Kalakeri, a setting partially inspired from aspects of Hinduism and ancient South Asian culture, is a land of verdant rainforests and a web of rivers and lakes known as the Backwaters. At the height of its prosperity, Kalakeri was a robust center of art, commerce, and religion, with merchants spreading wild tales of the land. Now Kalakeri is a conflict-torn shadow of its past glory. The remnants of the Vasavadan dynasty—three heirs transformed into monsters by their spiteful actions—are stuck in a constant power struggle for the Sapphire Throne, the seat of power in the realm that consistently changes hands between the three heirs.

The people of Kalakeri live in fear of Ramya Vasavadan, the current Maharani (ruler) of the realm, as well as her siblings, Arijani and Reeva. The vast city of Jadurai (where many of its residents live) is Kalakeri's capital, the site of the royal palace called the Cerulean Citadel, but it is frequently turned into a battlefield between the heirs and their allies. Ramya's army and supporters are colloquially called loyalists, whereas Arijani and Reeva's are called rebels. Though Arijani and Reeva work together on the side of the rebels, they frequently get into squabbles that can turn into all-out civil war.

Factions

Loyalists. Comprises the nation's military, traditionalists who recognize Ramya as the sole true heir of the Sapphire Throne, and those who feel it is a safer choice than the rebels. Operating from the Cerulean Citadel in the capital city Jadurai, the loyalists seek to end the cycle of war by eradicating the false heirs Arijani and Reeva. The path to peace for a loyalist is to expand the skulls on the Tower of Traitors, so that either there would be no rebels left to cause disorder or the gods would take the tower as an offering and bring order back to the world.

So, why might your character support the loyalists?

• Convenience. Perhaps you live in Jadurai, Banyan, or its surroundings, and you're just trying to survive. In that case, if anyone asks (or interrogates you), you might say you're loyal to Ramya.
• Legitimacy. Ramya was the successor picked by the King of the Vasavadan dynasty so long ago, but was betrayed by her siblings Arijani and Reeva. If your character has the duty, honor, or order ideals, you might support the loyalists.
• Lesser Evil. Ramya is stern, paranoid, and ruthless when it comes to traitors to her rule, but ultimately seeks to protect her people and stop the war decimating her land. Arijani and Reeva, on the other hand, are power-hungry monsters who hold hedonistic gala's to sate themselves and their pompous allies.
• Undeath. Death is frightening, and its something Kalakeri's people needs to constantly confront. Though, when serving under Ramya, you are likely going to rise again after your death to fight once more, giving another chance at some form of life.

Rebels. The rebels who follow Arijani and Reeva are primarly comprised of nobles, merchants, and those seeking wealth or freedom. Led by the sibling heirs Arijani and Reeva Vasavadan, many view them as a heroic alternative to a ruthless tyrant that have a chance at restoring the ancient Vasavadan dynasty's prosperity and individual freedom. The rebels aim to overthrow Ramya's hold on Jadurai and the Sapphire Throne by making powerful allies and conducting well-timed sieges of holds and resources, in order to stop the oppression under her rule.

So, why might your character support the rebels?

• Favor. Arijani is known as a charismatic face who is able to court powerful people, but holds tightly to his word if given. Even new recruits in his service have been known to get lifechanging favors from Arijani after completing a few favors for him, so perhaps a charismatic or intelligent character could win such a favor as well after some work put in.
• Knowledge. Reeva is widely known for her cunning intellect and spellcasting, and it is not unknown for someone who wins favor from her to get a glimpse into the forbidden, magic texts she found under the Cerulean Capital, or perhaps even a tutoring lesson in arcana.
• Prosperity. Poverty has become a massive issue under Ramya's rule, as districts in Jadurai's outskirts are ignored in favor of the ones surrounding the Cerulean Citadel. Arijani and Reeva, on the other hand, have courted powerful, wealthy allies and encourage the creation of arts that they can feature at various galas, creating a financial avenue other than simply toiling in fields or a forge.
• Revolution. Some have suffered greatly under the rule of Ramya, hate the undead, or simply want a change in the pecking order. Aiding the rebels is just a step in what they hope to be the right direction.

Cities

Jadurai (Capital, Loyalist). Ancient structures adorned with the artistry of past dynasties stand alongside modern buildings in Kalakeri's capital, Jadurai. The city retains its splendor, but the conflict between the Vasavadan siblings takes an enormous toll as they struggle over the Cerulean Citadel, the nation's capitol, as well as the Sapphire Throne within. Sections of the city lie in ruins and hardly a month passes without locals rediscovering a forgotten chamber or catacomb, both of which leave ample room for criminal guilds or strange creatures to nest in.

