All About Ansparia
Welcome to Ansparia! Now that you’re here you might be wondering, what IS Ansparia? And that, my friend, is what this letter is all about. You won’t learn everything about Ansparia here; you’ll have to explore it yourself to do that. Wait! Don’t grab your hero gear and rush off just yet! Let me fill you in on a few basics.
A Flat World
Essentially, Ansparia is the world you are currently visiting. It has both similarities to and differences from the worlds you are probably accustomed to visiting. One of the biggest differences is that Ansparia is flat. Yes, you heard me correctly, this world is not an orb that circles a bigger orb. It is flat, and that might be a little difficult for you to wrap your thoughts around. Nevertheless, I’ll do my best to explain it to you round-worlders.
Imagine a square piece of paper. Now add some mountains to it, sprinkle in a few happy little trees, use rivers to join lakes to seas, and viola! Ansparia! It sounds implausible, I know, and perhaps a little dangerous. But let me quell your fears and endear you to this wonderful place that we Ansparians call home.
One of the biggest questions I am asked by guests such as yourself is, “What happens if you go to the edge of the world and fall off?” Well I can assure you, that simply cannot happen. It literally is not possible. There is much speculation regarding what causes it, but a scientific phenomenon known as Rhepellubach is at work here… I’m sorry, what? Repel you back? Gosh, no! That just sounds silly! Hah! No, it’s called Rhepellubach, and it’s completely scientific.
I guess the easiest way to explain it would be that every step you take divides the distance between you and the edge by two, ensuring that you will never reach the edge. Except you really can’t take steps because you’ll be in the sea. But you get the basic principle. No, that’s a very good question. Rhepellubach does not seem to affect the water. Does the water spill over the edge? I don’t know. I’ve never been to the edge to find out because of, you guessed it, Rhepellubach! I’m sorry? No, I don’t know. I’m not a scientist, I’m a historian.
Emerging From Darkness
Anyway, long ago our world had no light. The sun that you see in the sky now did not yet exist. Eventually a group of Lunarians, aided by several creatures of darkness, repelled an assault by tearing a hole in the sky and drawing starlight into one spot, bringing about the creation of the sun. The dark creatures fled and hid or were turned to ash. Many survived, dwelling underground or in other places where the sunlight could not reach, but most perished. Then began the Lunarian Age, as the world changed and stabilized into what we have today.
The Age of Harmony
In this current Age, known as the Age of Harmony, the world consists of three continents, each surrounded by sea.
Ruridon
To the east, you will find the largest continent, Ruridon. It holds a pair of forests in the east, known as the Earthwoods, which are separated by Croplands that are all but barren of trees. Mountains and lakes down the center of the continent divide the Earthwoods from the frozen land, with hills to the south and another great forest to the north. Of note here are the port city of Rost on the east coast and the city of Ithlear, home of the Bards, in the Greater Earthwoods to the north.
Hepishand
The second largest continent, Hepishand, can be found in the northwest part of the Frigid Sea. Swamps, jungle, and desert make up the majority of the landmass, spanning the northern portion of the continent, and the entire west coast. The most populated area of the continent, however, are the Mythraelarn Plains, found in the center of the east coast. The Akhar Tundra rounds out the remainder of the eastern seaboard.
Dronidar
The smallest continent, Dronidar, is located in the southwest portion of the Frigid Sea. Forest and desert are separated by rivers, a lake, and the mystical Thirteen Peaks. The two greatest exports here are gold and food.
In Conclusion
Now mind you, I’ll not get into politics or religion in this letter, nor will I give you details about all the different races, nor the histories of this place or that. However, if you find me spinning tales in the Half Plat Inn in Rost, you may hear me speak on any of these subjects, provided the drinks have loosened my tongue.
To conclude this letter, Ansparia is a wonderful place, filled with adventure and danger, unimaginable beauty, and people passionate enough to share their experiences with you. Listen to their stories, their songs, their life philosophies, for in them you may find some of your own reflected back to you. Until next time, my friends, I bid you a lovely day.
Reilikar Dromespore,
Historian and Purveyor of Insight
I hope you’ve had fun learning a few things about the world of Ansparia. What characteristic of this world did you find most interesting? Tell me in the comments below!
Hungry for more? Read more Ansparian Lore or pick an Excerpt from my current work in progress, The Renegade Ocarinist.
One Comment
Laiuka Bardling
I can’t wait for more!