JO HAN

CAPITAL: Wa Pask

MAIN POPULACE: Elves and Goblin- kin

LANGUAGES: Jo Hanese*, Gutanese*, Gobbely, Common, Gowwese+, Thurese+, Sininese+

NATIONAL ALIGNMENT: Lawful Neutral

GOVERNMENT: Shogunate

ALLIES: Gutan, Sinin

GEOGRAPHY: On the northwest corner of Kin lies the elven nation of Jo Han (Pronounced Yo- HAN). It consists of a large island continent and a smaller island to the southeast. The forests and swamps of Jo Han are not too thick, and the hills and mountains near the center of the continent are not too steep or rocky. Numerous rivers, lakes, and bays carve up the land.

CLIMATE: The climate here is tropical or subtropical throughout, and is particularly warm in the south. It almost never snows anywhere on Kin, but tropical storms are common and deadly.

POLITICS: Jo Han has a relatively peaceful relationship with Goww, a Wolfen nation to the south. Also, the nation of Gutan has pledged allegiance to the Elven nation. However, the Dwarven nation of Thur seems ready to begin a war which will destroy both civilizations.

TRADE: Jo Han is the center of learning on Kin. Sages from Jo Han are in high demand, and Bows made in Jo Han can be found all over the world.

GUTAN

CAPITAL: Lotar

MAIN POPULACE: Gnomes, Halflings, Duergar, Drow, and Goblin- kin

LANGUAGES: Gutanese*, Thurese*, Formese*, Notarian*, Gobbely, Common, Jo Hanese+

NATIONAL ALIGNMENT: Lawful Neutral

GOVERNMENT: Shogunate

ALLIES: Thur, Jo Han, Form, Notar

GEOGRAPHY: Gutan occupies the northwestern corner of the continent east of Jo Han. A small, rocky country, Gutan is ruled by Gnomes, with Halflings acting as second- class citizens. The Halflings have secretly allied themselves with Thur and Notar, while Gutan remains allied with Jo Han and Form. When and if war breaks out this nation will be one of the hardest hit.

CLIMATE: All but identical to Jo Han.

POLITICS: The Halfling underground is paving the way for a Dwarven conquest of Gutan. Meanwhile, Gutan is trying to persuade Form to join with them and Jo Han in an alliance against Thur.

TRADE: Trade is almost at a standstill in Gutan, and will remain so until definite battle lines can be drawn.

FORM

CAPITAL: None

MAIN POPULACE: Kender and Goblin- kin

LANGUAGES: Formese*, Thurese*, Notarian*, Gutanese*, Gobbely, Common

NATIONAL ALIGNMENT: Chaotic Neutral

GOVERNMENT: Anarchy

ALLIES: Gutan, Thur, Notar

GEOGRAPHY: Between Gutan and Notar lies the Kender nation of Form. This area is more rocky than most other areas of Kin. Well over half of Form is mountains. What is left is mainly lakes and rivers; only about ¼ of the land area of Form is inhabited.

CLIMATE: Again, all but identical to Jo Han.

POLITICS: Several nations want Form to declare an alignment in this approaching conflict, but the people of Form are simply uninterested in choosing sides. If this continues then Thur may well conquer the northern half of this region.

TRADE: Form trades with everyone indiscriminately.

THUR

CAPITAL: Po’ Ching

MAIN POPULACE: Dwarves and Goblin- kin

LANGUAGES: Thurese*,Gutanese*, Formese*, Notarian*, Gobbely, Common, Jo Hanese+

NATIONAL ALIGNMENT: Lawful Neutral

GOVERNMENT: Empire

ALLIES: Notar, Form, Gutan

GEOGRAPHY: Covering the Southwestern corner of northeastern continent, Thur is a rocky, hilly region with relatively few mountains. However, it does have somewhat thick, tropical forests and a great deal of rivers, lakes, and harbors.

CLIMATE: Still similar to Jo Han.

POLITICS: The Dwarves of Thur believe that there should be only one ruler on this continent. They do not care about enslaving other races, but rather merely think that they should have one central leader. Notar and the Halflings of Gutan have agreed with them, giving them great political and military might.

