Estlan

Estlan sits on the Lashed Peninsula, which protrudes eastward from Impatria into the Great Abyss. The peninsula is covered in windswept grasslands known as the Howling Hills, which gets its name from the sound of the strong ocean gusts. The fields of the Howling Hills have many patches of forest and rocky outcroppings scattered throughout it, many of which act as natural shelter from Estlan's frequent storms. It is usually around these shelters where the region's inhabitants choose to reside, where the wind can't bring down their tents and their cattle can freely graze.

Estlan has quite a few waterways flowing through it, although many are small streams formed from the intense rains that the region sees. Only a handful of these waterways are notably large, with the largest being the Tyfal River. Flowing northward, it eventually reaches the Sjóhval Sea at Mitcur Cove. The Tyfal sees highly variable water levels from the changing tides of the Sjóhval, especially in its downstream regions. The size and central location of the Tyfal makes it a reliable location for the acquisition of drinking water, so it isn't uncommon to see locals nearby. Aside from the Tyfal, the Stagna River is another popular site. Found in southern Estlan, the Stagna's slow-moving waters have made it an ideal area to settle, with Gazardag being established near its source. The Norest River is another major waterway, separating Estlan from the Outlands in Kalvete.

The seas surrounding Estlan have their fair share of natural features. North of the region is the Sjóhval Sea, which is known for its dramatic tides and dangerous storms. These storms bring with them the winds and rains that Estlan is known for, and its tides have shaped most of Estlan's coastline into jagged rocks. The Sundered Islands stretch through the Sjóhval, forming a chain of rocky outcrops that connect the tip of the Lashed Peninsula to a small peninsula of the Outlands. To the south of Estlan, the Shattered Isthmus connects the continents of Impatria and Jalafar across the Azure Channel. Much like the main peninsula's coasts, the islands of the Isthmus consist of jagged rocks.

The history of Estlan is not well-recorded, even in the modern era after the Cataclysm. It is apparent, however, that Estlan was once home to mighty civilizations through the abundance of ruins throughout the region. While most have been reduced to weathered stones and fallen columns, a few notable sites have remained relatively intact. The Dual Spires, the Garrison on the Cape, and the Bridge to Nowhere are the largest of these sites, so much so that they serve as landmarks for those who reside there. Through these ruins, as well as the fragments of many others, it seems that Estlan was once home to impressive cities built by the Altauri. These places also seem to hold significance regarding the Dragons, but the specifics of that importance have yet to be uncovered.

After the Cataclysm, Estlan remained mostly uninhabited aside from the wandering herders. Predominantly, these were of Orcan and Gobbish descent. These early settlers lived nomadic lifestyles of hunting and gathering, being sparse throughout the Lashed Peninsula. After the Holy Empire of Acolytius and its predecessor kingdoms were established, however, their rapid expansion saw more of Impatria's Orc and Goblin populations pushed into Estlan. Many people fear the two Monstrous races, and as such exiled them from their original homes to the east. Over time, the population of Estlan has grown quite large. The nomadic lifestyle of these races, however, means that little of note has occurred throughout its modern history.

Estlan once had the foundations of a united nation put in place, although this never came to pass. In the 9th century CE, a tribe known as the Ovogai lived in southern Estlan. They were led by Bakhtuu, who was a chieftess known for her benevolence towards other groups living in the region. Her gentle nature had led to the Ovogai growing into quite a large tribe, and the decision was made to find a permanent place to settle due to their size. They settled in the foothills of the Spine of the North alongside the Stagna River, establishing the then small settlement of Gazardag in 864 CE. Bakhtuu chose to leave the gates of Gazardag open to any travelers who may be passing through, providing a space for people to exchange goods from throughout Estlan or even beyond. Over time, other groups chose to settle in the area, leading to Gazardag becoming more of a proper city. As the settlement grew, some of its residents tried to convince Bakhtuu to unite everyone under her rule. She refused, believing that doing so would come at the cost of people's agency. Even now, Gazardag has no official rule and instead acts as a space that anyone can freely share.

Estlan has no official government, meaning that the region is truly lawless. Any form of structure exists only in tribes and clans, where a chief or elder will be in charge. Tribes such as this are most often formed by the Goblins. While some Orcs establish similarly structured groups, most will instead settle purely with their spouse and children. It is common to see the tents of these families throughout Estlan. Both the small family groups and the large tribes share the lands of Estlan as their home, with most being nomadic.

As there is no official government, no proper economy exists in Estlan. In fact, there isn't even any currency here. The people of Estlan, living as nomads, often practice subsistence farming to provide for themselves and those they reside with. This most often takes the form of raising livestock, but groups will also partake in fishing and gathering. Beyond these practices, it isn't uncommon to see groups harvesting lumber or mineral resources to create tools or other items. Oftentimes, this takes place within a tribe or family unit for the purposes of survival. When groups do meet, whether it be from crossing paths in the wilds or in places such as Gazardag, trading of goods will often take place. This way, individuals can access resources they may be lacking and provide their surplus to those who need it.

Estlan doesn't have a true single cultural identity, mainly due to the differing viewpoints of the Goblins and Orcs. On one hand, Goblins tend to have more isolationist views on the world. They believe that solitude can lead to survival, a perspective molded by their smaller size. The desire to avoid conflict does create an air of distrust, as many Goblins believe that allying themselves with others could bring disaster. This is a stark contrast to the Orcs, who strive to embody hospitality. Orcs will happily invite anyone they encounter into their home to provide food and shelter, which is a product of their hardship. To some, this is a way to fix the unfair reputation their people have in the eyes of most races. To others, it is a way of preventing another from suffering the same hardship they have.

More recently, some potentially troublesome ideas have started to become apparent throughout Estlan. As the Orcan and Gobbish people have been continuously exiled out of regions they previously called home, a sense of resentment has formed against the powers that forced them here. While the isolationism and hospitality still overwhelmingly prevail, the desire for vengeance and reclaiming their homelands continues to grow. If the people of Estlan do choose to unite for such a cause, the violence that may follow could bring disaster.