The Political Maps of Skothar
by Francesco Defferrari from Threshold Magazine issue 20Introduction
Following the previous timeline of Skothar, here is a brief description of the people and nations of the continent of Skothar. I have placed on the map all the available canon and fan information, even if, in some cases, I have arbitrarily decided the position and borders of nations of which no map ever existed. All the rest is my creation as specified in the text below. Obviously this is meant only as a possible inspiration for Dungeon Masters wishing to set a campaign on Skothar as not everyone may wish to use the cultures and the nations described. To outline the history of Skothar I have created political maps of the continent in four different times: 7,050 BC, at the time of Lhomarr, 4,000 BC at the rise of Blackmoor, 2,300 BC after the Great Rain of Fire and 1,000 AC, the present time for most original Mystara products.
Skothar in 7,050 BC
[Map of
Skothar in 7,050 BC]
http://pandius.com/Skothar7050BC.png
At
this time Lhomarr dominates southeastern Davania, while the rival
reptilian empire of Y’hog dominates the northwest of the
continent1.
Skothar is only marginally involved in this conflict as Lhomarrians,
once almost completely expelled from the continent by ancient
Jennites, Tanagoro, reptilians and rakasta attacks, have now created
several colonies in the regions of modern Minaea and Esterhold. Y’hog
has tried to harass these colonies by helping and funding local
reptilian people (mostly lizardmen, gatormen and frogfolk), with only
partial success.
What follows is a description of the labels in
the map in alphabetical order. Names in red are human populations,
while names in purple are non-human populations. If the nation was
present in canon or fan material, the name of the author is indicated
and more details can be found in the previous article, the Timeline
of Skothar. If the nation is my original creation, it is indicated as
(New). The same tag is also added to some fan nations of which I have
expanded the original description here and in the Timeline. The names
referenced in parenthesis are those of the authors whose articles
have already been linked in the previous article about the Timeline
of Skothar.
Afridhi: These people should just have
formed from Vantalian Neathars which mixed with local Jennite Oltecs,
see previous article (Canon, New).
Ailusti: A land
inhabited by an unique race often confused with rakasta, possibly a
hengeyokai breed, or related to the Mythu’nn folk of Brun.
Inspired by the Ailuridae family
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ailuridae
(New).
Bayasta: A neologism coined by me for the Bay
rakasta, a variety of the domestic rakasta:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bay_cat
(New).
Beastmen: In canon their origin is given at 5,000
BC, but I would consider them much more ancient creatures. In
Blackmoor d20 they can resemble apes, badgers, bears, bisons, boars,
bulls, dogs, goats, weasels, wolves, or wolverines, making them
possibly related to canon neshezu, minotaurs, goatmen, lupins, or
hengeyokai (see below). Otherwise, in this age they could also be
substituted by cryions or rakasta. (Blackmoor 3th ed,
New).
Caracasta: A canon breed of rakasta which in this age
still lives in the plains of Skothar:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caracal
(Heard, Neri, New).
Chirost: Northern cold lands inhabited
by bat-like creatures, inspired by the cryion race which appears in
the AC9 and 1993 Creature Catalogues (New).
Deres: Nomadic
humans descended from Jennites and Kho-Tanagoro. In this age they
have probably not domesticated the horse yet (Biles).
Drivi: A
nation of Tanagoro humans loosely inspired by ancient India or by
Viridistan in the Wilderlands setting. Also inhabited by sherkasta,
pachydermions and other rakasta breeds (New). Dunharian: Mystaran
Celts, a branch of Neathars. Some of them will settle the Isle of
Dawn and several regions of Brun, like Robrenn. Also inspired by the
Ethnographic History of Mystara. The group living in Skothar at this
time worship the local fairy folk.
Dwa: A branch of
Tanagoro humans loosely inspired by Melanesian people which by this
age have already settled the Sea Kingdoms (Threshold issue #9,
New)
Dwarves: The first dwarves from Brun and Alphatia
should have reached Skothar around this time, slowly moving toward
the region of Blackmoor (Canon).
Elves: Mentioned in this
time in Blackmoor setting sources. They could have recently arrived
from Evergrun in Davania and also be present in other areas of the
continent (Canon, Havard, Threshold issue #10).
Faenare:
Canon creatures which in this age are common in all the eastern
mountains of Skothar (Canon, New).
Fairy folk: In this
age, the most ancient forests of the continent are still inhabited by
fairy folk, wild and often feared by humans and rakasta. The region
is also inhabited by hengeyokai (badgerfolk, cranefolk, foxfolk,
harefolk, hedgehogfolk, monkeyfolk, ostrichfolk, pangolinfolk,
ratfolk, sparrowfolk, spiderfolk), possibly breeds of aranea,
gyerians, lupins and pooka, or unknown types of faeries (New).
Gatormen: These people inhabit many swamp regions of the
Tangor Gulf in this age, often ruling over lizardmen, frogfolk and
even rakasta. Y’hog agents are trying to influence them and
push them to Outer Being worship (Canon, Gander, New).
Giant
Kingdoms: competing giant jarls and kingdoms of cloud, storm,
frost, mountain, hill and fire giants dominate many regions of
northernmost Skothar in this age (New).
Giants: The
mountains of Skothar in this age are inhabited by many giants, mainly
mountain and cloud giants (New).
Golcasta: A neologism
coined by me for the Golden rakasta, a variety of the domestic
rakasta inhabiting eastern Skothar:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asian_golden_cat
(New).
Gyerians: A huge variety of gyerian breeds roam in
this age the plains and forests of Skothar: from ostrich gyerians to
crow gyerians, also known as kenku, thrushes, woodpeckers, hornbills,
parrots, pelicans, storks, ibises, flamingos, pheasants and cranes,
gyerians comes in all shapes, colours and sizes. And they are not the
only intelligent bird like creatures around, as hsiao too are common
in the woods, harpies in the hills and faenare in the mountains of
Skothar (Canon, New).
Harim: A nation created by the
Harimau-Belang sherkasta, i.e. the southern sherkasta breed. (Heard,
Neri, New).
Herpesta: A neologism coined by me for a
people inspired by the mongoose:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mongoose
which could be superficially similar to the Jorri of the Savage Coast
(New).
Hivebrood: These canon insect-like creatures have
been fought and almost exterminated both by humans and rakasta, but
have not been completely eradicated (Canon, New).
Ibussa:
A nation ruled by the Ibu Tanagoro created by JTR, also with a
sizable rakasta and Mawa population (New).
Khar: A nation
formed by humans descended of Jennites and Lhomarrians, could be
inspired by Karak in the Wilderlands setting. Inhabited also by
pardasta, other rakasta and hengeyokai (New).
Kna, Shark-kin,
Kopru: Canon creatures which inhabit the underwater regions of
the Sea Kingdoms in this age. Possibly a limited number of merrows
and sea giants are also settling in the region by now (Canon, New).
Jen: The land of the Jennites, which in this age have not
yet domesticated the horse and are just beginning to keep auroch
cattle. Many of them still live in a forest environment (Canon, New).
