Kingdom of Shadows
Page 22
Another round of whispers broke out, this time tinged with reverence and awe. Adelaide nudged Cam and whispered, “Look at that, you’re just as famous as me, maybe more!”
“It’s not me,” Cam whispered back. “It’s my ancestors. In the magic community, they were a pretty big deal. I’m still just small potatoes compared to their legacy.”
“So, Wynne,” Felix purred. “We have the key players, we have the secluded stronghold. Now what? What comes next for us?”
“Now we gather our forces.” Wynne’s eyes glinted and she leaned forward, glancing around the table and making eye contact with everyone there, one by one. “Here’s how we will do it.”
Currency
Tin Coins – A tin coin is the smallest unit of payment in Echaria. One tin coin could purchase the equivalent of mug of ale, or a loaf of bread. Six tin coins would be enough for a hot meal and unlimited ale at a Tavern.
Copper Coins – Another small unit of payment, a single Copper coin is the equivalent of twelve Tin Coins. A Copper Coin is the average day’s salary for town tradesfolk, like physicians and blacksmith. A Copper Coin can get you an overnight stay at an inn, or two cotton dresses with matching cloaks.
Silver Coins – Silver Coins are much rarer to see in the hands of the common folk- one Silver piece is the equivalent of 50 Copper Coins, or 600 Tin Pieces. That one piece of silver would represent more than a month of labor for the average town tradesman, and could purchase a pair of horses and a wagon.
Gold Coins – Gold Coins are only found in the hands of nobility. A single Gold Coin is the equivalent of two Silver Coins. To possess that much money in a single coin is outside the realm of imagination for the average townsfolk. A gold piece would buy a comfortable house, or a cottage with an acre of farmland attached.
Travel and Distance
Travel in Echaria is very basic, making it difficult to undertake long journeys. Horseback is the quickest way across the land, with wagon riding and soldiering on foot also being options.
Distance is measured in miles for extended distances, and for travel.
For close-up measurements, or measuring distance within a town, things are measured in paces, which is typically used as an approximation rather than a concrete measurement. One pace is the equivalent of 4 Feet.
Religion
Echaria has 5 primary deities, known as “The Five” when being spoken of collectively. Each Echarian worships and pays their respects in their own way. It is thought that the Deities are made flesh and walk among the living, and you never know who may be one of The Five. No one has ever seen any of the deities before, concretely, but the rumors are still there.
Senaris – The God of Destiny
Elios – The God of Fire and Destruction
Adesis – The God of Life, Death, and Time
Ophine – The Goddess of Water and Life
Ubdona – The Goddess of The Earth and Seasons
The Daskuji are a now-extinct secretive cult that practiced Black Magic and did not recognize The Five as supreme deities. Instead, they worshiped Maelron, the Demon that Devours Souls. They once resided below the Western Wastelands, in the great city on the shores of Deadman’s Bay, just below The Howling Mountain. That city now lies in ruin, ever since the magical community of Echaria rallied together to wipe The Daskuji from existence. They had no regard for human life, and were known to partake in cannibalism and human sacrifice. There have been rumors stirring in the dark corners of Echaria that some of The Daskuji managed to survive, and that they are plotting something in the shadows beyond sight.
Government
Echaria is a monarchy, although the current ruler, Lord Bainbridge, took the throne by force after he laid siege to the Malcray line and ended them. He sits as Lord of the Land, with his sons acting as Prince Regents.
There are Deputy Regents in each of the major sectors of Echaria – The Plains, The Western Valley and Wastelands, The Evermore Mountains, The Pine Mountains, and The Mer Peninsula. Each Deputy Regent is in charge of the towns in these sectors, and monitor them for growth, profit, and crime. Each regent has to report back to the Crown, and their family lines are considered nobility. They make up the Echarian 1%.
Creatures
There are many unusual creatures that roam Echaria, from corner to corner. Some are well-known, while others are thought to be beasts of myth, either extinct or simply the product of childish fairy tales.
Dragon – Thought to dwell on the islands of Dragonspire, Dragons of Echaria are magnificent beasts of lore. They are at least 50 paces from snout to tail, and can breathe white-hot fire. They have four strong limbs and large, leathery wings that can carry them high into the atmosphere. They are elusive creatures, hunted to near-extinction. They are richly colored in warm hues, like leaves in deep autumn.
Uuvern – These smaller dragons dwell in the Tangled Marshwood. Only 1/10 the size of their cousins from Dragonspire, these feisty creatures are clad in green and brown hues, to better blend in with their jungle surroundings. Unlike their cousins, they cannot breathe fire, and instead rely on close-range attacks, in which they use their razor-sharp claws and teeth.
Leviathan – The aquatic cousin of the dragon species, the Leviathan is wingless, stretching 75 paces in length. These creatures of the deep sea are notorious for sinking ships and thriving in maelstroms.
Woodlyns – These large mammals are native to the Tangled Marshwood. A hybrid of Bear and Lyrewolf, they can walk upright, and stand over 15 feet tall. Their claws and teeth can easily shred meat from bones, and they do not hibernate. They are strictly nocturnal.
Skin Walkers – These creatures take the form of a human for the majority of their time, but can shift at will into various creatures such as dogs, cats, birds, snakes, and fish. They are not particularly dangerous on their own, but are often used as spies to gather intelligence.
Merfolk – Part fish, part man, these creatures live in the sparkling waters of Emerald Bay, off the Mer Peninsula. They are breathtakingly beautiful when seen above water, but when viewed underwater, their true nature is revealed. Large rows of serrated fangs and ice blue skin, with cold, black eyes that seem to stare into your very soul. They are known for dragging unsuspecting humans to the depths, where it is rumored that they feast on their flesh. The only way to kill one is to stab it in the heart while submerged underwater with it.
Lyrewolf- A large species of wolf that is native to the North Woods and the Kingdom of Alista. They are nocturnal, and can only hunt and feed at night, rendered harmless in the daylight. They are strongest during the New Moon, and the Solstices.
Dagai – Large serpents that are as thick around as tree trunks, and are 40 paces from end to end. They live in the trees of The Tangled Marshwood, their black and emerald scales camouflaging them. They can swallow men and livestock whole, and they are known for being absolutely silent as they approach. The only way to tell one is near is by the absence of all other jungle sounds.
Whistler – A small bird with a piercing shriek, only found in the Evermore Mountains. The sound this tiny bird makes is enough to make grown men flee in terror.
Red Devils – A large red wasp that lives in underground colonies. The sting of the Red Devil is so severe that one can temporarily paralyze a grown man, while three are fatal. They are hunters, and prefer to take down live prey.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
K. M. Reynolds is a multi-genre author with a particular penchant for Romance and Fantasy. She has been writing poetry and short stories since 1997, and had her first piece published in 2005. In 2017, she decided to shift her focus to longer pieces of fiction. She is currently working on several novel-length pieces, including the next books in The Echarian Chronicles and the first installment in a Paranormal Crime series.
K. M. lives in South Florida with her husband, her children, and an assortment of animals. She has a deep passion for literature, theatre, and visual art. She spends her free time reading and writing, and is an avid
audiophile. She enjoys observing thunderstorms, and firmly believes that it’s never too late in the day for a good cup of coffee. She has been fortunate enough to travel all over the world, and draws inspiration for her work from her real-life experiences.
For updates on her new and upcoming works, visit her website at www.AuthorKMReynolds.com