If you can see this box, your browser or internet device may not fully comply with current Web Standards

This site has been designed with Web Standards compliance in mind. It conforms to XHTML 1.0 Transitional and CSS 2.0 and will look its best when viewed in a browser that also complies with these standards. However, care has also been taken to ensure that the content of this site will remain accessible to anyone, regardless of which browser or internet device they may be using to view it.

Regions of Mystara

T

his section contains a brief overview of each of the three campaign settings that constitute the realms of Mystara: The Known World, The Savage Coast, and The Hollow World. It also touches, briefly, on other regions of the world of Mystara which have been developed primarily by Mystaran Fans.

In addition to brief descriptions and region-specific rules for each region found within those campaign settings, there is also a discussion of the eras of Mystara - for there are several distinct time periods in which a Mystara campaign may be set.
 

Quick Links into this file

Primary Regions of Mystara

The Known World

T

he Known World is located primarily on the northern continent of Brun of the planet of Mystara. It is composed of the following nations:

The Empire of Alphatia [DotE, WotI]
A massive continent and its attendant territories ruled by wizards in the year AC 1000. During WotI, Alphatia sinks into the sea and is presumed destroyed.

The Empire of Thyatis [DotE]
A vaguely Romanesque empire that is nearly as extensive as its major rival Alphatia.

The Grand Duchy of Karameikos [GAZ1, WotI, K:KoA]
As of AC 1000, Karameikos is a massive domain ruled autonomously by Stefan Karameikos, though he takes on the title "Duke" and gives his country the name of "Duchy" to make it appear to potential enemies that it is more closely allied with the Thyatian Empire than it really is. During the turmoil caused by the Wrath of the Immortals, Stefan Karameikos formally announces his country's independence from Thyatis, and redefines his country as the Kingdom of Karameikos and, thus becomes its King.

The Emirates of Ylaraum [GAZ2]
A loose confederation of desert states or emirates, as they are known locally, united solely by the teachings of the prophet Al-Kalim and his dream of the Desert Garden. At some point long after WotI (e.g. AC 1200), the Emirates remain neutral as the rest of the known world is overrun by the Desert Master.

The Principalities of Glantri [GAZ3, G:KoM, PC4]
A magocracy formed of a loose confederation of wizard dominated states. Clerics are not allowed in to this nation which asserts the divinity of mortals, specifically magic-wielding mortals. Glantri is possessed of major infestations of Lycanthropes and the undead. During the WotI Glantri lost a significant chunk of territory to humanoid invaders, only to later annex all of the broken lands, and recognize these invaders as citizens.

The Kingdom of Ierendi [GAZ4]
An island chain, Ierendi is a hedonistic nation which serves as a pleasure center for the rest of The Known World, with unusual attractions such as "Safari Island", mysterious enclaves of magic users on "Honor Island" and a King and Queen chosen annually based on their prowess in combat at arms. Despite its unusual nature, it is also famed for having the best Navy in all the Known World.

Alfheim [GAZ5, WotI]
A kingdom of elves found in Canolbarth Forest, surrounded entirely by the mercantile nation of Darokin. During the turmoil of the WotI, Alfheim is overrun by their shadow-elven cousins and twisted into Aengmor.

Rockhome [GAZ6]
The ancestral nation of the Dwarves. A mountainous region of ice- capped peaks, green valleys and large clear lakes riddled with extensive networks of caves and tunnels in which the cave-loving dwarves make their home.

The Northern Reaches (Ostland, Vestland and Soderfjord) [GAZ7]
A harsh land of rugged wilderness, marshes and dense forest. It is roughly divided into three regions modeled on the Viking culture: the Kingdom of Vestland, the Kingdom of Ostland and the Soderfjord Jarldoms.

The Five Shires [GAZ8]
The homeland of the halflings (or, as they call themselves, Hin). This is a beautiful and fertile land of rolling hills and valleys divided into five Shires. Each Shire is ruled by an elected Sheriff with the five Sheriffs forming a council that rules the nation as a whole. Though a peaceful and happy nation the halflings are more than capable of defending themselves. They have faced many invasions from men and monsters over the years but none have prevailed. The last serious invasion attempt was 1,100 years ago and the halflings continue to maintain a strong army to defend their lands.

The Minrothad Guilds [GAZ9]
Another island chain, to the east of Ierendi, Minrothad is a seafaring nation of traders, craftsman and guildsmen. A cosmopolitan society made up of many different races, Minrothad is a plutocracy. The most important thing to most of the people of Minrothad is money and trade, even religion takes a back seat. Also interesting is that the human race is a minority in The Guilds, having been decimated by their demihuman countrymen during "The Silver Purge" —a nationwide defensive reaction to an epidemic of the lycanthropy curse.

