ATLAS OF DAVANIA
Introduction to Davania
Across the Sea of Dread lies the mighty, mysterious continent of Davania. Its northern shores are covered with a lush, vibrant jungle teeming with life, both benign and deadly. Within these jungles are several clans of savages and barbarians, some humans, others not.
The Jungle Coast is a stretch of several hundred miles on the northern shores of Davania. Its exact size is still unknown as it is mostly unexplored. A rough estimate of its borders would be the coast facing the Bellissarian Sea to the east, the Meghala Kimata Plains in the south and the Garganin Grasslands to the west.
Most of the Jungle Coast is unexplored, and no one is exactly sure what can be found in the vast new territory. Rumours abound of strange primitive cultures with wondrous monuments, such as crystal pyramids or deep sacrificial pits. The lands of the Jungle Coast are currently undergoing a mass colonisation by the Empire of Thyatis. The natives, however, are none too pleased, and many battles arise from the competition for territory and defending of homeland. Still, the advance of civilisation is steady, and there is much progress in the proper education of the locals.
West of the Jungle Coast is the region known to those of the Old World as the Serpent Coast. It is bounded to the north by the Sea of Dread, to the east by the Jungle Coast, to the west by the Serpent Strait and Yavdlom, and to the south by the Adakkian Mounts. It is here where the city-states or Kastelios and Garganin are located, perhaps the only true examples of civilisation outside the Thyatian colonies. The Serpent Coast region is a land of rolling hills, pleasant grasslands, mighty rivers, and rugged coasts. Though it lacks the raw brutality of many of the Jungle Coast's native inhabitants, the more sophisticated cities here can pose dangers well known in Brun, including those unheard of. Outside the fastness of the cities' walls, nature holds sway, and few know who dwells there.
South of the Jungle Coast is the little-known Meghala Kimata Plains. In the north, its grasses are so tall and thick that one may easily get lost, never seeing the sun or civilisation again. Towards the south, many hundreds of miles away, the grasses wither away, being subsumed by the deadly Meghales Amosses Desert, which no one yet has crossed, and, it is said, holds many dangers beyond description. It is also said that a great river winds its way through the plains, and along its banks many mighty cities and nations rear their walls. Rumours abound of imposing ruins scattered amongst the grasses, telling of a time when civilisation held northern Davania under its sway. Whether this is true or not, the plains beckon to all who have the courage to plunge into the interior, and behold what lies within.
Davania is a place where one can brave a new world, carve out territory to settle, and defend brave colonists from savage natives. If you enjoy exploration and the new frontier, Davania is open to you.
Correspondents for Davania
Here is our list of correspondents that give us detailed information on the nations, places, and events of Davania:
Friedrich von Eisendorf
Friedrich von Eisendorf brings us news from the Heldannic Territory of Vanya's Rest, on the southern continent of Davania.
Every inch of him a professional military officer, Friedrich is Adjutant to His Most Exalted Templar and Humble Servant to Glorious Vanya, Heinz Kronenburg, who is castellan of the fortress of Vanya's Rest itself, and by extension governor of all Heldannic territories in Davania. Friedrich is extremely proud of his duties, but he is also more than happy to share with us what he describes as "the fearless exploits of the greatest military force Mystara has ever known" [somehow I doubt this. Ed.].
So if you see a tall, fair-haired Heldannic Knight in his late 20s, wearing a crimson tabard and a golden sash across his chest, say hello to Friedrich for the rest of us, and prepare yourself for fascinating tales.
Marina Takanitas
At 23, Marina Takanitas is one of the youngest on our team, and she brings us news from the newly discovered Milenian city-states located on the Meghala Kimata Plains. Marina is a trader who hails from Kastelios, one of the biggest, and fastest-growing, port cities in the region.
A cheerful person, her laughing brown eyes and bouncing golden curls are hard to miss in a crowd, but this exterior also serves to shield a very capable correspondent who will stop at nothing to get you, the reader, the ground-breaking stories of northwestern Davania as they happen. No danger is too much for her, and, believe me, she knows how to use that short sword she carries!
Shaun the Elfin
Shaun of clan Grunalf is one of the most renowned artists and adventurers of the Old World. A well-travelled and knowledgeable elf, she has long retired from her adventuring career and now lives in Ierendi acting as kia'i (guardian) of the crown and member the Adventurers' Club. She is a formidable storyteller and has a deep passion for heroic tales. After hearing of our editorial pursue, she has volunteered to tell us what she knows about the most exotic lands she visited in her life.
Atlas
EMEROND (Kingdom of)
GARGANIN (City-State of)
ILIOLOOSTI (City-State of)
KASTELIOS (City-State of)
MIVOSIA (City-State of)
POLAKATSIKES (Heldannic Dominion of)
THYATIAN HINTERLANDS (Dominion of)
VANYA'S REST (Heldannic Outpost of)