The colorfully canopied Lakshma Market trades in everything from betel leaves to the eggs of wyverns, which are common near the far-away mountain spires known as the Lesser and Greater Vochalam. People of all social classes flock to the market, moving past the flower-petaled kolam that ward the entrances of the high temple of the gods.

On the outskirts of Jadurai rises the Tower of Traitors. Rows of skulls taken from Ramya's enemies fill depressions in this stone tower, constantly expanded by Ramya's skeletal soldiers as an offering to receive the gods' blessings.

Banyan (Loyalist). A coastal city guarded by large stone walls, in its center a large tower that was erected by Maharani Ramya when it came under her control. This spire serves as the seat of the Kayaga the Dread, one of Ramya's skeletal generals whose fanatical obsession with his queen only matched by his bitterness at being stationed so far from her Sapphire Throne. Kayaga tends to take out this resentment on those he labels as traitors in the city, so people tend to walk on eggshells when in sight of him.

An ancient sundial sits outside the city carved out of a rocky hill in devotion to Tasurah, the god who watches from the sun, many in Banyan still giving offerings at its base.

Grantha (Unaligned). Perched on the edge of the Bay of Lost Lights where Will-o'-Wisps dance upon the waters, Grantha stands as a rare sanctuary from the constant war of its surroundings. Large, oval-like standing stones balanced precariously at their points ring the town, serving as a reminder for Sadhayan, the monastic deity who walked these lands long ago and achieved the impossible: escaping Kalakeri through the mists. Many in the town believe spiritual enlightenment can be found by finding a way to attune with the mists, and many have also gone missing on pilgrimages to achieve this, where others just come back permanently changed.

Rumor has it that there have been quiet negotiations with leaders from Meenakara to establish a seafaring initiative into the Sea of Spears, seemingly to find a way out of the endless war between the Vasavadan heirs and perhaps Kalakeri at large.

Kattachira (Rebel). Kattachira, the other city saddled on the shore of the Bay of Lost Lights, serves as a vital stronghold for the Rebel heirs Arijani and Reeva after a swift and sudden alliance between them and the city's higher class on the dockside. The city is dominated by a towering lighthouse with a near-constant flame fueled by animal fats and oil. The city is relatively small but many of its residents are quick to get to know anyone who passes through, though travelers never stay long, either disappearing suddenly or being driven away by the uncomfortable friendliness and grimy, black soot lining many of the structures here.

The night before gala's held by the rebels and the higher class in the city, many witnesses report screams emanating from near the lighthouse, then its fire burning especially bright for the rest of the coming week.

Meenakara (Unaligned). The coastal city of Meenakara used to be a bustling port town before the squabbles of the heirs started, but after the flood when the great wars started so long ago, much of the city was reduced to ruins and submerged underwater. While some districts have been painstakingly rebuilt or maintained by those who remain here, the skyline remains dominated by submerged spires and salt-crusted ruins that poke through the waves.

As if that wasn't enough, recently the shadows of people in Meenakara are suddenly disappearing, reappearing detached later and causing trouble around town, leaving the shadow-bereft to sicken and die like the others who lost their shadows. Some believe the cure lies across the Mist-covered Sea of Spears, so rumors say leaders from Meenakara and Grantha have been in talks to establish a seafaring initiative separate from the warring Vasavadan factions, though it has been kept quiet as to not raise alarms for treason.

Neelakurinji (Unaligned/Rebel). This village's farms were the source of much of Kalakeri's food and resources, but the village was recently taken over by bandits claiming to serve Arijani. Though, no one is sure if they are an actual rebel group or are just using that as a cover to rob those who are scared of resisting the fierce heir.

Veena (Rebel). A coastal fishing village now turned town after its population has begun to rapidly grow. The town used to be know for the large network of nets covering it as a canopy to keep its citizens safe from airborne attacks from the terrifying bat-creatures called stirges, but after visiting the village once, Keeva saw enough value in it that she casted a shimmering, infernal ward around the city. There have been no stirge sightings near the the town ever since. This caused the village pledge their loyalties to the rebels, but rumors say the real reason Keeva did this was the large presence of Yuan-Ti (snake people, usually called Nagaborn in Kalakeri) that have been emerging from the ancient cistern under the village that she may know more about, a secret that could have to do with the naga god, Vulnaga.