The Wider World

The Empire is the largest and most powerful of all the Old World nations. It pretends to be united, but is divided into ten semi-independent provinces; the Grand County of Averland, the Grand Barony of Hochland, the Grand Duchies of Middenheim and Middenland, the Grand Barony of Nordland, the League of Ostermark, the Grand Principality of Ostland, the Grand Principality of the Reikland, the Grand County of Stirland, the Grand Duchy of Talabecland, and the Grand County of Wissenland. These are usually called simply by the last word in their official title: Averland, Hochland, Middenland, Nordland, Ostermark, Ostland, Reikland, Stirland, Talabecland, and Wissenland. Additionally, there used to be another state, Solland, but this was absorbed by Wissenland in the 18th century. Straddling the River Aver, between Averland and Stirland, is the Grand County of the Mootland (Mootland, or "the Moot" to Halflings). Ninety per cent of Imperial Halflings live here. It is completely encapsulated by the Empire, and relies on it for protection.



To the west of the Empire lies the Wasteland, so named for its absence of the trees that cover most of the Empire. It used to be part of the Empire itself, but bought independence in the 23rd century. Its capital is a huge seafaring city, Marienburg.



West of Marienburg lies the country of Brettonia, where mighty knights ride around with allegiances sworn to the King and the Lady of the Lake. Southwest of here is sunny Estalia, famed for its wine and swordsmen, and south of the Empire is Tilea, where some of the best engineers and mercenaries come from.


North of the Empire is a huge country called Norsca, with which the Empire is constantly at odds, sometimes fighting, sometimes trading, sometimes raiding, the Norse are tall, strong and heavy, and brutal fighters, renowned for their Berserkers. East of Norsca lies the Troll Countries and Kislev, a vodka-swilling nation allied to the Empire since time immemorial and famed for dedication to their bear-god Ursun, then east of this the Chaos wastes.


Far enough west, one comes across little known Naggaroth, Lustria, or maybe Ulthuan, the ancestral home of Elves. Far enough east, one encounters Ind, Nippon, and Far Cathay, bizarre but interesting countries that have much to offer in the way of trade goods and culture.


Finally, somewhere northwest of the Empire floats Albion, a miserable, misty, rainy, nigh inaccessable island populated entirely by eccentrics, but the most powerfully magical place in the universe. What Cathayans call ley lines converge under Albion, the Winds of Magic blow heavily about it, but next to nothing is known of this bizarre place.