The Known World

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The Known World

To most people the 'Known World' is a collection of many islands with crude political boundaries, dominated by the lands of the Merebian Empire.

There are indications that other lands lay outside of the 'Known World' - in particular, the Eastern Empire of Si-Kiang - but these are so distant as to be outside of the concern of the populace.

The Merebian Empire

Although the ever-rising sea levels in the known world have reduced the land-mass of the Empire in recent years the underlying military, economic and political strength of the Empire still continues to dominate the known world.

The Empire consists of Dominus (the largest island of the Empire), Academia, Chundria, Erganth, Karameizante, Lichenburg and Thorast.

The Lands of the Ophidium

The Ophidius (also known as Yuan-ti) rule the snake-like, jungle covered island far to the south of the Merebian Empire. The Ophidius are a matriarchal society that specialises in the trade of exotic goods to the Empire.

Byzantrium

Once a proud self-governing model of human democracy this land has fallen foul of a terrible curse which has turned its people into the demonic 'Children of Orcus' (otherwise known as Tieflings).

Gebbezra

Ruled until recently by a dynastic line of Pharoahs, Gebbeszra is now governed by a joint council of humans and saurians. The peace between these two races is not an easy one though and the council has been dissolved several times within the last decade.

The Alliance of Independent Races

This loosely aligned group of nations was first brought together by the General and since it's considerable victories against the Empire has managed to become a serious rival to the Empire's position. It consists of Lucienia (a human nation that resisted Imperial interference), Nallurok (home of Orcs), Orkarus (a shared Orc/Goblin nation), Minosha (the land of the Beastmen) and Mortrach (ruled by Bugbears and Hobgoblins).

Gryphos

This island is ruled by the Slaver Guild (also called the "Slave Lords"). It is the source of all the slave trade, and much of the piracy, in the known world. It is ruled by a reptilian species of humanoid the refer to themselves as Dragonborn.

The Forgelands

Originally the centre of the Merebian Empire, this country is now governed by the golem-like race known as the Constructs and, to a lesser degree, the Tinker Gnomes.

Zotaquaanus

Although a large land mass, most of the country is made up of the Silva-Apenar range of mountains. The coastal towns are run by race of humanoids known as "Skavos". To the north-eastern tip of the island is the lush "Wild Vale", home to an isolated tribe of Elves and the ruler of the country, Zotaquaan.

Disputed lands

There are numerous small islands of less than 50 miles (80km) across which claim to be independent. In reality, these islands are often used as "bargaining chips" and are swapped between nations for diplomatic purposes. As they tend to be of little strategic or economic value they are, in effect, independent up to the point where their governing nation need to use them.