Lathlenn - Central Continent

Overview

Lathlenn is an island continent located mostly in the northern hemisphere of Werlyth. It is bordered by the Farsea Ocean to the West, Barrier Ocean to the East and the Southpoint Ocean to the South.

Lathlenn covers around 9.8 million km², making it the third largest known continent on Werlyth. It is politically divided into 14 sovereign states of which Ferghellin is the largest by land and Lunaris is the largest by population. Lathlenn has a total population 31 million.

The climate is mostly temperate with more varied seasons in the north of the continent and warmer climes to the south.

Lathlenn is home to the human population of Werlyth, their birthplace and Ord given right. Almost the entirely of their 16000 year history has taken place on this continent, from primitive starts to continent spanning empires and the dissolution into the current member states.

Prior to The Collapse, Lathlenn was mostly peaceful, being held together as a loose coalition of human states by the will of the powerful Camborn nation. With the complete destruction of that nation, the continent has fallen to war, intrigue and political games as each nation vies for power or position in this new world.

Lathlenn has a long bloody history and borders have changed, disappeared, been created many many times over that history. The modern era of Lathlenn is considered to be from the formation of the nation of Camborn and it's political power, solidifying many of the other nations. Of the modern nations, Orilon has existed in this form for the longest and was the first nation to be recognised by (and to recognise) the Cambornian court. Over time, diplomatic work and the presentation, or use, of force Camborn moulded the continent into it's current shape.

Map of Lathlenn

Circle denotes mist barrier prior to The Collapse.

Regions of Lathlenn

Camborn - The Sea of Despair (Mare Desperatio)

Capital: Camborn

Before it was the inland sea, Camborn was a powerful stabilising nation that used it's famed military might and diplomatic skill to maintain a time of peace on the continent that lasted over 700 years. The central court at Camborn was jointly ruled by King Jullus and Queen Xera, their nation was prosperous and every nation in Lathlenn would have a presence there in order to manage disputes and agreements. The complete destruction of this nation during The Collapse as it sank into darkness and the space filled in with water has shattered the peace of the continent, not helped by the appearance of monsters, dragons and other races unimaginable by the human inhabitants. Treasure hunters and adventurers have attempted to find the wealth of the nation but it seems danger now stalks the sunken city at the foot of Mount Vessellus, whose peak sits above the sea with a rumour that a dragon has come to roost there.

Ferghellin - The Font of Magic (Fontem Magicae)

Capital: Drakellen

Ruled by the Septellum, a body of 7 wizards. Prior to The Collapse, Ferghellin was the only nation that trained wizards and was incredibly strict about the usage of magic. The central college at Drakellen is the largest repository of magical knowledge and paraphernalia on the continent and likely the entire world. Following The Collapse the land of Ferghellin was irrevocably changed with much of the life of the land drained away, wizards who previously harboured resentments over Ferghellins harsh laws and punishments for those who stepped out of line left the country and set up colleges in other countries, spreading and enhancing the practice of magic. Dark rumours about the dead rising and a foulness emanating from the college tower at Drakellen have begun spreading and the wars against Esslemont and Anghor have harboured many stories of dark forces being used to further the mysterious goals of the Septellum.

Esslemont - The Forge of Lathlenn (Fornax Lathlenn)

Capital: Claremont

Ruled by Queen Stellen (Stel to her friends) and her knight Consort (Ser McQuellen), her previous husband King Galltan was killed during the defence of the Fellern Gap that held back the Ferghellin army and prevented their entry into Esslement. Esslemont is famous for it's metallurgy as well as it's Claremont Royal Blacksmiths whose creations are prized the continent (and slowly now, the world) over. With an influx of aether and new materials from previously unknown continents, work has begun on the Great Forge, a colossal project to construct the worlds greatest forge, capable of forging the greatest weapons of war.

