The Kingdoms Region
Plots and subterfuge... intrigue and assassination. The First Kingdom of Humankind was once the dominant power of this region, but the Great Strife - the god-war of 2000 years ago - saw its lands, power, and influence vastly reduced. What was once one a mighty kingdom that stretched from the Great Basin in the West to Icefell Bay and beyond in the East is now vastly reduced in size. Smaller kingdoms established themselves along the Inner Sea during the times of the Strife. The cities that rebuilt along Icefell Bay have declared their independence. And a hostile breakaway kingdom to the west threatens the kingdom's borders.
The leaders of the First Kingdom long to see their land restored to its former glory, and some will do anything to see this happen. But they must also watch their backs because forces within the kingdom also desire more power, and will stop at nothing to get it.
This is the world of the Eastern Kingdoms of Cartyrion.
The First Kingdom of Humankind (usually referred to as just the First Kingdom) is a realm that grew up around the place where the first Humans and Halflings were Awakened on Cartyrion almost 17,000 years ago. The first permanent Human settlement, established by a leader now revered by many as Saint Ancelin, eventually grew into the sprawling city known as Elderkeep.
For many years, the First Kingdom was the Only Kingdom of Humankind, but as time passed, humans who had moved beyond its borders - either because they were dissatisfied, or ambitious - began to form rival kingdoms. In many cases, Human fought against Human in wars to determine borders. Kingdoms rose and fell in power. When the Great Strife struck, the region experienced great turmoil as some kingdoms aligned with the gods on each side of the conflict. By the end of the god-war, all of the kingdoms had been greatly diminshed, but none moreso than the First Kingdom.
The Grand Duchy of Elvenpasss lies south of the First Kingdom between the Elvenring Mountains and the eastern shore of the Inner Sea. This land was once part of the First Kingdom, but when the god-wars cut the region off from the kingdom's capital, its residents set up their own government. Distant relatives of the First Kingdom's royalty, the Duchy maintains good relations with the kingdom that spawned it, but it is sometimes a safe haven for those who plot against the rulers of the kingdom.
The Grand Duchy of Eastguard lies even further south. It, too, declared itself independent when cut off from the kingdom by the war. While trade relations with the kingdom and the grand duchy to the north are amicable, there are religious differences that flare up from time to time.
Second in area only to the First Kingdom, Lanlokan is a sparsely populated nation. Once considered the western frontier of the First Kingdom, its people are fiercely independent, and resentful of the fact that they were left to their own devices during the Great Strife. They, like the residents of the Free Cities that border Icefell Bay, declared that they would no longer bend the knee to a throne too far away to protect them. There are many border disputes, and many factions on both sides of the border that feel that the government on the other side is illegitimate.
A fifth Kingdom, and several independent city-states are also found in the region:
On the western side of the Inner Sea lies the Kingdom of Felisia - the land of the catfolk. The city of Baron's Point near its border with the First Kingdom is known as the most cosmopolitan city on all of Cartyrion. This city marks the end of the trade route used by Chittiki (ratfolk) gem traders to bring their goods to market; it acts as the main port for the Awkwani (birdfolk) city of Tuulwana Ruk as well. It also boasts one of the two great Arcane Academies of the world -- the other being in the Free City of Endmere in the northern Frontier lands.
At the borders of the First Kingdom, the Dwarven citadel called the Crystal Delve can be found. This independent stronghold, and that of the Iron Hills Delve farther east, are important trading partners with the humans of the kingdoms. The Dwarven city of Irongate marks the eastermost border of the First Kingdom south of the Iron Mountains and stands along the trade route to the Iron Hills Delve.
The Awkwani, who do not establish kingdoms anywhere, have two established cities within the region; both in border areas. They are both autonomous; unclaimed by any of the surrounding kingdoms. These are Tuulwani Ruk (The City of All Peoples) not far from Baron's Point, and Wuwari Ruk (The City of Winds) that controls the pass between Felisia and Tyrnabay to the west.
The leaders of the First Kingdom long to see their land restored to its former glory, and some will do anything to see this happen. But they must also watch their backs because forces within the kingdom also desire more power, and will stop at nothing to get it.
