WORLD : NATIONS OF THE VERD

"Since the fall of the Asharic civilization, and their following Exodus, many clans, tribes, and general peoples from those storm-blighted lands would find themselves spread across all over the Verd, and as they settled down, nations were born. From the fires of great adversity and the hopes of unified peoples, the survival of mankind was assured, at the cost of the Asharic's forgotten legacies.

For over thirteen-hundred years, Caden's and Shandor's Folk have created great nations on the many continents, and only a few centuries ago they also expanded to the newly discovered New Verd of Pandora, where they found the kingdoms of the Caidhe people.

Throughout history, countless cultures would rise and fall, and from conflict, diplomacy, and competition, mighty Empires arose, and some remain even to this day: such as the Grand Caden Empire (largest of the Verd's nations), the clever Guilder States, the mystic Shian-Ti Empire, and the warring Iron Kingdoms."

Great Verd

THE GREAT VERD

Grand Caden Empire

The Caden Empire was unified some five-hundred years ago during the 'Unification', when the Kingdom of Cadenia of the Heartlands conquered and united the other kingdoms of the western Noranian peninsula.

At the time it was known as the Blue Empire of Cadenia, until the ruling Blue Queen died without an heir, and a civil conflict known as the Split Banner War began.

Crown loyalists won the war and established a Grand Parliament to rule re-unified provinces, until a worthy new Queen of the Blue Crown could be chosen. Despite finding a new Queen eventually, the Grand Parliament continued to stay in power, and have governed over the Empire ever since from the great imperial capital of Cadence.

Over the next centuries, the Caden Empire continued to grow in power and territory, as it assimilated nearby nations, and until it eventually spread across all the known lands of the Verd, and became the largest nation to have ever existed.

Now it holds colonies, territories, and vassalized states across most of the Verd, and the empire itself is at the forefront of the Etheric Revolution, as its lands and cities are transformed by the progress of industry. Additionally, Caden-held universities and colleges remain at the top in regards to scientific, as well as supernatural studies.

Collectively, the Caden Empire's combined territories are known as the Caden Commonwealth, though it is further divided into West, East, Far, and Grand Commonwealths.

Grand Duchies of Norlesia

Regarded as the birthplace and home of the Candler Faith, the Grand Duchies possess strong religious roots, and it is a realm ablaze with Light. Various grand citadels, cathedrals, and monuments dedicated to Candler Saints illuminate the lands in Radiance.

In the past, the ruling Dukes of the nation took much from the general populace, and enjoyed rich and prosperous lives in their mountain palaces, at the expense of the people.

It is then not bizarre that the Candler Rebellion grew as much as it did in the Grand Duchies, as the people united under Candler Saints in open revolt. Eventually, their victory was assured, and much of the power of the Grand Duchies shifted to the Princes; a Caden-backed faction who opposed the Dukes.

Today, the Grand Duchies are still ruled by Dukes, but alongside Princes they are kept on a more careful leash, as all who live in Norlesia now exist to serve the Candler Faith. Since the time of the Rebellion's victory, grand, illuminating monuments have been erected across the lands of Norlesia, which help to hold back the Darkest Nights.

The land itself can be very dry and barren, with rough storms plaguing the coastlands, and so the nation has bred a people whose faith is often tested. And now, come the War with the Iron Kingdoms, the people face yet another hardship to be endured in these equally trying times.

The Iron Kingdoms

The northern lands of Norania, just south of the immense Arcantian ranges, are the home of the great Iron Kingdoms. The first kingdoms were founded some time before the rise of the Caden Empire, although it is uncertain exactly when. Originally there were hundreds of kingdoms, but over the many centuries of war, conquest, and general conflict and strife, the Iron Kingdoms were reduced to a few.

The Iron Kingdoms cover a vast territory of many different climates. The majority of the kingdoms are found in temperate or arctic zones, with a few dwelling in mountainous regions, heavy woodlands, cool steppes, and warm deserts.

The rule of the land is heavily focused on the survival of the fittest. The weak are gotten rid of early in their lives, until only the strongest remain. Ironeers are a people of grit and conflict, and fighting is as valid as a conversation.

