The Inner Sea and Surrounds
The majority of the activity on Pande's world takes place around a large sea known only as the Inner Sea. Almost 3000 kilometers long, and about 1500 kilometers wide at its greatest, the Inner Sea is circled by an almost unbroken mountain chain called the Edge Mountains. Only a small strait at the top, allowing access to the Northern Ocean beyond, and three passes to the west, south and east, allow for access to the lands.
All of the territory bounded by these mountains is claimed by The Empire of Belyos, a nation founded almost two thousand years ago, although it has broken up, been invaded and unified again in that time. Made of ten Elector States, ruled by the Emperor of Belyos in the name of the god Yaltur, the Empire enjoys a temperate climate, calm seas, and fertile soils, enabling it to sustain a large population easily. The Imperial people are convinced, for good reason, they are the chosen of the gods and will endure to the end of time and the daily bread and circuses may keep them happy, for now.
It's main rival lies to the south, through one of the three mountain passes, and is known as the Sakamohr Confederacy. A loose collection of tribes and clans, most of whom are nomadic, their lands are greater than the Empire's, but far less bountiful. Plains, hills, forests and seas, the Sakamohr have spread wide, and their numbers are potentially greater than their Imperial neighbours. Their existence was irrelevant to the Empire until they took advantage of the Empire's internal troubles and invaded. Their occupation was ended with the reunification of the Empire, and the two nations have co-existed in an uneasy peace since then.
Beyond, across the Northern Ocean, a continent discovered only in the last few hundred years beckons those with the drive to carve out their own niche in new lands, much to the disconcertion of the people of those lands, the Dwellers. A number of minor, Imperial ruled nations have sprung up, most notably the mysterious and isolationist Empire of Drax.
For most of Imperial history, technology and science has been slow to advance, but the Empire has remarkable skill in construction and infrastructure. Tall concrete buildings dominate the skylines of its many cities, the roads of the Imperial Highways are easy to travel on, straight and well maintained, aqueducts and complicated irrigation systems bring fresh water to the endless fields of grain and the teeming masses clustered in urban sprawl. In the calm waters of the Inner Sea, the trireme and galley reign supreme, but in the rougher open waters en-route to the north, round-bottomed cogs ply the seas, their lack of oars giving no disadvantage to their broad sails. Horses are a recent introduction from the plains of the south, but are quickly proving their worth, especially in the Empire-wide Imperial Post, who promise delivery, no matter the distance. Breeding is slow, however, and the ox-cart and simple foot are still the transport of choice for many. Conflict is unavoidable, as with any human endeavour, but the might of the Imperial Army maintains peace for most of the time, its steel weapons and armour are strong and robust, despite methods of production that are two millennia old. Mining and quarrying are an important source of income for a lot of people, and the Inner Sea is not short of the necessary ores.
For most of Imperial history, technology and science has been slow to advance, but the Empire has remarkable skill in construction and infrastructure. Tall concrete buildings dominate the skylines of its many cities, the roads of the Imperial Highways are easy to travel on, straight and well maintained, aqueducts and complicated irrigation systems bring fresh water to the endless fields of grain and the teeming masses clustered in urban sprawl. In the calm waters of the Inner Sea, the trireme and galley reign supreme, but in the rougher open waters en-route to the north, round-bottomed cogs ply the seas, their lack of oars giving no disadvantage to their broad sails. Horses are a recent introduction from the plains of the south, but are quickly proving their worth, especially in the Empire-wide Imperial Post, who promise delivery, no matter the distance. Breeding is slow, however, and the ox-cart and simple foot are still the transport of choice for many. Conflict is unavoidable, as with any human endeavour, but the might of the Imperial Army maintains peace for most of the time, its steel weapons and armour are strong and robust, despite methods of production that are two millennia old. Mining and quarrying are an important source of income for a lot of people, and the Inner Sea is not short of the necessary ores.
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