The Ervian Hegemony

## Overview

### Political Structure

The ultimate seat of power in the Hegemony is the High King, who sits on the Throne of Stone. Beneath him, each region is autonomously governed by their specific nobility or power hierarchy, though they pay taxes and fealty to the Throne of Stone. Additionally, none of the regions are allowed to maintain their own standing army or fleet, making them dependent on federal organizations and military for protection.

## Locations

### Gnometree

Gnometree is a forested area of rocky cliffs on the south coast of the Ervian Hegemony. The area, buffeted by the perpetual storms of the Storm Sea, is wet, grey, and stormy nearly all year around. The trees that grow in Gnometree are hardy pines, capable of resisting the harsh cold climate and constant wind and rain. As such, they make excellent ship building material, which the Hegemony has been making use of for years.

The native denizens of Gnometree are, unsurprisingly, mostly Rock Gnomes. They dwell in the rocky cliffs and hidden bluffs, protected from the storms by the tall trees. They accepted their "intergration" into the hegemony with little resistance. With the exception of taxes and trade, their lives have persisted mostly the same for the last few centuries. Still, many Gnomes of Gnometree have a more naturalistic bent than their mountain dwelling brothers, and often become Druids or Nature worshipers (such as Fenfin Finfen), and have, of late, become increasingly unhappy with the deforestation of their ancestral home.

### Erfgurd

Erfgurd is the bustling capital of the Ervian Hegemony, located in the center of the great plains.

### New Katyra

New Katyra is a wealthy port city on the western edge of the Ervian Hegemony.

### Sombra Forest

The Sombra forest is a several hundred square miles of forest that lies to the east of Erfgurd. This roughly triangular stretch of forest is home to incredibly dense foliage, due to it’s monoculture of pine trees, which are green year round.

Legend has it that this forest once stretched across the Ervian plains, and was connected to Illonia before the shattering of the Chain. Indeed, vestiges of Elven magic seem to linger, and satyrs, pixies, and even Unicorns have been spotted lurking amongst the dense trees.

#### Fenithir’s Tower

Fenethir is and was a respected Dragonborn Wizard, who’s tower, built into a large tree on the outskirts of the Sombra Forest, was an often-sought destination for those seeking Transmutation magic in particular.

One day, Fenithir was transformed into a sheep by his assistant, Noke, using an unstable Wand of Polymorph. Fenithir eventually, in sheep form, managed to get the assistance of a newly formed group of adventurers, who slew Noke, but in the process, destroyed the wand. Now Fenithir, and his new apprentice, Ontir, endeavor to find a way to transform him back. In the meantime, Ontir, with the help of his Ring of Animal Influence, serves as the face of Fenithir’s business for the meantime.

### The Storm Tower Institute

The Storm Tower Institute is the center of all organized Magic in the Ervian Hegemony. It is located on a small chain of islands some miles off the Southern coast. The institute itself is composed of a large campus, with a small town having grown around it, serving the wizards needs, in particular their need for many, many taverns. The Institute itself is named for the impressive tower which dominates the island, a building which floats, seemingly untouched by the near constant wind and rain.