LOCATION ♜ GAMMON

[boardmaster]

THE KINGDOM OF GAMMON
In Gammon, GAME ON!

Feel free to use this post for plotting. You may also direct questions related to this location at the thread below!

LOCATION ♟ The Kingdom of Gammon

Gammon is a two-island kingdom located on the ocean between Sansvoir and the eastern continent of Shatranj. The majority of its population are ethnically Gammonian and speak the Gammonian language, which sounds like garbled English to those from Earth. It is currently ruled by the Ancient Mariner King, Onest Thurar. Its currency is called a tonne, and one tonne is equivalent to one colle. The House of Amethyst has been in power for the last three hundred years, although power struggles among and within magical clans (such as the infamous feud between the Houses of Peridot and Garnet) are not uncommon in the country’s history. A major naval power, the country has never been invaded save for when it was part of the ancient Othellian Empire. Although Blanc and Gammon have a history of rivalry, their relationship has simmered down to a warm friendship—at least until foccer season, when tournaments for the popular ball sport rekindle old slogans and grievances alike. In Gammon, mana is a power source pumped into cities via watermills and magic is a talent one can hone in Gammon’s magical schools, the finest being the Pigeonsblood School of Magecraft. However, only a select few with the adequate mana pools are admitted each year, and there’s discrimination against those who don’t come from established mage bloodlines. Gammon’s studies on water magic and psionic magic are extensive. Steam technology is a rising trend among environmental advocates in the country. Most of it is imported from Blanc, but aspiring inventors often come back from their studies abroad to share their knowledge and build their own machines. Gammon is a popular tourist destination the world over, and both Blanc and Noir citizens are drawn to its rich culture and spectacular scenery. Its green fields and mountains rival the best Sansvoir has to offer, and its native Faery population is said to be both more beautiful and more unruly than fairies on other continents. Its livestock (particularly the pigs) and its dairy products deliver a blend of flavors uniquely Gammonian. These products are also two of Gammon's principal exports and both are a staple of haute cuisine in Sansvoir. The country’s dry humour and strong literary tradition has given birth to many famous writers, such as Gammon’s national poet Walter Stirsworde and author of the Chairy Porter series J.A. Howling. The islands are also the setting for the famous book The Lord of the Circlets.

The Capital City ♖ Cochrane
Goldbridge ♖


Cochrane: a place where artistry, adrenaline and the arcane collide. To reach the city from the aeroport, you must cross the glimmering and incredibly ornate Cochrane Bridge, which connects the high ground of the capital to the rest of Gammon. Enter the city gates and the bustling plaza of Dillydally Circus welcomes you to the outer borough of Goldbridge with its endless throngs of talented street performers.

Famous boyband Two Directions had their humble beginnings here on the streets of the Circus before moving to bigger venues like the Rose Quartz Hall after being discovered. Ticket lines get rowdy whenever Lead Balloon and the Sugar Girls hold concerts there, too!

Food establishments of all kinds dot the borough’s streets. In fact, you might often see locals by the dozen waiting in a lengthy queue for their fish and chips. One of the most popular local pastimes is sitting outside cafes under pinstriped umbrellas, chatting over tea and lamington cakes. Unfortunately, although Gammonian meats and dairy are to die for, the food culture contains many acquired tastes. Not to worry, though: chefs hired from Blanc and L’Adder make sure foreign guests don’t go hungry. We hear their curry is to die for in an entirely different way!

This district is also where you’ll find the East End of Cochrane, an area renowned for its many tourist attractions, shops, and theatres that put on the latest and greatest hit plays and musicals every night. And the iconic Rad Rick clock tower stands tall above it all, tolling each new day under the watchful eye of the mysterious Bellkeeper.

As of 8th of Sylvant (September) 2016, a magical extension of Friedgood's "Platform 42 and 5/8ths" has been constructed. This extension allows instantaneous travel between the respective main plazas of Cochrane and Caissa. Currently, only Heroes can use the extension Platform and as such require proof of identification. A Hero’s uniform, rank badge or a passport identifying yourself as such should do the trick. A fee of 200 colle is also required to pass.

Cookroad ♖


Cookroad Borough is a circus of activity, putting the “busy” in businessmen who populate the streets in their bowler hats and long coats. The area is dreary compared to the airy spaces of Goldbridge; puddles linger from the seemingly ceaseless rain, untouched by the meager sunshine blocked by apartments and office buildings. Even so, locals still choose to walk while browsing the upscale apparel and accessory stores stocked with clothing closely mirroring Blanc fashion trends. You can get a ride from a carriage, but it’s very rare to hear the clatter of wheels, as they worsen the traffic in this cluttered borough.

This is also where you’ll find the headquarters of Eirland Yard, the Cochrane guard and police force. If you’re looking for an actual officer, you might have better luck at the pub down the street. However, there is one single overzealous officer who always seems to be on duty, patrolling his ward and hiding out in the purple telephone booths on every corner. Every police officer is trained in magic, although it seems to be used more often in party tricks and drinking games than in the field.

