Much of import has passed since my honourable predecessor compiled the 7th version of the Geographa of the known world. The world has become both a bigger, and smaller, place. The terrible Canite heresy has been crushed and the provinces of Duseric and Rell have returned to the light of the faith. The taming of the savage lands of the Easterners is all but complete and the beacon of civilisation grows ever brighter. In Marcus IV we see a return to the great emperors of the past such as Marcus II; dare I even suggest the father of the empire, the sainted Canas himself.

When my predecessors wrote the earlier Geographa it must be remembered that many of the physical truths that we, as enlightened men, take as simple fact were unknown or hidden under the veil of superstition. Thus, while it seems laughable to us to speak of Elves that live many hundreds of years or savage eastern wizards able to stop the very passage of time itself, we must refrain from pouring scorn upon my unenlightened predecessors and remember that they were each simply a product of the unenlightened ages that they lived in.

This, the 8th, and I hasten to add, definitive, Geographa is a compendium of fact gathered from the most reliable of sources and will, I am sure, prove to be a boon to all travellers.

Creteus 'the younger' wrote:

On the general geography of the Empire

From the Western Ocean to the Sea of the East the mighty Empire serves as a guiding light to all who seek safety and security. Throughout her august history the Empire, under the aegis of our divinely guided emperors, has gathered the savage close to her bosom to bring them the benefits of civilisation. One has only to look at the mayhem and unnecessary suffering that occurs even today in the province of Duseric to see what happens when men turn away from her bright beacon.

Creteus 'the younger' wrote:

On Old Varana

The oldest, and most refined, lands of the empire nestle where first great Canas set foot upon the soil of our lands. Here on the banks of the mighty Thessen nestles Varana herself, the eternal seat of governance of the empire, the cradle of civilisation from whence order and peace flow. Her mighty walls gleam silver and rose in the dawn’s light. From her temples peals forth a paean of welcome to a new day. The triumphal gate of Amanfalas and the newly constructed plaza of Marcus IV (where once stood a poorly maintained shrine of Iaosia) guide the footsore traveller into the bustle of this, the greatest of all cities. In Varana none need go hungry for the Emperor has decreed that there is to be work and food for all of his subjects.

In the harbour a traveller might have the good fortune to sight the Abraxius II, mightiest vessel of the imperial fleet, just one of the many wonders to be ushered forth from the Imperial war collages to further protect the security of the Empire and enhance her grandeur. Along her tree lined boulevards one will be dazzled by the many sights and smells that meet one. In Varana’s markets the keen eye can spy silk from Iryrod , pearls from Kurna, prayer beads from Vars, and even rough ale from distant Dasar (should one wish to partake of such).

Truly this glorious city is the greatest marvel of any age!

Follow the Thessen northeast and in some days you will eventually reach the city-temple of Cana itself. It is here that great Canas first planted the seed of civilisation after crossing the boundless Black Sea from his homeland. Raising up the people and naming them “Varana”; “Mighty” in the language of his lost homeland. Although it is true that noble Canas had intended the seat of government should reside at Cana, it is a sad fact that when the mighty dikes and arcane pumps Canas himself had ordered built were destroyed in the civil war that saw the end of the tyrannical rule of the usurper Phazzan, much of Cana was lost to the waters of the Thessen. Today it is still possible to see these mighty ruins of a bygone age and I have been reliably informed that the Loremasters of the Magnus Order have been studying their secrets with the aid of learned Seers from this humble scribes academy. Perhaps it might yet be possible to push back the waters of the Thessen and gaze upon the first tomb of Mighty Canas.

Creteus 'the younger' wrote:

On New Varana

North of Old Varana lie the lands of New Varana, once the kingdoms of Duradon, Voselle and Sobrinth. It is a harsh land of misty valleys, rushing cataracts, and soaring mountains. New Varana lacks the warmer climate of the heart of the empire and perhaps it is its gloomy climate that leads to the well deserved reputation of its people for dour pessimism.
New Varana has a further reputation however as the most pious province of the Empire. Temples and shrines to the pantheon adorn the hills of its many cities and towns. Not undeservedly, Vars, its provincial capital, is often refereed to the Second Jewel in the Empire’s crown.
It is here that your learned scribe must pause in his journey through the glorious lands of the empire report an incidence that has brought great sadness to all of learning in the Empire. I refer, of course, to the sacrilegious defilement of the ancient monastery of Dells. This place of peaceful meditation was the second oldest site of worship in the empire. A place of ancient learning and retreat built around the ridge where great Lochwar himself addressed the most pious Canas during the first great campaigns of empire. It seems likely that the Canites perpetuated this vile deed and it is with great sadness that I report that the oldest library in the empire (as all men of learning are aware, of course, the scriptorium of Cana was both burned and flooded during the first civil war) has been burned to cinders and all the temple’s brothers slain in a manner most foul and inhumane!

Creteus 'the younger' also wrote:

Dwelling side by side with the men of New Varana are the rock brothers of what was once the kingdom of Safehold. One of the few low-folk kingdoms to embrace the benefits of the Empire the Dwarves of New Varana have earned a place of honour for themselves in the empire and demonstrated a forward sightedness seldom seen in the low-folk. Although they have their own underground temples to Brintha and Tharon in all other ways they dwell as men in the bright light of day.

