The Light and Shadow Chronicles Regions – Meraxor

Recently I’ve been working really hard on building and developing the world in The Light and Shadow Chronicles. Each of the novels to date has been set in a different location in the world. A Chronicle of Chaos was set mostly in Alcherys, the nation of the Children of Light, and The Shield of Soren took place in the country of Parador. Now, I am working on two different stories, both set in completely new locations. The Ballad of Benedict takes place in the distant, forested country of Thos, and The Sins of Silas will feature the wild jungles of Meraxor.

So, I decided to expand upon each country and pad them out with further details. This post will explore Meraxor and its capital city, Belkeep.

MERAXOR – Home of the Brotherhood of shadow

Some context for or those who have read any of the books in the Light and Shadow Chronicles series:

Meraxor is the homeland of The Brotherhood of Shadow. The modern city was developed by Vincent Wilder and the Bavelize around 130 years before the bulk of the series takes place. However, there was civilisation in Meraxor many thousands of years prior to this (and remains of this ancient culture can be found throughout the nation.)

Meraxan FAST FACTS:

Width at widest point: 300miles

Size in area: 27,300 miles² (Roughly the size of Ireland)

Population: 996,574

Population spread:

Approx. 180,000 people live in the largest three cities (18% of the population)

Approx. 37,500 people live in the smaller three cities (4% of the population)

Approx. 280,000 people live in 123 towns (28% of the population)

Approx. 498,000 people live in 2660 villages (50% of the population)

Approx. 400 people live as hermits or wanderers, away from civilisation (0.04% of the population)

Social Organisation:

Within Vincent’s closest circles, men are generally viewed as superior to women. Women are viewed as mothers, partners and carers for the men of the Brotherhood of Shadow. Due to this, misogyny and sexist prejudice are rife. Prostitution is common and Vincent himself has numerous concubines, with whom he fathers many children.

In the slums of the cities, men and women are considered equal – all are poor, destitute and lacking hope, and gender plays no part in this. Again, prostitution is common amongst both sexes, and people do as they can to survive. Children are cared for by both, or either, parent dependent on the family’s circumstances. Most common people live simple lives, working as farmers, fruit pickers, miners and shopkeepers. There is a huge number of tiny shops, stalls and tradesmen working out of the slums and the most successful and talented of these progress into the central market square where trade and transportation are accessible.

People who live in Belkeep or the other large cities generally spend their entire lives within their birth city. Travel is possible via the railways and rivers, but it is expensive, especially to travel on passenger transports. People can buy passage on trading boats and rail carts but the journey times are long and uncomfortable. Travel on foot is almost unheard of, as the dense jungles around the cities are so dangerous and inaccessible.

Terrain and climate:

Meraxor is a large country which sits upon the equator, meaning the majority of the climate is tropical, with smaller sub-tropical areas. It is prone to extreme weather conditions – tornados, earthquakes etc. 69% of the land is arable, but 31% is forested and inaccessible/undeveloped.

Meraxor is surrounded on three sides by ocean. The Perion Sea lies to the east, and the Bernian Sea to the west.

Meraxor is one of the most stunningly beautiful countries on the planet, with a huge diversity of wildlife. Central Meraxor is dominated by the expansive Meraxan rainforest – the largest jungle on the planet, parts of which are entirely inaccessible for humans. A large river and stream network feeds the jungles and connects the oceans and the mountains. The Meraxan people use the water networks for transport, trade, military expeditions and as a food source. Meraxor is one of the most stunningly beautiful countries on the planet, with a huge diversity of wildlife and flora in the expansive Meraxan rainforest.

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Extract from Origin of Shadow:

‘The landscape was very different to the world in which he had grown up. It was spectacular. Vast, sweeping vistas met his gaze. Enormous, dramatic mountains sloped in from the east and west, creating a gorge in the centre, where a turbulent river crashed over rocks and tree roots, cascading in gargantuan waterfalls at intervals along its length.

The mountains and valleys were covered in lush, dense forests as far as the eye could see. The trees that covered the valley stood taller than any of the buildings back in Pabell. Rich, vibrant colours sprang forth from the canopy in the form of luminous foliage or the occasional tropical bird. Far beneath the towering trees, the forest floor was dark and overgrown with vines and mosses, but the understory was teeming with life and plants of such astounding beauty that Vincent was taken aback. Clear, bell-like bird calls or grating, screeching cries rang out through the air.