Set apart from the denser areas of the borough is Eastcleric Palace, the residence of the royal family. The royal guard clad in gold uniforms and purple hats is incredibly reliable, but getting them to move from their post is next to impossible. The tall, fuzzy hats they wear may look silly, but should a guard spot any trouble, they can utter a spell to change those nonthreatening hats into giant, ferocious kiwis.

Kickston ♖


The sprawling Kickin' Kiwis Park was renamed after Gammon's national foccer team. Formerly the royal family's personal hunting and leisure grounds, its rich history can be seen today in its many ornate statues and fountains, as well as the winding and beautiful canal—The Rotten River— that runs throughout the park. The semi-aquatic kiwi birds that run free on park grounds are tiny, hairy, and lay eggs that taste oddly fruity. Some speculate them to be related to Blanc's fruit cows. The park’s vast open spaces have also welcomed many complexes specializing in a variety sports, including a Gammonian brand of tennis that involves whacking small live golems with a racket.

The crown jewel is the Royal Foccer Fellowship Stadium, a massive complex in a corner of the park. The structure’s carved walls and classical columns help it blend in with the rest of the park’s traditional architecture. Visitors walk into an enclosed stadium, but its sprawling glass skylight illuminates the foccer matches below. It was, in fact, built around Gammon’s most mana-rich tree, a miniature cousin to the Oubliette, and players have been known to siphon mana for appropriate matches.

Gammonian foccer is played in teams of eight with two goals at the top and bottom of the arena. Said arena is filled with water at the start of each match, and all players are expected to be strong swimmers as well as excellent ball players—as matches take place underwater. A popular local variant allows each team to substitute marine wildlife for one member of the team. Heroes are always welcome to join in practice and exhibition matches provided they're ready to contend with national pride and national animals alike!

Blackchurch ♖


As the quietest borough of Gammon, Blackchurch is well suited to people looking for a break from the constant bustle of the inner cities. The homes are quaint, and the shops lining the streets all have a friendly, inviting feeling to them. There is a modestly-sized market that serves both Blackchurch and nearby areas, providing citizens with fresh produce, handmade goods, and reasonably priced wares. The wool industry is booming, leading to the creation of mana-powered factories in some areas, though they are relatively unobtrusive and don't interfere with the town's peaceful atmosphere.

One of the primary draws of Blackchurch is the Southwest Cloister. It's a popular destination for residents and tourists alike, offering breathtaking views and a look at some of the grandest architecture the area has to offer. There are performances by the popular choir The Backgammons on the weekends.

However, this sleepy borough has recently been plagued by a series of gruesome murders, with runaways and lone travelers serving as the primary targets. Popular rumors credit Sam the Stabber with these killings, though it seems like police have no real leads. For now, going out alone at night might not be the best idea...

A Checkpoint Town ♖ Friedgood


A town destined to be forgotten, Friedgood was saved from this fate due to four things: the discovery of precious minerals in the mountains of the Central West Plateau, the eventual construction of the Defense Wall to help defend these minerals and protect miners from the unpredictable volcanic activity, and its ideal location for connecting Cochrane to Grantebrycge, as well as hosting the magical checkpoint called "Platform 42 and 5/8ths."

The Platform 42 and 5/8ths is known as the "Gateway to Gammon", and boasts fast transport to almost anywhere in the kingdom. Security is tight here, with grim-faced Gammon soldiers working around the clock to ensure that criminal activity doesn't stand a chance. Keep your contraband at home — an infraction will cost you heavy jail time.

Despite this, no one wants to stay there longer than necessary. The weather is consistently miserable and the air foul; the region is known for the smell of sulfur, lava, and ozone that causes sleepless nights and stopped noses. Soldiers are regularly assigned to the Defense Wall as punishment. Miners come for the rewards and leave once they can. And travelers travel away as fast as they can. Friedgood is ultimately a negligible pitstop connecting more interesting places together.

Still, local residents are strangely prideful, and confident that they can endure Friedgood and its many quirks.

The Academic City ♖ Grantebrycge


Welcome to Grantebrycge, the pinnacle of magical learning, home to the famous Pigeonsblood School of Magecraft. Prepare to get schooled in the most literal sense of the word. To enter the city, pass through the main administrative hall, a building filled with neat little offices and peppered with the constant clicking and clacking of typewriters. This is where enrollment and such are done. Upon enrolling, Heroes will receive their class schedule¹, a permit for a uniform², and a key to their dorm room³.

¹The class schedule is up to player discretion. If there is an official mission the professors will allow an absence - Heroes can’t save the world if they’re worrying about their GPA, after all!
²Be sure to grab a Pigeonsblood school uniform in your respective Branch color (pictured here in the Bixbite red) from the university shops. Regardless of gender, you may pick up either the skirt or pants version, or both.
³The rooming is up to player discretion. Your roommates are those who enrolled in the same Branch as you. See "Facilities" below for more details about the dorms.

The smell of ink may tickle your nose on the way out, leading to a stunning plaza that rests in the heart of the city. A popular student hangout, it is never empty, not even in the middle of the night. Shops with university and school supplies are stashed away in every nook and cranny. They sell just about anything, from Branch uniforms to books to basic materials. Merchandise in the colour of the Four Branches is particularly popular among students and alumni alike. Smells like school spirit!

