, even in the dead of winter. The residents here are hard working and want nothing more then to redeem themselves for their past transgressions.

Location: The Terzian Caverns border Golfam Marsh, The Lowlands and the Tulgey Wood.

Feelings: Members of the Lowlands have a great jealousy towards the Terzians and their ability to thrive in a land much worse then their own, but often times try and take advantage of their humble nature and get an apprentiship. This land is generally held in high esteem by the Royal Courts as their beautiful stained glass windows and glass trinkets (or favored tea sets) often come from this region.


A canine Terzian with a typical color pattern. Notice how the swirls overlap in an almost 3D pattern. This particular canine is also sporting a pair of ram horns and is panting from the heat of his home.

[perf]

Oh, fun!

Realm Name: The Nylaia Dirges

Lay of the Land: A vast plateau, it is open and barren. The soil is highly alkaline and acidic, therefore there is little plant life. There is however one species of tree that grows, however it is simply a twisted trunk, there is no green. In the ground there are large cracks, large enough for bodies to fit in and they provide shade from the baking heat, if anyone can handle the alkalinity, that is! It is hot and dry, except for the occasional monsoon that sweeps through, however the water never lasts long.

Colors/Patterns: The residents here are most commonly reptiles, as their tough skin can handle the alkaline soil very well. Another common Dirge dweller are birds, as they perch in the trees and thus avoid the alkaline soil. Vermin however, and felines often frequent the area. Because of the acidic soil most residents wear moccasin-like coverings on their feet, but many are too poor and have red, raw, blistered feet. A lot of the residents have mangy, ratty fur because of constantly rubbing against the roof of their acidic dens. Their fur is blonde-whitish, and many have small dark flecks of brown, grey, or white. Some have sun bleaching, and a few are born with large yellow heads, though not many. Due to the lack of water, many Nylaiains are skinny and dehydrated, or bloated with malnutrition. It is a hard place to live, but the residents chose to live here for some reason or another.

History: Nylaians are lazy cheapskates. They prefer to lie in the shade and do nothing other than pester their neighbor. Gossip abounds, and feuds between families are all too common. A Nylaian always sleeps with one ear open, so toy say, thriving and living off of the news of others. They are dry and sarcastic, much like their home. Scavenging is one of their best qualities, and they often scour the Josiggy marsh or even th Kahmden forest to get food or supplies. They are prone to frequenting the Hissor wastes, however only if they find the energy to. Stealing is not above them, they consider it "abrupt borrowing", even if the commodity is never returned.

Location: The dirges are located in front of Josiggy Marsh, and touches the edge of the Kahmden forest. It is long, and fairly narrow with a large bule towards the Bazaar in the center.

Feelings: The marshpeople don't mind the Nylaians too much, as they do not involve themselves in the Nylaians' gossiping. The only time they have a problem is when scavengers have stolen posessions of value. The forest people hardly ever notice them, because when the Nylaians scavenge in the forest they are quiet and unobtrusive, wishing only to get back home to their "desperate housewives" lives. The Hissor wastes people enjoy the company of Nylaians, as they get to hear all the gossip but don't get involved much. They see it as entertaining, almost like some reality show of Nylaians. The Nylaians don't realize this, they simply love an ear to talk to.

[Shinigami]

Realm Name: Asgaror

Lay of the Land: The land is made up mostly of stark cliffs and harsh oceans, and though the weather isn’t the best around, tending towards wind and rain and the colder temperatures, it isn’t the coldest in existence, nor the harshest. On top of the cliffs are hardy apple orchards that seem to thrive in the adverse conditions, that range in taste from sharp and bitter to strangely sweet, making them delicacies.

Colors/Patterns: All members of Asgaror tend to be heavily-furred, even the very, very few serpents that originate from that land. If they don’t have thick furs of their own, their parents or other family members will generally make fur coats or coverings for them. The only exception to this heavy fur is their brand – this isn’t a natural marking, but a rune that is branded upon them by their parents when they are children. In color, the Asgaror tend toward deep, dark browns, accented by blue and the occasional jagged slashes of gold.

History: Asgaror is only recently settled – ships from far away arrived at the rocky shores one rather dismal day, and the people aboard included men, women, and children. They’d been driven from their former land, and though they liked to say that they were primarily a sea-folk, they did still need someplace to live when not on their ships, or when the ships needed work. After some weeks of sailing, they came upon the cliffs that they soon claimed as Asgaror, hollowing out the area to make comfortable dens for themselves. Slowly they joined in the trade and commerce with the Courts, settling themselves into their niche. Like the Selkie Lakes, they provide fish to the Courts, but they specialize in the saltwater fish that weren’t previously available. They also trade their furs from hunting on and around the cliffs, as well as, oddly enough, their apples, which are prized all around. The people of Asgaror are a friendly bunch, who place a lot of importance on family; however, family is a loosely-defined term, which can and has included some random stranger that happened to be passing by the home at the right time for dinner. They like big get-togethers of people, and are rather bewildered by loners and those who prefer to live solitary existances. Oh! You also can’t forget the Asgaror’s love for strong alcohol, especially their apple scrumble, which is made from their own apples. Well, mostly apples.

Location: They live in the southeast, alongside Corvistowne.

Feelings: Most other Realms are perfectly fine with the Asgaror – they’ve only just arrived, and so haven’t had much time to make enemies or friends with anyone in particular. They might have a bit of a competition with the Selkie Lakes on providing fish and the like, but at least on their side, it’s all in good fun.

[seraaches]

Realm Name: Queen’s Islands, also called the Islands or Qi (pronounced ‘key’). The four largest, are named after the suits: from biggest to smallest, are Heart, Diamond, Spade, and Club.

Lay of the Land: Qi is actually very little land, just a spattering islands, while the rest of it is water. There are four main islands, conveniently the largest in the chain, run approximately northwest to southeast and goes Diamond, Spade, Heart, and then Club. There are somewhere between 20 and 40 smaller islands, though some are really little more than bare rocks sticking out of the water.

Colors/Patterns: The Islanders tend to come out in colours of light blues, pale yellows, and whites, the colours gliding across their fur in flowing patterns like those of the sea. Islanders are always born with at least one, though usually two, antennae-like lures that can be lit up if desired. It’s unusual but not unheard of for an Islander to be born with more lures.

History: The Queen’s Islands are known for two things, resorts and fish. Probably the largest exporter of not only fish but all manners of sea souvenirs, the Islands are known for their quality items and food. If it came from an official exporter from the Islands, you can trust that it is of excellent quality. The Islands themselves are also absolutely gorgeous and many resorts and tourist-type trades have sprung up, including things like sea tours, shell jewelry, and swimming lessons.

Islanders are fairly easy-going but generally look down upon the tourists who come to see them even as they profit off of them. Most Islanders like their home but want to get off the islands and see the rest of the world.

Location: Located on the far side of Corvistowne and Villa en Miir, it covers a large amount of space despite the lack of land.

Feelings: The Queen’s Islands are quite popular for their resorts and exports. Islanders are usually well accepted by the other regions as they are adept at hiding their disregard for the tourists.