The Four Kingdoms

The Duven Kingdoms are comprised of four smaller sub-kingdoms, each with its own king, who all answer to the high king of Duven. The high king rules from his throne in Aldrose, in the Crimson Keep. The four kingdoms, in no particular order, are; the White Wastes, the Crystal Coast, Mithill, and Hinterskög

The White Wastes

To the north of the northern mountains lie the White Wastes. On the northernmost point of these wastes lies The White Keep in the city of Traethira. Though magic users can roam the four kingdoms freely, the use of spells outside the second circle is forbidden in all except the White Wastes. As a result, most people interested in the study of magic travel to the Institute of Wizardry in Traethira. The institute provides a place for those gifted in magic to study its power unhindered within the safety of the walls of the Institute.

Aside from Traethira, there are more than a few smaller villages in the tundras of the White Wastes. Though the climate can be unforgiving, there is the chance of making a decent livelihood in the north through hunting winter beasts for rare hides and meats, and the growth and export of wood from northern trees.

Through no coincidence, the King of the White Waste and the Grand Wizard of the Eye of Rhyfel are always one and the same. The position of Grand Wizard is is appointed by the High King, and their position is for life. Upon receiving their position, the Grand Wizard is crowned the King of the North and presides over his or her kingdom from the White Keep.

The Crystal Coast

The Crystal Coast lies along the Emerald Sea, the ocean from which the Crystal Coast earns it's name. It is said that the waves of the Emerald Sea glisten as a crystalline gemstone might. The beautiful beaches in this kingdom attract many visitors, most of whom are nobles in the various kingdoms. The inhabitants, on the other hand, are often sailors and fishermen; making their living from the ocean and the many goods that it provides.

The Crystal King rules from his throne in the city of Austium. As a result of a pact made by the first Duven King, King Gregor Duven, the Kingdom of the Crystal Coast is ruled by a long line of kings from the Marigold family lineage. The Marigold family values high class and society; they are talented diplomats and shrewd business people. As a result the city from which they rule, Austium, is plagued by the rich and the poor alike. The city is more segregated than most, with the poor residing around the lower docks and the inner city, and the rich taking residence in the upper city.

Mithill

The kingdom of Mithill is ruled by a democratically elected king who, upon election, is traditionally approved as king by the Dwarves of the Northern Mountains. This requisite approval was written into the treaty signed by King Gregor Duven and the Dwarven Council after the First War ended in a stalemate between the two states. As such, Mithill and the Dwarves are diplomatically in good standing, in spite of the Dwarves' shaky relationships with the other human kingdoms. Some dwarves even take residence in Midkullen, the capitol city of Mithill

For the first time in the history of the Duven Kingdoms, a Dwarf by the name of Doralmur Woldbrand, born in the city of Midkullen, was elected as the king of the Mithill Kingdom in the year 783. This has spurred whispers that the dwarves seek to overthrow the realm of men and gain authority in their kingdoms. King Woldbrand rules from Hoogstuvel Keep in the city of Imomontis.

Hinterskög

Hinterskög is not a kingdom by definition, but rather a territory of the Duven Kingdoms; regardless, it is colloquially referred to as the fourth kingdom of Duven. This Kingdom covers the Dry Wilds, the Black Forest, and the rest of southern Duven. Halbinsguld, what would be the Capitol, is a smaller city comprised of mostly humans.

Halbinsguld is home to the Rhyfel Pact. There is no king of Hinterskög; it is ruled by the Head Councillor of the Rhyfel Pact. Halbinsguld's main purpose is to hold dominion over the more "uncivilised" races that take residence in Southern Duven. In comparison to the rest of the Kingdoms, the human population of Hinterskög is quite small. Most residents of this Kingdom are of the other western races; namely Gnomes from Fahrlyte Glade and the Orcs from Garthurian, in the Black Forest.

An artist's rendition of King Alanor Duven IV, painted not long before his illness struck.