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Post by Emperor Florin von Marcum on Sept 5, 2021 15:23:49 GMT
My dear wife,
I’m sorry to have left you to finish up the arrangements on our new house in Sorleis without notice, but the DOC chamberlain in St. Helena insisted I come to the capital. Evidently, I’m being sent to scout out new potential markets for investment. And you thought my language studies were a waste!
Overall, I find the capital to be as charming as I’d hoped. There’s a definite difference between the old and new districts here. The older portions still have cobble streets, which really did a number on my bones. The industriousness of the newer portions is quite a shock compared to the stately nature of the older ones, though the result does have a unique appeal. Far and away the most impressive view on the horizon is St. Charles Cathedral. The roof really is done up in purple tile. I’ll write again when I find the time.
Salve,
Oliver
Dear Elysia,
Will you forgive your husband for his silence? I’ve hardly had a spare moment since beginning my travels. Evidently, I’m being sent like an errand boy around half the globe for the company. Right now, I’m overseeing some shipments in Vernalport. Your brother was kind enough to let me stay with him, so I can avoid renting a room. He sends his love, but has been busy with the rest of the fusiliers guarding the Equinox Temple. His new wife Sera (did you know she’s from Tanysira?) toured me around the city.
After visiting, I’m reminded of the charms of Divinium. Vernalport is too crowded. With all the soot I’d scarcely remembered that this was a natural wonder. I must admit though, the pools are quite a sight. As massive as any lake I’ve lain eyes on, and teeming with who knows what manner of strange creatures! Unfortunately, I had arrived on a high day. When Sera and I were returning to the trolley, the vernals had already begun their rituals. Never in my life do I wish to relive the horrors I saw as they sacrificed those poor bastards. The waters were as red as crimson. And the foaming! You’d swear they were hunting a great whale. One of the priestesses had the gaul to ask if I wished to participate. It took all my effort to be polite in my refusal (and not to let go of my supper).
I’m off now, my dear. Sera invited me to a reel being held in the barracks tonight. At least that will be some return to normalcy.
Salve,
Oliver
Dear Elysia,
By God I’ve had a run of it. The weather in the Gankands is hotter than the pits of Hell. If it weren’t for the weather, I’d have explored more of the place. Still, I was pleasantly surprised to find Coronae’i’Xarn to be quite a stunning city. The people here are much more peaceable than the gazettes would have you believe. Though not quite as open as proper Divinians, they are kind in their way. And a more loyal group to the Empress I’ve never met. Her image is plastered everywhere I look, from statuary in the forum to icons for sale in the markets. You’d love the markets here, full to bursting with goods from the tropics.
The cuisine is certainly distinct. Though I’ll admit the heaviness of spices has left my stomach in knots on more than one occasion. The culture of tea drinking is one I could certainly grow accustomed to though. Never once have I had to endure the kompot high class Divinians love so much. Perhaps the local fruits wouldn’t work in such a manner? I learned that the hard way with bananas.
I am sending back to you some choice fabrics which I hope you will find pleasing. The textile industry in the Gankands may be the most extensive I’ve ever laid eyes on. Damasks, silks, and cottons with the most intricate patterns are seen on all manner of person here. Perhaps you’ll become the forefront of fashion? That would silence your aunt for once. I must be off, my dear. Thinking of you always.
Salve,
Oliver
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Post by Fleischmann on Sept 5, 2021 16:22:08 GMT
Dear Elysia,
I'm currently on a ship from Hipposia to Sadalen proper, but I must tell you of the things I saw when in the Sadaler colony. Firstly, I was met on the road when travelling the Gankands by a band of rather rough looking horsemen, who seemed at first to be trying to kidnap me. They told me that they had been sent by their employer to escort a travelling man that matched my description to Niujishaban, though they did not have a name. I tried to refuse, but they got quite irritated when I did and reiterated their orders.
Fearing they might choose to kill me there and then, I went along with them. Despite my initial misgivings, they were indeed just trying to escort me and when we arrived in the city, they bid me farewell and did me no harm. As I was there, I decided to tour around for a bit and see what the place had to offer. Besides its massive new port facilities, it has a great open air market near the waterfront, in which you can find all sorts goods, including some of the textiles from the rest of the Gankands. Most of the things I saw were imports from Tanysira, with tropical fruits, spices, chocolate, teas, and coffee being very prominent.
