Caspia

Named after the late King Caspia, Caspia is one of the three countries formed by the War of Three Kings. Home to nearly a hundred thousand people, Caspia is the most densely populated country in all of Alaria, with fertile soil, rich pastures, and an enormous protected bay, where hundreds of ships are pumped out every year. Far from the dangers of the wilds, the inhabitants of Caspia's biggest fears lie not in dangerous beasts, but in the powerful government, which exerts its control with an iron fist. The country is ruled by Queen Avelouria—the younger sister of King Caspia—and her deep network of spies and secret police, known as the Stone Eyes and the Midnight Men respectively. Freedoms are limited, and speaking poorly of the queen is forbidden. With eyes everywhere, most are scared of speaking of the government, which many believe can see and hear everything. All emigration in Caspia is strictly forbidden, as the ports are closely watched, and the border between Caspia and Sylke is filled with the haunted, burnt wastes remnant from the war. Magic is also strictly monitored, and unregistered artifacts and magicians who do not bend the knee to the crown are punished with death or worse. It is said that beneath Catalina, the capital city, a vast dungeon known as the Pits of Asgmoth stretches out, home to the magic users who refused to obey the strict guidelines in place.