The Seven Cities of Ahrdin thrive in this province. Situated as it is just south of the Ainrimorn forest, this odd province is home to an unusually large number of elves. The cities here are filled with skilled craftsmen who have carved, painted, and gilded the Seven Cities to fame. Each of the cities is about 6-10,000 people in size each is quite beautiful to behold. A fair number of halflings farm the rich soil along the north bank of the Reegn River providing most of the locally grown food. Her Royal Highness the Duchess Ammeria rules over this province. She lives in the city of Hiond, the location of a large Elven Consulate built by the Empire to facilitate dealings with the elves. The province as a whole exports quality handicrafts and some herbs found in this area but otherwise they produce little they do not use themselves. They import some products from other areas like beer, wine, and light horses.
Religion: The major religions of the area are those of Celestian and Corellon.
Slavery: Slavery is not permitted within this province.
Population: The total population of this province is 70,000 or so. 50,000 of these live in the seven cities while the rest live in hamlets on the Reegn. 55% of the population is human, 30% elven, 10% halfling, 5% all other.
Monster Populations: Many sorts of unpredictable faeries are known to inhabit this province and harass or kidnap unwary travellers.
This secretive province is along the mountains that make up the Empire's eastern border. It is a very large territory stretching some 700 miles from the far north of the Empire, actually bordering Nhordia, south to the Reegn River. This region has a varied environment. One can find rocky hills, dry grassy plains, swamps, volcanoes, rugged mountains, small lakes, ashy wastelands, and even hot springs within its borders. Contrary to popular belief, travellers are welcome within the area and at most of the major cities. Well kept trade roads are open year round through most of the province although the southern half is better serviced. Borune is famous for its high quality steel but it also deals in other metals. The mines here produce copper, tin, lead,and gold. The province also deals in and exports trained slaves. Borune is the largest exporter, by silver value, of goods and services in the Empire. The Emperor himself is said to have some Borunian construction slave teams. Duke Verim is the current ruler of the province but it is known that he employs a large personal staff to help with the huge task of running this large province and is seldom seen in person.
Religion: The major religions of this area are those of Iuz, Ecgror, Iarulac, Trumas, and Silren.
Slavery: Slavery is encouraged in this province.
Population: The people of Borune number 150,000 or more. Several large cities exist including Forge, a large port and manufacturing city of almost 15,000 people, Delve, a mining city of over 10,000, and the capital, Grind, with 50,000 people living within its massive walls.
Monster Populations: Southern Borune is thought to be the home of eight clans of hobgoblins totalling about 2500 individuals. The southern wastes are known to hold herds of phororhacos, giant Borunian sand lizards, and roaming draygones. Northern Borune is said to have six orc clans of at least 1,000 members each which war amongst themselves in the uninhabited hills of this area. Some bands of goblins eke out a living in the Djarmasian Mountains but the inaccessibility of this terrain has made estimates of their numbers difficult.
Forest covers this entire province and provides most of the products that they export. Their entire economy is dependant upon the fine lumber, masts, pine tars, etc. that they collect from Forest Chelet. Duke Gansenan and his family rule this canopied area from the city of Pinehold. Travellers are advised to travel only upon the Imperial Highway that runs from Obton to Pinehold. The various unpatrolled trails that wander through this realm are extremely dangerous as most of this province is untamed wilderness.
Religion: The major religions in the area are those of Ulfbluc and Anastaere.
Slavery: Slavery is frowned upon in this province.
Population: The entire population of this province resides in three main places, the city of Pinehold (6500 people), the logging town of Lumberton (2500 people), and the shipping town of Fley (1000 people). Almost all of the population are human as the people of Chelet view non-humans with great suspicion.
Monster Populations: The Gansenan family suspects that there may be hundreds of elves, thousands of orcs (or some close relative to the orc), and many large spiders in this vast forest.
Ruled by Duke Terhew, this gnomish province lies northeast of Rheeven province and to the south of the Reegn River. The Draemeerians produce intricate mechanisms, alchemical components, and measuring devices which they sell to the rest of the Empire. This province also holds the Imperial Zoo within which roam many rare creatures captured throughout the Empire. A special contingent of Imperial Legionnaires guard this zoo from poachers. Punishment for trespass is from 1-20 years hard labor, depending upon the severity of the crime.
Religion: The gnomes of Draemeer pay homage to Moradin more than most other gods and his temples are present in every town.
Slavery: Slavery is permitted to visitors in this province.
Population: 5,000 humans, 20-30,000 gnomes, and perhaps 5,000 dwarves live in this province. Almost all of these are in one inhabited region outside of Imperial Zoo land.
Monster Populations: Orc bandits live in the hills of this province but are kept under control by regular patrols.
