recursal/Fanatic-Fandom huggingface dataset:
De Caringois

House de Caringois was a powerful Lacrivian noble family before the Great Gap. They held the County of Roumur from 155 until the dissolution of the house in 273.

De Caringois had its roots in the original settlement of Lacrivia, as retainers of the legendary Bertrand du Guesclin. They held several small baronies later on, but really hit their stride in the mid-2nd Century.

The House de Caringois took advantage of the exhaustion of House de la Munte and conquered their holdings - the County of Roumur - during the Third Siege of Roumur Castle. Adding this to the holdings of its branch families, the leadership of House de Caringois declared the formation of the Duchy of Lericonnia.

The house faced an internal struggle during the early 270's due to animosity between the two heirs Jaqcuise and Berengar. This, added to the strain caused on the de Caringois manpower reserves following the disastrous Siege of Clernois, was enough to fracture the family in two.

With House de Caringois fractured, Jacquise became the head of House Relecont, while Berengar became head of House de Remerre.

The arms of House de Caringois were 'Sable, six decrescents Argent within a Lericonnic sash.
Garth Goscelin

Garth Goscelin (722 - Present), formerly Guard Captain Goscelin, is a Faramondian commander in the War of the South Lake. He is a retired captain of the Faramondian royal guard.

## Background

Goscelin boasts several decades of experience in military affairs, often advising the King on such matters during his time as a Guard Captain. He retired seven years ago, at the age of thirty-five with a pension granted by the King, and took up residence in Fallholt.

## War of the South Lake

Once the War of the South Lake began, Scanbroughan forces swiftly occupied Goscelin's home of Fallholt, though Goscelin himself managed to escape. He gathered several of the town rangers, who also escaped, and travelled to Goldenleaf to repeat this action.

Goscelin and his band, now around a dozen strong, had a run-in with the light cavalry detachment posted to guard Faramond Keep while travelling to Windmere. They suffered light losses repelling the cavalrymen and relocated to eastern Gabrainn, always increasing in size as more Gabrain and Faramondian men-at-arms joined the band.

Hearing of the Allied invasion of Dunfleasel, Goscelin directed his force to Limebridge, expecting to find a small detachment there to occupy the town. He was correct in his assumption, and his forces ambushed and annihilated the Allied force half a league from the town.

Rolling on the high morale from his victory, Goscelin judged that his force of around five thousand could drive back the cavalrymen guarding Faramond Keep. Though he did not expect the two hundred cavalrymen to have been reinforced by Cont Bellevue's three thousand men, he still handily defeated them in the Second Battle of Faramond Keep with assistance from the city garrison and royal army, who sallied out during the battle.

Currently Garth Goscelin is at the head of the Faramondian royal army as well as several thousand Gabrain men-at-arms and ridires. As the Allied army is heading to Rolimar to repel the combined League army, Goscelin is trailing them to cut off any retreat.
Sarvalneiv

Sarvalneiv is a country on the Flentia River, part of the Western Wing of the Sacred Coalition. It is formed of two cantons; the east (Sarvos) is the larger of the two, governed from the capital city of Sopiesta, while the western canton (Naevus and Terpontia) spans both sides of the river and is administered from the inland city of Borcianska.

The incumbent monarch is Maron Gavranus, Duke of Sarvos and Naevus. His predecessor Verdan inherited both duchies through marriage, though upon Maron's death the duchies are expected to separate again as the duchies are divided between his sons, Marden and Jarcos.

Due to its complex geography, Sarvalneiv has many neighbours: Fal Buscua, Grioja, Druqua, Patronya, Travaenia, Uclos, Anstura, Hogh Anstura and Ulthuena.
Qairi

Qairi is a Parsanian city located in the Shahdom of Sahran, roughly 250 km southeast of the capital of Soran. The settlement itself is a major administrative centre in the area, and is dominated by the Castle of the Sun, a fortification commissioned by Shah Vahraz II during the 7th Century.

Qairi is the personal domain of the Sheikh of Sahrani Kath, currently Sheikh Arman the Red.
Adagan

Adagan Khan (447 - 528) was the last ruler of the united Tungrid people. Facing oppression and harsh treatment by the Remans on whose land they lived, Adagan moved his people west to the Trade Lake. There his forces defeated a Varholdian alliance and collapsed the state that led it. Moving further through, Adagan decided to settle his people once they reached the West Sea, a prominent location in Tungrid mythology.

Adagan decentralised his government in his old age, setting each of his many sons as the governor of a different area of his lands. When he died the Tungrid lands were split between them. These states included Barzal, ruled by his second son Behnam; Ormol, ruled by Ormahas; and Krasnar, led by his oldest son Kaihan.

Adagan was such an influential and universally-respected ruler that, after his death, the practice of naming others after him was outlawed. He is said to have ascended to the heavens to assist the Tungrid sky god Hulunbajin.

## Issue

Adagan recognised seven of his sons as legitimate, listed in order of birth:

* Kaihan
* Behnam
* Torgalijin
* Bortei
* Ormahas
* Huslan
* Uchiqin

In addition, he had four high-profile illegitimate sons, each of which also garnered enough power to form a splinter state after their father's death:

* Megujin
* Eldegai
* Kutlugh
* Ghunan
Vorge River

The Vorge River is a major waterway on the north shore of the Trade Lake. Originating somewhere in the realm of the Mountainfolk, it runs roughly south through the Vorforst in Satï before crossing into Talor and terminating at the Greenstream River shortly before the latter's termination at the Trade Lake.

