Introduction
Not sure why I’m writing this, but Dahlia told me that it’d be good for me to keep busy while I heal. After brainstorming some more, I thought a book like this would be the most helpful. A guide to help any earthlings or otherworlders who find themselves summoned to this place. I’m kind of doubtful Myr or any other god would summon any more after what my summoning did, but if it does ever happen this will be a tremendous help for any stranded earthlings. Especially if I’m not around anymore. Call it leaving a legacy.
My name is James Holter. A 26 year old guy from earth, summoned to Valenfrost. Been here for around a year, and I’ve already been through so so much. I’ll cover everything I can through chapters and such. This guide isn’t in order so you can sorta jump freely between chapters. Just remember that you might want to read in order if you need context for some things.
Again, this is from my perspective. I might get some things wrong or incorrect so don’t rely entirely on my info. Regardless, if you have no clue how this world works or who to look out for, then this guide is your only way of survival.
This is an Earthling's Guide to Valenfrost. Told by the one guy who managed to make it here for longer than a year.
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Azura: Continents and Seas
The basics first. The world you have been summoned to is known as Azura. It is to Azurans as Earth is to you and me. While I’m not sure of its scale or natural fauna, it’s very similar to earth. Albeit with monsters, fantastical beasts, and magical beings. Also gods. But I'll get to all of those later.
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CONTINENTS
Azura is made up of four main continents. Azurvale, Kasan, Areno, and Atrox. I would count Valenfrost, but it's more or less a collection of islands.
AZURVALE (SEMI-SAFE)
Azurvale is the largest, its eastern and western sides differing greatly in both politics and cultures. Read up on Azurvale’s chapter to know more.
KASAN (NO GO)
Kasan is one of the smallest continents. It’s also the most isolated one. From what I could find out, the entire country and continent of Kasan was in the middle of some kind of civil war. It went on and off for decades before recently finding peace. Still, according to the traders I’ve talked with, the country is still off limits to visitors. They only trade and export stuff.
From what I’ve seen and heard, Kasan is this world’s version of feudal Japan. Using katanas, samurai getup, and even producing stuff like rice and sake.
ARENO (RELATIVELY SAFE)
Second in size to only Azurvale, Areno is probably one of the more prominent continents. Unlike most places in Azura, however, they have done away with trivial kingdoms and dynasties. Instead, Areno is composed of multiple trading companies and small clans, all of them spread around the outskirts of the continent. They produce, export, and trade more than any other continent or country on Azura.
Areno trades stuff like silk, medicine, spices, and even coffee. Believe me, I was more than thankful to all the gods when I found this out. Areno is such a powerhouse in trading that their own money competes with the gold coins set by Azurvale.
From descriptions by traders and adventurers, Areno is mostly made up of sand dunes and mountains, a huge desert taking up most of the continent. There are jungles and even forests on Areno, but they are spread around the outskirts. Which is probably why most cities and towns are built there.
According to some Arenian traders, there are clans living in those mountains and even some in the desert. Their survival sometimes depends on the clan. A few clans survive through oases and trading, while others turn to robbing and raiding.
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ATROX (TREACHEROUS)
Very little is known about the continent that resides far south of Azurvale. At least for me. From what I can tell and from what Dahlia and Silas have told me, Atrox is where the barbarians came from during the Outsider Wars. Former home of the ancient orcs and breeding ground of monsters, Atrox is described as a sort of wasteland. Crawling with monsters and abominable creatures, Atrox is a mystery to many.
Adventurers won’t travel there and the ones that do, usually don’t return. The only thing I know for sure is that the barbarians are still there. They’re still active, as they ravage ships that steer too close.
Basically, don’t even think about going there.
VALENFROST (SEMI-DANGEROUS)
This is where I live. Valenfrost is weird. It’s not really a continent. Think of it more like a huge collection of islands that are gathered in the northern hemisphere. There’s a lot of explanation here, so I suggest you just jump to the Valenfrost chapter. There you can delve into its history and what you need to look out for.
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THE SEAS
Ah yes. From the maps I’ve seen and the people I’ve talked to, there are roughly four main seas. There could be more, I have no idea.
BLACK SEA
This is the sea that Valenfrost lies upon. It extends to Azurvale and even to Areno to an extent. It’s where most trade happens in this world. Arenian traders, Lumen ships, and even orcs parade on these waters, so expect a lot of danger. The Black Sea is surprisingly, not really that dark. After the winter, the water is a nice shade of blue. Especially after most ice has melted. The color and clearness gets more noticeable the more south you go. It is in the winter months, frost, that the water turns pitch black. The northern waters especially.
Highly recommend you don’t swim in these waters, even if it’s a clear blue. ESPECIALLY when the water is like that. Serpents and leviathans prey on the Black Sea, and their numbers have apparently grown after the most recent war in Valenfrost. They’re more active in this world’s summer and spring, preying on small boats and idiots who go for a swim in the sea.
Tip: Don’t fall into the sea, especially during sommer.
ABYSSAL SEA
There is a stretch of ocean positioned north of Areno, east of Valenfrost, and west of Kasan. It separates the three nations and extends for thousands of miles. You would think that this is the sea that most traders embark on, especially since there’s no land in the way and it provides a straight line to the previously mentioned nations. Don’t worry, I thought the same as well.
The Abyssal Sea gets its name from the seemingly bottomless waters it inhabits. Don’t ask me, I don’t get it either. The reason why no one sails it is because no wind passes through it. Not even magical wind works. No one knows why. If you try to sail on it, the waters soon go dead and you’re left drifting out there, with no way back.
I’ve heard from traders that long ago there were attempts by trading companies to find a way through it. They tried rowing ships but every one they sent out never returned. Communication spells can’t reach those who are stuck there and even gate runes won’t work. Not even creatures of the sea nor sky want to go near it.
At some point, people have stopped trying and there are many stories about why the winds go dead and the waters turn still. Some believe divine interference and others believe that there is something beyond the horizon that slumbers.
Me personally? I think there’s something out there. Something that obviously doesn’t want to be disturbed.
AZURE SEA
This is a section of ocean that’s right south of the Black Sea. It touches upon southern Azurvale, Atrox, and the Arenian Islands. Don’t know much about it other than that most of the sea monsters in Valenfrost go here when it gets too cold. Traders say that the parts of the sea near Areno are as clear as glass. Kinda wish I had a chance to go see it.
GALE SEA
The Gale Sea subsides between Eastern Kasan and Western Azurvale. It gets its name from the unholy amount of storms and typhoons it produces. Not much trade goes on because of this. There is a neat story that came of it, though.
Legend goes that a trading kasani man and azurevalian woman were once enamored with each other. Thing is, they could only see each other whenever the man passed through the sea to trade with her town. So their interactions were sparse and little. Despite it, they loved each other for years
One day, a thunder god discovered the woman when he came to the town under a guise. Immediately fell in love with her. Did his best to try and court her. Brought her riches from his temple and the finest of clothing and jewelry. The woman refused everytime. Eventually the god found out about her lover, the man from Kasan.
Jealous and heartbroken, the thunder god cursed the sea between them. Storms and hurricanes ran through the ocean, making travel impossible. Trapping both man and woman in their respective countries, hundreds of miles away.
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To be completely honest, Azura is basically just fantasy. Think of games like WOW or VOA. It’s sorta like that, but with a world much more punishing and dangerous. Filled with warring factions and countless dangers, you will have to be careful with where you go and who you talk to.
If you’re wondering why I didn’t write much about Azurvale or Valenfrost, the next chapters will cover them