Novrom
“Blessed with plentiful waterways and sweeping plains; protected by canyon and sea; and nurtured by pleasant, seasonal weather, Novrom can be called a Paradise. It could also be called terribly boring, depending on one’s point of view.” ~ Jothan Blackkard, gazetteer.

Geography
Novrom is a nation of rolling plains, crisscrossed by rivers and streams, interrupted only by the occasional forest, dry river bed, or canyon. Across the Emaru River lies Te’ran. The northern border with Vini Tresolm is defined by the Holim Gap and the impenetrable jungle beyond it. The Sea of Thespis separates the nation from Taunaun.

History
The area that would become Novrom was a major food source for the Vishnari Empire before the Hailene War of Ascension. When raiding parties began to cross the Easterlies and take whole villages captive, the farmers of the plains fled to the cities Kinos and Ducon. The raiders followed, picking off and enslaving stragglers and laying siege on the two great cities.

While Ducon, in the south fell, Kinos repelled four separate hailene sieges and when the War finally ended, the people of the plains returned to their homes only to find them leveled by the hailene and pillaged by the marching Alliance army.

The citizens cried out, but the collapsing Vishnari government would not – could not pay reparations. It came to Kinos to once more protect these people as they built. Grateful, the survivors pledged loyalty to the Lord Mayor of Kinos, thus founding the nation of Novrom.

In recent years, however, the various principalities that form the nation of Novrom have begun at abandon their sense of gratitude and fealty to the Lord Mayor and their kinship with their neighbors. Wars have broken out time and again between the principalities, throwing the political climate as well as the principal borders of Novrom into flux.

Kinos attempts to quell its warring states, but thus far has had little luck.

Culture
Novromi citizens are heavily nationalistic when it comes to both their home principality as well as Novrom itself. The princes (even female monarchs are revered to as ‘princes’ in Novrom) of these states are hailed as national heroes and often come from backgrounds as adventurers.

Most Novromi citizens are farmers living on land belonging to monarchs. They are well looked after, with most farming communes under the protection of royal armies and mages.

Industry
Novrom possesses one of the most diverse economies on Ere, thanks in part to the nature of its principalities. Farming and animal husbandry dominates the interior of the nation, while along the northern border, mines produce precious gems and silver. The southern coast teams with fisheries and the banks of the Emaru River provide a trade center as well as a means to power mills and foundries. Finally, the wide open floodplains to the southwest provide a fine place for airship construction yards.

Government
The patchwork of principalities still pay minimal taxes to the Lord Mayor of Kinos. They are for the most part autonomous, having their own armies and governing systems. Tradition dictates that the ruler of each state is called a prince, though whether this title is inherited, elected, or won varies from state to state.

With a few exceptions, principalities are rarely stable, often changing governments entirely every ten to twenty years. Others split of co-opt without warning, leaving even the number of principalities an ever fluctuating thing.

Organizations and Individuals of Note

King Tennin Prose (Male half-elf Wizard 2/Aristocrat 4) – Prince of the Principality of Vas-vam, Tennin became ruler of Vas-vam when the previous king died with no heirs. Vas-vam is only 50 years old, but under Tennin’s rule, the state has become a haven for inborn casters, who Tennin hopes to martial into an army.

Ferria Cleargaze (Female elf Expert 3) – A cartographer by trade, Cleargaze was instrumental in the formation of the Principality of Cosintu on the Tresolmi border 87 years prior. She remains leader of the small mining state, holding the title of Wise Woman, due to her clever dealings with the elves of the Tresolm and her neighbor Principalities.

Big May (Female troll Fighter 2) – Big May and her band of trolls took over a small hamlet on the Emaru river less than a decade ago. In eight short years, she has carved a sizable territory for her kin by allying with the red dragon Bromset (juvenile red dragon). With the dragon’s help, she has managed to create a thriving state, funded by the wages of troll mercenaries to fight in the wars of other principalities.

Empress Noctur Fen-rose (Female human Necromancer 8) – Newly risen Prince of Faitan, third oldest of Novrom’s principalities. Her penchant for the necromantic arts has earned her a reprieve from the constant wars her fellows fight, as most fear having their soldiers risen as undead. The Sylphian Church has sponsored several assassination attempts on her and the Kaydan church has tried and failed to ally with her. Fen-rose keeps to herself, sending emissaries in her stead to political events.

Sheriff Jax Wild (Male miare Combatant 10) – Elected two years ago to the seat of Prince of the Principality of San Ku, Jax takes his duty to the people, very seriously, striving to eliminate crime and wrong doing within his realm. Adventuring is outlawed in San Ku, as well is the open display of weapons or offensive magic.

The Historical Society of Kinos
Based out of the city of Rivenport, the Historical Society was founded by a likeminded group of scholars originally concerned with preservation of Vishnari and Hailene War artifacts after the Ashing of the Green.

In the past decades, however, the society has grown exponentially in size and power. Its current aim is to explore unexplored regions, map the planet, and delve into the world’s history. To this end, the Society employs hundreds of adventuring companies as guards, forward scouts, and retrieval experts.

Yon Remstedler (Male halfling bard 10/loreman 1) is the current Director of the Society and personally heads the current inquiries into the pre-Saint’s Landing ruins of Vaiackuria.

Major Settlements
Kinos (Major City)
Located at the mouth of the Emaru river, Kinos is the primary port for ocean travel in the West. Anything that can be found on Ere outside Calderia, and the Kimeian Isles can be found in Kinos thanks to a declaration that any product legal in any nation on Ere is legal for sale (though not use) in Kinos.

Unique features of the city include the Trestrolm Norry Skydock, the largest skydock on Ere; the Menagerie, a sprawling animal market where tamed beasts of all kinds are put on display and sale; and the Morecoste Museum, the largest museum on Ere.

Rivenport (Large City)
Rivenport is a growing city on the coastal border with Vini Tresolm. It is currently part of the Principality of Graad. Rivenport is home to the Historical Society of Kinos. Most of the city has grown up to support the Society and its hundreds of employees.

Locations of Note
----

Encounters
Novrom is a varied nation, home to examples of all the sapient races on Ere; from elves to kobolds. Bandit gangs, disenfranchised with the principalities, are larger and more varied in Novrom than anywhere else.

Large predators, such as tyrannosaurs, dire wolves, wyverns, and manticores are frequent due to plentiful prey on farms and ranches.

Novrom’s unstable political climate also makes it the perfect place for doppelgangers, vampires, fiends and celestials to attempt to gain footholds in power. These beings and their minions can often be encountered in disguise in more chaotic principalities.