The great continent of Theratma has been inhabited by its many peoples for all of its recorded history. The scholars living in its kingdoms have had many arguments over lines of succession or territorial disputes, but all scholars agree that humanity and its two rival kingdoms of Laetarra and Junsael have been at the forefront of every era.
Though a few radical Laetarran scholars have argued otherwise, scholars agree than Junsael was founded first, and its people were, as they are now, magic-capable from birth. In spite of their short lifespan compared to others, humans were the first to master the arts of magic and share them with the other races. They attribute it to the blessing of the Maker, and there is little argument otherwise, even from the goblins. Magic is inherent in Junsaelite society, and the position of Monarch is held by the mage held to be the most skillful in the kingdom. The East, from its rocky, sunbaked deserts in the north to its fertile southern farmlands, is dominated by this magical society.
Laetarra, though holding less overall land, is considered as impressive as Junsael, if not more so. The humans of Laetarra are descended from those who broke away from Junsael in its formative days, believing that overreliance on magic would risk eroding basic humanity. These breakaways forged a kingdom nestled between the snow-plains of the cold North and the forests of the South, stretching from the Western Coast to the the Wall of Division. Among their vassals are the halflings, who consider humans to be their larger, elder cousins. Halflings share humanity’s inherent affinity for magic, and many of them have even traveled to Junsael to study. As natural farmers, Halflings comprise most of the population of the rural towns in the deepest heart of Laetarra, though many of them have become magistrates or wealthy guild masters in the cities as well.
Laetarra prides itself on its peaceful society of farmers and craftsmen, but the Laetarran army is held in a state of awe among the other kingdoms for its prowess and diplomacy. Magic is still used, but as a trifling thing that, at best, makes the actual rigors of life easier. None of Laetarra’s heartland cities have ever fallen in war, with only its fringes having changed hands with their neighbors.
Second to humanity in importance has been the elf-kingdom of Girin-Kalath. Elves are less skilled with magic than humans, but can use it to work together with nature. Their forests are fortresses, and visitors or invaders are known as soon as they pass the first tree. Elves are tall, fierce warriors, and their Forest Stalkers are only found if they want to be found. Elven society is matriarchal, with the shorter men preferring trade and labor, while the taller women wage warfare and deal with more overt politics.
Girin-Kalath is younger than the human kingdoms, and some Kalathian scholars believe that Laetarra’s expansion to the coast drove the roving tribes of elves to migrate south and establish their own kingdom in return. Whether this history is true or false, not even the immortal elves have held a grudge, and they trade freely with both Laetarra and Junsael.
Under the mountains of the North lies the fourth kingdom of Ondashel. The united kingdom of the dwarves and goblins is a society of smiths and engineers. Neither the dwarves nor the goblins are able to use magic, but their prowess with forges and craftsmanship has rendered them an indispensable trading partner for the other three kingdoms. Like the elves, the dwarves and goblins were driven from their scattered villages in the northern lands by the expansion of Laetarran territory. Many scholars believe that the two races were bitter enemies prior to the arrival of humans, and only circumstances united them into their current symbiotic state.
Ondashel is a secretive kingdom, with dozens of halls and mines that have never been visited by any of the other races. Its people are far less secretive about their own lives, and dwarf and goblin alike are regular sights in the other kingdoms, whether as traders, crafters, or adventurers. Dwarves are, as their name suggests, stocky and well built for mining and forging. Beards on the men and long hair on the women are a rarity for safety’s sake, though merchants may grow their beards or hair as a symbol of wealth. Goblins are a short, green-skinned people of equal stature to the dwarves. A typical goblin will have pointed ears, with slender fingers, and the curious feature of an extra knuckle that gives their hands an unusual shape. They are engineers and tinkerers by trade, and it is said that goblin kings have always worn immense suits of armor adorned with strange contraptions that emit steam as the king moves.
The only region of Theratma that is not under the control of the kingdoms is the southern mountain range. Instead, many different tribes of the orcish race dwell in large, domed fortresses among the lowest slopes. The mountains remain unnamed throughout history, shunned by other races, and even the orcs have refused to go beyond their homes for fear of the immense storms that ravage the peaks. The orcs have been among the mountains since before Girin-Kalath was founded, and the elves have maintained relations with the orcs for days beyond measure. Though a fair portion of the orcs have gone into the wider world at one point or another as adventurers, they are mostly content to remain in the slopes among their own tribe.
These are the peoples of Theratma, and the kingdoms therein. The Histories bear witness to the many trials and conflicts that have occurred, and the Tales here will share of the people who dwell within.