Lorthalian Empire

## Overview

The Lorthalian Empire is a mostly human nation made up of the majority of kingdoms of the western continent, including Lorthal, Arcorath, Rafinear, Lethwell, and Falsdar. It is the largest empire, second only to the Giant Kingdoms, and has held strong for 400 years. The empire is ruled by Emperor Nero II, the 21st Lorthalian Emperor, with his reign having lasted 45 years.

## Geography

### Lars Beinn

The Lars Beinn mountains are a mostly unsettled range due to it being the initial nest of the mighty tarrasque. Ruins of gnome and dwarven settlements dot the winding paths leading to and through the mountains, but these have been mostly reclaimed by the alpine wildlife of the area. The land is generally void of much lush vegetation, with sparse grasses, scraggly bushes, and thin-trunked trees finding the occasional foothold in between the cracks of the stone.

### Seawall Forest

The Seawall Forest is divided into three parts, the Northern, Western, and Southern forests, all loosely connected into one full forest.

#### North Seawall Forest

The Northern Seawall forest begins around the Lar's Beinn and extends south into northern Lethwell, butting up against the Rafinear plains and the Blackwood. This forest is made almost exclusively of pine trees, with the heights becoming shorter as they grow closer to the Lars Beinn. More monsters than usual appear here due to it's unsettled nature and proximity to the Blackwood.

#### West Seawall Forest

The Western Seawall extends from the western coastline of Lethwell all the way to Lorthal and the Highlands. Being further south and in a slightly warmer climate, the forest has a greater variety of decidious and pine trees, with more pines in the northwest of the forest, and less closer to Lorthal. Most of this forest has been tamed, and a large portion had been cut for agricultural and construction purposes, with only small parts of the forest being truly wild.

#### South Seawall Forest

The South Seawall Forest extends from southern Lorthal along the coast and into Bumbamunziar. Being the warmest part of the Seawall Forest, it boasts almost no pines, and even the southernmost part of it is more of a seasonal rainforest, with incredibly dense foliage during the summer months, but becoming dry and leafless during winter, where snow does occasionally fall. The rest of the forest is made up of oak and beech trees, along with some small pines, especially closer to the highlands.

### Rafinear Plains

The grassy Rafinear Plains stretch from the Lar's Beinn mountains in the northwest, along the Blackwood, and to the Iron Forest in the northeastern corner of the empire. The land is generally not flat, with vast, rolling hills that stretch for miles, with very little tree and brush growth. These plains are generally less fertile than the forests to the south, and as a result, the settlements are fewer and farther between, along with more roaming shepherds and herdsmen than traditional farmers. The plains are also home to various species of buffalo and horses, making it a prime location for hunters to break wild horses and kill the great beasts for their meats.

## Kingdoms

The empire is made up of mostly humans, along with halflings in the southeast, and dragonborns living in the southwest. Due to prior events 24 years ago of a near world shattering event, they have been at peace with their neighbors that they would normally war with for expansion, but that peace is only one year from ending, although there has been no effort to restart the wars. While it is mostly humans, the cities do have a greater diversity due to the amount of wealth and opportunities that the cities provide. Think of Europe, as different provinces are similar to different countries.

### Lorthal Province

Lorthal province is the most urbanized part of the empire, with little in the way of wilds left to conquer, along with little need to do so. Farms are more common than forests, and monsters are less feared than men in these parts. Think of renaissance Italy in terms of architecture and style.

### Rafinear

Rafinear is less settled than Lorthal, but not entirely devoid of civilization. It’s made up of vast meadows, and cattle and horse herds are more common than fields of wheat. Think of Eastern Europe.

### Arcorath

Arcorath is a small but powerful province of the empire due to it being the location of one of, if not the, most prestigious places of magic study. Only those who are of high rank, have magical knowledge or talent, or are otherwise shown to have a high enough status through money or deeds to enter the college, while the others are left in the outskirts of the town. To the south is swampland, where many dragonborns make their home, living in a more tribal manner. Think of France.

### Lethwell

Lethwell is the westernmost province, and one of the largest, a large portion of it being forests with some cold marshes. It often has troubles with crime, as the vast wilderness makes it difficult to guard every settlement in the land. Think England.

### Falsdar

Falsdar is the most recent nation to become a part of the empire, as it had been nearly wiped out from the events that occurred 24 years ago. While it was left crippled, it’s been able to recover its strength as a culture of strong warriors. However, the people did have strong resentment towards nonhumans, as Giants, orcs, goblins, dwarves, elves, and some humans that make up the scum of the earth had attacked them one too many times. Think of 13th Century Germany.

### Highland Territory

The highlands had often been torn up by wars, and were never properly settled beyond villages. However, many halflings already lived in the area, and did not object to the Empire’s rule, as they simply didn’t have the strength to fight back even if they chose to. Fortunately, they did not cause many issues for the locals, and there was little reason to be upset with the current situation, so the halflings just continued on.