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{{Realm Infobox
{{Realms of Orethil Infobox
|Image=[[File:Delmora.jpg|center|frameless]]
|Spirit=Naithis
|Inhabitants=[[Ruvin]], [[Odrak]]
|Realm Name=Delmora
|Realm Name=Delmora
|Image=[[File:Delmora - General 02.jpg|center|frameless]]
|Spirit=Naithis
|Inhabitants=[[Ruvin]], [[Ulshari]]
|Significance=A land of renewal and prosperity, where rivers carve the destiny of nations.
}}
}}
{{Realms of Orethil Sections
|Introduction='''Delmora''' is a realm defined by its rivers, where flowing water carves through fertile plains. It is a land shaped by renewal, in which seasonal floods restore the soil, and the rhythms of water dictate patterns of trade, agriculture, and settlement.
|History=The history of Delmora is inseparable from its rivers. Early civilizations emerged along their banks, where fertile floodplains enabled agriculture and sustained the first permanent settlements. Over time, rivers became trade routes, linking communities across the realm and facilitating the exchange of goods, knowledge, and traditions.


{{Realm Sections
The Ruvin were among the earliest engineers of Delmora, transforming the waterways into structured networks of canals, levees, and irrigation systems. In contrast, the [[Odrak]] developed a more reserved and enduring culture along the Great Lake, building stone cities that withstood both flood and time.
|Introduction=
'''Delmora''' is a realm where mighty rivers shape the land, carving their paths through fertile plains and ancient valleys. It is a domain of constant renewal, where seasonal floods nourish the soil and shifting waters guide the rhythms of trade, settlement, and spiritual life. 
 
To dwell in Delmora is to understand the will of water—prosperity belongs to those who move with the current, not against it.
 
== History ==
 
Delmora’s earliest civilizations emerged along its rivers, drawn by fertile floodplains and access to fresh water. Agriculture thrived, and trade followed the waterways, connecting distant settlements and fostering cultural exchange.
 
Ancient ruins beneath the Great Lake suggest the presence of a lost civilization, now submerged. The cause of its disappearance remains unclear—whether it was flood, abandonment, or divine punishment is left to myth and speculation.
 
== Geography ==
 
Delmora is dominated by a vast river network flowing from highland and mountain sources. Its major geographic features include:
 
* '''The Twin Rivers''' – Two major rivers, one originating in the [[Anvil Range]] to the west, the other from the Northern Highlands. They converge at the realm’s heart, sustaining its largest cities. 
* '''The Anvil Range''' – Delmora’s western border, supplying glacial meltwater and minerals. 
* '''The Northern Highlands''' – Forested and rugged, home to untamed tributaries. 
* '''The Southern Spur''' – A mountainous southern barrier that separates Delmora from the harsher realms beyond. 
* '''The Great Lake of the East''' – A vast inland lake supporting independent lake-dwelling cultures and trade routes.
 
== Climate ==
 
Delmora experiences a temperate climate regulated by its river systems. Seasonal change is defined not just by temperature, but by the behavior of the waters:
 
* '''Spring Floods''' – Meltwater from the mountains causes river swelling, enriching the floodplains. 
* '''The Dry Season''' (Late Summer–Autumn) – Water levels drop, exposing additional farmland and ancient structures. 
* '''Lake Mists''' (Winter) – Thick fogs roll across the Great Lake, giving rise to legends and reported disappearances.
 
== Flora and Fauna ==
 
Delmora’s biodiversity is concentrated along its waterways, floodplains, and lakeshores.
 
=== Flora === 
* '''Rivergrass''' – A dual-use crop grown during floods, valued for sustenance and woven textiles. 
* '''Blooming Lotus''' – A rare flower associated with Naithis, said to open only under moonlight. 
* '''Verdant Willow''' – Deep-rooted trees that anchor the riverbanks and serve as habitats for birds and amphibians.
 
=== Fauna === 
* '''Silverback Sturgeon''' – Large, long-lived fish revered by many Delmorans. 
* '''Mist Herons''' – Migratory birds considered omens; often depicted in spiritual iconography. 
* '''Fen Serpents''' – Rare aquatic predators found in the lake's depths, central to several lakeborn myths.
 
== Inhabitants ==
 
Delmora is home to:
 
* '''[[Ruvin]]''' – River-folk known for their agricultural and spiritual practices tied to seasonal cycles. 
* '''Ulshari''' – Waterbound artisans and scholars who navigate both river and lake cultures.
 
