The world of Taerh consists of 4 main land masses.  The central mass, called the Cradle, is commonly accepted to be the origin of civilization on Taerh.  The majority of the colonial powers are found here, the Stewardship of Granatyr and the Kingdom of Slazѐ primary among them.  Also on the Cradle can be found the neutral isthmus kingdom of Utel, the nomad founded city state of Oenigh, the desert known as the Expanse and the Dwarven Kingdom of Drunmarch.  To the north east of the Cradle lies the continent kingdom of Mantry, less than a day’s sail south of the harsh tundra known as the Rangor.  This mountainous kingdom bases itself on a strict caste system, with a religious warrior caste perched firmly on top.

To the south across a treacherous and unpredictable stretch of deep ocean, called the Caldron, lie the Teigroos Islands.  Only the insane or very brave risk crossing the Caldron even at its narrowest, as it is plagued by nigh unpredictable currents and a constant storm known simply as the Maelstrom.  The Teigroos people are great sea farers and live according to a cultural sense of honor; however few outsiders can navigate this social code enough to depend on it.

To the west of the Cradle, lies the mountainous island frontier known as the Blades, home to the exotic Elven tribes.  Like humans, the Elves are varied; their tolerance for outsiders depends from tribe to tribe.  Olmish missionaries are at times welcomed to preach their god’s word; at other times, they are hung from trees by their feet to bleed out.  Some of the more war like factions within Olm’s church have called for crusade against the Elven threat.  Some say that they seek to carve a theocracy from the unspoiled continent.

The Taerh year consists of six months of 45 days each.  The year begins with the coldest month, Algidtooth.  During this month, the snows push south from the Rangor Wastes as far as northern Slazѐ.  Although the forest confederation does not experience snow, the bite of Algidtooth is felt as far south as Kiel.  As the stormy season of Narsfree dawns, the temperatures begin to climb; with the warmer weather comes sometimes violent storms that sweep up from the Maelstrom south of Kiel.  On the tail of this savage weather comes the calm of Greensmarch.  This planting season represents the eye of the storm between the tempests of Narsfree and the still heat of Olmsreach.  During Olmsreach, even the snows that coat the southern Rangor wastes are driven back, although not for nearly long enough to melt the permafrost that makes up the harsh land.

As the oppressive heat of Olmsreach fades into the cool night of Tornyield, farmers minds turn to the harvest.  Throughout the cradle, people celebrate the holiday known simply as ‘The Returning’.  This week-long festival commemorates the reunion of the twin gods, Olm and Umma, after driving their brother, Sharroth, from the world and imprisoning him in a mystic cage made of ash and shadow.  ‘The Returning’ is a time for friends and family to gather and strengthen their bonds as well as remember fondly those they have lost.  Historians have said that over the centuries, conflicts and even wars have stalled so that both sides could celebrate the occasion.  The year ends, as it begins, in the grip of the northern cold as the cool of Tornyield grows into the frigidity of Frostdawn.