Of all the warring kingdoms in the days before the Great Unification, only Ermid pledged allegiance to Emperor Carromdinel before he had conquered any provinces. With Ermid's help the Empire was formed in only twenty years. This province still produces fierce fighters and well-trained soldiers. Because of their location just east of the Tlocor mountains they do not get much rain so their exports are mainly non-agricultural. They export raw glass, fighting slaves, soldiers, weapons, hardy cattle, and some strong coffee grown in the Tlocors. They import sheep from Strandeng, grain and beer from Mitric, wine from Rheeven, and steel from Borune. Duke Mathas III rules this province from his palace in Iarvenn but often visits the other two cities of the "Iron Triangle" Dasa and Soerk.
Religion: The major religions of this province are those of Trumas and Kord.
Slavery: Slavery is an accepted practice in this province.
Population: The total population is near 70,000. Iarvenn is inhabited by 22,000 humans and 3000 demi-humans, although some of these individuals are slaves. The cities of Dasa and Soerk each hold about 15,000 humans and 1000 assorted non-humans. About 10% of these city's inhabitants are considered transients, they come and go from the desert and mountains of the province to get minerals, food products, and other trade goods. Outside of the cities are six garrison towns which produce food products that are traded throughout Ermid. Each of these towns has approximately 2000 people (80% human, 20% non-human) The population of bandits in the Ermid Barrens is not known.
Monster Populations: Dragons, displacer beasts, elementals which wander north from the Howling Ruins, 5-10,000 kobolds, and giant lizards are known to inhabit the vast wastes and rocky mountains of this province.
This province is known throughout the Empire for a rather strange export, namely gourds. The Fahlrumians produce over fifty varieties of pumpkin, watermelon, squash, honeydew, and other gourds. Some of these are not eaten but used to make containers, watertight net floats, and a few even give off heatless light when broken open. Situated just south of the Imperial Capital, this province has no trouble shipping its wares anywhere it wishes and is also able to get almost any product that moves through the markets of the Capital. Duke Whistian is the ruler of this province. Imports include meat products and fruits.
Religion: The primary deity of this territory is Raunarra, but group chapels exist where all gods may be honored.
Slavery: Slavery is permitted in this province.
Population: The total population of this province is 45,000 persons. Most live in small farming villages of 200 people or less.
Monster Populations: Few things trouble the people of Fahlrum although some banditry is known to exist here. Imperial guards regularly patrol the roads and most of their practice engagements are conducted on Fahlrumian soil.
One of the most beautiful provinces in the Empire, Kahlom lies just south of the breathtaking Eliaur Mountains amidst the Ringros (cold foam) lakes. The winters here can be quite cold in this northern province but Duke Hanrick V says that this teaches his people to endure hardships in their quest for honor. Hanrick rules his people from the city of Orome. Most of the rest of this province is dotted with castles and their attendant villages. The cavalry in this province creates the standard by which all others are judged. Kahlom does export fine warhorses and import some rare metals but otherwise very little trade exists between Kahlom and the rest of the Empire. They seem unwilling to part with the gem wealth they extract from some of the richest sapphire mines in the Empire.
Religion: The major religion of this province is that of Trumwuld.
Slavery: Slavery is forbidden in this province.
Population: The capital city of Orome holds no more than 20,000 people, but approximately 100 towns have grown up around the many castles in the province. Each village has some sort of keep or castle and most have populations of 500-2000. The total population is thought to be 120,000. 85% of inhabitants are human, 10% elven, 5% other. A large population of dwarves is known to exist under the Eliaur mountains but they have little to do with the Dukedom.
Monster Populations: Many dragons live in the high, cold, grey, stone peaks of the Eliaurs where they can hold captive maidens and fair lads for the brave knights of Kahlom rescue. Deep, old caverns are also known to run under these mountains for many unspeakably evil things crawl forth from the dark sinkholes which can be found in many places around this province.
Lendoor is an island province located at the mouth of the Reegn river where it pours forth into the sea. The interior of this island is mountainous and relatively uninhabited but the mild climate and fertile plains of the island rim are more extensively populated. Many farms, olive orchards, and fishing villages line the coastline. Three large ports service the thriving shipping trade that passes through this vital location also. A few fine wines are produced here along with many inexpensive table varieties. The island is named after the ruling family and is currently run by Duke Lendoor IX.
Religion: The major religions of this island are those of Nereus, Hyaline, and Til'mund.
Slavery: Slavery is permitted in this province.
Population: Approximately 65,000 people live on the fertile island of Lendoor. Many small villages dot the coasts of the island and the three largest cities, Restnford, Thaerun, and Phitha are port cities with 10,000 , 13,000 , and 21,000 people respectively.
Monster Populations: The rugged interior of the island is home to many unwholesome creatures such as cyclops, gnolls numbering perhaps 5000, medusae, and at least one mountain is known for its assortment of giant spiders. The ruins found on these mountains are also known to be inhabited by dangerous monsters of many sorts.
