The Emerrane Pass has a number of major countries as part of it. This is list of those countries, their backgrounds, their reputations across the world and their current state of affairs.
Ardad
Ardad is on the south west side of the Emerrane Pass, with a land border with
Epria, and a coast.
Background
Ardad has been a militaristic dictatorship for thousands of years. It started with a military coup wearing a somewhat communist facade, but quickly turned into what it remains to this day.
It is one of the oldest countries in the Emerrane pass, formed long before its neighbouring Epria.
Around the turn of the millennia, the Ardadians started a campaign against Halfling's and Gnomes as peoples who weren't "trying hard enough to contribute to society." As a result most of them fled the country, and those who didn't died out.
Ardad occupied Epria from 1282 until the so-called Freedom War in 1349. Since being pushed back they have spent some time licking their wounds.
Global Reputation
Ardad is known for its military force. Their soldiers, called The Brotherhood, are referred to Ardadian Brothers and are portrayed by those outside of the country as unemotional and controlling. Its borders aren't very open and it's not exactly welcoming to outsiders.
Its iron-willed ruling family have a strong reputation. They are known for trying to rally their people around "the Greater Good", while the more sceptical outsiders wonder whether it's the greater good or their own good.
Current State
Ardad's current ruler is
Compatriot Garrison Dardin. The Compatriot has spent the last ten years re-enforcing their army to make up for the unacceptable losses during the Freedom War. There loss of Epria also lost them a lot of trade, so the country as a whole are looking for ways to reinvigorate their country. Large parts of the country are going through an extremely lean time.
Artrouvia
Artrouvia is on the northernmost side of the landmass on the east side of the Emerrane Pass. It has land border with
Navou,
Ospana and
Wayda.
Background
Artrouvia is the birthplace of the Trou Pantheon, a religious sect born in opposition to the dragonborn gods. There was a time when large numbers of dragonborn travelled to live in this part of the world, and for the most part they were accepted here. There were some people who were less trusting than others, but they found a way to live happy lives.
However, when Emperor Helm Roda ascended to the throne in 1341, he lost his patience with the "heathen" dragonborns worshiping their "fake gods" and imposed a ban on the worship of any other than the Trou Pantheon. Within a year of this law being enacted, the dragonborns revolted. Calling themselves Lorashann's Army, after the dragonborn Goddess of bards, history, and death, they overthrew the city of Vranbul and renamed it Loras in her honour.
Global Reputation
Artrouvia has a reputation globally for its piety, with traditional and strict morals that don't make it an appealing destination to most. It's also known to be undergoing a revolution of sorts and is therefore not the sort of place that's particularly safe to travel through.
The country itself is technically an autocracy, run currently by Emperor Helm Roda, and it has been governed by a member of the Roda family for many generations.
Current State
Emperor Helm Roda ascended to the throne at the age of 21 and had large shoes to fill in the form of his father Emperor Ecran Roda's legacy. He is always keen to prove himself on a global stage and also to find a way to rid himself once and for all of the dragonborn who seek to "corrupt" his beautiful land.
Dobground
Dobground is a country on the northernmost side of the landmass on the west side of the Emerrane Pass. It has a land border with
Icros and
Lortem.
Background
Dobground is by its nature a flamboyant country. It was originally set up as an artists commune several millennia ago for those people who had more delicate sensibilities and needed a safe haven from the wilds of the then-unclaimed lands.
As their numbers grew they claimed the land to the North, and grew their resources, built upon a matriarchy and an understanding of the value of art, beauty and creativity.
Global Reputation
The greatest export from Dobground is creativity. Some of the worlds greatest poets, writers, musicians and artists. They find beauty in everything and as such have a tendency towards philosophy as well.
One of the things which makes Dobground stand out as a country is that it's a matriarchy. The current matriarch is
Mother Idnes Ano.
Current State
The people of Dobground are always interested in the new and exciting things, and many are chasing the next great story or inspiration.
There have been rumours of an illness in the outreaches of the country.
