Eriwon

[eɹiːwɔːn]

Eriwon lies east of Koruna and south of the outer reaches of the Veil mountain range. Long ago, Korunian emigrants settled the land and, alongside its native inhabitants, shaped it into the prosperous nation it is today. Their arrival did not drive away the demons that still roam Eriwon’s wilds, but it allowed cities and countless small villages to take root and endure.

The first of these settlements was Wonsu, which over time grew into the magnificent capital that stands at the heart of Eriwon now.

MAP PLACEHOLDER

Geography

Eriwon is a land of countless small villages. No other country in Mereldia has such a dense spread of settlements; within a hundred-kilometer radius, towns and hamlets lie so close together that one rarely travels more than a day or two without encountering one. As a result, Eriwon is considered the least wild region in all of Mereldia.

The landscape is fertile and temperate. Cherry trees dominate much of the countryside, especially in the lowlands, where rivers cut through green forests and irrigated fields. Rolling hills and wooded valleys provide natural borders between settlements, while waterways serve as trade routes and lifelines. Compared to harsher regions such as the Korunian desert, Eriwon appears gentle and welcoming—its dangers rarely obvious at first glance.

Dangers

Despite its cultivated appearance, Eriwon is far from safe once one strays from the roads or settled land. Demonkin are a common presence in its wilder regions, frequent enough that dedicated demon hunters operate throughout the country, tasked with protecting smaller villages and travelers. Attacks occur regularly, particularly against those who wander alone.

Not all demons are hostile, but most are treated as such, and the distinction is rarely made in moments of danger. Their long-standing presence has left a visible mark on Eriwon’s society, including the notable number of half-demons that appear in slave markets.

Eriwon is also home to faekin such as kitsune, soul pipers, moon birds, and other immortal beings. While many of these creatures are not inherently dangerous, they are regarded with caution. Immortality itself inspires distrust, and few locals are willing to assume peaceful intent—especially beyond the safety of village boundaries.

Currency & Trade

Seryn

The Seryn is a three-tier currency system: Wen coins for everyday purchases, Kan as corded bundles of 100 Wen for trade and travel, and Tael as stamped silver ingots for high-value payments such as land, contracts, and noble exchanges. Official records list amounts by total value in Seryn, though locals typically refer to the subunits in everyday use.

Originally, the system was the Asterra, brought from Koruna, but King Yuren I renamed it Seryn during the inflation reforms of 635 A.W. The inflation greatly reduced the value of the smallest coins, leading to the practice of stamping a hole in them so they could be strung together, making it easier to carry large quantities. This marked the start of the traditional corded bundle system that persists to this day.

Wen

Bronze | Square-holed coin

Lowest denomination. Food, supplies, tolls, daily expenses.

Kan

Corded bundle | 100 Wen string

Middle denomination. Travel costs, bulk goods, merchant trade.

Tael

Silver | Stamped ingot weight (bullion)

Highest denomination. Land sales, contracts, noble tribute, large exchange.

Example Usage

“The ferry charges 50 Wen per person.”
“He paid three Kan for the shipment.”
“The estate was sold for six Tael.”
Formal: “Value reckoned in Seryn.”
“She counted her money before entering the market.”
“He jingled a string of coins in his pouch.”
“He hid the bullion under his robes.”

Social Order

When you live in Eriwon and especially in one of its big cities, there are certain social structures you have to keep in mind. Similar to Koruna, there is also a hierarchic system in place here that divides the sociaty into different parts.

Royalty

King

Royalty

High Society

Commonfolk

Streetfolk

Blightborn

King

Queen

Royal Concubines

Nobility | Officers | Academics

artisans | merchants | skilled workers

The Poor | Criminals

Slaves | Outcasts

The king of Eriwon is widely respected, and his authority is rarely questioned. His decrees carry the force of law and are expected to be followed throughout the country. While he is not worshipped as a god—as is the case in Koruna—he is held in great esteem as the embodiment of the state and its traditions. To act against the king is seen as an act against Eriwon itself, and serious acts of betrayal are met with the harshest punishments.

Queen

The queen of Eriwon serves as the foremost ceremonial and diplomatic figure of the realm. She embodies continuity, grace, and the legitimacy of the royal line, and her presence is central to court life. As consort to the king, she is expected to secure the succession, but her influence extends far beyond bearing heirs.