Jen-Cirk: an offshoot of Jennites which travelled far
north and mixed with local Neathar. Inspired by the real world
Circassian people (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Circassians)
and by the nation of Cirkhosia, mentioned in the Blackmoor setting
(Havard, New).
Jen-Kha: A branch of Jennites related to
the kingdom of Khar, but not subject to it (New).
[Image:
Nomad people in the plains]
Caption:
Nomad people in the plains
Jen-Yal:
Jennite people which will become the ancestors of the Yalu people
of Brun, the Huleans and other related populations, as mentioned in A
Timeline of the Oltec Man (dos Santos, Agosta).
Jen-Wan: A
branch of the Jennites who have settled on the rivers of eastern
Skothar and will originate the nation of Wa, later to become Chung
Eun Empire (MOrient, New).
Juncasta: A neologism coined by
me for the Jungle rakasta, a variety of the domestic rakasta common
in this age in the Tangor area
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jungle_cat
(New).
Lhomarrians: People of mixed Maharian and Oltec
descent. Several independent Lhomarrian city states are here,
occasionally harassed by lizardmen and gatormen. The region is also
inhabited by gyerians and some sherkasta (Gander, New).
Lyncasta:
A neologism coined by me to indicate the canon Lynxman rakasta. They
are quite numerous in this age in the temperate northern area of
Skothar, but divided in clans and small tribes (Heard, Neri, New).
Macaze: A neologism created by me for a race inspired by
the Asian macaque: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macaque
which could be related to the canon Neshezu of the Savage Coast
(Canon, Threshold issue #18, New).
Manusta: A neologism
for the Manul rakasta, a variety of the domestic rakasta
(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pallas%27s_cat)
which in this age is common in central Skothar (New).
Marmocasta:
A neologism coined by me for the Marbled rakasta, a variety of
the domestic rakasta which lives all around the Tangor bay:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marbled_cat
(New).
Mawa: A Oltec descended people created by me as
partial ancestors of the Makai, Pearl Island natives and inhabitants
of the Sea Kingdoms, inspired by Polynesian people (Threshold issue
#5, #9, #11, New).
Musti: A neologism coined by me for a
people inspired by Asian martens:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marten
which could be related to the Jorri of the Savage Coast (Threshold
issue #18, New).
Neathar: In this age more Neathar people
inhabit the region which will become modern Thonia. Lyncasta and
fairy folk are also probably present in the area. These Neathar could
be Dunharians or Vantalians or Maharian (Southern Neathar, from
Ethnographic History of Mystara), or a bit of all, and also mixed
with Valoin (Oltecs).
Nebasta: A neologism coined by me
for the canon Cloud Pardasta which in this age should inhabit many
mountains of southern and eastern Skothar:
https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neofelis_nebulosa
(Heard, Neri).
Nor: A nation of Tanagoro humans with some
Jennite blood, loosely inspired by ancient Nubia or Ghinor in the
Wilderlands setting (New).
Orazu: A neologism coined by me
for a race inspired by orangutans:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orangutan
which could be related to the canon Neshezu of the Savage Coast
(Canon, Threshold issue #18, New).
Ota-Wa: A neologism
coined by me for a variant breed of the Omm-wa of the Savage Coast
inspired by Eared seals: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eared_seal
(Threshold issue #18, New).
Pachydermion: Even if most of
them have already emigrated to Patera, a sizable population of
pachydermions still live in the region (Canon, Agosta, Neri).
Pardasta: A breed of rakasta which is common in Central
Skothar (Heard, Neri).
Pardista: A neologism for the
Leopard cat rakasta, a small breed of the Pardasta
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leopard_cat
(New).
Peshwah: These people are described in canon
Blackmoor material and should be related to the Jennite Oltecs. In
this age they could be the first to domesticate the horse (Canon,
New).
Pricasta: A neologism coined by me for the Fishing
rakasta, Flat-headed rakasta and Rusty rakasta:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prionailurus,
small local varieties of the domestic rakasta (New).
Reptilians
(north): In this age the region which will become Blackmoor is
dominated by lizardmen, gatormen and frogfolk, as mentioned in
Blackmoor d20 material (Canon).
Reptilians (Minaean coast): In
this age this region is inhabited by lizardmen, gatormen, frogfolk
and dragons, influenced by Y’hog against the Lhomarrians
(Gander, New).
Sancasta: A neologism for the Sand rakasta,
a small variety of the domestic rakasta:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sand_cat
(New).
Sherkasta and Tagh: The Tagh Sherkasta have created
their own nation in the mountains of north central Skothar. Not all
the sherkasta have joined the nation, and some still live in
independent families and clans (Heard, Neri, New).
Sicista:
A neologism for the Skotharian mountain rakasta, a variety of the
domestic rakasta common in northeastern Skothar:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_mountain_cat
(New).
Simbasta: The Skotharian breed of the Simbasta
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asiatic_lion
(New).
Skandaharians: Antalian people mentioned in the
Blackmoor setting, ancestors of the Antalians of northern Brun. In
this age the Skandaharians have not built yet their longships and are
divided into competing clans (Canon, various fan works).
Spardasta:
A neologism I have created for the canon Snow Pardasta created by
Bruce Heard in the article Rakasta of Mystara which appeared on
Dragon Magazine #247 in May 1998. In this age they mostly inhabit the
mountains of northern Skothar (Heard, Neri).
Ta-Ibu: a
branch of the Tanagoro humans created by JTR, could be related to the
Karimari which ended up in southern Brun (JTR, New).
Ta-Janbu:
A Tanagoro population which will rise to prominence in the region
after learning to produce metal tools and weapons (JTR).
Ta-Kho:
Tanagoro humans of the northern plains, who have recently
domesticated the auroch. Inspired by Khoisan people
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khoisan
(JTR, New).
[Image:
Ta-Kho people]
Caption:
Ta-Kho people
Tangor:
The area inhabited by the Tanagoro humans and a first nucleus of the
nation of Tangor, later to become the first Tangor Empire (Canon,
Mishler, New).
Ta-Sakus: Tanagoro humans which will later
create the Kingdom of Saku, loosely inspired by ancient Kush:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kingdom_of_Kush
(JTR).
Tenat: A nation of Lhomarrians and Jennites, Lenap
of the Wilderlands setting could be used as inspiration. Inhabited
also by rakasta and gyerians (New).
Thonia: The nation of
Thonia has just been formed, ruled by the High Thonians, an Antalian
people, but mainly inhabited by Common Thonians, usually of Vantalian
or Maharian Neathar descent. Fairy folk are also present in the
nation (Canon).
Tin’a: A matriarchal nation of
Lhomarrians and Jennites, Tarantis of the Wilderlands setting could
be used as inspiration. Also inhabited by rakasta and gyerians (New).
Vani: A nation of Valoin humans (Mystaran Ugro-Finns)
which have special relations with local fairies and some rakasta
accepted in their communities, created by me but inspired by the
Ethnographic History of Mystara (Caroletti, Gander, Agosta, New).
