The Regions of Anesidora

Anesidora is a planet similar in size to Earth, but only a small fraction of it has been explored and is known to be populated. The part of Anesidora known to humanity consists of a single large continent, bordered on the east and west by oceans, and on the north and south by wastelands that appear to extend forever. This area accounts for less than 5% of the surface area of the planet, but it is impossible to know what lies beyond, as any records about the rest of the planet were lost during the Fall, and no one who has traveled beyond the borders of the known world has managed to return.

This continent is divided into 5 major regions. In the center is Tartarus, a region of shifting landscapes that is home to three Titans: Lelantos, Kronos, and Pallas. Each Titan exerts influence over the landscape of about a third of Tartarus, though these borders are constantly shifting as the relative powers of the Titans change.

Surrounding Tartarus are the four major populated regions of Anesidora. To the northeast is Midgard, a rugged land that is frozen for much of the year and home to the Odin fleet of Godcities. To the southeast is Olympus, a land of rolling hills and home to the Zeus fleet of Godcities. To the southwest is The Nile, a frozen tundra that is only habitable near the ever-warm flow of The Nile river, and home to the Horus fleet of Godcities. To the northwest is Gaul, a land of dense forests and home to the Dagda fleet of Godcities. For all of Ragnarok, and much of the Second Age, these regions were separated from each other, and developed their own cultures in relative isolation - until the arrival of the Ascended. While the other Ascended restarted the Hearts of the Godcities, the Ascended Sisyphus built a continent spanning superhighway, known as the God-Road, that circles Tartarus, passing through Midgard, Gaul, The Nile, and Olympus. The God-Road made safe travel between regions possible for the first time, and even in the Third Age serves as the main trade and travel route among the populated regions of Anesidora.

Surrounding the populated regions of Anesidora are oceans and wastelands extending beyond the horizon. To the east, bordering Midgard and Olympus, is Oceanus, a massive ocean that seems to extend forever and is home to a variety of dangerous sea creatures. The most populated islands in Oceanus are the island chain of Elysium that extends south and east from Olympus. To the south, bordering Olympus and The Nile, is Muspelheim, a land of continuously flowing lava that is representative of Anesidora prior to the arrival of the Titans. To the west, bordering The Nile and Gaul, is the Sea of Lir and the frozen wastes of Thule. During the summer months, Lir is navigable and an abundant source of fish, but during the long winter the ice sheets of Thule expand all the way to the land. Finally, to the north, bordering Gaul and Midgard, is Hyperborea, a frozen mountainous waste that, despite its hostile environment, is home to the only permanent communities beyond the major populated regions of Anesidora.

In the coming weeks, we will explore in greater detail the main regions of Anesidora.