The market place itself is surrounded by buildings of strange construction, or rather the whole city is of strange construction. It is very clear to see where the original town was and where brand new expansion is based off of architectural styles alone. Many of the buildings in the old town are a blend now of the local style, which features prominent usage of Doric columns, domed roofs, and generally square houses, with what appears to be Sadaler elements. The admixture varies, likely based off of war damage, but some places will have the lower half of the building be stone and with columns, and then have a wooden second floor, with either wattle and daub walls or walls made of wooden slats, with the roofs being more pointed, like they are expecting snow.
The newer parts of the city feature mostly wooden houses, with no more than three stories, with the odd ones being made from brick and stone work. The ones that do have more solid construction tend to have plaster on the walls, which is then decorated with painted animals and strange symbols. A few of the larger buildings are actually ships which were dragged ashore and converted.
While it is not a beautiful place, it is most certainly an interesting one. The buildings have a certain charm to them and the atmosphere is very lively, especially around the temples where you can see equal numbers hawking goods and trying to compete for people's souls. It is definitely rough, but crime seems to be very tightly controlled by the local government.
I'll write more when I get to Morthal.
Salve,
Oliver
My love,
I am currently writing to you from one of the most humid cities I have ever been to, Morthal. Arriving here was not the most pleasant experience in the world, as the river it sits on, the Kos, is extremely polluted. It carries industrial waste from deep within Sadalen out to sea, as well as serving as a highway for shipping. Apparently it also contains a great deal of fish, but I am less than convinced of the quality of anything that lives in those waters.
Once I was away from the river though, I was taken by the absolute insanity that is the city. It is filled with canals... Or rather, is made of them. There are foot paths and bridges, but it is faster by far to take a river boat if you know where you are going, as the footpaths are not very direct. I was also able to enjoy a rather unique experience, as the city has a dangling train which you can take over some of the major canals and to different areas of the city. I waited no more than twenty minutes for a train to come to my stop and was able to find a seat without a problem.
The city is very segmented in style, with some sections having buildings which do share many stylistic choices with things built at home in the last thirty years, whilst other sections have buildings obviously from preceding centuries. The orderliness of the canals is also a good indication of age, as the oldest parts of the city were built without much real planning from what I can see. Old houses with centuries of expansion and repairs making them up, hang in a claustrophobia inducing manner over some canals, with their eclectic materials making them a true patchwork of engineering and design.
The city is built around an old castle, which itself is surrounded by a more recent star-fort. From what I gathered, the castle came first, then some buildings, and then the city. The oldest parts of the city were demolished a couple of centuries ago to build the citadel. I was able to get access to it and the interior area is actually quite nice, with gardens and trees growing in there. There were soldiers all over the place doing patrols and watching me, but it was not as dark and depressing as I thought it might be. The castle was also quite nice, though I personally did not like its whitewashed walls.
After touring the citadel, I went and saw the markets. It was... Not an experience I can recommend. The food was extremely cheap, to the point where I had issues not over-paying for things, but I saw a most distasteful sight. I saw what appeared to be prisoners of war from Duom being auctioned off on a stage. Some of them were being shown half-naked, most likely for their physique, whilst others were being forced to do mathematical equations on a board, with the audience shouting out problems.
After that harrowing experience, I took the dangle train again and visited a large park. In the south-east of the city proper, there is a massive park with trees and an open field, most likely a mustering ground. Nearby is a military district of some sort, one which I was not allowed to approach. I got to see some soldiers practising for a parade on the open field. It was quite entertaining watching them go back and forth.
After that, I found myself a hotel to stay in, for the price of only ten Pfennige, some of the smaller local coins. The evening was spent going to street stalls, trying food, and watching plays. I got to see a large barge coming down the river, laden with timber and other goods before I finally retired for the night.
It was all very loud and lively, but I think you might enjoy it. The city is beautiful, though the people are barbaric.
Salve,
Oliver
Dear Elysia,
I took a train out of Morthal and went to a neighbouring state here. Did you know that they have internal border controls? I was nearly taken off the train due to a misunderstanding, as they thought I was some sort of itinerant merchant due to some of the souvenirs I bought in my previous stops. Anyway, I was allowed over the border after swearing I would not engage in any hawking and signing a piece of paper to that effect and arrived in the small city of Pinij-bi-Morei.
It is a new city, with everything being built from bricks and looking very modern. The entertainment is nothing to really speak of, but it has the cutest thing. Along the water front and to some nearby towns and villages, there is a tiny miniature railway service. Seeing it, you would think it for children or a joke, but it is actually a proper service and is used to bring goods in and out of the city, as well as people.