Vantalian: More Vantalian people inhabit the central
forests, divided in tribes and clans (New).
Vivesta: A
neologism coined by me for a race inspired by Asian civets and
bearcats: https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viverridae,
a people often confused with a rakasta breed but not related to
rakasta beyond a slightly similar appearance (New).
Wilcasta:
A neologism for the Steppe rakasta, a variety of the domestic
rakasta adapted to life in the steppes of central Skothar
(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asiatic_wildcat)
(New).
Yevan: A Vantalian (Mystaran Slavs) people which
will originate the Yevo people of Brun, ancestor of the Empire of
Zuyevo created by Adrian Mattias (http://pandius.com/zuyemp.html)
(Mattias, Threshold issue #9).
Zyxl: In this age the
northeastern island is very big and inhabited mostly by gyerians,
faenare, cloud pardasta and some hivebrood. The other eastern islands
are also inhabited by other rakasta breeds and by some lizardmen,
gatormen, chameleon men, tortles and crabmen.
Skothar
in 4,000 BC
[Map of
Skothar in 4,000 BC]
http://pandius.com/Skothar4000BC.png
At
this time Blackmoor has gained independence from the Thonian Empire
and will begin its rise to power, mostly thanks to the technomagic
items developed after contact with the alien visitors of the F.S.S
Beagle starship. Elves, gnomes, dwarves and hin have arrived in
Skothar, but rakasta and other non-human populations are still quite
numerous in the interior of the continent. In the following millenium
up to the Great Rain of Fire of 3,000 BC Blackmoor will become more
and more powerful and the Beastmen Crusades will often target not
only the beastmen but also several other non-human races, shrinking
their number and territories all over the continent.
As above,
what follows is a description of the labels in the map in
alphabetical order. Names in red are human populations, while names
in purple are non-human populations. When borders are present, this
means there is a structured nation (with a recognizable leader and a
government), while if borders are omitted this means the population
is divided in tribes or groups, competing or not.
Afridhi:
The territory conquered by the growing Afridhi Empire, including
the former Valelands, the Duchy of Ten and the Peshwah lands of
western Hak (Canon).
Avalon: A realm of fairy folk,
dragons, hengeyokai and rakasta, inspired by Arthurian myths. Valon
from the Wilderlands setting could also be used for this region
(New).
Beastmen: In this time, beastmen have spread in
almost all the northern and central regions of Skothar, menacing both
humans and other races (Canon).
Blackmoor: Blackmoor as
described in the DA series and the namesake setting. The Kingdom of
Blackmoor also includes sizable populations of dwarves, gnomes, elves
and halflings and other creatures such as beastmen, ash goblins,
lizardmen, gatormen and frogfolk (Canon).
Coot: Territory
of the mysterious Egg of Coot, inhabited by his thralls of many
races, from frogfolk and beastmen to many others (Canon).
Detran:
A nation of Lhomarrians and Jennites which has a sizable population
of tieflings. Inspired by the Demon Empires of the Wilderlands
setting and by the fact that Blackmoor 4th ed setting had tieflings
(New).
Drivi: This kingdom has grown, often competing with
Harang and Nor (New).
Frisia and Rhun: Antalian inhabited
nations, later to be conquered by Eastern Skandaharians (Havard,
Canon).
Grakan: Dragons secretly rule here over lizardmen
and gatormen subjects (New).
Harang: The realm of the
Harimau-Belang sherkasta has become bigger too (New).
Hin: By
this time halflings should have reached Skothar from Davania,
settling in different regions around Thonia and Blackmoor (Canon,
Dalmonte).
Ibussa: This nation has grown by this time and
dominate eastern Tangor (New).
Jen-Zu and Jen-Ro: The
northern, patriarchal Jennite population is now dominated by
followers of Zugzul and in competition with the southern matriarchal
Jennites, dominated by Ordana., Aa conflict begins to unfold that
anticipates and mirrors the one between followers of Tarastia and
Rathanos after the Great Rain of Fire (New).
Khar: This
nation has grown extensively by now (New).
Lhoman: A
nation of loosely allied cities, descended from Lhomarrians which
however have almost forgotten their old empire (Gander, New).
Lhotec: In modern Esterhold, descendants of Lhomarrians
have now mixed with Oltec people from the Alphatian sea (Canon,
Dalmonte, New).
Lum: A powerful city state, descended from
Lhomarrian people, who control trade in the region (JTR).
Lyncasta:
The growth of human kingdoms and the Thonian Empire in particular
has pushed the lynxmen rakasta to the north of the continent. (Heard,
Neri).
Nor: This realm too has grown, competing with
Tangor for control of the region (New).
Peaks: Duchy of
the Peaks, inhabited by humans of Thonian origin but including slaves
of all races, see the article dedicated to it in this same issue of
Threshold (Canon).
Peshwah: Eastern Hak, inhabited by the
Peshwah, now allied with Thonia against the Afridhi expansion
(Canon).
Satum: A kingdom founded by Tanagoro people with
some Oltec blood, who absorbed the older Saku kingdom, inspired by
Aksum https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kingdom_of_Aksum
(JTR).
Shefa: A powerful city state bordering the Empire
of Thonia (JTR).
Skandaharia: Eastern Skandaharians are by
now often united under a Jarl which leads them to destructive raids
against Thonia, Blackmoor and other people (Canon).
Tagh:
The Tagh sherkasta nation has grown by this time, bordering Thonia
(Neri, New). Tangor: The First Tangor Empire has grown in the
southern central region. Its population includes also rakasta,
aranea, lizardmen, reptilian and frogfolk, sometimes but not always
accepted as proper subjects of the realm (Canon, New).
[Image:
Tangor statues representing a Tangor man and a Blackmoorian]
Caption: Tangor statues representing a Tangor man and a
Blackmoorian
Thonia: The Empire has reached a great
expansion in eastern Skothar, including in its territory dwarves,
gnomes, elves and halflings, fairy folk and possibly some rakasta
(Canon, Havard).
Valley of the Ancients: South of
Blackmoor, this land is inhabited by the Ungolwaith or sand folk and
geonids, and nearby mountains also by dragonborn (Canon, Blackmoor
4th ed).
Vani: By this time this Valoin nation has united.
In later Blackmoor times it will fall under the influence of
Skandaharia, despite several rebellions against it (New).
Wan:
A realm created by Jennite people, inspired by ancient China
(MOrient, New).
