View source for Heen (Realm)/Elementary Essay on the Heenite Geography

<span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 14pt;">A</span>s I requested geographic information of other lands of the continent where I had never been before, it was to my surprise how few other documents than maps my scribe presented to me. Maps that gave nothing away but the main roads and the borders, but no knowledge about the factual geography. It was then that it struck me that Heen was left just as unknown to others as the largest part of the continent was to me. Therefor I took hold of my quill once more.

==<span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 20pt;">T</span>he Realm-Specific Geography==
<span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 14pt;">I</span>t must be said that there are two very opposite views concerning the Heenite desert. There are those who describe it as a desolate, barren pace. Those are mostly prisoners of war who are held in their forlorn cells in the midst of the desert, or those who simply cannot cope with a warm climate for long. Others have found the beauty in this land. A literally <i>radiant</i> beauty.

===<span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 16pt;">T</span>he general Environment and Landscape===
<span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 14pt;">T</span>he Heenite geography primarily exists of desert land, but this is not the case everywhere. The frequency of the sandy dunes is broken by various oases or small desert forests. At places a dry grassland covers the horizon, just as some green irrigated patches of land. Those who claim that Heen is build on a barren, dusty region know few about the actual situation. The regions that aren't far away from water and further inland suffer more from drought and only <i>those</i> regions can be described as the true stereotype desert, apart from the occasional springs and oases.

===<span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 16pt;">T</span>he Evolution of the Desert===
<span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 14pt;">I</span>n the more fertile strips of land, where the soil could easily be cultivated and developed, the three cities, Heen, Latlan and Joppo, arose and the main part of the population was centered there. Later on a stronghold was build in the desert, now called Taghalez, to offer shelter for traders and protection against invaders. These four points in the desert hold most of the production of luxury goods because even in the most dry of regions the population had managed to grow the necessary food and goods over the years by using improved techniques of irrigation. Heenite engineers were found to be very crafty on this subject and are regarded as one of the best on the continent.

<span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 14pt;">T</span>he population density has therefor spread out more equally over the desert, as the growing cultivation provided new opportunities. It is still notable that regions that produce luxury goods, such as Heen, Latlan, Joppo and Watto -that are know to produce specific liquors and perfumes just to name a few- are significantly heavier populated. Those denser areas are defined by sturdier houses that are predominantly made of stone. Elsewhere the farmers live in smaller villages. A third group of the population, the nomads, dwell through the desert and halt at unknown locations for unknown periods of time.

===<span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 16pt;">T</span>ravelling through Heen===
<span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 14pt;">W</span>hen travelling through the desert where roads are scarce, it is advised to wear light but covering gear. It is very important to follow the routes that are dotted down by indicatory piles of rocks. It would not be the first time that foreigners are only returned from the desert as bleak bones; this is not only the case when they wander off but also when a Heenite catches them moving one of those rocks. A <i>lot</i> of foreigners have disappeared after moving a rock. Formally the Heenite government denies this, but this isn't a formal document.

<span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 14pt;">T</span>he desert is filled with underground caves and cliffs. Sandsubsidence and sandavalanches are continuous threats when you leave the inhabited area. Sandstorms and minor whirlwinds can be avoided when accompanied by experienced guides. Fortunatrly because of the reorganization after the [[Heen/History of Heen|civil war]] no desert robbers dwell these lands anymore, whereas they are to be reckoned with all around Beluaterra. But in Heen no more.

==<span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 20pt;">T</span>he Region-Specific Geography==
<span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 14pt;">I</span> must admit that a general view is not correct enough to describe the entire Heenite Geography. Therefor I included several reports about the Heenite region's geography I found. I myself will add missing information.

===<span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 16pt;">T</span>he badlands of [[Beluaterra/Apokh|Apokh]]===

<span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 14pt;">F</span>rom the region's description, I quote:<br>
"<i><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 14pt;">T</span>he inhabitants of Apokh, located on the west coast of Beluaterra, consider it to be the most beautiful and habitable region of the desert realm Heen.

<span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 14pt;">W</span>hat would seem dry because of the deserts surrounding it, is not, as the Apokhian Bay bordering Sotrebar receives a fresh sea-wind from the west which provides the land fluid air, making it a nice area to live in.

<span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 14pt;">E</span>ven though the arid agriculture suffers at times, the inhabitants also make a living from fishing.

<span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 14pt;">T</span>he region has a strong economy thanks to mercantile activities from traders not accustomed to the heat of the other regions.</i>"

<span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 14pt;">I</span>n addition, Apokh links Heen with the rest of the desert, namely the wastelands of Joppo. It is used as an important crossing-route from the Heen inland desert to the larger city of Joppo. Because of continuous neutrality between Mesh and Heen, the merchants have fared well, although no military detachment has crossed the border because of vigilant patrols of Meshian militia in Sukk and Kraake. Also read the [[Heen/Soil Non-Transgression Pact with Mesh| Soil Non-Transgression pact with Mesh]] on this matter.

