Kingdom of Long

Long is the larger and more historied of the Two Kingdoms. It is represented by the Dragon.

Geography

Mainland Long is a large peninsular land mass. Prominent features include the Keelback mountain range that runs like a spine down northern and central Long dividing east from west.

Western central Long is dominated by the Bay of Long an arm of the sea that cuts deep and wide into the land.

In the southwest the lengthy, relatively narrow Taipan peninsula juts out into the southern sea towards the Hu archipelago.

The center of Long's southern coast is dominated by a wide river delta. In general southeastern Long is characterized by an uneven coast with inlets, offshore islands and natural harbors. Further inland is the wide Elapid plain with fertile land growing increasingly arid as one heads from the coast to the Keelbacks.

In northern Long, plateaus and foothills lead up to the steep Aves mountain ridge which can only be traversed practically through a handful of passes. Below these mountains the north is characterized by higher elevation and colder weather.

History

High Long culture dates back over 1500 years, beginning in the Classical Age (the Basiliscus Dynasty).

The Basiliscus Dynasty was followed by a period of disunity and illiteracy known as the Long Dark Age. The kingdom was fully reunited under the Naja Dynasty which saw a golden age of Long culture. It was during this period that Hu government and people (particularly the aristocracy) began adopting elements of Long high culture.

After the collapse of the Naja Dynasty the kingdom splintered into a number of smaller states. The Warring Dukes Period lasted several centuries and it saw the rise and fall of several petty kingdoms who exercised control, suzerainty or hegemony over regions. Ultimately, the Varanus clan was able to united all of modern day Long under its rule. The Varanus Dynasty period is sometimes referred to as a Modern Age.