North Kalatoria
Holy KalatorTo the north and west of the Gaff Ravine is the ancient theocratic empire of Holy Kalator, who worship the Sun God and are adamantly zealous that all others do as well. The list of their conquests are as long as their list of crimes, and their population is utterly massive.
Rumors exist that the Sun Pope is immortal, though he rarely makes public appearances.
The population of Holy Kalator is 500 000.
The military of Holy Kalator is also their legal apparatus. Yes, it is as bad as it sounds.
The Kadessian Wilds
A sprawling tundra, unmolested by the unceasing advances of Holy Kalator - the Kadessian Wilds are a land of nomadic bands of warriors and hunters stuck in constant conflict with one another over meager scraps, who survive each winter by the skin of their teeth. Or don't.
About 50 000 people live in these harsh lands.
The Kadessian Wilds are lawless.
Tzama
To the southwest of the Gaff Ravine is the naturally barricaded land of Tzama, a wild continent filled with beasts but little human settlement, save for the nomadic tribes that fight tooth and claw to survive.
The Banbatu Alliance is the governing body that keeps these tribes from conflict, and they gather every six years around the Shanari Tree, a massive baobab that is said to have a mystical presence
About 130 000 people live in these bountiful lands.
South Kalatoria
The Iderran WildsA stateless expanse of wilderness with mostly mild weather and a large variety of wild flora and fauna. A fair number of bands and tribes call this place home, and conflict is rare.
Among the 90 000 to 100 000 Iderrans, numerous minor ethnic groups exist. These ethnicities make up even more tribes:
Iderran ethnicities/languages: Nodavik/Noric, Kasuum/Kadru
Iderran tribes: Wild Root, Beast-Clans (Long Fang, Savannah Lion, Hill Panther, Ash Wolf)
The Iderran Wilds is also home to the fledgling civilization of Jorgrim, the only permanent settlement in the land. They are also unique in the region for practicing agriculture.
The Iderran Wilds sees both rain and snow.
"The Free States"
The so-called Free States are a semi-pejorative title given to a large swathe of South Kalatoria by the elites of Holy Kalator, who have long desired to conquer the whole continent, but due to a combination of factors such as the endless wars they fight both internally and with the wicked barbarians of the north, and the incredible logistical obstacle posed by crossing the Gaff Ravine to invade, this goal has never been accomplished.
The "Free States" are comprised of the most prominent powers in the region: The Republic of Sedoria, The Kingdom of Ghanbar, and the Caerish States.
The two main ethnic groups within South Kalatoria are the darker-skinned and darker-haired Jakadim and the lighter but still tanned Caerish, some of which have rare blonde hair.
Jakadim languages: Dural, Sedoric
Jakadim cultures/societies: Ghanbaran, Sedorian, Paraman
Caerish languages: Caerish
Caerish cultures/societies: Cantel, Andorry, Anurath
This region rarely sees rain and almost never sees snow.
The Kalatorian Coast
Along the southern shore of South Kalatoria are many Jakadim villages that predate even the Republic of Sedoria. Each village is traditionally led by a leader called a Sha. The title of this leader is derived from their village's name. So, for example, the leader of the village called Sazra is the Sha-sazra.
Roughly 30 000 people live along this southern coastal stretch
Settlements:
- Perhaps most notable among these villages is Hakirrash, a small but disproportionally prominent village along the Kalatorian Coast.
- Sazra is a small village of mostly shepherds. They are very local to Hakirrash (just slightly east) and have a lot of connections with them.
- The Padarnese Settlements are the oldest surviving settlements along the Kalatorian Coast. The Padarnese Settlements were historically seafarers who were the dominant power of the coast, but that has changed since the founding of Ghanbar. In modernity, the people of these lands are mostly nomads though some still live in their ancestral villages. A very small number of them have attempted to make a life in the Republic of Sedoria.
The Kalatorian Coast sees rain very often, violent storms are uncommon but noteworthy, and almost never sees snow.
For whatever reason, Hakirrash is an exception, as the skies usually remain clear and the storms are much calmer than elsewhere.
Lore - Miscellaneous
Dewdrinker - a savannah plant that grows across much of South Kalatoria
Soul Prince of the Midnight Vow - a mysterious and enigmatic title belonging to the previous Sha of Hakirrash, Omar Hakir.
Soul Prince of the Twin Seas - a mysterious and enigmatic title belonging to the current Sha of Hakirrash, Nahur Hakir.
Black sapphires - supposedly, the rarest gemstone in existence. Valued greatly across South Kalatoria