About the Dimension
By no means do you need to read the entirety of this article. It's more like... an appendix, including a dictionary, and an encyclopedia, just to explain some stuff you might wonder about. Really. Don't feel you have to read the whole thing. It's fucking massive.

Index
Geography | Terminology | Normal Stuff | Politics and Law | Technology | Currencies

The dimension of Helveticus is gorgeous; quite similar to our own world in material compostion; crosses several different temperate climes; and in its entirety roughly the size and shape of the state of Hawaii.

Helveticus is, therefore, a pocket dimension.

First discovered several millenia ago by inter-dimensional explorers, it has since become a booming tourist location for inter-dimensional travellers.

Geography
Mapa de Helveticus

Ten points to whoever can figure what they're all named after...

Note that: You remember good old stories about the edge of the world? Just a cliff with no bottom forever and ever? Or a waterfall?

Yeah. That. There's an edge of the world. When you start getting close to the edge (like, 10m), gravity starts to stop working, so you'll sort-of float, which is bad news because then it's harder to escape, yanno? Nobody really knows what happens when you leave the edge of Helveticus, but most people assume you disintegrate into nothingness.

Refer to the Terminology Geography section for stuff on the cities on the map. You might not be able to read some of the fonts.

Terminologue

Wormholes and teleportation
wormhole A 'hole' (I picture like a twister) that reaches from one dimension to another. Although they lapse in and out of existence, they sometimes have a fixed or semi-fixed sankridt and/or bolidt end. The time it takes to pass from the sankridt to bolidt ends are seemingly random, as there is rarely a way to gauge the "distance" between two dimensions.

bolidt (BO-litt) The 'deposit' end of a wormhole into a dimension. There are presently seven in Helveticus. They migrate slightly, and occasionally lapse into or out of existence, or even split into two new, seperate bolidts.

sankridt (SANG-kritt) The 'receival' end of a wormhole from a dimension. There are presently none recorded in Helveticus.

sangkrei (sahng-KREE, sahng-KRAY) Alternative name for a sankridt

to worp (like "war") Worping is the action through which one is taken by a wormhole from one dimension into another: "He worped here last month."

more to come on this section.

Slang and Derogatory
This section will expand as I or the members invent. Slang terms for species can be found on the species page. Most of these words can be used simply as slang or as something derogatory depending on the context of their use.

shortlife Mortals.
crawler Undead.
rotter Undead.
ancient Immortals.
zapper Teleportation unit

Geographical
Helveticus (hell-VEH-tih-keuss) The dimension itself. Helvetican.

Maialthra (my-ALTH-ruh) The larger of the two countries on Helveticus. Maialthran, Maian.

Engelo Edda (EN-jell-o EH-dah) The smaller of the two Helvetican nations. Engelaen, Eddaen, Engelo Eddaen

Tahmaii (t'MY-ee) Northernmost island/ region, tropical. Tahmaian.
Marltropus (MAR'L-tro-pus) Northernmost city of Tahmaii. Fairly large. Marltropian, Marlen.
Calysta (ka-LIS-ta) Sprawling metropolis; tourist hotspot, on Tahmaii's southern shores. Callistan, Calystan.
Diora (DEE'OR-a) Small settlement on a small island near Tahmaii. Diorran

Aençiya (i-ENN-see-ya) Second-to-northernmost island. Still tropical. Ayensan- i-ENN-senn
Poppelè (PAW-puh-luh) Small Ayensan city, old, romantic. Think Paris, Venice. Poppelan- paw-puh-LAN
Euborra (YOO-bur-rah) Larger commercial town, very nouveau, famed for its tropical parks and gardens. Euborran
Nora (NOR-uh, NOR-ah) Northernmost Helvetican bolidt.

Anhedonia (anh-HEA-d'NEE-ya) Islands directly southeast of Aençiya. Mostly tropical. Anthian
Stefideo (steh-FIH-day-yo) Very advanced-technology town, has a small Sylfaen-esque Skysplane. Stefidiite- steh-FIH-dee-yite

Britanòja (brih-tan-OH-zjah; the "j" is like the "s" in "treasure") A thickly-populated island, southeast of Anhedonia. Subtropical; slightly milder temperatures than further north. Briton
Kartika (KAR-ti'ka) Kartic
Aralia (a-RAY-lee-yah) Close to the border between Maialthra and Engelo Edda, with a sprawling international and interdimensional commerce. It has many marketplaces, some of which are perfectly legal. Aralian
Pursín (per-ZJIN) Persian
Arviyus (AR-vee-yeuss) Within the jurisdiction of Britanòja, although a seperate island, south of it. In the past it was a peninsula of the island. Arviyan
Rachlitka (RATCH-li'kah) Rachlin
Ektoprois (ek-TAW-pro-iss) Ektopric

Nuevastrella (NWE-va-stray-ya) Once connected to the main Helvetican body, Nuevastrella was fully severed from the rest of Helveticus several millenia ago. Its bolidt, Osdoa, is the least active of all of them. Very few people are able to travel back and forth between Nuevastrella and Helveticus. Strellan, Nuevastrellan
Osdoa (oz-DO-wa) The least active of Helvetican bolidts, but also its oldest and most stable.
Ghontul (GAWND'l) A rather small city of those trapped in Nuevastrella, highest suicide rate in Helveticus! Fancy that...

