Independent Regions

Some regions of Ragnarok Online are part of neither the Schwartzwald Republic nor the Rune-Midgard Kingdom.

These regions came about from the "Global Project" series of game updates, which were designed to add new towns based on different places in the real world.

Important locations include:
Amatsu, based on Japan
Gonryun, based on Taiwan
Louyang, based on China

There are more, but since they haven't been mentioned in the comic, I haven't made pages for them.

Ragnarok Online

Ragnarok Online is an online role-playing game that was released in 2002. It's old. But it was the first MMO-style game that I ever played. It inspired me to craft stories within its world, and so Poring Pelters was born.

If you aren't familiar with the game, or haven't played it in a long time, you might have a hard time following the comic. So, following this is a bit of an explanation of the game world.

Class System

In Ragnarok Online, every character starts as a novice, the typical newbie character with only the most basic skills. There are six "first classes" that a novice with sufficient experience can become: Archer, Swordsman, Merchant, Thief, Acolyte, and Mage. These, in turn, have two class options. For example, a Swordsman can become a Knight or a Crusader.

(from RagnarokHQ. Visit them for more in-depth information)

And so the Prologue of the comic is focused on a novice character seeking out her first class, visiting the various guild headquarters and generally introducing the world as well as I could at the time.

Class and Age

In the comic world, how old you are generally determines your class level.
Age 12~17: Novice
Age 15~25: First Class
Age 20+: Second Class

These are estimations because based on how hard you train, you could advance faster, or, if you're not sure what you want to be, you could take longer if you need more time to decide.

Transcendents?

In the game world, there are also advanced classes. When one reaches max level in their second class, they can be 'reborn' (transcend) to become even more powerful. But in Poring Pelters, there is no such system. Characters using a 'transcendent' sprite are either wearing different clothes for the sake of variety (e.g. Ezzarian and Kenny) or to indicate a high honor or skill level (e.g. Sir Glass). The same is true of 3rd jobs.

About the Lore

Ragnarok Online has its own storyline and lore. Poring Pelters tries to integrate some of the lore, but I've made some modifications over the years. As I recall, the game doesn't seem to mention nobility or noble families, so that's one important artistic difference.

Also, the comic began in 2005, and there have been many updates to the game since its start, introducing new game mechanics and new regions. Much of this 'new' content I'm not familiar with, and so some of it will be ignored (specifially, the destruction of Morroc and Surt's revival, Curse of the Gaebolg questline, Arunafeltz & Veins questlines) in the comic because the story has already been written without it. As time goes on in the comic, I may investigate these topics, but we'll just have to see.

As an MMORPG, there isn't much of a 'goal' to the game except to get stronger just to defeat even stronger monsters, so the comic focuses more on friendships and relationships between people than combat, so it's more dialogue-heavy than anything.

Ragnarok Online 2?

Ragnarok Online has a sequel. The sequel's lore is not relevant to Poring Pelters' lore. I have not played the game, and, at this time, I don't intend to play it.

Death and Resurrection

In the game, you never really die. If you fall in battle, you can simply respawn at your save point. Or, perhaps, there is a priest with resurrection who can revive you, or a character with an yggdrasil leaf (revival item).

In the comic, it'd be silly if characters couldn't die. There is no such thing as revival at the save point, and there are conditions for the resurrection spell to work. You have to be alive still! If you've stopped breathing, you cannot be revived. Game over.

The Hide skill

Thieves have a skill called "Hide" that allows them to, well, hide--blend in with their surroundings. However, in the game, the thief cannot move with this skill active. That restriction has been removed for the comic's purposes.

Never played the game?

I've written the comic assuming all of its readers have played Ragnarok Online and are familiar with its mechanics. But in the odd case that you aren't familiar with it, or perhaps haven't played it in a while, here are some game mechanics and terminology that will come up:

General Terms
Party - a group of adventurers fighting together form a "party." In other games it might be called a "group."
Solo/Soloing - people without a party are alone = solo
Zeny - currency in the game
PecoPeco - a giant bird that Knights ride like a horse
Kafra Service - this is an in-game service that provides item storage and fast travel services to other towns. The Kafra service is run by maid-like ladies who are generally called "Kafras"

Items
Fly Wing - this is an item you can use to teleport in a zone. Useful for escaping a dangerous situation. The Acolyte skill, Teleport, does the same thing. Shorthand: F-wing
Butterfly Wing - similar to a Fly Wing, but it teleports you directly to your save point in town. Shorthand: B-wing
Clip - an accessory item that can be enchanted to cast a spell (e.g. a Teleport Clip can cast Teleport)
Blue Gem - an important spell component for some priest spells. Shorthand: B-gem
Yggdrasil Leaf - an item that can be used to revive someone who is near-death
Dead Branch - an item that can be used to summon monsters. In-game it's often used to cause trouble and get players killed. Shorthand: DB
Emperium - this item is required to form an independent guild. It's rare.

