SONLAS

GUIDE & INFORMATION

Sonlas is a large island, with roughly the same landmass as real-world Japan. Two "countries", which are perhaps better described as city states with large territories surrounding them, have been in a state of war for decades. Both of the capital cities are home to advanced magic and technology. As a general rule of thumb, the further you stray from either capital, the less advanced the technology becomes and the less grip the government has. Outside of the city-states, laws are sparse and advanced technology is rare, leading to a more basic existence. Areas without a large city are often environments conducive for thieves and bounty hunters getting revenge on them for anyone who can pay their fees.


Sonlas is near Eokia, but remains a separate entity. The closest Eokian city is Sol, which is a short sea or air trip form Zakat.

Sonlas is somewhat rounded in shape. Running through the island is a large mountain chain called the Asartis. The Asartis divide the territories of Zakat and Richu as a natural barrier. Military outposts dot the edges of the mountains. Much of the area is considered No Man's Land where much of the warring between the two nations is fought. The mountains and surrounding area also is home to plenty of towns or civilizations that don't want anything to do with the war.

To the west lies Zakat, whose capital, Ravenfall, is situated on a high cliff near the ocean. Most trade occurs by land, on a set of highways that run through surrounding rocky plains. Though the highway runs the full distance from the capital to the mountains, it's a near-linear path to military towns on the border with a few branching routes to major trading cities in-between. There are paths that lead to other, smaller towns in-between.

East of the mountains is a rainshadow desert with a large river that begins in Asartis and cuts a canyon through to rolling plains, where the capital of Richu, Serpentsmouth, is. Serpentsmouth serves as a major port town that ships to a number of tributary city-states downstream. Much of the non-settled area east of the mountains is temperate forests, though some city states and small villages also dot the coastline.


Magic is common among the population of both countries on Sonlas. In urban areas, basic applications are often taught in public schooling, while more rural areas typically pass magic down as tradition. Though most people can use it, few are actually good at it. The presence of magitech makes the study of advanced magics a thing for those who can afford higher education. Skilled magical beings are still not uncommon.

Magic also tends to be incorporated into day-to-day living in a variety of ways, most notably in the form of Lay-lines, an artificial power grid, which is used to power devices that seem like they should be electricity-based.


The technology in both countries is reminiscent of the real world in terms of scope. Zakat is known for a clockwork aesthetic, while Richu prefers a glossy finish. Some magitech even takes a futuristic spin. Sonlas has magitech equivalents to laptops and smartphones, but lacks a proper internet network. Wire-based information transfer systems like pay phones and landlines are still in use in many areas. Technology that runs on fuels like oil or electricity is practically unheard of in Sonlas due to the prevalence of magical power sources, but since Sonlas is outside of the eokian barrier non-magical inventions are also operational.

Both countries are constantly looking for an advantage to their war. They often study and reverse-engineer one another's magitech, as well as any inventions that drift in from unusual sources. New kinds of magitech introduced to the land is likely to get an enthusiastic welcome in either country.

Technology in more rural areas is often lacking. Here, melee weapons are typically preferred to firearms because of the ease of enchanting them and not having to power them or use additional ammunition. People in rural areas are aware of more advanced technologies, but they tend to regard them as something the city folk prefer.


Sonlas is primarily home to humanoid species, with humans, elves, orcs, dwarves, etc. being common. Much of urban society is made to accommodate people of roughly human posture and dimensions, individuals with non-humanoid builds, such as dragons, are typically not as well-equipped to handle urban lifestyle. Prejudices against them exist because of this. Non-humanoids often find themselves as blue collar laborers in industries like construction and manufacturing, or pushed towards rural areas. Zakat's strong emphasis on personal surveillance means that shapeshifters are rarely accepted. Richu is more lax on the matter.


Zakat in the west leans toward being a vaguely European setting in terms of aesthetics, with cities having a steampunk look. Ravenfall in particular is known for having strict laws. The "police" are essentially a separate branch of the military that handles local issues. Incarceration rates are high and criminals are often used a cheap form of labor if they're physically fit, and sent for correction otherwise. Most felonies are punishable by death, and though it's not an official part of written law, most people know that treason or libel against the government is usually silenced with torture. The further you are from the capital, though, the more you can get away with.


Richu is more east-Asian aesthetically, with a cyberpunk theme. The people of Richu are typically bound by a strict understanding of ethics and morality that are ingrained into the populace's mind from an early age. In Richu spirituality and government are not separate concepts -- rulers are typically born into their roles rather than working their ways up to them, and members of the central government are seen as god-kings. Restrictions on people are much more lax than in Zakat and trade is freer. The people are heavily dependent on a large river called the Daihebi for trade and commerce. Those far away from major civilizations often have more animistic spiritual beliefs.


Sonlas is having a Civil War over the resources needed to build their technology. Their systems aren't nearly as self-sustaining as Sanctuary, so they rely on everything around them. Zakat and Richu fight very often, meeting in an area called the No Man's Land, part of the mountain ranges which divide the country. The fights never reach the capitals, so people who stay in the hearts of Zakat and Richu are usually very safe.

Most fights happen in No Man's Land. It is resource rich, but is slowly being picked clean by both sides due to the war.

On top of this, Sonlas is pressured by both Sanctuary and Eokia. Sanctuary is planning to touch down on this continent. They've been in a few naval skirmishes with Sonlas in the past, but following the events of Gravity Hurts, Sanctuary has begun to mobilize and deal with outside threats more proactively. Sonlas is likely to take the first hit. There is also some tension between many Eokian and Sonlasian people. Technology isn't treated well in much of Eokia by culture, so things from Sonlas are treated as quirky at best and a threat at worst. Finding people who are willing to attack Sonlas from Eokia isn't very hard! Beyond this, other invaders are always a possible threat.

-- Credit to Stardust & Jay.
check out the Sonlas Update for more details