Main Page
Categories
Other links
Altierra: The World Beyond the Portal
Altierra is a theocratic island civilisation founded by settlers from our world. Governed by a sacred hierarchy of Priestesses and shaped by the religion of Divara, its society is structured, ritualised, and deeply stratified. It features in the novel The Snow Beyond the Wall by Laira Greenbank.
Geography
[edit]Altierra is a world that is mostly occupied by sea. The explored areas of Altierra consists of three major islands known as the Triada with numerous smaller ones. They all lie between the approximate latitudes 30° north and 60° north.
Alta is the middle island of the Triada in size but is considered the most important because it housed the Tierrapuerta, the original portal where the English and Spanish settlers passed through from Patagonia. It houses Casando, the primary Cregan and home of the Arch-Priestess. Zero longitude is measured from the location of the Tierrapuerta.
Isla Arbojan is the smallest of the Triada and the last to be settled. The Cregan on the island is Rocosa. Isla Arbojan is the home of the second portal to be discovered, the Mundumbra, and is where the Maddisons entered Altierra.
The largest of the Triada, Veridia was named Greenland by the English because, compared to Alta, it was less mountainous and had a better climate. The Cregan there is called Granhía and is set inside a large bay unlike the other Cregans which are on the coast. Veridia is not known to contain any portals.
Smaller islands which are close to the Triada are considered belonging to the neighbouring island, but there are some which are so distant that they are treated separately. They are known collectively as Las Islas Perdidas whose name means "the lost islands".
A page of assorted maps of Altierra.
See this page for a summary of the three main islands.
Religion
[edit]Divara is the religion of Altierra, followed by all inhabitants and controlled by the Illarion, the order of the Priestesses. It consists of five gods/goddesses and was created by Aldonza de Bracamonte soon after the Spanish arrived in Altierra.
The name is a fusion of Divina (Divine) and Vara (Rod/Staff, symbolising authority).
Illarion is the religious order that consists of the Priestesses and Handmaidens, that follows Divara. They live primarily in Cregans.
The name is derived from iluminar (to illuminate, from Latin illuminare).
There are four casta or castes in Illarion:
Establishments
[edit]- The Cregan: the structures where most Priestesses live, and from where they rule.
- The Casa de Iniciación: where Priestesses are trained.
- The Casa de Formación: where Slaves are raised and trained.
- Temple: other places of worship and rule away from the Cregans.
History
[edit]The recorded history of Altierra begins the English crew from the Elizabethan ship Marigold passing through the Tierrapuerta portal along with some Patagonian natives. A few years later in Earth time but 177 in Altierra time, the Spanish passed through the same portal and conquered Altierra.
This page describes how the English and Spanish settlers entered Altierra.
This page lists the notable dates in Altierran history.
There were two known portals between Earth and Altierra, both now destroyed:
- The original Tierrapuerta on Alta.
- The Mundumbra on Isla Arbojan through which passed the Maddisons,
Culture
[edit]Calendars
[edit]The Secular Altierran calendar is used by everyone. Months are based on the moon so a year could have twelve or thirteen months.
There are also timetables used in different establishments such as the Cregan schedule and the Bestia school schedule.
The currency in Altierra consists of three coins:
- Mariposa (Copper/Bronze): The lowest denomination, representing small, everyday transactions.
- Gota (Silver): The most common medium of exchange, used for larger daily purchases and wages.
- Estrella (Gold): The highest denomination, reserved for significant transactions, land purchases, and the wealthiest individuals.
Seafaring is an important part of Altierran life, although most people rarely venture off their islands because of the distances involved. Long-distance sailing is through the Guild of Navigators who are separate from the Priestesses although still subservient for the latter create and control the astronomical ephemeris that the navigators use.
Altierra is based strongly on agriculture with very little industry. It varies depending on the island.
Principle Characters
[edit]The Maddison family
[edit]The four Maddison siblings are the protagonists of the novel The Snow Beyond the Wall. They consists of Luke, Susan, Meg, and Emily. Their parents are Richard and Caroline Maddison.
The great-aunt of the Maddisons and the owner of Portian House is Isabel Navarro.
Local Altierrans
[edit]The Maddisons' local friends include Alucio, Fabra and Raf. A hostile encounter is with Madesto from Peyrol.
At Rocosa
[edit]The High Priestess at Rocosa is Jesenia, her deputy is Socorra. One of the Handmaidens is Laritza. The leader of the Guardia is Marshal Valdez. Among the Bestia at Rocosa are Brisa, Nena, Toia, and Vila.
At Sometria
[edit]The inhabitants at Sometria include the head Handmaiden Tutor Maricella and the Iniciador Farago.
Fiction
[edit]The Snow Beyond the Wall follows the story of the four Maddison siblings when they pass through into Altierra.
A page a day covering the story in the novel.
This page is where I jot down ideas for potential stories.
Reference pages
[edit]Account details
[edit]User: LairaG
Password: LairaGreenbank