Around it are younger, more vibrant states, often ones that have broken away from the Empire. Over the mountains is the bleak, grim land of Halvay. Across the ocean is the other continent, containing the state of Zassapur, and the island realms of Ath-Kathla and Zassall. Magic works and is common. Many Gods are known and revered, and there is little doubt of their power.
Humanity is ascendant, but other races are common.
While the various states seek to impose law and order on their realms, the lands are wide and wild enough that there can be adventures anywhere. Nothing unusual there, then. However, around them the Empire is crumbling. The East Marches, only conquered in 840, rebelled in 905 and broke away. More recently, the region west of the Marches, now called Naralay, revolted successfully, taking with it a major Mhorannese city, Adne.