Xter
Xter is the largest town in the area, and is a major center for trade. It enjoys a strategic position along The Bound and has strong fortifications that have protected it from enemies. Xter is also known for its unusual food product: small boxes of “BastDawn Honey Suns”, a sweet and crunchy food substance given to citizens and sold to outsiders. The boxes seem to be of the Ancient style of manufacture, and their design elements feature prominently in Xter’s art. Within Xter, non-citizens are considered transient and have noticeably few civil rights. Because of Xter’s reputation of protecting its citizens (at the expense of non-citizens), citizenship is highly sought-after. For a more in-depth look at Xter, check out the Xter Details page.

The Deep Swamp
This swamp lies south and west of Xter, far from The Bound, and has a reputation of being very hazardous and impassible. Its name supposedly comes from the flora thickness, not water measure. Many semi-famous travelers have entered the Swamp hoping to find a shortcut to Sowthtown, to Pleasanton, or to be the first to come back with a safe-passage map, but none have returned; did they perish or did they reach a better place …or both? Interestingly, the Great Migration must somehow travel through The Deep Swamp to pass so close by to Xter.

Othby
From a distance, Othby has the look of a giant tree fort as large city wall constructed of earth and bark surrounds it. Another local farming community outgrowing its self-sufficiency, Othby also has a modest mining operation. Othby has strong ties with Xter, with most of the local exported ores and food headed to Xter’s markets. Of the 450+ residents, 50% or more are mutated humans, with pure humans and intelligent animals evenly split amongst the remaining population. Othby is known for its hospitality and welcomes newcomers. A Mayor and a Council rule the town; a full-time Militia protects Othby and serves as a police force. Othby seems to share Xter’s good fortune.

Cordig
Overlooking The Bound on a bluff, surrounded by a stone wall with sharpened staves projecting from it, Cordig is a highly organized town of 350+ where all residents are part of the militia. Cordig is run by a hierarchical arrangement with a Commander at the top, Lieutenant Commanders beneath her, and so on down. Cordig has swung between aggressively dominating its neighbors to hiring themselves out as a mercenary unit to aggressively defending themselves. The people of Cording are known for their hard work, fighting, and drinking. When not sharpening their knives, Cordig trades food and good quality finished fiber furniture with several local communities. Some years ago, Cordig attacked Xter, but now the two groups trade peacefully. Cordig is known to use Ancient hand weapons in its army.

Bermig
A farming community of 400 surrounded by a low earthen wall, at the end of a well-marked trail from The Bound, Bermig’s population appears evenly split between pure humans, mutated humans, intelligent animals, and intelligent plants. The town normally welcomes strangers and new arrivals. A mayor, councilors consisting of the most experienced residents, and a rotating militia service amongst its inhabitants serve as a governing force, but a strong sense of community amongst the inhabitants handles a majority of the day-to-day concerns. Bermig is known for its large underground water reservoir and extensive irrigation system (both built by its citizens). On occasion, Bermig’s residents have hired mercenaries to help defend themselves (with varying degrees of success).

Hap
A poor, mixed community of about 250 drifters, outcasts, zealots, and others that didn’t fit in elsewhere. Hap is currently lead by a charismatic mutated human teaching “communism”. Farming is the primary product, but the residents eagerly trade with outsiders. In the past, Hap has been a community lead by religious zealots, The Order Of Humanity, a monk-like order of mutant Antelope, a mixed tribe of warrior savages, and human pacifists. Each community was ultimately destroyed, with the next building upon the prior’s remains. Hap suffers from a poor reputation amongst other local communities.

Bliskin
Bliskin is a self-sufficient farming community of about 300 surrounded by a fiber & chitin palisade. Most of the residents appear to be humans and mutated humans. A democratically elected Town Council runs the village. They are cautiously friendly towards strangers and traders, but apparently do not encourage outsiders to stay long. They are known for their high-quality fabrics and clothing, and their strict moral codes. Bliskin prefers Yuros to Gold.

Lojing
Formerly a thriving farming community known for its breweries and friendly disposition, Lojing was recently attacked by raiders and nearly destroyed. Accounts vary, but most descriptions seem to suggest a well-armed and well-planned force of Barkers. About 80 residents remain at Lojing, a mixture of pure humans and mutated humans.

Fillup
A little over two days north, The Bound splits into several different Rowtes: one goes to Enderz, one goes west to Firehead, others go elsewhere. At this junction the ghostown of Fillup remains. Originally a trading post for people travelling the Rowtes, strange beasts regularly attacked this village, and eventually residents abandoned it, some resettling in Berming, others gone to parts unknown. Since Fillup was abandoned, trade with towns north and west has slowed to a trickle. Everyone knows that Fillup is haunted.

Enderz
North, just beyond where The Bound meets The Hway, lies the graveyard of the Ancients. Those of Bliskin look upon this place as testament of the Ancients' descent to damnation. A reddish cloud of dust hangs over this area that can be seen for miles; at night, this cloud glows as if the place was on fire. Some traders claim that they have been to Enderz in the course of their adventures; all the wise women say that Enderz is a deadly place and is to be avoided. So many legends surround this place, including:
- the red cloud is the dried blood of the Ancients, which the spirits of the Ancients use to choke those that enter;
- Enderz is where the souls of the wicked reside (including the Ancients?) instead of being reborn into the world;
- Enderz is the mortal home of an evil god, within which it hunts and kills strangers or non-worshippers;
- Enderz is a giant malignant entity that lures creatures to itself for its own evil ends;
- Enderz is a holy place, left by the Ancients to test those who live today.

Sowthtown
A major settlement well south of Xter. Like Xter, Sowthtown started as a farming community that has grown upon trade. Sowthtown has a reputation for growing food in abundance. Its inhabitants are mostly human-looking. Religions of all kinds are supposedly allowed in Sowthtown. Sowthtown residents are subject to an unpopular military draft, and Sowthtown is in conflict with its more southerly neighbors.

Firehead
Somewhere down The Hway exits a city called Firehead, named for its “tower of flame,” built by its rulers. Accounts of Firehead’s other marvels vary, but most Traders can agree upon Firehead’s many large artisan complexes, lively nightlife, and dangerous residents. The few traders that travel between Xter and Firehead often bring back exotic curios and wild stories from the latter.

Pleasanton
This legendary place supposedly exists somewhere south and west of Xter, beyond the Deep Swamp. This city is supposed to be a place where the sun always shines, radiation rain never falls, there is always plenty of food to eat, and no dangerous creatures live. Some even say that robots there work to serve man like the Ancients. All the wise women say that Pleasanton does not exist as a physical place. One interesting rumor states that the founders of Xter were originally from Pleasanton but left for some unknown reason.