The Vorge River has several bridges, though less than most rivers due to its width, depth and the speed of its water flow. The most famous of these is the Vorgebirge, joining Imvalta to the west and Havolsi in the east. This bridge was built on the site of the ford used by the Tungrids after the eponymous battle.
Clanoît

Clanoît is a coastal town in northeastern Lacrive. Bounded to the south by the Ruadhain Forest, Clanoît is equidistant between the Gabrain border to the east, and the Ruorgagh River to the west.

Until 638, Clanoît was part of Faramond. When it began to disintegrate, Lacrive took advantage, annexing Clarnough (as it was then known) along with its neighbouring towns of Ruorgagh (Rogneus) and Barrymuttle (Bòrmomble). Originally Clanoît was awarded to House de la Mar, but after several years the title was confiscated and given instead to House Broglie, a family of Gabrain turncoats who had pledged allegiance to Lacrive following the Attack on the Ruadhain Forest.

Currently Clanoît is struggling with its cultural identity. Lacrive attempts to assert its values, beliefs and ideals by way of force, though the villagers still speak Low Lakespeak instead of the dialect of Dalforean spoken across Lacrive. Religion and manners are other dividing factors, and the people of Clanoît are generally sullen and resentful in the presence of the heavily-armed Lacrivian patrols present to 'keep the peace'.
Varland

Varland is a country on the northwest shore of the Trade Lake. It borders Ulgard to the west, Hanharth ot the east, and Oethen, Flenburgh and The Spur to the south.

The summer capital city of Fjoll lies in the south, on the coast of the Trade Lake. It directly governs the towns of Kolgrafir, Miklagil, Borgardalr, Kalgrafir, Olafsvellir and Asbjarsholt. The towns of Ulfsjoll, Hvammr, Leira, Reykjaholt, Hafr and Groeningr are governed from the winter capital of Njarovik.

The flag of Varland consists of two white Varlish sea dragons, separated by a solid white bar; all on a brown field. The dragons represent Varland's past and future, separated by a bar to represent the Varland of the present.
Uulin Mountains

The Uulin Mountains, called the Adat Aal Mountains in Kajasthan, are a high, narrow range of mountains separating Suren's Desert from the Trade Lake basin. They run from the Korunn River in the south to the Kaja settlement of Sabbaz.

Traditionally the Uulin have been a barrier between the harsh Kaja culture and that of the Trade Lake basin, working together with the Dale Hills and Lericonne Mountains to create two separate cultural identities on either side of the ranges.
Shakoshima

Shakoshima is a town on the island of Shakoshima, a highly autonomous region of the Kingdom of Kamkara.

## Etymology

Shakoshima is named after the Japanese characters 舎故島 - Sha Ko Shima. This translates to 'Island of the House of the Dead', in reference to the mausoleum built for the captain of the Shima Maru.

## History

Shakoshima was founded during the Age of Migration in around 600BCE by the crew of the Shima Maru. The settlers put ashore when their captain was taken ill. He died soon afterwards, and the crew interned his body in a mausoleum on a hill overlooking their camp. During the construction of the mausoleum, they took notice of the rich natural resources in the area, and permanently settled on the coast below the hill.

The hill ultimately became known as Shakoyama, and the town on the coastline below it was originally named Shakomachi. However the latter name never stuck, as the settlers saw no purpose in referring to their new town as anything other than 'the town'. It was ultimately discarded, and the town became colloquially known under the same name as the island itself.
Helnas

Helnas is a major Dalforean city in the southeast of the country. It was the first port of call for the exiled Fallen Company under their leader Count Godefroy Le Maitre ,and serves as the administrative centre for the region of Halnar.

Helnas is a small city dominated by a squat, grey keep. This castle, the Stone Keep, was built following the settlement of the Tungrids in the surrounding areas in the 6th Century, and is maintained by the Mayors of Helnas as their civil headquarters.

The city lies on a crossroads: the north fork leads to Avisir Post, the east and west to Ashfeas and Boith respectively, and the southern fork splits into roads to Lylf Thaeth and Fanoris.
Ribohame

Ribohame is a Talorian town near the capital of Eorlsburh. It serves as the seat of the royal House Gothelm.

Ribohame lies on the junction of roads from Eorlsburh in the east, Cynrheorst to the southwest, and across the northern border to the Kafetran town of Fiorese. It is known as an industrial town, harnessing the power of the nearby Aeder River to mill grain imported from the plains of the Vestr region and treat lumber from the Cwylming.

The Gothelm family, despite being the local noble house, has traditionally kept its hands clean of the town's industry. The mills and sawmills are mostly controlled by commoners with high ambitions, though recently the Gothelms have realised the lucrative nature of the industry and begun to try and rein back control through political clout.
Suren's Desert

Suren's Desert is the name given to what is known in some cultures as the Central Desert; this is the large expanse of rock and sand in the central north of the continent. It is inhabited mostly by Halarbians, Barcunians, Kajas and Parsanians.

## History

The desert was named after Suren, the leader of the Parsanian contingent and a famous war hero from 1st Century BC Parthia. He was raised up to a godlike status by the Parsanians following his dynamic and massive contribution to the Tyrant's War, adding to his already over-inflated ego.