The school club buildings are scattered throughout the city, and when students aren’t busy with their classes or throwing parties, they’re usually hanging out in one of the many club rooms. Those more fond of physical over mental exercise, commonly students from Achroite Branch, are happy to spend their spare time in the sports facilities, such as the foccer arena, tennis courts and the swimming pools.

The Four Branches of Pigeonsblood ♖


Many prep schools have programs dedicated to preparing young minds for the infamously ambitious Pigeonsblood entrance exam, which will sort each passing student into one of the Four Branches. Also known as the school’s hunting season, the exam is highly competitive with a similarly high rejection rate.

Achroite is the Branch for you if you're a firm believer in the mantra "there is no I in team". Their school color is blue. They possess a strong sense of community, and encourage their members to work hard and develop their unique talents and skills for the success of the Branch, which they consider family - one piece of a bigger whole. Their courses place an emphasis on physical activity. Although they incorporate magic in their combat methods (e.g. literal lightning kicks, fiery punches), a student should know how to fight without it to be successful in Achroite. Because of this physical emphasis, Achroite graduates tend to become superstar athletes, coaches, law enforcement, hired bodyguards, and soldiers. They like to think of themselves as the future immaculate parts of an unbreakable machine.

Prehnite may just be the Branch for you if constantly consumed by your thirst for knowledge. Their school color is green. They are considered the scholars of Pigeonsblood, but don't be fooled! These are no ordinary intellectuals—they possess unparalleled bravery for new experiences, no matter how terrifying, looking to seize upon them as learning opportunities. They may not be as physically strong as those of Achroite’s ranks, but they've got the brains and wit to outsmart nearly any foe. Accordingly, this Branch offers the most difficult courses: you need to be willing to study a lot to make it here. Prehnite produces excellent alchemists, inventors, philosophers, professors, researchers, bankers, strategists, analysts, lawyers, and writers. It is not uncommon to see students carrying piles of books or potted plants at any given hour of the day.

Bixbite is the Branch that is known for their compassionate hearts, strong minds and exceptional healing expertise. Their school color is red. Never break the school rules without a Bixbite student at hand, as their skills are typically necessary to patch up any resulting injuries, both physical and psychological! As a result, Bixbite produces many excellent doctors and psychologists. In classes, they deal with everything from emergency surgery to exotic poisons to medical research. Their unofficial Branch motto is, “Never sleep, never die.” This originates from the legend of Bixbite surgeon Sir Snicklebutton, whose fifteen hour surgery saved the life of the then-King of Gammon and singlehandedly changed the course of history. Aside from doctors or nurses, Bixbite graduates also find success as nutritionists, therapists, counselors, pharmacists, caregivers, and veterinarians.

Citrine is by far the most difficult and expensive Branch to get into. Their school color is yellow. Citrine students are expected to possess brilliance, charisma, large mana pools and the ability to manipulate situations to their advantage. They have the highest transfer rate of the Four Branches, but those who manage to pull through find Citrine a rewarding experience. Citrine offers exclusive courses to hone talents in leadership and the arts into something special - a gift for song may lead to a career as an idol, and an aptitude for charm magic becomes peerless charisma. Graduates become game-changers and influential figures in Gammon society such as politicians, corporate leaders and entrepreneurs, actors, musicians, artists, and dancers, using their skills as well as their connections to rise to the top.

Facilities ♖


To the west is the residential quarter, where the dormitories of the Four Branches of Pigeonsblood and their professors can be found. Professors used to stay in the same dorms as their students until the Great Foccercow Incident of ‘23 and the Great Strike of ‘24. After that, they lived separately.

The dormitory buildings look identical from the outside, but on the inside they are decorated in the colors of their respective Branch—or in the case of the professors, in a neutral gray. The furnishings are subdued, but tasteful and cheap to repair for good reason. The current record for dormitory repairs is held by Achroite, who broke no less than seventeen doors in a memorable semester.

There is also a magnificent library, one of the best in the country, overlooking Prehnite’s dormitory. Some say that talented Prehnite mages built passages over the years to grant them access to the library after hours. Whether or not this is true, nobody knows… besides Prehnite students, that is.

There is also a pristine hospital, where students can intern as part of their studies. A number of Bixbite students are often roaming about, puzzling over all sorts of strange curses and stranger injuries, and it’s said that part of Bixbite’s medical talent comes from the bizarre injuries they encounter while studying at Pigeonsblood.

There is also a large entertainment court. It holds a plethora of restaurants and cafes, serving different types of food from all over the world. Citrine students can be seen managing them, and there’s a spirited interbranch competition every Lathyra to see which business can draw in the most customers with concerts, cooking competitions, and even small carnivals.

There’s no alcohol provided through “official” channels, though it’s still present on school grounds. Rumors say there’s a bar in the staff dormitory, but as only Pigeonsblood staff members are allowed inside, no reliable sources can confirm or deny it. It’s agreed, however, the professors may very well need it given what they typically deal with each school year.