Catzel Oesdi (KAT-zell ohw'EHZ-dee) A small, mostly uninhabited island southwest of Aençiya which has been made home to many very primitive peoples who simply did not fit in with Helvetican society in general. Subtropical. Catzeac, Catzloesdian
Cazdela Oenze (kaz-DEH-la ohw'ENN-zay)Alternative name for Catzel Oesdi. Cazzolán

Veratne (veur-AT'nay) Group of two islands, one of noticeable size, far south of Catzel Oesdi, closest Helvetican landmass to Neuvastrella. The coldest region of Helveticus, the southernmost part and southern coast of the main part of Veratne features wintry tundra. Verranean
Monatha (mo-NATH-ah) Largest portal hub in Helveticus. Otherwise, very, very cold; small population. Monathan
Sudosdbe (su-DAWS-d'bay) Bolidt on Veratne's smaller island.

Osdua (oz-DU-ah) Isolated oceanic bolidt. There is a floating platform built under it that includes teleporters to the major Monathan and Ra-untan teleportation hubs.

Ysgard (IZZ-"guard" ) The largest Helvetican island, easily twice the size of any of the others, and situated towards the south. The north of the island includes a large stretch of desert-land, most of which belongs to Engelo Edda. Towards the south of the island, the climate becomes colder, large populations of coniferous trees appearing. Ysgard also has a few mountain ranges. Ysgartic
Lithos (LEE-thos) Not quite coastal, the City of Lith (lihth) is surrounded by the Ysgartic desert. It is home to the infamous Lithos Laboratories. Eddaen. Lithian
Ysgart (IZZ-gart) A city in south-central Ysgard. Ysgartic
Vrédo (VRAY-do) Merchant city on the south shores of Ysgard. Vrédoan
Røkvald (ROKK-vawld) Island and its largest city south of and often included as part of Ysgard.

Pocci (PAW-chee) Small uninhabited island west of Røkvald.

Gloster (GLAW-ster) Jurisdiction of two large and one small island south of Ysgard, climate similar to that of the boreal forest in Canada, and although it gets quite chilly at the far south, there is no permanent tundra (although the encroaching edge of the dimension is brining colder and longer winters). Glosturian
Coppergate Estates Northernmost town of Gloster, an academic town with a university and everything. Very upper-class, fairly small. if necessary, Copernican
Bodana (bo-DA-NA) More of an outdoor center for camping and kayaking etc. enthusiasts than a town.
Gloster City The southernmost and capital city of Maialthra, Gloster is a very proper political-like town. Glosturian

Engelaean Islands Term used to denote the physical aspects of the two main Eddaean islands.
Sylfe (SEELF or SILF) Smaller of the two main Eddaen islands, featuring the sprawling crime-ridden metropolis of the same name; rivalling Calysta for size, Sylfe City has three tiers of skyplanes, and a terraplane to boot. Sylfaen
Sylfus (SILF-uss) Alternative name for Sylfe City.
Sky City Alternative name for Sylfe City.
Luciacosa (LOO-shee-a-KO-sa or LOO-shya-KO-sa) Small town featuring a large zoo filled with many illegal animals and beings. Lucian, Luciacosan, Cossaian
Queen's Seat The official capital of Engelo Edda, it's simply called the Queen's Seat. Mostly it's just her palace, although there's some bits of city around it. Has been known by many names in the past, frequently changed by the new Eddaen dictator. Chrysinthian
Chryasinthia (KRY-a-SIN-thee-ya) The larger of the two main Eddaen islands, also the historic name for the Queen's Seat. Chrysinthian

Råntos-ent Horamôshina (RA-un-toess ehnt HO-ra-MO-shee-na) A city constructed entirley of skyplanes, it floats above the water and is mobile, although generally stays in the same region of Engelo Edda's waters. Comprised mostly of beings from super-futuristic societies, it is a mesh of thousands of different cultures, but much more peacable than Sylfe. Known as Råntos, Ra-untos or Rhé for short. Horamoshian, Ra-untian, Rhéan
Esdoa, Esdua (ezDO-ah, ezDOO-a) Two oceanic bolidts very close together, they were originally one but have since split to form two. Both have their own platforms, although all teleportation units send teleporters to Rhé.


