Central Imperium

Inverted map of Central Imperium's West Continent as it appears in Axugaem2.

Central Imperium is a blanket category which includes all the major landmasses and islands located close to the planet's two largest continents: East and West Imperium. These continents, and their surrounding landmasses, are grouped together as a single cluster due to their close proximity and similarities in flora, fauna, history, and culture. In particular, Central Imperium is recognized as the planet's seat of Elemental Influence, with every Elemental Lord save for Lady Shadow living in the area.

## Geography and Climate

Central Imperium is commonly divided into East and West Imperium, which represent the planets two center-most continents. Many geographers argue that the unnamed continent containing Ribeye Vale and the Mountain Pigman kingdom ought to be classified as a third central continent (Northwest Imperium, possibly) due to its sheer size. Others argue that it is not only the size of East and West Imperium, but their population density which make them central.

Central Imperium is a vast and vibrant space, boasting the planet's greatest diversity in both life and climate. Though the majority of Central Imperium is subtropical, it ranges from tropical (Lamnar Jungle, Costa Del Nyan,) to desert (Khamen, Khur,) to coniferous forest and tundra (Ribeye Vale, Glitchlands.) Snow is uncommon throughout most of Central Imperium, but it is seen most often in the colder lands surrounding Ribeye Vale and the high-altitude Pastrami Bluffs.

### East Imperium

East Imperium, the smaller of the two continents, is composed of four major landmasses: the East Imperial continent itself, the densely forested Blightwood Island, the Elvish Remnant territory of Ancestor Isle, and the bleak, forbidding Glitchlands. Scholars often debate whether or not the Frigid Isles, which sit just north of the Glitchlands, should be included as part of East Imperium, or whether they should remain their own distinct landmass.

Notable areas in East Imperium include the ancient city of Legato, the palaces of Elemental Lords Zephryn, Charon, Krom'Thor, and Lady Light, and the grand Desert city of Khamen. Because of the high concentration of Elemental Activity here, East Imperium is generally considered to be the continent most tied to Elemental influence. This idea is supported by the fact that East Imperium contains Element Isle, one of very few neutral spaces that is used to hold Elemental Councils between otherwise hostile factions.

### West Imperium

West Imperium is a sprawling continent which includes several landmasses: the West Imperial continent itself, the northern Kingdom of Euvinian, the sacred Mount Tabula Island, the wide-ranging estuary-swamp Oujounuma and its neighbouring Fang Peaks Island, the unnamed continent containing Ribeye Vale, the twin islands of Costa Del Nyan and Lamnar Jungle, and the remote Farland Desert Island. Despite its name, this latter island is not a part of the Farlands, and is rather named such for its barrenness and remote location.

Notable areas in West Imperium include the human seat of power in Capital City (the largest city in all of Imperium,) the temples of the Elemental Ladies Euvine and Elarel, the Mountain Pigman stronghold of Grok, and the popular trio of port cities: Crabshoot Bay, Kalvarr, and Costa Del Nyan. West Imperium boasts deadlier wildlife than its Eastern sibling due to the inclusion of Lamnar Jungle, which is a haven for wild beasts. The continent also houses such notorious areas as the Thunder Highlands and the Magma Tunnel, which are known for their inhospitable locals.

## History and Culture

Main Article: **Imperium Chronology**

Central Imperium is considered to be the origin of life on Imperium, though some debate this assumption and suggest instead that the Northern Reaches contend for that honor. Central Imperium once contained the might kingdom of Halden, which is said to have extended across all of West Imperium at one point in time; however, with the fall of kingdoms such as Halden, and other damaging historical events such as the transformation of the Kal'Ra Elves into Husks, much of Central Imperium's architectural and recorded history has been lost to time. The Gato stronghold of Legato is the oldest known city in Central Imperium, followed by the Desert Pigman city of Khamen. Both of these cities boast rich cultural traditions, but the Gatos' reputation for xenophobia has made Khamen the more popular site for visitors.

Humans are recognized as a driving force behind much of Central Imperium's history, having participated in many of the wars that have shaped the world around them, while proving themselves to be faithful allies to peaceful races such as the Desert Pigmen. As such, their seat of power in Capital City is one of the most-visited spots in all of Imperium, and the world's economic tides are heavily influenced by Capital commerce.

Other notable trade cities include Costa Del Nyan, the seaside home of the Neko race. Costa Del Nyan has long been a popular tourist destination, and thanks to this industry it has become one of Imperium's wealthiest cities. Costa Del Nyan and Capital City are involved in an estimated 80% of all trade that occurs on Imperium, with Costa Del Nyan proving to be a safe and reliable stopping point on many popular oceanic trade routes.

Similarly, the port city of Crabshoot Bay is a popular haven for sailors and traders. Though it was founded by Humans, the town is largely multiracial, containing visible Neko and Cladge minorities. Across the sea from Crabshoot Bay is the more notorious city of Kalvarr, which has built up a reputation as a town filled with pirates and thieves. Kalvarr's population is a true mixed-bag, containing humans, Melkai, Merfolk, Nekos, Gatos, and many others who prefer to live on the bleeding edge of life.

Trade in Central Imperium occurs not only via water, but underground as well. The mole-like Digger people are an emerging economic force who have streamlined land trade in Imperium via their advanced Subrail system of underground carts, which they use to transport goods and people alike. Though the deep caverns of Imperium are treacherous, the Diggers claim they are constantly hard at work optimizing their Subrails to be as safe as possible. Their deep cavernous capital of Dolgur is a massive sinkhole caused by a nesting Core Worm of extreme size. It is unknown as of this point how much trade passes through Dolgur, but with the growing presence of Melkai and Merfolk along sea routes, the Diggers believe that it is only a matter of time before their system catches on.

Spire, Black Gorge, Oujounuma, and Ancestor Isle round out Central Imperium's major cities. Spire is home to the Elemental Obsidian Lords, a neutral faction which has historically produced fine armour for all Elementals. Black Gorge is home to the Bone Golem or Skeleton people, necromantic bone constructs given life and freedom. Guided by the witch doctor Skazili, the Skeletons are a relatively new player in Imperial commerce, but they have been referred to as an honest and sober people who prefer not to mince words. Oujounuma is the resplendent swamp capital of the slug lamia or Sluglam people, who keep largely to themselves and are rarely seen outside of their holdings. Finally, Ancestor Isle, apart from containing the palace of Elemental Earth Lord Krom'Thor, is the home of the Husk and Elvish Remnant peoples who, like the Sluglams, are rarely seen on the mainland.

## Life Forms

### Sentient

* Humans
* Elementals
* Elvish Remnants/Husks
* Shadowmen and Spiters
* Cladge
* Melkai
* Pigmen
* Gatos
* Nekos
* Charon
* Lamia
* Slug Lamia (Sluglam)
* Diggers
* Bone Golems (Skeletons)
* Angels
* Mer
* Merleen
* Redcaps (Werewolves) and Wererats
* Vampires
* Gremlins and Ogres

### Non-Sentient and Semi-Sentient

* Imperium Bestiary
* Velocidons
* Lesser Elementals