When the Halcyonian Flotilla arrived in Tairghol, he declared that he would settle in a place that reminded him of home. This home he described is said to have been the Zagros Mountains in modern Iran, because he settled at the foot of the only mountain in the only desert in Tairghol. Both the settlement and the desert were named after him, and while the city's name bastardised over time to Soran, the desert has managed to maintain its name thus far.

## Geography

Suren's Desert lies in the heart of northern Tairghol. In terms of elevation it is a raised plateau, averaging around three hundred metres above sea level. It is bordered by several river valleys - the Flentia River valley in the east and Spurnian River in the northwest are the two largest.

To the north the desert fades into temperate forest and grassland as the climate is affected by the Mountainfolk realm, and the same happens to the west with the Trade Lake basin which, shielded from Suren's Desert by the Dale Hills, has its own climate. In the south, there is no such shielding, and the desert gives way to steppes and plains as the elevation slowly decreases. The southern border of Suren's Desert has historically coincided with the southern limit of human kingdoms in the area.
Mezia (region)

Mezia is a flat, grassy region in the west of Kafetra. It is bounded in the east by the Legnasian Forest, in the north by the Huon Range, and elsewhere mostly by the Astarciy and Hurva rivers.

Mezia is governed from the city of Sirio in the central-south of the region. In the north, the mountainous town of Caltini maintains the border with northern Harä. Travelling along the river, Avermo and Fabricata are charged with the same duty, both situated near the Astarciy River.

Going along the Hurva River and bordering Dalfore, Polcato and Neza carry out the same job as above, and Sofcoro, while not on any river, maintains the border with Talor.

The most central town in Mezia is Eluneo, lying exactly in the middle of the region. The centre is sparsely populated, and Eluneo does not serve as much more than a simple waypost between western Kafetra and the capital city of Ensempia.
Vaserias Smyrnos

Duke of Geloudon

Strategos Vaserias of Geloudon (631 - 685) was a Carusian nobleman, head of House Smyrnos and military commander during the late 7th Century. He is well-known for the part he played in the early Telesian War.

Vaserias succeeded his father Denarias as head of the household in 658 at the age of 27. He wasted no time in getting amongst the upper nobility, and in 665 managed to secure the hand of Adyke Puterionas, the cousin of the King of Carusia at the time. Vaserias became the first-choice military commander of the realm, serving as Strategos of the realm from 670 until his death in 685.

When Carusia became involved in the Telesian War in 683, Vaserias was tasked with leading the Carusian force. He campaigned alongside Cyclosian forces under Strategos Enceladas of Demelca in 683, 684 and 685.

During the campaign of 685, the combined forces captured the city of Telesis but, after holding it for several weeks, were forced out. Vaserias and his men were separated from the main column and hounded south towards the Zapardian Mountains. After being chased for almost a week, Vaserias chose to stand his ground at the hamlet of Helacia. Vaserias was killed, along with most of his men, during the ensuing Battle of Helacia. He was succeeded as head of House Smyrnos by his second son Alexandros; his eldest son Gerontius had been with him at Helacia.
Spanghero

House Spanghero is a noble family holding the Barony of Boullac in southeastern Lacrive. They are currently direct vassals to the King of Lacrive, but this vassalage is expected to soon be passed over to the Duc d'Argenin.

The Spangheros only recently gained their title in 683, following the conquest of the lands from Mamelkert during the War of Aqzar in 678. They are loyal to the Ardouins, and vehemently oppose their neighbours House du Ponce and House Boudon, both of whom are members of the Ligue de l'Epe Gaine.

The Spanghero arms are 'Ermine, a bend Gules upon a bend invected Or'. They can be more simply put: 'Ermine, a Lericonnic Sash Or patterned Gules', though the term Lericonnic Sash is not widespread outside Lacrive and may therefore cause confusion.
Omarah

Omarah is a Parsanian country resting in the crutch of the east and west branches of the Spurnian River. It is bounded by Sawistan, Omeland, Lastornia, Qar Parsana and Sahran.

Omarah can be split into the north and south. The north, governed from Balsarak, is home to the towns of Halat, Bagorabad, Bardurlaran, Daqoli, Jadabad and Rurkhlah.

The south is centred around the capital, Nadhawa, and contains the settlements of Otadura, Eshra, Daghisi, Nasaqla, Qandagan and Numara.
Vestr (region)

Vestr, also called Vestria, is a grassy, flat region in the west of Talor, bounded by the Trade Lake in the south and the Astarciy River in the north and west. To the east lies the Talorian region of the Cwylming.

Vestr is governed from Fenwich, and comprises the towns of Hydale, Upmoor, Ganruck and Trelham. The region is home to the noble houses of Hardwalden and Heidael, hailing from Fenwich and Hydale respectively.

The region has been inhabited, like the surrounding areas, since time immemorial. Vestr was home to a series of primitive kingdoms in the centuries leading up to the Great Gap, and afterwards had been absorbed into Talor, a nation that was birthed during the later part of the Gap and spread, eventually, to the entire region between the Astarciy River and the Greenstream River.

