The Kingdom of Isteroth (Setting)

You hail from the city of Droe, situated deep within the sandy expanse of the Kingdom of Isteroth. Outsiders regard your homeland as a harsh and unforgiving wasteland where the once mighty empire of Terice rose and fell, leaving behind a scarred land as the greatest legacy of it's passing in a tragic event known as the "Sin of Terice." Those more worldly, however, realize that the folk who call Isteroth their home have learned not only how to survive, but to thrive amidst the blinding sandstorms and burning sun which bear down upon their home.



Among other things, Isteroth boasts the richest arcane history of the known world; and particularly brave adventurers often travel her unwelcoming sands in order to plumb the numerous ancient ruins within. Isteroth is also well known for it's exemplary silks and other fine fabrics, and the wealthiest of the elite among the world often adorn themselves with the greatest Orian fashions in order to impress and outspend their peers. The Mavelo Mines on the southern border of Isteroth are rich in gold, amethyst, fluorite, and other gemstones, and it is this constant flow of excavated gems which earned the nearby city of Droe the nickname 'Jewel of the East.'



The politics of Isteroth are surprisingly nuanced. While the entire land is under the preeminent rule of a dynasty of aristocrats of Noble House Mu'Beah, the actual functioning of government more closely resembles a democracy than a rulership. The Premier of Isteroth -- Currently, Premier Rah'issa Mu'Beah XVII -- truthfully holds little more than symbolic and ceremonial power from her grandiose palace in the massive metropolis of Orius. True political power lies in the hands of the nine Istrothi Elders; each hailing from a different province within the kingdom, and each representing the needs of his or her province. The position of Istrothi Elder is an elected one, though only land owners have voting right -- one single vote to be cast in the name of each land owning family. (Legally, the family vote is the sole privilege of the house Matriarch). Moreso than perhaps any other Kingdom, scheming is synonymous with politics in Isteroth.



Even to those well-adapted to life in Isteroth, however, life can be dangerous. The southern border is often plagued by orcs (and occasionally, ogres) who come down from the Alturin Mountains; sometimes to strike at the Mavelo Mines and steal some of it's treasures, other times to raid outlying villages. Rarely -- but recently, more often -- numbers orcish raiders have even moved close enough to threaten the well-guarded city of Droe, though the massive gates of Droe have not been breached since before your father's lifetime. These raiders very rarely strike from the eastern border, however, as that would mean trekking through the almost ironically named Meslan Woods.



The Meslan Woods used to be just that, many centuries past. But now, the entire swash of forest stands as a dense maze of petrified wood amidst barren ground. The Meslan Elves call the woods their homes, and some believe that they are the blood descendents of the remnants of the once mighty Tercian Empire, while others believe they were once normal elves, but their connection to the land caused them to be deeply affected when the land was scourged by the 'Sin of Terice.' Whatever the case, these elves are insular and deeply xenophobic, and while they rarely pose a danger to those outside their territories, it is known that those who enter the twisted forest of Meslan rarely are seen again.



Perhaps the largest, most looming threat exists to the north, within the Sands of Eran, and still further north around and above the fortress city of Corelan, where countless gnoll clans eke out a violent existance. While they have been known to make war on Isteroth, they are often too preoccupied with inter-clan feuds to mount any credible threat to the nation as a whole. The Istrothi elders are not inclined to mount a concerted attack on the gnollish clans, for fear of giving them reason to unite.