Defender of Histories: Settings and the Clans of Rodhlan

Like many fantasy stories, the fictional world of Defender of Histories is loosely based on ancient aesthetics from our own world. Let’s take a quick tour of Lira’s continent and meet its peoples and territories.

Rodhlan: The Continent

“You’re the heir of all things—that’s what they’re calling you. They will fight for you, Lira. I will fight for you. There will be war in Rodhlan in your name.” 

Rodhlan is home to Lira's beloved city-state, Iathium, as well as four outlying clans: Clan Mór, Clan Tarlach, Clan Beran, and Clan Énna. Though the continent is relatively small, it has widely varying terrain, from meadowlands and beaches to mountains and a cavernous gorge. Rodhlan has a temperate climate, which bodes well for Énna's nomadic culture and the tent settlements of Clan Tarlach.

Visual inspiration: In my mind, Rodhlan’s terrain is similar to a combination of Wales, Scotland, and Cades Cove, Tennessee, in the Smoky Mountains. 

Iathium: The Capital City-State

Iathium is the city-state at the heart of Rodhlan, established 2,000 years before Lira's story begins. Long known as a welcoming, prosperous city, Iathium has a reputation for being a place where anyone can settle and create an abundant life. But living in Iathium--or under its wing--means complying with a set of restrictive social constructs...which have been so long-ingrained in the continent's people, they are widely accepted without question. 

Iathium holds dominion over the outlying clans, but keeps them on a loose leash, preferring to trade freely with and exist in peace alongside them. Lira loves her city, but is soon pulled into the midst of a controversy that reveals the city's true heart, and forces her to choose which histories to defend.

Visual inspiration: Iathium was built over the original territory of Clan Tarlach, so some buildings and homes in the city predate its current style. The old-style buildings resemble what we know in our world as Irish tower homes and stone cottages. The city’s current style, including the Dome, is inspired largely by Neo-Byzantine architectural stylings. 

Clan Mór

Clan Mór is Lira's mountain-dwelling ancestral clan. In their magical state, they nurtured the land, using their power to tend, grow, and manipulate flora. During the early days of Rodhlan, they used their magic to cover the continent in a variety of lush vegetation and foliage.

The mortal goddess Rhona also gifted the clan with the power to guard the continent's knowledge; namely, its memories--its histories. But when it was no longer safe for the clans to practice magic, the histories were no longer shared among Clan Mór. They became consolidated, secretly harbored within the clan's Anointed from one generation to the next. 

Rodhlan Ridge, the mountain home to Clan Mór, is inspired by Cades Cove in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee. 

Clan Énna

Clan Énna is a pseudo-nomadic clan that makes its home along the western shores of Rodhlan. The people of Énna were once proud seafarers, though ancient laws prohibited them from sailing, and they largely abandoned the practice. Now, their inborn craving to be on the move has manifested in their ornate wagon caravans that they move from one area of the coast to another.

The ancestors of Énna can manipulate and command water; in addition, their magical aptitude for doling out justice was once leveraged by the city, whose leaders named members of the clan both judge and executioner.

Clan Tarlach

“I know little of Clan Tarlach’s power," Eremon said. "In times past, their Anointed was called the Key Keeper, and they had extraordinary abilities to manipulate metal. I have heard a tale or two about a Tarlach who could speak to animals, as well.” 

Clan Tarlach was widely considered to be disbanded two thousand years ago, after the catastrophe known as The Felling of the Clans. Instead, the clan dispersed and assimilated into Iathium and other clan territories.

At the beginning of Defender, a remnant of Tarlach has recently formed a tent settlement near Rodhlan's eastern shores, though. Irem has visited the settlement, called Va'hesk, in an attempt to gather oral histories and gain the remnant's trust.

Clan Beran

Clan Beran is a mysterious, isolated clan that dwells in a fortress made of solid stone. Beran was once the home of magical healers and great warriors who defended Rodhlan in times of trouble. Now, though, they keep to themselves--and there are few healers left. Although their magic isn't nearly as prevalent as it was centuries ago, Clan Beran's isolation has allowed its people to quietly hold onto their old ways...to a degree with which Iathium would be quite unhappy. 

Getting to Fortress Halgeir in the first place is not for the faint of heart; over the centuries, the clan has sequestered itself more and more, closing off all entrances to their home except for one: the passage through Beran's Gorge. The gorge starts at the base of the towering waterfall just beyond Iathium's northeastern wall. 

The Moravon River flows out from the waterfall into the deep, meandering gorge, which runs for miles until its outlet in the center of Rodhlan's meadowlands. Those who wish to access Clan Beran must first descend into the gorge, then row against the current to reach one of the inlets where the entrance to Halgeir has been carved out of the canyon wall.

Ready to dive into Lira’s world? The adventure begins here.