The Broken Lands [GAZ10, WotI, G:KoM]
A region of blasted, wasted territory claimed only by hordes of savage humanoids. As of AC 1000 the broken lands are loosely united under the orc king Thar, though he does have some major political rivals active within his own nation. During the Wrath of the Immortals, a giant meteor strikes southern Glantri on the northern border of the broken lands. Humanoids swarm in and occupy the great crater. Shortly thereafter, in what was a masterful coup, Kol XVI manages to get Glantri to recognize the broken lands as the Principality of New Monsterland with himself at the helm, neatly ousting once-king Thar

The Republic of Darokin [GAZ11]
Darokin is a land of merchants and diplomats. Though known as a republic, it is actually a plutocracy where only the wealthiest can run for election and everyone lives by the "Golden Rule": "He who has the gold, makes the rules". The nation is famed for its diplomatic expertise. Though the national psyche abhors war and violence they more than make up for this with their finesse at the negotiating table. The Darokin Diplomatic Corps is a powerful part of the government, negotiating disputes and trade treaties, not only on behalf of Darokin, but between other countries as well. The wealth is spread more evenly here than other nations — Darokin's wealthiest people are not so ostentatious as Thyatis' but Darokin's peasants are far better off for they all know that they live in a land of equal opportunity, where even the wealthiest "elite class" magnate can loose it all if the economy sours, and even the lowest "copper class" peon, if he works hard enough and long enough, can make his fortune.

The Ethengarian Khanates [GAZ12]
Based on the historical culture of the Mongols, the Ethengarians are a hardy and warlike race of nomadic horse-warriors adapted to the harsh environment of the steppes: an almost flat expanse of patchy and infertile grasslands constantly lashed by winds from the surrounding mountains. Currently united by a single Great Khan, the tribes have ceased their constant intertribal warfare and have even opened up trade with other nations. United now, they bide their time, confident that the world will soon tremble before the thundering hooves of their warriors.

The City of Stars (The Great Cavern City of the Shadow Elves) [GAZ13]
TBD

The Atruaghin Clans [GAZ14]
Based on the culture of the American Indian, the Children of Atruaghin consist of a number of clans living in and around a vast magically created plateau in the western region of the Known World. Each clan has its own animal totem and its own unique culture and way of life.

The Dreamlands [PC1]
The magical nation of the fey, ruled by Titania and Oberon, it is neither full in the world nor fully out of it. There are many access points found throughout the Known World and beyond but in AC 1000, the largest number, by far, are found near the "Good Magic" points in the Canolbarth Forest of Alfheim. What becomes of these many entry ways into the Faerie Realms after the events of the Wrath of the Immortals and the twisted creation of Aengmor is unknown.

Serraine [PC2]
Flying over all the regions of The Known World and beyond, is the Flying City of Serraine, a marvel of engineering and magic dominated by the Mystaran sub-race of Sky Gnomes, but harboring a vast variety of races.

The Sunlit Sea [PC3]
The island nations of Ierendi and Minrothad are both situated within the Sunlit sea, a nation of Tritons and Merrow which exists beneath the waves, though few surface dwellers are aware of it's existence.

Sindh and Jaibul [CoM]
Sindh is a desert nation to the west of Glantri and the Atruaghin plateau with a rigid caste system. Jaibul is an impoverished nation to the south of Sindh which has, on at least one occasion, tried to take portions of Sindh as its own via treachery. Sindh is the first nation to be overrun by the Master of The Desert Nomads.

The Plain of Fire [CoM]
TBD

The Divinarchy of Yavdlom [CoM]
A blissful state with a caste system based on 'those who matter.' It is ruled by seers.

Ulimwengu [CoM]
TBD

The Heldannic Freehold [VotPA]
A dark, gothic state ruled by the Heldannic Knights with an iron hand.

Wendar [X11]
A northern nation of isolationist elves.

Norwold [CM1]
A vast, sparsely populated, chilly wilderness of hills and mountains, arctic bays and tundra. It is populated by aboriginal Heldann, and Thyatian and Alphatian settlers.

Back To TOP

The Savage Coast

TBD

Back To TOP

The Hollow World

TBD

Back To TOP

Other Regions of Mystara

I

n addition to the above three regions of Mystara that were fully developed as settings by TSR, there are a few other regions around the world of Mystara that baseline sources mention, in one way or another, but that were never taken beyond a few sentences here and there. However, many of these regions have been developed far beyond their vague and insubstantial origins in the deft hands of faithful Mystara fans. This last section details some of the regions in this category.
 

Davania

TBD

Back To TOP

Skothar

TBD

Back To TOP

Eras of Mystara

TBD

Back To TOP