The East

Overview

The eastern seaboard of Ardentis is a region of contrasts — once the site of major trade and civilization, it is now fraying. Highport has fallen to slavelords. Nordwall is half-ruined and newly independent. The Grey Mountains supply iron and stone but offer little comfort. Only the Island Cities to the east maintain active trade, and even they are under pressure from slavelord raids.

Key Locations

Highport

A free city that was never conquered by the Ulek Empire or the dwarven League — maintained as a neutral, anything-goes port. Think of it as a fantasy coastal Las Vegas: trade, pleasure, danger, and freedom in equal measure. In the winter of 4724, slavelords from the eastern islands — secretly emboldened and aided by Iceflame, whose agents had previously sabotaged Highport's defenses — launched a successful assault and took the city. A force from occupied Highport subsequently attacked Nordwall.

Nordwall

Once the most important hub on the north-south trade road, sitting at the junction of the Krem Hills routes and the eastern seaboard. Nordwall's decline is a slow-motion disaster: the Ulek Empire's collapse reduced trade, officials raised taxes instead of adapting, bandits (quietly encouraged by Iceflame's agents) made roads unsafe, and corruption hollowed out local governance.

Recently attacked by a force from occupied Highport. Currently poor and half-destroyed. The former mayor wandered off in search of a druid who could turn him into a cat. Mayor Lyriana Valeris now leads the city — respected and genuinely supported by the population, but with very little to work with. Nordwall has recently declared full independence from the Free Cities of Ulek.

Grey Mountains

A bare, grey mountain range east of Nordwall, named for its complete lack of vegetation and its grey stone. The primary source of iron and stone in the region — the basis of local and regional mining operations. Little else of note, but strategically important as a resource.

The Jaws

A treacherous stretch of sea southeast of the main coastline. Only expert navigators can safely pass through the Jaws without losing their ship. For those who can manage it, the area is rich ground for deep-sea treasure diving.

Tower Port

A former military castle on the southeastern coast, now ruined. Minimal population, maintained by former soldier families. A waypoint more than a destination.

Merchant Port

A former military outpost castle, slightly more functional than Tower Port. Operates as a small trade hub with basic facilities, also maintained largely by former military families.

The Island Cities

A loose collective of small city-states inhabiting the islands east of Sandshore Harbor. Their purpose is to facilitate trade between the eastern desert kingdoms and Ardentis. They are not a unified political entity — more a shared interest group trying to stay protected against pirates and slavelords.

The slavelords are the antithesis of the Island Cities — bad actors who settled nearby islands and built a predatory economy around raiding and slavery. In 4724, Iceflame emboldened them to strike Highport directly. The Island Cities remain under ongoing pressure from slavelord raids.

East of the Island Cities lie the eastern desert kingdoms, lands of The Light and The Flame worshippers — not shown on the Ardentis map.

Connections