In the centre of the exotic jungle was a large structure made of wood and stone. There were platforms stretching between the taller trees to allow people to pass over the forest, rather than fighting their way through the thick undergrowth. Beneath the platforms, Vincent could just make out old, crumbling stone walls and domes.’

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To the north of Meraxor is Terralia and the enormous Jardian mountain range which borders it.

There is also the Khardesian mountain range in the west of the country, and the Stenmirren range at the southern coast.

There are two huge lakes, Freyval and Teyan.

There is an underground cave network in the north west of the country, though it is largely unexplored.

Coinage:

Meraxor uses Embers – the same coins as Alcherys and Parador use.

1 Ember (a circular golden coin bearing a flame symbol – approximately $3)

10 Sparks to an Ember (Sparks are tiny golden coins, rectangular in shape and made of copper – approximately 30cents)

Economy:

Money is scarce in Meraxor and people have to work for everything. If they have no job, they get nothing at all. Alternatively, if they are skilled or very lucky they can become incredibly rich.

Meraxor is a great provider of multiple resources: Medicines from the rainforest, fruit, animal hides, food, cloth and other materials for clothing and crafting.

Meraxor has excellent transportation and trade routes, and therefore they trade with every other nation except Thos.

Political Structure:

Meraxor operates under a dictatorship. Vincent Wilder wields absolute power and his actions are not restricted by a constitution or laws. Vincent’s senior advisors and officers in the Brotherhood of Shadow advise him, but he can choose to acknowledge or ignore their recommendations. Appointed officers take care of administrative matters and the day to day running of the country, but all decision-making goes through Vincent personally. 

Cities:

BELKEEP: Capital City of Meraxor. Belkeep is the largest city on the planet, covering 780 square miles and with a population of 100,000. 60% of the city is covered by sprawling, heavily crowded slums, where thousands of people live in poor conditions.

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There is a central hub to the city, where the markets, guild halls, shops, courtyards and nobles houses are located. This is also the centre of the transport networks.

A huge wall surrounds Belkeep and branches off around the country, offering both transportation via aqueducts and railways, and also a strong defensive system.

The richer people of the city are those that inhabit the forts that are stationed along the wall. Vincent Wilder’s family often defend these fortresses (Silas Wilder of the novel The Sins of Silas is one of these). Vincent himself, his highest ranking advisors, and his concubines live in the palace of Belkeep, which sits on top of the city itself. This is known as the ‘Diamond Tier’.

Tisgudor: Population 40,000

Khasimara: Population 40,000

Terakeep: Population 20,000

Vermidor: Population 10,000

Yunasdor: Population 7,500

Boldor: Population 6000

Phirkeep: Population 4000

Panekmara: Population 2000

Costumes:

Traditional dress in Meraxor is lightweight and flowing to allow the wearer to handle the heat. Most clothes are lightweight, cotton, and sporting bright colours, elaborate patterns, jewels and beads.

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Weaponry:

Poison-enhanced weaponry is common in the Meraxan elite armies. Using poison from the creatures in the rainforests, they utilise poison darts, and poison-tipped swords and axes. Older weapons, from before the Second Age, used bone ridged weapons and the jagged teeth of wild animals to give their armies more power.

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The iron mines of the Jardian Mountains, including the enormous Ironmaw, are under the control of the Brotherhood, since the occupation of Terralia. Meraxor, therefore, has total control over all production and trading of iron armour and weapons. The majority of this iron is sold on to other nations (including, ironically, their main enemies!), but a percentage is kept within Meraxor.

The higher ranking members of the Brotherhood of Shadow have access to Terralian steel, whereas the foot soldier army have subpar, mass-produced weapons made of inferior steel or sometimes even wood.

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The people:

Ethnically, Meraxans are typically dark-haired and dark-eyed. They often have almond shaped eyes and creamy skin (similar to real-world Far Eastern characteristics). 2% of the population are born with blonde or red hair, and light-coloured eyes are even rarer.

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Culturally, Meraxans are industrious and want to work to drag themselves out of the poverty that 90% of them suffer through. They will strive to work hard, and take their losses or failures hard. Stalls and temporary shops pop up often in the slums due to this desire to succeed, but resources and money are so scarce in the slums that they often fail and the owners slip into depression, poverty, drug use and alcoholism.