Skills/Spells
Heal - self-explanatory, I'd hope. An acolyte skill.
Agility Up - an acolyte skill that increases walking speed. Shorthand is "Agi up"
Warp Portal - an acolyte skill that creates a portal that anyone can walk into and be teleported to wherever the caster set it to go. It requires a blue gem to cast. An acolyte can only memorize up to 4 locations to warp to.
Pneuma - an acolyte skill that blocks arrows
Hide - a thief skill that allows one to hide from enemies. Can be detected by an acolyte's Ruwach or a mage's Sight spell.

Monsters
A familiarity with the game's monsters can't really be explained...
You should know the iconic poring and its relatives.
Boss monsters are called MvPs (like in real-life sports) and it usually takes a strong, well-coordinated party to take them down. When people go "MvPing" it means they are trying to defeat one of these bosses.

Louyang

Louyang is a town across the eastern sea that is based on ancient China. It's also called "the Castle of the Dragon." Unlike the other independent cities, it doesn't really welcome outsiders or tourists. Despite that, it's a popular training zone for mages and archers due to the slow-moving magic soil monsters.

Martial arts are popular in Louyang.

OST - The Great

Schwartzwald Republic

The Schwartzwald Republic consists of the rugged lands north of the Rune-Midgard Kingdom. It is a realm of science and technology, spearheaded by the wealthy Rekenber Corporation. The Republic appears to be a representative democracy led by an elected president, but the election process and ruling system is not transparent to outsiders.

Important locations include:
Juno, the capital
Einbroch, the industrial center
Einbech, the mining town
Lighthalzen, the commercial capital
Hugel, the garden city

In Poring Pelters

We are only just beginning to explore the Schwartzwald Republic as a location. By the way, in-game the spelling of the Republic's name changed in the game's formative years, but I'm sticking with Schwartzwald because I always thought it was borrowed from the location in Germany, but apparently that's actually spelled without the t. Oh well.

The Republic doesn't have a Knights' Guild per se, but the Lord Knight Sir Glass Leonid is its national hero. But in the end, he is only a figurehead--people who've played through the game's quests will know that Rekenber holds the power in Schwartzwald.

Rune-Midgard is currently pursuing an alliance with the Republic. Mixing the Kingdom's magic with the Republic's technology could lead to interesting results...

Gonryun

Gonryun is a floating town across the eastern sea. It's loosely based on ancient Taiwan. Unlike Juno, which is in the sky due to technology, Gonryun stays afloat through "a mysterious power" that the residents attribute to a spiritual blessing over their land.

To attract tourists, the people of Gonryun have built several mini-villages in the lower field that are based on cities in Rune-Midgard.

The religion is essentially a form of Daoism.

It's called "Kunlun" in some Ragnarok Online servers.

OST - Not So Far Away

Characters from Gonryun include:

Powder Rune

Amatsu

Amatsu is a city across the eastern sea. It's loosely based off of feudal Japan. It's known for its beautiful cherry trees. There is a story about the largest tree: proposals given and accepted under the tree will bring everlasting happiness to both lovers.

In the game, there's a quest in which you have to shout at an old lady to scare a kitsune (a mischievous fox) spirit out of her.

There's a shrine to the north, but the path is dangerous, full of folklorish monsters like Kappa and Karakasa.

OST - The Purity of Your Smile

In Poring Pelters

Like the other independent regions, it's mostly a vacation destination.

Jawaii

Jawaii is the honeymoon island paradise. It's an expensive vacation destination for married couples only. Of course, this restriction makes Jawaii very attractive to singles, and there's even an undercover singles bar.

OST - You're in the Ruins

In Poring Pelters

It's mentioned once or twice.

Rune-Midgard Kingdom

The Rune-Midgard Kingdom is fully half of the known world. It is a semi-traditional fantasy land of sword and sorcery. The kingdom is a form of monarchy, and the current king is Tristan Gaebolg III. The kingdom's religion is the Odin Orthodoxy.

There are seven families eligible for the throne, as per the legend of Jormungand in which seven valiant warriors defeated an evil monster snake that wanted to eat the world.

