Kalaren

Kalaren is the kingdom in which our epic tale takes place.

Geography
Kalaren is located on the western side of an unnamed continent. Most of the land is flat or slightly hilly terrain, dotted with small forests, lakes and rivers, with the exception of Scaleridge, the largest mountain range on the known continent. To the east lies a sandy desert, and the north is home to the Evercold, an area where snow never melts. The northeast is encompassed completely by the Farwoods, a forest stretching across hundreds of kilometers, with no end yet explored.

Climate
Other than the extreme areas - Evercold to the north and the Sand Lands to the south-east - the climate in Kalaren is mild, if occasionally rather cold during winters.

History
Not much has been recorded before the Dragonfall, but what is known suggests war between the races was common, until a common enemy united them. The ancient red dragon known as Marwolaeth the Red terrorized the land for years until an alliance was forged between humans, dwarves and elves to destroy the tyrant. During the battles most recorded history was lost to the fires. The kingdom of Kalaren was founded after the the Dragonfall, the event during which Reggo the Dragonfeller slew Marwolaeth. Following his victory he was made the first monarch of the newly founded kingdom Kalaren, and in a unified effort of the races, the capital city Dragonsend was built. Following the foundation of the unified kingdom, the land saw several years of bloodshed as followers of Marwolaeth still fought, but within the century a lasting peace was established.

Government
Kalaren is a monarchy split into smaller city states, each reigning over their own claimed lands and swearing fealty to the Crown. The royal seat of power lies at the Citadel in Dragonsend.

Under the Crown rule the kings and queens of their own city states, notably the dwarven throne of Oldforge and the frost elf queen of Gael Aiwenor. Each regent has control within their walls, but still pledges allegiance to the ruling monarch in Dragonsend. Borders beyond that are not clearly defined, but conflict over land is rare, since much of the world is inhabited by monsters and thus less important and valuable than the safe, walled cities and the area immediately around them.

Line of Succession
The crown of Dragonsend typically is inherited by the firstborn child, male or female, of the royal family, whose bloodline can be traced back to the Dragonfeller Reggo himself. Marriage usually happens within the bloodline, a tradition introduced somewhere around 300 years after the death of Reggo, as by then the family tree was diverse enough to allow it without fear of deformed offspring. Should the reigning monarch die without an heir who is of age, the crown typically goes to their spouse.