===<span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 16pt;">T</span>he city of [[Beluaterra/Latlan|Latlan]]===
<span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 14pt;">F</span>rom the region's description, I quote:<br>
"<i><b><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 14pt;">L</span>atlan</b><br>
<span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 14pt;">L</span>atlan is one of the smaller cities on the continent, but what it lacks in populace it gains in character. The Rolling Sand dunes can be seen for miles around the city, with only two ways to gain access to its inner ring, the city itself is a stone Goliath unconquerable by the weak.

<span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 14pt;">L</span>atlan stands as monument to passed civilizations and many cultures that have tried to claim it as their own. The truth being that Latlan can never truly be ruled as its barren lands are harsh to all, unrelenting and unmerciful.

<span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 14pt;">B</span>ased on the outskirts of the Desert lands, it is sandwiched in between the terrible sand storms of the desert and the torrential waves of the ocean.

<b><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 14pt;">L</span>ocal Information and sites</b><br>
<span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 14pt;">T</span>he most popular drink in the city of Latlan is called the sea maidens ale, this was created by a local barkeeper who had retired from his life at sea to follow his dream of becoming a well known storyteller and landlord. His success was a legendary story, and since his death at the hands of the undead, his ale has become all the more famous and coveted.

<b><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 14pt;">L</span>atlans History: A tale of war & heroics.</b><br>
<span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 14pt;">L</span>atlan has a vast history, It has seen many wars, and just as many invaders looking to plunder its limited bounty. Most recently a plague of undead spread through the surrounding area, plundering and ravaging the locals, this forced many of the population to leave or suffer the consequences of which many found to be far too dire.</i>"

<span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 14pt;">I</span>n addition, Latlan holds a reputation for being the core city of the Desert. Surrounded by the cities Joppo and Heen, as well as the stronghold Taghalez, all desert roads do -in fact- lead to Latlan. The city is still very renowned for its variety in beliefs, including the only recently extinguished Hedonism.

===<span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 16pt;">T</span>he woodlands of [[Beluaterra/Kif|Kif]]===
<span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 14pt;">F</span>rom the region's description, I quote:<br>
"<i><b><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 14pt;">G</span>eography of Kif</b><br>
<span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 14pt;">A</span>t the far north of the Western Badlands of Beluaterra can be found the region of Kif. The majority of the region is dotted with trees growing in small woodlands. Being one of the least fertile regions on the continent it is not surprising that its net food production is low.

<span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 14pt;">S</span>ituated to the East of Heen city, Kif is a busy through-road to other cities on the continent and as such, many foreign traders can be seen stopping by in one of the few taverns in the local villages. The villagers are particularly friendly with the nobility and enjoy the visits from everyone to their humble market places.

<span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 14pt;">T</span>he region has a long stretch of beach towards the North-West, but the beaches are not the cleanest around. Boats wishing to harbour at Heen pollute the seas and as a result, fishing in the area isn't so great.

<b><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 14pt;">F</span>lora and Fauna of Kif</b>
<span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 14pt;">T</span>he region is famous for its production of a soaplike substance from the roots of a small white flower with tiny round pale green leaves. The roots are mashed in with water and a slightly oily liquid forms, with when lathered up can work the grease out of any item of clothing or body part. As a result, the nobles from Kif are amongst the most cleanly on the continent.

<span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 14pt;">I</span>t is also the only place in the desert lands where the wild Tulaberry grows, a flavoursome red berry which the locals turn into both jam and pie-filling. Its sweet/sour flavour is a delicacy in the capital and the locals are keen to barter a high price for the conserve.</i>"

<span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 14pt;">I</span>n addition, Kif links the desert to its great ally, the Theocracy of Sint. It's rare combination of woodland growth and desert climate have odd growth as result, such as mentioned above. However, several unidentified types of trees can still be found in this region, reaching tremendous heights or bustling up in low, dense packs. Because of the shadow of the trees and the local specialities, it is a suitable place for noble families and rich merchants to buy an additional mansion to stay in for the warmer periods of the year. 

===<span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 16pt;">T</span>he rural of [[Beluaterra/Sotrebar|Sotrebar]]===
<span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 14pt;">F</span>rom the region's description, I quote:<br>
"<i><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 14pt;">S</span>otrebar runs along the coast of the western sea. A quiet region nestled between an ocean, a city and a desert. Small villages dot the region, some are near the coast and some are near the desert. The most famous village is Diall, right next to the beach. This village is full of fishermen. This was one of the newest villages since the Civil war. Erin O’Deaghaidh chose to place his Guild, “The Celtic Order” here.