== Notable Settlements ==
 
Most of Delmora’s settlements lie along rivers or the lake coast:
 
* '''[Capital City]''' – Located at the confluence of the Twin Rivers, serving as Delmora’s cultural and economic capital. 
* '''River-Towns''' – A network of settlements along the Twin Rivers, thriving on trade, fishing, and seasonal farming. 
* '''Lake-Cities''' – Independent-minded communities along the eastern lake, influenced by maritime traditions and lake lore.


== Cultural Significance ==
Archaeological evidence and submerged ruins suggest the existence of older, possibly pre-Ruvin cultures now lost beneath the lake and river deltas. Whether these civilizations were destroyed by floods or gradually absorbed into later societies remains the subject of both scholarship and myth.
|Geography=Delmora is a land defined by water, where rivers and lakes shape not only the terrain but the lives of its inhabitants. The region’s most prominent geographic feature is its twin river systems, which converge near the realm’s center before flowing eastward into the Great Lake. These waterways form the foundation of Delmora’s economy, ecology, and settlement patterns.


Water is central to Delmoran identity, economy, and belief. It is treated not only as a resource, but as a force with memory, intent, and spiritual agency.
==== Major Geographic Features ====


* '''“The River Remembers”''' – A saying that reflects the belief that all who pass through the waters are remembered. 
*The Twin Rivers – Two major rivers, one descending from the [[[Niseth Range]] in the west and the other from the Northern [[White Mountains]], intersect near the heart of Delmora. Their confluence is a hub of agriculture, trade, and governance, and is home to the Ruvin capital of Kelmarin.
* '''Flood Priests and Water Seers''' – Spiritual leaders who interpret changes in water level and current as signs from Naithis.
* '''Maritime Distinction''' – The lakeborn identify as a distinct cultural group, with different customs, ships, and interpretations of Naithis’s will. 
* '''Trade and Navigation''' – Boats and barges are more common than horses, with river routes shaping economic patterns.


== Mythology and Legends ==
*The Great Lake – A vast inland freshwater body, bordered by Odrak settlements. Its fog-covered surface conceals submerged cities and spiritual monuments. The lake serves as a cultural and spiritual counterbalance to the rivers, emphasizing stillness and depth over motion.
|Climate=Delmora experiences a temperate and river-driven climate, shaped less by temperature fluctuations and more by seasonal changes in water flow. Its weather patterns are closely tied to the rhythms of the rivers and the influence of the Great Lake, resulting in a cycle of flood, drought, and mist that defines life across the realm.
|Flora and Fauna=Delmora’s fertile plains, floodplains, and inland lake support a diverse and adaptive ecosystem. Life here is shaped by the movement of water—plants must endure submersion or drought, and animals follow migratory paths guided by seasonal flow.
|Notable Settlements=<noautolinks>{{See also|Cities and Towns of Delmora}}</noautolinks>
Delmora’s major cities are strategically positioned along its river systems and the Great Lake, serving as centers of trade, governance, and spiritual practice. These cities are built to endure the cycles of flood and drought, shaped by a deep understanding of the land’s hydrology.


Delmora’s myths revolve around the agency of water, its memory, and its capacity for transformation.
*Kelmarin – The capital of the Ruvin, situated at the confluence of the Twin Rivers. It is the largest and most economically influential city in Delmora, renowned for its guildhalls, waterworks, and role as the realm’s political center.
 
*Braskir’s Hold – A fortified dam-city overseeing the outflow into the Great Lake. It functions as both a hydraulic control point and a military stronghold, balancing flood regulation with regional defense.
* '''The Eternal Currents''' – A belief that the rivers of Delmora do not end, but loop endlessly, carrying voices of the dead.
*Zelmari Wharf – A bustling river city famous for its shipyards and floating markets. It serves as a cultural crossroads between Ruvin engineers and traders from surrounding realms.
* '''The Drowned Oracle''' – A prophetic figure said to have vanished beneath the river, yet continues to whisper to those who listen.
*Varul’Kai – The capital of the [[Ulshari]], a semi-submerged city built within the Great Lake. Known for its underwater halls, submerged temples, and the Sunken Archives, it is the spiritual heart of Ulshari civilization.
* '''The Sunken Cities''' – Legends tell of an ancient civilization submerged beneath the Great Lake, a warning to those who would defy the river’s will.
*Kel’Ruun – A nomadic raft-city of the Ulshari that drifts across the lake with the seasons. It embodies the values of mobility, reflection, and adaptation, hosting trade delegations and spiritual ceremonies.
*Mara’s Reach - Mara’s Reach is Delmora’s southernmost city and its primary seaport, where the inland riverways meet the ocean. Mara’s Reach is a fortified delta-city, resting on an artificial foundation of sunken stone platforms and canal locks. It operates as Delmora’s maritime gateway, funneling riverborne goods into international trade routes.
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[[Category:Delmora]]
[[Category:Delmora]]
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