Natural Resources

This page covers the natural resources of Elsemorn: the use of animals, plants, and materials by the sapient peoples of this world. While this page focuses on large-scale industries such as harvesting and mining, it must be pointed out that natural resources will be used wherever they are available.

Locations of Natural Resources

Agriculture and textiles are the two largest industries on Elsemorn, both in terms of the number of workers and land use. In feudal regions, most serfs and many peasants work in one or both industries. Common agriculture jobs include farming, herding, butchering, and winnowing; textile making includes spinning, weaving, dyeing, and cloth-making. Both industries require arable and pasture land, especially near communities if the resulting food or cloth is to be sold. Individual farmsteads are the norm, in small numbers or perhaps up to a few dozen near a larger city or manor. Large-scale collective agriculture and textiles manufacturing does exist but is still relatively rare.

Alum (aluminum salts) is mined in Kestemyr (south of the river basin), Senthe (northern Teandera), and Trolwud (north).

Coal is mined in Burhi (southern foothills), Casseval (foothills and prairies between Maydrillas and Megdrillas), Fennleas (foothills of Callam Barres), Feore (foothills of the Fairslie Irons), Kaldenhave (foothills of the Boarfells), Kestemyr (foothills of Callam Palles), Loril (foothills of the southern Kadesber), Senthe (foothills of Orut), Surrna (foothills of the Redbarrows), and Westbare (southern foothills).

Copper is mined in Casseval (eastern Megdrillas), Fennleas (Callam Barres and Callam Palles), Kaldenhave (the Bearfells and the Boarfells), Kestemyr (Callam Palles), Kisra (Callam Yarmea, Loril (the Kadesber), Miraalys (Mirryg), Senthe (Nula Kaad and Orut), Stroud (Ringbarrow), and Surrna (the Redbarrows). Gold, silver, zinc, tin, iron, lead, and mercury may also be mined in these regions.

Fishing occurs near any large body of water, including lakes, rivers, and seas. Piracy and sea creatures make open-sea fishing particularly dangerous, however, so this tends to be done by fleets of ships.

Hunting occurs wherever wild animals live, including forests, grasslands, hills and mountains, and prairies. Laws may limit hunting in some places or by some people; for example, within a town's borders, on manor land, or in a king's forest.

Iron is mined in Cullodh and Senthe (Callam Cemana), Feore (the Fairslie Irons), Kaldenhave (the Mosshills), Loril (the Cleffryg), Senthe (Alimnul), the Southern Wolds (south-east), and Westbare (throughout). Gold, copper, nickel, platinum, and diamonds may also be mined in these regions.

Oil is collected on the surface in Casseval (north of the Yegari Sea), Kestemyr and Miraalys (around the Sea of Aschemir), Fennleas (eastern Callam Barres and Embefar), and the Grass Sea.

Peat is harvested in Casseval (river basins north-east of Idrare), Cullodh (western lowlands), Fennleas (eastern lowlands), Kaldenhave (northern coasts), Kestemyr (western river basin), Loril (northern and southern river basins), Senthe (eastern and western river basins), the Southern Wolds (throughout), Stroud (north), Terinnia (western lowlands), and Trolwud (many regions throughout).

Salt is harvested in pools in Casseval (eastern coastal region), Cullodh (eastern coastal region), Loril (coastal region south of the Kadesber), and Stroud (coastal region south of the Ghostwood). Additionally, salt is mined in Feore (north of Uxal), Kaldenhave and Reddes (between the Boarfells and Wascora Mere), and Senthe (south-central Teandera).

Woodcutting occurs near any forests. As with hunting, laws may limit large-scale woodcutting and only permit people to use dead trees and brush.

Natural Resources Impact on Industries

Common artisan/craft industries like blacksmithing, brickmaking, carpentry, leatherworking, and tailoring are found in nearly every community, from village to metropolis. Most of the resources they require are readily available everywhere, especially along roads and trade routes. Specialized industries typically exist only in larger communities or near specific resources. These are some notable generalist and specialist industries:

Blacksmith: armorsmith, arrowsmith, bowyer, farrier, fletcher, gemcutter, gilder, gold/silversmith, jeweler, locksmith, nailmaker, pewterer, weaponsmith

Carpentry: architect, brickmaker, cartwright/wainwright, carver, furniture maker, mason, pottery, stonecutter, wheelwright, woodcutter

Farmer: animal handler/trainer, butcher, dairymaid/milkman, gardener, herder, shearer

Fisher or hunter: falconer/hawker, fowler, gamekeeper, houndmaster/houndmistress, rat catcher, trapper

Doctor: alchemist, apothecary, barber/surgeon, cleric, herbalist, midwife, nurse

Leatherworker: cobbler, currier, saddler, tanner

Scholar: astrologer, barrister/lawyer, calligrapher, cartographer, herbalist, judge, librarian, printer, scribe, theologian

Servant: butler, chef/cook, chimney sweep, driver, groom, messenger, stablehand, steward

Tailor: clothier, dyer, embroiderer, feltmaker, furrier, haberdasher, silkmaker, spinner, weaver