Among all nations, the Iron Kingdoms are the most militaristic, or at least the most warrior-like. While they might lack in technological advantages, they make up for in their sheer fighting power and ability to amass strong, fearless armies. To die in war is one of the greatest glories for an Ironeer warrior.

Many of the kingdoms still wage minor wars against each other, only really settling as allies when the High Kingdom of Kovos calls for a War March. Previous War Marches led to the Iron Wars, and the most recent War March has resulted in the current Third Iron War, as they march south to invade and pillage the southern nations.

The Guilder States

Larger city-states along the south-eastern coastlands of Norania grew as a result of tribes settling in a rich and agriculturally prosperous land, which they named Naradda.

In time, these city-states would unite in a loose alliance between ruling Doges and Dogessas, to pool together wealth, power and armies to dissuade outsider nations and tribes from invading the Doge States.

While the wealthy and powerful thrived, the lower classes suffered under poverty and oppression. It wasn’t until the Guilder Revolts that the people regained power once more, when the largest trade and labour Guilds overthrew the ruling Houses.

However, debatably it was only a brief century of equality before the new ruling Guilders began to act and look similar to the previous masters they overthrew. Today the various Guilder cities still remain in the alliance, and many cities are still ruled by Doges and Dogessas, whilst in some they might be ruled by Guild Councils. But above all, powerful, intricate, and confusing laws, known as the Patria Laws, are what truly rule the Guilder States. These laws govern all aspects of Guilder life; from the taxation of the sale of wheat, to seemingly ridiculous things like the sanctioned shoe-sizes on bakers.

Similar to the Caden Empire, the Guilder States are one of the largest and most influential nations in the entire Verd, whose focus is entirely on gaining wealth and procuring lucrative trade. They possess many colonies, known as Ventures, throughout most of the known continents, and their grand Armadas and Fleets rival the naval power of even the Caden Empire.

Hagen Republic

Sitting on the northern and western sides of Mount Glann, the Hagen Republic is the largest (and technically only) nation on Navar. It was founded sometime after the exodus of Caden’s Folk, and started out as a coalition of smaller clans and tribes of the region. Centuries of Guilder influence would transform the wild lands and elevate the population into one of the more civilized cultures in the world.

Alchemy and other chemical pursuits of research and interest are commonplace in Hagen; given that the jungles, bogs, and dank cavern systems of Navar are home to some of the most diverse and unique plants, fungi and herbs.

The volcanic ash of Mount Glann gives the land fertile soil for growing just about any plant the world contains, and so Hagen cities are often dotted with specialized botanical gardens and conservatories, as well as harmonious and thickly-grown parks.

The ruling power of the Hagen Republic is simply known as the Assembly, and is seated by representatives from each of the five major Hagen cities in Navar. Most members are in fact Alkamists, who are the chemist elite of the nation responsible for many alchemical inventions; not least of all the revolutionary creation of Alka.

Many Hagenites appear to have Wicht-related ancestries, which suggests that they once lived alongside the now long extinct Wicth people. Essentially, this means that ever since the Resurgence, many Hagenites tend to be born with Wichtblood, and thus possess traits related to the ancient and long-gone fantastical creatures, such as fairies, nixies, harpies, and so forth.

Fjordan Jarldoms

Sometimes also known as the Fjorden, the Fjordan Jarldoms are considered the very northernmost nation of the Verd. The ever-frozen lands of Fjorda lie in the realm of Arkanorsa, near the straits to Arcantis, where it presides over ice-filled fjords befit its namesake.

It is said that the Fjordafolk were once people of the Norvascan Isles, but they were banished in times of old. For what reason, no one seems to remember.

Fjorda is an unruly nation of jarls and rugged folk, who thrive and survive on a culture as sea raiders who attack and pillage distant lands like the isles of Norvasca, the coastlands of the Dunyedlands, and even sometimes the Caden Imperial Hearthlands themselves.

