The first king was Kenichi Abe, a Daemon who was instrumental in protecting Meridian before it was claimed by the prophets as the seat of the king (which was Hamlin's great idea to end the constant struggle for control of the city). He was crowned October 1st, 300 years ago (from 2007, the start of the game).

Our most recent king was Thongchai Saenamuang, crowned October 1st in the Year of Burning Mountain (2007). He disappeared in the mass disappearance incident in January of the Year of Determined Exploration (2009).

There was an interim, unnamed NPC king until October 1st 2009 when Jackson Willis was seated to replace him. Willis is an NPC that any player can use to effect change and move plot forward within the game.

The king's basic duties are to maintain the integrity of Parliament, to protect the people, and to ensure that the seat of power remains under his or her control.

( New Meridian Up Close )

Again, all credit goes to Sass for drawing a great map.

Sass finished the new map in record time. She is also working on district specific maps (smaller areas with more detail), which will take more time, but will be added eventually.

( New map )

The elementals in the area define the weather. This is why Marik is cold when everything around it is warmer. The elementals there make it snow on the mountains and have colder temperatures throughout the year. This is also why Kakusareta Island and Isla Partei are tropical climates, even though they are in the north.

As a result of the new map I've updated the places post.

New map ( under the cut... )

It's biggish. All credit goes to Sass who worked on this tirelessly and drew it by hand.

First crappy map. It's about the best I can manage with photoshop (because I have no skillz), but at least you have a decent idea of where things are and it's not a complete and utter eyesore.

( It's big )

Some of these are repeats from Graves, if only because the characters are still around.

( Familiars A-Z )