Istemper
The relatively young kingdom of Istemper, also known as the nation of Istemper, is featured by the great Isparis River which cuts through its territories and is considered as the southern end of the Sails Coast. Istemper encompasses the southern coastal lands of the Sea of Sails between the Black Marshes (to the north), the northern tip of the Coast Ridge Mountains (to the south) and the western face of the Range Tower Mountains (to the east), and going further inland to the Syparis River (a tributary of the Isparis from the Range Tower Mountains) and the Netharis River (a small tributary from the Spring Lake further north and west).
It is not known when humans first settled these lands, although some scholars support the theory that the first settlers were probably immigrants from Semdanar. What is known is that these lands were nearly devoid of humanoids, for reasons that remain to be understood, thus leaving way easily for human settlers. The first city of note to be founded was Templanar (548 A.R.) on the southern shores of the Isparis, where it falls into the Sea of Sails. Some forty years later, immigrants of Templanar crossed the Isparis to its northern shores and founded Isplanar (583 A.R.). Other cities of note later founded by the templanese would be Sypar (611 A.R.) and Shandrimar (757 A.R.). Obviously the central power of this area, Templanar also sponsored throughout the centuries the construction of imposing fortresses to further delineate and defend the territories it was carving out for itself, such as Trollbane Citadel (702 A.R.) and Mooredge Citadel (634 A.R.) to its north, and the Citadel of the Griffon (804 A.R.) to its south.
Having slowly and methodically carved out its own nation, Templanar proclaimed without any opposition and quite peacefully the kingdom of Istemper in 806 A.R., with itself as the capital and seat of rulership. Istemper of today (1396 A.R.) is a theocracy, as it ever was since the foundation of Templanar, devoted largely to Codan (God of Law and Order) as well as to other lawful powers (e.g. Oath, Odan, etc.). By orderly succession, the highest-ranking priest of the church of Codan is the one who assumes the mantle of High Legist and ruler of the kingdom. Suffice it to say that almost every aspect of life and activity in Istemper is regulated to some extent, this nation not only being a nation of law but also devoted to law. Hence, thievery or even murder are but rare occurences in Istemper's cities. Civil, economic and academic freedom is allowed to some extent, although any disorderly, criminal, unruly, lewd or subversive behavior is strictly prohibited and severely punished. Even adventuring activities are closely monitored, Istemper requiring the chartering of adventurers within its boundaries (at a great cost in gold per charter) for pain of expulsion or imprisonement.
While not aggressive or expansionist, Istemper nontheless competes fiercely with Southgate for the position of main transition point for all sea trade between the Azure Coast and the whole of the Sails Coast further north. To this end, it seeks to annex the city of Semdanar and the stretch of land it controls along the Coast Ridge Mountains - however, Semdanar is a military, political and economic ally of Southagte, and thus Istemper remains loathe to go to war to annex forcibly Semdanar.
Istemper is yet to constitute a part of the adventuring locale of a Realmz scenario.
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