From the greatest continents and empires to the smallest towns and villages, the lands and places of Mystaris are filled with adventure.

Breton.

The kingdom of Breton is a rich and powerful island nation, viewed jealously throughout its history by neighbouring nations on the mainland continent of Reustania.

Two thousand years ago, King Thanton ascended to the throne of Breton, and embarked upon a reign of conquest, throwing Breton's naval and military might against its neighbours. Worse, he also drew upon the fell magical powers of necromancy, for he became the first of the Necromancer Kings of Breton. And so it was that Breton came to be ruled by a succession of kings dedicated to the sorceries of the grave, supported by the Necromancer Lords, who were also skilled mages in the powers of the undead.

For several centuries, Breton grew in power, especially under the rule of King Draugon, subjugating nearby lands and causing those further afield to tremble at the mention of its undead armies. However, the end to the reign of the Necromancer Kings came not from outside but from within.

Almost wiped out by the necromancers and driven into hiding during their ascent to power, the Elemental Lords - mages skilled in the powers of the elemental planes of earth, air, fire, and water - bided their time, rebuilding their numbers and strength. Together they plotted and planned a way to return the country to its former glory, and restore themselves to their rightful status within Breton.

The time came when the Elemental Lords were ready, and they struck the Necromancer King and his Lords in furious attacks across Breton. Beings from the elemental planes fought with dread monstrosities from the realms of the undead and the battles raged for days, until at last the power of the necromancers wavered and broke. The final battle was fought in Camoor, the capital city of Breton, as the greatest of the Elemental Lords faced the chilling power of the Necromancer King himself. Long and terrible was the fight but at last, Draugon and his minions were slain, and the reign of the Necromancer Kings ended.

Nevertheless, even with that victory, still undead horrors, lich lords, and other foul creatures from the grave had been loosed, many of which still stalk the lands of Breton to this very day.

Duchy of Lanspar.

The Duchy of Lanspar can trace its founding back to the time of Tarkan the Great. After the break up of Tarkan's empire, the Duchy of Lanspar managed a precarious existence, often being overrun by non-human races or fighting uprisings by the oppressed Wutha.

Lanspar's standing rose after joining the Illeanic Empire, becoming the administrative centre for the defence of the north-eastern border. Since the empire's fall, Lanspar has been an independent state, its fortunes rising and falling with the capability of its rulers. It is an important centre of trade, taking goods from communities in the northern mountains and eastern forests and selling them throughout the continent.

The armed forces in this land-locked country are divided into three groups. The City Guard of Lanspar is responsible for keeping order within the capital. There are equivalent Town Guards for smaller communities. The Patrol Guard keep the long and dangerous borders to the north and east safe. This is considered a distinguished posting, and the Patrol Guard contains a large number of non-humans within its ranks. Finally the Ducal Guard is in charge of keeping the ruler and his family safe from harm.

Lanspar is also known as the best place in Tarkania to study fire magic. The descendants of the original Fire Masters still live here, and are an influential guild in the city.

Gandar.

A kingdom to the south of Tarkania, one of a number of small principalities along the coastline. A restless area, the land has seen much fighting over the centuries. The capital city of Delemain has never fallen in battle, however, being protected from invasion by two orbs of great power.

Illeanic Empire.

Illean was an orphan boy raised in the mountains of northern Tarkania. Despite later rumours about him being a direct descendant of Tarkan the Mighty, it is probable he came from humble beginnings.

When he was a young man he became lost in the mountains. He returned days later bearing a huge dark red gem, that burned softly when held in Illean's hand, and became known as the Flame of Illean. The local villagers found themselves deferring to Illean, asking him to pass judgement in disputes. When the local lord passed away without an heir Illean found himself declared as ruler.

At the time the lands of Tarkania were broken up into many small kingdoms and city states. There was much bickering, and many were suffering from the depredations of pirates. Illean was quickly respected by his fellow rulers, and one by one his neighbours found themselves deferring to his opinion on border disputes. Within a few years Illean organised a navy that kept the shipping lanes along the eastern coast of Tarkania safe. Later he led an expedition that conquered the islands that were the pirates' bases.

By the time of his death, almost one hundred years after he found the glowing gemstone, Illean was the ruler of an empire that spanned the coast of Eastern Tarkania. The Flame was buried with him, but when his tomb was reopened centuries later the gem was nowhere to be found.

Pelinor.

Pelinor is a city state on the southwest coast of Tarkania. It has a long history of independence, and is currently enjoying an age of peace and prosperity. The city was destroyed by the Sea Devil invasion 2000 years ago, and then rebuilt by Queen Oranti. After the fall of the Illeanic Empire, Pelinor became a major seaport and an independent city state.

The city has one of the busiest harbours in all of Mystaris, and Pelinorean warships are quick to defend any threats to shipping in the area. As befits such a mercantile city, travellers from many lands and races can be found here.

Pelinor is also a seat of learning - the university, wizards' college and adventurers' guild all attract students from many far flung places.

Softoak.

The village of Softoak is a small farming community in north eastern Tarkania. It nominally is part of the duchy of Lanspar, but for all intents and purposes the village elders govern themselves.

Tarkania.

Thousands of years ago the continent that is now known as Tarkania was inhabited by the nomadic Wutha. An invading army under Tarkan the Mighty sailed from the west with an armada of sky boats to the seek out a new kingdom in the land of the Wutha. He is said to have been a young prince of the Sky Lords who was exiled by his older brother once he became king.

Whatever his origin, Tarkan was a mighty warrior and sorceror, and a skilled general. Over a period of fifty years he came to rule the lands that are today known as Tarkania. Tarkan's empire did not long survive his death, and the land was broken into many feuding kingdoms until Illean united the western part of the continent under his rule.

One tradition that remains unbroken is the reputation of the Knights of Tarkania. These heavily armoured warriors are renowned for their fearlessness in battle and a restless search for adventure.

Vulcos.

It is said that long, long ago the Fire Master Pyrrean decided to build an unassailable fortress. He made a compact with the race of Fire Demons, and it is said that Vulcos came into being over the course of a single night.

After Pyrrean's death the mountain fortress was abandoned until Illean rediscovered it centuries later. After the fall of the Illeanic Empire, Vulcos has been inhabited at different times by groups fleeing persecution in the southern kingdoms. Most recently the cult of Obenor is said to have fled to these halls after it was outlawed in the southern kingdoms.