User:Qmasterflex86/Dwilight Netherworld
Theories on the Regions of the Dwilight Daimonic Lands
For the rather traditional and unoriginal "banner" of the Daimon lands, as used by those of Beluaterra:
Borders
The general criteria for selection of the daimon-controlled regions was an overall dead and barren appearance. Such a stark contrast can easily be seen while moving from the badlands to the fertile lands to the east, north, and south. Most clearly distinguishable is the characteristic blackened earth of Volcano Nightscree. However, a region that is ambiguous is Grympen Mire. While the southern portion has patches of barren landscape usually indicative of daimonic regions, the majority is fertile. Furthermore it borders Koshtlom, which borders Kosht, a dark, but clearly human city. For this reason, Grympen Mire is added as a region that could go either way, possibly a buffer zone that can one day be the cause for the daimons to war with the humans. The other regions clearly draw out a distinct border, due to the barren landscape that is not found in any regions beyond those I have marked.
Capital Location
There are three possible locations for the daimonic capital: Ruins of Walfurgisnacht (Stronghold), Nightmarch (City), and Dragon Song (Stronghold). Because Nighthelm is the only city and also the richest region, it might at first seem simple to assume that it is the capital of the daimon-controlled realm. However, a further analysis of the map reveals that, should Nightmarch indeed be the capital, it would take a fairly long time to reach the regions of Overroot and Underrot, requiring a traversal of either Dragon Song or Dragon Roost, both of which would severely increase travel time. On the other hand, a capital located in Dragon Song would provide immediate access to Overroot, and from Overroot, a much quicker path to Underroot. Furthermore, Dragon Song and Nightmarch both require traversing Volcano Nightscree in order to reach Ruins of Walfurgisnacht, and both have immediate access to Evenfell. While Nightmarch might provide slightly quicker travel to Evenfell and Volcano Nightscree, this advantage is by far outweighed by the fact that access to Overroot and Underroot is greatly hindered if the capital is placed in Nightmarch. Due to these reasons, I believe that the capital of the daimon-controlled realm would be optimally placed in Dragon Song.
Food Distribution
Food distribution in the so-called "Netherworld" would be significantly changed depending on whether the Netherworld controls Grympen Mire. Again, this could be a future point of conflict between daimons and humans.
A cursory view of the map shows that the following food distribution might occur:
1. Underroot to Dragon's Roost. 2. Overroot to Dragon Song. 3. Evenfell to Nightmarch. 4. Volcano Nightscree to Ruins of Walfurgisnacht.
It is apparent that all the regions controlled by the Netherworld will be hard-pressed to be self-sufficient, let alone send surplus to other regions within the realm. However, out of all of the regions capable of sending food, it is least likely that Volcano Nightscree can send anything to Ruins of Walfurgisnacht. Overroot, Underroot, and Evenfell might conceivably produce more than enough food for its own population to send to their respective regions that produce less food. But this is where Grympen Mire comes in.
Grympen Mire borders Ruins of Walfurgisnacht. That means the fertile lands to the north can distribute surplus to Ruins of Walfurgisnacht, or, perhaps, first to Volcano Nightscree to feed the inhabitants there, and then to Ruins of Walfurgisnacht. In either case, the possession of Grympen Mire would greatly enhance the food stability of Netherworld. And this is where a point of conflict comes in.
Kosht will also likely want nearby Grympen Mire to supply surplus food. In all likelihood Kosht will be civilized by humans, thus sparking a territorial conflict over the owner of a fertile region that would greatly help the food production of both the human realm in Kosht and the Netherworld.
However, at the same time, it would not be too difficult for the Netherworld to control Gonophor and Vassar, a woodland and rural region, respectively. This would effectively cut off Kosht from Shokalom, such that the move would serve two purposes for Netherworld. First, there would be additional food going to the optimal capital in Dragon Song from a woodland and rural region, which means food would essentially cease to be an issue. Second, the control of the two regions connecting Kosht to Shokalom means that the two realms that possess those two cities cannot easily travel to assist each other. While it is still possible to simply attack the regions, if the Netherworld's capital is in Dragon Song, then no matter what, the Netherworld can get forces into Gonophor and Vassar before either Kosht or Shokalom.
However, I have not included Gonophor and Vassar because they are currently fertile lands. In the future, they might become contested lands, but at the moment, they do not display features that often indicate Netherworld control.
Duchies
While most recent scout reports of daimon regions suggest that all the regions are imperial regions and cities and strongholds stand alone, it would by far be more effective to implement the duchy system in those regions much like humans do. The possible duchy distribution appears as follows:
Duchy of Ruins of Walfurgisnacht
- Ruins of Walfurgisnacht
- Volcano Nightscree
- Grympen Mire (See section 1.1 Borders)
Duchy of Nightmarch
- Nightmarch
- Evenfell
Duchy of Dragon Song
- Dragon Song
- Dragon's Roost
- Overroot
- Underroot
Dragon Song would have four regions in its duchy, Nightmarch 2, and Ruins of Walfurgisnacht 2 or 3, depending on status of Grympen Mire. This further suggests that Dragon Song would be ideal as the capital, both in terms of convenience of accessibility to different regions, as well as the number of regions in its duchy. Having as many regions as the other two duchies combined would ensure that, at the very least, a secession would not be completely devastating to the Netherworld.
Reality of the Dwilight Netherworld
First iteration
A low profile survey of the so-called Netherworld was conducted. It was discovered that, in fact, Ruins of Walfurgisnacht, despite being a theoretically sub-optimal capital, was the capital of the "realm". Also, no regions were part of duchies, which owed to the fact that there were no dukes or lords. This is not surprising, however, because it had long been postulated that the native Zuma do not adhere to the same social organization as the Eastern immigrants. Nevertheless, extensive negligence was observed.
A total of two individuals worth any mention were reported by runners sent to scout the barren lands. They reported one called "Flame", who was spotted in Volcano Nightscree, and one called "Screamer", who was spotted in Evenfell. However, by that time, the only regions within borders of the "Netherworld" were Ruins of Walfurgisnacht, Volcano Nightscree, and Nightmarch.
Recently, the undead have initiated a takeover of Ruins of Walfurgisnacht, and with the ongoing apparent ineptitude of the actual "leaders" of this native realm, it would not surprise this observer to see the realm fall to Nightmarch and Volcano Nightscree.
Regardless, there will be no action on the part of this observer at the moment. The lands are relatively calm, and the undead and beasts do not bother this observer.
Second Iteration
This observer has successfully entered the ruins. It is fairly dark, but after a while, one gets used to it. A Chenier and an Octavius visited the lands at different times, both seeking to speak to one of the Guardians. They likely did not leave satisfied.
It has also been confirmed that there are only three Guardians in the current "Netherworld". They are commonly referred to as "Haktoo", "Flame", and "Screamer". This was taken from extensive research of the surrounding regions and various interviews.
Third Iteration
Several nobles of Astrum settled camp around the ruins for a few days, before moving on once they saw that Haktoo had left. They seek some sort of diplomatic conversation. In any case, from reports, it appears that there is only one Guardian actively doing anything in this "Netherworld". That one would be Flame, the Fiery Guardian. This observer wonders whether this retreat into dormancy is part of a cycle, or whether there is more significance to the situation.
Zuma Coalition
Some confirmation of sorts. Compare this map of "confirmed regions" with the above. Notice that at this time, the projected borders are the same as the believed actual borders. Whether the same distribution system is used remains to be seen, though the capital appears to have been moved from Ruins of Walfurgisnacht to Nightmarch.