This is the world of the Eastern Kingdoms of Cartyrion.
The Lands
The region contains the four kingdoms that border the Inner Sea, as well as the land of Lanlokan in the northwest. It is bordered on the north by the Worldtop Sea and the desolate lands called the Northern Wastes. To the east, the Iron Mountains and the Elvenring provide natural borders, and to the west lies the mountain range called the Eastern Basin Wall and the vast North Grove Forest.The Kingdoms
Four independent realms exist in the region known as the Eastern Kingdoms.The First Kingdom of Humankind (usually referred to as just the First Kingdom) is a realm that grew up around the place where the first Humans and Halflings were Awakened on Cartyrion almost 17,000 years ago. The first permanent Human settlement, established by a leader now revered by many as Saint Ancelin, eventually grew into the sprawling city known as Elderkeep.
For many years, the First Kingdom was the Only Kingdom of Humankind, but as time passed, humans who had moved beyond its borders - either because they were dissatisfied, or ambitious - began to form rival kingdoms. In many cases, Human fought against Human in wars to determine borders. Kingdoms rose and fell in power. When the Great Strife struck, the region experienced great turmoil as some kingdoms aligned with the gods on each side of the conflict. By the end of the god-war, all of the kingdoms had been greatly diminshed, but none moreso than the First Kingdom.
The Grand Duchy of Elvenpasss lies south of the First Kingdom between the Elvenring Mountains and the eastern shore of the Inner Sea. This land was once part of the First Kingdom, but when the god-wars cut the region off from the kingdom's capital, its residents set up their own government. Distant relatives of the First Kingdom's royalty, the Duchy maintains good relations with the kingdom that spawned it, but it is sometimes a safe haven for those who plot against the rulers of the kingdom.
I tell you, one of these days, those zealots in the First Kingdom are going to start another god-war. How they can hold the beliefs they do after what happened to the world 2000 years ago is beyond me. They're dangerous.
The Grand Duchy of Eastguard lies even further south. It, too, declared itself independent when cut off from the kingdom by the war. While trade relations with the kingdom and the grand duchy to the north are amicable, there are religious differences that flare up from time to time.
Second in area only to the First Kingdom, Lanlokan is a sparsely populated nation. Once considered the western frontier of the First Kingdom, its people are fiercely independent, and resentful of the fact that they were left to their own devices during the Great Strife. They, like the residents of the Free Cities that border Icefell Bay, declared that they would no longer bend the knee to a throne too far away to protect them. There are many border disputes, and many factions on both sides of the border that feel that the government on the other side is illegitimate.
A fifth Kingdom, and several independent city-states are also found in the region:
On the western side of the Inner Sea lies the Kingdom of Felisia - the land of the catfolk. The city of Baron's Point near its border with the First Kingdom is known as the most cosmopolitan city on all of Cartyrion. This city marks the end of the trade route used by Chittiki (ratfolk) gem traders to bring their goods to market; it acts as the main port for the Awkwani (birdfolk) city of Tuulwana Ruk as well. It also boasts one of the two great Arcane Academies of the world -- the other being in the Free City of Endmere in the northern Frontier lands.
Who do those rock-dwelling, bearded heathens think they are?! Doubling the gate tolls for our metal traders in Irongate? If they're not careful, they'll be taught a lesson soon enough!
At the borders of the First Kingdom, the Dwarven citadel called the Crystal Delve can be found. This independent stronghold, and that of the Iron Hills Delve farther east, are important trading partners with the humans of the kingdoms. The Dwarven city of Irongate marks the eastermost border of the First Kingdom south of the Iron Mountains and stands along the trade route to the Iron Hills Delve.
The Awkwani, who do not establish kingdoms anywhere, have two established cities within the region; both in border areas. They are both autonomous; unclaimed by any of the surrounding kingdoms. These are Tuulwani Ruk (The City of All Peoples) not far from Baron's Point, and Wuwari Ruk (The City of Winds) that controls the pass between Felisia and Tyrnabay to the west.
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