<span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 14pt;">S</span>otrebar has many different ethnicities inhabiting it. Lately there has been an increase of Celtic people here. The majority of the people living here are the Jopponites. They fled their home because the undead and settled here because when they arrived hardly anyone lived here. The Civil war wiped out most of the native population. Though you will find a few isolated villages which are true natives of Sotrebar.</i>"

<span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 14pt;">I</span>n addition, Sotrebar is one of few regions still remaining that holds the original nomadic tribes. Whereas much of its settled natives died by the hand of the undead, the nomadic tribes managed to delude the upcoming Death with their secret ways of quick and organized travel. It is rumored that the desert of Sotrebar is still filled with scattered corpses of the undead warriors who were slaughtered by the monsters. The surviving undead were hunted down by these tribal Heenites.

===<span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 16pt;">T</span>he city of [[Beluaterra/Heen|Heen]]===
<span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 14pt;">F</span>rom the region's description, I quote:<br>
"<i><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 14pt;">T</span>he City of Heen used to produce a good sum of gold a fair amount of food. But after "the split" it has been a struggle to keep the city of Heen at par...

<span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 14pt;">W</span>e produce enough gold to keep everyone happy and manage to produce a fair amount of food for our citizens to get plenty of it on the table at supper time.

<span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 14pt;">W</span>e have quite a magnificent fortress surrounding our rich city thanks to the dedication of our faithful realm members, giving the time and gold to produce what is now one of the richest regions in our realm.

<span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 14pt;">W</span>e have a scarce amount of trees anywhere in Heen, most of them are rooted in the north closer to Kif. So its mostly badlands here in Heen. If you travel our roads you may see camels or even a few horses...But those are only the foreigners. We killed all the horses in our realm after our Queen decided we should start breeding camels. So if you see a horse or are riding a horse, kill it! If you don't own a camel, steal one from someone else.

<span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 14pt;">W</span>e have a good bar here in Heen...well, quite a few fine bars actually. And a couple of whore houses but you will have to look hard for them. There usually the pink polk-a-dotted two story buildings in the center of town. We try to hide them best we can but we just cant seem to find the right camouflage...

<span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 14pt;">I</span>f you like to train in the academy we have a newly refurbished one just inside the main gate. We try to make it stand out so we built it out of stone but some people are still complaining about not being able to find it...

<span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 14pt;">W</span>e hope you have a wonderful time and a wonderful experience while in Heen City and we bid a good day where ever you are!</i>"

===<span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 16pt;">T</span>he badlands of [[Beluaterra/Kording|Kording]]===

<span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 14pt;">F</span>rom the region's description, I quote:<br>
"<i><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 14pt;">C</span>omprising the majority of the Western Desert, the region of Kording is (in)famous for the harshness and hostility of her landscape. Vast white sand dunes, some tens, others hundreds of feet high comprise the majority of Kording's West land area. The sand is of a particularly fine quality and is largely responsible for the region's well-established glass industry; glass-making has been a local tradition in Kording for hundreds of years. As a result, Kording glass is of the best quality. This tradition in conjunction with recent the rise of the glass merchant guilds (collections of skilled artisans), has resulted in glass becoming the prime earner for region as it fetches a high price in the Cities to the North and West.

<span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 14pt;">I</span>n the Eastern regions, the desert landscape changes from that of an arid, predominantly fine, sandy composition to that of a more semi-arid, rocky nature. Hence the much greater population density associated to the East. Agriculture is possible here, but is not widespread. A number of factors contribute to this, notably the glass industry, the harsh climate (not as harsh as the West), and the high prevalence of trading routes with other more fertile regions (namely Aku, Gilhacert, and Watto - hence 'Gateway to the Western Desert'). This excess of trade is also responsible for the greater cultural and religious diversity associated with the East; most notably the higher prevalence those fairer in skinned.

<span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 14pt;">S</span>weltering heat in the day and freezingly cold nights characterize the climate of Kording. Most days the skies most days are a blinding shade of light blue. Nights, a particularly light navy-blue. Sunrise and Sunset are truly a site to behold, however! During sunrise and sunset, the sun, lacking in her day-time ferocity, grips the white dunes and the horizon, transforming both the clouds and the dunes into a violent orangery-red, the sky a royal purple; the horizon orange, like a hot ember. It is often a magnificently violent scene. Dawn/dusk is the most pleasant time of day of all in the desert; it lacks the overwhelming heat of the day and the chilling cold of the night. Precipitation is naturally low (higher in the East than it is in the West).

<span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 14pt;">K</span>ording's harsh climate in conjunction with her hard landscape makes her a land of extremes. The wealth associated with the glass and the high level of trade however gives Kording much diversity and prosperity - both human and material.</i>" 



<i>More will come soon...</i>

<center>[[Image:Quill.jpg]]<br>
<i><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 14pt;">B</span>y the quill of Martana Curs, the second Monarch, Queen of Heen.</i></center>
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