Kinge - Separate But Equal (Separate Autem Pares)

Capital: Avonmere

Prince-Regent Allarin manages the kingdom of duchies, there is no true king of Kinge and the position is attained through ritualistic combat trial held every 10 years between the duchies that make up Kinge. It's non-fatal and a generally celebrated event

The Prince-Regents role is to direct the military might (mostly against Auchen) of the duchies when they aren't fighting each other, collect taxes to fund said actions and "public works"

Auchen - Honour Above All (Honora Super Omnia)

Capital: Calamarren

Ruled through sheer force of will by Queen Hallian, Auchen is a country led by only the strongest and most honourable where all contests of property or rights are settled by duels, even petty crime is handled through gladiatorial combat or duelling. Queen Hallian took the crown from it's previous owner (King Alain) after a triumphant victory over a numerically superior force from Kinge who had employed some Ferghellin mages (each of which Hallian personally slew). Upon her return to the capital, the challenge was issued and the duel was ended within 3 strokes. In the 18 years since there have been numerous challenges to her rule but none have yet succeeded. Some would say (very quietly) that the constant deaths from duels are why Auchen cannot make much headway in its perpetual war with Kinge

Nyrae - The Spirit Of The Land (De Spiritu Terrae)

Capital: Epherniss (The Spirit Tree)

Nyrae was previously an agricultural theocracy ruled by a council of elders but since the Collapse has been transformed into forest kingdom ruled entirely by Everglade, a title given to extremely powerful druids who rule in turns dictated by seasons. The druids overturned their society entirely and implemented rules to protect and encourage nature through draconian laws that often lead to death sentences. Harming trees or animals without need or care is heavily incentivised against. There are almost no roads leading through Nyrae now, the old ways have been grown over and travelling in the area will require either local knowledge or a guide. Especially to navigate the myriad rules and procedures for ensuring that you do not cross the druids.

Lunaris - Progress Through Experiment (Progressus Experimentum)

Capital: Luminaire (The Tower of Light)

Lunaris has always been at the forefront of technological advancement on Lathlenn, developing magicked lamps, sending stones and a myriad of other devices. This brought the country much wealth and has allowed them to decadently make their capital brighter and brighter and the Tower of Light at its center is now visible for many miles. Lunaris is managed by a triumvirate of inventors who guide the development of the nation in much the same way they invent things, haphazardly but always with the eye for coin. The positions are for life and all 3 current members of the Triumvirate have held the position since before the Collapse.

Grasmere - High Seat of Ord (Princeps Sedes Ordinis)

Capital: Ordarion

Grasmere has always been a relatively small nation much famed for it's supposed neutrality in continental affairs and the apparent obviousness by which is Ordian priesthood sought to guide the various nations through attaining positions of power in other nations courts. To what end, nobody but the Ordians know. The high Priest and Priestess of Ord rule this nation through decrees ordained by Ord. The High Sept of Ord is maintained here and is meant to be built around an artefact left here by Ord themselves (himself to the Ordians) and priests of Ord not ordained at the High Sept are considered apostates and false prophets who should be removed. Since the Collapse these 'removals' have been done by a supposedly fey folk. Counter to their current modus operandi, even the Ferghellins have left Grasmere alone despite their border being shared.

Anghor - The Queen Protects (Regina protegit)

Capital: Anghor

Anghor has been the Western Bulwark against Ferghellin aggression. Following the Collapse a tidal wave destroyed the previous capital of Jalterne and so the Queen Mother Ralatina had it rebuilt with stronger foundation in the same spot declaring that Anghor will not move even for the sea. When she passed and her first daughter became Queen Mother Merin III, a great sea wall was built to prevent any possible further destruction, though a wave has not happened since. Ferghellin began their war against Anghor and Esslemont at the same time but made almost no ground against the stalwart shield walls of Anghor, a military already famed for their defensive skill and siege warfare.

Braedon - The Sea Welcomes All (Mare Recipit Omnes)

Capital: Eldoris

Braedon is currently a vassal of Ferghellin, it's military has been entirely replaced by Ferghellin Regulars. A parliamentary republic where the local populace is divided into barrows that elect one representative to the central parliament in Eldoris. Braedon has long been Lathlenn's shipwrights, their carefully managed forests at the foot of the mountains on their southern border have provided the lumber for their beautiful ships. The ships that set sail and eventually landed at Perl were built and launched from the Capital Docks at Eldoris. Braedon fell quickly to Ferghellins early assault as their military might mostly rested in the sea.

