Kaedwen

Kaedwen is the second largest country by area in the known world after Nilfgaard. But unlike Nilfgaard, most of Kaedwen is rocky, mountainous, or deeply forested. The north of the country is sparsely settled by independent-spirited communities. They scratch a difficult living from the land and trade furs and lumber. They tend to be conservative and isolationist. The northern border of Kaedwen is between the northernmost peaks of the Kestrel and Blue Mountains. The harsh conditions beyond this point have so far daunted even the hardy settlers of Kaedwen. The eastern border is the Blue Mountains. The southern boundary is the Pontar River. To the west are the Kestrel Mountains. Up to now this natural boundary has kept peace between Kaedwen and Redania, but Kaedwen recently called King Radovid of Redania for aid against Nilfgaard. The “aid” Radovid sent was an army of occupation, not military support. This started a conflict called the Winter War, as Redanian troops moved over the Kestrels and into Kaedwen to stay. With King Henselt missing or dead, there has been little organized defense. Kaedwen is the youngest of the Northern countries. The humans pushed the elves back into the Blue Mountains and settled their country about 200 years ago, though that was not the end of violence between Kaedweni and elves. The Scoia’tael have made many cruel raids into the forests, and Kaedwen has replied by killing thousands of elves and dwarves already assimilated into Kaedweni cities. There are also wars with Aedirn over the Pontar Valley, or Lormark. This area is hotly disputed territory even as Nilfgaard advances toward it.
Henselt has had some very powerful advisers. One such was Sabrina Glevissig, a powerful native Kaedweni sorceress, beautiful and usually dressed in provocative clothing. She became the power behind the throne, leaving Henselt time for more pleasurable pursuits. Unfortunately during the battle with Aedirn she chose to follow the instructions of the Lodge of Sorceresses rather than Kaedwen’s best interests, causing vast Kaedweni casualties. Henselt had her burned at the stake. This was not the end, though: Sabrina put her death curse on the battlefield so that wraiths would fight the battle out over and over again until the curse was finally lifted just last year.
Ard Carraigh is the capital of Kaedwen, a hardy fortress city with few of the comforts and amenities you might find in other capitals. It sits near the center of the country, not associated with any lake or river. The legendary founder of Henselt’s line, Viduka, was led to this unusual site by a unicorn, which now features on the flag of Kaedwen. In town, locals are likely to harass visitors who appear too “foreign” or ostentatious. It is a rough town for non-humans, though dwarves are grudgingly accepted. Henselt’s palace is on a bluff just north of the main city and access for anyone other than nobles and military elite is limited.