The Witchlands

The **Witchlands** is the continent on which the *Witchlands* series is set.

## History

TBA

The Cartorran Empire is the largest of the three extant empires in the Witchlands. It spans a gigantic chunk of the continent, stretching from the central western coast to the Sirmayan Mountains in the east, and from the coast along the North Sea to the coast of the Middle Sea between Dalmotti and Krit. It is bordered by Balma to the northwest, Portolla and Krit to the southwest, Dalmotti to the south, Marstok to the east, and Arithuania to the northeast. Cartorra has been an empire for more than three centuries; its current emperor is Henrick fon Cartorra. Its capital is Praga. This empire is known for its strict policing of witches and Witcheries. The Earth Origin Well is located in the Ohrin Mountains.

### Dalmotti Empire

*Main article: Dalmotti Empire*

Much smaller than the other two extant empires, Dalmotti is still a force to be reckoned with. Dalmotti staked its claim through sea trade, and for centuries it has wielded a profound dominance on the Witchlands continental stage. Although it is nominally an empire, its political structure is that of a republic whose Guildmaster leaders are elected. Dalmotti is bordered by the Jadansi Sea to the south, Illrya to the southwest, the Middle Sea to the west, Cartorra to the north, Nubrevna to the southeast, and Marstok near the Sirmayan Mountains. Its capital is Veñaza City, outside of which is the Midenzi Nomatsi settlement.

### Empire of Marstok

*Main article: Marstok*

Marstok is bordered to the east by the Fareast, to the north by the Sea of Karadia, to the northwest by Arithuania, to the west by Cartorra, Dalmotti in the Sirmayan Mountains, Nubrevna and the Contested Lands in the southwest, and the Jadansi Sea in the south.

The Marstoki Empire traces its origins to a rich trade industry. Over time, the country cultivated well-regimented, stalwart armies; it is particularly well-known for its Firewitch soldiers. The current empress, Vaness, is also guarded by elite Poisonwitches known as the Adders. Modern Marstok has made efforts to shed its grim legacy of slavery and is now perceived by most to be a stable and hospitable nation. In contrast to the other empires, Marstoki society is female-dominated. The Fire Origin Well is located in Azmir, Marstok's capital.

### Lusque

Like many of the other small nations on the continent, Lusque declined to ally with any of the empires. Instead, it defends its independence through (apparently effective) guerilla warfare. It is sparsely populated and rocky. The North Sea borders it to the south, and Svoden borders it to the east.

### Svoden

*Main article: Svoden*
Svoden has allied with an empire, Cartorra, in order to remain independent. Bordered by Lusque to the west, the North Sea to the south, and the Sleeping Lands to the east, it has a powerful navy equipped with well-trained Tidewitches. Its lands are harsh, and its tidal ranges are enormous.

### Balma

Little is known about this small, marshy country. Alongside Lusque and Krit, it has also remained independent of the empires while refusing alliances with them. Its will to be free, bolstered by the brutality and desperation of its people, is the only thing standing between Balma and imperial control. It is bordered to the south by Cartorra; the rest of the country is bordered by the sea.

### Portolla

*Main article: Portolla*
Portolla shares borders with Cartorra in the north and east and the Middle Sea in the northwest, west, south, and southwest. Its lands are arid, but its vibrant coastal cities are sustained by the fishing industry. Allied with Cartorra to maintain its independence, Portolla also harbors aspirations of annexing Krit.

### Krit

*Main article: Krit*
Bordered to the north by Cartorra and to the south by the Middle Sea, Krit is fiercely independent. Its people cherish their autonomy and culture - the latter of which is influenced by the Southlands - and despise the Portollans.

### Illrya

*Main article: Illrya*
Illrya is located on a peninsula between the Middle and Jadansi Seas, and it shares a border with Dalmotti. Like Portolla, its climate is arid and harsh; like Krit, much of its culture is Southlands-influenced.

### Former Republic of Arithuania

*Main article: Arithuania*
Arithuania was once a thriving republic whose leaders were elected by the citizenry. Unfortunately, the republic weakened as its leaders too often compromised with and ceded to the will of the people. As a result, the country deteriorated into anarchy starting about one hundred years prior to the events of the series. This no-man's land is now populated with the outcasts of the Witchlands, from outlaws to heretics to persecuted Nomatsis. The Air Origin Well lays just outside of Poznin, the former capital.

Arithuania is bordered to the northwest by the North Sea, to the west and southwest by Cartorra, to the southeast and east by Marstok, and to the northeast by the Sleeping Lands.

### Nubrevna

*Main article: Nubrevna*

Nubrevna is a small but scrappy nation located along the Jadansi Sea and wedged between Dalmotti; the Contested Lands; Marstok; and, in its northernmost corner, Cartorra. Even after centuries of war in the Witchlands and targeted attacks on Nubrevna by the Marstoki, Cartorran, and Dalmotti Empires, Nubrevna clings to its independence by means of an adept and powerful navy and its well-defended capital, Lovats. Its people follow the god Noden.

Nubrevna boasts not one but two Origin Wells within its borders: the Water Origin Well (located between Noden's Gift and Lejna) and the Void Origin Well (located in the under-city). The latter has only recently been rediscovered by Vivia Nihar and has been thought to be nothing more than a myth for centuries.

### Pirate Republic of Saldonica

This city-state is located on a peninsula in the southernmost tip of the Contested Lands, along the Bay of Saldonica. The majority of the "republic" is ruled by two rival factions of pirates, the Baedyeds and the Red Sails, and the territory is divided between the pirate gangs. During her stay in Saldonica, Safiya fon Hasstrel notices that the territories exhibit noticeable distinctions depending on who controls them, namely in organization and cleanliness. Territory boundaries shift frequently due to the feuds between pirate gangs.

The slave trade thrives in Saldonica, and as such it is a haven for slavers. Slaves are often forced to fight in the gladiator-style fights for Baile's Slaughter.

## Other Lands

### Sleeping Lands

The Sleeping Lands are dangerous and are generally avoided by the peoples of the north. It is cold, and stories tell of ice that will suck you in and entomb you. The Northman warns Merik of "death" there.

One of the doors leads to the Sleeping Lands.

### Contested Lands

The Contested Lands are so named because they are constantly being fought over. Similar to Arithuania, the Contested Lands are no-man's lands teeming with Witchlands outcasts, be they benign or malevolent. Slavers and raiders roam the land, and Nomatsis and refugees from the Sirmayans eke out what existence they can in this harsh country.

The geography of the Contested Lands is varied, as Iseult and Aeduan cross through several ecosystem types during their travels. Jungles, forests, savannas, and steppes are seen.

### Fareast

*Main article: Fareast*
Not much has been said about the Fareast other than that the Nomatsis originate from these lands.

### Southlands

*Main article: Southlands*
As with the Fareast, the Southlands are mostly unknown. Krit and Illrya trace much of their cultures back to the Southlands.

## See also

* An interactive map can be found at this link: https://www.thewitchlands.com/map/
* And a list of locations can be found in this category: Category:Locations