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Kingdom of Varellia
The Realm of Varellia is a fairly prosperous kingdom that sits in a broad valley that is bounded to the north and east by the Dark Mountains (Akh-athrim) and the hills of the Stone Barrens mark the western borders with the Blasted Wastes and Tangled Forest. The Tranquil Sea borders on the south. Notched Pass leads north through the Dark Mountains to the collection of cities known as the Northern Principalities. Lake Varen dominates the area south of the Varenfell and the River Varen and its tributaries are the dominant water source and form of transportation to the north of the capital. The parts of the valley that aren’t cultivated are most often forested, with a few swamps and fens at bends in the many creeks and rivers that run down the valley. The Silent River is a muddy twisting river that leads from Lake Varen to the Tranquil Sea, widening into Still Lake before bending back towards the Tranquil Sea.
The human, halflings, dwarves and tieflings of Varellia have light-coloured skin, though this is by no means a rule since many travellers arrive in Fallpath and travel throughout the kingdom. The elves of the north have green or brown hair to better blend with their surroundings. The dragonborn who live in Varellia have more of a tendency toward brown or bronze scales, though this is less prevalent in the southern parts of the kingdom, where many dragonborn are ex-pats of the Southern Principalities.
Kingdom of Akhadell
The Dwarven Kingdom of Akhadell [Dwrv: Mountain homeland] is situated on and underneath the Akh-athrim (Dark Mountains). Much of their agriculture is done in terraces carved into the mountainsides and the valley of Ak-reneth, but their major trade is in the production of well-constructed armour, weapons and intricate mechanical designs. To the west and south of the kingdom, the Kingdom of Varellia constitutes the closest ally that Akhadell has. To the east, the tribes of goblin, hobgoblins and bugbears that constitute the former Kingdom of Baghestra (now the Baghestran Tribes) harass the mountain passes as brigands. To the north, the Northern Principalities have a moderate trading relationship, but they have never been military allies.
Akhadell was once a satellite kingdom of a mighty dwarven empire that prospered in the east. Around the time of the devastating earthquake that struck Bael Turath, any communication with the empire ceased and teleportation spells to the capital no longer functioned. Rumours hold that the empire was under a vast mountain range that collapsed into the great cavern, which collapsed further due to the dwarven excavations until the rubble found itself under sea-level. The suspected location for the remains of the capital is the Bay of Wyrms, between Hantumah and Dukkharan.
The Northern Principalities
The cities that make up the Northern Principalities all have fair relationships with each other due to their shared history, but in general keep to themselves and trade mainly with each other. Most of the cities are set on fertile plains, which are extensively farmed, though the tiefling dominated port-city of Immeral has a lucrative fishery as well and the halfling city of Rivenbrook dominates the trade in elven goods. In addition to the major cities, there are a number of smaller villages, which are primarily independent with tariffs imposed by different cities.
The many species that make up the Northern Principalities come in all colours and varieties since they are often the descendants of refugees or refugees themselves. A city with no overt enemies, ruled by your own kind, and open to new citizens is a rare thing in the world and is used by all five city-states to build themselves up.
There are tribes of shifters that roam the Northern Plains, following the herds of elk and buffalo that still move around the area. Most of the city-states leave these nomads alone as long as they don’t actively participate in inter-city conflict through mercenary or espionage activity.
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