The Realm of Nirim
| Overview | |
|---|---|
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| Official Name: | The Realm of Nirim |
| Common name: | Nirim |
| Pronun.: | nih-reem |
| Astronomy | |
| Sun: | Lux (White Star) |
| Planets: | Seven |
| Position from sun: | Fifth |
| Moons: | Cerule (small, blue); Eolunis (barely visible); Vinlune (large, red) |
| Geography | |
| Cont.: | Eight (including the North and South Poles) |
| Oceans: | Six |
| Climate: | Varied (like Earth) |
| Dracovari Capital: | The White City |
| Statistics | |
| Currency: | Xanthai (ζ) |
| Dracovari Calendar: | Xanth's Arrival (XT) |
| Dragon Calendar: | Dragon Calendar (DC) |
| Languages: | Draconic, French, Elysian, Latin (rituals) |
| Population: | 137,823 (White City) |
| Races: | Dracovari (5.6%), Western Dragon (9%), Oriental Dragon (12.5%), Wyvern (16%), Wyrm (11.3%), Imp Dragon (45.3%), Unique Dragon (0.3%) |
At the behest of the Wyvern of the time, Xanth created an entirely separate dimension for the dragons to inhabit, a planet larger and far more abundant than Earth. They named this planet Nirim and flocked to claim their own territories upon it, building and burrowing nests that were bigger than those they had left behind. With more space and the freedom to roam where they pleased, they could spread out wherever they chose and revelled in the knowledge that they, alone, controlled their realm once more.
For several millennia, Nirim was untouched by humans or even Xanth. Cut off from the portal nexus, the only way in or out was by teleporation, and it was defended against intruders zealously.
However, as Earth shrank under the weight of burgeoning technology and global media, the 'Vari began to fear for their safety. Trapped in France where they could no longer use their abilities freely or even summon their dragons, they scrambled for an escape. Xanth and her Aides mediated negotiations between the leaders of each race and the dragons eventually agreed to accommodate their humanoid descendents.
And so work began on the building of The White City in a long valley mostly uninhabited. Grateful for a place to live uninhibited, the 'Vari left Earth much as their ancestors had done so long ago, carried to their new home on dragonback.
Not all 'Vari are happy in Nirim, however, and some chafe at the restrictions placed on them by their hosts. For this reason, tensions are still high between the two faces of the Dragon race, but for now both sides strive for peace.
Back to the TopThe White City
The White City, so named for the white of the stone used to build it, is nestled in a verdant valley at the tip of a lush and glittering lake. A small section is reserved for 'Vari who wish for a little privacy, and for the residences of 'Vari officials, but it is the rest of the city that draws the eye.
The architecture is carefully styled to accommodate both dragons and 'Vari alike. Huge blocks of white limestone support low rooves large enough to act as landing areas for visiting dragons. Each street is wide enough for the largest of dragons to maneuvre around the city, although there are laws forbidding any drake from burrowing underground while within the city limits (for obvious reasons).
The streets are patrolled regularly and guard towers dot the perimeter wall to defend against rogue dragons and to prevent humanoids from wandering out of the city without an escort. The monotonous white of the limestone walls, which looks spectacular from a distance but can seem to blend into itself when up close, is carefully broken up by small gardens that are dotted through the streets and roof tops.
Everything here is designed to look beautiful, but more, to last, and it is this foresight that brings hope to the residents that their stay here will be a long one. To that end, there is even a beautifully tiled festival square at the heart of the city where the two races come together for rituals and celebrations.
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