On Dars

Moving east of New Varana we come to the dusty plain lands of Dars. The men of Dars are largely a shiftless bunch, seldom given to work. Their cities and farms are dusty, ill-kempt, rundown affairs and the province often totters on the brink of famine. For years beyond counting the people of Dars lived a nomadic life following their herds of cattle and warring with the Gnoll and Orcish tribes that also hunted the plains. It seems likely that this nomadic life has in some way perverted the Dars spirits.

Creteus 'the younger' wrote:

On Duseric

Little needs to be written of Duseric as all in the empire are aware of harsh punishment enacted by former Emperor Eion I on the province for the crimes of heresy. Needless to say it will be many decades before the cities of the province recover from the purges.

Creteus 'the younger' wrote:

On Rell

A week by sea from Old Varana is the province of Rell, the southern most province of the Empire. Originally founded by nobles fleeing the reign of Nadja I the people of Rell have retained a reputation for fierce independence and bravery up to the present day. The famous sixth legion for example is largely commanded by officers drawn from the Cerevallian military academy.

Rell was welcomed into the empire in 364 during the reign of Kain II following the untimely deaths of the leading members of the Rellian oligarchy.

Creteus 'the younger' also wrote:

After Cerevallia the only other town of note in the province is that of Arabel.

Creteus 'the younger' also wrote:

By Imperial edict the Vylena Forest marks the southern most extent of the empire, a ruling that has been enforced for over the last 400 years.

Creteus 'the younger' wrote:

On Iryrod

North of New Varana, across the grey wracked waters of the Western Ocean lies craggy Iryrod. Until the conquest of the eastern heathens Iryrod was the most recent province to join the Empire. In 523 Queen Elara to the worship of Lochwar and brought her people into the Imperial fold. Iryrod is home to the elves of the empire. Although possessed of great learning the people of Iryrod gives lie to the age old myths of elven blood. Although it is certainly true that many of “elven blood” have lived to great age (I myself was privileged to study under the Iryrod master Palivor who lived to the ripe old age of 97) so too have many other men of the empire (it is rumoured that the men of the imperial consort’s homeland to have similar tales of their barbaric kings living to great age). It seems likely to this learned scribe that the tales of elven life spans in the many hundreds of years was nothing more than a cunning deceit practiced by the elves of Rian, who by all accounts were where much given to flights of fancy and tall tales, no doubt brought on by jealousy or envy of their longer lived low-folk neighbours.

Creteus 'the younger' wrote:

On Dasaria

Throughout the years a great deal of fancy has been written about the eastern lands. Unlike my predecessors, I write from a position of authority, having gathered my information only from travellers who have made the arduous return sea journey from the east. The province of Dasaria has never truly been a unified nation as we would understand it in the west. For centuries the easterners have existed as a disorganised assortment of princedoms and city states, all having only a nominal allegiance to the ruling family, of which our beloved Emperor’s consort was the last surviving heir. Such a chaotic state of governance, in which even women were allowed to take roles of authority, goes a long way, in this scribe’s opinion, to explaining why a diplomatic resolution to conflict was so difficult to establish in the East.

Creteus 'the younger' wrote:

For many centuries Gulashir has been the main gateway to the eastern lands, being the first port of call on the slower but safer southern passage around Cape Goramur. It has long had a reputation for being a vile mixing pot of a city where all manner of foul corruption was rife. Under the firm, but fair, hand of Governor Arravas the worst of Gulashir’s vices are giving way to civilisations light. A case in point is the long vexing depredations of Metima wielding fanatics from the whitesands wastes. Thankfully this threat to the safety of honest travellers was finally eradicated in 584 when the then new governor received dispensation to deploy Claw warriors. Today Gulashir is a bastion of Imperial power and the single largest provider of indentured servants in the east.

Creteus 'the younger' wrote:

For those travellers willing to make the hazardous journey north around Cape Cear the thriving port of Cear is often the first port of call in the east.
As well as being a thriving port with a deep natural harbour, Cear was a once a centre of Eastern learning. Sadly a great deal of the Library of Cear was destroyed in the final naval bombardments during the taking of the city. Most of what remains has been shipped back to the Great Academies of Varana to be catalogued and to ensure any potentially heretical works are removed for public safety. With the scars of the conquest finally fading Cear is slowly returning to its previous vigour and it has recently been rumoured that the Emperor has considered making it the provincial capital.

Creteus 'the younger' wrote:

Travelling inland from Cear, through the wild lands of the interior, past the mighty fortresses of Talonhold and Ravenswatch, and having negotiated safe passage through the tribal lands of the Vokk Orcs and the Koalisk, one will eventually come to the rough road that leads to the provincial capital of Dasar. Many local folksongs were written about this road, which was built by the young consort after her return from exile, probably the most famous of which is the “Road of the Queen”. I have had the good fortune read a censored copy of the “Songs of a red Skald” and must confess that it is a very stirring work, even with all the heretical content removed.

