Northern Continent (Kishanko)

Geography

The Northern Continent features the Ktal mountain range in the north, the Forest of Gentle shadows in the northeast, the Valley of Shadows in the southwest, and the Great Forest of Sylvanos in the middle. The south is mostly plains with sandy (or rocky) beaches located along the shoreline. The northern shore is entirely cliffs of various degrees, making landfall near impossible. The east has one safe port, while the west's coastline is occasionally racked by storms.

Kingdoms

Karnhanar

Home to the dwarves, Karnhanar is a rich kingdom found beyond the Ktal mountains to the north on a small peninsula. The cities and villages within are protected from invasion by high, sheer cliffs and Karnhanar is believed by most to be an impregnable fortress nation. Despite this belief, the dwarves keep a well trained army and stockpile of weaponry, in case of treachery or powerful attack. Every year they wage a defensive battle against the Xyx Ktaln, which lasts from spring until summer. Karnhanar's standard is an axe and hammer crossed over a shield. Principal Exports: Armor, Refined Metals, Weaponry, Principal Imports: Art, Pottery, Fruits

Garos

A peaceful kingdom ruled by the kind Queen Mina, Garos controls a small region directly to the north of the Forest of Gentle Shadows, bordering on the Ktal Mountains. A strong Border Guard exists to repel the Wolfen attacks which come from the forest. The kingdom still prospers, however. The capitol, located atop the Garos Plateau, is the location of the Ancient School of Enduring Stone, one of the Eight. Garos is renowned for its collection of Ancient artifacts and High Tongue documents. The standard of Garos is an Angel, female, holding a sword aloft, with the word 'Eternal' beneath it. Principal Exports: Art, Elemental Stones (Earth), Jewelry, Pottery, Sorcerers, Principal Imports: Elemental Stones, Refined Metals, Weaponry

Sidun

Located within the Valley of Shadows, Sidun is the Kingdom of Eternal Twilight. Ruled by the Council of Clans, a group of powerful and ancient Vampires from the War of Thought, mortals are advised to stay out of the kingdom without official permission. Sidun is also the location of the Unbroken Circle of Eternal Night, one of the Eight. Limited trade does occur, and somewhat surprisingly, Vampire Hunters are welcomed into the kingdom. Of course, the amateurs never make it far, but the professionals do provide a bit of excitement to the noble vampires, until the hunters are destroyed, of course. Tourism is an increasing industry here, and the Vampire Lords are presently undertaking a serious environmental reconstruction of the entire kingdom to make it less hostile to casual visitors. The standard of Sidun is a black spider on a field of gray. Principal Exports: Art, Elemental Stones (Shadow), Gold, Sorcerers, Principal Imports: Art, Books, Elemental Stones

Sovereign Democracy of Grand Ktal

Stretching from one end of the Ktal mountains to the other, the Sovereign Democracy of Grand Ktal uses a peculiar method of choosing its leaders called 'voting'. Village mayors are elected by the people of the village, and they meet in council to chose their regional governor, who then meet to chose their August President of Grand Ktal. Title of any sort must be earned through service, and officials only serve for five years at a time. Oddly enough, the system works and the Ktaln are happy and prosperous. Trade is brisk, tariffs and taxes are light, roads are good. All of this is due to Ktal's machines, powered by boiling water (steam). Steam engines ply the mountain roads, carrying goods and people across the entire mountain range in a matter of days, instead of weeks. The Sovereign Democracy boasts no standard, their flag is a simple geometric pattern of triangles and squares in black and white. Principal Exports: Art, Books, Machinery, Weaponry, Principal Imports: Elemental Stones, Gold, Refined Metals

Sylvanos

The Great Forest of Sylvanos is considered by elves to be the heart of the world. In the center of the forest grows the mighty World Tree, which is the very first tree ever, over a thousand meters high it soars above the forest, visible even outside of the Great Forest. The World Tree is magical, it grows Nature Elemental Stones amongst its branches, and shelters the elven people from harm. The elven court of Sylvanos resides amongst its gentle shadows, and the August University of the Green Cycle, one of the Eight, lives amongst its leaves and branches. Sylvanos adopted the World Tree itself as their standard during their founding, and has not changed it since. Principal Exports: Art, Elemental Stones (Nature), Fruit, Silver, Principal Imports: Elemental Stones, Weaponry

Zeran

The small kingdom of Zeran is located at the only safe harbor in the east, called Zeras. Zeran has little military might, both at land and sea, but is immune to attack, being under the protection of the Grand College of Undying Waves, one of the Eight and located within the capitol city, Zeras. Ships come to and from Zeras to trade quite often, although not as often as they do to the free port, Jarna. Zeras boasts a Teal Dragon cresting a wave as their standard, despite the fact that the Dragons of Water have been thought extinct for centuries. Principal Exports: Elemental Stones (Water), Trade Goods, Principal Imports: Elemental Stones, Trade Goods

City States

Jarna

A port city on the southwest coast, Jarna is a free port. It has no taxes, tariffs, or banned goods. A haven for smugglers, pirates, and rogues, Jarna does a brisk trade in everything that is illegal somewhere, somewhere other than Jarna, of course. Jarna is the one few city-states that openly practice in the slave trade, earning them the enmity of Ktal and Garos. Jarna's standard is a set of balance scales, colored silver. Principal Exports: Trade Goods, Principal Imports: Everything

Peaceful Harbor

A small fishing community in the south, Peaceful Harbor does a limited traffic in Water Elemental Stones, which sometimes wash ashore here. Peaceful Harbor has no armed forces, and thus no standard. Principal Exports: Elemental Stones (Water), Fish, Principal Imports: Everything else

Sulmarin

Located on the southern side of the Forest of Gentle Shadows, the city of Sulmarin is best known for the Uzuki Kensei School, located within the city walls. Sulmarin has no military, they rely entirely on the goodwill of the Uzuki Kensei School for protection. When the students of the Uzuki Kensei School ride to the defense of their homes, they do so under Sulmarin's standard of a wolf seated beneath an ironwood. Principal Exports: Blademasters, Principal Imports: Elemental Stones (Air and Fire), Refined Metals