Important locations include:
Prontera, the capital
Izlude, the swordsman's town
Al De Baran, the canal city
Geffen, the magic city
Payon, the forest town
Morroc, the desert city
Alberta, the port city
Comodo, the party village
Jawaii, the honeymoon island
Glast Heim, an infamous and extensive dungeon ruin

In Poring Pelters

Most of our story will be told in the Rune-Midgard Kingdom. By the way, in-game the kingdom is called "Rune-Midgarts" but it sounds silly, so I went with Rune-Midgard instead. Also in-game, alcohol is illegal by Tristan III's decree, but not in the comic. That's just silly.

There are several branches of the Odin Orthodox Church. The first and main branch is in Prontera, but there are other branches in each main city. They are independently led, so the policies may not be the same in each branch.

Similarly, there are three branches of the Knights' Guild: Prontera, Al de Baran, and Geffen. Each branch is led by a figure called the Knightmaster, who is granted the position by the king.

Izlude

Izlude is a sattelite city to Prontera, perhaps overshadowed by its big sister. It's built on a series of small islands. It's home to the Swordsman Association and a monster arena.

Izlude is connected to Juno by an airship. A ferry can be taken to Alberta as well.

A boat to Byalan Island, the sea-based dungeon, can be taken from Izlude.

OST - Everlasting Wanderers

In Poring Pelters

Most people who live in Izlude are knights or swordsmen. There is a sense of national pride in being part of the Swordsman Association.

Izlude is generally just a stepping stone for people to get to Prontera or to go to Byalan Island to train.

The airship is a recent addition, resulting from peace talks with the Schwartzwald Republic.

Characters from Izlude include:

Benedict Solor
Swift
Jeanne

Einbroch

Einbroch is an industrial manufacturing city that has become polluted from metal dust. People are advised to wear a flu mask to avoid breathing in the rust.

The divide between rich and poor here is perhaps even more pronounced than in Lighthalzen. Many poor workers feel trapped in a life of hard labor, either working in the mines of Einbech or working in the assembly-line manufacturing plants.

OST - Steel Me

In Poring Pelters

Einbroch exists, but I don't think we will do anything there.

Einbech

Einbech is an industrial area, home to the miners who cannot afford to live in Einbroch. Einbech was once a very busy place--the invention of steam engines allowed mining to be a profitable business--but monsters uncovered in the mine have led to it being largely abandoned except by those who have nowhere else to go.

OST - Steel Me

In Poring Pelters

Einbech exists, but I don't think we will do anything there.

Comodo

Comodo is the party village on Rune-Midgard's southern coast. It's known for its night life, and, in fact, it's always night! Gambling, drinking--things technically illegal in the kingdom--are the norm here. It's the happening place where prospective bards and dancers show off their skills, hoping to be accepted by the guild.

Comodo is a near the desert town of Morroc and also the jungles of Umbala.

OST - High Roller Coaster

Lighthalzen

Although Juno is the Schwartzwald Republic's capital, Lighthalzen is its commercial center. The Rekenber Corporation, a wealthy research-based company, has invested immeasurable funds to make it the grand city that it is today. In fact, almost everyone in Lighthalzen is employed by the Rekenber Corp or one of its subsidiaries.

Because of the important and sometimes top-secret research done by Rekenber, for security reasons, visitors to Lighthalzen will find many areas restricted to them. However, there is still plenty to do in the city. The Lighthalzen Hotel is world-famous, after all!

Outside Lighthalzen is a slums district, the visible divide between the rich and poor, but Rekenber Corporation is doing its best to employ the less-fortunate and to help clean up the slums. Because of the perceived danger, people are not allowed to visit the slums without a proper pass. This restriction includes Lighthalzen's own citizens.

OST - Noblesse Oblige

In Poring Pelters

Ah, Lighthalzen, the flawed gem. You're so pretty at first glance, but then you see it's all artificial. I haven't decided whether or not we'll be visiting it, but it's good for everyone to know that it's there. And we will definitely be seeing a bit of the Rekenber Corporation...

Hugel

Hugel is a peaceful, picturesque village. It was once rather isolated, but the invention of the airships has brought that era to an end. Now, Hugel attracts visitors by throwing bingo parties and hosting monster races. The Hunters' Guild has moved here.

Hugel is also a stepping stone to Odin's Temple, an ancient ruin.

OST - Latinnova

In Poring Pelters

The Hunters' Guild is not at Hugel. It's at Payon.

There's really not much going on in Hugel. It's just a pretty tourist destination.

Juno

Juno is the capital of the Schwartzwald Republic. As a testament to the Republic's interest in science and technology, it floats above the El Mes Plateau and consists of three islands connected by stone bridges. The "Heart of Ymir" is what allows it to defy gravity.

Juno is home to the Sage's Guild and also houses an extensive library. Research is the city's motto. There is even a Monster Museum.