Normal Stuff
This section is here to remind you that water is wet. More specifically,
- Gravity. Yes. Gravity effects you. I promise. Absolutely. It might not effect the edge of the dimension, but that's because it's the edge of a freakin' dimension, got it?
- The laws of physics apply, mostly. There are exceptions. But generally assume that they do.
- Air is breathable. It contains O2 and CO2. Hurray.
- Helveticus has native fish, which are pretty and colourful, but not particularly intelligent. It has native flora as well. Other than this, though, all life has arrived via teleportation-stuff.
- Helvetican time is measured the same as ours. As there are no perceptible seasons, years are measured in an even 360 days with 12 30-day months.

Politics
The Republic of Maialthra is the much larger of the two Helvetican nations, encompassing most of the landmass and therefore the greater part of the seamass; it extends from the frozen south all the way to tropics in the north. As a democracy, it is much less frightening than its next-door nation, Engelo Edda.

The Eastern Dominion of Engelo Edda is a brutal dictatorship/ kingdom in the tropical north-eastern area of Helveticus. Edda has a pleforic lack of sensible laws and, currently, a crazed Queen who tends to do whatever she pleases. It is home to many inter-dimensional smugglers and virtually runs most of the trans-universal black markets. The dominant ruler is whoever killed the last one and can prove it.

Law
Some laws regarding certain things... Remember that all ages listed here are based off of HUMAN ages. If your species ages more slowly, the laws bend applicably.

Legal Drinking Age
Maialthra- 19
Edda- 15
Age of Consent
Maialthra- 18
Edda- 15 and 6 months
Age for Voting
Maialthra- 18
Edda- N/A

Motorized vehicle driving

Driving a Groundplane vehicle
Personal- e.g. motorcycle
Maialthra- 14
Edda- 10
Max 5 passengers
Maialthra- 15
Edda- 12
Large size- (e.g. transport truck)
Maialthra- 17
Edda- 13

Piloting a Skyplane vehicle
Personal
Maialthra- 16
Edda- 14
Max 20 passengers
Maialthra- 20
Edda- 15
Over 20 passengers
Maialthra- 25
Edda- 17

Driving an Aquaplane vehicle
Max 4 passengers
Maialthra- 15
Edda- 11
Max 20 passengers
Maialthra- 18
Edda- 14
Max 80 passengers
Maialthra- 21
Edda- 15
Max 200 passengers
Maialthra- Boats this large are illegal
Edda- 17

Criminal Penalities
It is worth noting that even though there are criminal penalties in Edda, they are rarely brought to court, and the justice system is a little iffy there. Often, instead of jail time, Eddaen criminals are simply given to Lithos laboratories. (No refunds expected.)

Minor larceny
(Larceny is theft without physically harming or threatening the owner of the object stolen.)
Maialthra- 60 days in jail, fine thrice the price of the item, 20h community service
Edda- 1 day in jail, fine double original value

Larceny
Maialthra- up to 10 years and/or MA5mil (see the Currency section)
Edda- up to 1 year and/or ƒ100,000

Arson
Maialthra- up to 5 years and/or MA2mil
Edda- up to 2 months. Property damages.

Vandalism
Maialthra- up to 2 years and/or MA100,000
Edda- up to 14 days. Property damages.

Assault
Maialthra- up to 10 years and/or MA2mil
Edda- up to 2 years and/or ƒ150,000

Robbery
(Robbery is theft including harm or intimidation.)
Maialthra- up to 12 years and/or MA2.5mil
Edda- up to 2 years and/or ƒ150,000

Sexual Offences discluding rape or prostitution
Maialthra- up to 8 years and/or MA1mil
Edda- up to 1 year and/or ƒ50,000

Rape
Maialthra- up to 15 years and/or MA2mil
Edda- up to 4 years and/or ƒ1mil; possibly castration

Pimping
Maialthra- up to 8 years and/or MA900,000
Edda- Not illegal


Prostitution
Maialthra- up to 1 year and/or MA30,000
Edda- Not illegal

Kidnapping Maialthra- up to 15 years and/or MA3mil
Edda- up to 2 years and/or ƒ100,000

Murder and Manslaughter
Maialthra
Manslaughter: 18-20 years and/or MA450,000-MA5mil
2nd degree Murder: 18-22 years and/or MA500,000-MA6mil
1st degree Murder: 22-30 years and/or MA5mil-MA10mil
Engelo Edda
Manslaughter of persons under 5: 20-40 years
Manslaughter of persons 5-10: 30-50 years
Manslaughter of persons 10-20: 20-40 years
Manslaughter of persons 20+: 3-5 years
Murder of persons under 5: 50-80 years
Murder of persons 5-10: 45-60 years or death
Murder of persons 10-20: 40-55 years or death
Murder of persons 20-25: 5-20 years
Murder of persons 25+: 4-6 years
Paid assassination: anywhere between no penalty and death. Generally F30,000.
Protect the children?

