Any world has a handful of information and opinions that are known and accepted nearly anywhere you go. These cultural touchstones can help orient you so you know when things differ from the norm in the setting.
The Best Around
Materials
Archgold is a rare material, and its use was discovered and perfected by arcane researchers in
Indo. They remain some of the best enchanters on the continent, but supplies are most commonly sourced from countries with easier access to the underdark, like
Calashi'din Vorpakk.
Chasalt is a rare mineral useful in alchemical reactions, and is primarily produced in
Zabria. Other locations may have higher quality, but veins tend to be quite small.
The best iron is sourced from
Zabria in limited quantities, while
Wejnazeer and
Sadvogravia are major exporters otherwise.
Skills
Though this is not true for all
Calashi, more scholarly goblins tend to be excellent linguists and translators. Most focus strictly on verbal translation.
The
Koh are renowned for their traps, ambushes, and guerrilla tactics. They tend to be rare, but good money is paid for skilled trapsmiths to aid in designing and maintaining fortresses.
The war mages of
Vankya and
Indo benefit from generations of perfecting magical siege warfare, and are renowned across the continent.
Veczi has an extremely strong tradition of dueling, but
Iccot has some excellent swordsmanship schools.
History and Culture
The North
Bocrae is the latest in a long line of northern nations that has grown too large to keep the north together. Before them was the
Ocian Empire. The people there do not care for politics anymore, and giants are a very real danger in far western Bocrae.
Veczi is one of the most stable northern nations. It's nearly impossible to invade them, and they don't seem to have any greater aspirations other than internal politics. It's said that a
Vect nobleman killed a fire god in single combat.
Lenif has a
god protecting and advising the royal family. They are enjoying a time of great peace and prosperity.
Wejnazeer is home to the halflings, and the kobolds, who don't trust anyone. They do trade regardless, but it's dangerous to visit without a guide.
The glacial warriors of Strada are expert sailors, but build terrible ships. They have been rivals with Nores over control of the warmer northern islands.
The Cradle & Ammalion
Iccot and
Chizhou are the two most densely populated cities on the continent. They are fierce trade rivals, and butt heads on many issues ranging from civil rights to tax law.
The
Sokolan Empire was one of the grandest modern civilizations. The nation was destroyed in the
Sokolan Cataclysm by an unknown cause. It was the most populous nation on the continent, and now all of them are undead. Sokolans were good at magic and many Sokolan artifacts are still more advanced than what can be created today.
The
Great Forest is ruled by an
Ancient One,
Qamara, who helped seed the universe with life.
Xeblisau is full of brothels, and the people walk around half naked! But apparently that's the norm. It is the most heavily populated nation on the continent.
Southern Corridor
Lishan is being ravaged by demon worshipping cultists, and is struggling to maintain its own land. The fighting has spread into the nearby nations as well.
Strossenberg is home to the dwarves. They stem the tide of undead from The Ash.
Holter is a vast desert full of nomadic tribes that care little about borders or settlements.
