Kingdoms of North Estalia

Bilbali

Overview:
Bilbali is the southernmost kingdom of Estalia, nestled along the scorching coastline where the desert sands meet the restless sea. Its lands are a study in extremes: barren dunes give way to fertile oases, and jagged cliffs overlook turbulent waters. Bilbali is known as the “Golden Citadel of the South,” for its coastal cities glint under the relentless sun, and its wealth comes from trade, piracy, and the rare spices and gems mined from the surrounding mountains. Despite its prosperity, Bilbali has a reputation for unpredictability, a kingdom where alliances are fleeting and loyalties as shifting as the desert sands.

Ruler:
Bilbali is ruled by Sultan Mahmud al-Zahir, a man both feared and respected. Known for his cunning and martial skill, Mahmud has expanded Bilbali’s influence along the southern seas and fortified the kingdom’s border towns against both Bretonnian raids and pirate incursions. He is a patron of scholars and architects, yet his court is rife with intrigue; every councilor’s loyalty is measured in coins and whispered promises.

People:
The people of Bilbali are a hardy, sun-browned folk, adept at surviving harsh conditions and skilled in trade, swordplay, and navigation. Nomadic tribes roam the hinterlands, following ancient patterns across the dunes, while coastal cities bustle with merchants, sailors, and mercenaries from across Estalia and beyond. Religion is woven into daily life, with temples to Myrmidia and various local deities dotting the land. Despite outward religiosity, superstition and fear of spirits in the desert are pervasive among the common folk.

Internal Politics:
Bilbali is a kingdom of factions. Powerful merchant families and desert chieftains maintain quasi-independent control over their territories, often negotiating directly with the sultan. The Sultan’s ability to balance these interests has kept Bilbali stable, but only barely; betrayals, assassination plots, and sudden uprisings are frequent. Military might is essential for authority, and Bilbali’s armies are a mix of disciplined city militias and desert raiders, feared across southern Estalia.

External Relations:
Bilbali’s location makes it a natural hub for trade, yet a target for envy. Relations with Obregon are tense but pragmatic, as trade and mutual defense against common enemies necessitate cooperation. Tilean and Estalian merchants often clash over Bilbali’s ports, and Bretonnian knights covet its coastal wealth. Piracy, both sanctioned and outlawed, complicates diplomacy, ensuring Bilbali is never far from conflict or intrigue.

Obregon

Overview:
Obregon lies east of Bilbali, bordering harsh desert wastes and fertile river valleys. Its landscape is marked by rugged highlands and winding rivers, which have allowed settlements to flourish despite the harsh climate. Obregon’s cities are fortified and proud, serving as centers of culture, trade, and military power. Known as the “Steel Gate of Estalia,” Obregon is both a bulwark against invasion from the south and a prize coveted by ambitious neighbors.

Ruler:
Obregon is governed by Duke Fernando de Carvajal, a seasoned military leader and astute politician. Fernando inherited a kingdom long tested by conflict, and he is famed for his discipline, strategic mind, and devotion to Myrmidia. Though not as flamboyant as some neighboring rulers, he commands respect, and his presence alone is enough to keep rebellious nobles in check.

People:
Obregonians are pragmatic, disciplined, and fiercely loyal to their homes. Farmers work the river valleys with stubborn diligence, while artisans craft fine steel, weapons, and armor famed across Estalia. Soldiers are raised with rigorous training, and dueling is a respected tradition. Religion and superstition coexist: temples to Myrmidia dominate the cities, while folk beliefs flourish in rural areas. Obregonians value honor and service above wealth, but family and local loyalty often outweigh allegiance to the duke.

Internal Politics:
The political structure of Obregon is centralized compared to Bilbali or Novareno. Nobles hold local authority, but Duke Fernando’s strict enforcement of law and military discipline ensures loyalty. Tensions remain between city magistrates and provincial lords, particularly over trade rights and taxation. Secret societies and cabals exist, but they are small and largely confined to urban centers, suppressed by vigilant spies and the duke’s formidable guards.

External Relations:
Obregon’s position makes it a key ally or obstacle for neighbors. Relations with Bilbali are cautious: trade is beneficial, but both powers watch each other for signs of aggression. The kingdom maintains a defensive posture toward Novareno and Tilea, preferring strategic alliances to reckless expansion. Obregon’s armies are deployed not just for defense but also to demonstrate power, deterring foreign adventurers and ambitious noble houses alike.

Novareno

Overview:
“Where the sun gilds the towers and blood stains the sand — there lies Novareno.” Nestled in the north-eastern corner of Estalia, Novareno stretches between fertile southern plains and the misty borderlands of Bretonnia. The River Niveau marks its northern boundary, separating vineyards and olive groves from Bretonnian lands. Rolling hills and jagged coastal cliffs characterize the south, dotted with ancient watchtowers and remnants of long-forgotten conflicts.

Ruler:
King Alarico III de Navarros rules Novareno, a sovereign whose authority is challenged by the ambitious nobility. Alarico is a capable ruler, valuing diplomacy, military readiness, and the arts, but his crown is constantly threatened by internal rivalries. He relies heavily on mercenaries and alliances to maintain order and to protect the kingdom’s economic and political interests.

People:
Novarenans are passionate, proud, and deeply tied to their land. They are renowned for their artistry, fencing skills, and fierce dueling traditions. Life revolves around wine, festivals, and martial honor. Despite the sunny climate and cultural richness, the people harbor a deep streak of fatalism born from centuries of foreign interference and internal strife. Myrmidia is the central deity, revered both in temples and in daily life, inspiring soldiers, philosophers, and artisans alike.

Internal Politics:
Novareno is fragmented among five powerful duchies, each led by noble houses more loyal to themselves than to the crown. Intrigue, feuds, and occasional armed conflict between these houses are common. Castamira, the capital, is a seat of courtly opulence and subtle treachery, where hidden agendas and barbed compliments are as deadly as any sword. Mercenary companies often tip the balance in these disputes, their loyalties dictated by coin rather than principle.

External Relations:
Novareno maintains a complex relationship with its neighbors. Bretonnia, across the River Niveau, is simultaneously a trade partner and a rival; skirmishes and raids punctuate an otherwise peaceful border. Tilea is both a commercial partner and a source of competition, as Tilean merchants dominate trade but Novarenan captains often find fortune in Tilean conflicts. Diplomatic efforts are constant, and espionage as common as commerce.