Merra

Merra is the the name given to the world and agreed upon by the primary nations on Merra's central continent. However, exploration of the vast world is far from complete, or perhaps forgotten. The swirling ocean lays claim to any brave ships that would cross into uncharted seas.

The nations on Merra's central continent and around it include:

• The Elf Kingdom of Arboria


• The Kingdom of Fiumri


• Valoris, the Western Empire


• Republic of Dezaria


• Zemay, Oghma's Caliphate


• The drow nation on Sunder Isle


• Juntland, the land of giants

The eastern part of the containment is simply referred to as the Dark East, which was under the control of the Helstrad Empire up until the Incursion. The monsters and chaos unleashed by the Rift destroyed the Empire and Helstrad is now a haunted place, and along with the desert of Deathsea, splits the main continent into two. Reaching the Dark East with ships is still not possible, due to the constant severe storms in the Gruesome Sea.
Some say there are other nations in the Dark East, cut off from the central continent a thousand years ago.

Rise of Nations

During the period known as The Uncultured Age, the tribes of races were scattered across the continent. Scholars will say that the elves were the first to form a cohesive nation that ultimately turned into the Arborian Kingdom which created the Arborian Calendar, which is used to this day. However dwarves had small kingdoms even then, but being underground or deep in the mountains, they mostly kept to themselves and cared little for the affairs across Merra.
It was around this time that the godless Helstraad Empire also came to be, propelled into power due to their affinity with the Weave. They were more concerned to the lands of the East so their influence in Merra was not significant.
Across the lawless Merra, tribes grew, fought for dominance and expanded their influence until eventually nations were formed, including Fiumri, Valoris and later Dezaria.
In the decades right before the Incursion, an unknown number of people from Helstraad escaped the empire, whispering of a madness that spread across their home and what chaos it would bring. They rested in furthest part of the Merra continent, and would bring Valoris a great deal of knowledge and craft that would see the nation become quite powerful in its own right.

Lanar & The Prophets

Around the world of Merra circles an arc shaped disc of a countless number of particles ranging in size, which intermingle and crash into one another on some occasions. Some say you can extract portents and meanings in the swirl of the rocks. Following the same orbit but opposite the Prophets is Merra's moon, Lanar. Lanar itself has a slow orbit, and changes colour through the seasons depending on its facing to the sun.
On rare occasions, parts from the Prophet may straggle and ultimately crash into Lanar.

Magic & Divine Powers

Magic has been forbidden across most nations since the Mending, though magic casters are extremelly rare since the Mending appears to have removed access to the Weave from the world. Yet magic relics of old still hold their power - most are forgotten or hidden away. Some people claim to be sorcerers or wizards, perhaps aided by such artifacts, or may simply be charlatans or even mad. In most nations, any person found to use magic spells or showing signs of sorcery and hunted and destroyed, lest another Incursion be released into the world.
Although magic is forbidden, clerics and some Paladins have access to powers granted by Helm. As a divine power, this not considered by authorities to be magic.
Most people have forgotten that in times before the Incursion, other gods were present, granting their followers wisdom and powers. Perhaps there are still such people, hidden away lest the Soulguard or Witch Hunters see them as witches and warlocks, and therefore destroy them.

Additional References

Races of Merra
Merrian Racial Accords