the Kingdom of Aris
The Kingdom of Aris is the largest claimed territory upon Aelor, and many hundreds of years old. The current ruler is King Gareth the Second, known to those old enough to remember as the Orcscourge. As a young man he rid the kingdom of an orc invasion with his amazing tactical skills as general of his dying father’s armies. Now, almost 50 years later, Gareth is near to naming a successor upon his death, which may not be too far off. It is said the King has been ill and may not survive to see this year’s Midsummer festival, and the celebration of his 50^th year as ruler.

 

Arstelon
Home to the ruling seat of Aris, King Gareth the Second, Arstelon is an old city built high into the granite cliffs where the River Aris meets the western ocean. The Royal Citadel is the highest structure in the city, and its Cloud Rook sits atop the Grey Cliffs, commanding a strategic (and breathtaking) view of the countryside, as well as of the coastline and sea for miles. The city is protected on the landward side by massive granite walls, constructed from the stone removed from building part of the city into the cliffs. Also the largest port in the kingdom, trade comes from upriver as well as from up and down the coast. The Royal Navy is small but effective, backed by wind elven privateers, and at least one sea minotaur war galleon.

 

Merilon
The City of Mages. Ancient in its construction, yet as new as the day it was built, magic permiates the air here. The famous magic school, The Seven Towers, rises towards the clouds from the center of the city and can be seen from miles away. A meeting place for travelers from all nations and races, it is a bustling metropolis where almost anything can be aquired.

 

Balintree
Located on the easternmost edge of the Kingdom, along the River Aris, Balintree is one of the oldest towns in Aris. Serving as an outpost and jumping point for the eastern lands, it has grown into a prosperous center for explorers wishing to delve into the Fens, as well as horse traders from the south, fishers from the Fen Wash, miners from Ironpoint, and loggers from the woodlands abandoned by the elves. Founded long ago, after the fall of the Lashan Empire, by the great and mysterious elven hero Balin, it has stood orc insurgences, famine, and civil war, and likely will survive any trouble the future may bring. The Church of Jond has one of its largest locations just east of town.

 

the Fens
The Fens are a marshy tract of land east of the town of Balintree. In certain points it is very treacherous, with quicksand like pits and dangerous creatures inhabiting the waters. There is a small tribe of gnolls that inhabit the eastern part, and they rarely venture out of their home. In the western portion, a group of men known as the Fenlanders live off the swamp. Towards the center of the swamp is a large skull shaped tower, purportedly inhabited by a powerful necromancer. To the east the swamp fades into the Great Elven Forest.

 

Southern Wastes
The Southern Wastes lie south of the Plains of Pel, stretching across vast uncharted lands. A hostile, unforgiving tundra, the Wastes likely hold many terrors unknown to northern folk. There are legends of ice people and giant snow bears among the snow-covered foothills and icy peaks at the southern edge of the Wastes, although no one has ever claimed to have been there and returned.

 

The Great Elven Forest
Stretching for what seems an endless tract, the Great Elven Forest runs east from the Fens to the Barrier Mountains, north to the Sullen Sea, and south to the Plains of Pel. Many secrets lie hidden beneath the ancient canopies. The elven tree city of ** is buried somewhere near the heart of the forest, said to be protected by Rillifane himself. Although extinct elsewhere, the old Ents still thrive in the depths of these trees. It is rumored the Hand of Gaea makes her home here as well.

 

Hammerhead Mountains
The Hammerhead Mountains stretch west from the sea to the northern edge of the Great Elven Forest. They are the home of the largest dwarven population known in history, although in recent times their numbers have dwindled. Much has to do with their constant struggle above with the giantfolk, and the ever present threat from Below. Still, they command the only easy passage through the mountains, called the Gate of Dorun, also known as the Hammergate.

 

The Lonely Road
The road which stretches north through the dwarven Hammerhead Mountains towards the Burning Lands. In days gone by it was a heavily travelled route of trade between the Kingdom of Aris and the City States of the North, and was given the nickname as a bit of irony. Even since the fall of most of the City States, the road had been used fairly frequently by adventures wishing to make themselves rich and famous, as well as braver merchants, but now it truly is a lonely road. The dwarves have all but closed the pass because of their ever increasing skirmishes with the giantfolk.

 

City States of the North
North of the Hammerhead Mountains lies vast tracts of unclaimed land, and the City-States of the North. In old times they formed a loose organization of wealthy trade cities, bound together for economic and defensive reasons. These days, there are few left, with most destroyed 150 years ago in the Betrayal of Valshan. The remaining city states are K’lesh, Uzik, Tur, and Fardun.

 

The Burning Lands
A huge, seemingly endless desert of sand, stretching north to the Starmist Ocean and east to the Mountains of Dust. At the southwestern edge is the ancient trade City-state of K’lesh.

 

The Silver Citadel
The fabled Silver Citadel is a shining, floating castle located somewhere north of the City of Glass in the Burning Lands. It is said to be ruled by an ancient queen from beyond the Sea of Stars.

 

Mountains of Dust
A daunting, towering range of jagged peaks, running north to south from the Starmist Ocean to the Sullen Sea. It seperates the Burning Lands from the Forgotten Jungles.

 

The Forgotten Jungles
To the east of the Mountains of Dust are the mysterious Forgotten Jungles. Said to be inhabited by savage half-men, a lost tribe of elves, and huge feral beasts of a size never seen in the known lands. What lies east beyond the Jungles is not known.

 

The Olaecian Islands
The Olaecian Islands lie in the Western Ocean, and serve as an outpost for the Kingdom of Aris. Many people have settled there in support of the outpost, and for the climate. It produces olives, grapes, and wine which are exported to the mainland as part of the trade triangle used by almost all the seagoing merchants.

 

Coral Archipelego
Far northwest of Arstelon lies a collection of almost 300 islands called the Coral Archipelego. Two main factions compete for supremacy here, the Coral elves and the Velarten Pirates. The Coral elves are wind elves who settled many of the islands in the Archipelego about 15 years ago, determined to make a home among the beauty and warmth of the tropical climate. The Velarten pirates have used the Archipelego as a meeting place, treasure cache, hideout, and rest stop in their journeys between the Empire of Rudan and the Kingdom of Aris. They didn't take to kindly to the elves moving in, and both have been at odds ever since.

 

Empire of Rudan
The Empire of Rudan is a land far to the north of the Coral Archipelego. Ruled by an almighty Sultan, the Rudani people live in splendor not seen since the Lashan Empire. It is said genies live amongst the people in harmony, aiding them with their magic and power. Rare commodoties such as silk, spice, gold and silver are but mere trinkets, and many merchants have tried to bring back these riches, though none have been known to succeed. Long ago they had open relations with the minotaurs of Lashar, but since the fall there have been but a few Rudani seen in the known lands.