Microregion

Artist's impression of the known world.

Microregions (or metaregions) are smaller, local regions of larger areas, such as the Inner Sea region and Arcadia. While not delineated on official maps, microregions group nations and territories linked by geography, common history, trade routes, or other factors.

Microregions of the Inner Sea region

There are ten established microregions of the Inner Sea region:

Absalom and Starstone Isles

Absalom and the Starstone Isles (Isle of Kortos and Isle of Erran) are so significant and influential that they are considered one of the Inner Sea region's microregions all by themselves.

Broken Lands

The Broken Lands (Brevoy, the Lake of Mists and Veils, Mendev, Numeria, Razmiran, River Kingdoms, Sarkoris Scar) in northeastern Avistan is defined by scarcity and uncertainty. Survival is a constant concern, civilisation is frail, strange things rule the wild, and nations lack both prestigious institutions and social stratification.

Eye of Dread

The Eye of Dread (Isle of Terror, Hold of Belkzen, Gravelands, Molthune, Nirmathas, Oprak, Ustalav) is named as such due to the influence of the ascendant Tar-Baphon.

Golden Road

The Golden Road (Katapesh, Osirion, Qadira, Rahadoum, Thuvia) is a major trade route where citizens are generally well-educated in medicine, astronomy, alchemy and mathematics. The population is concentrated in cosmopolitan cities located next to coasts and rivers, while vast stretches of desert are left to monsters.

High Seas

The term High Seas refers to the Arcadian Ocean west of the Inner Sea region, including the Eye of Abendego and the islands of Hermea, Mediogalti Island and Mordant Spire, as well as the Shackles. Despite their danger, the seas are nonetheless an important trade route.

Impossible Lands

The Impossible Lands (Alkenstar, Geb, Jalmeray, Mana Wastes, Nex), named as such due to their fantastical nature, are dominated by their two most powerful nations, Geb and Nex. Their founders, the two wizard-kings Geb and Nex, waged a centuries-long arcane war that scarred the land itself. Unlike in most other parts of the world, knowledge of magic and alchemy is commonplace, even among ordinary citizens.

Mwangi Expanse

Mwangi Expanse landscape.

The Mwangi Expanse, including Vidrian, the Sodden Lands and the city-states of Bloodcove, Kibwe, Mzali, Nantambu, Senghor and Usaro, is so large to qualify as a microregion of its own.

Old Cheliax

Old Cheliax landscape.

The term Old Cheliax (Cheliax, Isger, Nidal, Ravounel) refers to Cheliax, which has significantly been weakened over the past century, and the territories it has lost in that period.

Saga Lands

Saga Lands landscape.

The Saga Lands (Irrisen, Lands of the Linnorm Kings, New Thassilon, Realm of the Mammoth Lords, Varisia) is a vast wilderness in northwestern Avistan, where Azlanti and Thassilonian influence runs deep, and traditions and stories are the stuff of legends.

Shining Kingdoms

Shining Kingdoms landscape.

The Shining Kingdoms (Andoran, Druma, Five Kings Mountains, Galt, Kyonin, Taldor) is heavily influenced by Taldor, which once controlled the entire region.

Microregions of Arcadia

There are a number of microregions in Arcadia:

• Deadshot Lands (Briarbough, Crownpeaks, Halana Theocracy, Illani Plains, Tazuni, Three Craters)
• Fallen Razatlan (Innazpa, Nalmeras, Razatlan, Xopatl)
• Land of the Northern Lakes (Degasi, Port Valen, Valenhall)
• Lands of Second Souls (Tomalán)
• Primal League
• Salt Stretch

Microregions of Vudra

There are nine established microregions of the vast Casmaron nation of Vudra, though they are commonly referred to simply as "regions":

• The Cradle
• Crying Jungle
• Divine Garden
• Falling Mountains
• Golden Basin
• Narhari Desert
• Open Bridge
• Western Ghats
• Wide Water