Damasca: The Conflicted Kingdoms| By Celine, with additional info from Bowlich DESIGN DOCUMENT ~ PART ONE | ~ Revised/Edited by Dart Zader ---------------------------------------------------------------------- | | Section 1 - Continents | Section 2 - Wildlife | Section 3 - Peoples of Damasca 1.1: Baelize | 2.1: Animals | 3.1: Indigenous Peoples 1.2: Dureign | 2.2: Plants | 3.2: Foreign Peoples 1.3: Makarda | 2.3: Monsters | 1.4: Magrathea | | 1.5: Dachtura | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Section 4 - Kingdoms | Section 5 - Old-World Clans | Section 6 - Family Clans 4.1: Kiyanda | 5.1: Amazons/Archers | 6.1: Dynakian/Dynakiras 4.2: Ganiada | 5.2: Explorers | 6.2: Ragnarok 4.3: Halkonas | 5.3: Mages | 6.3: Vendragone 4.4: Arnoth | 5.4: Clerics | 6.4: Demos 4.5: Dynakian | 5.5: Vultures, Baddies, | 4.6: Alkemia | and Chameleons | 4.7: Aumurrea | 5.6: Ninjas | | 5.7: Slea State | ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Section 7 - Historical Figures | Appendix 7.1: Dieties | A: Timeline 7.2: Bio Martyrs/Omnartyrs | B: Reincarnation backstory 7.3: Masters | C: Magic information 7.4: Villains | D: Gathione backstory | E: Server Capabilites | Engine Specifications | In-game Features ------------------------------------------------------------------------ S E C T I O N 1 - C O N T I N E N T S ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1.1: BAELIZE Baelize was the oldest continent/island of Damasca, and was home to several of the primitive clans, most notably the archers. It was destroyed in early Damascan history due to tectonic movement and volcanic activity. -Climate- Tropical, very dry in some parts but very wet in others. Hot, humid weather, most always sunny. -Vegetation- Very much a jungle in the wetter areas. Lush, tropical forests with large numbers of both palm and other types of trees. Grass and other fern or bush type plants are incredibly green. In the dry areas, scrub brush and an occasional scraggly tree grow. -Landforms- Virtually no plains. Every part of the island is covered in dense vegitation, whether forests of jungles. Baelize is also home to many volcanoes, located in the drier areas of the land. Apart from the volcano ranges, there are no mountains or high elevations. -Wildlife- The only out-of-the-ordinary animals to inhabit Bae- lize are the exotic colored birds. They have an incredible range of sizes and hues. -Staple Foods- The people of Baelize had a diet with less variety than the other continents. Not many people farmed- therefore hunting was important, and the only plants they ate grew naturally. These were water cress, wild tomatoes, bara nuts, and caber leaf. The animals they hunted were chups, wild fowl, and an occasional velis. 1.2: DUREIGN Dureign is the most heavily populated continent of Damasca. Many people fled here after the destruction of Baelize. Dureign once held the capital of the old one-world government, and it is still important today due to its several trading cities. This continent is home to more kingdom bases than any other land in Damasca. -Climate- The most diverse climates of any continent. The largest portion of Dureign has a temperate climate, but it also has very arid lands as well as colder northern areas. The summers are warm and pleasant, and there are only occaisionaly snows in the winter. -Vegetation- Mostly evergreen and deciduous trees. Grass and other fern and bush type plants are also very common. Spindly everygreen trees grow below the timber line of the mountains. In winter, most vegetation is brown, and the leaves change color in autumn. Almost no plants at all grow in the arid deserts, apart from oasises. -Landforms- Dureign has a variety of landforms. The middle of the continent contains rolling hills and many plains that are good for farming. Numerous forests also cover the land. To the north are high, snowy mountains, and there is a small desert to the south. A large lake, fed by several rivers, occupies the center of the continent. A sheltered bay is found along the eastern coast. Most other shorelines are rocky. -Wildlife- Animals are plentiful in Dureign. There are no animals entirely unique to Dureign, but it has an increasingly large population of chups. Basilisks are also beginning to appear. Velis deer inhabit the large forests, and even a few bastua populate the mountains. Dragons are also rumored to inhabit the northern regions. -Staple Foods- Dureign's people eat a wide variety of foods - more so than Baelize, because Dureign is capable of sustaining farming societies. Denizens of this continent eat animals such as chup, wild fowl, a large number of velis, and an occaisional bastua. The vegetables consumed are caber leaf, wild apples, and many domesticated products such as wheat. -Kingdoms- Dureign is home to Arnoth at the base of the Northern Mountains, Ganiada in the deep forests, and a secondary Halkonas settlement near the center of the continent. It was also the home of Alkemia Kingdom near the coast; however, they were driven out and their base taken over by Arnoth. Kiyanda also has a small outpost in a desert oasis. 