Their reavers bring back many resources to help in their people's survival of Fjorda's harsh frozen wastes, including the acquisition of captured foreign slaves.

Despite what some might consider a barbaric, lawless nation, the Jarldoms actually follow some very strict rules set on the principles of honour (or at least their own idea of honour), overseen by their Thingmeet Council, situated in their capital city of Njorvask.

As they are nearest the Iron Kingdoms, Fjordafolk reavers also often clash with Ironeers. However, despite the Ironeers' best efforts, attempts at conquering Fjorda have always been met with failure due to the Fjordafolk's expertise over the frost and ice of their homeland.

Freestate of Parithia

The Island State of Parithia lies in southern Seharn, where it is close to The-Storm-That-Waits, and those dark and unsteady waters around it.

Parithia is primarily a Pirate State, home to many types of privateers, pirates, corsairs, and similar kinds of sea-bound scum. Here they find a safehaven for their reaving across the waters surrounding Seharn, Tavyr, and in the Kadacian Sea.

Parithia isn't alone by itself, as it maintains a loose alliance with various other factions and renowned Pirate Captains throughout the Serpentine Sea, such as the lawless isles of Scavra, the Bleak Isles, and Jaccaro. Together they form the Scavra; a Council of Captains who rule the isles and waters around Parithia.

Additionally, Parithia recently entered into a defensive pact with the Mechian League, with the purpose of discouraging nations like the Hagen Republic or the Caden Empire from launching any large-scale invasions.

The Pirate State of Parithia is built on the ruins of the assumed former capital of the Asharic First Folk. There are several ruined grand structures in Parithia, but generally the pirates themselves don't care much for history, and have instead converted these ruins into private palaces and hideouts.

Mechian League

Mechia was founded by fleeing engineers and researchers, who were chased away from their home of Mercuria by war and persecution. Over time, they would create a new nation for themselves; a nation of machines and metallurgy.

Most of Mechia is nothing but a barren, volcanic island landscape, supported by little to no vegetation. It does, however, contain very rich veins of minerals on both land and in the shallows around it.

Mechia is touted as a safe-haven for free-thinkers, refugees, criminals, pirates, and outlaws. Its borders are open to most individuals, and although it is a small nation, its strong technological advantage over other nations gives Mechia an edge when defending against potential larger threats like wars and invasions.

Mechastra city itself is a large, towering city of metal, smog, etheric oil, and electricity. It is considered to be one of the largest cities in the world, and its maze-like streets consist of several levels that stack on-top of each other.

From the smog-filled spires at the very top, to the dark, hot, and winding tunnel shafts beneath the city, Mechastra is a world of its own, as whirring gears, steam outlets, buzzing circuits, and busy-bee mechanical creatures paint a picture of an industrially mechanized paradise.

Jin-Kir Alliance

A set of three large City-States, found on the isles of Kirin, Ishi, and Nagai in Solmun, make up the Jin-Kir Alliance. It is said that when Shandor's Folk left for the east, two clans decided to stay behind; one of which were to become the Jin-Kiri people.

The Jin-Kiri are a culture who specialize in creating highly durable glass, as well as glass capable of trapping Light and energies with higher ease and potency. In fact, nowhere else in the world are there as skilled glassblowers and glass-shapers as those found in Jin-Kir.

Jin-Kiri merchants are also known to be very shrewd and clever in the way they negotiate trade and prices. It is even said that these merchants can be quite dangerous, as they don't only possess sharp tongues at their disposal. When a Jin-Kiri merchant sets their eyes on something they desire, they will have it at all costs.

The customs found in Jin-Kir are considered very strange compared to most other nations of the Verd. For example, in Kho-Khoi, it is customary for a man to wear fish as socks when he marries, and women from Ishka are to wear a feather-sown veil at all times when between the ages of twenty-six and twenty-nine. In Shu-Min, it is common for snakes to be worn as belts; preferably live ones.

Kingdom of Suman

The dominant nation on the Solmun islands is known as Suman. It is a kingdom which once consisted of various tribal powers, who warred against each other for the right to rule on the largest island.

