The Kingdom of Elustra

Elustra is a kingdom in a world very different from our own. In Elustra, anything is possible, and the strands of magic are woven into the very fabric of reality. Though humans established Elustra, their non-human neighbors—namely, Dwarves, Elves, and Halflings—have formed strong alliances with them in order to maintain peace and stability throughout the region. Each race works together, contributing the support of their respective kingdoms and peoples for the good of all.

The capital of Elustra is Twombly, a great walled city at the center of the realm. Ruled by Eleanor Sunblade, a beneficent queen who was once a brave hero herself, Twombly represents all that is fair and good about Elustra. The people live in peace and harmony, caring for themselves just as they care for the world around them. The Queen’s palace rises above the city’s sprawl, reminding everyone that she is always watching out for them.

The Geography of Elustra

The capital of Elustra, Twombly, is nestled in the heart of the kingdom. Four great roads lead out of the city into the lands beyond, each passing through one of four villages—Kurth, Durant, Wolcott, and Blackburn. Each road is named after the village it passes through, so they are called (respectively) the Kurth Road, the Durant Road, the Wolcott Road, and the Blackburn Road.

Kurth

Kurth is a village of tailors and cloth-makers south of Twombly, and is particularly well-known for Kurth Lace—a fine, silky cloth that is desired by anyone that can afford its exorbitant prices. Kurth is perhaps the least “earthy” of Elustra’s villages, and many nobles—including a number of High Elf houses—choose to live there.

Durant

Durant is east of Twombly, and sits on the outskirts of the Piney Wood, a large forest filled with woodland creatures and Elvish settlements. Most of Elustra’s lumber and woodwork comes from Durant, which farms the trees in a sustainable manner with the help of the local Wood Elves.

Wolcott

Wolcott is a farming village to the west of Twombly, with some of the most fertile land in the kingdom. Vegetables, fruits, and grains are grown there and are sent to Twombly’s markets every week. A large number of Halflings dwell in Wolcott.

Blackburn

Blackburn is a town of smiths and smithies to the north of Twombly, on the edge of the Frostbite Mountains. Its metalwork is renowned across Elustra, and the best arms and armor are forged by its master craftsmen. Many Dwarves choose to live in Blackburn, and much of its success as a metalworking town can be attributed to them.

Elustra's Purpose

While there are hundreds of fantasy worlds available, Elustra is unique in that it is the world I use to run tabletop adventures for the Girl Scouts. In some ways it is simplistic, so as not to alienate or confuse new players. The setting is very black and white—good is good, evil is evil, and there is little middle ground in Elustra’s morality—at least, not yet.

For the time being, Elustra is a simple place with a simple paradigm, where the players can be heroes.