The Outlands

Alenfort, mentri castle

Top left to right: Mentri, Vanua, Esmeltan. . . Bottom left to right: Prahv, Ikova

### Inhabitants

Humans, bugbears, dwarves

> "You have proven yourselves to be strong in the face of great adversity I would be honored if you would have me."
>
> - Angali, Witch of the North

The Outlands is a collective term for five neighboring nations that take up the bottom right coast of the region of Maethun. The Outlands consist of Menti, Vanua, Esmeltan, Prahv and Ikova who’s petty kings struggle to keep their kingdoms fed. The Outlands is used as a penal colony for the Aroeri Empire the Outlandic Wall at Ikova’s southern border constructed to prevent them from leaving. The Outlands are known for being home to the Northern Congregation of Mages one of Alterus’ most powerful and knowledgeable organizations.

## History

The Outlands have a long history of being used and attacked by creatures far stronger than their simple tundra civilization can handle. In the Era of Ancients a fey prince named Delon was causing chaos. Delon wasn’t very coherent in his motivations but it is assumed that he was either trying to conquer the area or just force everyone to leave. Delon terrorized the countries of the outlands for a few decades before being put down by Vilok Giant-eater on one of his adventures. During the Era of Beasts, due to the Empire of Duvan’ku scattering the Monster Kings of Ikovu, Martivir retreated to The Outlands and ruled over the land for several years demanding human sacrifices for him to eat and play with. Martivir also constructed the Outlandic Wall to prevent any of his cattle from escaping. Martivir was tracked by the Immortal Zyan who fought and imprisoned Martivir in his Astral Observatory freeing the people of the Outlands. In the Era of Dreams as the Aerori Empire rose to power they began using the outlands as a penal colony paying the king of Almor to guard the Outlandic Wall further isolating The Outlands from the rest of the world. After the events of The Shattering Angali, The Witch of the North, saw that the people of The Outlands were strong in the face of adversity and founded The Congregation of Northern Mages in the Outlands making the region important for the first time in its history.

## Culture

    Native Outlanders practiced astronomy as a source of natural if not cryptic divinations. It helped the lands ancient settlers find good places to live but has become more of a fascination in the modern day. Astronomy is too cryptic to be useful in everyday life but many still engage in it as a sort of cultural pastime.

The people of the Outlands all come from humble beginnings whether a native of the land living in poverty or an exile of the Aerori Empire. This shared origin has brought the people of The Outlands close together. The exiles of the Aerori Empire have brought with them hatred for the Empire and imperial rule working alongside the natives to create great guilds to prevent the weak from being exploited by the strong,

    Seemingly out of nowhere Angali the Witch of the North came to The Outlands impressed by their perseverance and created the Congregation of Northern Mages. This organization brought with it a curiosity of the arcane sciences to the people many of which joined the Congregation to innovate and invent new powerful creations.

## Locations

Vault of ZinCaravan travelling through snowy birch forestShrine to The Immortal ZyanOutlandic flying machine