Eventually the tribes united, and a chosen Royal Tribe was established, and it has ruled ever since. Other ruling tribes were then elevated, and are now considered various Tribal Houses of high renown within Sumanese society.

The Kingdom itself is actually quite advanced in terms of technology, as they possess various simulacrum creations, and clever clockwork and glass machines that maintain their growing cities. In recent years they've been more actively involved internationally, but prefer to trade primarily with the Mechian League and the Jin-Kir Alliance.

Sumanese people are known to be quite prideful and serious in their tone and countenance, and metaphors or jokes are often elusive to them. It is even said that notions of humour go to Suman to die out, and that making a Sumanese person laugh, if even just snicker, is an achievement worth boasting about.

But, knowing this, it would be unwise to test the patience of a Sumanese person, as they won't hesitate to unsheathe a blade if they feel insulted.

Jewelled East

THE JEWELLED EAST

East Caden Commonwealth

Caden colonies and territories that are primarily on the Sarradian continent are known as the East Caden Commonwealth. This includes territories like the dispirited Waking Lands colonies, the much larger Caden Caliphates, and more isolated east-lying colonies like Osambar, Samarost, and Quarza, as well as any colonial settlements or outposts in Xim built on acquired land purchased from the Shian-Ti Empire.

It is in the Caliphates where East Caden is governed from, specifically from the city of Darqhu in Sakhara, with some administrative bodies also working from the city of Prosperity on the island of Prosper Gale, where the Prince Governor prefers to govern from.

Of all the colonial provinces of the Caden Empire, the East Caden Commonwealth is one of the oldest, as well as the best established. Before the Caden Empire had gained a colonial foothold on Sarrad, the territories belonged to various tribes, small, independent towns, and middling city-states.

Centuries of Caden colonial conquest and rule saw the elevation of the Caden Caliphates, and as its territories expanded, more tribes and city-states ended up joining.

Integration and eventual mixing of many cultures has led to a very distinct and unique society and culture in the Caden Caliphates, which outsiders might find unusual due to the presence of modern Caden customs, interwoven with more traditional tribal customs.

Unlike in most colonial provinces of the Caden Empire, the majority of citizens part of the East Caden Commonwealth are in fact natives, or they at least have strong native ties as part of Shandor's Folk.

Guilder 2nd Ventures

The 2nd Ventures are, of a majority, the various Guilder Ventures situated in or around the Sarradian continent. These Venture Colonies are fairly scattered, with some being a select few settlements and outposts in southern Sarrad, like Port Tylosh, Karacco, Tridago, Sarakevo, and Orien.

More developed and clustered colonies are the various island territories of the Apricot Isles, Tayvar, and Maralla, which are considered the northern gateway into the Farthest East.

In the past Oneir was also part of the 2nd Ventures, but a period of long-lasting storms saw some colonies isolated from the rest of the Verd for several decades. Oneir was later re-acquired, but it became a protectorate instead.

2nd Ventures have paid off for their investor Familia, much thanks to well-developed plantations, that produce sugarmilk, apricots, and tobacco. Any valuable resources like precious minerals or Lustre have long been mined out and depleted.

However, control over the northern routes into Xim affords the Guilder States easy access to trade with the Shian-Ti Empire, and over the centuries they have nurtured fairly good relations with the Farthest Eastern nation. It is this access to the northern routes that make the 2nd Ventures, specifically those colonies in the north, so very lucrative.

Protectorate of Oneir

Oneir began as a Guilder colony in its earlier days, which co-existed with a few local tribes in the Waking Lands. However, when the Waking Lands were isolated, the colony had to fend for itself, and was only able to interact and trade with the local Caden colony of Wakerest, which had also been trapped there.

When the storms abated and the Waking Lands were accessible again to the rest of the world, Oneir had survived, and also managed to prosper. It is said that Dream Witches had assisted the colony, but this was something the Guilder States couldn't support, as unsanctioned witchcraft is still largely illegal in all Guilder territories.