I ended up riding it up and down the coast and got to chat with some of machine gunners on the train. They actually have tiny armoured cars with machine guns, which they use to protect the train and watch the coast. They seem convinced that one of these days, some foreign menace will come from the sea and attack them. When I asked who, they just kept saying 'Sea-people'.
If I ever get the chance, I will definitely take you on that train.
Salve,
Oliver
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Post by xander10 on Sept 6, 2021 0:15:51 GMT
Dear Elysia,
The boat has landed has just landed in the most chaotic of cities I have ever been to! There is no end in sight to the riving mass of people, carriages, and trams going about their business. The noise of this city, known as the City of Sheen, part of the trading empire of the Associated Cities of Sheen, is almost deafening with the hailing of street vendors and the occasional very loud rumbles from these new motor cars! The people are loud and brash, self confident and impossible to be confused for a Divinian any day. Everywhere I went I saw posters advertising the guilds, corporations, unions and parties, but with not a single image of their leadership in sight despite that.
One thing that really surprised me when I visited the City was the immense scale, in even the largest city I have visited before today, I could travel by carriage quickly and easily, and in Morthal, by boat. Here, they have seen need to build entire railways below the streets, some so silent and clean they do not need skylights to let steam escape, my Liaison explained to me that this is because they use electricity on the railways here, though I find that hard to believe. One thing of note is how cheap all the trains and trams are here, even the poorest folk can afford the tickets, moreover it is as if you just arrive and there is a train waiting for you! How they do this, I do not understand, but this city is a city of wonders!
Later in the day, we are taken to visit the northern reaches of the city, which despite my liaison telling me is the poorest region of the city, still has an underground railway running right through it and hundreds of trams! This city is honestly overwhelming in how much it must spend to serve every inch of the city, I have never in my life heard of a place where even the poor get a state of the art railway, sure it is not as nice as any of the other rail lines I have been taken down, but it is still miles ahead of what I have seen so far outside of this city. When I arrived, I found a bustling, busy region once again, but now with hard working men of industry. I had a meeting with a fine man called Mr Lansdown, who builds motor cars. He toured me around his factory and showed how Motor cars can be comfortable, fast and far quieter than I had previously experienced! I noticed how many of the workers when having lunch sat down and drank ale with a rather disgusting looking dish called "Jellied eels" however many said how it makes them stronger Sadaler man could ever be, I doubt that though as any dish that looks that horrible cannot possibly be good for you, on an interesting note, somehow the river here known as the Brent is even dirtier than the Kos.
Later that day, my liaison took me to an area of town he only referred to as "Bankside" to which I got to go on another one of these underground electric trains, and this one was also miniature! Not like the one in Pinij-bi-Morei, but still small and cute, and very fast too, we got to our destination in but a few minutes! Once at Bankside station, we departed the train after just 1 stop, and it went right back, to my confusion. My liaison explained that the railway was a shuttle for the mainline railway at Alliance hall, so that they could connect to the wealthy leisure district of the city where many would be travelers would be at. The view of the Ocean is incredible, and makes the area the most comfortable I have visited so far in my journey. I decided to visit on of the many restaurants by the seaside, and tasted a most exquisite dish that they call "Davidian Rabbit" I was at first confused thinking that it meant Divinian, but apparently there is a member city of the Association called David, known for it's Cider, and also for this dish, which contains no rabbit. Instead it is a cheesy yet hot and pungent delight on crisp, buttered and toasted bread. If we ever get a chance to my love, we should for sure visit this nation just to taste this dish together.
I must go now, my love. I have been invited by Mr Lansdown to travel with him tomorrow to watch a game he calls "Rugby Football."
Salve,
Oliver
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Dear Elysia,
Today I am with Mr Lansdown, who has taken me to the city of Tvickerland, though he asked his driver to take us through Dauthsaiws to show me the lakes of the region, and I must say it was worth the diversion, as they are beautiful, crystal clear waters that Mr Lansdown are full with fish and is a popular place for him and his wife to retreat from the busy city to. Though we eventually entered Tvickerland, I find it weird that every region of Sheen is a "city", as from my understanding most of the land is rolling farmland growing much grain for beer and bread. Mr Lansdown told me that the City of Sheen used to be like this too not long ago, but has been exploding in population at a rate of knots. What I was told was truly mind boggling, the City I was just in was half it's current population just 50 years ago! The growth is apparently thanks to the railways I told you about in my last letter. Truly fascinating.
