The Known World

The known world is a continent in the middle of the Arashi Sea. The continent is currently broken into 7 nations. Below is a description of each of these, and a brief description of their notable people.

The Ice Hills

The northernmost nation is known as The Ice Hills, and it is known for being made up of hearty, rugged people able to withstand the arctic winters. Large predators roam around in the warmer months, and it is a rite of passage for teens on the cusp of adulthood to go out on hunting parties. Their leader is the Chieftain, a great warrior who leads their people with strength, honor, and a measure of fear. Amongst their advisors is an elderly shaman said to be able to bring back warriors from the dead.

Westlight

South of The Ice Hills and along the western coast sits the forest nation of Westlight, ruled by two royal monarchs, the King and Queen. Some of the monsters from the north make incursions on their northern borders and of this reason they have several orders of knights, one of which patrols the land defeating monsters and making it safe for everyone. They are known for their rich oral history and takes of chivalry and valor. Prized timber grows over the entire nation and is their greatest export.

Badaoin

East of Westlight lays Badaoin, a mountainous nation rich in gemstones and ore. The people there value hard work and put in several decades in the mines before retiring to elderly communal villages where they enjoy the relative ease a life of austerity provides. Underground hot springs act as the focal point for many communities, and council leaders are all elders who have retired from labor. The current ruler is an Elder who has held the role for over a decade.

The Red Empire

The Red Empire is a nation south of Westlight and is also along the western coast of the continent. It was once a collection of smaller nations and city states, until the first Red Emperor one generation ago united them all under one banner after a bloody campaign. The inquisition, led by a high ranking military officer called the High Inquisitor, still seek out rebellion and dissidents throughout the country. The land itself is fertile and produce much of the continent's food.

Avannis

Avannis is a small nation nestled between The Red Empire and The Sun Tribes Federation, know for it's amazing architecture in the capital city and quality of artisans. The governing body is actually the Academy, with the High Chancellor being the head of the academy as well as the nation. There is no military to speak of, but it maintains excellent trade arrangements with its neighbors because of the excellent artisan items it produces.

Sun Tribes Federation

The Sun Tribes Federation is a large desert nation of nomadic tribes and horse people, south of the great mountains of Badaoin.  Moisture is trapped up in the Badaoin mountains, so the air in the Federation becomes very dry in the summer. Rains in the winter bring the desert oases to life. The current leader of Federation is the Warlord. The spiritual leader of the land is the High Priestess who is said to commune with the Moon Mother.

United Southern Cities

The most southern of nations, The United Southern Cities, or the USC, is a thin coastal nation that wraps around the entire bottom tip of the continent. It is a collection of numerous port cities with a non-militarized (and instead mercantilized) navy. The centralized government collects tariffs from all foreign importers and uses the proceeds to provide relief and aid to those affected by the annual storms that destroy the coastline. The head of the nation is the Governor, an elected official who sits at the head of the Sea Council. The Commodore is their right hand adviser, who commands the fleet of merchant ships and is responsible for the defense of all fishers.

The Arashi Sea

The sea has always been a dangerous one and sailors who make their living upon it are known to be the most foolhardy thrill-seekers of anyone. Fishermen are paid well for their years of service, and pearl diving is an ancient profession passed down through hereditary lines to keep the secrets of navigating the dangerous waves. The northern waters are much too cold for anyone but the ice fishers to venture out onto it, but the incredibly dangerous storms of the south are legendary in their potential for destruction.