Since then, Vestr has suffered cultural instability - though the Talorians from near the Greenstream weren't much different to the original Vestrians, Cyng Dagheard the Welcoming allowed the Fallen Company and their followers into Talor, on the condition that they be settled around Vestr. This led to massive clashes between the native Talorians and the newcomers - mostly Lacrivian in culture.
Sevlian Mountains

The Sevlian Mountains are a range of mountains that form mankind's southern border in Tairghol. They separate the Snowfolk, on the southern side, from the Varslavic and Duslavic countries to the north.

Currently four relatively powerful countries lie on the Sevlians: Kharkasy, Ghorny, Korletsvoy and Igashikuze.
Prye River

The Prye River is a major river in western Tairghol. It originates in the hills separating the Trade Lake basin from the Central Desert and runs north-north-east until it empties into the trade lake.

The Prye forms the border between Scanbrough and its neighbours Roumidia, Oshijan and Senheim. It has one major tributary, the Korunn River, which joins it two fifths of the way from its source, between the towns of Abdikent (on the east bank inside Roumidia) and Pryebank (on the west bank inside Scanbrough).
Xigaz

Xigaz is currently the capital city of the tribal Kingdom of Oshijan. Situated in the far southeast of the country, it is nestled in the low foothills of the Uulin Mountains and connects itself to the Oshi towns of Ruyixia and Kaxiang via beaten dirt paths.

Xigaz boasts unique architecture even for the Oshi; while other towns are entirely above-ground, buildings in the Oshi capital are traditionally below-ground structures, with only fortifications remaining above-ground. There are several reasons behind this - Xigaz is closer to desert culture than orthodox Oshi; desert cultures use underground storehouses to keep crops and produce dry and cool. Over time these storehouses have become houses for the citizens of Xigaz as the Oshi factions of the north and west raided the settlement, burning the wooden above-ground structures time and again.
Nagrecost

Nagrecost is a large Nagar-speaking country in the extreme east of the Vasterlands. Separated from Pharom and Ravlen by a range of high hills, it mostly interacts with its western neighbours Lartesis, Kodevend and Iorea.

Geographically, Nagrecost is fairly hilly in the south, though the north is flat and grassy. To the east lies the Nagregji Bay.
Ravlen

Ravlen is a tiny country on the west bank of the Flentia River delta. Governed from the city of Vost Ravlen, it maintains a cultural identity different to that of its immediate neighbours, the Cudumbian states of Pharom and Tra Stor. It, as well as most of the countries on the east bank of the Flentia, is descended from Celtic colonists.

Before the Great Gap Ravlen was part of a much larger country, Havaria, which was a Reman client state occupying the coast of the Flentia River delta and much of the land Reme had annexed from the Fen Boroughs in the 2nd Century BCE. Havaria had established Ravlen as one of a pair of trading posts: Vost Ravlen on the western shore of the Flentia was built to receive trade from its sister city Ast Ravlen on the eastern shore, and pass it along to the Nagar countries further west. This trade route was vital for Havaria's survival - the Nagars mostly traded Havarian dyes and cloth for iron, bronze and tin mined in the foothills of the Mountainfolk realm, which was needed to fuel the Havarian war machine in times of war with the Fen Boroughs.

Following the Great Gap Havaria was no more, its cities razed to the ground and its people either dead or fled to Vost Ravlen, boosting the city's population.
Zaranikyie

Zaranikyie is not so much a country but a warlord's fiefdom. Along with Ueda, Sukazu and Kitabatake, it forms an area which is intensely threatened by the Plainspeople. The latter attack in hopes to break the only land route between northwest Tairghol and the powerful winter kingdoms to the south which are protected from the Plainspeople by the Zapardian Mountains.

Because it lies on the border of Pyotrpod and Granica, Zaranikyie is composed of a mixture of cultures. The southern lords are tough, fierce Kaiganese, and those of the north are culturally Hvitrian.
Van Woltheboer

House van Woltheboer is an Oetherian noble family, and holds the title of the Duchy itself.

## Coat of Arms

House van Woltheboer currently has the continent's most complicated coat of arms, due to the recent Oetherian trend of quartering coats of arms upon succession.

The blazon for the head of the family, Jan-Frans van Woltheboer can be simplified to 'Quarterly, I and IV the arms of Geldt van Woltheboer; II and III the arms of Fleur van Eisendorf', overall an escutcheon Or, five Oetherian flames'.

The arms of Geldt van Woltheboer and Fleur van Eisendorf can be split further:

- Geldt van Woltheboer: 'Quarterly, I and IV the arms of Hendrik van Woltheboer; II and III the arms of Lisanne van der Haar'.

- - Hendrik van Woltheboer: 'Quarterly, I and IV Or, five fleur-de-lised leopards; II and III Party per bend, in the upper ermine, in the lower fusilly in bend Gules and Or'.

- - Lisanne van der Haar: 'Quarterly, I and IV Azure, Lleuwen the Raucous; II and III Gules, three thistled towers'.

- Fleur van Eisendorf: 'Quarterly, I and IV the arms of Dietrik van Eisendorf; II and III the arms of Elske van Ingen'.

- - Dietrik van Eisendorf: 'Quarterly, I and IV Gules, a cross between eight caltrops, all Or; II and III Argent, Marcel du Roos'.

- - Elske van Ingen: 'Quarterly, I and IV, Purpure, an escarbuncle edged by anchors Or; II and III, Argent, a morion helm above a portcullis of the second, flanked by twin spears'.

