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A powerful country ruled by a child - in name, at least. Queen Cordelia is still a schoolgirl, and her uncle, Lord Matthias Arlay, is the de facto head of state. Nim is a technological powerhouse since the discovery of glaucous coal as a fuel source.
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Rival nation to Nim that lost significant territory in the Seven Years' War. Powerful Generals control different provinces. Maintains a larger standing army than Nim, but lags behind in most other areas.
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Located in Theras, once home to the Cloud Terrace Shrine and numerous kitsune clans. Now largely abandoned aside from residents who stubbornly cling to their homes, and mining operations.
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Harsh steppe territory north of the March. Its vast grasslands are home to nomadic centaur tribes who fiercely defend what they consider their ancestral lands. Any humans trespassing here put their own life on the line.
Various sapient species predating human civilization. Colloquially "faekin." Population declining since the Seven Years' War and ongoing human expansion. Most avoid human contact.
The Royal Witch of Nim
Neither faekin nor quite human, witches are eldritch creatures and living conduits for raw, unfiltered magical energy. The Nimish royal family, like many powerful entities, keeps a collared witch in their service. The witch collar doesn't remove power but forces it inward, creating a closed loop that prevents external manifestation while slowly consuming the witch from within.
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Witchfinders Guild
Elite organization specializing in witch containment and faekin control. Works closely with the Royal Mining Authority. Members are highly trained in containment methods using faebane-forged tools.
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Royal Science Society
Leading scientific organization studying industrial applications of glaucous coal. Officially skeptical of faekin, since their reduced numbers over the past century have led many to question if magical beings ever actually existed.
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The Green Hand
Major smuggling network moving untaxed faebane and contraband. Operates throughout the borderlands.
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Iron Hooves
Elite band of centaur warriors serving as guides and protection through the Northwaste. Known for absolute reliability once payment is accepted and merciless retribution if betrayed.
Glaucous Coal
Discovered in 1772, this blue-green fuel revolutionized industry. Ancient name "faebane" hints at its true nature—metals forged with it harm magical creatures. The Crown strictly controls mining and distribution of this extremely expensive, finite resource.
The Seven Years' War (1665-1672)
Last major conflict where faekin openly fought alongside human armies. Both Nim and Theras forcibly conscripted faekin into their armies to fight for the cause. War devastated the faekin territories.
The Blackcliff Exodus (1675-1690)
Mass departure of merfolk from major coastal cities. Many underwater cities were abandoned, trade networks collapsed. Human ports suffered severe economic decline.
Discovery of Glaucous Coal (1772)
Found in abandoned drider mines in northern Nim. It was quickly discovered that this stuff is poison to faekin. The Crown seized control of mining operations, creating immediate tension with Parliament.