Kelevantia is a large kingdom covering the southeastern region of Melarna. The Eastern regions are mostly forested, with a number of bays and major rivers granting access to the inner regions of the continent. The northern border is vague in places, in part because of the recent war with Ossavia. The western region includes the foothills of the Throndil Mountains, and the Halfling Duchy of Bariston.
Kelevantia was founded as a kingdom only 43 years ago by King Antíem. Antíem, a holy warrior in Athena's service, was an accomplished adventurer and also a personal friend of Alexar, King of Throndheim. He had performed several services for both Alexar and Prince Lakan, ruler of Conodras. Antíem was granted a small hold from Prince Lakan for a variety of reasons, including his closeness with Alexar and the Prince. Also, it is believed that Antíem was indeed the grandson of Lakan, from his estranged eldest daughter. Since Prince Lakan was aging without an heir, it is thought that he wished kin, even unrecognized, should succeed him.
With a large amount of personal wealth, donations from the Temple of Athena (his first addition to his holdings) and assistance from Throndheim, he began construction of a massive fleet of ships. These ships saw action immediately, as Antíem liberated the then-independent territory of Vantal from the rule of Mantor, known as the Pirate-Prince. This territory then called for Antíem to be their leader.
Had not Prince Lakan died without an obvious heir the following year, Antíem would have been unable to accept, and the kingdom never founded. Antíem delayed the answer to the people of Vantal, appointing a seven-man panel of regents. When the Prince died, Antíem was selected to succeed him as ruler of Conodras by the majority of the nobility and the acclaim of the people. With the merger of Conodras and Vantal, the kingdom was formed. For the next five years, Antíem and his queen Merilinia worked to forge an alliance with the other territories in the south. During that time, Antíem personally led Kelevantian troops in many defenses of all south territories from both humanoids and Ossavian troops raiding into these areas. His efforts culminated when the last five territories, including the Duchy of Cuthia, swore fealty to Antíem and Kelevantia. After securing the borders of his kingdom, Antíem prepared for war.
While Antíem led the armies in battle, Merilinia forged alliances between duchies which would promise to keep the kingdom unified in peacetime. Trade agreements were established between merchants, allowing several merchants to become as powerful as nobles themselves. Customs and goods from various areas became common throughout the kingdom, so that the common man in Horthen would become accustomed to goods from Welderran. The quality of life was raised throughout the kingdom as a result of the increased trade.
Antíem also established the Greek pantheon as the central religion in Kelevantia, but permitted other religions to remain. The temple to Athena was given highest visibility of all temples, and the Great Temple in Argellium is the center of Athenian religion in the world.
Not all formerly independent nations merged into Kelevantia smoothly. Moros, originally a land dominated by the clergies of Aarth and Shinare, chafed under the dominance of the Greek gods. Cuthia, one of the last to join, has never integrated into the kingdom as a whole. Many people from the other regions avoid travel there, because of the high orcish population.
Conodras is considered by its residents to be the First Duchy (a point debated by those dwelling in Vantal). Originally a separate nation thriving mostly on agricultural and some sea-trade, Conodras was weak militarily.
The nobles of Conodras had become strong and independent, and there was little military cooperation. Part of this was due to Conodras' location far from the Ossavian Empire; the nobles believed the danger had ended to their nation, and began to accumulate power. When Mantor ruled over neighboring Vantal, he preyed upon Conodras' weakness, exploiting his naval advantage in acts of piracy and pillaging.
When Antíem unified Conodras and Vantal into the new kingdom, many of the nobility resisted. Most had their authority diminished, as Antíem made clear to the nobles that unity was vital, but maintained their positions. Merilinia also worked to soothe the nobles' power-games. Some few nobles - those that were far too corrupt - were exiled. A few conveniently launched expeditions into the Jassiol Jungles, while others rebelled (and were squashed). Some even fled to other lands, plundering their own territory before leaving Kelevantia.
Vantal is the other Duchy which formed Kelevantia. Prior to unification, Vantal was controlled by Mantor the Pirate-Prince. Vantal had a strong sea-presence, but the fleets were used as much for piracy as defense - the ships were the scourge of southern Melarna. Towns along the coasts were fortified against naval attacks.
The economy depended on marine commerce, as well as some trade from the dwarves and gnomes in the nearby Kinepattan Hills.
The local nobility of Vantal was mostly pirate-captains, cronies of Mantor, or local merchants with enough personal wealth to own a small fleet of ships. Antíem replaced these nobles with valiant natives who helped to overthrow Mantor and supported unification. Some of the lesser nobility cleaned itself up. The merchant-nobles yielded much of their authority in exchange for choice purchasing arrangements with the new monarchy. The territories within Vantal are all called Baronies; they are all considered equal in status, even though this is not actually the case.
The Duchy of Rhyndus is probably the most populous of all the duchies of Kelevantia, and the most active economically. Situated between Conodras, Horthen, and the dwarven kingdom of Throndheim, Rhyndus acts as a natural center of commerce. The center of power and commerce in Rhyndus is the city of Rhynn. Duchess Phirona also controls the city.
Rhynn is the westernmost major Kelevantian city on the south coast of Melarna. Its proximity to the Throndil mountains and the dwarven kingdom of Throndheim makes Rhynn popular with the dwarves as well. Rhynn's location at the mouth of the Rhyndul river makes it a large trading city, and the second largest city in Kelevantia.
Horthen is one of the largest of the duchies, covering much of the center of Kelevantia. It is highly agrarian, and accounts for a great deal of the foodstuffs from Kelevantia. Fields of grain and grazing livestock are common in this region. The Rhyndul River passes through the land, and there are numerous roads that help farmers get their crops to market.
There are few cities of any size in Horthen; the society is largely feudal. The largest city is Hortenburg. Hortenburg is only barely considered a city; it would be easily swallowed in Rhynn or Argellium. The Duke of Horthen actually resides in a manor near Hortenburg, but prefers the country life to the hubbub of a city.
The Dolbusk Hills separate Bariston from the rest of Kelevantia. This range of hills begins as foothills to the Throndils, and ranges northward into Cuthia. The Dolbusks are inhabited by many gnomes, who mine gems from the hills. There are a number of passes thru the Dolbusk Hills; the most heavily travelled is the route from the village of Kapellen (near Seafield) to Arindale (in Rhyndus). Bariston, primarily inhabited by halflings, has its own distinct culture, and is largely autonomous.
North of Horthen is Cuthia, Kelevantia's northernmost duchy. Cuthia has a rather unique culture as well.
Movaris is a duchy to the east of Horthen.
The newest duchy of Kelevantia is Kaxartes, with Turnam as its capital city. Kaxartes is located along Melarna's eastern coast, and borders Ossavia. Kaxartes was liberated from the Ossavian empire a few years before the war ended, and it still has a strong military presence.