Overall the blazons can be combined together, but it makes for confusing reading: Quarterly, I and IV quarterly, I and IV quarterly, I and IV Or, five fleur-de-lised leopards; II and III Party per bend, in the upper ermine, in the lower fusilly in bend Gules and Or; II and III quarterly, I and IV Azure, Lleuwen the Raucous; II and III Gules, three thistled towers; II and III quarterly, I and IV quarterly, I and IV Gules, a cross between eight caltrops Or, II and III Argent, Marcel du Roos; II and III quarterly, I and IV Purpure, an escarbuncle edged by anchors Or; II and III Argent, a morion helm above a portcullis of the second, flanked by twin spears; overall an escutcheon Or, five Oetherian flames'.
Ontus (region)

Ontus is a region in the west of Falsil, governed from the city of Bargaria. It comprises the settlements of Ghelares, Ouranis and Sefsem.

The region is hilly and temperate in the north, owing to the ranges of hills separating the Central Desert from the Trade Lake basin.In the south, Ontus becomes flatter and hotter, with the grass giving way to desert near Sefsem.
Yudao

Yudao is a country situated on the eponymous island to the west of Tairghol.

## History

Yudao seceded from Tianguo in the 680's following a row between the island's governor Tan Tai and Emperor Dali Wei. The argument is believed to have been about possession of Dali Wei's favourite courtesan, who had been provided by Tan Tai several months earlier. Tan Tai fled the palace by the skin of his teeth and his fleet sacrificed itself in the Blue Delta to give him time to escape.

Once he arrived back on Yudao, Tan Tai made Panhao his capital and declared the island independent. He was aware of the war Tianguo was waging on the seceding states of Kuojya and Zhang in the south, and knew the fracturing kingdom could not keep Yudao from its independence.

True to Tan Tai's word, Dali Wei focused his efforts on Tianguo's land borders instead of contesting Yudao's independence. The island opened diplomatic relations with Dalfore and became an important trading post between the Dalforean League and the Isles of Pelomidea in the south.
Vasterlands Fleet

Following the dissolution of the Halcyonian Flotilla, the fleet that travelled west along the coast of the Vasterlands was composed of two major groups.

* The East Asian group was primarily mediaeval Chinese, Japanese and Koreans led tentatively by Yue Fei, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and Yi Sunsin respectively.
* The Babylonian group was, obviously, primarily Babylonian, but also contained Serbian and Armenian ships led by Stefan Nemanjic, which had been separated from the main South Slavic part of the flotilla. The Babylonian portion was commanded by the epic hero Enkidu of Ur.

As the fleet travelled, the long ocean journey began to show on the hastily-built and badly-engineered Babylonian ships. They dropped out of the fleet early and settled on the coast of the eastern Vasterlands, later becoming known as the Chaons.

Later on, the Armenians settled as well, this time in the central Vasterlands, and were followed by Sunsin’s Koreans stopping on the Geung Peninsula. These groups became known as the Armedeans and Huons respectively.

The remaining portions of the fleet were the Chinese, Japanese and Serbians. They set sail south along the western coast of the continent. A fragment of the Chinese fleet attempted to settle on the Isfelian Plains, but were eradicated by an unknown force later identified as the Running Men, an early offshoot of the People.

Further south, the Qiutianshan Mountains proved a strong enough memory of home to entice the remaining Chinese settlers to land there. They later became known as the Tianguese, after the main modern power of this culture. The Serbians landed not much further on, on the north coast of the Persidian Sea by the city of Pyotrpod. They are now known as Harvotans. Finally, the Japanese settled on the central and south coasts of the same sea as the Kaiganese, bringing the journey of the Vasterlands Fleet to an end.
Toumanii

The Toumanii were a tribe of Vadyans living near the Bay of Amharon during the 2nd and 3rd Centuries.

They first came into recorded knowledge in the 130's; a princess of the Toumanii married into the more powerful Asorii tribe. After that, the Toumanii snowballed in power and prestige. By 190, the Toumanii controlled the entire northern shore of the Bay of Amharon, ruling from the town of Lijvar.

A prince of the Toumanii rose in the following years: Amharon. Leading the Toumanii to war, he conquered first Norzhen, then Tzilkar and Gyimru, and finally Sarkap. With this he completed the conquest of the bay that was later named for him.

Prince Amharon ruled with avarice and greed, treating the neighbouring tribes with contempt. They conspired against him, and in 239 the Toumanii were attacked on all fronts. They held out until 242, holing up in their ancestral fortress of Lijvar. They were eventually overrun, though, and by 245 the Toumanii were extinct. Lijvar was burned to the ground, and today no sign of the settlement remains, except for a small mound and an expanse of salted earth where no crops grow.
Lylf Thaeth

Lylf Thaeth is a pair of Dalforean towns, originally called Lylffe and Taeth, lying near the coast of the Bight of Taerth.

## History

Lylffe was founded when the Dalforeans first arrived in the area during the 5th Century BCE. As such it is one of the country's oldest settlements, a town planned by Isfelor to ensure Dalforean dominion over the entire Merkata River, along with Kesnor and Lilfellyn.

Lylffe was a prosperous port town for a long time, lying at the base of the large shallow Vermel Bay. Over time it was joined by roads to Ulfmell and Ashfeas.