1.3: MAKARDA Makarda is the second-largest continent of Damasca. Its population is sparse compared to that of Dureign, even though it is still home to several kingdoms. Hunting and agriculture are more prominent in the wilderness here, rather than trade. -Climate- Makarda has a humid climate with hot winds. It receives just enough rainfall to make for excellent farming without the risk of flooding. The forests and coastlines are cooler due to incoming sea breezes. Makarda does not experience an autumn or winter season. Humid year-round, slightly cooler in the spring. -Vegetation- Mostly grass-type plants, with occaisional trees. Shrubs grow in drier areas, while the coasts abound with green, lush growth. Excellent soil further aids farming. -Landforms- Most of Makarda consists of flat savanna covered in grasses and flowers. The fringes of the continent, near the coastline, are slightly hilly and contain Makarda's few forests. Many coastal inlets provide easy transportation of food to other places in Damasca. However, the shorelines are rocky- there are virtually no beaches. Farms can extend right up to the edge of the water. The northwestern coastline also contains several seaside cliffs. A series of small ridges can be found in the easternmost part of the continent. A few modest lakes dot the continent. -Wildlife- Makarda is home to several types of animals. Chups inhabit the few forests, and velis and wild fowl reside in sheltered areas on the plains. Makarda also holds the highest bastua population of any place in Damasca- the savanna is their ideal habitat. There are many basilisks, and a small tamarisk population is rumored to exist on this continent. -Staple Foods- Since Makarda is ideal for agriculture, the people here eat a variety of foods. Not only are domestic products like corn abundant, wild vegetables such as caber leaf, water cress, tomatoes, apples, and bara nuts are also plentiful. As for meat, people here eat mostly bastua and wild fowl, with an occaisional velis. -Kingdoms- Makarda houses several kingdoms. Kiyanda is located to the north- west, at the base of several lightly forested cliffs. Halkonas has its main base near the southern inlets. Ganiada holds a forest outpost in the west, and the vestiges of a Dynakian outpost remain among the eastern ridges. 1.4: MAGRATHEA Magrathea is by far the largest continent in Damasca. Largely untamed, it is a "frontier" land that is only beginning to be exploited by people. Magrathea holds most of Damasca's natural resources, such as ore, stone, and wood. It is home to booming fur trading, shipping, and mining industries. Its largest city, Anduril, is a bustling port. A smaller village, Deuce, also exists in the southeastern part of Magrathea as a home to vacationers. Magrathea houses not only Damascans, but the native Rashkan people as well. -Climate- Magrathea has a very comfortable climate. It is warm all year round, and is never incredibly hot or cold. Spring and summer are the only seasons that occur, except in the large, dense forests where a slight chill occurs with the changing sea winds. Storms happen less here than on any other continent, and sunny skies prevail - with no humidity! -Vegetation- Magrathea has a wide variety of vegetation. Most of the continent is forested lightly, with many huge, dense forests occuring towards the eastern part of the continent. Shrubs and other bush-type plants cover the arid canyons, while water cress and other lush, green coastal plants line the shore. The forests and what little plains there are often contain dense undergrowth. Some parts of the continent contain only newly-grown plants, which have just begun to recover from the Magrathean holocaust of years past. -Landforms- There are virtually no plains on Magrathea. Even open, unforested areas are hilly or rocky, making it hard to explore. The dense forests of the east have a higher elevation than most of the continent. In the west, there are arid lands with a main canyon. The only plains that occur are near the southwestern coast, where Deuce Village and other recreational centers are located. Anduril is located in the middle of the northern coast. The shorelines of Magrathea are basically flat, creating many open beaches. However, as the coast progresses south, it becomes rockier. The middle of Magrathea is occupied by a large bay which opens to the east, but it is usually avoided by ships due to its deep, shark-infested waters; sailors prefer the safer northern coast near Anduril. Several small (and uninhabited) islands fleck the bay. -Wildlife- Chups usually live in the southern regions, and a huge velis pop- ulation inhabits the thick forests. Wild fowl populate the treeless areas. However, there are no bastua located anywhere on Magrathea. Several breeds of monsters also populate this continent - a few basilisks are to be found, as well as a remote tamarisk population. The deadly minos also patrol the canyons. Giant crab are found in the southern waters and the bay. -Staple Foods- The people who live on Magrathea have a more meat-oriented diet, as the soil and landscape of Magrathea do not lend themselves towards agriculture. Chup, wild fowl, and especially velis meat are all very common forms of food. The plants of a Magrathean's diet are all wild, such as caber leaf, bara nuts, and wild tomatoes. -Kingdoms- Not many kingdoms care to inhabit Magrathea, owing to a massive holocaust that took place there many years ago. Only the Dynakian have ventured to create a kingdom base there once again. 