The World is Gaia

  "Today, you will learn the essentials," said Senia

  "Our world is called Gaia."

  As a brand new "other worlder". I had no idea about the world I am currently in, and before any combat or magic training, I need an education. Shameful indeed. You can never escape school. Our current location is a small island called Retreat. It is a luxury resort space for the Upper echelon of the kingdom of Tylis, Senia's mother nation. She was slated to return in a month or so. As we walk to the library, I watch her back, ruminating the extreme change I've been dealing with.

  Two different worlds, two different treatments. Both of them are slavery but two VERY different forms of treatment.

  The latter is starting to feel like a dream. After 10 minutes, we arrived. Making our way inside, we made a beeline for the bookkeeper with Senia listing the books she needed.

  "Tylis the compendium, Power on Gaia, and the people of Gaia," Senia requested.

  'As you wish; will you be purchasing?' replied the Bookkeeper

  "Yes"

  'Be back shortly. '

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  Back at our abode, Senia began another mini lecture on my new circumstances.

  "Today is your first official day in our world, Gaia. There is much to learn and get accustomed to. When you begin to read, I recommend starting with the people of Gaia, followed by the compendium. The first is about the sentient and creatures that live here, and the other is a history of my mother country. The third book I will give you tomorrow when we begin your physical training. Though mostly peaceful in civilized areas our world is fraught with danger and there is much to be done to keep it peaceful. Any questions?"

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  'Yes.' I responded

  'I understand there is magic, are there gods as well?'

  "No but there are people powerful enough that it makes you think that there are such existences. The cosmic forces here aren't sentient as far as we know. Or if they are they don't act like us" said Senia

  "Now, Relax. Enjoy the time to lie and read while it's still here. There's a lot to be done if you want to make it in this place."

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  A few hours later, I lay relaxed, having finally finished the book on the peoples of Gaia. Fascinating indeed. It includes the standard mashup of fantasy races: humans, orcs, dragonkin, etc. As well as Gaia-specific sentients such as the Komodo (a scaled underwater-based lion-type creature). Interestingly enough, elves, dwarves, halflings, and such all fall under the human umbrella, though they have different names. Dragons are relatively rare but are famous for their promiscuity and matriarchal hierarchy in the family. Opening the book about Tylis, I began to read it with eagerness.

  The book wasn't overly big, just about 300 and something pages front to back. Originally, the Tylis mercenaries acquired a lucrative contract with a merchant family of dragons. With that capital, they were able to expand and grow their strength, eventually deposing a king and becoming rulers themselves. Tylis is a constitutional republic jointly ruled by 6 major noble houses and 10 minor ones. Innovative, multicultural, and rich they grew into a force that cannot casually be trifled with. With 150 years of history, they are considered young but fierce. In the bigger picture they scale up to a mid-tier force militarily, but their influence is much larger. Why? Because the Tylis Republic is still the owner of the largest mercenary and information gathering network in the world.

  The current leader of the council Marius is a man in his 40s and well-respected. As far as most know there is no in-fighting within the Republic. The Council Head is chosen from the military forces, and the administration is run by the 6 major noble houses; Vicante, Gru, Millicent, Crescent, Heaven. and Nemesis. These 6 families descend from the founders of the Republic. The Council head is the neutral party mediating any decisions between the major families and carrying veto power when there is a gridlock. Below them is the civilian parliament run by the top 10 influential families. Even though the Republic's cohesion is unquestionable there is much tension between these families in their jockeying for power. It isn't unusual for families to rise and fall.

  Jordy continued to read until his eyes began to give up on him. Slowly he dozed off, book still in hand.