I have arrived in the city itself, and Tvickerland is nothing like Sheen, well, except of course for the ever constant noise from trains, trams, carriages and cars. The city appears to be in slow motion in comparison, far calmer than it's larger brother. The river it is built along is bridged by many arched stone bridges, and the river is actually clean. Small boats lined the river with paddle steamers running down it providing apparently a ferry for those travelling from further afield. The roads are narrow and cobbled, and full of vibrancy. We then turn onto one of the bridges and my god! The view is gorgeous! A terraced embankment had been built with shops and public houses along it, and the town hall, with it's great protruding clock on it's side, stood gracefully in the centre. I hope to spend a romantic night with you here my love, truly a wonderful city!
We then arrived at the Stadium. At each end, there are two great "H" shaped goal posts that the men must reach with their egg shaped balls and place the ball at to "make a try for a goal" which if they succeed at scoring, they get 1 point. I must admit I did not understand this sport, but watching 30 men running at eachother and tackling one another with all their might was mightily entertaining. Apparently the ones in light and dark blue were from Rivers RFC and the ones in Burgundy and Navy were the Navy team. I must unfortunately inform you that apparently one of the chaps who was in the Navy team was apparently killed in that whole affair in Duom Asderaordia, though they didn't seem too hindered by this at they apparently won 3 goals to 1, with each side getting 5 tries.
I must apologise for writing so late, I am exhausted and plan to travel again soon, perhaps I may visit this Country again, it is a rather odd, yet beautiful country.
Salve,
Oliver
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Post by Dunwik on Sept 7, 2021 23:59:26 GMT
Dear Elysia: Forgive me for my long absence, travel from Tvickerland to the city of Miskatonic (in the lands of the nation known as Dunwik) was slightly slower than expected due to a strike of the boilermen. Upon arrival at the docks of Miskatonic, I was immediately swept up in this bizarre place and have been so entranced by it that my letter was left half-finished, for I would always come back to fill in something new about this place. The customs and fashions of these people are so alien and queer that a single note would never do them justice. The city of Miskatonic is a dense and messy place, with men on all matter of conveyance, from horse, to bicycle, to even a few men in particularly exotic suits driving about automobiles, and is such a maze that I got lost numerous times. What is most peculiar about Miskatonic is their obsession with the novelty of electricity, and their great fondness of gambling. For the former, wires, cables, and lines for telephone and power fill the skies, but that is not the queerest thing. Atop these wires, brightly plumed birds sit, and echo the calls of the salesmen! Upon inquiry, I was informed that these animals are a treasure of Dunwik, one of many. The city is divided into the older, stone buildings of an old aristocracy and a rapidly expanding modern city set in a square grid, with towers built higher and higher almost as a form of competition. The nest of wires and birds sometimes blots out the sun, but as the city is drenched in rain almost every other day, I think it forms almost a kind of umbrella. On the streets, all manner of salespeople hawk wares or set up gambling games for passerby to play, and I must confess the strange rules of these games lure in many travelers... myself included. When they heard my accent, they would shower me with gifts, and yet I would find it all lost in some strange wager within minutes. The climate in this place is extremely humid and hot. My own clothing, fit for Sheen, was dreadfully hot during my time in Miskatonic, and the food is something truly indescribable. I have seen scant record of spices you would recognize, and instead pages of strange and bright fruits with exotic, tropical flavors, especially in the more refined restaurants towards the edges of the city, further from the manual workers and closer towards the offices. Most strangely, I have seen almost no mention or record of the local government whenever I sought to inquire more about a system, being told to head towards a corporate office. I would return to this place with time, but my head is spinning too much, and some of these talking birds have made nest outside my window, crying for bread. I have attached two pictures to this letter, I hope they arrive in good condition. I managed to capture a photograph during a quiet hour, to highlight just how many cables are in this city. The birds follow men about. When there is no crowd, they disperse and seek food elsewhere.  I did find this painting, though, sold by someone on the streets. I think it would look most excellent.  Salve, Oliver |
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Post by The Realm of Moderal on Oct 14, 2021 12:20:08 GMT
My lovely Elysia,
I am sorry for my long absence. The seas were quite rough in the crossing between Dunwik and Moderal and I was unable to write while onboard. I am writing to you from Estrade in the DOC islands governed by Moderal, however I was picked up from Dunwik, and that is where I shall begin.