1.5: DACHTURA The continent of Dachtura is the most recent land to be discovered in Damasca. It is a large island, separated from the other Damascan continents by a small sea. Only just beginning to be colonized by Damascans, settlers there must be prepared to deal with the native people, the Dachturans. -Climate- The continent of Dachtura has a cool climate, influenced by the changing winds of the sea. It experiences autumn, a short spring, and a longer winter period. The winter is by no means harsh, but this season often brings light dustings of snow, which can accumulate to a few feet in the mountains. -Vegetation- Dachtura's plain is perfect for the growth of thick, long grasses. The forests contain a large number of evergreen trees and only a small portion of deciduous trees. Bush and fern-type plants are also fairly common. -Landforms- The western coastline of Dachtura is flat, creating a strip of level beach, and the northern and southern shores are rather rocky. The eastern part of the continent is flanked by low but craggy mountains which extend to the eastern sea. The middle of the continent is fairly flat and open. A single river, emanating from the mountains, cuts across the plain and opens to the ocean at the southern coast. -Wildlife- Dachtura supports chups, wild fowl, and velis. A small population of bastua roam the plain and the mountains. No basilisks or tamarisks inhabit this continent. -Staple Foods- The small human population of Dachtura has a rather balanced diet. They eat chups, wild fowl, velis, and bastua. Wild vegetables such as caber leaf, bara nuts, and apples supplement their meals. Domestic products, such as winter wheat and rye, are also grown during the short spring and autumn seasons. -Kingdoms- The indigenous people here, the Dachturans, form their own kingdom called Aumurrea. They live near the foothills of the mountains, near the river. The Alkemians, searching for a new home after being driven from Dureign, have settled on the western coast. |NOTE: Kingdom bases and outposts are open only to people of that Kingdom or | | possibly their allies. Cities, on the other hand, are centers of | | trade and commerce, and people of all kingdoms are welcome there. | ------------------------------------------------------------------------ S E C T I O N 2 - W I L D L I F E ------------------------------------------------------------------------ A variety of creatures roam Damasca, and most of them are common to all continents. Indiginous creatures are listed under their continent in Section 1. 2.1: ANIMALS These are regular creatures; most are prey/used for food. :Chup: Most common animals in Damasca. They are fairly small, furry brown or black creatures, resembling large rodents. People eat their meat as well as run a thriving fur trade from their hides. Chups can live in almost any environment. :Wild Fowl: Also very common, as well as edible. Most resemble chickens or pheasants. Usually speckled brown and white. They provide not only food but excellent fletches for arrows as well. People often dye their feathers different colors and use them for decoration. Most wild fowl live in wooded areas or next to water. :Velis: Velis are wild deer resembling gazelles. The male (velis stag) is brown in color and has two long horns emanating from its head. The female (velis hind) is gray. The young (velis fawns) of both sexes are pure white. Velis are less common than chups; however, they are still used as food, but less often, and are considered a delicacy. Since their fur is finer and softer than chup hides, velis pelts are used more often for blankets and cape/coat linings than for armor or rugs. The horns of velis stags are also used to make certain types of bows, staffs, and wands. it is considered illegal to hunt/poach velis fawns. They live in wooded areas, or also on the plains if a sheltered area is nearby. :Bastua: Bastuas are large animals that resemble buffalo. They have shaggy, long, brownish-red fur, with two short, curving horns emanating from their head. Both sexes are virtually indistinguishable from one another. Bastua meat is edible; its fur is most commonly used for winter cloaks and special headdresses; the horns are used mostly for decorations on helmets; its large bones make for excellent weapons and tools. These creatures live and graze mostly on open plains. They are also adapted to cold weather due to their thick fur. :Water Buffalo: These animals resemble oxen with horns. They are the primary beasts of burden in Damasca; their strength enables them to pull carts and plows with ease. Water Buffalo are incredible docile and nonagressive, and are domesticated only (not found in the wild). People do not typically eat them. Many children have a fond affection for water buffaloes. Ordinary animals such as squirrels/chipmunks, rats, bats, birds, etc. also inhabit Damasca. There are also farm creatures such as sheep, cows, goats, and horses. 2.2: PLANTS Damasca has many forms of normal vegetation, such as grass, tree, bush, and fern-type plants. The interesting edible plants, and the exotic plants will be discussed here. :Caber leaf: Caber leaf is the most common edible plant in Damasca. It grows in the wild and is found on every continent. In every society it acts as an essential part of the diet. Caber leaf is full of vitamins and is also quite tasty. Its leaves are round and light green. Caber leaf plants like to grow in forests or other shaded areas. They serve the same function as lettuce and are often put in salads, or simply eaten plain as a snack. Cooked caber leaf is also used to make wrap sandwiches. :Water Cress: Also a fairly common plant, but found only in warmer, humid or tropical areas. It is dark green in color and has long, rush-like leaves. It typically grows along the edge of water and in streambeds. It too is full of vitamins, and has its own unique taste. Water cress is usually steamed and mixed with chopped