In the small slice of the world with which we are now familiar, there are fourteen provinces which are considered to be part of the Known Lands. Although there are unconfirmed reports of other civilizations upon the surrounding isles, none have initiated contact thus far, and we mark only these which follow. Here, then, are the Provinces of the Known Lands, moving roughly from West to East.

The New World- The newest of the provinces, the New World was first settled about four hundred years ago by Masallan immigrants. They share their isle with Maelmuire, which has created an environment of strife and bloodshed that is still present today. The New World is a vast and broad isle, most of which remains unexplored. The cities which do exist give us such fine exports as Latallan beef and Faol garnets, but the people of the New World retain a reputation of being pioneering and rather self-sufficient. Lord Niall holds power in word, if not in reality, over the vast lands which make up the largest province we know.

Maelmuire- With its pale-fleshed, black-haired denizens, this strange province now holds title only to the Maelmuirian Peninsula as its own, though it still claims that the entire isle of the New World is its rightful domain. The port is closed to traders, and ever since the War of Aranor, when Maelmuire attempted to take the new city, there have been ill feelings between Maelmuire and the rest of the world. They are a strange, tradition-bound people of which little is known, though many now have emigrated out to live in Aranor and the other cities of the Old World, and so their culture is coming to light. The name of Lambrodegh is well known to all, for that is the name of the line of rulers who have held sway over the population for nearly two thousand years. Today, the name is infamous, invoking images of culture-bound rulers who think nothing of killing foreigners.

The Old World- Here Queen Lillian has begun the new Renaissance, ousting King Goddard and his reign of intolerance, social division, and injustice. The city of Aranor is her capital, and stands as a symbol of freedom and opportunity throughout the lands. The Old World is swift becoming the gathering place for those who embrace the ideals of the Renaissance - learning, cultural diversity, and the equality of women.

Rel Morde- Famed for Rel Morde steel, used in the forging of the finest of blades and armor, Rel Morde is ruled by King Mark. The tallest and most jagged mountains to be seen among the Known Lands mark the isle, and therefore the vast majority of the isle is inaccessible and unexplored. Rel Morde also serves as an exporter of fine gems of nearly all varieties.

Gwynned- Once its own province, Gwynned was overrun by foul beasts of Eldritch nature at a time near to the founding of Aranor. Only recently has it been reclaimed as a province, though how the new settlements and government will fare is yet to be told.

Tirané- Home of a fierce and red-haired people, Tirané has no central government, and is hardly civilized. Various clans move over the sparsely treed isle, competing for space and resources. Some have become educated and reside among us here in the Old World, so we know much of their culture and ways. The Tirané people are known to be large-framed, strong, vigorous, and lusty. The only export of note is the famed harps made by their master craftspeople. To hear one is to understand the difference three thousand years of tradition can make.

Velsuna- A troubled province, Velsuna was originally settled by Masallan nobles over three hundred and seventy-five years past. It stood as an independent community far from the other provinces, but was nevertheless open to trade and visitors. Its culture closely paralleled the original culture of Masalla, with nobles ruling over the lower classes with a hand which was not always kind. Close to the time of the founding of Aranor, Sereg raided Velsuna and took it for their own. Queen Lillian responded by driving out the Sereg and setting the isle up as a community for independently powerful people - mages and great warriors or heroes. Recently a new and unknown people have settled on the island, from some province beyond the Known Lands, and it is yet to be seen what the fate of the isle will be.

Moraithe- The tropical island of Moraithe is famed not only as a holiday destination, but as the exporter of all manner of luxuries, from exotic fruit and oils to silks and chocolate and sugarcane. It is known as a land of rather permissive morals and an easygoing attitude that likely derives from the cheap living costs and easy availability of food. Most of the isle is jungle, and considered dangerous for travel - thus, most travel is done by ship from port to port. The people of Moraithe tend toward blond hair and darkly tanned skin, though many looks, and thus bloodlines, are present. Moraithe is infamous for its slave trade, using captured slaves as workers in the fruit plantations and as servants in fine households.