Druflyxt
Druflyxt is a country on the south east side of the Emerrane Pass. It has land borders with
Ospana,
Ulfi and
Yra.
Background
Druflyxt is predominantly deserts with some mountains and as such a large proportion of the people of Druflyxt are part of semi-nomadic tribes, moving where they need to within the realms of their territories.
Occasionally, over the centuries, people have tried to assert themselves as leaders of the country, most notably King Gondor, a goblin who called himself the First King, although after he died no one bothered succeeding him.
Druflyxt has a complex pantheon of gods revolving around a central mother god called Sadayana, the god of Sacrifice. As such, sacrifice plays a large part in Druflyxtian culture. There is also an undeniable brutality with the ways in which they resolve problems, often turning to gladiatorial style matches to overcome conflicts, determine innocence and for light entertainment.
Global Reputation
The people of Druflyxt are globally thought of as barbarians and savages. It is considered godless and lawless as they have no ruler to speak of.
Current State
The people of Druflyxt rarely leave the country, and outsiders aren't exactly welcomed in. For the most part they keep to themselves and don't bother themselves with what's happening outside their borders.
Epria
Epria is a country on the western landmass of the Emerrane Pass. It has land borders with
Ardad and
Lortem.
Background
Once part of the wildlands, Epria was founded by six merchants who wanted to create stronger trade routes across the Emerrane Pass. These six formed the Merchants Court, and they or their families have been ruling Epria ever since.
Epria's rich trade and high quality production has made it quite a target for other countries. The Yfrary from Lortem tried to invade from the north although they were held back by the Eprians. Shortly afterwards the Ardadian forces walked in to Epria and occupied the country for over 100 years. Epria fought back several times, and finally managed to shake them off with the Freedom War.
However, the angst in the country, and the Merchants Court's attempts to return everything to the way it was, lead to some unrest and resulted in an explosion in their capital which killed two of the members of the Merchants Court and several others fleeing the country.
Global Reputation
Epria is seen by a lot of the world as being a bit basic in its way of doing things, as though they could be managing themselves better. However, its top notch produce speaks for itself and keeps borders open to them across the world.
Current State
Epria is currently run by the
Merchant's Court, a group of five main companies who make up the majority of Epria's wealth.
Icros
Icros is a land-locked country on the north west corner of the Emerrane Pass. It has land borders with
Dobground and
Lortem.
Background
Icros was once nothing but groups of tribes and villages, bound together by nothing more than geography. That was until a King came along. He explained that he was (probably) descended from the gods, and that he and his family were there to make the country great. And they succeeded. Sure, there have been a couple of ups and downs, including an incident with a wizard's curse where the whole country was in perpetual winter for over a decade. But for the most the royal family have brought greatness to Icros.
Global Reputation
Icros is known for thinking it's "the greatest country in the world". They have a fairly well respected royal family, although there have been some rumours about the Prince perhaps not being the best choice to inherit the throne. The royal family is so well loved, it's not surprising that Icros is known for its patriotism.
It's also home of the famous Grand Temple of Augacrest.
Current State
After decades of rule, King Illertal passed away 2 years ago, passing the mantel on to his daughter
Queen Toril.
Lortem
Lortem is a country on the western landmass of the Emerrane Pass. It has land borders with
Dobground,
Epria and
Icros.
Background
Lortem has always been a country born from efficiency. They have always documented everything, and as such are the home of the worlds largest library, Neckfort Library.
For several hundred years, the country was ruled by a royal family called the Yfrary. The Yfrary believed in their right to whatever they wanted, and that occasionally included other countries. After a very unsuccessful attempt to take control of Epria, they were dethroned and instead a very complicated democracy has risen in their place, now known as The Adamant Council.
Global Reputation
To outsiders, the people of Lortem are seen as blunt. What they see as effective and efficient, others see as rude.
They have a strong sense of industry and very little time for luxury or indulgence.
Current State
They are in the middle of an election, and both
the Futurists and the Traditionalists are looking for opportunities to get a head of the other party.
Navou
Navou is a country on the eastern landmass of the Emerrane Pass. It has land borders with
Artrouvia and
Wayda.
