The Eylands

A small island kingdom founded by colonists from the Northern and Southern continents, and laying directly between them. Over the last 300 years it has flourished as a popular trading post between the continents, as its often cold, barren wastelands are not suited to agriculture. Its founders practiced Vattirism, the ancient worship of nature and spirits. This belief is being threatened by a new elite of missionaries and priests from the South, out for personal gain by driving fear and submission into the poor, unguided masses. Though a kingdom, its original royal household of Eyland has gone extinct well over a century ago. This led to the foundation of a high council of nobles at the royal palace. New kings are elected by the fylkirs and princes of the Eylands, causing much corruption within the process. One succession crisis after another has held the kingdom in an almost constant state of war between rival lords. After the palace was partially burned down, its home island's prince does not allow elections to take place until a peace treaty between all islands is renewed. Nearly thirty years have gone by since the fire, no sign of peace yet. The lords manage to run their estates and islands in the absence of a king, but the kingdom as a whole might risk becoming underdeveloped if a new king doesn't arise soon. A young squire of 15, the sole survivor of a cadet branch of the house of Eyland erased from the history books by its enemies, raised by the thane of Montsend and a witch, might just bring peace and order back to the kingdom.