What followed after was a minor "invasion" by the Guilders, who scoured through Oneir on their witch hunts. It is assumed most Dream Witches have been caught and executed by now, but there are still rumours of women visiting dreams, using Dark Magic to instill mind-breaking nightmares to those who have wronged them.

Oneir itself was re-integrated into the Guilder States, but retained much of its own self-developed governance, as it was turned into a protectorate rather than reconverted into a pure colonial Venture.

Despite the witch hunts that devastated Oneir briefly, the protectorate still thrives on various trades and traditions, many of which still hold a hue of dreamscape about them.

Lucaman Sultanates

The Lucaman Sultanates can be found along the south-eastern coast of Sarrad; its cities settled on the rich, lush, yet mostly isolated coastline that runs from the Maraabine Mountains to the Lucaran Talon.

Rich land worthy for the agriculture of rice, fruits, spice, and tea leaves have helped in establishing Lucaman as a powerful and wealthy nation, and it is only in Lucaman that the noteworthy flower, Night’s Widow, can be grown.

While most of Lucaman’s cities and people are found in the four Sultanates of Maraab, Calum, Khivesh, and Lucar, a fifth but smaller Sultanate embodies the settlements on the more storm-plagued Solemn Isles.

The first cities were founded by outlying refugees following the sudden fall of Narumad, and over the centuries they grew and spread along the coastlands. The Sultanates lie mostly isolated from the rest of the continent, as the Sarukan Desert and the Maraabine Mountains act as natural, highly impassable obstacles.

This has meant that outsiders rarely ever came to the Sultanates during their earlier days, but as trade routes were established and roads built, the Sultanates have enjoyed more foreign visitors such as traders and diplomats; especially so from the west, like Caden.

The Black Citadels

The Dark Citadels are three major cities that are inhabited mainly by the Narum living in the Waking Lands. They are the largest of the Narum-based cities in the world, as most Narum who awake end up there.

The citadels themselves are semi-officially named the Dreaming Citadels; as many Narum still sleep within them. Outside the Dreaming Citadels the Narum have built walls and houses using the local black stones easily found along the mountains near Ossium. As such the cities look as menacing as the abyss; hence the more popular naming of the Dark Citadels.

Despite their shadowed and often dishevelled appearances, the Narum who live in the Dark Citadels are very open towards outsiders, and the cities are bustling trade-centres in western Sarrad. The ruling elite offer sanctuary for foreign ambassadors and diplomats, whilst merchants from the west often take a rest-stop in one of the Dark Citadels, before they continue onwards to the east across the Black Tombs and into the rocky sands of the Awakening and beyond.

The Dark Citadels are Astar-Kal in Ushabar, Kandar in Kanduhar, and Obsidium in Ossium. Astar-Kal is the most decorated, Kandar is the largest trade-hub, and Obsidium is the largest overall and most populated.

Kingdom of Carnach

Carnach is a region and small kingdom situated in central Sarrad, controlled by the Narum. It is ruled by a Narum King, who has been chosen based on the tomb he awoke from; a Sundath Tomb, which would mean he was once royalty in his ancient life.

Most Narum who seek to rediscover their forgotten pasts and roles come to Carnach, hoping that they can rebuild Narumad there.

The journey to Carnach from the Black Tombs is perilous, as it lies between the Awakening and the Buried Lands, and the land around Carnach is primarily desert overall. The only "watering-hole" for many miles is the capital city of Sanctum, where the majority of Carnachans reside.

Sanctum's most recognizable feature is its great white pyramid, where the King and his royals live. But at its top are the majority of Narum Oracles, who assist the King as advisors, and lend their trueseeing powers to aid any lost Narum in finding what their identity once was in their past lives.

Most Carnachans are Narum who wandered from the Awakening; having awoken from their tombs and being found by Carnachan excavators. These excavators, who control so-called Corpse Caravans, have been tasked with bringing as many sleeping and awoken Narum as they can from the Awakening to Sanctum, where they are taught and re-assimilated to roles fit for rebuilding the glory of Narumad.

