Ephrace - The Old Kingdoms

The Old Kingdoms are three human kindoms making up the entire continent of Ephrace. Politically stable for hundreds of years, these kingdoms are healthy and ecomonically prosperous. There are political and philosophical differences, but rather than risk the stability of their own borders aggressive acts are carried out in other lands. This manifests mainly as fighting over control of colonial lands far to the east on the continent of Northern Suir.

Ranier is the oldest of the human lands. It was founded as the ancient Suir Empire began the most visible stages of collapse over two thousand years ago. A fairly powerful group of the imperial family were forced into exile. Lead by the archmage Ranier, they found succor with the elves of the treeland, and gained their aid in converting the arid desert of modern Ranier into a tropical paradise, driving back the humanoid hordes as they recreated the land. Ranier has good relations to this day with the Lasthier Elves, but relations with Telace and Wynn are cold at best, regarding the other nations as unenlightened. While not in command of the vast magics of their forefathers, wizardry is still elevated to the highest regard. Latecomers to colonizing the lands of the old empire, they were left with lands deemed unusable by Wynn and Telace, the snowy wastes they have named in the honor of Ranier's daughter Elia. Working hard to relearn the magics of their past, they have managed to create several comfortable cities in the colonies.

The family of Ranier still holds the seat of power, but has little to do with day to day internal affairs other than sitting in judgement of major criminal trials. Most local issues are handled through direct democracy locally. Sorcery has been outlawed since the foundation of the nation, due to the lack of discipline (and elegance). Due to the high regard for magic, even the lowliest farmer with enough aptitude is taught a few basic cantrips. Magic handles the health and wellbeing of the people, sanitation, and provides a fairly comfortable life.

Telace is the youngest of the three human lands, but the largest. Ephrace's nature aspect, Silan, feeling the effects of the magical changes to the land, appeared to the barbarian tribes of the region as a great leader nearly 800 years ago. He began uniting the tribes of the region into a great kingdom to stop Ranier's slow advance to the north. After a decade of rule he passed rule to Arman Telace, a brave, competent, and good hearted tribesman, trusting him to create a great and peaceful nation.

Telace is the most accepting of the three. Various humanoid tribes have homelands in the area, pushed north many years ago. There are occasional disagreements, but the civilizing effects of being part of a strong, modern nation have dulled their violent edge. The king holds total power. Kings are selected by their predecessor when they reach old age, guided subconsciously by Silan. Of the three, Telace most closely resembles a traditional fantasy kingdom.

Telace is the poorest in terms of resources and in terms of historical connections with the east. This pushed them to establish a foothold in the east to gain access to valuable spices and minerals. Sailing west, they reached what woudl become New Telace three centuries ago. The encampments became cities, eventually establishing control over a large area.

Due to the work of Silan, the people of Telace remain subconsciously very wary of Ranier. The result is a level of mistrust. Trade has created nominally warm relations with the border states of Wynn.

The Wynn Confederacy is a constitutional monarchy originally founded as a group of plutocrat city-states by the heads of various trade guilds leaving the remains of The Suir Empire a millenia ago. Not long into it's existance there were simultaneous slave revolts throughout the region.