The expansion of Blackmoor and the persecution of “beastmen”
In the later Blackmoorian times, i.e. from 4,000 to 3,000 BC, the power of Blackmoor continues to grow in the continent. Ancient enemies are completely destroyed, such as Coot and the Afridhi, and two “Beastmen Crusades” target not only “proper” beastmen, but also gyerians, rakasta, giants and many others, including some group of elves. The crusades of 3,480 and 3,220 BC and the fight against the Serpentine Empire in Davania culminate in 3,200 BC with the attack on the Harimau-Belang sherkasta and the Pachydermion and their escape to Patera after the realm of Harang is destroyed. The kingdom of the Tagh sherkasta was destroyed much before, in 3,500 BC, forcing the survivors to hide in the most remote mountains. Reptilian creatures, considered agents of the Serpentines, have been persecuted so much they survive only deep underground or in the more remote swamps. The sand folk of the Valley of the Ancients, despite never being enemies of Blackmoor, are deported to the Adri Varma region in Brun to use them as soldiers against beastmen. Even the dragonborn, once allies of Blackmoor, are persecuted after 3,200 BC. The reptilian kingdom of Grakan and the tiefling kingdom of Detran are destroyed in 3,320 BC, and nearby rakasta people are persecuted as well. This racist attitude infects also other human realms, such as Skandaharia and Tangor, which often applies the same ethnic cleansing policies toward beastmen and rakasta. Still, rakasta and other non-human people manage to survive in the more remote regions of Skothar, and their number will grow again after the Great Rain of Fire. Between 3,150-3,135 BC the dragons of Skothar try in vain to destroy Blackmoor, but are defeated as well. Fairy folk by now have become completely hostile to the once friendly Blackmoor and Thonia, and have severed all the links between their hidden realms and Skothar.
[Image:
Blackmoorian troops attacking a Tangor tribe]
Caption:
Blackmoorian troops attacking a Tangor tribe
Late Blackmoor is
not only racist, but also colonialist. In 3,285 BC the Edicts of
Westport ends slavery in Blackmoor, but the trade continues outside
the borders of Blackmoor proper, even in Thonia. The targets of
slavery are almost always other humans, as beastmen and rakasta are
not tolerated in Blackmoor territories, not even as servants. The
consequence is that many human kingdoms, such as Drivi and Ibussa,
are destroyed by direct Blackmoorian interventions or Proxy wars
because they defied the will of the powerful empire and many people,
as the Deres, are enslaved. Other kingdoms, such as Shefa, Khar, Lum
and others, are reduced to be de-facto client states of Blackmoor.
When the Great Rain of Fire strikes in 3,000 BC, many people in
Skothar have reason to feel that Blackmoor fully deserved the Wrath
of the Immortals, but the cataclysm harms all the inhabitants of the
continent, which will take centuries to recover.
Skothar in 2,300 BC
[Map of
Skothar in 2,300 BC]
http://pandius.com/Skothar2300BC.png
At
this time, chosen because it is the date of the post-cataclysmic
Taymora setting developed by John Calvin2
for the Known World, Skothar is recovering from the cataclysm. The
Jennites, dominated by the Church of Tarastia, have extensive power
at the centre of the continent, and the humanoids have not returned
yet to the continent. The hivebrood however have invaded several
regions and are a terrible threat in all the continent. In late
Blackmoorian times (3,500-3,000) beastmen were effectively
exterminated in the continent and rakasta and other non-human people
were often labelled as such and suffered the same fate, or were
severely restricted in their territories. Now however they are
spreading again all over Skothar.
As above, what follows is a
description of the labels in the map from North to South (and from
West to East when applicable). Names in red are human populations,
while names in purple are non-human populations. When borders are
present, this means there is a structured nation (with a recognizable
leader and a government), while if borders are omitted this means the
population is divided in tribes or competing groups.
In several
cases I have indicated real, historical or modern nations as
inspiration for the fantasy realms listed below. This is intended
only as a guideline to provide suggestions and ideas that could be
used to create a fantasy culture as happened in canon Mystaran
products.
After an interesting discussion on The Piazza Thunder
Rift forum with Gravesguardian3
I have decided Skothar is probably the perfect continent where to
place the Rift. Its inhabitants should be refugees from Thonia and
Blackmoor, even if they do not remember this anymore.
Avalon:
A mysterious and reclusive land inhabited by faeries, centaurs,
sherkasta, lyncasta, gyerians, hengeyokai and possibly werecreatures
(New).
Bek: A human Jennite culture which will later form
the nation of Tasbek, loosely based on Uzbek people (New).
Bhadur:
A nation of people descended from Jennites, Tanagoro and other
humans, which will later split in Bhat and Dur, loosely based on
ancient India and Pakistan (New).
Deathless: Thonian
wizards which have survived the cataclysm by turning to the worship
of Nyx (Burns, New)
Dragonborn: Resistant to the Wasting,
dragonborn are rising in the mountains, now free from the
Blackmoorian persecution (Blackmoor 4th ed, New).
Dwarves:
Some dwarves which did not left for Brun settled in northern
Teslan lands, renouncing Blackmoor technomagic (Calvin, Caroletti,
New).
Circk: Descendants of the ancient Jen-Cirk live
here, their land is also inhabited by several rakasta breeds. In
later time they will be absorbed by the nation of Kisvan (New).
[Image: Jen-Circk attack
on Vantalians]
Caption: Jen-Circk raiders attack
Vantalians
Faenare: The eastern mountains are again the
domain of faenare, pegataurs, sphinxes, rakasta, hengeyokai and
ailusti (New).
Filmaelle: A flying elven city which
crashed on Skothar (Peronnet).
Fris: These people are
descended from displaced Antalians (Blackmoor, New).
Golden
Khanate of Haca: A nation of Kha Jennite which is conquering a
vast territory in the eastern Skotharian plain. The land is also
inhabited by dragonchild and hengeyokai and rumors say the Khanate
was created by fairies, and that the Khan really is a dragon (Canon,
Burns, MOrient, Author, New).
Hivebrood: The Great Rain of
Fire and the following centuries of cold and diseases greatly reduced
the number of humans in the continent, and the hivebrood have
profited of this new situation, spreading in all the continent and
reaching Esterhold and Alphatia (Threshold issue #11, Burns). These
creatures are powerful also in eastern and southern Skothar, where
they have conquered extensive territories. More ancient than mammals,
they consider all this just reclaiming what once belonged to them
(Canon, Burns, Mattias, Caroletti New).
Humans: Displaced
humans who will later find the Rift and inhabit it (Thunder Rift
setting, New).
Ibu: The kingdom of these Tanagoro people
was destroyed by Blackmoor. Now they are trying to rebuild it but are
menaced by gatormen and hivebrood (JTR, New).
Jen-Ri: A
branch of Jennites which do not follow Tarastia but mostly Djaea,
their land is inhabited also by some rakasta and gyerians (Dalmonte,
New).
Theocracy of Jen-Ta: The powerful and enlarging
territory controlled by the Jennite clans which follow Tarastia. The
land is also inhabited by some rakasta breeds, but also menaced by
the spread of the hivebrood (Canon, New).
Kargash: The
beholder city is powerful in this age and menaces nearby Tanagoro
kingdoms (Robin).
Khatum: Giants have created a powerful
kingdom in the mountains, loosely based on Nepal and also inhabited
by snow pardasta and sherkasta (MOrient).
Kho: Land
inhabited by the Kho Tanagoro (JTR, New).
Lyncasta and Giants:
The north of the continent is dominated by lynxman rakasta and
giants, which are taking back the territories Blackmoor took from
them. Giants dominate in this cold age vast territories of the
northern seas and in northern Brun.
