Geography and Culture

Geography

The geography of Krystallos has quite a bit of variety, including forest, desert, mountains, grasslands and more. In general, the region resembles Europe, with longer winters in the north and more temperate weather in the south. Of special note are the gemstone formations growing everywhere. They jut out of the ground everywhere, the type determined by region. You can tell you are moving from one region to another by the types of gemstone formations (Amethyst formations within the bounds of the Amethyst region, for example, and emerald formations in the Emerald Shire). These gemstone formations are not gemstones in the traditional sense. Smaller deposits of gemstones are sometimes found and turned into perfect gems for jewelry. The larger deposits are more structurally sound and can be shaped and crafted into building materials. It isn’t uncommon for homes to have gemstone windows or bricks.

Time Measurement

A year in Krystallos has three-hundred and fifty days. The year is divided into twenty-five months, each containing fourteen days. The months are named after the Totems and are, in order: Amethyst, Tourmaline, Alexanderite, Iolite, Scapolite, Onyx, Pearl, Citrine, Thulite, Topaz, Sapphire, Peridot, Amazonite, Ruby, Emerald, Jade, Quartz, Chalcedony, Garnet, Turquoise, Zirconian, Diamond, Tanzinite, Obsidian and Opal. The individual days are not named or divided into weeks. For example, the twelth day in the month of Jade is known simply as the Twelth of Jade.

Years are grouped into Ages with each Age named after the last great happening of the previous Age. The numbering of years resets to one at the beginning of each Age.

The day in Krystallos is divided into twenty-five hours, each of which contains fifty minutes. Each minute contains fifty seconds.