This province is ruled by Emir Buryat from the capital of Baraka which is situated at the mouth of the river Khaud in the Jevvel Mountains in the southern Empire. The province itself stretches east to Hithril Wood and north and west to Taunarr. Trade from the Arir passes through Baraka and this accounts for almost all of the trade lessarnia has with the rest of the Empire. It is said that if one is travelling to Baraka it is only safe to go with escort as uncivilized natives roam the grasslands past the eight league patrol area around this city.
Religion: The major religions of this province are those of Cerdic and Primus.
Slavery: Slavery is accepted in this province.
Population: Baraka is the main population center for the entire province and it holds 45,000 persons. Only two other towns exist in the entire area and they are still only small outposts. The rest of the province is inhabited by nomadic tribesmen.
Monster Populations: Thousands of herdbeasts cross the plains of Lessarnia followed by the nomads which live off them. Many of these nomads are known to be violent and dangerous. Several large predators also make their living on these plains and caution is advised to travellers.
Duchess Jolene of Furyondy is the sole ruler of this province due to the death of her husband in 1020 at the hands of the Archmage Vulmeas. She rules a large province in the far eastern reaches of the Empire. Mitric's northern border is the Reegn River, its southern border is the Jevvel Mountains, its eastern border the Djarmasians, and its western border is the Hithril Wood, a huge forest in the south-central Empire. Mitric is one of the wealthiest provinces in the Empire. "Silver flows through Mitric like water through the Reegn," is a saying of many Imperial merchants. Almost anything that one could want is found here. They themselves produce the best beers in the Empire, fine ales, the largest grain crop in the Empire, the best beef, excellent pork, the finest breads anywhere, and the largest freshwater fish catches in the Empire (from Lake Strume). The capital city is named Mitrik, as this was at one time merely a large city-state until the formal fusing of Mitrik and Furyondy formed this vast province. She fields the second largest private army in the Empire, has the third greatest exports, behind Borune and Skou'rn, has more patrolled roads than any of her neighbors, and boasts of having a population second only to Rheeven. Mitric also exports ships, even though she has no direct access to a seaport! Shipbuilders build craft on Lake Strume and port them overland to Pt. Keel on the Reegn River where they can be sailed on to their final destination. All in all, this province is one of the most active in the Empire today.
Religion: The major religions in the area are those of Olaeráan, Ealdwin, Trumwuld, Borimond, and Raunarra.
Slavery: Slavery is not permitted within this province.
Population: The total population of this province is 200,000 people. About 75% human, 25% demi-human. Much of the population resides in well-defended cities which maintain large tracts of agricultural land and provide transportation for their citizenry into the fields every day during the growing season. Mitrik has a population of almost 75,000, Veluna 60,00, Verbobonc 20,000, Quay 7,500, The Isle of Storms some 7,500, Wayside 5,000, and Port Keel 5,000.
Monster Populations: The inhabited lands of Mitric have few dangerous monsters and the roads are known to be safe, well-maintained, and heavily patrolled by troops who are trusted by the people of Mitric. When one wanders south or west out of the densely populated areas one may run across ankheg, wood elves, or even some bandits. In the Djarmasian Mountains that border Mitric to the East there are known to be several thousand goblins which war amongst themselves for ownership of this mountain or that and many giants are reportedly in this region.
Rheeven province runs along nearly the entire western coast of the Empire from Terhew in the north to the Tlocor mountains in the south. Rheeven is one of the most densely populated provinces in the Empire and has a greater number of large cities and towns than any other province. Duke Kalmton lives in the an enchanting little castle in the centrally located town of Fove. The provinces main export is wine. Several varieties are produced here and sold across the Empire. Many shipbuilding facilities are found in this province as well and any type of boat or ship that a person could want can be built by the skilled Rheeven shipbuilders. Fish account for the majority of the Rheeven diet but mutton, fowl, and many cheeses and vegetables are available in the markets here as well. Cheese, sheep, coffee, and fine woods account for the majority of imports. Merchants who bring metal armors into this province have stiff tariffs imposed upon their goods making these items cost from 3-4 times what they would in most other parts of the Empire. Rheeven's own armorers produce very little of the heavier armors as the climate and location are known to have a corrosive effect on large masses of metal making upkeep for metal-clad armors prohibitive.
Religion: The major religions of this province are those of Nereus, Hyaline, Til'mund, Olaeráan, Aetheldan, and there is some speculation that at least one major temple of Iarulac may be located here as well.
Slavery: Slavery is permitted in this province as a form of punishment for criminals.
