The Nations of Avrothian Targaea: One of the larger and more prosperous nations, Targaea is ruled by their aged king, Avarandum IV, who is firm but just. His more gentle wife is Glennifere, and the wilful princess of the land is named Faiadneda. This nation is the home of the Bloodrunners, and often seen as one of the champions of good on the continent. Their biggest rival is the Kingdom of Dargona. Dargona: Though Dargona has one of the most powerful industries and military of all the nations, it has recently gone through a stage of much political confusion. 18 years ago, the former King Karreth fell in love with a commoner woman named Lisanne. Shortly after marriage, Lisanne gave birth to a daughter, Estia. 15 years later, Lisanne died, and King Karreth married once again, this time to a minor noblewoman named Illicia, who was little older than his daughter. King Karreth himself fell ill, and died two years later, leaving his young Queen Illicia to govern the country. Fortunately, the capable Lord-Generals of Dargona were quite able to handle the day-to-day details of running a kingdom, but it is unclear whether they are loyal to their Queen, or the Princess Estia. Veruva: 500 years ago, the Veruvan Empire covered almost half the continent of Avrothian. But having been finally defeated by the other nations, Veruva is now a puny mockery of what it once was. The other nations have placed upon it a limit on both territory and military to impede the once great Empire from re-emerging. Their weak King, Oden, is little more than a regent appointed by the "guardian" of Veruva, Targaea. Oden has no wife or offspring, and the Targaeans prefer it that way, as it allows them to better control the ascension to the throne. However, there are many bitter people in Veruva who would like to see the old Empire regain its former glory. Lorainon: Lorainon is one of the richest nations in all of Avrothian. It is a land of merchants that exports its fine and exotic products to all the nations of the continent. Lorainon also often sets the current "fashion" for much of the continent, and its huge clothing stores are envied by people everywhere. Lorainon is one of the few nations where Runecasting is not only disdained, but illegal. Lorainon is ruled by the Merchant Guild, where profit always comes first, which is why it is politically disdained by some nations with higher "morals". For years, Lorainon has fought with Mairen for control of the tropical Tiajutwa islands. Mairen: Mairen is an island nation whose merchant ships have made rich and prosperous. However, the good-natured sailor folk of Mairen tend to be much less snooty about their wealth than the Loraini. Mairen is ruled by the jovial Lord-Admiral Daven Praethor, whose wife Alian died at sea five years ago. He does, however, have a son named Jairet. For many years, Mairen has fought with its rival, Lorainon, for control of the Tiajutwa isles, where many exotic spices can be found in abundance, and it is Mairen that currently controls these islands. Pelranny: Pelranny is the largest nation in terms of land and population, and it is also one of the least advanced. The Pelrai are for the most part simple farmers, and much of the world's basic food comes from this land. This troubled nation is ruled by the greedy King Bartaimin, who has a half-dozen young wives, and at least twice that many children. While some nations frown upon this decadence, others, such as Targaea, seek to aid the poor people of Pelranny. Runecasting is Pelranny is not strictly illegal, but the Pelrai are particularly supersticious, and would be likely to attack a Runecaster in mobs if one was to be revealed. Kamine: Kamine itself is the tower, often simply called "the Dark Tower", from where the insane and all-powerful Runelords ruled and eventually destroyed the entire continent two thousand years ago. Now, the name Kamine has been given to the region surrounding the tower, and it is a piece of land owned by the kingdom of Dargona. A city has sprung up around the ruins of the Dark Tower, a city of dark muggings, murders and under-handed deals. If one is seeking a particular criminal, the town referred to as Kamine is definitely the first place to look. Dargona only maintains a token force in the city, and is almost ashamed of owning the land, but no other nation would even take the land if it were freely given. It is worth mentioning that though the city is filled with the boldest and most daring cutthroats in the whole land, none have ever dared approached the tower Kamine itself . . . The Bladelands: The Bladelands are not a nation, but merely a wasteland that is rumored to be the home of the enigmatic Brothers of the Sword. The Brothers are a mysterious group of men and women that are able to form swords of pure fire in their hands, and are known as the most dangerous warriors in the world. Exactly what the goals of the Brotherhood are is unknown, but they are often known as meddling "do-gooders" who appear when most unexpected and least wanted. Thardin: Thardin is a mountainous nation of hardy warriors that hold a strict martial philosophy. It is the chief producer of raw metals that are then sold to other nations, such as Targaea and Dargona for smelting and forging. In Thardin, it is illegal for any citizen to be a Runecaster, but there is no law against outlanders who use Runes. The King of Thardin is the mighty warrior Khareimedes, a giant of a man who has supposedly never lost a fight except once, to a member of the mysterious Brothers of the Blade. Thus, Thardin is one of the only nations where the Brothers are readily respected by all the people. Khareimedes is married to his queen Uwanna, and has two sons, the first, Threices, a mirror image of his father, and almost his equal in combat, and the second, Ejreid, in whom the mighty king is somewhat disapointed. The nation of Thardin is allied with the kingdom of Targaea.