Following the Great Gap the physical landscape changed. Vermel Bay dried out, leaving Lylffe six hours' walk from the Trade Lake. This was a major issue, and Lylffe's population plummeted. Its strategic and economic importance dropped steadily until, following the Tianguese River War, it was mandated by the government to 'recover at all costs'.

As a result the mayor of Lylffe commissioned a new port - Taeth. It was to be the new location of the town, with all of Lylffe moving to the coast. This plan was unpopular with the locals, and the mayor ended up enlisting pioneers from the large cities of Unetheas and Helnas. Taeth was founded and the road between the two settlements improved - travel between the two generally takes three hours on foot and four with a horse and cart.

Nowadays, though Lylffe and Taeth are two separate settlements with different attitudes, they are legally recognised as a single town.
Oshijan

Oshijan is a country lying near the southern shore of the Trade Lake, landlocked by its neighbours Scanbrough, Senheim, Kajasthan and Roumidia. The insular state maintains relations with Roumidia alone.

Oshijan has a significant Kaja-speaking minority in its southeast, though its size is decreasing exponentially as more conservative rulers take control of the country, wishing to expel the foreigners.

The country was formerly a part of Kajasthan, though it broke off in the 7th Century. Since then, its rulers have built high walls on the surrounding hills to ward off raiders, as well as the Kaja who maintain claims on Oshi land.

In the desert style, Oshijan maintains no administrative regions. Instead, all settlements are self-sufficient and pay tribute to the capital. There is still a slight split between east and west due to differences in ideology.

Settlements in the conservative east include the capital Xigaz as well as smaller towns like Kaxiang, Ruyixia, Ninchi and Gasar.

The more liberal west, detached from the Oshi-Kaja struggle and linked to friendly Roumidia, is governed from Duikangol and contains the settlements of Zhari, Zengsi, Jieze, Dongru and Aming.

## Culture

The Oshi language and ancient culture are inherently Caharlic, related to those of Huon Sa, Cudumbia and Tianguo. It is a mystery how the Oshi came to be where they are, though scholars speculate they either split from the other Caharlians early or accompanied either the Tianguese or Huons to their destinations, heading to the Trade Lake once their companions settled.
Rechalian Isle

The Rechalian Isle, known also as Rekalya, Recharl and Chail, is a large island situated in a mssive bay in Tairghol's east. It separates the Bay of Teuthria from the Ursyan Sea and is home to half a dozen countries.

Geographically Rechalia can be split into three regions - Ursia in the south is a flat grassy plain. A low range of hills separate the northern island in two: Brunden in the south and Percis in the north.

Rechalia has an interesting mix of cultures - Percis has been settled by Kharosians while Brunden is home to a unique culture combining elements of Varlish and Angaran. Ursia's inhabitants are a mixture of both.

The Isle is split between seven countries. In the far south, Arpia has its smallest cantonment, Minursya. This is surrounded by the sea in the south and by Lithary to the north. Further north is Selvaty, and Lithary's east is Marland. Percis is entirely contained in the Kingdom of Albemark, while Brunden is split between the independent city of Brundennia and the Kingdom of Skagaland.

There are two minor islands off the coasts of Minursya and Albemark - the islands of Viltros and Wendel respectively.
Richaud dò Dalaix

Richaud dò Dalaix (741 - Present) is the incumbent Cont de Bourac, the ruler of the small Lacrivian town on the Balantegue River. He is the head of the House dò Dalaix, a relatively new noble family put into power after House Lafambroise was ousted from its seat in a ducal power struggle in the 7th Century.

Cont Richaud is a commander in the War of the South Lake; he and his levies and retinue are currently occupying the Gabrain capital Kingheda while the main part of the Allied army moves to meet the Dalforean League in combat at Rolimar.
Sawistan

Sawistan is a small country lying on the upper reaches of the Spurnian River. Governed from Batra, the only other towns of note are Janrabag, Gapathar, Pathur, Jalanpra, Rajalgar and Lunasi.

Sawistan has four neighbours: friendly Omarah and Sahran, hostile Kajasthan and neutral Omeland.

Sawistan tore its independence from Kajasthani hands following the violent succession of the Kajasthani King Aorshan II. It was immediately befriended by Omarah and Sahran, denying Kajasthan any chance at taking it back easily.
Vallavegas

Vallavegas is a Helian city lying on the Arahagh Plain. It is currently the capital of Omeland.

## History

Vallavegas was founded by mediaeval Spanish settlers from the Flentia Fleet in the 7th Century BCE. It rose to prominence as the centre of one of the early kingdoms of the area, later passing into the hands of Briawicke in the late 2nd Century.

By the 4th Century, Vallavegas had become part of the Spur. Always lying on the edge of this merchant republic, the city found itself neglected and, like other Helian cities in the area, formed part of a cultural minority blamed for essentially everything that went wrong in the Spur.

Shortly before the Great Gap, the Vardanid Empire declared war on the Spur in what would later become known as the Spurnian Subjugation; Vallavegas was quickly overrun during the war and, after the Gap, emerged as the capital city of the new Helian nation of Omeland.

From here Vallavegas grew poorer. No longer part of a burgeoning trade state and taxed dry by new Vardanid overlords, the state of Omeland had virtually no income at all. It was only once Omeland broke free of the Vardanids in the 7th Century that Omeland became rich again as a result of agricultural advancements and tariffs along its stretch of the Spurnian River.

