Kalesten
The continent of Kalesten is west of Thiskel and east of the vast Tonult Ocean. The northern portion of the continent is heavily inhabited by humans and broken up into several nations. The subcontinent of Ertia is wedged beneath the greater Kalesten continent on the southeast, while the southwestern end arcs down a relatively narrow isthmus to open into the southern half of the continent.
Contents
North Kalesten
Nations
North Kalesten is home to the majority of the human nations of the entire Kalesten Continent. The following are the states in alphabetical order.
There are also loose confederations of peoples that aren't true nations, but still significant cultural unions.
Geography
The northernmost reaches are populated by hardy, dragon-worshiping Kaians spread across open steppes and boreal forests. Moving south, the region opens into rolling prairies and pasturelands surrounding the great inland Green Sea, which is more correctly a massive lake, as it is freshwater. To the south of the Green Sea is the large nation of Kosony and the Ardir forest which rises up the Ertian Plateau.
Further west of the Green Sea is the Heartland region of North Kalesten, consisting of fertile fields and forests that lay in the valley of the Gayntos and Perdraser mountain ranges. The interior eastern shore south of the mountains, surrounding the Sea of Kalesten is a Mediterranean climate. As Kalesten curves southward, the climate becomes drier and open grasslands cover much of the central isthmus.
The northern part of Kalesten is considered to be everything north of the south banks of the Eora Rivers in the west, to the mountains of the Ertian Plateau in the east.
Lands of Kaius
The northern most portion of Kalesten consists of coniferous forests and steppes, and is claimed by the Kaian tribes. The northern peninsula peaks above the arctic circle and is covered by the Kaius Mountains, a dense, high-reaching craggy range that is sparsely inhabited by some heartier Brech’mar tribes. The mountains are also home to many dragons, including their namesake dragon, the drake Kaius, whom the inhabitants regard as their god.
South of the mountains, the Lands of Kaius become steppe in center of their lands, and forests along the coastlines. A few Ochae’nafod tribes populate the the more isolated areas. The Kaians are the most populous people of the region, with many tribes and clans. Many of the steppe tribes are nomadic, wandering north and south with the seasons, while the coastal tribes are more established in villages.
A number of rivers and streams run down from sources in the Kaius Mountains, and into the Green Sea several hundred miles south, most notably the Tonnum, Quathery, and Velemray rivers which eventually merge into the Lyteus River that feeds into the Green Sea. The only true city of the Kaius people, Oni’kel, is located near the point at which the Quathery and Velemray rivers merge and become the Lyteus River.
To the east of the Lyteus is a wide band of unclaimed land, left untouched by the southern nations, and often uninhabited by the Kaians. The region is known as the Neutral Zone and acts as a buffer between the southern nations and Kaian raiders. To the west of the river is the nation of Samonight.
Green Sea
This large inland sea is centered in the eastern region of Kalesten, and is fed freshwater by the Lyteus River from the north, and empties into the ocean through the Siol River to the southwest and Vies River to the northeast. Bordering the sea is the Kalestein Empire to the west, Samonight to the east, Kosony to the south, and Lands of Kaius to the north. The region surrounding the sea is mostly open farmland and a mix of deciduous and coniferous forests. The region to the east of the Siol River is mostly swamp.
Kosony & The Ardir Forest
To the south of the Green Sea is the nation of Kosony, which stretches to the Ardir Forest. The Ardir is inhabited predominantly by the Fayl’Idayn, but also many tribes of Ochae’nafod and Dra’nafod. This stretch of land climbs in altitude steadily as you travel southward, as the sub-continent of Ertia to the south has wedged itself beneath Kalesten, resulting in the creation of a plateau. The plateau ends in high cliffs and intractable mountains that separate Ertia from Kalesten.
The Heartland
The rest of the northern portion of the Kalesten continent points southwest. The central region, made up of nations such as the Kalestine Empire, Isbany, Rheneld, and Chawoven is often referred to as the Heartland as its fertile grounds have kept it well-populated by humans for hundreds of years. Many nations have risen and fallen until giving way to the countries that fill the Heartland now, but the land is much the same.
From the west bank of the Green Sea to the Polnal River is mostly pasture and woodland, claimed currently by the Kalestine Empire and Isbany. South of the Polnal River, two mountain ranges rise along the north and south coasts of Kalesten; the Gayntos on the north and the Perdrasers to the south. In between the two ranges is the fertile valley that is claimed by Chawoven.
On the northeastern end of the Gayntos is the nation of Rheneld, which has a mix of rolling pastureland and denser forests near the mountains. On the north side of the Gayntos Mountains, along Kalesten’s central northern coast is the nation of Emkal, which is afforded some seclusion with the mountain range nearly surrounding their southern borders.
The southern Perdraser Range serves as Chawoven’s southern border. On the coastal side is the nation of Agenom which has a slightly warmer climate (Mediterranean) than their neighbors to the north. Zaedyn, Brech’mar, Ochae’nafod, Dra’nafod, and rogue Kuzo bands call the mountains and surrounding forests home.
Western Kalesten
From the far western edge of the Perdraser Range flows the Eora River, which after a few hundred miles splits in two. The southern Eora arcs down to the thin isthmus of Central Kalesten, providing a natural border for western Agenom before splitting once more and emptying into the sea on either side of the isthmus. The northern Eora flows westward, cutting through the nation of Belvon and into Serdenaugh where it meets the sea. Much of the land in the west is currently unclaimed open prairie, home to tribal humans, Kiar villages and some small herds of Eain’Idayn. Outside the northern border of Belvon, near the southwestern end of the Gayntos Mountains is the Beon forest, which is inhabited by Ochae’nafod, Dra’nafod, and Eain’Idayn.
