Tagwaran: An Overview of the Region

Most of Tagwaran is a single landmass with a temperate climate, but there are a number of islands in the West Tagwaran Sea that are dependent on the region. The dominant ethnic groups of Tagwaran are the ourd, who make up the majority of the region's populace and are concentrated in north-west Tagwaran and the Lethen Isles, and the silil, who are concentrated in the south-east. In the last few centuries, immigration from around the world has rendered Tagwaran increasingly diverse, but these two cultures continue to make up substantial minorities in every nation. Most of the region's inhabitants practice some form of monotheistic religion, and variations of Christianity, many of them unique to the region, have historically been dominant, although this dominance has declined in the past century for a variety of reasons.

Politically, Tagwaran is divided into five major states. The largest and most powerful of these is Ourdria, which controls most of north-western Tagwaran and exercises considerable influence in the Lethen Isles. In the south-west is Charellia, an ethnically and religiously diverse federation, which has been a historic rival of Ourdria for regional influence. Following a historic agreement between Charellia and Lubiar, the Charellian island of Almat has been transformed into the autonomous Mèrcala Trade Zone for the economic benefit of both nations. In the east are Tagwaran's oldest states, Silila and Pacina. Formerly the Kingdom of Silila, these states have been at odds since the 1902 Sililan Revolutin. Silila is a progressive, if somewhat elitist, democracy, while Pacina is a theocratic constitutional monarchy. Silila is closely allied with Charellia, while Pacina enjoys the protection of Ourdria. North of Pacina is one of Tagwaran's newest states, Chaorica, a former prefecture of Ourdria, which broke away three years ago following decades of internal tensions. Also of note is the island state of Bhrionne, located to the south-west of the Tagwaran mainland. Bhrionne is a predominantly rural, traditionalist nation, with strong aristocratic and religious traditions, although it has seen a recent push toward modernization under its current president.