The Petty Kingdoms are a fractured and ever-shifting collection of city-states, fiefdoms, warlord holdings, and fledgling nations, locked in an endless cycle of rise and ruin. Sprawling across a vast landscape that takes months to traverse, the region is a land of opportunity for the ambitious and a proving ground for the strong. Though many rulers have claimed dominion over its entirety, none have ever truly tamed the land.
Two major powers loom over the Petty Kingdoms, vying for influence among the volatile states. To the northeast, the vampiric nation of Velkynheim clings to the shadows of the mountains, weaving webs of intrigue to expand their dominion. In the southwest, the theocractic Holy Covenant of Hieros seeks to bring order and faith to the region, clashing with any who resist their divine mandate. Between these titanic forces, the minor realms of the Petty Kingdoms struggle for survival, with new rulers and dynasties emerging as quickly as they fall.
Geography
The Petty Kingdoms are a land of diverse and often untamed terrain, shaped by ancient geological upheavals and the shifting ambitions of countless rulers. The region is marked by rolling hills, dense forests, winding rivers, and vast plains, all of which contribute to both its richness and its instability.
Northern Reaches & the Kendaron Borderlands
The northernmost parts of the region are rugged and harsh, where the mountains that separate the Petty Kingdoms from the Kendaron Desert gradually descend into rocky foothills. This area is sparsely populated, save for a few hardy settlements and fortress-holds that serve as bulwarks against desert raiders and opportunistic warlords. The closer one moves to the desert, the more arid and inhospitable the land becomes, with dry riverbeds, scrubland, and craggy outcroppings breaking up the landscape.
The Heartlands: Rolling Plains & River Valleys
At the center of the Petty Kingdoms lie fertile plains and winding rivers that form the lifeblood of the region. These lands are prime territory for agriculture, trade, and warfare alike. Most of the region’s city-states and minor kingdoms are concentrated here, fighting over rivers that serve as vital trade routes and strategic natural defenses. Over centuries, the rivers have eroded the land into deep valleys, creating natural corridors that armies and traders alike use to navigate the region.
The Eastern Highlands & the Jungle Frontier
The eastern part of the Petty Kingdoms is a land of high plateaus and sharp ridges, rising toward the eastern mountains that serve as a natural barrier to the vast jungle beyond. The mountain passes here are dangerous and often controlled by fiercely independent warlords or roaming mercenary bands. Trade with the jungle civilizations beyond is rare but lucrative, leading to occasional expeditions and trade caravans braving the treacherous crossings.
The Southern Coast & the Inner Ocean
The southern edge of the Petty Kingdoms meets the Inner Ocean, where a jagged coastline is punctuated by natural harbors, cliffside fortresses, and pirate strongholds. While some coastal cities have achieved short-lived stability through maritime trade, piracy and raiding are rampant. The promise of naval power is an enticing prospect for any would-be conqueror, yet few have managed to maintain control of the shifting alliances among the coastal states.
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