Casteros

## Description

In the shadow of the towering peaks of Nestorum and just to the north of the newly born kingdom, the wanderer will find the vast fields of Casteros.

Standing upon one of the few hills, one can see the line of the horizon in every direction one turns- and below it, the great expanse of the savannahs. The grasslands here exist on a different scale from the other regions: and so too does life. All manner of large wildlife can be found here, from lions, cheetahs, and rhinoceroses on the ground to vultures, eagles, and the occasional roc in the skies. Grazing herds of cattle keep a wary eye on their young as the wily grassfox flits from herd to herd, looking for a weakness to exploit.

The heat here is relentless, and the large animals grow thirsty quickly- luckily subterranean currents beneath Casteros frequently rupture into geysers for a few hours at a time, forming temporary waterholes and encouraging the beasts to wander the savannah. The balance of life here is perfect, and forms a code of law far older than even the most ancient records. The same subterranean currents that cause the geysers also make farming in Casteros lucrative, and as a result the region is largely responsible for feeding the rest of the world. It has been estimated that around 3 fourths of all food products east of Dale originate in Casteros, but in truth the number may be much higher.

However, the realm is not without conflict. 200 years ago, Princess Valerie of Millstice set about on a quest to unite the vast farmlands of Casteros under one banner, and form a monopoly on various culinary essentials, and founded the Brightlands Kingdom. Though she ultimately failed in her goal, the Pax Castorum treaty allows the Brightlands to tax most exports on grain and certain forms of meat that leave Casteros, putting it in a position of immense wealth and prestige. The northern farmers chafe under this tax, and incidents of violence between the Brightlands and the farmers are not uncommon.

Both sides recognize that open war would result in a starvation crisis throughout the East, and likely invite outside influences to Casteros; but the culture of stark independence common among the farmers is poorly suited to collaboration with the Brightlands Kingdom. Mistrust and resentment have been brewing among the farmers for the better part of two centuries, but for now the world can rest easy with cheap and bountiful food.

It is here that the horse-lords reign supreme- in roving bands of cavalry they patrol the western reaches. It has been said that there is no freer soul than those who make up the warbands of the horse-lords. Each warband occupies one fief within the Great West, and in exchange for taxes on the goods produced they roam their fief and protect it from the multitudes of bandit groups that exist in the Great West. This model of horse-lords and fiefs is new, and has been radically successful in countering the bandit problem that has plagued the West for generations.

The League of the Great West does not conquer nor claim, it is composed of territories that have joined willingly. As new regions join the League and new warbands are formed, the Great West grows, rapidly taking in new stretches of land. It is hoped by many that some day the horse-lords may set their eyes on Traxia, and drive out the bandit kingdoms there- but for now the Great West is occupied with its rapid expansion through western Dorosia.