COUNTRIES

Altan✵ownership of this land of arid steppes is often a hot topic of debate, but for the moment the Altanese remain free. The fact that the Altanese have been left to continue their nomadic traditions is due in no small part to the Red Wastes, a deadly desert that divides them from the Vesennan Empire's Highlands. Its capital- although this word is used loosely in Altan- is Kheotgor. There is also no formal government in Altan. Instead, its many tribes are each headed by their own respective Khan, or chief. Attempts have been made in the past to unite the steppes, the most recent and famous attempt made by the bastard prince of a Vesennan Emperor and an Altanese woman, Khenbish Yul (or, as he was later known, Emperor Huangzhi).

Benevecchia✵nobility and serfs alike flock to this country's capital, Terafali, just for a chance to witness the grandeur of its canals. Its summers are hot and humid, and winters hardly have any snow. It is ruled by twelve Doges who each hold power over their own city-states.

Edeiros✵dynasty. Family. Tradition. The ideals that once held the nation of Edeiros together have crumbled. After the collapse of the Casillis regime and the disappearance of the last remaining member of House Aguilar—the former royal House—the country has been left in disarray. Its powerful noble families have held control over the country for over a decadewhile the lower class stagnates and starves. Former Edeiran territories include the Fermerran Islands, Engana, Wilshore and Tondo.

Engana✵once a territory of the Vesennan Empire, Engana was used as a place to dispose of undesirable and subversive elements. These criminals were forced to work on plantations until they died of exhaustion and starvation. It was no surprise that when the Edeirans invaded, the Enganese defected. In exchange for their aid in the war, they were awarded sovereignty by King Roderic de Aguilar. The capital of Engana is Shahiveh.

[The] Highlands✵part of the fractured Vesennan Empire. The Highlands are not actually higher in elevation than any other place. Rather, the Highlands are defined by their populace, as they are lighter, taller, and notably richer than their Lowlands counterparts. The capital of the Highlands is the Imperial Jade City of Liandao.

Leisenstracht✵the largest country in Oritias by landmass, Leisenstracht is embroiled in war. Their adversary, Solnaya, struck first in the border town of Romhalde, crossing the Spikes--or, as the area is called in Leis, die Stacheln. The Leis king, Wilhelm von Eberhardt, is bent on ending the war once and for all. The Leis capital is Aubernin.

[The] Lowlands✵another part of the fractured Vesennan Empire. The Lowlands have two capitals, Dendara and Tangmay, both governed by warring factions who have been trying to overthrow the other for two decades.

Orten✵not much is known about this icy wasteland. The people that occupy Orten are nomads, like the Altanese, and truly have no formal capital. They subsist on reindeer meat and iceberries.

Solnaya✵the people of this land are incredibly resilient, much to the chagrin of their neighbours to the south in Leisenstracht. Winter lasts for nearly eight months a year here; nobody's been able to conquer Solnaya for this reason. Instead, the Solnayans absorb other countries in their path, consuming everyone that stands in the way of their manifest destiny. Some Solnayans claim Vesennan ancestry, although nationalism remains at an all-time high. Solnaya's official capital, and the seat of its royal family, is Stavrodnoye.

Takawa✵as one of the only nations in the world that has not felt the full brunt of conflict, Takawa is known for its still waters and quiet beauty. Its people are peaceful and insightful. Rather than let the Vesennan conquerors slaughter their children, they gave a full and unconditional surrender over five centuries ago. In return, they retain a certain degree of autonomy from the empire. Takawa is home to the esteemed Haruto Shimizu, the most famous wielder of the Sight in the world, who presides over a council of Elders that govern the island nation. In his spare time, he travels the world in search of gifted people to train. Takawa's capital changes every few years. Currently, it is Urakami.

Tondo✵rich in history, Tondo is known by many to be a place where all corners of the world come together in an odd sort of harmony. Tondans claim heritage from many different countries, citing the countless occupations of their land. Tondo has two official languages: one of the many widespread dialects of its native population, Korolig, and the tongue of its conquerors, Edeiran. Tondo was under Edeiran rule for close to three hundred years before it was liberated by former Vesennan Emperor Huangzhi and the heir claimant to the Edeiran throne, Malina de Aguilar. Its capital is Muros, the walled city.

Viernoit✵home to fabulous cuisine and fashions, Viernoit's capital, Roalet, is a popular vacation destination for the rich and powerful. Its ballets and opera houses attract those who have a taste for finery. Viernoit's countryside is filled with rustic grape farms and fields full of golden wheat. Their language has been deemed romantic by many a tourist, although Viernoit's recent history is a far cry from its new reputation. When the lower classes rose up in revolt close to a century ago, Viernoit's king and queen as well as most of its aristocracy lost their heads to the bloody blade of a guillotine.

Wilshore✵the land of snows and sands wasn't always a ward of the Edeiran monarchy. Once, Wilshore had a monarchy of its own, along with a fleet of bluebloods and plutocrats. That all changed when the last king, Robert Hanover, succumbed to insanity and abolished both the concept of nobility, as well as the monarchy, all at once. The Solnayans moved in to take advantage of the governmental and economic collapse that Wilshore was facing, and in desperation, King Robert's son turned to the only man that would listen: the newly crowned King Diego de Aguilar of Edeiros. In exchange for King Robert's granddaughters, Tamsin and Freya Hanover when they came of age, as well as wardship over the country, King Diego and his Sentinels drove back the Solnayans and brought stability back to Wilshore. A new capital was established where they earned their victory, named for the colours of the Edeiran flag and the sand that coated the battlefield: Bluesands--but since Edeiros relinquished control nearly twenty years ago, Wilshore's capital has since moved to Everfall.

BODIES OF WATER

The Emerald Sea✵characteristics include bright green waters and sparkling waves. Primarily seen from Migos' harbour in Edeiros.

The Fermerran Sea✵calm and good for sailing on. The Fermerran Islands- namely Sarnaga- are located on this body of water.

Frostburn Bay✵this inlet is located between Wilshore and Solnaya. It's said to be so cold that sailors are known to freeze on their ships when sailing on it.

The Oscuro Ocean✵as the name implies, the Oscuro Ocean is obscured beneath a layer of fog. Sail too far into it, and you may be lost forever. The waves are said to be towering, and tales of vortexes that suck up entire armadas have circulated. These days, only the bravest or stupidest of adventurers dare to sail into that mist.

The Tverda Sea✵you thought Frostburn Bay was cold? This is even colder.

Viridian Bay✵the waters here are just as green, if not greener, than in the Emerald Sea. It's a center for naval trade in the Lowlands of South Vesenna.

Yaro Strait✵it's so narrow that people sometimes swim across it. Sailors from the continent of Edeiros used this strait to sail around South Vesenna to get to Tondo.

HAZARDS

The Red Wastes✵so named for the colour of its sand, the Red Wastes is a stretch of desert that bisects the Vesennan Highlands, severing Altan from much of the empire's control. With little water and a strange, dry heat, it seems like nothing living can make its home there.

The Spikes✵the Leis call this place die Stacheln. It's a peculiar field of permafrost that covers the border between Leisenstracht and Solnaya, named for the ice formations that spike out of the frozen ground.