Japura- The most exotic of lands, Japura is a closed port, and does no trade or business with the outside world. Ships which venture too close to the isle are surrounded and captured, the crew and passengers made into slaves. The towering palaces and fabulous cities of the province are therefore largely untouched by our eyes, and few imports reach our lands. Those which do are exquisite - beautiful silks and patterned cloth, chocolates which are undeniably the best in the world, oils and aphrodisiacs of finest quality, and spices that most tongues have never known. A very few of the dark skinned, dark-and-almond-eyed people have come to Aranor, so we are learning more of their lands and customs every day.

Lantrielle- When Lantrielle was discovered by Masalla, the Masallans were surprised to find not a primitive society such as they had found in Moraithe and the Old World, but a culture more advanced than their own. The fine crafts of Lantrielle are considered almost ostentatious by our standards, and the typical noble home is filled with fine paintings, delicately wrought chandeliers, and the most exquisite crystal and cloth. The fair-haired and complexioned people are known for their cultured manners and civilized ways. Lantrielle, too, is a closed port, and does little trade with the rest of the provinces. What does come from them as exports is highly sought by the wealthy people of the world. Lantrielle is also quite famed for its slaves, all of which are bred upon the province, and stay upon the province.

Shavay- The verdant jungles, rolling savannahs, and harsh deserts of Shavay are the home of peoples affectionately known as "chocolate skins". The natives of the isle are dark of skin, ranging from almond brown to a deep, rich chestnut, and still live a primitive life which has remained unchanged for probably thousands of years. Tribes roam over the huge isle, speaking different tongues and living by different customs. Shavay people are not uncommon in Aranor or Moraithe, where many of them have come to see the wonders of civilization, and many of the Shavay one sees are third or fourth generation. Shavay exports exotic furs from striped horses and huge, roaming cats, as well as the arts and crafts of various tribes. Still, Shavay remains one of the most elusive and mysterious of provinces, as most of the tribes have never had contact with Masallans or their descendants.

Masalla- Mother Masalla, a grouping of small isles disliked by many, but to which most of us owe our heritage. Masallan explorers have ranged over the Known Lands, often displacing the native peoples, as happened in the Old World, Moraithe, and Rel Morde, in order to establish their own civilizations. Masalla itself is the home of olive-skinned folk who are dark of hair and eye, civilized and refined in spirit, and eager in affairs of business. They trade to and from all the provinces, and their bloodlines are found throughout the lands. And most of modern Caradorian culture owes its roots to the Masallan mother culture. Masallan culture ranges from the nobles of the isle of Masalla, to the gypsies of Serha, to the colourful Southern Masallan people with their spicy foods and easy-going lifestyle.

Jedda Felsuin- Most often referred to simply as Jedda, this land is the dwelling-place of people similar in appearance to the Japurans. Both have silky black hair and dark eyes, but the Jeddans have a sharper cast to their eyes and lighter skin. Jeddan culture has had an interesting relationship with our own, for there was a period of history when many Jeddans were taken as slaves to the New World, especially Cuan. Even Jeddans who live among us now tend to hold to the ways of their culture, with the refined dress, fine craftwork, and almost ritualized mannerisms that characterize their homeland. Jeddan culture combines refined civilization with a respect for individual perfection, on both a physical and spiritual realm. Jeddan culture is rich and fascinating, but their differing attitudes and mindsets make it difficult for the average Old Worlder to understand their ways. Jedda exports the finest silks known to the world, including the legendary fire silk, as well as masterfully crafted blades and metalworking, and intricate carvings and paintings.

These descriptions are woefully incomplete, and readers should refer to treatises dealing with each province individually if more is to be learned. But the hope is that this has given a superficial feel of what each province contributes to the world that we know as Carador.