With special dispensation from the Vokk it is possible to break one’s trip to study the ruins of the Baranmen, at one time amongst the fiercest of the Easterners. Today their city moulders in the forests glooming, a poignant reminder of the folly of resisting progress, their bloodline now extinct.

Creteus 'the younger' wrote:

Eventually, after many days hard travel, one will arrive at the provincial capital of Dasar. In the days before the conquest, according to local myth, Dasar was the favoured city of Tharon. Following the conquest many Easterners believe he has turned his face away from the city, a belief heightened by the eastern blood plague of recent memory which is said to have begun in Dasar. The last decade has therefore seen a migration of citizens away from the city, most of whom have made the short move to the vibrant city of Solace to the northwest; today large areas of Dasar stand deserted and the Dasar forest is reclaiming the city in places.

Dasar has little to recommend it to the discerning traveller. However many of the temple facades in the city have been reworked to correctly reflect the pantheon, at great expense to the Imperial purse it is said, and the palace has a certain rude splendour. One can also choose to walk in the formal gardens laid over the ruins of the Tower of the Sword, at one time the home to the infamous fanatical Kingseeker sect; this is apparently a popular pastime with the locals.

A little northwest of Dasar is the thriving town of Solace. Once a minor outpost of Dasar, Solace surrendered to the Empire in the year 569 and has remained in Imperial hands ever since.

Creteus 'the younger' wrote:

Nestled in the foothills of the mountains of Kor is the town of Durace. It has the largest population of the low-folk in the region; it is even whispered that a few remaining members of the outlawed Dwarven Clan of Torinvhork occasionally venture out of the Kor mountains to trade with their brethren.

The people of Durace have a well earned reputation for hard work. In the six years of Governor Kallig's rule great progress was made on the great Northern road that will eventually unite West and East. The punishments that awaits his assassins when they are brought can not be stern enough, since Kallig’s death work has all but ground to a halt.

Many of the Durace’s more industrious Gnome-kind have volunteered to work far from home in the Imperial war collages where they work to improve the security of the glorious empire, proving that even the low-kind can find a place in the empire.

Creteus 'the younger' wrote:

South of Dasar near the boarder of the Vokk lands is the town of Corda. In the East, Corda has long been famed as a provider of fine horse flesh. Though their steeds are certainly of greater statue than those employed by the Imperial cavalry I am reliably informed that their temperament leaves much to be desired. Great hopes are held that a vigorous cross breeding program with our fine western steeds will be able to breed this wildness out of them. Certainly our noble emperor seems confident as he has had the cream of the last five years foals shipped west to join his personal herds.

Creteus 'the younger' wrote:

A little east of Dasar is the small town of Lendose. It is a stronghold for the cult of Iaosia and one of the few towns to have gracefully bowed to Imperial rule. Beyond mentioning their fine woollen garments little more need be said of this sleepy backwater.

Creteus 'the younger' wrote:

Morell was once a minor town in the southern plains. During the spring offensive of 583 Morell scouts often played a crucial part in many of Marcus IV’s plans. At great personal risk these brave partisans provided vital information that allowed the Emperor to keep military conflict to a minimum. Today Morell is the only town in the province to have a native governor, Governor Ozur being recognised for his many acts of bravery during the conquest of Corda. Situated as it is deep in the new Vokk tribal lands Morell has become an important Imperial stronghold.

Creteus 'the younger' wrote:

On the Kor Mountains

Forming the northwest boarder of the Dasarian Province are the mighty Kor mountains. To the north they eventually join the Khinaor ranges near the frigid Plains of Arrith, but to the west they march for over a hundred miles before finally dropping away to the dusty sands of Shalmaneser.
The home to savage low-folk and orckish tribes these mountains have isolated the East for much of the Empire’s history. The few passes that are known to exist are often snowbound for over half of the year and so rough as to make the movement of large bodies of men impractical. It is for this reason that our wise and learned emperor has commissioned the construction of the great road of Kor. From the dusty plains of Dars teams of Imperial Geomancers and indentured workers labour to drive a road through the gut of the Kors.

Legend has it that somewhere in eastern foothills of the Kors is the lost Temple to Iaosia that has featured so prominently in the many romances that fill Varana’s theatres this season. Having examined all the evidence it is this humble scribes opinion that this is a legend in much the same way as the giant of the Sarangrave.

Creteus 'the younger' wrote:

Other places of lesser note:

On Rian

It is said that all who have looked upon the mist shrouded borders of the fabled elven lands have come away changed men. Many have dared to venture it’s borders since the elves withdrew from the lands of men three decades ago; some for profit, seeking elven gold; some for the thrill of adventure; and some simply seeking the mythical beauty of the lost elves, (indeed elf sick has now enter the common tongue as slang for one who longs after what they can not have). Most of these intrepid souls have stumbled from Rian’s borders a few days or weeks later tired and footsore having failed to find anything. But some, an unfortunate few, have returned to the world broken men, babbling only of fever dream inspired phantasms. Truly this is a fearsome place, well deserving of its dark reputation.