At a Glance

Population: 270,000
Primary race: Human
Secondary race: Tiefling
Tertiary race: Orc
Main export: Lumber
Allies: Cantons of Sonn Hamar
Enemies: Gilvannin Provinces
Wealth ranking: 6th

Families

Ruling family
• Fontaine (human)

Major families
• Jacquier (human)
• Corbinian (tiefling)
• Mahklash tribe (orc)
• Marchal (elf/human)
• Dysarte (human)

Minor families
• Radovan (tiefling)
• Kartharg tribe (orc)

Summary

The Estristan Dominion is perhaps the most loosely-organized nation in the Southlands, a collection of a half-dozen or so wealthy families vaguely arranged under the dominion of House Fontaine. At the time of the Ascension, the area between the Gilvannin Provinces and the Sonn Hamar Peaks was mostly forested wilderness. A collection of small orc, tiefling, and human encampments made their homes in it before they expanded into each other's domain.

Small scuffles peppered the first few hundred years post-Ascension before they realized they'd have plenty of space if they just got rid of some of those pesky trees. And so, they did. And then did some more. And some more. Before long, the massive, forest wilderness became a collection of impressive constructions -- cities, towns, temples, and monuments.

This, unfortunately, didn't last long. The land proved too unstable to support such rapid expansion, and before too long all they had built had sunk into an ever-growing mire. Some say other, supernatural causes are to blame, but none can be too sure. All that's known for certain is that spending too long exploring the Greatfens can be a death sentence.

The Estris river flowing south from Sonn Hamar serves as a handy way to transport wood all throughout the nation, and the ports at the high cliffs of Araket's Antlers allow its transport all through the Southlands. Blackchurch famously holds the oldest known place of worship in all Cendrana, and the high-walled, monument-filled city of Lamneth is the self-proclaimed jewel of the Southlands.

While some, especially House Gilvannin, frown upon their laissez-faire approach to governance and lack of care for the land, none can deny House Fontaine's resilience and ingenuity.