Geography
Novrom is a nation of rolling plains, crisscrossed by rivers (including the Emaru river, which originates in Vini Tresolm and empties into the Sea of Thespis to the South) and streams, interrupted only by the occasional forest, dry river bed, or canyon. The Strait of Nivia separates the Western Shore Principalities from the rest of Novrom. The northern border with Vini Tresolm is defined by the Holim Gap and the impenetrable jungle beyond it. The desert known as the River of Sand separates the nation from Taunuan.

History
As part of the Vishnari Empire, the land was, along with Rizen, the agricultural heart of the Empire, with the Tri-cities of Kinos, Ducon and Esmerias acting as central hubs for the farming towns to bring their goods to market.

Ducon and Esmerias were razed during the War of Ascension, leaving the eastern portion of the region full of small farming townships with no connection to central leadership. Fending for themselves against hailene raiders, savage races and spirit beasts, for the remainder of the war and well into the century thereafter, these townships soon grew into city states and minor kingdoms that vied with one another for resources and territory.

Then, some years before the end of the Age of Tragedies, Aloysius Nov (great grandfather of Geistrom Nov) won the throne of the powerful city-state that had built up around Kinos. From his granite throne in Kinos, he marshaled a great army of engineers, inborns and mercenaries from the savage races, promising them lands of their own for their service. With their help, he built roads to move his armies and siege engines on, sundered opposing armies, and cowed one kingdom after another, forcing their masters to bow to him and become Princes of his new Kingdom of Novrom.

The House of Nov survives to the current day with Elias Nov-Tokoia the reigning King, but the crown of Novrom has steadily been losing it’s grip on the principalities, which have long since resumed political and in some cases armed conflicts against one another. Wars and revolutions spring up and are won and lost with stunning regularity. New principalities forming, old principalities falling and both changing hands happen often enough that cartography is something of a cottage industry.

Culture
Novromi citizens are heavily nationalistic when it comes to both their home principality as well as Novrom itself. The princes (even female monarchs are revered to as ‘princes’ in Novrom) of these states are hailed as national heroes and often come from backgrounds as adventurers.
Most Novromi citizens are farmers living on land belonging to monarchs. They are well looked after, with most farming communes under the protection of royal armies and mages.

Industry
Novrom possesses one of the most diverse economies on Ere, thanks in part to the nature of its principalities. Farming and animal husbandry dominates the interior of the nation, while along the northern border, mines produce precious gems and silver. The southern coast teams with fisheries and the banks of the Emaru River provide a trade center as well as a means to power mills and foundries. Finally, the wide open floodplains to the southwest provide a fine place for airship construction yards.

Government
The patchwork of principalities still pay minimal taxes to Kinos and the House of Nov. They are for the most part autonomous, having their own armies and governing systems. Tradition dictates that the ruler of each state is called a prince, though whether this title is inherited, elected, or won varies from state to state and more than a few princes call themselves King, Emperor, or some other title.

With a few exceptions, principalities are rarely stable, often changing governments entirely every ten to twenty years. Others split of co-opt without warning, leaving even the number of principalities an ever fluctuating thing.

Organizations and Individuals of Note

King Tennin Prose – Prince of the Principality of Vas-vam, Tennin became ruler of Vas-vam when the previous king died under mysterious circumstances with no living heirs. Vas-vam has only been a principality for 50 years, but under Tennin’s rule, the state has become a haven for inborns, who Tennin hopes to marshal into an army to rival the first King Nov.

Ferria Cleargaze – A cartographer by trade, Cleargaze, an elf, was instrumental in the formation of the Principality of Cosintu on the Tresolmi border 87 years prior. She remains leader of the small mining state, holding the title of Wise Woman, due to her clever dealings with the elves of the Tresolm and her neighbor Principalities.

Big May – The unusually intelligent troll, Big May and her band of trolls took over a small hamlet on the Emaru river less than a decade ago. In eight short years, she has carved a sizable territory for her kin by allying with the red dragon Bromset (juvenile red dragon). With the dragon’s help, she has managed to create a thriving state, funded by the wages of troll mercenaries to fight in the wars of other principalities.

Empress Noctur Fen-rose – Newly risen Prince of Faitan, third oldest of Novrom’s principalities. Her penchant for the necromantic arts has earned her a reprieve from the constant wars her fellows fight, as most fear having their soldiers risen as undead. The Sylphian Church has sponsored several assassination attempts on her and the Kaydan church has at times tried and failed to ally with her and at times sent demons to destroy her. Fen-rose keeps to herself, sending emissaries in her stead to political events.

Sheriff Jax Wild – Elected two years ago to the seat of Prince of the Principality of San Ku, Jax, a miare, takes his duty to the people very seriously, striving to eliminate crime and wrong doing within his realm. Adventuring is outlawed in San Ku, as well is the open display of weapons or offensive magic.

The Historical Society of Kinos
Based out of the city of Rivenport, the Historical Society was founded by a likeminded group of scholars originally concerned with preservation of Vishnari and Hailene War artifacts after the Ashing of the Green.

In the past decades, however, the society has grown exponentially in size and power. Its current aim is to explore unexplored regions, map the planet, and delve into the world’s history. To this end, the Society employs hundreds of adventuring companies as guards, forward scouts, and retrieval experts.

Yon Remstedler, a alfling who was trained classically as a loreman in Harpsfell, is the current Director of the Society and personally heads the current inquiries into the pre-Saint’s Landing ruins of Vaiackuria.

Major Settlements

Kinos (Major City)
Located at the point where the Strait of Nivia meets the Sea of Thespis, Kinos is a primary port for ocean travel from the West. Anything that can be found on Ere outside Calderia, and the Kimeian Isles can be found in Kinos thanks to a declaration that any product legal in any nation on Ere is legal for sale (though not use) in Kinos.

Unique features of the city include the Trestrolm Norry Skydock, the largest skydock on Ere; the Menagerie, a sprawling animal market where tamed beasts of all kinds are put on display and sale; and the Morecoste Museum, the largest museum on Ere.

Rivenport (Large City)
Rivenport is a growing city on the border with Vini Tresolm where the Emaru enters Novrom. It is currently part of the Principality of Graad. Rivenport is home to the Historical Society of Kinos. Most of the city has grown up to support the Society and its hundreds of employees.