I was picked up from the shores of Dunwik by a vessel belonging to the offshore company. That brought through the strait to Estrad, the easternmost island belonging to the company. The journey was rought, with the seas being particularly unfavourable that day. It was all I could do not to loose my stomache overboard. The sailors on board tried to convince me that being on deck would be the best place. I thought they were making a joke out of me and insisted on staying downstairs. Perhaps they were right, as I did not feel much better the entire rest of the journey.
We eventually made berth at Estrad on the island of the same name. There is not much on the island except a large port to handle the trade and refueling, of the many ships that pass through the island on their way east and north to trade with the nations on the very edge of the map. The port itself is dominated by people working with the company, barely any people like myself who were not doing something with trade or the ships. There is a large coal store just to the north of the port where ships from moderal deposist the material which they use as ballast on the way down, not needing it as they return north laden with goods.
Oh! I can't believe I have forgot to mention the worst thing about this island. The mosquitos, they are every feasting on the blood of everything uncovered by clothing. Unfortunately, the temperature barely allows any coverage at all, my clothes haven't been quite dry since I have arrived here. Fortunately I have only one day until my ship arrives to take me north to Orasud where I will investigate what Moderal has to offer.
What really caught my attention though was the outside of the city and the jungle full of interesting and deadly creatures. It is a wild untamed place outside the city limits, where the natives used to live before they were driven out by the people here, I inquired into looking into a trip into the jungle but the workers in the tavern took one glance at me and began laughing. They told me that I would not survive a day in there and if I wanted to take a tourist trip into the jungle I should hire a guide in Orasud, the city of the south.
The people here are interesting, many originating from Divinium and other members of the DOC, but the large majority coming from Moderal. It is quite obvious as their angled eyes and high cheeckbones make them stand out from the crowd. Amongst these strange people I am beginning to long more and more for home.
I am missing you,
Salve,
Oliver
My dear,
I have now arrived in Orasud and settled in. It's even hotter than Estrad! The natural heat of the jungle is made so much worse by the proximity of so many people. At least the city is interesting, built atop of an ancient city, the difference in colour and style is striking. The streets are narrow and packed with people and animals everyone wearing the colour of their family on their shoulder. The people here are in great contrast to the environment, cold and isolated as compared to the dense and blistering heat of the jungle. No one talking or stopping to look at things, everyone keeps their head down and walks to wherever they are going. Every now and then a loud motor car filled with posh looking people roars past and everyone has to leap out of their way on the narrow street. A few people haven't been fast enough and they were run down without a thought.
I haven't managed to secure a trip into the jungle outside as the soldiers who would usually be a guide have been shipped off to Duom Aserdoria and Jollbalistich for some purpose mostly unknown. I received a letter when I disembarked from the ship instructing me on directions to my residency and how the Hrana family would get in contact with me.
Yesterday one of the motor vehicles pulled up outside my residence and a few men wearing the Hrana family colours were sent to get me. I was loaded into the car and we shot down the street, engine roaring. After a few minutes the streets and buildings looked cleaner and we entered the inner city where the noble families reside. It was a lot nicer here with less people crowding the streets. We eventually arrived at our destination and I know you don't like to hear me talk about that kind of thing so I shall make this breif. We talked some in his office, which was full of lavish and luxury.
Tomorrow I board yet another ship and head about as far north as you can go to the capital of Moderal, Gaia to talk to some more noble families. I will enjoy writing you another letter detailing my journey and experiences.
Salve,
Oliver
Dear Elysia,
I find myself delayed in writing you a letter, the rough seas once again striking me unwell. Fortunately, I followed the sailors advice this time and kept myself above deck in the fresh air as we steamed further and further north. The trip itself was quite spectacular. I found myself many a time watching the many islands go past, examining the differences between them, not bothered by the sickness I felt at the rough seas. Many of the southern ones covered in lush green jungle sometimes a flock of brightly coloured birds bursting from the treetops. The islands further north were covered in less trees and I could observe farms, mines and factories set on the island. Further north still the islands began to be covered with snow. It was beautiful, the untouched snow, sparkling in the sun as we went past. Some of these islands were quite large, large enough to house a city. Others as small and thin as pillars.
Eventually after a few days of sailing, we arrived at my final destination in Moderal, Gaia. The city was quite enchanting, snow covering the tall stone roofs. Cobbled strees lit with lamps shedding a dim orange light on the street below. A dull roar came from the few pubs I could see.
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