Vallavegas was showered in gold by King Enrique IV, and to this day is forced to maintain a large, well-vetted city guard - both to prevent civilians from stealing the gilding from the many civic buildings, and to ensure the guards did not steal them themselves.
Ormahas

Ormahas was one of the sons of the Tungrid leader Adagan Khan, and served as the first Khan of Ormol after the unified Tungrid state fell.

Not much is known about Ormahas other than that he was a charismatic leader, able to rally a fairly large area to his banner. He was able to take control of the Tungrid capital Ormol Camp, boosting the economic and political power of his splinter state.

The Ormas Gulf is named after Ormahas.
Wealton

Wealton is a large town lying close to the Talorian border with Kafetra. It is the first major stop for traders from the north, though not the initial one; as such, Wealton is not as rich as one may suspect for a town subsisting on trade. In fact, its western neighbour Trelham, being the first stop for Kafetran traders, is close to usurping Wealton's position as the most influential northern town in Talor.

Wealton is the host town for a tournament that takes place every three years, as well as a large mock battle annually.
Ran Hansha

Ran Hansha (693 - Present) is an admiral hailing from the frozen port country of Kamkara. Having spent his entire life at sea, Hansha is still sprightly despite his seventy-one years, and is currently on the brink of decisively defeating Kitabatake in the South Persidian War.

In terms of a personal life, Hansha was granted noble status as a reward for his defeat of the Red Dolphins pirate fleet at the Battle of Horufunga in 738. This elevated his family, now the House of Ran, into the lower nobility and Hansha was granted hegemony over the Kamkaran island of Eyuja.
Mezilegnasian War

Combatants| Kingdom of Legnasia | Astarcian ConfederationLegnasian defectors:* County of Giuglia
* County of Vento
* County of Arevecchia

The Mezilegnasian War, also known as the War of Kafetran Unification of the Giuglian Forest War, was a conflict fought between the Kingdom of Legnasia and the Astarcian Confederation. It resulted in the annexation of the former by the latter, and led to the subsequent creation of the Kingdom of Kafetra.
Oq Parsana

Oq Parsana is a Parsanian country on the far eastern edge of Suren's Desert. It is bounded by the desert-plains states of the Jhaladis and Gerentis to the north. To the east lies the Sacred Coalition, namely Corrinum and Falminarum. To the south, the Mustanian countries Bala'ad and Sharaf, and to the west are Oq Parsana's cultural kin, Kath and Qar Parsana.

Oq Parsana was created in 713 when the Shah of Parsana died and split his realm between his sons - this was also the beginning of Qar Parsana.
Red Dolphins

The Red Dolphins were a pirate fleet under the command of Feng Naryoga. They operated in the South Persidian War, preying on Kamkaran and Kaiganese shipping between 723 and 738, when they were wiped out by the Kamkaran admiral Ran Hansha at the Battle of Horufunga.

The Red Dolphins take their name from an old Balayan legend: red dolphins are said to be the maritime soldiers of the Balayan god of death. In reality these are probably an offshoot of the People of the Town-on-the-Water, but this didn't stop Feng from taking the mantle upon himself.

The Dolphins operated a fleet of over forty ships at their peak, ranging from fast, small galleys to lumbering junks captured from their rare forays north to Tianguo. Feng was more than a competent commander, having spies in many major ports and tailoring his raiding fleet to take on a diverse array of targets.

Eventually the Kamkaran naval authorities sent the recently-promoted admiral Ran Hansha to destroy the Red Dolphins, and Ran quickly found a Dolphin resupply base on the island of Euyja. After attacking and destroying this base he was able to torture the location of the main base out of his prisoners, and after resupplying and repairing his fleet he engaged the Red Dolphins off the coast of their base at Horufunga.

The Dolphins were soundly defeated and Feng's flagship sunk. Now leaderless, the Red Dolphins attempted to flee in all directions but were intercepted and sunk one by one over the course of several days. There are no reports of survivors - Ran Hansha specifically forbade his sailors from picking up survivors of the pirate wrecks.
Reman Pantheon

The Reman Pantheon is a collection of deities worshipped in the former Reman Republic. There are twelve major deities in all; though they are technically genderless, all are usually referred to as male. These are complemented by a multitude of minor gods.

The important notion to grasp in the Reman Pantheon is that the gods only hold sway over ideas and concepts. Things such as the earth and sky are mortal and earthly in nature, and as such are the dominion of man.

## Major Deities

* Nemus - God of oblivion, darkness and the void. Namesake of the Legio de Nemus.
* Turmenus - God of choices, duality and crossroads. Namesake of the Legio de Turmenus.
* Hortensius - God of life, growth and vitality. Namesake of the Legio de Hortensius.
* Parnus - God of invention, ideas and creativity.. This is often extruded to logic. Twin brother of Orthius.
* Orthius - God of personality and emotion. This is often extruded to the arts. Twin Brother of Parnus.
Rocchi

House Rocchi is a powerful Kafetran noble family seated in the town of Giuglia. It produced the first six Grand Dukes of Kafetra and has since been instrumental in the running of the country.

The arms of House Rocchi are 'Argent, six roundels Azure'. Each roundel represents a Kafetran Grand Duke of House Rocchi.