bara nuts, over which a syrupy sauce is poured to form a dish called Sechabra (a favorite of Makardans). :Bara Nut: The most common nuts in Damasca, they grow on every continent. They are a cross between walnuts and almonds. Bara nuts grow on bara bushes, which are tangled briars of twine, from which protrude tiny green leaves, and the bara nut shells. The shells are hard and shiny, dark brown in color, and about an inch (2 cm) long and 1/2 inch (1 cm) wide. Once the shell is removed, bara nuts can be eaten whole as a snack, or chopped and added to other dishes. :Wild Tomatoes: Tomatoes that grow in the wild. They are found on the warmer continents, and often grow hidden in a patch of other vegetation. They are orange-red in color, and very juicy. :Wild Apples: These apples, sometimes called winter apples, grow in the wild on trees. They are usually found on the cooler continents but also grow in Makarda. Their skin is dark red and the fruit inside is white. :Ama Trees: These are rare deciduous trees that grow in tropical climates. They were found on Baelize and sometimes on Makarda; they also used to grow in Magrathea before the holocaust there. Ama trees have yellow or golden leaves. Their trunks are very slender, so the trees never grow to be very tall. The leaves stay yellow year-round. Non-edible. :Roj Trees: These rare deciduous trees are exactly the same as Ama trees, except they have red leaves instead of yellow ones. 2.3: MONSTERS These are dangerous types of animals; most all of them will attack humans. They are the predatorial creatures of Damasca. Some are agressive due to natural evolution, but others have been warped by the powers of Medravius. None are edible. :Claw Spiders: These are a cross between regular spiders and crabs. They are dull red in color and have a hard shell/exoskeleton, and are about the size of a basketball. A special gland near their mouths enables them to secrete a fluid, that, on contact with air, hardens into a round stone the size of a baseball. People often use this stone as a ball for games, or for a bolas. Claw spiders are easy to defeat; children training for a combat profession often practice their skills on these. They can also be found on nearly every continent. :Giant Crabs: These are like giant cousins of Claw Spiders. They have a hard red shell and many sets of pinchers, including a set near the mouth, and their eyes rest on top of long antennae. Giant crabs are several times the size of a human being; their growth is unhindered as they have no natural predators. They mostly live along the shorelines of warm-water beaches, especially where there are protected lagoons or caves. Giant Crabs do not hesitate in attacking (and eating) human beings; inexperienced fighters are advised to steer clear of them. Its only vulnerable spot is its soft underbelly. :Minos: These dangerous creatures have the torso of a man but the head and legs of a bull. They walk upright and stand at about 7-8 feet tall. They are blue or black in color and usually attack by charging their prey, attempting to impale the poor creatures with their long horns. Minos are unusually vicious and will go out of their way to attack nearby humans. Even experienced fighters are strongly suggested to avoid Minos. They typically live in caves around canyons or other clifflike areas. :Basilisks: These large lizards are the quickly becoming one of the most common monsters in Damasca as their population continues to grow. They are about 10 feet long (including their tails) and 5 feet high, and green or brown in color. They attack mainly with their horns and claws, but are also capable of breathing fire. Basilisks also possess amazing speed and agility. Their population growth is most likely due to their amazing versatility and adaptability to new and varied environments. They continue to spread despite the thriving trade based on their valuable horns. It is within the ability of an experienced fighter to handle a basilisk. These creatures are most vulnerable when attacked from behind. :Tamarisks: These are gargantuan, highly dangerous cousins of the basilisks. Luckily, they are not as common as their huge size makes it difficult for them to breed. They are roughly 20 feet long and 10 feet high, and golden or brown in color. Numerous horns line their heads. They are found only in secluded, wild areas, far removed from the influence of human settlements. However, they are incredibly dangerous to humans and should be avoided. Many people seek to kill Tamarisks, because their horns are much more valuable than even basilisk horns. Few people have ever managed to kill one, and to attempt it is almost suicide. Tamarisks have no known weaknesses. They fight using their claws as well as their powerful fire breath. :Dragons: Relatively few dragons reside in Damasca. They are distant relatives of basilisks and tamarisks, only more elegantly structured. They have the ability to fly, due to the large, leathery wings on their backs. Unlike other monsters of Damasca, dragons are considered to be capable of thought and are semi-sentient. Often times they are used to guard special treasures or castles. Most dragons will not attack humans unless provoked. People regard dragons with high respect and therefore should not attempt to kill one. Wild dragons typically live on mountains. -------------------------------------------------------------------- SECTION 3 ~ Continued in Part Two (designdoc2.txt) --------------------------------------------------------------------