Alsberg - The Kingdom of Alsberg is a hereditary monarchy. It is one of the recently established nations, and currently represents the northernmost boundary of exploration and resettlement of the Northlands. It is a realm of law, with a well-liked and benevolent king whose goal is the well being and safety of his kingdom. Power in Alsberg is strongly centralized in the hand of the king.
Rimini - The Grand Duchy of Rimini is a small frontier nation centered on the important trade city of Rimini. Rimini is at the western end of the Stillwater Reach, and is where the Great North Road coming from the west meets the Coast Road coming from the north and south.
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| The Northlands |
Mercia - The Kingdom of Mercia is another hereditary monarchy on the eastern coast. One hundred years ago, it was the northern frontier of civilization, when Rimini and Alsberg were much smaller collections of scattered frontier villages. Mercia expanded northward 18 years ago, and is still assimilating the new territory; thus it is somewhat inwardly focused at this time. Mercia is divided into a number of Dukedoms, each of whom have a significant amount of power and authority in their respective holdings.
Romney - Ruled by King Aldir the Stout, Romney is a small nation based on the capital city of Dambrusk, a coastal fortress that managed to survive the Years of Darkness. The people of Romney are proud to make the claim, however tenuous, that they are one of the nations of the Old North. This isn't really true, as Romney wasn't a kingdom in the olden days, and Dambrusk was just one of many independent cities and towns. Romney used to be a critical link on the Coast Road, but as the borders of civilization have expanded, trade caravans and merchants no longer need to cling so closely to the coast, and inland trade routes have been taking business away from Romney. Romney does have a naval presence, and is working towards a time when more travel can safely pass by sea. It is rumored that some of the merchant captains of Romney are in league with the pirates of the Oranthian Isles, who wreak havoc on shipping up and down the coast.
Tiencin - Tiencin is a small city-state of tradesmen and craftsmen, widely regarded for the quality of their products. Tiencin is not a large or powerful nation, but does sit astride the coast road, and is the only real trading partner for the elves of Liriana. Half-elves in substantial numbers call Tiencin home, as do a large community of gnomes.
Liriana - The peninsula containing the Forest of Liriana has an elven realm of the same name. As are most elven realms in the north these days, Liriana is secretive and standoffish, but they do trade with Tiencin. These high elves are known to be seafarers, as highly decorated and brightly colored elven longships have been known to put into ports around the realms from time to time.
Oranthian Isles - The Oranthian Isles are a large chain of islands off the coast of Romney and Mercia. They are rugged, wild territory, and are home to a number of seafaring warrior tribes collectively known as the Sea Wolves of Oranthia. The Sea Wolves are a barbarian people who do not trade with the Northlands (with the possible exception of Romney).
Saradel - Saradel is a land of contrasts. It has a number of cities along the coast whose inhabitants make their living from trade, crafts and manufacturing, including some of the North's largest cities. The inland half of the country is covered with many thousands of square miles of verdant grasslands and plains. Many of the inland peoples are herders and ranchers, with some groups still pursuing a more tribal and nomadic way of life. The government of the country, based on a Council of Elders from the different cities, towns and regions, is descended from the days long ago when what is now Saradel was nothing more than a collection of loosely related tribes, each ruled by its own chief.
Kalembar Federation - The Kalembar Federation is a loose collection of cities and towns, banded together for defense and mutual benefit under the League of Merchants, a large and unwieldy body of elected officials representing the different factions. These factions can be cities, important towns, large merchant houses, magical colleges, large temples and all manner of other entities. As a result, Kalembar rarely acts as a coherent political entity (as far as the outside world is concerned). The leaders of Kalembar are focused on trade and the pursuit of wealth, and in maximizing their position as one of the lands in the transitional area between north and south. Cities of the Kalembar Federation have an opulence not often found elsewhere in the North.
Longwood Vale - North of the Kalembar Federation lies an independent region known as Longwood Vale. The Vale is located between the Umbral Mountains to the west, the Tellarn Mountains to the east, and the High Plateau to the north. The great Longwood Forest covers the western half of the Vale, and is known to have a substantial wood elf realm. It is a region of fertile land and scattered frontier farmsteads through which the High River runs. The High River forms the upper part of the Kalem River watershed. The High River descends from the High Plateau, is joined by the River Terche at the city of Woodshade, and continues on to meet the Pesh River near the city of Peshtar and the Kalembar border. The Pesh River and the High River combine to form the mighty Kalem River, which runs through the heart of Kalembar. The southern end of the Vale descends to the border of the Kalembar Federation. The northern end of the Vale climbs steeply over many miles, eventually reaching the region called the High Plateau.
The High Plateau - The High Plateau is a sparsely settled region of alpine meadows nestled between the upper reaches of the Umbral Mountains to the west and the Tellarn Mountains to the east. It is a high elevation area of cool summers and very cold snowy winters. The land slopes away substantially both to the south (into Longwood Vale) and north (down into the Greenreach Woods). There is a trade road connecting Kalembar and the Great North Road that passes through Longwood Vale and the High Plateau, but it is a difficult road that cannot be used year round.
To be continued in part 2, the West and Far South...
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