Mawa: This branch of
Jennites has settled this region of Skothar, many fleeing the
hivebrood to the safety of the Sea Kingdoms (Threshold issue #9,
New).
Nailan: A people formed by local Tanagoro people and
enslaved Afridhi escaped from Thonia after the cataclysm (Caroletti).
Nasuuan: A people of Afridhi and Thonian descent which
escaped the wastelands near Thonia and found a strangely warm land in
the far north. Lyncasta, snow pardasta and sherkasta also live near
them (Caroletti).
Nebasta: Cloud pardasta are rebuilding
their numbers too, but like other people are menaced by the expansion
of the hivebrood (Heard, Neri, New).
Orazu: These people
are now free from Blackmoorian persecution but are menaced by the
expanding hivebrood (New).
Paesh: These people descend
from the Peshwah and were pushed southward by the terrible climate
after the Rain of Fire. Now they are trying to rebuild their lives,
but are menaced by the hivebrood expansion (Threshold issue #9, #11,
New).
Phun: A culture of humans mostly of Jennite descent
which will later form the Phu nation, loosely based on ancient Bhutan
(MOrient).
Rakasta (eastern): The different rakasta breeds
of eastern Skothar hardly had the time to rejoice for the demise of
Blackmoorian, as all the chain is now being invaded by the hivebrood
(New).
Rakasta hills: Almost exterminated during
Blackmoorian times, many rakasta breeds and tribes have now reunited
in this region of central Skothar, determined to resist the growing
power of human empires (Heard, Neri, New).
Sakhal: A
culture formed by a mix-up of Blackmoorian and Thonian refugees,
descendants of slaves and dwarves (Biles).
Satum-Ka, Satum-Ib
and Satum-Wa: The powerful kingdom has risen from the devastation
of the Great Rain of Fire, but it is now divided between three rival
dynasties and will slowly descent in utter chaos in the next
centuries (JTR, New)
Sea Kingdoms: By now the Western Sea
Kingdoms, south of Skothar, are inhabited by many sea creatures (kna,
kopru, shark-kin, sea giants, merrows, narwhals, the ota-wa
previously mentioned), by descendants of the Hatwa elves from Davania
and by four human groups: the Dwa Tanagoro, the Mawa Jennites, the
Lam and the Tanagoro. The Lam are descendants of Lhomarrians,
Blackmoorians and Skandaharians colonist who have by now almost
forgotten their different origins and joined as just one people. The
Tanagoro arrived recently after the hivebrood invasion which
destroyed the Second Tangor Empire (Canon, New).
[Image:
Sea Kingdoms girl]
Caption: Sea Kingdomns girl
Sebgir:
The “Daring Ones”, the Waros who have chosen to live
near the mysterious fungus forest (Biles).
Shadelings: These
wizards have recently submitted to the Church of Tarastia and are
therefore tolerated in the expanding theocracy (Burns,
New)
Sherkasta: Even if most of them fled to Patera in
later Blackmoorian times, the Harimau-Belang sherkasta are now slowly
rebuilding their numbers in southern Skothar (Heard, Neri).
Skain:
Former Skandaharian colonists of eastern Skothar live here,
trying to resist the hivebrood (Mishler, New).
Swanamutu:
Southern and western Tangor coast, also inhabited by rakasta
breeds, threatened by the hivebrood (Caroletti, New).
Tagh:
The Tagh sherkasta are expanding again in the mountains of
Skothar. They may also consider concealing the existence of the Rift
to the outside world a sacred task. The dwarven and gnomish refuge of
Farseer should also be in the south of this region4
(Heard, Neri, Calvin, New). Tangor: The Third Tangor Empire
has risen after the second was destroyed by hivebrood a couple of
centuries ago, and is now trying to defend its territory from the
insectoid creatures (New).
Tesla: Here is the center of
the culture of sedentary Jennites, trying to preserve their
independence from Jen-Ta and their homes from rising gatormen,
lizardmen, frogfolk and hivebrood (dos Santos, Agosta, Caroletti).
Tocrch: After the cataclysm several populations of
tortles, crabmen and chameleon men which lived on the islands near
Zyxl have settled here (New).
New Thonia: A nation of
Antalian and other humans, with minorities of dwarves, gnomes, elves,
hin and rakasta. Loosely based on medieval Germany (Canon, Fan
Almanacs).
Thorin: A land inhabited by dwarves since
before the Great Rain of Fire (Canon, New).
Tisan: Ancestors
of the people of Ti’sang, loosely based on ancient Tibet
(MOrient, Arnden in this issue of Threshold).
TR: Thunder
Rift, inhabited at this time only by dwarves and elves, refugees from
Blackmoor and Thonia (Thunder Rift setting, New).
Ursi: The
land still inhabited by Ursinians, a people of Afridhi and Tanagoro
descent former slaves of Blackmoor. Most of them will settle in
Nentsun in 710 BC to escape humanoid attacks (Caroletti).
Vabar:
A nation of Valoin and Antalian humans, loosely based on ancient
Estonia (New)
Vaska: A nation of Vantalian humans, loosely
based on ancient Poland (New).
Viat: A nation of Valoin and
Antalian humans, loosely based on ancient Latvia (New)
Wan: A
branch of Jennites which will create a powerful kingdom, now however
menaced by Haca and hivebrood (MOrient, New)
Waros: Descendants
of the Deres nomads, which have changed their name to Waros, meaning
“survivors” (Biles).
The Wasted Lands: The
land formerly known as Blackmoor and Thonia, now a wasteland dotted
with ruins and inhabited only by undead, degenerated creatures and
mutants. Full of powerful technomagic items, but still contaminated
with the Wasting disease, which affects anyone who stays for more
than a week (Canon, New).
Yeong: A nation recently created
by Wan Jennites, it is now threatened by the hivebrood (MOrient,
New).
Zachen: The westerners, an informal group of
displaced Antalian, Dunharian, Vantalian and Jennite people, loosely
based on ancient Bohemia and Hungary, will be pushed eastward by the
humanoid invasion of 1,700 BC (New).
Zyxl: Inhabited
initially only by faenare, gyerians, macaze, ursi, musti, jorri and
cloud pardasta, the island was devastated by the cataclysm, slowly
joining the east of Skothar, and is now inhabited only by some
corrupted crow gyerians, descendants of Skandaharian colonists
affected by the wasting disease and newly arrived Tanagoro refugees
(Canon, New).
Skothar
in 1,000 AC
[Map of
Skothar in 1,000 BC]
http://pandius.com/Skothar1000AC.png
Present
time. Elves, dwarves, gnomes and halflings exist in Skothar, but they
are often isolated populations with aspect and customs quite
different from their counterparts in Brun and humanoids have spread
all over the continent after their initial invasion of 1,700 BC.
Hivebrood, rakasta and other non-human races are well known in
several regions of Skothar, and often human kingdoms include
significant non-human populations.