Notable characters:

All Brotherhood of Shadow, Vincent Wilder, Silas Wilder, Drake Wilder, Requiem Wilder, Mercy Wilder, Odin Wilder, Serena Kariss.

Religion:

The Meraxan people are superstitious and religious and most of the country worship at the Cult of the Bavelize. The citizens are wholly obedient to the Bavelize. They believe that everything in the universe is the creation of the Bavelize and there is no point questioning anything as everything was designed to fit a purpose that only the Bavelize knows.

There is an 80% religious following of the Bavelize, with the remaining 20% identifying as ‘undecided’ – a risky opinion to voice, but one which is increasingly more common among young people in the slums.

Believers are under no obligation or duty to convert or convince others in their belief. Therefore, they have no disdain for non-believers, merely a smug assurance that they are more knowledgeable.

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The smoky deity has temples in its favour spread across the nation, especially in the city of Belkeep. There are no official services or gatherings at the temples, and rituals or ceremonies are a private affair. People may choose to serve the Bavelize as they see fit, providing they follow its every instruction when, and if, they are called upon. Some families barely acknowledge their god in their day to day lives, others pray 5-6 times a day and live their lives in the service of their ‘creator’.  Followers of this religion are concentrated mainly in Meraxor, with a mere 0.3% of believers scattered across the rest of the world. It is the belief of all Bavelize-worshippers that Meraxor, and particularly Belkeep, are the chosen grounds of the Bavelize and as such many make a pilgrimage to the great city and remain there to live in the slums.

The Cult of the Bavelize is mostly based around fear of the smoke creature. Its appearances to the public are incredibly rare, and only very few people have ever been graced by its true appearance. Vincent Wilder is regularly in communication with the Bavelize and its wishes are dictated to him to carry out in his nation. In later years it is unknown how much of Vincent’s instruction comes from himself or the Bavelize. There are no commandments or instructions to live by, aside from the direct communications received from Vincent and occasional other people. As with the frequency of worship, people serve as they see fit. Early messages from the Bavelize indicated that the people should follow their own interests, beliefs and motivations with the intention of developing your soul. The meaning of life to those in the Cult of the Bavelize is to become the best human they can be to honour their god.  

In the jungle, there is also an ancient amphitheatre where the original Meraxans used to summon their god. This ancient summoning location features carvings of creatures unknown to humanity. The central summoning altar is carved with a deep spiral, which is the only known symbol representing the Bavelize. It fell out of common use in the early years of the modern development of Meraxor and has since been confined to history.  

There are no specific rituals to commemorate birth, death or marriage. Many people choose to take their new child to a temple immediately after birth, to have the Bavelize ‘bless’ the baby. The bodies of the deceased are also sometimes lain within temples for a day following their death. This is usually only applied to those of the nobility and the Brotherhood ranks. The dead of the slums are the responsibility of the slum citizens and as such they store bodies in cold cellars and then burn them all in monthly funeral pyres. Some traditions around these death ceremonies have appeared in the slums in recent years, with people beginning to recite poetry and sing songs to honour their dead.

Marriage exists in the Brotherhood of Shadow, but may only be permitted by Vincent himself. The lovers must approach him, state their reasons for the union and how it will benefit them, the nation, the state and most importantly, the Bavelize. If they are unable to give adequate reasons for their marriage, it will be declined. If accepted, Vincent assigns a senior member of the Brotherhood to complete a short ceremony within the central temple inside the Palace of Belkeep (Vincent’s private summoning room for the Bavelize).

Marriages also occur in the slums, but there is no official service, record or legal binding contract. Two people state their intention to become joined to one another, their friends and family gather and a raucous celebration will take place in the numerous bars, inns and markets of the slums. Due to the non-legal nature of marriages, the average length of a union is around 5 years and people may ‘marry’ as many times as they wish.

Architecture:

Meraxans go all-out with elaborate designs and architecture. Vincent likes his chosen buildings to be the best anywhere on the planet, and those he cares little for are left to rot and crumble. It is the responsibility of all in the slum to build new shacks, maintain sanitation and trash disposal. Vincent and the Brotherhood have no part in the upkeep or development of the slums.

