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Akasian Hills
Sitting on the current Northern border of the States, The Akasian Hills were once home to a myriad of wild beast. Caves and caverns still dot the landscape in places but great works have taken place to drive out any fell creatures. In addition the wilderness has been tamed as best it can allowing for a great multitude of villages and hamlets of Men. They keep watch and alert those necessary when something seems afoot. The walled Mining town of Laedrus sits upon the Road heading East and West. Latest tales tell of the Great Wyrm Urugall descending upon the Hills bent on destruction. It was driven off by the self sacrificing defense of two Lords and their lightly armed militia. Ruins and debris piles in various areas bring validity to the stories.
 Laedrus - In the northwestern Akasian hills lies the important walled mining town of Laedrus. This remote town is home to several gold mines nearby. It sits directly atop a great underground cavern complex known as the Old City. In fact, at least two old cities lay below Laedrus. The most recent was sunk below the surface during the Mage Wars, while the older city collapsed into a great limestone cavern as a result of natural causes centuries before. Some legends claim that there are even older cities buried below. Cultivation of the hills has made life at least a little easier for those in search of a meal. The Order of the Dawn has a strong presence in the area keeping the peace.
Barrandia
Once home to a few brave settlers along The Gulf of Thyestes, now nothing remains but a nightmarish land overwhelmed with creatures of every sort. Someplace within lies the Pit of Gelorum.
 The Pit of Gelorum
Nothing is exactly known. In 2875 however, the seer Maraun spoke in a voice that chilled the blood of all who heard. “The Sign of the Black Queen awakens in the Pit of Gelorum” The wise said that the Pit refered to an ancient ruin that lay beneath the earth of Barrandia. Those same wise men fear that the “Black Queen” is none other than Evaless, the Dark Court’s Mother of Monsters. One thing is for certain the battle rages to and fro. Even the Crusader Knights have been called, an extreme rarity since the times of The Great Crusade.
Black Fields, The
Along the northern border in rough country the Hillmen of The Black Fields acknowledge the Crusader States. They have not yet developed a full friendship as have some regions, but one day perhaps. The rugged folk that live in these parts have seen the Airnim Horde, several Orc Raiding Bands, and if tales be true a Great Dragon fly overhead. The Great Road runs East for many Leagues all the way to the Conorrian Empire while West lies the lands of Corland.
Carrandis
A relatively untouched valley set along the gap between the Lyodan River and the Akasian Hills. Many Halfling dwell here too in relative isolation. The ruling Lord watches for intrusion into the Crusader States and has a good deal of power over the area. It is not uncommon for magical oddities to appear as Elves, Ancient Magics, and Wild Wizards roam the lands.
Gnaesius
The woodlands are seated on the Gulf of Thyestes, the mouth of the Lyodan River, the battleground that was once Barrandia, and the heartland of the Crusader States. The quiet that used to be Gnaesius is certainly being disturbed and dragged into the events of the time. Still, the families who live there remain to themselves as much as possible scratching out a living as best they can. A simple life until proven otherwise is still a thing to be treasured.
Maicutis
Former lands of Ianthe, they still hold some of the beliefs of the Aeolan religion. Ravaged through by the Airnim Horde the people there have been scratching a living on whatever they can. They do recognize the Crusader States, but barely. The lands could be rich again however as they sit upon the Lyodan River and would make a good gateway southwards to other Grail Kingdoms. The demand for commerce and a better future will undoubtedly push for further changes.
Mocarre
The strategic value of Mocarre was not lost on The Crusader States. Decades ago the lands were annexed into their protection. With access to the Llyrann Sea, The Gulf of Thyestes, and the Lower Lyodan River the possibility of extented trade so close the Pontezium could not be overlooked. The old ways in Mocarre slowly make way for the new as the people worship the Grail, pay tribute, and welcome newcomers to the port of Rantes.
 Rantes - Atop the border of the Llyran Sea and the Gulf of Thyestes sits the Crusader States newest urban development. Rantes has been constructed initially with the sole purpose of extending trade to some farther off lands. The surrounding folk in Mocarre may take generations to become fully accustomed to the ways of the Grail faith. For now they pay tribute and that is a mutual relationship all can benefit from.