Background
Navou has been ruled by Lord Venerio Ercole for over a thousand years. Not that Lord Ercole has been seen in almost as long, but he has always made his presence felt and known.
Of course, there are always rumours that they are living under a dictatorship, but most of Navou don't really "do" politics. Also, it's sunny outside, so why worry about that today? It's a problem for another time.
Global Reputation
The people of Navou are known for their sunny disposition, probably because of their sunny climate, and their verdant countryside. Navouvian wine is the best in the world, and can cost a pretty penny as a result. They also grow large amounts of fruits and flowers, which are also popular with their neighbouring countries.
Current State
Lord Venerio Ercole has been quite quiet of late, and there are murmurs of talks with the Artrouvians.
Ospana
Ospana is a country on the eastern side of the Emerrane Pass. It has land borders with
Artrouvia,
Druflyxt,
Ufli,
Wayda and
Yra.
Background
Ospana's background can be found here:
Ospana, with information about
Cime available too.
Global Reputation
Ospana is known as a rich and wealthy nation, and is respected because of it. Their royal family, and the current monarch, Queen Estier Pomero are also very well respected, although some think they are a little too concerned with what other countries are doing.
Current State
There have been rumours that
Queen Estier has her eye on Atrouvia.
Ufli
Ufli is a country on the eastern land mass of the Emerrane Pass. It has land borders with
Druflyxt,
Ospana and
Wayda.
Background
Ufli is a small country carved out between two more barbaric countries. Originally founded by a warlock from Wayda who wanted to stay out of the chaos and machinations of the other countries. The Lilies of Ufli, the group who run the country, were established shortly after.
Over the centuries, Ufli has stayed out of the conflicts that have arisen between its neighbours and other countries in the Emerrane Pass. They prefer to focus on more refined matters.
Global Reputation
Some believe Ufli to be cowards, for their continued refusal to pick a side. Others see their neutrality as a political choice that always leaves them on the right side of history. No one quite understands their oligarchy, but it isn't what they are best known for.
Ufli is famous for the dancers they produce. Morft Dancing Academy is the greatest dancing academy in the world (as well as one of the only dancing academies).
Current State
People of Ufli only leave to experience things of beauty. They have been known to visit Ospana and Navou, but rarely travel to any of the other countries.
Wayda
Wayda is a country on the eastern land mass of the Emerrane Pass. It has land borders with
Artrouvia,
Navou,
Ospana and
Ufli.
Background
Wayda was once a wild land filled with unsettled spirits. There are lots of stories about who first created a contract with a spirit or demon, but the truth is less clear. Suffice to say, a culture of warlocks and sorcery grew up quickly across the land and became a way of life.
They have their own pantheon, which has a bent towards pain and chaos.
Global Reputation
Wayda has a reputation for being a dark and mysterious country. They are run by a group called the Pain Conclave and have a strong warlock presence at the centre of their culture.
Current State
The Pain Conclave is very interested in the ongoings of other countries. They need to make sure they are always in the know, and if there is a new potential power source out there, they want to know about it.
Yra
Yra is a country on the eastern land mass of the Emerrane Pass. It has land borders with
Druflyxt and
Ospana.
Background
Yra was the first area of the Emerrane Pass that was settled, with a substantial number of dragonborn travelling across the Mynpawa Ocean to live there. Despite being the first area settled, most who did so didn't travel very far, and they stuck to a lot of the "old ways" of doing things.
Most people live in villages or small rural settlements and their focus is on agriculture and the old-fashioned production of things. There isn't a lot of magic here and magic users aren't really trusted.
Yra is a Gerontocracy, where the oldest of each village or settlement run things.
Global Reputation
Yra is seen by most as old-fashioned, although they would prefer the word traditional. There are also a lot of secrets around the way in which they produce things.
Their coffee, silks and fabrics are world renowned for their high-quality.
Current State
They are getting better at trading with the outside world, sending their younger people out across the Emerrane Pass to sell their goods and bring back learnings to their villages.
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