Belkeep palace: The centrepiece of Belkeep is the grand palace, which was stunningly crafted with years upon years of slave labour. Everything is designed to impress. The largest palace in the world, it is topped with handcrafted golden leaves and surrounded by impenetrable stone walls. The Palace of Belkeep has iron bars that run under the flooring like radiators – they are heated with steam and warm the entire palace. Gold, diamonds, and statues of marble and pearl are common inside the palace. 99% of the wealth within Belkeep is located within the palace building and its grounds.

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Great Wall: The Great Wall of Belkeep is a stunning architectural marvel. It surrounds the city, stretching in a wide ring nearly 250 miles long. The wall is 20metres high around the city itself and nearly 10 metres wide. Some parts of the wall hold aqueducts and rail tracks to provide safe and easy trade and travel in and around the city. The wall then branches off in five directions to snake across the nation of Meraxor for a further 220miles.

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Amphitheatre. Deep in the jungles, and hidden from civilisation by foliage, vines, enormous trees and sweeping hills, is the ancient summoning temple of the Bavelize. It is believed to have been built over three thouand years ago by the people of the first age, and used the blood of a human sacrifice to call upon their deity.  

Roads

The cities are paved with cheap, sturdy and resilient asphalt using gravel and stone from the mines and quarries. Carts, horses and travel by foot are common within the cities. Outside of the city there are few roads. Northern Meraxor, and especially the semi-desert plains of the Holy Lands have some dirt and stone tracks. Southern Meraxor and the arable farmlands near to the South coast have tracks and some small roads to aid the transportation of produce and crops.

However, the bulk of the country is covered by dense rainforest which is impossible to keep cleared and safe for roads. Horses and carts are rendered useless in the jungles and travel is restricted to foot or river boats.

The rivers are offer an extensive travel system throughout Meraxor, especially those inaccessible forested areas. The forests are fed by a huge network of rivers, streams and lakes. The Meraxans developed narrow canoe-like boats to negotiate these streams and to be able to transport goods across the nation without having to go around the Meraxan rainforest.

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Coupled with the railways, the Meraxans developed an ingenious transport system involving amphibious rail boats which can enter and exit the rivers via rail. Traders can load the boats on land or on water and transportation is fast, reliable and accessible.

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When the rails and the rivers meet the city of Belkeep, there are huge pulley systems that allow the carts to be hoisted up the walls and onto the aqueducts which run around the perimeter of the city. This allows the goods to be taken to the very centre of the markets, and also provides an excellent mode of travel around the city. There are trade boats and passenger boats running often.

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Water – To provide water for the largest city on the planet was no easy feat, but luckily Belkeep had been built at the intersection of two great rivers, beside the huge lake Teyan and within 100 miles of two different oceans – The Perion and the Bernian. The aqueduct and river systems bring fresh water to the city and the wells and pumps are kept fresh by this flow of water.

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The people in the slums use wells, buckets and hand pumps to retrieve the water they need. There are large steam-powered pumps that supply water to the palace.  

Sewage

There is an elaborate sewage removal system in the palace of Belkeep. Large pipes and steam powered pumps flush the waste out to the rivers in the forests. The slums have no sewage system, so people go to the edge of the city and dig trenches. Some parts of the slums have very little sanitation, and therefore disease and infection are rife.

Food

Meraxan cuisine offers some of the most delectable treats anywhere on the planet. The food is extravagant, spicy, and aromatic. Even the poor people of the slums can have access to delicious and nutritious foods for a low price (though many struggle to afford even such low cost meals). The people eat a lot of meat and fish which they have to hunt themselves in the lakes, rivers and at the edges of the forests. Vegetables, wheat and barley are grown in the arable areas and transported to the cities, but these foods are generally more expensive than the meat and fish the forests provide.

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Juicy, tasty, colourful fruits are common in Meraxan cuisine, as well as unique herbs and spices – all of which grow in the rainforests. Meraxan food is difficult to cook, however, and some of the more interesting and elaborate dishes must be cooked by experts, due to the possibility of mixing tasty ingredients with poisonous elements.

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Thank you for reading all about Meraxor and the home of the Brotherhood of Shadow. Meraxor will be the setting for the upcoming novel, The Sins of Silas.

Next on my list of worldbuilding locations will be Alcherys – home of the Children of Light.

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This worldbuilding was inspired by Medieval Demographics Made Easy by S. John Ross, The Rivan Codex by David and Leigh Eddings, and the World Building for Fantasy Writers course on Udemy: https://www.udemy.com/share/100FncBUAddVdUQ34=/