An airship travels between Juno and Izlude. From Juno, one can also take an airship to the Republic's other main cities.

OST - Theme of Juno

In Poring Pelters

There is some confusion as to whether it's spelled Juno or Yuno, but I chose to use the former.

Juno is generally a touristy destination.

Characters from Juno include:

Sir Glass Leonid

Glast Heim

Glast Heim is an extensive dungeon complex northwest of Geffen. Centuries ago it was once the capital of the Rune-Midgard Kingdom, but fell to ruin, and no one knows for certain why.

Legends say that Glast Heim was once home to the gods, almost another Valhalla, but greed for power destroyed it and cursed everyone within it to eternal damnation.

OST - Curse'n Pain
OST - Fear...
OST - Morning Gloomy
OST - Temp It Up
OST - Help Yourself


In Poring Pelters

Glast Heim is a prime location for members of the Odin Orthodoxy to train. Many groups try to reclaim and clean up the place from the monsters, to little success.

Alberta

Alberta is a port city in the far southeast corner of the Rune-Midgard Kingdom. Recently explorers have discovered several inhabited lands across the sea, bringing in new trade and culture to the kingdom.

Alberta is home to the Merchants' Guild.

A ferry travels between Alberta and Izlude.

OST - Theme of Alberta

In Poring Pelters

Some ten years ago the undead ship captain Drake and his monster minions entered Alberta to kill and destroy. The Merchants' Guild squabbled for a long time before the Aesir Ciel guild led by Sir Jamus Angevon came and defeated the monsters.

Game lore says that Alberta is not very busy, but if it's a port city it should be bustling with merchants. It's home to the Merchants' Guild, after all!

Characters from Alberta include:

Carl Sauvages
Lenna Baxter
Randy (Master Forger)

Morroc

Morroc is a desert settlement deep in the Sograt Desert far southwest of Prontera. The city lives partly in the shadow of great, mysterious pyramids, and the Sphinx is directly to the west, inhabited by the spirits of both the interred and those who died building it.

The Thieves Guild has made the pyramid's basement level its home, and Morroc has garnered a reputation for catering to the seedy side of life. Members of both the Assassins' Guild and Rogues' Guild frequent the city, often using it as their base of operations away from home. The party island of Comodo is just a stone's throw away, after all.

Morroc was actually destroyed when Surt revived after a certain game update; currently its inhabitants have made an impromptu camp near the pyramids and are slowly rebuilding the city.

OST - Theme of Morroc

In Poring Pelters

Morroc has not been destroyed, nor do I have any plans for that to happen. But of course that could change in the future.

Morroc has a branch of the Odin Orthodox Church, but it's been corrupted by the city's politics. It has a poor reputation.

Generally, most people avoid the city unless they want to give in to their vices.

Characters from Morroc include:

Gaston

Payon

Payon is a forest village deep in the Payon forest far southeast of Prontera. Nearby is Archer Village, where novice adventurers can learn ranged skills.

Payon has its own dungeon, the aptly-named Payon Cave, which is infested with undead spirits and tricksy folklorish figures.

Southeast of Payon is Alberta, the port city.

The Hunters' Guild was once in Payon forest, but it has moved to Hugel.

OST - Theme of Payon

In Poring Pelters

Payon has a branch of the Odin Orthodox Church that's dedicated to cleasing Payon Cave.

The Hunters' Guild is still in the Payon area.

Characters from Payon include:

Bogart
Wezaleff
Dana
Sierra

Geffen

Geffen is the city west of Prontera. It's home to the Mage the Wizard guilds. The prominent feature is Geffen Tower.

Beneath Geffen Tower is an underground dungeon. Scholars say that Geffen was built over ruins of the elven city of Gefenia, and artifacts from this bygone era can be found there.

Northwest of Geffen is Glast Heim, an infamous dungeon complex.

The Blacksmith Guild was once in Geffen, but it has moved to Einbroch, where it is more thematically-appropriate.

OST - Theme of Geffen

In Poring Pelters

The Knightmaster of the Geffen branch of the Knights' Guild is Danil. The knights often work with the mages and wizards to fight off the kobolds.

There is also a relatively new branch of the Odin Orthodox Church here, too, but so far it has few members. Currently, the leaders of this branch are still developing their policies.

I mentioned a rivalry between the wizards and blacksmiths back in the Prologue, but that was mostly a nod to Ragnarok Wisdom. As it stands now, I haven't decided if the blacksmiths have left Geffen for Einbroch.

Characters from Geffen include:

Gwynneth de'Vabriel
Velger de'Strosi
Vesper de'Strosi