CIVILIZATION
Kingdom of Derrickham
Derrickham
A kingdom lead by Derrick Calpol, Derrickham was formally established in 56 AR. The main city of Derrickham is Crossroads. The other major areas are The Garden, the Outpost, and Derrickham Keep, the home of King Derrick. The exact borders of Derrickham are unknown, partly due to the nature of the surrounding Glibben Wood.
Crossroads
The settlement of Crossroads was founded in 40 AR. It was established by a trader named Ezgart, who decided to set up a tavern and trading post in a location that would make travel easier for all. Others came to settle as time passed, and the settlement is slowly beginning to grow. Crossroads is the only known settlement in the Glibben Wood. Just on the western fringe of the Wood, no one is really sure why the Glibben allow this town to stand, but no one is complaining.
The Garden
A farming community just outside of the western edge of the Glibben Wood managed to survive on the fringe of the Wild Lands for many years. When the Karo-ya attacks grew too strong, they sought protection from Crossroads and are now part of Derrickham. They are lead by the former ambassador from Crossroads, Titus.
The Outpost
This town formed at the southern mouth of the passage through the Glibben Wood. Long renowned for its lawlessness, the Outpost joined Derrickham in 57 AR, through the political maneuvering of Highlord Sorrenson. It is yet to be seen if the town will be cleaned up at all, but there are still regular reports of highwayman attacking caravans outside of the Outpost.
Commonwealth of Tangel
Tangel
The current ruler of the southern city of Tangel is King Tasamid IV. The people are unsure of his aims or goals, but believe he could lead the Commonwealth to greater glory than they ever dreamed of. The city had prospered under the leadership of the former ruler, King Lusic III, who founded the Commonwealth. Sitting on an underground spring, Tangel has maintained a strong hand in Ashriya for generations. Sharolia and Krasslig joined the Commonwealth to further establish their place in society. Totansville had joined the Commonwealth shortly before its destruction.
Sharolia
One of the smaller towns of the Commonwealth, with his ten-year term as the Leader of Sharolia expiring in 62 AR, Lavolius Karamaxig, a Haroc merchant, has been making political moves to strengthen his small town's power. The rumor mill believes that he is talking to representatives from other towns. Some say he believes that it would cement Sharolia's position in the growing Commonwealth, while others believe he may be trying to move Sharolia out of the Commonwealth and establish a new union with other towns.
Krasslig
When the drought broke, many merchants came to Krasslig to make use of the facilities created by Togar Krasslig, an elven furniture maker of great repute. As the trickle of Krasslig Kill grew into a river, more merchants and craftsmen made their way to Krasslig. Togar's son, Emblar, has been running the politics and economics of the town as his aging father continues to work on his craft. The town is now thriving as a center where caravans come to supply themselves with wares, while trading food and supplies from other towns.
Totansville
Once an orderly town in the southeast of Ashriya governed primarily by Dagon, Totansville was destroyed by a force of undead coming from what is now known as the Dark Necropolis. Totansville had joined the Commonwealth of Tangel shortly prior to this.
Barulan Empire
Barulis
A thriving northern city run by a council of 9, lead by the council elected "Head," Barulis began a policy of aggressive annexation ever since the mid 20's AR. The first town to join the Barulian Empire was Singo, followed a few years later by Tamecht. The majority of diplomatic or commercial contacts for Singo and Tamecht must go through a Barulian official. The elite forces of Barulis are known as the Water Guard and are often sent to quell disturbances or defend any of the Imperial areas against intruders.
Singo
A quiet town to the northeast of Barulis, Singo has been growing steadily under the watchful eye of Barulis. They are predominantly a farming people who wish only for peace and live quite simply. No specific ruler leads the people of Singo as they defer to the Barulian Overseer.
Tamecht
To the southeast of Barulis, Tamecht grew into a popular trading spot for many of the people of Ashriya. They would often travel to Tamecht to sell their wares and avoid dealing directly with Barulis. Not much has changed, though the Barulian Overseer is now present on a daily basis and all trades are taxed with the proceeds going back to Barulis to aid in the defense and growth of the Empire.
Independant Settlements
Daboran
Nestled into the southern mountains of the Great Maw, a group of Haroc established a town during the drought to keep themselves out of the affairs of the rest of the world. With less of a need for water, they managed to horde what they could and trade it with others to add to the wealth of their city. They managed to collect a quantity of pre-drought artifacts and Ritika made inventions, which have made their town both comfortable and secure. They are very wary of outsiders, though it has been said that there are members of other races who live comfortably within the town. Caravans are often allowed into a specific area once a month for trade.
Sarth
Luso D'Sarth was known as a man of tactical genius and a strong arm. He was able to form a town out of a small settlement north of Daboran and just east of the Dragon's Maw. In the past year, the politics of Sarth have become quite strange. Luso has been issuing commands from his bedchamber and refuses to see any but his son, Sammis who then carries them out. Because of its location on the western fringe of the Wild Lands, Sarth is not a common stopping point for all but the most adventurous of traders. Formerly sending caravans to Crossroads on a semi-regular basis, trading for many of the best weapons, components and pickled vegetables that merchants can supply, they have recently closed their borders.
Jast
Once a town on the fringes of society, Jast was the first political body to establish ties with the Necropolis. Learning that they had nothing to fear from the Undead citizens, the people of Jast became the focal point of trade with the gigantic undead city and has flourished while the Necropolis still stood. Jast is currently ruled by Sarth, who overtook the city after the Necropolis fell. Some rumors state that the annexation occurred with threat of arms, while others tell that (former King, now Lord Governor) Irwin Efficks willingly joined Sarth in fear that Barulis would follow the Undead refugees to Jast and destroy that city as they had the Necropolis.
The Ruins of the Necropolis
The ruins of the city of the undead lies in the farthest northern reaches of the known land, to the west of the Poison Sea. Once a well-ordered, wealthy city, the Necropolis was destroyed by Barulis in 57 AR. The undead of the Necropolis have fled throughout Ashriya and apparently lost what self-control they once had. The formerly civilized undead of the drought, have given way to fearsome hordes of twisted, maniacal living dead and scattered remnants of civilization searching for a new home.
The New Ilkasik Empire
Founded about 51 AR, by an army from another world known as Ilkasik, the New Ilkasik Empire has grown to include races of Ashriya as well as those from Ilkasik. Led by Emperor Nakinishi, the N.I.E. has its base in the southwest of Ashriya and a force currently sitting at the opposite end of Ashriya by the base of Vidra's Passage.
Settlements
Throughout all of Ashriya, there are numerous settlements of people, which are independent and have a low population. Some increase in size and power while others simply disappear. Most adventurers who are not from a major city or town have a home settlement where they keep supplies or where their families live.
Nomads
In the time of the Dry Days, many of the people of Ashriya felt it was foolish to settle down and watch your supply of water dwindle, so they would constantly be on the move, taking what water they could and moving on. A strong warlord, who would exact tributes from any weaker groups his or her tribe came across, would lead the tribe. In the present day, few of these nomadic groups still wander Ashriya as the major cities extend their control and the Black Tower has risen in the Wild Lands.
The Black Tower
First discovered in the middle of the Wild Lands in 51 AR, very few know where the Black Tower came from. Rumors say that one of the strangers who came from another world built it. Wherever it came from, there are hordes of undead and beast creatures circling the tower on all sides.
Merchant Caravans
Since the Great Change, merchant caravans have been the main source for commerce and communication on Ashriya. Though there are some who are willing to travel in smaller groups, caravans provide greater protection for all who journey within. As Ashriya primarily has a barter economy, the caravans will often carry a wide variety of items with which to trade.