TRADE: The weapons and armor of Thur are found all over the world. They cost 5- 100 times more than the basic item, but the weapons get +1 to strike and damage (this is not magical) and the armor gets a +1 to the AC (again, this is not a magical bonus). Only oriental weapons and armor are made in Thur.

NOTAR

CAPITAL: Tolketch

MAIN POPULACE: Minotaurs and Goblin- kin

LANGUAGES: Notarian*, Thurese*, Formese*, Biliranese*, Gobbely, Common

NATIONAL ALIGNMENT: Lawful Neutral

GOVERNMENT: Shogunate

ALLIES: Thur, Form, Gutan

GEOGRAPHY: Notar covers the southeast half of the northeast continent and the northeast half of the continent directly beneath it. Most of this land is flat, though the southern half has many hills. The forests here are not as thick as they are in Thur, and there are fewer waterways.

CLIMATE: Much more tropical than Jo Han in the south, with more rainfall. In the north, the climate is identical to Jo Han.

POLITICS: The Minotaurs want a powerful ally to help them conquer the Bilnarko on the southern continent. To this end they have enlisted the Dwarves, with the understanding that once Jo Han and Gutan have fallen the Bilnarko will be next.

TRADE: Minotaur weapons are also known for their quality. Such weapons can be found all over this region.

GOWW

CAPITAL: Fornoko

MAIN POPULACE: Wolfen and Goblin- kin

LANGUAGES: Gowwese*, Jo Hanese*, Gobbely*, Common, Thurese+, Tri’ Nichan+

NATIONAL ALIGNMENT: Lawful Neutral

GOVERNMENT: Shogunate

ALLIES: None

GEOGRAPHY: South of Jo Han lies the Wolfen nation of Goww. Covered in thick subtropical forests and tall mountain ranges, Goww is a Wolfen paradise. Like many other nations in this region, it is speckled with rivers, lakes, and harbors that cut deeply into the coastline.

CLIMATE: Noticeably warmer than in Jo Han, Goww also receives considerably more rainfall. However, overall the two climates are very similar.

POLITICS: Goww does not wish to be dragged into this conflict between the Elves and the Dwarves. They feel that such a war will weaken them to the point that they will be destroyed by the Minotaurs and Humans who hate and fear them. Jo Han is actively trying to recruit them regardless.

TRADE: Goww will trade with anyone who they can respect. Although trade vessels have been ambushed by Wolfen from Goww in this region, these are pirate vessels and are hunted by the ships of the Katakka Shogunate.

BILNARKO TRIBES

CAPITAL: None

MAIN POPULACE: Bilnarko, Troglodyte, and Goblin- kin

LANGUAGES: Bilnarkan*, Stonespeak*, Gobbely, Common+

NATIONAL ALIGNMENT: Neutral

GOVERNMENT: Multiple Tribes

ALLIES: None

GEOGRAPHY: The Bilnarko control the entire southeast half of this region. That is, their land covers the southern half of the middle continent down to the southernmost continent, on the eastern half of Kin. The land is similar to other continents in this region, but there are large plains on some parts of the two continents, which have prevented them from expanding to control all their territory.

CLIMATE: Identical to Goww on the middle continent, and closer to Jo Han on the southern continent.

POLITICS: The Bilnarko avoid contact with other races. The only political contacts they have made so far have been in forcing the Minotaurs out of their territory.

TRADE: The Bilnarko rarely trade with other races.

TRI’ NICH

CAPITAL: Nortoth

MAIN POPULACE: Human and Goblin- kin

LANGUAGES: Tri’ Nichan*, Gowwese*, Gobbely*, Common

NATIONAL ALIGNMENT: Lawful Evil

GOVERNMENT: Shogunate

ALLIES: None

GEOGRAPHY: Tri’ Nich covers the southwestern continent of Kin. The same terrain covers this nation: forests, mountains, lakes, and rivers. It is very similar to Goww in most respects.

CLIMATE: All but identical to Jo Han.

POLITICS: Tri’ Nich is staying out of this conflict because they wish to conquer the other nations once they have been weakened by war. The armies of Tri’ Nich are some of the largest and best trained in Kin, and there are rumors that Shogun Torisaga employs a sizeable group of ninjas to do his spying. This is one of the deadliest nations in Kin.

TRADE: Tri’ Nich will trade with any nation, but only to keep up appearances. Once they begin their conquest they will close their borders.