Pomarche
For generations the Lords of Pomarche have been advisors and defenders to the Exarch and the Crusader States. A tough, stubborn rugged folk they live along the shores of The Gulf of Thyestes in rolling hills. Bordering the rich Salt Shore and the deadly Barrandia has proven a military boost in recent times. Lord Roger in 2840 was instrumental in the delay action to drive off Urugall, The Destroyer.
Querenia
Homeland to the Crusader States, these lands form a fertile growing area devoid of the difficulties of the wilderness. The Men of Querenia have lived for several generations upon the land having originally come from many Grail nations in the Great Crusade. Now they are part of this new land under their own rule for the most part. A hardy folk bouncing back from fairly frequent Orc raiders and in recent times Monstrous Invasion. The capital of Pontezium sits squarly upon a natural defensive area along the Lyodan River.
 Pontezium - Located on the Lyodan river, some forty miles upstream from its mouth, Pontezium is among the larger cities of the Crusader States. Built on a broad cliff above a bend of the river, it is highly defensible, practically an island. This ancient city held out against the orc hordes for twenty-one years, despite constant sieges and several massive assaults. It had remained relatively untouched as far as major expansion projects go until 2831 when Queen Ava ordered the defenses expanded. The Acropolis, a large grey stoned Fortress took shape commanding the landscape nearby. Then in 2837 the seat of power in the Crusader States molded in and around the Acropolis. Not only serving as a ballwark, but expanded to be able to handle many governmental details. The Palace of Renewal it was named serving as a place of respite for the nobility of the States. Several special locations were added where particularly scenic landscapes could be seen. Ceremonies and Weddings became quite popular and were encouraged. The city expanded from 2845 to 2855 under the leadership of Candos. Later, Exarch Maros, brand new to the position at the time quickly added a massive complex for all dweomercraft called the Society of Magic in 2874.
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Salt Shore, The
A key region along the northern shore of the Gulf of Thyestes. Great effort was made to tame the wild hills allowing the region to feed the population of the merchant port of Regaldros. Refugees from Ianthe settled permanently into the city and it grew quickly along with the demand for foodstuffs. The opportunity was taken to become as self sufficient as possible. It is to the point where exporting agricultural products is a fairly common trade in these parts.
 Regaldros - At the northwest corner of the Gulf of Thyestes lies the port city of Regaldros, near to both the Akasian hills and the troll-haunted Firefall woods. Regaldros is known as the City of Shadows, because some weird magic of the Mage Wars has freed the shadows of all things in Regaldros. They move about on their own and interact as if intelligent. Though extremely unsettling, this appears to be harmless. In recent times refugees and expansion projects have spilled over consuming miles of the Salt Shore coastline.
The Travelers Rest was also constructed allowing those with unique skills to come together in an organized fashion forming up Adventuring Companies.
Saxetus
The low lying lands are put to good use providing crops and an extension of the breadbasket of the Crusader States out of Querenia. Nestled along the river the people have had a fairly peaceful existence compared to many of the neighboring regions. With their own voices being heard in The Palace of Renewal it is just a matter of time before a more substantial investment is made by the States to build a permanent village or better along the River. For a time the people of Saxetus thought that it was only a matter of time before raiders out of Ianthe stormed over the water. Now that time has passed with the Airnim Horde coming through, destroying their old neighbor, and leaving a void of wild less inhabited lands.
South Akasia
Situated at a key strategic location. Querenia to the South, Halfling forests to the SouthEast, The Great Road to the north, and the uplands along the Gulf of Thyestes to the East. Decades were spent in clearing some of the more rugged areas making them tillable for daring homesteaders. Now travel can take place more swiftly between the outlying urban centers of the States and the Capital. Patrols out of Querenia are often seen throughout the entire region where once it was rare to see them enter the border.
Thelianis
Far to the outskirts of the Crusader States lies the wilderness of Thelianis. Left alone for the most part these folk fish, hunt, and live a life of seclusion away from the turmoil. Some of these Men have even been rumored to have a touch of Fey blood in them. Their voice in court is not often heard, but when they do speak up it is with words well chosen and thought out.
Thyestes
The Halflings in Thyestes are part of the Greater Wallad Tribe. Rather to show minimal fealty however to the Lords of the States than be ridden down, driven off or the lands plowed under by some Orcish Raiders. A tributary arrangement providing access to more coastline and a key mercantile link should something befall the shipping industry to the Connorian Empire.
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