Nemesis

Edges by the Kavian Sea to the west and the kingdom of Emberglow to the Northeast as well as the Scourgelands to the south sits the United Empire of Avildan. The five noble houses which forged Avildan into what it is today first emerged as lesser powers amid smaller kingdoms. The kingdom of the forest elves: Vas'n'ell, the orcish kingdom of Graklnir, the first human kingdom of Amistra, the gnome kingdom of Bakalbonnus, and the second human kingdom of Vancelis. All suffered from various issues as small, not very well organized nations often do. Which gave the five future noble houses ample opportunity to use cunning to rise their way through the ranks of nobility to eventually have a substantial backing.

As they sought allies, their gazes turned towards each other and secret meetings were held where plotting was done and deals were stuck. Eventually, the noble houses created coups and were able to dethrone the current rulers of their various nations before taking the power for themselves. Almost immediately, they found it to be beneficial to join that power with their strange bedfellows. As such, the United Empire of Avildan was formed, with a representative of each of the five noble houses acting as a council to make the decisions for the new Empire. These events are not recent, happening around 200 years ago. In that time, the different cultures of the various kingdoms have meshed quite well and while the different families rule over certain areas, all sorts of different people live within that area now. As a fairly prosperous place with such a diverse people, it attracts many different people from all over the world to settle.

Although, nowadays it would be more accurate to say that they were formerly united as tensions flare between several of the major noble houses. The elven house Syv'adan, backed by the human house Deepbrand and the gnomish house Springzstopper, against the orchish house Kraginkaw over a political dispute. It isn't well discussed what exactly it is about, but most say that the orcish house greatly disrespected the elven house. The human house of Truedawn has remained out of the dispute but are being pressured from all sides. Many worry that if there is no resolution, that this could escalate into a civil war within the Empire.

Extra info:
Emberglow is a dwarven superpower which is known for some of the best weapons and armor in the world. It's capital is within a volcanic mountain range.

Scourgelands is a large tract of land filled with dense forests and not claimed by any royal power as it is far too dangerous to settle due to the large amounts of very dangerous beasts within the range. Still, there are some small groups which choose to live here as well as it is often a haven for criminals as it is the perfect place to escape to.

Major cities of the Empire: The five major cities are named after their former kingdoms. There is also the capitol city called The City of Meeting as it is where the council resides and it is dead center of all the tracts of land in the Empire.

House Syv'adan - Winemakers, textile traders, and enchanters (Reputations Good)
House Deepbrand - Given charge of the trade by sea. Numerous unflattering whispers surround them. (Reputation Mixed)
House Springzstopper - Inventors, foreign trade by land, potion making (Reputations Generally Liked)
House Kraginkaw - masons, soldiers, butchers, brewers (Reputation Mixed)
House Truedawn - Farmers, smiths, patrons of churches, doctors and healers (Reputation Very Good)