Thal Borinya
Excerpt from A Primer on the Realms by Arthur Mander:
Thal Borinya is a land known for its breathtaking landscapes of snow-capped mountains, lush evergreen forests, and crystal-clear lakes. The population consists primarily of elves, humans, dwarves, halflings, and gnomes, though people of all lands can be found in the larger cities. If you’re going, prepare for rain, and be ready to talk about it with strangers.
In the sprawling capital of Wrakwell, the elven queen Lisadora Etriel sits on her golden throne. Most of her time is occupied by the war against Thal Borinya’s eastern neighbor Ankravath; a smaller nation that frequently warred with Thal Borinya many centuries ago. Though the nations have put their past grievances aside, Ankravath is now believed to be creating devastating forbidden spells to reclaim territory they owned long ago. Queen Lisadora is desperate to stop this project before it can complete.
In Thal Borinya’s northernmost town of Ramshorn, the war seems of little significance. After yet another long winter, the cold remains. It’s been getting worse for the last couple of years. The frost creeps from somewhere up north, spreading across the land and freezing everything in its way.
Nosten, alchemist in Ramshorn:
With my research of strategically placed warm aldus flowers in and around the Northwoods, I estimate that at this pace, Ramshorn will be completely frozen over in a few months’ time, and the rest of the realm will follow. There is, of course, a certain margin of error, and that’s what really worries me.
Languages
The Thal Borinyan language is the common tongue of the land. It is a relatively simple and rhythmic language with a wide range of vowel and consonant sounds. It borrows words from many other languages and spelling varies greatly even between similar sounding words.
Thal Borinyan Names
These names are common among the people of Thal Borinya, especially among the city folk. For more exotic people and those in more remote locations, ancestral names are somewhat more common. See the Player’s Handbook for examples of those.
Thal Borinyan Name Examples
Aalis, Adelard, Aldous, Ambroys, Amelot, Avelina, Ban, Beatrice, Beatrice, Brath, Cateline, Claricia, Drogo, Dulara, Elysande, Emmen, Eremon, Evelien, Godfrey, Guy, Herleva, Jean, Joan, Liondra, Margery, Millicent, Percival, Perrin, Reynard, Rohesia, Sarger, Theodoric, Williamina, Wymar
Most Thal Borinyans don’t have surnames. When it’s necessary to be specific, people are often referred to by their jobs, locations, or family. For example Liondra Shepherd, Percival of Westvale, or Wymar, daughter of Eremon. The wealthy and influential may pass on their surnames to their children for recognition, and people of particular note may have epithets. For example, Queen Lisadora’s surname Etriel has been shared by all the women in her family, and Ekhra Dragonslayer got her epithet after slaying a fearsome dragon.
Ankravath
Neighboring Thal Borinya to the east, Ankravath is a smaller country of similar nature and climate. Its long eastern coastline has created a strong fishing tradition and well established trade routes with lands beyond the sea. This has led to many folks previously unknown to the continent taking up residence in Ankravath. Genasi, tabaxi, aarakocra, and even bugbears make up a substantial portion of the country’s population, and are especially commonly found in the coastal capital of Nevarath.
Despite the frequent wars of the past, Ankravath shares a lot of its culture with Thal Borinya. While Ankravath has its own language, called Chasi (pronounced KA-shee), the Thal Borinyan tongue is nowadays the primary language of the realm.
Ankravathian Names
With strong cultural bonds to Thal Borinya, many Ankravathians have similar names to their western neighbors. There is, however, a growing trend among the people in Ankravath to establish their own cultural identity, and so many opt for ancestral names (especially those who hail from other continets), as well as Chasi names.
Ankravathian Name Examples
Arzhvaelig, Bleunvenn, Donan, Emeran, Enjor, Euirell, Euzen, Faelan, Foreannan, Iodoc, Jezekela, Klodina, Maiwenn, Morgann, Morivonig, Morvred, Nolvene, Pederna, Riwal, Tadeg, Tirizhian, Tudual, Turio, Uriell, Yaouank, Yuselk.
Ankravathian surnames work the same as in Thal Borinya.
Ladora
South of Thal Borinya lie the golden beaches and slithering cobblestone streets of Ladora. Though the land may be warm, the people are known to be even warmer in their hearts. While the same races can be found here as in Thal Borinya, the population of tieflings, dragonborns, and satyrs is significantly higher.
Ladoran is a flowing, melodious language with a musical quality to it and soft consonant sounds. The grammar is more complex than Thal Borinyan, and it’s known for it’s characteristic rolling “r” sound.
Ladoran Names
Much like in Thal Borinya, Ladorans are more likely to have ancestral names the more rural they are.
Ladoran Name Examples
Agnola, Bello, Brammo, Brisca, Bosco, Daniele, Diana, Frosino, Galfrid, Gauden, Hortana, Iacomo, Ido, Imeldin, Iuone, Jesmonda, Lando, Lucretia, Nigji, Onesta, Ormann, Orsa, Quirina, Palmere, Pasca, Pippo, Richa, Ritelda, Saracen, Sasso, Sclavon, Sforza, Sixt, Vieri, Volta, Zane, Zillia
Ladoran surnames are often based on where the person is from, and mainly used when traveling. In larger cities, surnames are used more frequently and are more specific, commonly neighborhood or even street names. For example Zane of Ordiria, Stregino of Main Street.
Religion
Nobody remembers how the world came to be, and there are many conflicting theories. In a world of magic, anyone with enough power can call themselves a god. But such power is rare, and often takes many centuries to accumulate. Furthermore, power corrupts, and thus evil gods are far more common than good ones. Those seeking the power of divinity are often met with fierce resistance—both from the common people and secret ancient orders—no matter their intentions. As a result, most of the gods are old and distant, unconcerned with the everyday lives of the common people.
Most Thal Borinyans are familiar with Astus. He was a sage who lived thousands of years ago, teaching lessons of kindness and compassion to anyone who would listen. According to legend, he one day turned into a beam of light and disappeared into the sky. It is said that his spirit lingers on, guiding the kind of heart to happiness and success.
Talk to your DM if you wish to brainstorm ideas for a specific deity.
Magic
All magic comes from the weave; the membrane between the physical world and raw, magical energy. Some casters, like bards, wizards, and sorcerers, can tap into the weave directly. Others get their magic indirectly through a powerful being or deity, like clerics and warlocks. Others yet have more mysterious ways of accessing magical power. But wherever one’s magic seems to come from, it all starts in the weave.
Next: Homebrew Rules