The Raising of the Six Banners
Kingdoms with reasons to exist
Avelorn grew around the old roads and became a centre of law, grain and diplomacy. Deloria controlled southern harbours and the sea trade. Vanyr united forest communities that had resisted outside rule for generations. Ferador formed around mountain forts, mines and foundries. Mythos protected the greatest schools of mortal magic. Zephyr linked isolated highland settlements through riders, bridges and wind-swept passes.
The six realms were never destined to agree. Their borders overlapped, their resources differed and their rulers made ordinary mistakes. What kept their rivalry from destroying the continent was the shared knowledge that any kingdom might one day stand closest to the next breach in the Veil.
A political world
Trade, marriage, disputed succession and military need shaped the kingdoms more often than miracles did. This made their history changeable: a realm could rise through good leadership, shrink through war or return under a new banner without requiring the world itself to be rewritten.