Southwynd

This page is a sub-page of the Geography page which records all major regions of the Alorian world and explains roughly what each nation or area is like. Southwynd is in a southern direction from Corontium, and is home to many Ailor and Eronidas realms, each with varied and often conflicting history. Some of these pages may be tied to more expansive lore, which is linked within their respective table rows. Below is a piece of the Geography map cut out to show the relation between all the nations geographically.

Name	Description
Dalewyth and Whitslea	The westernmost of Southwynd’s nations were once very aggressive bodies, constantly jostling for territory among each other and their neighbors, often settling their borders on the point of the towering Mount Styrfeld. They were not isolated, however, and while many in the region followed Fornoss, the settling of Etosil by the refugees of the Evintarian Schism led to Unionism emerging in these two territories. Additionally, the arrival of Thaler ships soon after saw that cultural group fully infiltrate the rougher societies of Dalewyth and Whitslea, granting them greater sophistication by the time the Regalian Empire reached the area. Both states joined eagerly, and remain loyal to Regalia to this day. Dalewyth, ruled by King Hareth III, is the more urbanized of the two nations, mainly dealing in the harvesting of local timber from the region’s forests, and the rearing and slaughtering of birds. Whitslea, ruled by King Dumaine IV, is notable for its pristine white limestone cliffs. The stone quarried from these land features is one of the nation’s main exports and is commonly used among the artistic communities of the Aetosians.
Moorwich	Moorwich was once lightly populated, its rugged, misty geography much like that seen in regions like Gallovia in Corontium. This allowed its people to thrive in isolation, and to keep simple ways, removed from the wider world. Other, more organized bodies conquered regions of the territory, before being forced to relinquish them in time. However, as the Regalian Empire rose in Corontium, and the Thaler Ailor from Arkeswyn began to ply the seas, they landed in Moorwich and set about establishing their settlements, cutting through the fogs and mists to provide the easiest passage to and from Corontium, for traders and travelers alike. As a result, Moorwich was rapidly filled with minorities of several cultural groups and also had Regalian interests in Southwynd earlier than any other state. When the Empire properly conquered Southwynd, Moorwich remained a key point of transit for goods and people from the region. Ruled in the modern day by King Macdun I, Moorwich is often noted for its natural landscapes, with much of the nation’s development confined to coastal regions, with few urban cities located inland.
Ashaven	The region of Ashaven, also known as Ashhaven, has a rich history deeply tied to that of its local Eronidas population. Initially a volcanic hinterland between other states, only lightly populated by the hardiest of Ailor in the region, the arrival of the Eronidas thanks to multiple shipwrecks led to the formation of a formal state and a booming community of trade and commerce. Their prosperity was such that it was the main target of Emperor Allestrain I’s conquests in Southwynd, and as the Eronidas of Ashaven had few warriors, they were quickly conquered and drawn into the Regalian Empire. Ruled today by Sovereign Wynnash II, Ashaven remains a productive and unique region, drenched in volcanic smog yet its soil yields an array of unique produce from regional flora. The region’s coastal waters are also rich in sea life, some of it affected by regional volcanic activity, and this also helps the local people thrive. The region is additionally the location of the Llynburh Chapter of the Aelrrigan Order, whose focus on alchemy and healing makes it a respected institution. For more on the Ashaven Eronidas, read Eronidas Ashaven. For more on the Llynburh Chapter, read Aelrrigan Order.
Kirkmuir, Middeswyn, Berrickwyle, and Kenshield	This collection of nations in Southwynd, sometimes called the Central Kingdoms, is best defined by their harsh terrains, and warrior history in association with the Dunden Culture. Ruled by King Azrulf, King Marwyn III, King Berrick XX, and Shieldlord Relvyn respectively, each nation was at war with its neighbors almost constantly and over the centuries, absorbed many now vanished kingdoms. They are also seen as the group responsible for the extinction of the Vissin (an insectoid species native to Southwynd partially destroyed by the Allorn Empire) either shortly before or after the Cataclysm. They put up resistance during the region’s conquest by Regalia but were ultimately subjugated and remain that way to this day. Kirkmuir is a lightly populated region due to a series of volcanos that cover their southeast, and border the lands of Ashaven. However, they benefit from a significant number of migrated Ashaven Eronidas who provide their expertise to aid this region in growing common crops from the lighter-affected volcanic soil. Middeswyn and Berrickwyle are best known for their mines, extracting local minerals for export elsewhere. Kenshield, meanwhile, is best known for its rough and rocky terrain made up of large boulders and huge stone slabs jutting from the earth. Little mineral value exists in the area, unfortunately, and besides fishing, warriors and mercenaries are the most common exports from this region.
Keldswyn	One of the largest states in Southwynd, Kelswyn was once a formidable military state that was ultimately toppled by the Regalian Empire. In years past, it fostered an elite warrior class who dominated the landscape from a series of first earthen and later stone fortresses that helped them resist attack, very much in line with Dunden ideals. They were supported by a population of farmers, primarily engaged in the rearing of animals, from cows to pigs to sheep. Keldswyn conquered several neighboring states, growing to their modern size, but unfortunately, their leaders committed the grave offense of not just rejecting Unionism but doing so violently, killing several converts and missionaries among their populace. Keldswyn was joined to the Regalian Empire by force soon after, with what remained of the society’s warriors declining, and their great fortresses losing most of the population in the following decades. The nation is ruled by King Aetheltor in the modern day, and aside from its broad plains where animals graze, given rain by weather patterns rolling in from Hadaria to its south, Keldswyn is also home to a series of sinkholes and caves where the nation’s capital of Vask can be found.
