Naldris
The Naldraesi lands stretch across the southern reaches of the Godar Peninsula, a vast expanse of rolling grasslands, river valleys, and low hills spanning from the Copper Bay in the east to the shores of the Sea of Lost Stars in the west. This territory, roughly 600 miles east to west and 200 miles north to south, experiences a climate similar to the southern steppes of distant Eurasia - hot, dry summers and cold winters with moderate rainfall concentrated in spring and autumn.
The land can be divided into three distinct regions, each with its own character and challenges:
The Western Marches (Khaldavar) - The hillier western territory bordering the Scorched Wastes, home to the militaristic orc kingdoms. This region bears the scars of centuries of raiding - fortified villages, watchtowers, and a population hardened by constant vigilance. The hills provide some defense but also hide approach routes for raiders. Here the Naldraesi are at their most martial, with every settlement maintaining trained riders who can respond to warning fires within hours.
The River Heart (Sulaan Dalath) - The central plains dominated by the Stream of a Thousand Waters, a massive river system that flows from northern sources through Naldraesi territory to the Copper Bay. This region controls the most important trade routes and contains the largest settlements. The river's annual flooding enriches the soil, allowing intensive agriculture alongside herding. The riverfolk are the merchants and politicians of Naldraesi society, growing wealthy from tariffs and trade.
The Eastern Plains (Tengresh) - The richest farmland, blessed with reliable rainfall and fertile soil. This region has absorbed significant cultural influence from the neighboring Kōrin Elves to the north and maintains active trade with the Amberstone Brec'th. The eastern Naldraesi are often considered "soft" by their western cousins but are also the most sophisticated, with written poetry, formal music traditions, and elaborate architecture.
The entire region is traversed by ancient roads, crumbling aqueducts, and ruined watchtowers - the bones of the Naldris Empire that once ruled nearly all of Godar.
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