This article collects information regarding the conceptualisation of the game world of The Mana World.
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History
the landmass is revealed
When the Gods escaped from the Crystals, the flow of elemental energy was altered. In addition to releasing vast amounts of previously unavailable energy, the environment was severely distorted. Northwest of Tonori, a storm raged for over a decade, causing extreme turbulence in the sea below. This seemingly normal turbulence then changed in to an enormous whirlpool. All travel through the area was interrupted.
The storm eventually relented and the sea calmed. Much to the world's surprise, the whirlpool that had disrupted travel for so long, seemed to give birth to an entirely new landmass. What started with a few explorers quickly expanded in to groups. A few small settlements, forts and colonies came and went and before long, people began to stay and raise families.
farming ruins the east
At first, the eastern half of the continent was a bounty of wild flora, allowing people to perform a passive form of agriculture; gathering. There were a few controlled crops, but they were small and uncommon. Most of the resources gathered from the area were of a wild variety. When the wild fruits, vegetables and herbs failed to output, people became impatient. When it started to seriously impact the area's food supply, people began to clear the land for farming. Much to the protest of woodland folk, most of the eastern forest was destroyed to make way for farms.
Though farming went well for a while, the hot winds from Tonori proved to be too harsh for the eastern edge of the continent. The area degraded in to a dusty, desert landscape, far from its former vitality and the farming days were over. Many of the people moved west, some attempted to leave the continent entirely. Some were content to stay on damaged ground, preferring the lifestyle for its rugged appeal.
modern-day boundaries begin to form
After the end of a small war to the southeast, a number of dislocated warriors sought refuge with a small group nomads, who were trying to survive in the new desert. The disorganized nomads realized that they warriors had much wisdom to offer them and insisted on receiving their guidance. Some of the warriors stayed and became integrated in to the nomad's group. Soon after, the group founded the town of Sonbral.
The people that moved toward the remaining woodland area blended in to the existing population to form what is now generally known as Zartam. "Zartam" is a modern form of an archaic Demon word, "Xartune". When translated, this basically means "home in the trees". The "modern form" (Zartam) came to be, when outsiders became integrated in to Demon culture and began to incorrectly pronounce the word.
Trade between these Sonbral and Zartam was at one point non-existent, but eventually, a trading post was established midway between both regions. Over time, this trading post grew in to a community. The community built a village and over a bit more time, the village became a city. Today, the "Trade City" is viewed as the capital of Argaes.
Environment
Argaes has the most diverse environment in the world. With the exception of arctic snow and ice, the landscape presents an accurate sample of each of the world's terrain-types, making it an ideal place for a young adventurer to get started. The currents surrounding the continent are too strong for a small vessel to navigate, instead requiring larger ships to make the journey. Weather can become bad enough that travel temporarily halts, even in modern times.. but it is an uncommon occurrence, when the largest and most daring vessels won't make the journey.
the northern coast
The northern edge of the continent consists mostly of plains, with sparse forest-class woodlands. The northeast is made up of a series of beaches, while the northwest coast tends to have more cliffs and rocky outcroppings. Though there are quite a few small streams in the northern area, no large or notable rivers are present.
the eastern dustbowl
This very dry area has very little ground water and only a few small aquifers and springs, but if you look in the right places, you can find fresh cacti which can be tapped for water. There are many old farm houses, barns and outbuildings scattered throughout the dustbowl; many nearly or completely buried by mountains of silt and debris. Much of the landscape is still littered with the remnants of the forest that once thrived here.
the western woods
What begins as a dense forest becomes a humid jungle. This area is separated by a river that flows west from "an unnamed lake" to the ocean. Aside from that river, there are at least 4 other significantly sized rivers and quite a few streams, spread out across the region. Two mountains lie entirely within the jungle perimeter; the southernmost of the two is the world's largest known deposit of fool's gold.. though there are tales of sizable amounts of REAL gold being found, as well.
the southern mountainrange
Travel across the mountains is a challenge, but the road that passes through them is bandit-territory. There are also rivers running between the mountains, which can be navigated by small raft or boat.. this also carries its own set of risks. There are mining projects currently active in the area, as well as a number of abandoned tunnels.
the strip of swamp
Bisecting the large northbound river is a strip of swampland that is placed in such a way, that it contributes to the circular flow back toward the south. This has allowed ferry-travel to become a successful form of business. Though it's mostly trees and mucky water, a few caves can be found.
the island off of the northeast coast
This wooded island is full of ferocious beasts. Only a few people live here and only they could tell you exactly why. We could place a very small volcano here, if we really wanted to.
Society
Before magic and technology brought consistent travel back to Argaes, the weather sporadically isolated the area. Because of this fact of life, the people in the area have learned to stay concerned with life on Argaes and don't generally wonder a whole lot about business elsewhere, until it directly effects them.
government
Before the founding of the Capitol, Zartam and Sonbral lived in relative seclusion from one another. In that time, they were more adequately described as kingdoms, though they have modernized slightly over time. There are no remaining (functional) royal governments on Argaes. Zartam is ruled by a council of Elders, who are chosen by a form of succession, but it is based on the individual's wisdom and has no bearing on birthright or bloodline. Sonbral is ruled rather autocratically, with the strongest accepting warrior serving as "Chief". Testament to their roots as a trading post, the Capitol is governed by a very faceless board of commerce.
city-states: Zartam, Sonbral, "UNNAMED TRADE CITY"
locations
The "Trade City" is sort of a capital of Argaes, since it serves as a buffer between Sonbral and Zartam. It also takes this unofficial rank because it's the location of the World Academy, which has become a very sought after school for people around the world. It's the ideal place to ahem.. START A JOURNEY.. wink wink, nudge nudge.
So you think the state of Sonbral governs that dusty, desert basin, just because no one else wants to..? No way, man.. it's a population of tough-as-nails warriors, who need a tough environment to stay.. well.. tough! This is a great place to lead warrior types to, for more advanced training, after their beginners studies in the trade city. The City itself lies past the desert basin; you either need to travel through the dustbowl, or around it. Luckily a road goes just around the basin's edge, though you might still get some sand in your boots.
the jungle city grew from the Demon culture that has thrived in the area, since the continent sprung from the depths of the sea. There are plenty of bridges stretched up high between tall trees.. also hollowed trunks for buildings and in some cases, mushroom houses, the cheapest and most temporary kind of house you can buy!