## Notable Members of House Rocchi

* Carponio Rocchi (490 - 568) - General during the Mezilegnasian War
* Iannes Rocchi (541 - 597) - First Grand Duke of Kafetra
* Giorgio Rocchi (568 - 645) - Second Grand Duke of Kafetra
* Iulianos Rocchi (601 - 677) - Third Grand Duke of Kafetra
* Flaviano I Rocchi (630 - 691) - Fourth Grand Duke of Kafetra
* Marciano Rocchi (657 - 730) - Fifth Grand Duke of Kafetra
* Flaviano II Rocchi (681 - 753) - Sixth Grand Duke of Kafetra
Uclos

Uclos is a medium-sized country in the Western Wing of the Sacred Coalition. It borders Sarvalneiv, Grioja, Snidur, Hopricya, Arvam and Corrinum, as well as having a small border with Anstura over the Flentia River.

Uclos, while a relatively large country, is a new one. This means the Archdukes of Uclos have little power over the feudal noble class, leading to a low level of infrastructure in the country. Areas near the capital of Mons Sexaginta are heavily policed by ducal forces, but further away the nobles are constantly warring with one another, making any kind of production or agriculture near-impossible. The whole country depends on food imported from Borcianska and Arigum.
Persidian Sea

The Persidian Sea is a body of water lying between the Isles of Pelomidea and the southwest coast of Tairghol. The Isles make the sea placid and calm, unaffected by harsh ocean waves and perfect for trade. As such, many trading republics have sprung up on the coast, though all but the toughest have been bankrupted by severe ice storms that blow in from the south, freezing entire fleets in their moorings. Though the last ice storm has passed long out of living memory, there is no guarantee another will not occur.

The Persidian Sea is named after Persidios va Kallimedea, a Kharosian explorer who crossed the sea in the 2nd Century BCE and settled on the island of Nalfidea.
Pyotrpod

Pyotrpod is a duchy on the coast of the Persidian Sea. Founded by Voivode Pyotr of Harvotskyie, it broke off from its larger neighbour Harvota at the end of Raskinnis' Rebellion.

Geographically, Pyotrpod borders Harvota to the north, the Plainspeople to the east, and Zaranikyie to the southeast. It also rules over Granica, a merchant republic to the south which has historically depended on the Voivode of Sladvica - a title which became vacant during Raskinnis' Rebellion and was ceded to Pyotr of Harvotskyie.
Windmere

Windmere is a Faramondian town lying on the coast of the Trade Lake. It is close to the border with Gabrainn, and lies on roads leading to Bunport across the border, as well as to Faramond Keep and Fallholt.

The name of Windmere has an unclear origin - some scholars purport that it is a bastardisation of 'Wundemar', a Middle Talorian word meaning 'Good Sea' and also a given name. Others claim the name is newer, taken from the Lakespeak words 'Windi Meare' and meaning something along the lines of 'Windy Shoreline'.

Windmere was founded in the early 4th Century BCE and has been inhabited on-and-off ever since. Originally a major port for the Dalforeans to sail to the western shore of the Trade Lake, it fell into decline once the migratory period ended and has since become a quiet fishing village.
List of monarchs of Lacrive

The monarchs of Lacrive are its Kings. They are simply styled '\_\_\_\_\_\_\_, King of Lacrive'.

The Ardouin family has retained control of the country for the last quarter-millennium through cunning and guile. The line is kept strong through forced adoption from among the brightest of the noble sons kept hostage in the capital, and noblemen are kept in line as the King grants them constant concessions in the form of land and rights.
Hurva (region)

Hurva is an arable region in the south of Harä, and previously part of the ex-Tungrid state Barzal. The region is governed from Zinthur, and the only other towns in Hurva are Baragsel and Serdon.

Hurva has been sparsely inhabited since the 2nd Century by a mixture of Kafetrans and Vadyans, living in semi-permanent farming settlements near the Hurva and Astarciy rivers which were periodically abandoned when their priests divined bad signs from the fire gods, or when the rivers flooded.

These settlements stayed untouched by the outside world until the Great Gap. After the Gap, the inhabitants of Hurva had united to form the country of Sernuria, a theocracy based in the new city of Zinthur. This country worshipped the gods of fire and water, vestiges of both the Vadyan practice of worshipping fire and the civilisation's dependency on rivers.

The Sernurian civilisation fell into decline in the late 5th Century - the sacrificial nature of their religion took a toll on the size of the population and by 485 the city of Zinthur was abandoned and Sernuria fell apart.

Twenty years later, the Tungrid Migration led the Tungrids into the region. Though the majority settled on the western bank of the Hurva River and the plains beyond, several subtribes took Hurva as their home. On the death of Adagan Khan, his second son Behnam took control of the region to form the Khanate of Barzal.

Barzal lasted six years before falling in the Tungrid Wars, at which point the region became part of Harä. In 535, the Duke of Harä ordered Zinthur to be resettled and placed his son in charge of the region. Since then the region has stabilised and, besides the Harnese program to "re-educate" the Tungrid population to wipe out their culture in the country, Hurva has remained more or less the same over the last two hundred years.
Spurnese (language)

The Spurnese language is a tongue spoken in the Spur, as well as eastern Flenburgh and some of southern Varland and Hanharth. It is related strongly to Flennish and other nearby languages. It is part of the Taloric language group.

Spurnese is probably the language most closely-related to English, despite it being spoken by the descendants of ethnic Flemish and Wallonians. In recent years Spurnese has evolved further, and now resembles a mixture of Dutch and Basque.