Population: There are over 15 cities with at least a 10,000 person population but no city here is larger than the port city of Elbin which has under 30,000 inhabitants. Small towns are clustered around the coastline of this province providing accommodations to travellers every night of a mounted journey. The total population of this province is estimated to be nearly 280,000 persons 80% of which is human with the remaining 20% comprising all other demi-human races.
Monster Populations: Bandits, orcs, gnolls, ogres, and goblins are all known to live in the mountains which make up the eastern border of Rheeven, but the most feared creatures to have plagued this province are the demons released from Mt. Galaam in the year 995 BL. Every now and then one of these terrifying foes appears in this province to wreak havoc.
Skou'rn is located just west of the Imperial Capital on the south side of the Reegn River across from Ahrdin. This small province is second in exports only to Borune. It has "Bitten into a cheddar and found gold" as Tyves the Industrious has said for it is cheese that has made them their fortune. Over one hundred varieties of cheese are produced here, some requiring magic to produce. Only one large city, Keave, the seat of government, home to the Duke and Duchess Lalleren, can be found in this province all other inhabitations are small villages which produce a unique variety of cheese. Roads and cart tracks crisscross the whole area and travel is quite easy. Each town has at least one small inn and friendly people. Recently Skou'rnian merchants have entered into the fur market trading with Taunarr for furs and then selling them through their extensive network of cheeseshops. Imports include wine, beer, sea fish, and gourds.
Religion: The major religions in the area include those of Raunarra, Yondalla, and recently Aetheldan has been gaining ground.
Slavery: Slavery is not permitted within this province.
Population: The total population of this province is 40-50,000. 75% human, 10% halfling, 10% elven, 5% all other.
Monster Populations: Few humanoids find Skou'rn a safe hunting ground, lying so close to the Imperial Capital, but the people of this province do complain of a persistent problem with giant rats.
Stoak is a relatively small farming province near the Imperial Capital. Small farming villages dot the province and the largest city, Obton, has a population of but 4,000 and is where Duke Hayse's government is centered. Peaches, plums, apples, cherries, strawberries, blackberries, blueberries, beans, roots, and many vegetables are grown in this province and shipped the short distance to the Imperial Capital and then on to most other provinces in the Empire. Horses are hard to come by in this province and only draft animals can ever be found.
Religion: The major religions of this province are those of Raunarra, Yondalla, because of the large halfling population, and Olaeráan the Harvester.
Slavery: Slavery is permitted to visitors in this province.
Population: 40,000 humans live in Stoak. Only 4,000 of those are in Obton, the capital city, all the others live in small villages and hamlets of from 50 to 500 people. The halfling population here is near 12,000 the highest of any province in the Empire.
Monster Populations: Few large populations of creatures roam Stoak but the occasional undead rises from one of the old graveyards to plague these peaceful people.
This long, narrow northwestern territory occupies a major portion of the eastern seacoast of the Empire. The coast produces a moderate shellfish catch, but few people earn their living by fishing. Most folk here raise sheep and live in small communities scattered throughout the hills. The coasts are mainly high black cliffs with few available ports. The interior is grassy rolling hills with the same black stone sometimes visible. Strange, ancient obelisks dot the landscape, the stones which comprise them appearing to have been cut and somehow dragged into place. Duchess Zalain rules over this area with the help of her two loyal barons.
Religion: The major religion in this area is the worship of Borimond.
Slavery: Slavery is not permitted in this province.
Population: The human population of Strandeng is about 25,000 persons with only 8,000 in the capital of Sefen. A few wandering elves can be found and two halfling towns are known to exist here.
Monster Populations: At least 1000 ogres are thought to inhabit the hills of this area as well as two enclaves of hill giants.
Vast grassy plains make up the bulk of this large province. Taunarr's borders are from the Reegn River in the north to the Jevvel Mountains in the south, and from Fahlrum and Ermid in the west to Lessarnia and Hithril Wood in the east. The population of Taunarr is mostly made up of bands of nomads who wander about the plains following the herds of grazing beasts that live on these plains. Some towns were built within this province by adventurous farmers seeking their own land but these were wiped out by the native peoples who ride across the plains on light horses and use shortbows to great effect. Travellers are advised to be cautious when making their way through this area and all attempts should be made to not offend the native peoples if they are encountered. The leader of this province is Eurav'ton Windrider. Merchants do take weapons, beer, wine, and brandy into this province to trade and bring back furs to sell in Imperial markets (See Skou'rn).
Religion: The major religions of this province are unknown.
Slavery: Slavery may be permitted within this province but no formal law is known.
Population: The total population of this province is unknown, but when asked this question Eurav'ton guessed that 10,000 of his people wandered these plains.
Monster Populations: Traders report large bands of orcen inhabit this ocean of grass, and even some burrowing carnivorous worms. Vast herds of grazing beasts migrate slowly around this province and could possibly support even other predators.