Bal-Morath

Situated in the south-east corner of the Merebian Empire is the land called Bal-Morath. It is unusual in the Empire for three main reasons;

• It is a republic and not a kingdom
• It's dominant race is not human but Tiefling
• It's the home to about 10% of the Imperial Navy

Geography

The climate in Bal-Morath ranges from 'merely' warm and humid in the north-west to almost tropical in the south-east with ferns and palms being common tree types.

Notable Places

The capital city of Bal-Morath is Zantrus and is also the major port of the region. The other most notable place is Firtalé which is home to the largest school of Wizardry in the Empire.

Politics

Bal-Morath was the fourth kingdom (after Lyrazante) to fall under Imperial rule, after nearly 50 years of hostilities, in 166 IC. At the time the land was a kingdom but successive, almost despotic, monarchs eventually resulted in a revolution that turned the nation into the first Republic in the Empire (although technically a 'pseudo-Republic' as it was never truly autonomous). It's last king, Halames (whose great grand-daughter married Emperor Justinian II), was exiled to Yuritan. Many of the old noble houses still exist though and many people still regard any lineage that relates them to one of these houses as a source of pride.

Except for a brief reign by the Cult of Orcus at the end of the 2nd century, Bal-Morath has been run continually by the Council of the Archons for nearly 200 years.

The official language of Bal-Morath is "Morathian" almost most people also speak "High Merebian".

Economy

Bal-Morath has good natural resources in the form of bronze and silver but is also known for the export of tropical fruits and herbs (the latter being very useful by the medical profession). The region is a major importer of steel which it seems to have no natural source of.

Flora and Fauna

Ask any human what the most unusual animal that lives is Bal-Morath is and the most common answer is Tiefling. It should be noted that not all natives of Bal-Morath are Tieflings though. Although the curse that created them affected the majority of the population it was by no means total. Also, those Bal-Morathians that were not living in the region at the time were spared the consequences of the curse. Hence, 'only' about 80% of Bal-Morathian natives are actually Tieflings.

The republic is also the home of the only known flock of the gigantic birds known as "Roc".