Daly

Daly is a large island nation in the southern hemisphere of the world. Measuring around 700 miles from north to south, it ranges from a hot, barren peninsula in the north- dried by the warm winds flowing from the continent- to a dark, cold southern edge haunted by penguins, puffins, seals and selkies. A tall spine of mountains effectively divides the east from the west- other than a few narrow passes (and a rumoured secret tunnel), the main way to get to a city on the other side of the island is to either sail the outer edge or risk a trip through either the Tiervik Hills or up into the Yateham Dales, both well populated by monsters and filled with treacherous, hidden (and forgotten) areas.   In general, the western edge of the island is more hospitable than the east. Warmed by the currents and the swirl of warm air down from the north, the various cities are well surrounded by smaller towns, villages and farmsteads. Life on the narrower eastern edge is a little tougher. Only a few towns and cities exist here, and those fairly specialised. The crops don’t grow as well as the warmer land to the east, and you’re more likely to happen across a walled village and accompanying fort than any cosy market town.   Daly maintains a foothold on the mainland for a length of some 400 miles, and counts 3 cities in that stretch. Although a different empire, Avilet, rules the adjoining landmass, they are almost always engaged in warfare on their far northern edge with the warlike people of Paruel, and have happily ceded the stretch of land to Daly, happy to gather import taxes from the many goods that flow through the city of Long and into their empire.   Most of Daly is peaceful- as far as politics is concerned, anyway. Over the last millennia, civilisation has crept slowly across the land, with the last major internal battle taking place around 200 years ago to solidify the whole island as the Kingdom of Daly. There are vast swathes of Daly that remain unexplored and unconquered, however, and these areas are thronged with the monsters and beasts that have been steadily pushed back. As a result, the adventurer's guild is a well respected (and well paid!) institution, with most cities having an adventuring party or two on hand to deal with threats as they arise.   Daly has an advantage over many other countries, in that it's population seems innately more magical than many others. About one in ten children are born with some minor magical ability- usually enough to learn a cantrip- and roughly one in 1000 is born as a genuine sorcerer, with great power. Of course- there are other ways to gain power, and West Bour especially is full of young wizards setting out on their magical studies… but those entering pacts with fiends or others for quick power rather than choosing to study at one of the magic academies are looked on with pity, rather than disgust. Even for those not born with magic, the improved lifestyle that multiple magic users brings means that people are free to choose a path that appeals to them- whether that is becoming the best fighter you can be in the army or a private champion, becoming a master craftsman in one of the guilds, or wandering as a bard or trader.