Farthest East

THE FARTHEST EAST

Shian-Ti Empire

Xim is the home of the "One-Hundred Clans", and it is ruled solely by the Shian-Ti Empire (often called the Far Empire), which is seated by the three Eternal Empresses. The Empresses bloodline dates all the way back to Shandor herself, and it is said that each Empress is a reincarnated form of Shandor. They each rule their own part of the Far Empire; splitting it into three (the Eastern, Western, and Southern Shian-Ti Empires).

Shian-Ti is the easternmost nation in the world, and it holds dominance over the many islands and settlements of Xim, the eastern coastlands of Sarrad, the northern cities of Ishan, various isles in the Sea of Leviathans, and they govern the Shian-Zhi Tributary States in Kinthai.

The shared capital of Shian-Ti is simply known as Shandor, and was named after the Ancient Empress. It is often described as the floating city, as its buildings and various structures grip onto gargantuan, needle-like cliffs that spear their way out from the dark, fog-filled waters surrounding the city. Ancient bridges of stone connect the main pillars, with rope-bridges and skyboat stations connecting the rest.

The shining emerald roofs of the Shandor city peak at the top, and their sunlit glow dims as one falls further down the cliffs to the decrepit, more slum-like lower levels and harbours.

The largest, central.most cliff houses the Wakeless Necropolis; the grand palace where the Three Eternal Empresses reside, and where Shandor’s mummified remains are displayed.

Far Caden Commonwealth

The Caden Far Colonies consist of the newest colonies established on Ishan, in the Leviathan Archipelago, and the even more recent colonies on Kildara.

The Kildaran colonies grew mainly due to the discovery of gold and silver deposits in Nelvan Gale and the Westlodes, but the largest influx of colonists came as starmetal and sources of Lustre were found further inland towards the Elusive Mountain.

The colonies and outposts of the Westlodes, Indorra, and Nelvan Gale were primarily established by private Caden mining companies, and have also grown thanks to them. These companies keep their colonial offices in Kilead, in the city of Sinclair Hollow, from where they oversee their operations.

Despite this, the offiical power and true governance of the Far Caden Commonwealth lies in Galharpe of the island of Newcrown, found in the Leviathan Archipelago. This is where ships carrying mined minerals from Kildara will first converge, as they are homeward bound towards the Caden Imperial Heartlands.

There are, however, many dangers along this route: including storms, seabeasts, and pirates. The truth is that the Far Caden Navy is still heavily undermanned and under-supplied to protect most ships travelling the Black-Water Route, and these colonies being so far away from the homeland means they must find their own solutions to their problems.

Shian-Zhi Tributary States

The Shian-Zhi States are an expansive collective of various large regional states and city-states. Together they hold territory over the entirety of the north-eastern and eastern regions of the Kinthai continent.

The Shian-Zhi States were once independent by their own, and had developed for centuries on Kinthai away from any other civilizations, as no one knew of their existence. It is unknown where they originally hailed from, but their people share many traits with the Ximese, which could suggest that the first Zhi were from Xim from a very long time ago.

When Shian-Ti sailors pierced the mists of the Sea of Leviathans and found Kinthai, they also discovered the many lands and cities of the Zhi. They were, however, considered quite primitive compared to the society of the Shian-Ti Empire, and the Southern Empress saw opportunity in this discovery.

What followed was a war of conquest, as Southern Shian-Ti armies flooded the continent, and in less than a decade they had made all the Zhi cities and kingdoms their tributaries, which also effectively boosted the general power and influence of Southern Shian-Ti's Empress.

The people of Shian-Zhi currently endure strict disciplinary laws and teachings, and are required to undergo Shian-Ti education, to teach them about the modern world, and to better integrate them into Shian-Ti society and faiths. Various native faiths are slowly being pushed away and eliminated, which has upset the populace greatly..

There are many Zhi who despise their overseas kin, and the mountains and valleys are filled with ronin and rebel hideouts.

The Tribunal Cities

The Tribunal Cities consist of an alliance between the three Narum-dominant City-States on Ishan. As the name suggests, they are ruled by three rulers; one from each of the cities, known together as the Tribunal Lords. The cities’ inhabitants come from Rasja’s Tombs, the Rasja’Ta jungle depths, and the Khurati Coast; locations where many Narum tombs are still hidden and obscured by the thick, devouring jungle.

