Jun 02 2009
Coriander
“Shall I project a world?”–Thomas Pynchon, The Crying of Lot 49
Overview
This page is for my world-building exercise. The focus will be on the people, places, history, and customs of the seafaring city state of Coriander and its surrounding region. While the world will have several elements of high fantasy–like wizards, and goblins, and dwarves, and elves–and some steampunk-ish elements, I don’t want those elements to be the emphasis. Coriander is a land of hard working blue collar people who face everyday but important problems in a unique setting. There’s a genre called magical realism which describes stories set in the real world but with some fantastical elements; I guess this is more like realistic magicalism–set in a magical land but with a lot of elements of realism.
Races
There are four main races living in Coriander as well as a few less populous races indigenous to the area and strange races from distant lands who occasionally pass through. The four most populous races are humans, elves, halflings, and the krychnari.
Humans
Humans are the most populous inhabitants of Coriander and the backbone of its working force. They are hardy and rugged providing the majority of Coriander’s loggers, fishermen, sailors, and soldiers. While generally mantaining a blue collar mentality, humans can be found in any occupation including teachers and politicians. Strong will and resourcefulness are common human characteristics.
Halflings
In Coriander, halflings tend to cluster around city centers. They are an urban race commonly found working as shop keepers, business men, or money lenders/financial consultants. The largest newspaper in Coriander is halfling-owned. Typical height for a halfling ranges from three to four feet, and they generally have slightly large, roundish heads. Halflings often make up for what they lack in physical prowess with cunning and manipulation, but honest haflings are the rule rather than the exception, and even the slyest of them typically make pleasant company. Most of the mayors of Coriander’s cities are either human or halfling.
Elves
Elves coexist with humans and halflings (though in considerably smaller numbers). Physically they grow as tall as most humans, but are generally thinner and more lithe. While no race adheres solely to a single line of work, elves are well known as master craftsmen, architects, metal workers, and shipwrights. While elves obey the laws of the land, they do not consider themselves citizens–they serve the distant high elf council. A few elves, however, officially become citizens and immerse themselves more directly in the political and military affairs of Coriander. Elves and humans also occasionally intermarry producing half elven offspring who combine aspects of both races. Elves are not immortal, but live for hundreds of years. Half elves enjoy an extended life, but few live beyond two hundred and fifty years.
Krychnari
Pronounced krɪčnari, these beings resemble humanoid ravens or crows. Their heads, bodies, and upper legs are covered with brown, gray, or black feathers. They have somewhat stubby humanoid arms rather than wings, but their legs retain a bird-like appearance. They live in small villages deep in the forests of Coriander and high up the sides of the Dawnforge Mountains and know the secret paths and passes. They are a warlike race, constantly on guard against goblin incursions from inside the mountains, but they are also gardeners and experts in herbal medicines. The Krychnari often approach the towns and cities of Coriander with rare herbs and plants to trade for luxuries or weapons.
History
Geography
in progress
Culture
Politics
Military
in progress
Create a free edublog to get your own comment avatar (and more!)
There is nothing here. Yet. But awesome idea!
*pooka shall keep an eye on this*
I like your description of elves. ^_^
*pokes blog* anything new?