((This is just a description of a world I created. It began as a place I wrote stories about and ended up getting used as an Amber shadow in ACW. This is the Amber version, created for Aria.))
Liriel
Liriel is a small planet, third out from its blue sun, in the third system of Khardan. It is mainly a commerce planet and a neutral in system politics. It is a veritable melting pot of racial types.
It is made up of two landmasses interconnected by a huge man made bridge. The bridge is made up of several miles of glittering adamantium supports, cables, and tracks. The Lirian Intercontinental Shuttle Craft System transports people across this bridge at a rate of 120 vaks {1 vak = aproximatly 1.2 mph}. The L.I.S.C.S are quick and efficient. They are clean and safe once boarded but the underground terminals are notoriously dangerous, giving rise to the nickname Risks by the locals.
In the Ancient days, called the Time of Troubles, the two native races of
Lyria warred. Each lived on the separate continents and constant heated words
were exchanged.
The Breens, who were a race of sorcerers, openly despised the Varians' "heretical
ways" as sorcery was a religion and a lifestyle to the Breens. The Varians
were Breens who had discovered technology. They perfected their arts, much to
the displeasure of the Breens.
The leader of the Breens, Bresna, met with the leader of the Varians, Alran, in a conferance in the year of 1142. They argued over religion and politics between the two nations. It led up to Bresna throwing her drink in Alran's face and denouncing the Varians as a bunch of "de-evolved imbeciles who can do nothing but cheap parlour tricks". This famous statement led to a horrific war between the nations.
The Techno-Magical war lasted for 57 years. Finally, overcome by superior troops, and weakened by riots among the masses and 7 years of famine, the Breen Empire collapsed. The victorious Varians began a wholesale slaughter of their hated enemies. The slaughter was halted by a strange communication from the capital but most of the Breen race was massacred anyway. They still make up only a small percentage of the Lyrian population.
The one who gave the order to cease the slaughter of the Breens was a strange girl. Rumor has it she was raised in the slums of the Varian capital, the daughter of a tavern keeper. She learned politics from the famous politicians that patronized the tavern. A humanitarian, she heard of the impending slaughter of the Breens and appealed to the king on their behalf. She was so convincing that he listened and even named her successor when he died. This, however, may all be propaganda. No one is really sure anymore, as it was over 7,000 years ago.
The Lyra, as she was called, did rise to power after the death of Alran. She united to the two nations and oversaw the construction of the L.I.S.C.S personally before her death. It is rumored however, that the Lyra who rules now is the same one as the original.
The Lyra wields ultimate power on Liriel. Some have contemplated installing power checks on her power, such as the Senate-Monarch system of Dias, their much larger neighbor sunward or the total anarchy of Hameth towards the outer end of the system. But the Lyra has ruled well and there have been no wars on Liriel since the Galactic Trade wars of 1567, when Liriel was established a major force in system economics. A small consulate {called the Elara}advise her and carry out her orders. A representative from each race on Liriel sits on the council plus representatives from each planet. Any citizen may come before the Elara provided he or she or it has something important to say.
There is one capital of Liriel. It is a huge city called Jade. It is the largest spaceport on Liriel. The city is an interesting mix of gothic and technological. Buildings are sleek and metallic, rising to spires in the sky. Yet gargoyles and stone castles are not uncommon sights. Public transit is available in the city as well and is as efficient as the L.I.S.C.S. Poverty is not too big a problem and clean hostels are available for the cities homeless population. Still, crime is not unknown and slums and dangerous parts of the city do exist. And, like and good Sci-Fi high tech city, it has it's share of completely pointless grates billowing steam into the streets in the rattier sections of town. it is a very black and silver city, though many of the lights have a light purple color, for an unknown reason.
The Lyra's castle floats high above the city. The entrances are laser proof cylinders that lift small spheres in which the castle's inhabitants ride. The tunnels can be either clear or totally silver, depending on the wishes of the occupants. they are kept silver most of the time. The passageways are defended by the royal guard, highly trained warriors with impressive weaponry and amour. It is very decorative but fully functional and highly deadly.
Inside the castle, the decor varies from Roman columns to huge banks of electronic equipment. The staff is minimal. Each member of the Elara lives in a floating house outlying the castle. All political functions take place in the west wing of the castle. The Lyra has her own private wing and separate staff.
The Lyra is an interesting combination of Godhead and political leader. Magic is practically unknown on Liriel by the masses. {System magic rating: 2 system wide, 1 in Lyrian masses, 5 in Lyrian aristocracy} However, Technology has been created to limit the effectiveness of magic, per order of the Lyra. The Lyra, it is widely known, practices potent magic. This in itself makes her into a demi-god like creature. Also, her immortality is widely believed. She appears about once every generation, long enough that everyone forgets what she looks like. Her beauty is legend among the people of Liriel and among the system. However, some people wonder if this isn't propaganda too.
Lyrian's are very protective of the Lyra. Insulting her name can lead to death. Though she is a highly circumspect and scandalous ruler sometimes, she is considered the very definition of what it is to be Lyrian. Insulting her is like insulting the whole planet. Outsiders not understanding this have been challenged to numerous duels, etc.
Liriel has it's own language. It is very flowing and musical. They also speak Chaosion Low thari, Thari, and a Spanish/Cajun-like language {the Sisran trade tongue, recognized as the system wide trade tongue}.