The first Narum to awake founded the three cities of Tal’Ratha, Von’Ta, and Ishvar, by using the ancient ruins of necropolises in each city as their seats of power. As the years passed, thousands of Ishani-Narum awoke and joined the cities. Those who didn’t remained in the jungles; establishing hostile tribes who cannibalize those they encounter. It is likely their awakening had somehow been corrupted by the invasive and hungering jungles; causing them to become mad and feral.

The local Tribunal culture is odd and disturbing for outsiders. Cannibalism is a common thing, even for those of the Narum who haven’t gone mad and joined the jungle tribes. City hunters track down hostile Narum and other humans alike, then bring them back for eating; despite the fact that Narum don’t need sustenance like common humans do, though they can faintly taste.

Most of all they are intersted in obtaining limbs and organs, which they can use to replace their own failing ones.

Guilder 4th Ventures

The most recent Guilder Ventures are the 4th Ventures. These are Guilder colonies that have been established within the last century, and are situated mostly in the Leviathan Archipelago and on the Kildara continent. There are even some colonial outposts in Xim, on land purchased from Shian-Ti.

The 4th Ventures used to be the dominant power in the Leviathan Archipelago, as a large influx of Lavoratorii caste workers took part in the initial Venture colonization, due high Prospect Pay being paid by famed Dogessa, Selina de Lio of Catalina, also known as the People's Lioness.

However, the fall of Port Sparda (former Venture colony) to pirates led to the creation of the Vandressi Armada, and a failure of the local Guilder Armada to contain or eradicate the pirates saw the Vandressi grow into a large presence in the Sea of Leviathans.

Since then, the 4th Ventures have struggled to maintain order throughout the Leviathan Archipelago, and they also now lack the resources and manpower to assist the colonies on Kildara as well. Because of the general failure of Port Sparda, most Venture Investors in the Guilder Patria States are very wary of investing in any potential new colonies.

Pandora

PANDORA

West Caden Commonwealth

Officially known as the Caden Colonial States, these territories are primarily maintained of the greater region of Cadonia, but also includes more distant territories like the isle colonies of the Pandoran Sea, and the Nazonian jungle colonies of Wyn-Gai, Blackprince, and Hunterhaven.

The governmental branch is run by the Colonial Congress, who, while they control much in the Pandoran Continent, are still subject to the Blue Crown's rule and the decisions of the Preeminent Parliament of the Imperial Heartlands.

The most developed colonies are found in Cadonia, otherwise known as the Cadonian States. The discovery of Pandora led to a huge influx of colonists and frontiersmen fleeing the Old Verd, which benefitted the growth of the colonial capital of New Victoria, and in turn the surrounding settlements as well. The rapid growth of the West Caden Commonwealth has led to it becoming quite powerful, possibly as strong as the Heartlands themselves.

The expansion of the Caden Colonial States have halted somewhat. In Cadonia the unification of the Confederacy of the Six Kingdoms has ensured that no new settlements can be established further westwards, in the Pandoran Sea the naval conflicts between the New Caden Navy, Hagen Fleets, and the Guilder Armadas bleed the island colonies dry, and the territories in Nazonia like Wyn-Gai struggle to survive against a jungle that actively tries to eat them alive.

Confederacy of the Six Kingdoms

The Confederacy of the Six Kingdoms is a collective alliance of the six largest Caidhe clan-nations in the western-known regions of Cadonia. These Kingdoms are: Tuathomak, Crannoc, Tirun, Maq-Taigh, Paquori, and Onwoda. Collectively they control a very vast territory, but rule themselves independently.

As Caidhe are primarily nomadic, they hold few actual cities, towns or villages, apart from temporary settlements that they move between.