As above, what follows is a
description of the labels in the map from North to South (and from
West to East when applicable). Names in red are human populations,
while names in purple are non-human populations. Note that in this
age the division is arbitrary, as many lands now have a mixed
population of humans and non-humans. In general, the labels in red
are those for the nations where the dominating population is human,
even if it may not be the absolute majority. In this age, borders are
almost always present as normally several structured nations (with a
recognizable leader and a government) surround the territories which
are still divided in tribes or groups. Some people live across state
borders or in territories claimed by other nations, or share a
territory without clear borders.
Adir: A nation of Ibu
Tanagoro with some Jennite blood, also inhabited by tanagogre and
macaze, loosely based on Somalia (New).
Akuba: A Tanagoro
city state, also inhabited by some tanagogre and sherkasta
(Caroletti).
Andhakarban: A savage territory dominated by
sherkasta and inhabited also by pardasta, nebasta, juncasta and
bayasta, with some Alphatian outposts and lizardmen. Loosely based on
colonial India or Southeast Asia in colonial times (Agosta).
Ashgat:
A nation of Yali Jennites, distantly related to the modern
inhabitants of Hule, inhabited also by pardasta and humanoids,
loosely based on Turkmenistan, supposedly dominated by the Deathless
wizards (Burns, New).
Atum: A Tanagoro kingdom which
claims to be the legitimate heir of Saku and Satum, menaced by the
beholders of Kargash, loosely based on Eritrea, also inhabited by
macaze and humanoids (JTR, New).
Avalon: A mysterious and
reclusive land inhabited by faeries, centaurs, sherkasta, lyncasta,
gyerians, hengeyokai and possibly werecreatures (New).
Biawak:
A land of lizardmen, but also inhabited by some gatormen and
juncasta, loosely based on ancient Borneo (Agosta).
Bhat: A
nation of sedentary Jennite humans and Khoi Tanagoro, also inhabited
by humanoids, gyerians, sherkasta and pachydermion, loosely based on
some aspects of ancient India (New).
Byon: A nation of
bayasta, pricasta, goblins, hobgoblins and bugbears with some
tanagogre (New).
Old Blackmoor Cursed Lands: These lands
are dotted with ruins but considered cursed by
most inhabitants
of Skothar. See the articles on Returned Blackmoor and the Duchy of
the Peaks in this same issue of Threshold (New).
Blande: A
nation created by Nailan Tanagoro (Tanagoro humans with some Jennite
blood) with relevant populations of cloud pardasta (Caroletti, New).
Calengaer: An unapproachable, strangely tall forest the
Jennites consider taboo. Inhabited by elves (Peronnet).
Cymru:
Once a Tanagoro nation, now inhabited by hivebrood
(Caroletti)
Dagl: A realm of humanoids and Antalian humans,
loosely based on ancient Denmark (New).
Desh: A nation
dominated by ogres which for a time dominated a huge territory in the
Tangor gulf and even the Tangi kingdom. Humans, sherkasta, vivesta
and golcasta minorities also live in the region. Loosely inspired by
Bangladesh (New).
Dyak: Or Land of the Headhunters, a
territory inhabited by savage juncasta who kill any foreigner they
meet. Loosely based on ancient Borneo (Agosta)
Empire of
Dalung-Quo: An empire ruled by an ancient dragon, loosely
inspired by imperial China during the Ming dynasty, which has
conquered many territories. Followed directly the Chung Eun empire
which existed from 1,200 BC to 850 AC with different dynasties
(MOrient, New).
[Image:
Dalung-Quo army taking a city]
Caption: Dalung-Quo
army taking a city
Drbor: Land of the dragonborn, also
inhabited by snow pardasta and humanoids (Blackmoor 4th ed, New).
Dur: A nation of sedentary Jennites, with a long history
of rivalry with Bhat, also inhabited by sherkasta and humanoids,
loosely based on some aspects of Pakistan (New).
Durhan: A
nation created by Nailan Tanagoro (Caroletti)
Emas: A
nation ruled by Taranya Tanagoro humans but inhabited also by
tanagogre, Paesh Jennites, pardasta, nebasta, sherkasta, juncasta,
bayasta and marmocasta. Could be loosely based on ancient Timor
(Agosta).
Alphatian Esterhold: The region of Skothar
dominated by the Alphatian Empire, including the dominion, later to
become independent kingdoms of Blackrock and Verdan.
Ezer:
A kingdom formed by humans, hobgoblins and manusta, loosely based on
Azerbaijan (New).
Fa’ear: A nation of faenare,
Ee’aar winged elves and ailusti (New).
Frisa: A realm
of humanoids, Antalian humans and lyncasta, loosely based on ancient
Frisia (New).
Islands of the Giants: (Not shown on map )
The whole northern sea from the lands west of Nentsun to Frosthaven
in Brun, and beyond, is a land inhabited by giants. The mountains
closer to Nentsun are inhabited by fire giants. Cloud giants live in
Inoq and other locations, but frost giants dominate most of the
islands of the northern sea (LoZompatore, Canon, New).
Goblins
of Tangor: Mountains of the dark goblins, divided in several
clans (Caroletti).
Hacan: A nation of Jennite humans which
once had a powerful empire that dominated the continent but is now in
danger of being absorbed by Dalunq-Quo, loosely based on Kazakhstan
(New).
Hasa: A nation of the same ethnic stock of Ti’sang,
but formed by settled people, see also description by Arnden
(MOrient, Arnden).
Hastwr: A kingdom of sedentary
Jennites, could be loosely based on Azerbaijan (Caroletti, New).
Hinu: A nation of Hinu halfling, also inhabited by some
tortles (New).
Hives: Many territories of the eastern
Tangor chain are still inhabited by hivebrood, whose territory has
waxed and waned over the centuries (Canon, New).
[Image:
Tangor Chain]
Caption: The Tangor Chain
Hobgothia:
A land dominated by hobgoblins but inhabited also by goblins,
bugbears, kobolds, snow pardasta and lyncasta, always a source of
trouble for Thonia, loosely based on ancient Gothia (New).
Højgylden: An advanced nation inhabited by Antalian
people, dwarves and gnomes (Sarikhan)
Hoyen: A nation of
Mawa and Paesh Jennites, loosely based on Vietnam, also inhabited by
pricasta and humanoids (New).
Irys: A nation of sedentary
but fierce Jennites also inhabited by giants, humanoids, gyerians,
sherkasta and manusta, loosely based on Ossetia (New).
Jen-Le:
The Jennites of Esterhold, usually worshipping Utnapishtim and
Rathanos. Battered by Alphatians and Kukarachans, are trying to unite
with the local pardasta to defeat the invaders (Canon, Dalmonte).
Jen-Lo: The Northern Jennites, mostly followers of Djaea,
Utnapishtim, Ixion, Ninsun. The region is also inhabited by rakasta,
humanoids and gyerians. Could be loosely based on Tajikistan people
(Dalmonte, New).
