The Great Island Chain is split up into four distinct regions: Bastion, Magellan, Strigifor, and Greater Stere.
In the northwest corner is Bastion, a mostly wooded large island with some smaller bits of land surrounding it. Due to its distance, it's mostly untouched by Sterian colonies (though not governments), and maintains its original culture, if a bit sanitized to avoid any strife with the One Rule. In the past, it was primarily tribes, druid circles, and small villages, but as more and more people immigrated from Stere and the surrounding area, more standardized city structures have been adopted.
Government: Democratic. No main ruler, choices are made by a parliament of mayors and tribe leaders.
Capital: Neverwood (2,738)
Population: halflings, leshy, humans
Languages: Common, Fey, Halfling
Religion: Nature spirits
Primary Exports: Crops, meat, lumber, ice
Primary Imports: Books, technology, furniture and other fine goods
Factions: The Merchant Union
Threats: Easily bossed around by Stere, no centralized military against wild animals or monsters, cold
In the northeast corner is Magellan, a large chunk of land with a massive lake inside it. Its most notable feature is the Magellan Falls, a huge waterfall descending down into the cloud layer that's formed from natural erosion over time. Heavy rainfall keeps the basin full, and there are freshwater fish aplenty. Magellan is home to sailors who serve no master, and all Sterian attempts to make a foothold have been quashed by the strength of orcs and the rebellion of elves. Soldiers are actively hunted here; it's safe, if unsteady.
Government: Anarchy. Towns rule themselves and accept no higher powers.
Population: elves, orcs
Languages: Elven, Orcish
Religion: Feng
Primary Exports: fish, sea plants, furniture
Primary Imports: Crops, lumber, stone
Threats: Constant conflict with Stere, heavy piracy and banditry
In the southwest corner is Strigifor, a region of primarily mountains. You can hike down to the cloud barrier here; there's even signs that very loudly say "DO NOT GO ANY LOWER OR YOU WILL PASS OUT FROM THE PRESSURE AND THEN YOUR HEAD WILL EXPLODE". Is this true? Who knows! Try it! You should try it! Give it a try! You should
The mountainous terrain has made life in Strigifor fairly safe. Some attempts have been made to destroy ancient taboo temples, but it'd be impossible to get them all, and the natives have quietly started hiding them with stones. Publicly, they've given full submission to Stere, but there are still little acts of insurrection done quietly.
Government: A parliament that ultimately answers to Stere
Capital: Tamaulipas (7,812)
Population: strix, anadi, vishkanya
Languages: Anadi, Common, Strix, Mwangi
Religion: Old gods
Primary Exports: stone, ore, handcarved novelties
Primary Imports: crops, meat, lumber, fish, technology
Threats: Unmarked cloud barrier spots, discovery of hidden worship, avalanches & falls
Finally, in the southeast corner is the Greater Stere region, the largest and most powerful of the four quarters. Once, it was a group of disconnected cities on disconnected islands, but now, the islands are connected through massive iron bridges, all consolidated into one city of Stere. It's a hub of culture, technology, and magic, and is easily the most advanced of any known location, with steam-powered generators making every home comfortable and livable. This region expands slowly, claiming smaller islands and parts of other nations as part of itself, and one day, the One Rule might truly be the only one.
Government: Monarchy, ruled by the one Lord Merlin
Capital: Stere (12,600)
Population: humans, gnomes
Languages: Common, Gnomish
Religion: Forbidden
Primary Exports: technology, fine goods
Primary Imports: crops, ore
Threats: None
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Art by Alena Aenami.