Editing Cold as Bone (section)

==The World==

'''The Nations of the North'''

The Northern Nations are a couple dozen small areas, none larger than a smallish US state or European country. Some are traditional clan holdings; others are centered around rogue Empire military forces that chose to claim land in their own name, or single cities ruled by popular demagogues. They trade, fight, and ally with each other, united by a complicated web of alliances, betrayals, family linkages and trade agreements, and every so many years one nation is conquered by another, or breaks free again.

*'''Igenfrost''' is one of the more stable and northern-most of the Nations, set right in the foothills of the Last Mountains. It is ruled by Justiciar Tulth, an enormous warrior and devout follower of the sun goddess Bright Galda.

'''The Empire of the Sun'''

The Empire of the Sun is a vast, human-dominated empire that controls the southern two-thirds of the continent. Formerly an aggressive colonizer, it has slowed down in recent decades and is showing signs of decay. Within another century it may be gone, but for the moment it remains strong. The Empire has a cautious relationship with the Northern Nations, deeming them too problematic to conquer and for the most part trading with them. The Empire is viewed by the Northerners as powerful, dangerous, and untrustworthy, but also a provider of exotic southern goods and valuable foodstuffs.

'''The Last Mountains'''

The Last Mountains form the final border between inhabitable land and the howling arctic wastes beyond; some small, hardy communities of dwarves and firbolgs live among them, but common knowledge is that no one lives beyond them except cold-adapted animals and occasional monsters.