Jen-Ra: The main Jennite land, or
Southern Jennites, mostly following Rathanos with some minorities
still worshipping Tarastia. Also inhabited by cinasta, the cheetah
rakasta, also called Fast Runners, which came from Minaea, and
shadelings in the coastal cities, loosely based on ancient Scythia
but probably local humans should look like inhabitants of current
Kyrgyzstan. Also see description by Arnden in this same issue of
Threshold (Canon, Dalmonte, Burns, Fan Almanacs, Arnden).
[Image:
Battle between Jennites and Minaeans]
Caption: Battle
between Jennites and Minaeans
Kassites and Mizpeh: A
nomadic tribe of mixed Kho Tanagoro and Jennite which has recently
discovered a lost Nithian city, but has been repelled (Taylor).
Kerze: A divided land inhabited by humanoids, snow
pardasta, lyncasta, hengeyokai and humans divided in many different
clans and people. Loosely inspired by the Caucasus (New).
Kargash:
territory controlled by the beholders of the namesake city,
controlling also some humanoid tribes (Robin, in this issue of
Threshold).
Keraja: complete name Kerajaan Berlian-Wajik,
a realm inhabited by sherkasta, pardasta and juncasta, now under
Alphatian influence, loosely inspired by Indonesia (Agosta)
Kham:
A nation of goblins, tanagogre, golcasta, bayasta and Mawa
humans, loosely based on Cambodia (New)
Khatmun: A kingdom
created by giants, but inhabited also by minorities of Tagh
sherkasta, snow pardasta, dwarves and humans. Loosely based on Nepal
(MOrient, New).
Khogyn: A nation founded by Khoi Tanagoro
and gyerians, which also include a sizable population of caracasta,
sherkasta and pardista (New).
Kisvan: A nation inhabited
mostly by Antalian, Vantalian and Jen-Circk humans and a relevant
number of lyncasta. Loosely based on medieval Ukraine (New).
Krekh:
A nation created by ogres with relevant minorities of other
humanoids, giants and pardasta (New).
Kukarachans: A race
of insect-like creatures which periodically threaten the interior
lands of Esterhold (Daly, Gander).
Lamu: A nation created
by female demonettes, tiefling like female only creatures which rule
over the Tanagoro population (Caroletti)
Lleweryn: The
greatest hivebrood nation of western Tangor (Caroletti).
Magy:
A nation of Jennite humans, sherkasta, lyncasta and centaurs,
loosely based on medieval Hungary (New).
Makari: A nation
of Ibu Tanagoro and Mawa Jennites, loosely based on Madagascar, also
inhabited by vivesta and macaze (New)
Mawan: A nation of
Mawa Jennites, also inhabited by orazu, bayasta and herpesta, loosely
based on ancient Taiwan (Threshold issue #9, New)
Melay: A
nation of Mawa Jennites, also inhabited by herpesta, loosely based on
ancient Malaysia (New).
Minaea: A confederation of cities
settled by Milenians from Davania which mixed with a Tarystian
population, descended from Jennites. Inhabited also by sherkasta,
pardasta, nebasta, minotaurs, sphinxes, orcs, goblins, tanagogre and
Tangor humans. Minaeans could be loosely based on Hellenistic greeks
and Tarystians on Armenians (Caroletti).
Muang: A nation
inhabited by Paesh Jennites, Tanagoro, tanagogre, sherkasta,
juncasta, bayasta, golcasta, marmorasta and humanoids, loosely based
on Thailand (MOrient, New).
[Image:
Sherkasta warrior]
Caption:
Sherkasta warrior, original drawing by Justin Pfeil, aka
warriorneedsfood on The Piazza, check his Keeps on the Borderland
comic (http://thekeepontheborderlands.thecomicseries.com/)
Mung:
A nation of musti, also inhabited by some hinu halfling and
chameleon men (New).
Munsan: A nation of mamusta and
pardasta, also inhabited by gyerians (New)
Nentsun: A
federation of several allied nations which inhabit a strangely warm
land, populated by humans, lyncasta, snow pardasta, elves and half
orcs (Caroletti).
Oblan: A nation of tanagogre, the origin
of the Gombar and Sumag colonists, mostly following Macroblan,
Korotiku and Karaash (Canon, Dalmonte, New)
Okon: A nation
of orazu, macaze and tanagogre (New)
Orcs of Nentsun: All
around Nentsun the land is dominated by orc tribes, often at war with
each others (Caroletti).
Orcs of Tangor: Forest of the
green orcs, which are common all along the western Tangorian and
eastern Minaean coast (Caroletti)
Pashda: A kingdom formed
by descendants of the Peshwah, loosely inspired by Iran and
Afghanistan. Includes sizable minorities of humanoids, caracasta,
simbasta and gyerians (New).
Phion: A nation of Mawa
Jennites also inhabited by some Ibu Tanagoro, pricasta and herpesta,
loosely based on Philippines (MOrient, New).
Phu: A
kingdom formed by displaced Jennite and Neathar humans, with sizable
minorities of Tagh sherkasta, snow pardasta, hin and giants. Loosely
based on Bhutan. Its northeastern region also contained the former
beholder city of Zelphim, now inhabited by a single beholder hive
(MOrient, New, Robin).
Prehen: A nation of pricasta and
herpesta, also inhabited by some Mawa Jennites (New).
Preku: A
nation of Pricasta, also inhabited by some tanagogre (New).
Raj:
Complete name The Alphatian Raj, conquered by Alphatians but
inhabited also by sherkasta, juncasta, bayasta, Paesh Jennites and
Tanagoro. Loosely based on Brunei (Agosta).
Sakar: A
nation of sedentary Jennite humans also inhabited by peaceful
humanoids, sherkasta and pardasta. Loosely based on Georgia (New).
Sakhaba: A reborn kingdom which once conquered vast lands
of northeastern Skothar, inhabited by humans and dwarves (Biles).
Sea Kingdoms: Inhabited since ancient times by ocean
creatures, such as kna, kopru, shark kin, sea giants, snapper, omm-wa
and narwhal, the islands were settled first by Dwa Tanagoro, who soon
established alliances with underwater races, then by Lhomarrians,
mermen and tritons, Mawa oltecs, Blackmoorians, Tanagoro, Elves, Kara
Kara orcs, Paesh Jennites. Defended by a coral wall built by the
Immortal Polonius to keep the Kara Kara orcs at bay, the Western Sea
Kingdoms lay just south of Skothar and trade with many nations of the
Tangor gulf and the Tangor chain (Canon, New).
Sian: Or
the Land of a Thousand Pagodas, a nation of Paesh Jennites, with
relevant minorities of sherkasta and juncasta. Loosely based on
Myanmar (MOrient, Arnden in this same issue of Threshold).
Sicsak:
A nation of sicista and sancasta, also inhabited by pardasta,
some gyerians and humanoids (New).
Simbasta: A proud
rakasta breed of central Skothar (Heard, Neri, New).
Skain: A
nation inhabited by descendants of Skandaharian colonists, some Mawa
Jennites and macaze (New).
Snars: A nation of snow
pardasta also inhabited by giants, Tagh sherkasta and pardasta (New).
