Editing They Came from the North (section)

==Geography==
[[File:tcftn_bigmap.png|thumb|The area shown on this map is roughly the size of Europe.]]
===Eastern Steppes===
Arid high plains and deserts separated from the lush coastal lowlands of the south-east by the Curtainfall Mountains. Inhabited mostly by tribes of nomads, notably the serpent peoples whose Hissing tongue is widely used throughout the east; they are semi-nomadic tribes who live in underground villages and travel mostly by night or through their far-reaching tunnel networks. Other desert travelers are also welcome to use these subterranean highways, for a fee.

===Holy Empire===
A long-standing alliance of three priest-kings, who claim to rule by divine right as the earthly representatives of their three gods. The current rulers are king Vassaire of Gamorya, queen Felia of Seresya, and king Catharis of Carenya; all three are powerful mages, whether their might really comes from the gods or not.

===Kalarian Empire===
An expansionistic but largely benevolent tyranny controlling every city but one west of the Inner Sea. There a rumors that Halimarth the Good, the current Tyrant of Kalar, is preparing to march on Prain and Kashatyn. Kalar, the political heart and seat of all power in the empire, is the largest port on the Inner Sea.

===Myrmia===
Also known as the City of Lanterns, an independent port surrounded by the Kalarian Empire. The native Myrmi are whispered to be inhuman - and they ''are'' uncannily pale, nocturnal by preference and most possess minor psionic abilities. The city is built in layers into the walls of a gigantic vertical shaft hewn directly into the towering black cliffs of the Mirrorsea shore, almost like an immense spiral staircase, the lowest level being the enclosed harbor (commonly regarded the safest port in the world).

===Outer Ocean===
Beyond the southern islands spread the deep waters of the boundless Ocean. Particularly brave or daft sailors sometimes cast off in search of far southern shores, but none have returned successful and many not at all.

===Scimia===
The peninsula south of Iskalan and Veroth, between the Holy Empire and the Inner Sea. The Scimian inland is mountainous and sparsely populated, but the coasts and river valleys are some of the most fertile land west of Shekeran.

===Shallow Sea===
A body of particularly shallow waters between the Scimian peninsula and the Rainbow Isles; there are many places all the way out to the islands where one can clearly see the sea bottom even at high tide. Rallos and Averos are in constant competition, and at times open war, over this area.

===Taldra===
A major political power in the north, situated at the crossroads of several important trade routes. The Taldrish language has spread wide and far with its merchants, and is commonly spoken along most major roads and caravan runs north of the empires.

===Veroth===
A medium-sized but very wealthy city state, at odds with Gamorya and the rest of the Holy Empire since forever because they levy considerable taxes on commercial traffic along the river and Gamorya would prefer not to pay, the river being the quickest and safest connection they have to Seresya and Carenya and the southern parts of the empire.

'''Smallford''' - A village three days west of Veroth, exactly as small as its name suggests. The wizard Gallmoth lives nearby, and the countryside is full of fearful rumors about him.