Hespial

Hespial is a region in the southeast of the continent, consisting of a number of disunited kingdoms, fiefs and city states on the borderlands of the old Empire. Compared to nations such as Siracoril and the Westgauen, Hespial is sparsely populated, owing to its varied and wild terrain consisting of hills, mountains and forests.

The region enjoys a certain degree of cultural unity, especially surrounding the legendary exploits of the folk hero and king, Hespius, for whom the region is named. Every town in the region purportedly has a place where Hespius stayed on his many travels and quests, and most of the independent realms in Hespial claim that their foundation was influenced by the hero.

The Filian Church has historically been dominant in Hespial. Its already broad character has been further stretched within the region, where the many remote locations make it easy to establish a new spirituality within the Church, something that its prelates have usually tolerated. Nevertheless, Hespial has also been embroiled in a number of inquisitions and crusades against various heresies launched from the Citadel in an effort to bring the region under closer control. With the advent of the Chantry, despite its limited influence, people in Hespial fear another inquisition disturbing their fragile peace.

Politically, Hespial is characterised by shifting alliances, but there are two fairly stable alliances which act as powers in the region: the Valley Kingdoms in the north and the Delta Kingdoms in the south. To add to the constantly shifting currents of influence and power, major powers such as Arlesia, Siracoril and the League of Lake Lamorael all seek to win influence in the region. In the north, Utlending raiders cause problems, and the frontier regions have their own issues.