Characters:
Diga: Diga is the Elran of war {the Lyra's millitary advisory and head of the armies.} Nicknamed "the dwarf" by the populous he is a short man, about 4'8" with a lot of muscels. He is bald but has a long blonde beard and a collection of scars to rival any street thug. He wears a chain mail shirt that he made himself over a coarse silver shirt and brown pants. He wields a large battle axe with surprising proficiency.
He is very close to the Lyra. She saved him from imprisonment, torture, and certain death from one of the few remaining magi in Liriel. He now feels he owes her a debt for saving his life and aiding him in attaining his position. His is fiercely loyal to her and also close friends with her.
Robard: Robard was a notorious pirate on the planet closest to the Khadran sun, Sisra. He had a Sinbad/Robin Hood like reputation among the populous. He fled to Liriel but was arrested in a tavern brawl and imprisoned when it was found out who he really was. Under Khardan system politics, the ruler of the planet where one is arrested the planets ruler hands down the sentence. Robard was brought before the Lyra. He was cocky, arrogant, and completely unafraid. He even insulted the Lyra {though what he said has been forgotten}. Diga knocked him to his knees and prepared to kill him. The Lyra stopped him. She glared down at Robard and walked over to where he lay. "You are arrogant, remorseless, defiant, and disrespectful. I look at you and all I see is trouble," She said. She took the Sword from Diga and raised it above Robard's head. "I like trouble. I knight you Sir Robard of the Eastern Seas," She disappeared in the shocked silence that ensued.
Needless to say, this scandalized Liriel and strained relations between the Lyrian and Sisran governments for some time. However, Robard was the "peoples' scoundrel" on Sisran. In the elections on Sisran a few years later, Robards second in command, Quellor, won the spot as president. Robard, who had been acting as head of Liriels practically nonexistent navy {the only position he could be given without causing open war between the two planets} begged the Lyra to let him return to his once home world. Reluctantly, she agreed. He left the next morning and assumed position as Sisran Head of state. However, he returned a year later as the Sisran Elran. Rumor goes that he either has a falling out with Quellor or had fallen in love with the Lyra. No one is quite sure. Now, he is the Head of the Elran.
Robard is tall, dark and handsome. He is a notorious rogue and looks the part. His black hair is always disheveled and his green eyes glitter mischievously. He smiles with the Devil's charm, when his customary smirk does not adorn his notoriously handsome face. He is well liked by the rest of the court, able to joke with the gentlemen and charm the ladies. The Lyra calls him "her Ssan" {Lyrian for "the Devil's charm}. He is highly physical with her, picking her up, kissing her hand, bowning to her. He also shortened her name father to "Ri" and calls her that on all non-formal occasions. The "Sisran Devil" wears a billowing white pirates shirt, a broad purple belt, black breeches, and high black leather boots. His sword is a simple steel cutlass with a wicked edge and a worse reputation. Robard's short temper is legend, as is his sword fighting ability. However, he is mostly in good spirits and is the only one who can make Diga laugh.
Ellora: One of the personal servants to the Lyra, Ellora is slim and willowy. She is a Jadoran, a race native to Dias. Her skin is a light blue and her hair is a deep green. Like most Jadorans, she rarely speaks and when she does it is in hushed tones and only on important matters. Unknown to most, Ellora is brilliant when it comes to dealing with people. She is almost empathic in these abilities. The Lyra has constantly offering her a position as Head of the Elara or Minister of Khardan relations but Ellora refuses, content where she is.
Erik: A native New Yorker, this beautiful African American man was imported by the Lyra some years back. He is a brilliant economist and is the Minister of the Treasury. He took easily to the nuances of Lyrian economics and Liriel has prospered like never before.
Erik is tall and muscular, lifting weights and working out constantly. His eyes are a deeps brown and constantly oohed over by the mostly blue eyed population of Liriel. they were "immortalized" in a song by Robard, comparing them to horse dung. Erik took this in stride, even laughing when he heard the tune. Soft spoken and easygoing, he is a balancing force between the strong personalities in the court. He is teased mercilessly for his strong accent and, by those who have been to New York, his complete lack of New Yorkness.
Mikhale: "The Duelest" A temper as quick as his sword, Mikhale is another Sisran import. He replaced Robard as Sisran Elran when Robard became head of the Elran. Mikhale stands about 6'3", with ice blue eyes and a personality to match. His hair is a dark red and shor t through white thick white streaks. His nose is almost beaklike and he is often compared to a hawk from his ready-to-attack posture. He is quick to demand or accept a duel. Once, he and Robard fought a duel after Mikhale accused Robard of sleeping with the Lyra to gain his position. The Lyra, furious over their attempted "duel to the death" had them chained together for a week. When they continued brawling, even chained together she had them thrown into gladiator match on Hammeth. If they worked together they would live. Fight with each other and perish. They got it together and emerged victorious. But they have never liked each other since.
Mikhale has a soft accent, what could only be described a southern gentleman.
He has the Southern gentleman attitude, very fixed on rank, propriety, and code
of honor. He wears a blue crushed velvet frock coat, ala Andrew Jackson but
about knee length. His pants are of the same material and his black leather
riding boots are shined to a gloss. A white shirt with a fancy white cravat
(one of those ridicules ruffles on the front} and ruffled sleeves finishes the
look.
Copyright me 1998