Artwork by Teresa Ramos
Vorden's Guide to Ilhdeinia¶
Being an Exploration of Nations and Notions
Written By Finley Vorden & Co.
Featuring Artwork by Claud Charlemagne, Kristal Gillham, Miranda Morales
Additional Artwork by[^1] Anafi, Anato Finnstark, Andreas Rocha, Andrey Denisov, Antonio J. Manzanedo, Artsed, Beastrider9, Bob Kehl, Caleb Borrego Diaz, Christine Bee, Dahlia Rose, Daniel Zrom, David Masson San Gabriel, Dean Spencer, Dr. Korpus, hubedihubbe, Jenna Gray, Johannes Holm, Julia Metzger, Katerina Ladon, Kæthren Bathúri, Kevin Catalan, Koni-art, Korraiko, Lalita W, Leonardo Domingues, Letty, Linda Lithén, Majo, Makkon, Matthew Bartlett, McSammi, Mimi, OmarSeitisleam, Rebekah Sutton, Reuben Yeo, Revenant Link, Simon Tosovsky, Tenorio, Teresa Ramos, TheClockworkKing, Tigernaute, Yoonizar, yu Qluyang, Zuzanna Wuzyk
About Ilhdeinia¶
Ancient pacts and rising ambitions collide as rulers and wanderers alike carve their names into history. As each generation rises, so too do the legends and conflicts that shape the world anew.
Embrace your role in this age of endless rebirth: raise empires or raze them, seek the favor of the divine or defy their mandates, master the art of Sjōvneva, or forge new paths to power.
From the lifeless ruins of the Echōbian Empire, obliterated by sorcerous civil war, to the snow-jungles and mist-veiled fishing villages of The Fvōld, Ilhdeinia teems with adventure, peril, and untold possibility.
Each generation reshapes Ilhdeinia, and with them, the land is reborn...
About the Authors¶
I must acknowledge the accomplices who made this dubious enterprise possible. While most of this guide comes from my own misadventures, near-death experiences, and accidental discoveries, a few less questionable souls contributed their expertise to fill the gaps in my knowledge:
- Audira Brightblossom, Lūmynan scholar and reluctant guide through The World/The Northern Reaches/The Kingdom of Eldanor Hollow.
- Claudeana Sepenhelm, High Priestess of Mārdōna’s eastern temples, whose expertise on Ofydik customs and the more... colorful establishments of our port cities proved enlightening.
- Ithanir Gillspeaker, whose unparalleled knowledge of the many tongues and dialects of Ilhdeinia saved me from countless linguistic misunderstandings.
- Jos'ua Lozaril, self-proclaimed Gālyntrān cultural ambassador and occasional smuggler of Ārdmerian antiquities.
- Kæthren Bathúri, known locally as the "Lady of Terror," whose unsettling knowledge of vampires, therianthropes, and other nocturnal afflictions made our research sessions both enlightening and disturbing.
- Krystalis Gillhaven, whose insights into Sylvan customs were invaluable.
- Maiez Tridé, a studious observer of Ilhdeinia's varied martial disciplines, and a peerless connoisseur of regional delicacies.
- Santagarr Second-Hammer, who shared deep ancestral knowledge of The Eldeann Mountains and the folk who reside there.
Should you encounter any of these individuals during your travels, I suggest avoiding any mention of my name, this book, or the incident with the governor's prized peacocks.
Safe travels,
Welcome Fellow Adventurer¶
If you're reading this humble tome, you've either stumbled upon it in some dusty tavern corner or purchased it from a suspiciously charismatic gālyntrān (likely me). Either way, congratulations! You now hold the most honest, practical, and occasionally accurate guide to the lands of Ilhdeinia.
I've spent forty-six years plotting maps, dodging danger, and sleeping in questionable places across this magnificent realm. I've broken bread with Magnithōrans, traded stories with Sylvans, and narrowly escaped becoming dinner for all manner of creatures; all so you, dear reader, might avoid my more painful mistakes.
Within these pages, you'll find everything a discerning traveler requires to navigate our colorful continent; from the noble houses of Ārdmery, to the wastes of the Vrogallan desert; to the floating markets of Bairora, and beyond. This guide won't tell you which fork to use at a royal dinner, but it will tell you which regions might try to kill you and which ones will merely lighten your coin purse.
Use this book wisely, keep it dry, and should you find any errors, kindly blame my editor Hijamus Tolphs (a cantankerous Ārdan who insists I exaggerate my adventures). If this guide helps you navigate a diplomatic crisis, escape an arranged marriage, or simply find a clean tavern with reasonably priced mead, I'll consider my many embarrassments worthwhile.
[^1]: The artists listed here created their original works independently. They are not affiliated with, nor have they endorsed, this project. J.P. Sariz can be contacted at sariz@tuta.com to have artwork removed.