Locations
and here's a really ugly, rough-draft map!
Jhyrindal
Protected from the war clans of the north
by vast deserts, the people of Jhyrindal rebuilt in isolation after the Cleansing. The
country contains many ruins that are actively salvaged, especially now since the mist protecting them has dissipated. Due to the Jhyrindal government’s recent increase in Diving involvement, the
country has been pressured by Esteria to stop salvaging the ruins. Jhyrindal
is well protected, though, and as of yet, has not considered Esteria’s threats.
Much of Jhyrindal’s culture and
way of life are unique as it has had relatively little involvement with the other nations historically.
Empire
of Akurad
Before the Cleansing, this area was sparsely
populated – villages were small, few, and far between. The survivors formed
small clans that were constantly at war with neighboring clans for resources and territory.
The clans were unable to push south, though, because of the deserts, and the unification of the northern territories
into the Republic of Bridana held them
back in the north. Eventually, the larger clans eliminated the smaller ones and
unified to form a loose allegiance of territories that later became known as the Akurad Empire. Shortly after the formation of the Empire, Akurad became allied with the island nation of Esteria. In exchange for military equipment and training, Akurad was given missionaries and
farming techniques by Esteria. Many of the animistic and heathen territories
of Akurad were converted to the Old Order in the process. When Esteria declared
Bridana a threat due to its rampant salvaging a century later, Akurad was quick to join them in a campaign to shut down Bridana’s
ruins permanently. The war left Bridana and Akurad severely weakened, and the
campaign was ended. The suffering in the war gave birth to the New Order in Akurad,
and the spread of this faith is beginning to weaken the old ties between Esteria and Akurad.
Bridana
Bridana was a country forged out of necessity
– raids from the south unified the scattered peoples of the north into a coherent republic early on after the Cleansing. Salvaging was always integral in the
survival of Bridana – weapons excavated from the local ruins is often said to be the only thing that protected the country
from the raiders early on. Not long after becoming safe from the raiders, though,
Bridana faced a new threat – Esteria and the new-formed Akurad Empire began to pressure the nation to bury its ruins
and halt further excavation. When Bridana refused, they suffered a joint attack
by both Esteria and Akurad. Akurad and Bridana suffered heavy losses with regards
to both population and infrastructure as attacks from each side decimated opposing cities.
When the campaign was over, Akurad and Bridana were both weakened and Esteria lacked the resources to continue the
war. Years later, as the security of the Bridana improved, salvaging increased
and relics were studied, repaired, and rebuilt. Bridana is now the continent’s
primary supplier of advanced technology.
Esteria
The eastern island nation of Esteria
was colonized shortly before the Cleansing and, for a reason not known, felt little of its effects. The lack of destruction and death observed on the island in comparison to that of the continent to the
west prompted the formation of the Old Order in Esteria. Esteria is a country
placing a high value on tradition, honor, and integrity. Untouched by war, old
magnificent battlements built soon after the Cleansing can be seen across the country.
To maintain its own safety from the rampant Divers on the mainland, Esteria has exercised stringent
immigration policies. To spread its own prosperity, Esteria sent missionaries
to humble the war-torn clans of the archaic Akurad Empire. It was later able
to convince Akurad to wage a war on Bridana with the mission of collapsing its ruins and preventing further excavation of
dangerous relics. The campaign weakened both Bridana and Akurad, and Esteria
was forced to cancel the campaign.