Dunden	Dunden was formerly a much larger region and represented the birthplace of the Dunden Ailor. Formerly fractured and quarrelsome, the Dunden were born from the necessity of defense against Allorn Oblation raids and their hostile terrain, with some believing they fought viciously with the region’s Vissin. Whatever the case, this society was marked out by its uniquely defensive settlement structures, crude citadels protecting population centers and allowing them to thrive. The Dunden expansion, which took place before the Cataclysm, saw them spread across most of Southwynd before their world was shaken apart, and the landmass divided in two. Dunden itself largely crumbled into the sea, losing as much as two-thirds of its landmass, with nearby Keldswyn soon taking up the mantle of Dunden cultural leadership. Dunden was one of the last regions in Southwynd to be joined to the Regalian Empire because of its relative poverty. Ruled by Queen Aetheleen in the modern day, it has no notable trades or role in the wider world, only important to Southwynd’s cultural identity and as a link to a pre-Regalian past. For more on Dunden Culture, read Dunden Culture.
Sterswyn	Sterswyn was once attached to the broader Southwynd continent, but broke away during the Cataclysm and soon earned the alternative name of Seagate for its position between the two Southwynd landmasses. Its Dunden Ailor populace quickly adapted to their new nautical living, building new forts on the coastline, and beginning conflict with neighboring states. These Dunden lords demanded a tax on the vessels passing through the channels of water they claimed or else the Sterswynners would loose their reavers. While this projection of power varied over the coming decades, it was broken by the Regalian Empire. However, this was not by a direct attack, but instead, Sterswyn’s desire to avoid any significant damage to their population as they witnessed Regalian prowess at sea. As a result, they joined Regalia peacefully, and are now a mainly fishing-focused state. Today ruled by King Orehn, Sterswyn’s bellicose past is now behind it, but younger members of its populace inspired by this history seek adventure and conflict on the seas by enlisting on foreign ships or with the Regalian Military.
Myre	Myre stands apart from all of the other regions of Southwynd due to its unique background. Holding what was once a Teledden outpost, which later evolved into a waypoint for travel by the Allorn Empire, the Cataclysm and Wildering left the site’s overseers defenseless against both their multiethnic “cargo,” and the local populace of native Southwynders and escaped Elven raids hiding out in the surrounding misty hills. Looking to avoid their deaths, the Teledden peacefully gave up power and eventually intermingled with these local groups. The Asha fleeing the previous Pearl Wars all left the region, but the region’s Ailor stayed and eventually clashed against the surging Dunden groups from nearby regions across the water. The development of Thaler Culture in Arkeswyn deeply impacted Myre, who eagerly adopted its trappings, and they remain under its influence to this day. The state is best known for producing dyes of pale blue and purple while their current ruler, King Jameson, is well known for his love of the theater, a common cultural focus among the Thaler.
Arkeswyn	Arkeswyn is the place of origin for the Thaler Culture and has a long, tumultuous history, like many Southwynd states. Settled partly by the ancestors of the Hvali Velheim, and more extensively by the Dunden Ailor, what became Arkeswyn was initially a network of competing states and nations. However, due to frequent trade with the Velheim nearby, and generally more prosperous terrain under their control, Arkeswyn was ultimately united and further developed in comparison to their neighbors. By the time the Eronidas of Ashaven reached the region, the society had already advanced significantly compared to their neighbors and had begun to export their cultural ideals to nearby Myre. There was a brief period, before their conquest by the Regalian Empire, where Thaler-led forces sailed across Southwynd, establishing control over port cities and effectively converting society to their own culture. Regalia’s conquest stopped these efforts, though allowed the Thaler to become entrenched in the regions they already ruled. Today, Arkeswyn, ruled by Queen Bethel II, is a prosperous part of the Regalian Empire, its rich agriculture helping support its growing populace. For more on Thaler Culture, read Thaler Culture.
Hvalba	Hvalba was a region initially settled by the Proto-Velheim sometime before the Cataclysm, as a port of call in the network of trade by sea which extended back to Oldtera to the south. However, with time, the Hvali became their society, especially after the trade lines to Oldtera died off and the more warrior aspect of the culture turned them into fully-fledged Velheim. However, just as soon as they gained this warrior aspect, it was diminished, as the developing Thaler to their south in Arkeswyn put gradual cultural pressure on Hvalba’s settlements. As a result, the Hvali did not grow as warlike as the Dunden but still came to adopt elements of both the nearby Thaler and Dunden groups. The Hvali maintained their focus on the sea though, helping to crew Thaler ships, but also on the business of whaling. This was because the waters off their far-flung point of Southwynd, were and remain, a great highway in the navigation routes of many species of whale and other large sea life. Ruled by King Valdar II in the modern day, whaling remains an important element to Hvalba’s economy, and their whalebone artwork is second to none in Aloria. For more on Hvali Culture, read Hvali Culture.