Lanercoast - Trade Opens All Doors (Pecunia Aperit Omnes Lanua)

Capital: Tralaner

Lanercoast is a mercantile republic where it's parliamentary council members are selected in lavish voting periods where the wealthiest attempt to outspend each other to attain critical votes from the property owning public. Lanercoast is almost entirely built upon trade, producing little product on it's own, instead relying on superior trading to enrich it's people. Their reputation for trade has resulted in their weights and balances for all the continents currencies being used to facilitate trade. Trade Common and the Adventurers Guild are Lanercoasts other contributions to the world, with both spreading beyond Lathlenn quickly following The Collapse and the discovery of the other continents.

Penshaw - The Life Giving Land (Vita Dans Terram)

Capital: Norte

Resting south of the trade behemoth Lanercoast, Penshaw is an agricultural powerhouse, a title that it shares with Darkenwell. The warm summers and more moderate winters have resulted in a farming community that produces impressive amounts of grain and perennial fruits. King Perses has reigned since shortly after The Collapse, the event leading to a general famine for the first few years before the farms began producing in earnest again. King Perses father, King Quillestra had abdicated his throne believing that The Collapse was the result of bad omens and was a divine punishment for his hubris. King Quillestra now spends his days atoning, sequestered in a monastery near Norte.

Darkenwell - The Sun Provides (Sol Praebet)

Capital: Flayme

Darkenwell is in direct competition to Penshaw for the title of breadbasket of the continent. Benefiting from being on the leeward side of the mountains, Darkenwell produces much of the continents exported fruit and vegetables. It is often said that you can tell the time of day by the weather all year round and this seems to be mostly true, benefiting from predictable rains and dry seasons. King Carelyn is approaching 90 years of age and has sat comfortably in his unassuming wooden throne for 74 of those years, having taken over when his mother Queen Laneda passed away at 36 unexpectedly. This event led to King Carelyn being incredibly selective of his food and environment leading to a mostly austere throne room bereft of too many tapestries and fancy stonework.

Pellech - The Shining Land (Terra Splendens)

Capital: Cerau

Pellech is the 2nd smallest nation on Lathlenn and following The Collapse has had the unenviable position of being in near turmoil politically. At the time of the disaster, the entire royal family was in Camborn for a celebration of 100 years of their dynasty. That entire dynasty wiped out in one foul instant. Following that, various military leaders and groups rose up to take control and the resulting civil war was devastating on the population. Orilon, Pellech's nearest neighbour came to the struggling nations aid and helped establish some stability by helping to institute the start of their system of government and ousting the more throne minded military warlords. Pellechs main export was gems prior to The Collapse and in recent years that industry has begun to start again.

Orilon - From One, To All (Ab Uno, Ad Omnes)

Capital: Flurris

Orilon has the prestigious position of not only being the smallest nation on Lathlenn, but also the first formally recognised one in the modern era. Orilon is lead by a small council, that rotates every year and only makes decisions regarding national concern (war, aid, large public works, border security). Other than this the nation is entirely community led, with individual towns/cities being able to direct their own policies, with the vast majority of all property, businesses and government being directly owned and managed by the community with all citizens provided for. The nation has had it's fair share of dictators attempting to subvert this to their own benefit but has managed to prevail over them and retain it's identity over it's 2000 year history.

Perl - The Forsaken Kingdom

Capital: Perl

Perl was founded 26 years prior to The Collapse. Marine expeditions to explore the Mist Wall were rare and most never returned, however one lucky captain discovered a small outcropping of land near the Mist Wall and after landing there, proclaimed it's his kingdom of Perl and himself King Therold I. Perl was initial very prosperous, having found deposits of Gold and Silver under the city, attracting both trade and tradesmen who came to chase the riches promised. Following The Collapse, Perl is now a complete ruin, the only buildings still standing tall are the castle and monastery on the bluff overlooking the city. Rumours are that the place is haunted and the ghosts of its dead citizens haunt the streets and empty halls but for anyone brave enough, the city has riches abound. Nobody brave enough has returned though it seems.