Tagh: The Tagh sherkasta have expanded greatly in the last
centuries, ruling also over snow pardasta, lyncasta, humans and
humanoids. The mythical city of Farseer, inhabited by gnomes and
dwarves, would be in the south of this region (Neri, Calvin, New).
Tanat: A nation inhabited by Paesh humans, tanagogre, Ibu
Tanagoro, marmocasta, golcasta, pachydermion, sherkasta and
humanoids, loosely based on Indonesia (New).
[Image:
Pilgrims to the great temple of Tanat]
Caption:
Pilgrims to the great temple of Tanat
Tangi Empire: A
powerful nation inhabited by Wan, Mawan and Paesh Jennites and Ibu
Tanagoro, includes also sizable golcasta, macaze and gyerian
populations, loosely based on Southern China (New).
Tangor:
Also known as the New Tangor empire or the Seventh Tangor Empire,
inhabited by Tanagoro humans, with some minorities of tanagogre,
sherkasta, juncasta, orcs, goblins and Paesh Jennites
(Caroletti)
Tasbek: A nation of Kha Jennites, loosely based
on Uzbekistan, also inhabited by humanoids, pardasta, sicista and
sancasta (New)
Taylin: A nation of humans of Jennite
origin, the Waros, which were conquered by a Tanagoro dynasty, now at
odds with Sakhaba (Biles).
Old Thonia Wastes: These lands
are inhabited by undead, corrupted giants, humanoids and ash goblins,
which are apparently immune to the Wasting, have found many
technomagic items and happily use them against intruders (Blackmoor
3ed, New)
Thonia: the heir of the former Empire, loosely
based on Germany and inhabited by humans, dwarves, elves, gnomes,
halfling, goblins, hobgoblins, gnolls and pegataurs (Canon, Fan
Almanacs, New).
Thunder Rift: The Rift is now inhabited by
humans, dwarves, elves, humanoids, rakasta, frogfolk, centaurs and
other races, but mostly isolated from the outside world (Canon, New).
Ti’sang: A nation of nomadic clans of Jennite
origin, loosely based on Tibet, see also description by Arnden in
this issue of Threshold (MOrient, Arnden).
Thoth-ath gnolls:
Former Nithian slaves, these gnolls have defended their
independence for centuries. Normally allied with Jen-Lo, maintain
good relations with the dwarves of Thorin (Novack, New)
Thorin:
A nation created by dwarves and gnomes, also inhabited by some
pegataurs (Canon, New).
Tocrch: A nation inhabited by
crabmen, tortles, chameleon men and some gyerians (New).
Uls
Or: A land inhabited by orcs, goblins and hobgoblins with sizable
minorities of Jennite humans, sancasta and sincista, loosely based on
Mongolia. It was once much larger but is now on the verge of being
absorbed by Dalung-Quo (New).
Vabari: A nation of Valoin
and Antalian humans, loosely based on medieval Estonia (New)
Valska:
An elective kingdom created by Vantalian humans, loosely based on
Poland. It swings between good and bad relations with Thonia (New).
Viatj: A nation of Valoin and Antalian humans, loosely
based on medieval Latvia (New)
Vzech: A nation of Dunharian
humans, faeries and lyncasta, loosely based on Bohemia (New).
Wagir:
A nation formed by Waros and Sebgir people which united when the
Taylin conquered Waros, now under the informal control of the Taylin
(Biles).
Walad: A nation of Ibu Tanagoro with relevant
numbers of tanagogre, pricasta and macaze. Loosely based on
aboriginal populations of southeastern Asia (New).
Wanderers:
An unique people formed by goblins and hobgoblins mixed with
humans (MOrient, Burns).
Warang: Or Warangan, a land
settled by Alphatians and dwarves from Alphatia, but originally
inhabited by sherkasta and juncasta, loosely inspired by Singapore
(Agosta)
Wuo-Quo: A nation formed by Jennite humans and
humanoids, which has already lost to Dalung-Quo many western
territories, loosely based on Manchuria (MOrient, New).
Wuxi:
A nation of vivesta supposedly dominated by an ancient huge amber
dragon (New, Threshold issue #9)
Xao: A nation of Mawa
Jennites also inhabited by golcasta, vivesta and humanoids. Loosely
based on Laos (MOrient, New).
Yara: A nation created by
Nailan Tanagoro which trades with the hivebrood of Lleweryn
(Caroletti)
Yeha: An ancient nation of Ibu Tanagoro with
some Mawa Jennite blood which conquered the even more ancient kingdom
of Satum, loosely based on Ethiopia, also inhabited by tanagogre,
humanoids, golcasta, vivesta (MOrient, JTR).
[Image:
The Emperor of Yeha]
Caption: The Emperor of
Yeha
Yeong: Nation created by Wan Jennites, inhabited
also by pricasta, nebasta, musti, macaze, faenare, gyerians, loosely
based on Korea (MOrient, New).
Yulan: A nation of
humanoids and Vantalian humans, loosely based on Transylvania (New).
Zyxl: Inhabited after the cataclysm by crow gyerians and
descendants of Skandaharian colonists, it was then settled by the
Hinu halfling in 1,100 BC, then by some tanagogres and by Chung
Jennites in 750 BC. Zyxl is now dominated by an Imperial matriarchy
dominated by the humans descended from the Chung. Halfling and
tanagogres have special roles in the society, the first as artisans
and the latter as warriors and long distance sailors. The crow
gyerians and the white men are instead considered monsters and
enemies (Canon, MOrient, New).
Images
|
|
[Map
of Skothar in 7,050 BC] |
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[Image: Nomad
people in the plains] |
|
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[Image: Ta-Kho
people] |
|
|
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[Map
of Skothar in 4,000 BC] |
|
|
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[Image: Tangor
statues representing a Tangor man and a Blackmoorian]
|
|
|
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[Image:
Blackmoorian troops attacking a Tangor tribe] |
|
|
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[Map
of Skothar in 2,300 BC] |
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|
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[Image:
Jen-Circk attack on Vantalians] |
|
|
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[Image: Sea
Kingdoms girl] |
|
|
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[Map
of Skothar in 1,000 AC] |
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[Image:
Dalung-Quo army taking a city] |
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|
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[Image: Tangor
Chain] |
|
|
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[Image: Battle
between Jennites and Minaeans] |
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[Image:
Sherkasta warrior] |
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|
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[Image:
Pilgrims to the great temple of Tanat] |
|
|
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[Image: The
Emperor of Yeha] |
1Lhomarr and Y’hog are creations of Geoff Gander, see articles in the Vaults http://pandius.com/lho_hist.html
2See Past Ages of the Known World in the Atlas section of the Vaults of Pandius http://pandius.com/kworld_h.html or in the dedicated sub-forum at The Piazza http://www.thepiazza.org.uk/bb/viewforum.php?f=63
3See in particular this post http://www.thepiazza.org.uk/bb/viewtopic.php?f=45&t=19548&p=213817#p213178 about the estimated dimensions of the Rift.
4See the Shimmering Lands Gazetteer by John Calvin http://pandius.com/shimland.html