The Amian Region

The Kingdom of Freyzenwald

Short: Freyzenwald

Adj: Freyzenese

Government: Elective Monarchy

Capital: Amaterasu

Major Cities: Yuki Jyorou, Scathach, Fort Chulainn, Neko Shogun, Inoue

A thriving, multicultural ocean kingdom. Freyzenwald was once but a small part of Gallaran, until a man of Hoshidan birth conquered and separated the land away from the Gallians. Or so the legends go.

While the kingdom holds an army of comparable size to that of Gallaran's own, the people prefer a lifestyle of peaceful prosperity. On top of which, the previous king and current royal family hold a great deal of praise from its people, winning many elections with an overwhelming majority.

Due to a mountain range cutting through the centre of the kingdom, the lands are varied and rocky. The climate, however, is much warmer and humid than the regular temperatures of Gallaran. Due to the mountains within Freyzenese borders, Freyzenwald found its riches through the regular excavation of top quality ores and gems. The top blacksmiths and craftsmen from around the region often flock to Freyzenwald to prove their mettle, and their metal.

However, the kingdom came to a screeching halt eight years ago, when the king's eldest daughter, and a favourite to take the throne, was swept away by pirates from the shores of Inoue. After numerous attempts to find and retrieve the princess came up empty, the king found himself in a state of depression. A few years later, he became bedridden with a horrible illness and passed away shortly after.

With the king’s only other daughter too young to take the throne, the government turned into a sort of senate run by all the king's former advisers. Out of respect to the previous king, and due to the people's wishes, an emergency election would run once the second princess turned eighteen.

Until a miracle happened. Four months ago, the eldest daughter suddenly returned, sailing in from a far off continent, to the delight and joy of all. Most citizens loved the newly transformed princess, who was almost nothing like how she was when she first left. Now, with the youngest princess on the cusp of turning eighteen, it's anyone’s guess as to who will take power.

And now, the cities. Yuki Jyorou, the kingdom's largest city excluding the capital, lies near the border of Khlin. Due to this, the area has a large Hoshidan flair. The militaristic town of Scathach to the east, is usually where most of the kingdom's armies make their home. The forges and coliseums here are unrivalled among the entire region.

The port town of Neko Shogun up north is known for their massive fish trade and aquatic delicacies. The town also holds frequent 'trading' festivals, where citizens can participate in massive auctions in the town square. Nearby is the quaint, peaceful city of Inoue, on the island nearby, where people go to relax and enjoy the warm sun and brisk wind. A modest statue of the king's eldest daughter can be found in the village centre. And as for the capital, Amaterasu, the city itself is built on top of a massive hill, alongside a small river running out from the bay nearby. The extravagant castle is built in the very centre of town, surrounded by said river as it flows through the city.

The Kingdom of Gallaran

Short: Gallaran

Adj: Gallian

Government: Absolute Monarchy

Capital: Alter

Major Cities: Verdia, Reever, Iniuria, Crimson (Fortress), Fort Fraus

A large, war loving kingdom with the most raw territory out of all the countries in the Amian region, Gallaran was once a small kingdom bordering the ocean, until they conquered their southern neighbours ten years ago. Now, despite having the largest army in the area by rough estimation, the kingdom has gone quiet. After the king quickly silenced what few protests he had about his kingdom, the people mostly appear content and happy.

The lands around central Gallaran are mostly flat grasslands, ripe for farming. The weather in these areas are often clear and sunny, with hot summers and cold winters, rarely dipping into extremes. A terrain difference is noted the closer one approaches the two mountain ranges bordering the country, as well as a general drop in temperature.

Due to Gallaran's abundant source of fertile land, the kingdom's top exports consist of wheat and various vegetables. Despite their militaristic actions of past, the kingdom is not known for their weapons or blacksmiths, and prefer importing their armory from elsewhere. And partly because of these imports, the kingdom leans towards a Nohrian style culture.

The current king, Ethan Bertram, was a feared warrior, and an incredible general, leading his armies from the very front in the previous war. A man with an iron will, the kingdom thrives under his strict regime. Of his six children, the eldest, and heir to the throne, Niko Bertram, has already gained the admiration of his people despite his young age. He even commanded his own squad of soldiers at the age of fifteen.

As for its largest cities, Verdia, a rather lively city to the south, was the former capital of the old kingdom to the south. And if their citizens are upset at being conquered, they hide it well. Reever, the large city to the kingdom's north east, frequently finds itself populated by various cultures that come down from the nearby mountain range, such as beast races like Kitsune or Wolfskin. Most assume the beast races had formed a small off tribe up there, as the treacherous terrain is largely unwelcoming to human expeditions.

Iniuria, located in the centre of the kingdom, was once a military fort in the war against the southern kingdom. Now, it's mostly been converted into a peaceful farming village. The nearby Fort Fraus stands between the mountain range to defend the country from any barbarians coming in from the empty no-man's-land to the east. Opposite to it is its cousin, the larger and far more intimidating fortress called Crimson. The Freyzenese people like to assume its just there to intimidate them, or to prepare for a potential war in the future.

Lastly, the capital city of Alter is one built on top of a rough slant of terrain. Far to the north, the city finds itself with the coldest temperatures in the entire kingdom, with some particularly nasty bouts of strong winds that occurs often. The city also has a rather large population of Manaketes, who migrated from Pileus farther to the north.

Khlinese Oligarchy

Short: Khlin

Adj: Khlinese

Government: Oligarchy

Capital: Intetsu

Major Cities: Kranhai, Fort Ikkigane

A land of discontent and bitterness, the Hoshidan inspired kingdom of Khlin frequently complains about their faulty, elitist government, and often harbour jealous thoughts about their significantly more prosperous neighbours. Due to their similar cultures, citizens of Khlin often cross over the border to live in Freyzenwald instead.