The queen oversees the inner court and the royal household, including the harem, and is responsible for maintaining harmony, discipline, and political balance within it. She often acts as an intermediary between the throne and the court, advises the king on matters of tradition and internal affairs, and represents Eriwon in formal audiences, rituals, and alliances. While ultimate authority rests with the king, the queen’s word carries significant weight, and few decisions within the palace are made without her awareness.

Royal Concubines

The royal concubines are mares bound to the crown, usually drawn from noble families or taken as political consequence. While their role includes attending and entertaining the king, their greatest significance lies in succession.

Any concubine who bears an heir may rise in status, making the concubines’ quarters a place of constant rivalry and intrigue. Poisonings, betrayals, and sudden “illnesses” are an unspoken reality, and survival depends as much on caution and alliances as on favor.

High Society

High Society in Eriwon consists of noble lineages, influential families, and individuals whose wealth, education, or service places them close to the court. This includes ranking officials, military officers, scholars, and those entrusted with ceremonial or administrative duties. Members of High Society are expected to uphold tradition, refinement, and public decorum, and their conduct reflects not only on themselves but on their families.

Commonfolk

The Commonfolk form the working heart of Eriwon’s cities and villages. Artisans, merchants, craftsmen, and skilled laborers belong to this class, maintaining trade, production, and everyday services. They run workshops, markets, and businesses, and many pass their trades down through family lines. While their lives are modest, diligence and mastery of one’s craft are highly valued, and success can elevate a family’s standing over time.

Streetfolk

Streetfolk live on the margins of Eriwon’s cities and villages, eking out a living through informal labor, odd jobs, or small-scale trade. Many turn to theft, smuggling, or other petty crimes to survive, while others work as guides, messengers, or assistants in the markets. Homes are often temporary or shared, and life demands ingenuity, resourcefulness, and caution. Though viewed as lower in the social order, Streetfolk form tight-knit communities, relying on networks of trust, knowledge of the streets, and skillful navigation of both law and local custom to endure.

Blightborn

Blightborn occupy the lowest tier of Eriwon’s society, consisting of slaves, outcasts, and demonkin. Feared and mistrusted, many live at the edges of towns or in hidden settlements, subjected to harsh labor and strict oversight. Slavery is common and formalized, with property clearly marked—bridles, collars, even brands—signifying ownership. The Blightborn have little social standing, and survival often depends on obedience, discretion, and the protection of patrons or allies.

Dialect

The Eriwonese dialect originates from the speech of the gods who once ruled the lands. Rootkin and chimeras learned it as their native language when they first gained sentience, while demons, as creations of the gods, and fae, as minor gods themselves, also spoke it. Over millennia, the dialect has persisted with minor regional variations, remaining the standard form of communication in Eriwon.

Characteristics of the dialect

soft consonants
open vowels
rising-falling pitch pattern
words follow a CV (consonant–vowel) or CVCV rhythm
- Good morrow → Gu-do mo-ro [gu.do.mo.ɾo]
- Merchant → Me-ru-chan [me.ɾu.t͡ʃan]
- Harvest → Ha-ru-ve [ha.ɾu.ve]
- Noble → No-be [no.be]
short honorific particles like “-li” or “-sa” may be appended for politeness

Everyday Life

Life in the land of cherry blossoms is guided by tradition, ceremony, and social expectation. From dawn to dusk, residents adhere to strict manners and measured politeness, treating family, neighbors, and strangers with formal respect. Hospitality, modesty, and attention to social hierarchy are deeply ingrained, and even minor lapses can bring embarrassment or shame.

Work is highly valued, and skill in one’s craft—whether as an artisan, merchant, scholar, or soldier—is a mark of personal and familial honor. Shops, workshops, and markets bustle with activity from early morning, and many families pass down trades from generation to generation. Education is prized, and children learn not only their craft or trade but also proper etiquette, loyalty to family, and the history and rituals of Eriwon.

In private and public life alike, people carefully observe others, taking cues on what is acceptable and expected. Standing out or acting recklessly is discouraged; those who follow established ways are quietly respected, while those who fail to meet expectations risk bringing dishonor upon themselves or their family.

Even leisure reflects these values. Tea ceremonies, seasonal festivals, and communal celebrations reinforce social bonds, ritual observance, and the appreciation of artistry and refinement. Music, poetry, and performance are carefully honed and shared according to custom, and public displays of emotion or behavior are measured and deliberate.

For travelers and newcomers, blending in requires patience, attentiveness, and humility. Life in Eriwon rewards discipline, caution, and respect for tradition, creating a society where daily routines, work, and social interaction are deeply intertwined with honor, reputation, and the continuity of the community.