Minor clans control specific territories within a Caidhe kingdom, with a hierarchy of clans ruling collective territories above them, and so forth. Smaller clans generally pay tribute to larger clans, and as a people the Caidhe from one kingdom don’t usually like Caidhe from another. But realizing the threat of the Caden colonists, the Caidhe of the Confederacy put aside their differences to form a united front, or have at least tried to.

The Confederacy was founded after the Caidhe clans understood that the Caden colonists only continued to expand further into their territories, and only by coming together would the Caidhe be able to halt their land-grabbing conquest.

Caden colonists quickly learned of the forming of the Confederacy after the fall of the Lost Colonies, when several war-parties of united Caidhe clans attacked and massacred the colonies of Delmouth, Wernsport, and Eilhart. Ever since then, the Six Kingdoms and the Cadonian States have held a standstill line between their borders.

Guilder 3rd Ventures

The Guilder Colonies found in the New Verd are known as the Guilder 3rd Ventures. Unlike the Patria States and the 1st Ventures, the 3rd Ventures are spread out thin, but can be found all over known Pandora, from the Pandoran Sea, to the north-eastern tip of Nazonia, to the dry coastlands of Pangolia.

The strongest 3rd Ventures are in the Pandoran Sea, where the majority of 3rd Venture governance is conducted. Various governors, Guild Captains, and Armadaros converge in the colonial city of Argo on the island of Philippa.

Other territories also include New Naradda, which is the strongest foothold of the Guilders in Nazonia. However, the colonial settlement of Nar Lostra struggles to maintain its position, as it is frequently beset by not only the local Caidhe, but the hostile wildife, and even plantlife.

In Pangolia, the Venture Colonies of Tylisha and Argentisia have grown quite steadily without much difficulties, except for the lack of manpower and resources from the Patria States. Hostile sealife along the Pangol Approach, like various kinds of whales and sharks, are known to frequently sink incoming ships.

In addition to the approach by sea, the local Moontouched Caidhe can be very protective of their spices; spices which certain Guilders might want to procure at all costs due to their rarity and value back home in the Old Verd.

The Moon Kingdoms

Moon Kingdoms refer to three independent Caidhe kingdoms, that were apparently once part of a larger, much greater Moon Empire, according to Caidhe Lorekeepers.

These three are the Kingdom of Malor, Kingdom of Woada, and Kingdom of Ashianak. Of the three, Malor is the farthest away from the other two, as it lies within Nazonia, and Woada and Ashianak border each other in the upper Pandor Peaks.

Malor is the largest of the three kingdoms, and it appears to be the most advanced too, as the Caidhe there have built cities, temples, and shrines, and live in tight-knit societies. Woada and Ashianak, on the other hand, are roamed by nomadic tribes, much like most Caidhe societies in Pandora, and they possess few known permanent settlements.

Despite being so far apart, and despite being independent kingdoms, all behold the same figure-head, namely the Moon Queen, who sits in Ainè-Catairh in the Kingdom of Malor. While officially she is the Queen of all the three kingdoms, all three tend to more or less govern themselves independently.

The Wandering Cities

The Wandering Cities are found in the desert-lands of Pangolia, where the Moontouched Caidhe travel across vast dunes and sand ontop of their No'cadhs; gigantic four-legged beasts that somewhat resemble elephants, that carry elaborate buildings and makeshift tent-structures on their backs. A fairly large Wandering City could have anywhere between ten to twenty No'cadhs, with a population of about a few thousand Caidhe besides.

While they are mainly nomadic travellers, the people of the Wandering Cities possess certain territories where the various cities can roam, and each city has its own rights to various watering holes. Typically, a Wandering City settles down for about a season or two, before they move out to other oases.

The Caidhe of the Wandering Cities are known to have traditions rooted in astrology and astronomy, as they use the stars to navigate the ever-changing sands, and moonlight is used to power and recharge many of their strange magic-like contraptions.

Additionally, the Moontouched Caidhe also value the various spices found growing throughout the desert; a special kind of spice that alters its properties depending on whether moonlight or sunlight touches it. In fact, it is considered so precious to the Moontouched Caidhe, that they aggressively forbid any of the non-Moontouched from possessing their spices.