The kingdom is run by a small group of individuals, who pass power onto their children instead of an election like Freyzenwald or Valenheim. And unlike Gallaran, the government here is ineffective and often downright cruel to anyone not of the elite. Rumour has it that a revolution is being planned in the kingdom, and members of the government has begun to wall themselves off in the capital city due to it.

Exports from the country are also in shambles, due to the infertile land and lack of precious gems in their mines. The sweltering heat and general lack of humidity doesn't make living conditions any more favourable.

Currently, the country has found itself separated into two sectors. The government, and some members of the elite, hole themselves up in the capital, Intetsu. Most of the citizens, and the man whom most suspect is leading the rebellion, resides in the rapidly growing town of Kranhai. Fort Ikkigane to the north was built to handle an invasion from Freyzenwald, but nowadays most Khlinese just use the fort to migrate into Freyzenwald.

Republic of Valenheim

Short: Valenheim

Adj: Valian

Government: Republic

Capital: Arc Vi'itur

Major Cities: Valsin Tanious, Elstrom, Genniur, Ankai (Fortress)

The land of the arts, Valenheim finds its niche in the Amian region through its artistic citizens. Numerous famous paintings, statues, and even theatre shows have originated in Valenheim, with new works being produced every single day. The country is also famous for their apples, grown in bulk from the massive apple forest near the borders. The fruit is also the countries primary export.

The cities themselves, on the other hand, are rather competitive with one another. The capital, Arc Vi'itur, and the countries second largest city, Valsin Tanious, hold frequent artistic competitions against each other. Both cities even prefer handling their own affairs, despite the qualms of the countries leader in Arc Vi'itur.

The smaller town near the border, Genniur, prefers enjoying the finer things in life. Like wine, and apples, and more apples. Barbarians don't disturb this apple loving town often, due to the fortress Ankai, where the country's entire army can usually be found. Due to their weaker nature, barbarians often prefer heading down to Valenheim, rather than the alternative of Gallaran.

Finally, the island town of Elstrom is a massive port for merchants, as the town also regulates passage to and from the Concordia strait. Also worth noting are a strange species of birds found only on the island of Elstrom, the Noot. A flightless, odd sounding owl in the shape of a ball, the Noot is rarely found outside of Elstrom, and are usually kept as house pets.

The Terrian Theocracy

Short: Terria

Adj: Terrian

Government: Theocratic Oligarchy

Capital: Draika

Major Cities: Pileus

A cold, forested kingdom sealed off to almost all outsiders, little information comes and goes from Terria. The kingdom is also home to many dragon-kin and dragons, whose fearsome combat abilities scares away any who dares approach near the country. Some say that many other dragon kingdoms lie further north of Terria, but those rumours have yet to be proven. The temperature also becomes dreadfully colder the farther one travels north, turning away most prospective explorers and killing the rest.

But it's not all doom and gloom in the dragon kingdom. Out of the two cities known to man, Pileus is located on an island south of Terria, and contains manaketes who disagree with the xenophobic nature of their home country. Here in Pileus, brave tourists venture to the island from Alter, to experience Terrian culture. Some manaketes have even dared to migrate to the mainland from Pileus.

Dwabi

Short: Dwabi

Adj: Dwabi

Government: ???

Capital: Dwabi City

Major Cities: Baun

An island packed with dark skinned natives, the country is a popular tourist destination due to its magnificent beaches and unique foodstuffs. The natives of Dwabi get quite antsy if you desecrate anything they consider sacred, however, so tourists over the years have become very respectful. While most natives remain at home for most of their years, the few ambitious individuals that choose to leave the island usually become famous and renowned. Most of the higher class restaurants in all four of the main kingdoms are led by a Dwabi chef, and some have even worked their way into becoming a retainer.

The tribe has no designated leader, and most decisions are carried out independently between the tribes two cities. But despite the lack of structure, the unrivalled unity between the people of Dwabi is a testament to how well their system works.

Also worth noting is a species of bird found only on the island of Dwabi, the Ploop . Named after the sound these birds make after sitting on you, the Ploop are sacred to the people of Dwabi, and cannot be removed from the island. These fat balls are also literally incapable of flying the full distance to the mainland. They also poop a lot. It gets kinda gross.

City-State of Concordia

Short: Concordia

Adj: Concordian

Government: City-State

Capital: Concordia

Major Cities: N/A

The massive city-state located on the island at the centre of Concordia lake, the city is usually the site of many important discussions and meetings due to its neutral stance and location. While the city is rich and populated, the entire area has been walled off with numerous defensive buildings in place. Due to its massive, strategic placement, it’s a safe bet to ensure the city is always protected against anyone who might want to break their neutrality treaty.

The city itself is based on top of a collection of canals. Citizens here are quite skilled in navigating small boats because of this. Seafood in Concordia is also quite unique, and species served here are rarely found elsewhere in the region, such as the salmon. And while their artistic abilities can’t compare to the artists in Valenheim, the city has its own, unique artistic culture.

Pirate Coves

A group of islands run by a notorious group of pirates specialized in human trafficking, these coves have sat unconquered due to a combination of their own powerful navy, and everyone else's lack of one.

A massive war seven years ago between the pirates and a navy created from the combined strength of Freyzenwald and Valenheim was likely the closest anyone has ever come to breaking the pirates defenses. Unfortunately, the pirates remain undefeated in the waters.