High Treason
Maialthra- N/A
Edda- Likely torture, death, death of your family, and public mockery.

Technology
So what, you may ask, might technology by like on Helveticus? Do they have teleporters and ray-guns and plasma beams and disentegrators?

Well the answer is- of course! Helveticus is a pocket dimension, and the people on it come from the edges of any kind of dimension you can think of. Well, okay, we aren't having 24-bit 2D people running around. But people can come from any time and place to here. Besides, technology is more advanced in other places whether or not it happens to be in a more advanced timeline than our own, yes?

However, instomatic teleporters are not legal within Maialthra, and are discouraged in Edda, because it is assumed that they are not helping the dimension's instability. All sorts of curious weoponry is available, but some of it doesn't work due to wonky magnetic poles and such- so very few insta-vaporizers. Sorry, it just levels the playing field a little, yes?

There are also those who refuse to use 'modern' technology. Kind of like the interdimensional Amish, except they're probably just people from more archaic societies who can't handle the technological leaps and bounds and so seclude themselves into small, isolated communities far away from the tourist hotspots.

Currencies
Accepted Currencies in Engelo Edda:
Engelaen Forint (ƒ), Standard Credit (Cred), Standard Ruble (R), Standard Pound (£), Maialthran Ariary (MA), Helvetican Peso (ex.H), Standard Dollar ($)
Accepted Currencies in Maialthra:
Maialthran Ariary, Standard Ruble, Standard Credit, Standard Pound

Currency Values
In the real world this would fluctuate with the market, but it's far too much trouble for me.
Standard Ruble: 100%
Engelaen Forint: 64%
Maialthran Ariary: 141%
Standard Cred: 32%
Standard Pound: 98%
Helvetican Peso: 12%
Standard Dollar: 89%

Fractional Unit
Standard Ruble: kopek (k)
Engelaen Forint: Fier (Fi)
Maialthran Ariary: irambi (í)
Standard Cred: credo (c)
Standard Pound: penny (p)
Helvetican Peso: centavo (ex.h)
Standard Dollar: cent (¢)

Coinage Any numbers listed after a | denote paper or plastic bills
Standard Ruble: 1k, 2k, 3k, 5k, 10k, 25k, 50k, 1R, 2R, 5R, 10R, 20R, 40R, 50R, 100R, 200R, 300R, 500R, 1000R, 2000R
Engelaen Forint: 1Fi, 2Fi, 5Fi, 10Fi, 25Fi, 50Fi, 1ƒ, 2ƒ, 5ƒ | 10ƒ, 20ƒ, 50ƒ, 100ƒ, 500ƒ
Maialthran Ariary: 1í, 5í, 10í | 1MA, 5MA, 10MA, 25MA, 50MA, 100MA, 500MA, 2000MA, 5000MA, 10,000MA
Standard Cred: Credits have no physical format
Standard Pound: .5p, 1p, 2p, 5p, 10p, 15p, 20p, 25p, 40p, 50p, 75p, 1£ | 5£, 10£, 20£, 50£, 100£, 200£, 300£, 500£
Helvetican Peso: 25h, 50h, 75h, 1H, 5H, 10H, 20H, 30H, 50H, 75H, 100H | 150H, 200H, 400H, 500H, 750H, 1000H, 1500H, 2000H, 3000H, 5000H
Standard Dollar: 1¢, 5¢, 10¢, 25¢ | 1$, 5$, 10$, 20$, 50$, 100$, 500$, 1000$

In Perspective
In our world, the average price for a loaf of bread is about $1.50 USD (This is probably Wonderbread-style stuff, (Mangiacake! Mangiacake!) but a good measuring unit nonetheless.)

This same loaf of bread, with the currencies we have provided, would be about:
Standard Ruble: R1.20
Engelaen Forint: ƒ1.91
Maialthran Ariary: í84
Standard Cred: Cred38
Standard Pound: £1.22
Helvetican Peso: H10
Standard Dollar: $1.34

The symbols ¢, ƒ, í and £ are Alt codes: Alt+155, Alt+159, Alt+161 and Alt+156 respectively. If these aren't working for you, make sure you're holding down Alt and using the calculator-layout Num pad on the right side of your keyboard, and make sure the Num Lock is on.

If you're on a Mac, I believe it's:
¢ Option+4
í Option+E, i
ƒ Option+F
£ Option+3

If you're on a PC laptop without a Num pad, I can't help you. Feel free to copy-paste, or else use c, i, an italicized f and L as replacements. (Make sure to specify that the c is for the Standard Dollar cent and not the Credit credo.)

...but what's singing songs is a snake