Ertia
At the foot of the Ertian plateau lies a broad sub-continent that reaches into the tropics. The northeast of Ertia is filled with dense rainforests while much of the continent is tropical grassland and woodland. Only three human nations claim Ertia; the old nation of Ertia on the northwestern coast (which once claimed the entire sub-continent), Samdra to the southeast, and Shyon which claims much of central, south, and western Ertia.
Southern Kalesten
At the end of the isthmus is a sub-continent only slightly smaller than the northern portion of the continent. Nearly the entire region is covered in rainforest. The thick southwestern peninsula has a mountain range along its southern coast. The direct south of the sub-continent is a small peninsular delta which flows into the southern ocean. The southeast of the sub-continent is a longer, thinner, curving peninsula with two small mountain ranges and is covered partially in rainforest, grassland and swampland.
There are no human nations here, only the remnants of an ancient civilization that was eradicated by the Ur’Idayn. The forest is also inhabited by the Samiss and Nafod tribes. The mountains are also home to a few Zaedyn aeries.
Oceans and Seas
The west coast of Kalesten borders the North and South Riath Sea and allows for easy passage to and from Thiskel. The northernmost peninsula of the Lands of Kaius enters the arctic Sea of Lertura.
North Kalesten does not actually lay along the Tonult, the east coast is bordered by the Sea of Athere. This sea is hemmed in by arctic currents from the Lertura in the north and island archipelagos off the northeast horn of Ertia. Ertia itself and some of South Kalesten have shores with the Tonult. Encircled by Kalesten and Ertia is the Sea of Kalesten, a massive gulf of which the only inlet is the space between the southeastern peninsula of South Kalesten and Ertia. The southern shores of South Kalesten border the antarctic Sea of Kaltur.
Kalesten is also home to the largest inland body of water, the Green Sea. It is not a true sea as it is freshwater, but the vastness of the lake earned it the name of "sea".
Kalesten Populations
Modern Kalesten--not including Ertia--is home to humans; kiar; kuzo; Zaedyn; Brech'mar; Asath; Ochae'nafod and Dra'nafod; Idayn descendants in the Fayl'Idayn, Oir'Idayn, Ur'Idayn, and Eain'Idayn; and Samiss. Nearly all of the races, aside from the original human population and the samiss, migrated from Thiskel at different periods of history to establish new colonies.
Humans
Kalesten's first inhabitants were humans who spread across much of the continent. The native Kalestan humans are brown-skinned ranging from tan to medium brown, with straight black hair and brown eyes. A secondary human population migrated by sea from north Ageond before the War of the Gods, these people being fair skinned with light colored hair and eyes, and often taller and stouter than the Kalestans. This population later became known as the Kaians. People of North Kalesten, particularly in the east, have a shared ancestry of both ethnic groups, showing itself in a wider range of hair and eye colors, and lighter skin tones that then native Kalestans. Immigration from Thiskel has also influenced western Kalestan populations, as the narrow Riath Sea allows for easy travel between the two continents.
Kiar
The kiar were originally native to Ageond, but fled in the beginning of the War of the Gods, with the aid of the human settlers that would become the Kaians. The Kiar settled in isolated regions throughout the Heartland and central west Kalesten.
Kuzo
Feral kuzo tribes are descended of kuzo brought by Danaij expeditions during the War of the Gods. The Danaij never found a foothold in Kalesten, but were quick to abandon their kuzo troops when they retreated. Survivors took to the uninhabited wilds where they continue to thrive, despite frequent attempts at extermination.
Zaedyn, Brech'mar, and Asath
After their first populations were established and flourishing in Thiskel, colonies of these elemental races spread across the world. Zaedyn and Brech'mar settled in Kalesten's mountain ranges, both in the north and south. Meanwhile, the Asath set out for more tropical destinations and eventually settled south Kalesten and Ertia.
Nafod
The Nafod were the first of the elemental races to arrive in Thiskel, as their initial migrations were earlier than the other elemental races. Before they had established clans or even differentiated into the Ochae'nafod, Dra'nafod, and Marfod, they arrived in Kalesten. Here, they bonded to native wildlife and tree species. Those that would become Marfod would eventually take to the seas, with a single group establishing themselves in the inland Green Sea.
Idayn
The Idayn migration came as the Cataclysm ended. Both Idayn and Eain'Idayn traveled to Kalesten with the intention of establishing colonies. The Eain'Idayn would eventually choose to settle in the open grasslands, rather than joining their kin in the forests. Eventually, three separate Idayn races would establish themselves.
In the west, the Idayn travelers would settle in the Ardir and become the Fayl'Idayn. A second group remained in the central grasslands and became the Oir'Idayn. A final group settled in the jungles of South Thiskel. This group came into conflict with the humans of the region, eventually causing a war that would topple the human civilization and result in being rejected by Idraen. They interbred with the remaining humans and became the Ur'Idayn.
Samiss
The Samiss originated in the rain forests of South Kalesten and would later send colonies across the South Riath Sea to settle the jungles of South Thiskel.
Vampire
There is a small vampire presence in Kalesten, as in Thiskel. Secretive clans managed to eke out survival after the War of the Gods, but many others came to Kalesten throughout history one by one, or in small groups from elsewhere in the world to secure a foothold for their clan, and thus, spread.
