This is Atheron, a large continent made up of 8 Kingdoms/regions. Starting from the top down, we have the Eyr’lin Province, Fel’hylme, the Kagnin Empire, Eskren Kingdom, Athenry, Nur’Ahm Hold, Synthyl Reach, and Wesland Hold. Over a century ago, the whole continent was just one massive Kingdom ruled by an evil King. Eventually, the people rebelled, taking sections of land into their control. These liberated areas became safe zones, and later were reformed into separate regions. The King was surrounded and hunted down by his own people, until a powerful wizard on the side of the people finally killed him. After that the King retreated to his tower, a safe home he’d ordered constructed not far out of the capital at the time, Endurion. After the fall of the King, the wizard roamed the lands rebuilding cities and helping heal farmlands and forests, and for his efforts he was gifted the King’s old tower as his home, where he now acts as the highest authority of magic across all eight Kingdoms.

Now, onto the regions.

Athenry is the central region of Atheron, and was where the King and his army made their last stand. The capital city, Endurion, is a melting pot of various races, and is still the largest city on the whole of Atheron. Athenry has many farming exports, and the town of Honeyshade near the western forest exports their mead to the whole continent. The region has a large native Human, Elf, and Halfling population, but nearly every race can be found here, even if not natively.

Eskren Kingdom is made up mostly of the Eskren mountain range. This land is home to many of Atheron’s Dwarven population, and the capital city of Darnuluhm is mostly Dwarven, though there are occasional other races present. The dry mountainous land makes it harder for other races to thrive, though some more exotic races such as Tabaxi can be found here, potentially due to arriving off ships from nearby islands. The northeast part of the region extends into the forests and plains near Fel’Hylme, including the Elven city of Nath’eas. These forests and plains are home to many different Elven and Halfling populations, as well as Gnomes.

Fel’hylme has the largest population of Elves across the regions. Not to say there aren’t many elsewhere, but this is clearly where the majority of their ancestors hail from. The capital city of Vesarius is a mix of many races, mostly Elves, Humans, and Halflings. The various forests of Fel’hylme are home to the Wood Elves, the mountains and hills to other subraces, and the plains are where many Halfling families hail from. Further up north starts to get cold and snowy, and is largely Human in population due to the more extreme temperatures. Occasional Snow Elves can be found in this region, though they are natively from the Eyr’lin Province.

Kagnin Empire is the least friendly of the regions. Their borders are not heavily reinforced, but constant patrols and caravans of Orcs, Goblins, Ogres, and other more nefarious races make the land unsafe. Mount Rezikh used to be a mountain range rich in jewels and ore veins, but the Orcs and Goblins who call that area home dug too deep and disturbed something. Whether it be nature or a demon, they do not know, but the mountain quickly erupted into a volcano and turned the surrounding land into a dark and desolate landscape. The southern and western reaches are far more hospitable, and are home to various races, but the threat of Orcs and other evil races is still prominent. Typically, any good Orcs, Goblins, etc. are from these southern or western areas. The Dhunlass range extends up into this region, and has many deep tunnels and cities home to the Dwarves that the wicked natives have not been able to penetrate. The bulk of the land is not charted well due to most cartographers not surviving the trip, or villages rising and falling too quickly to track.

Nur’Ahm Hold is mostly Dwarven and Human in Population, though more Humans and Elves are found closer to the capital city of Brinehold. The Dwarves call the city Mol Durahl their capital, though. The eastern part of the hold turns to desert, and the Velkurr Range starts near the south. The Dhunlass Range makes up most of the western land, hence the heavy Dwarven population. Some Halflings and Gnomes hail from the forests and hills to the south, and Westcross holds large markets where the local Halflings and Humans come to sell their farmed goods.

Synthyl Reach is home to the bulk of the land’s navy, and manages Ballast Bay, a line of tall timbers in the bay with only one gap large enough for ships to get through. Smaller boats, up to the size of a single masted fishing boat, can fit through some of the other gaps and need not be stopped by the Navy’s checkpoint. This blockade was constructed during the war with the old King as a way to stop his potential escape by sea, and now protects the major cities along the sound and enforces the Large Vessel Trade Tax, or the “Big Tax”, a tax placed on goods intended to be sold that pass through the bay.

Synthyl Reach is natively home to mostly Humans and Halflings, but many others also call this place home. The Synthyl Mountains do have some Dwarven population, but not near as much as the other regions. Dryland, a desert island to the south is claimed by Synthyl as well. Synthyl Reach is at war with Wesland Hold over land, and the stiff line that acts as their border (called Dead Pass) is frequently shifting back and forth a few miles depending on the conflict. Currently there isn’t much happening in the war, and trade is still allowed to occur between them, but it any pull on the tension could start another conflict. The border to Wesland is heavily reinforced, and you need to either have a trade certificate, proof of family, or sneak through if you wish to pass through.

Wesland Hold is called home by many a Dwarf, and the Velkurr Range ends here. The land is about 50/50 Dwarf and Human, with the occasional other inhabitant. The Dwarves tend to stick to the mountains, and call the city of Kadhdan their capital, while the humans refer to the trade hub of Galecrest on the bay as the capital. The Scorching Sands desert is owned by Wesland Hold, though is sparsely populated due to it’s extreme heat and lack of resources. See the Synthyl Reach second paragraph for details about the war between these two countries.

And lastly, Eyr’lin Province is home to Atheron’s Snow Elf and other snowy/Norther acclimated population. The land is also populated by a lot of Humans, as they are one of the only other races that can thrive in the extreme cold this region holds. The capital of Ea’Alora is mostly Snow Elven, while Sleetrun and Mythview, as well as occasional smaller settlements, are mostly Human. The Ey’rlin range makes up most of the region, and is largely uncharted due to the severe peaks, weather, and rumors of beasts that dwell in the snow.