Realms

A realm in Borost is either a sovereign or semi-autonomous territory or

Cities of the Borostím
The Cities of the Borostím, to the South of Borost, and known as the Free Cities to their inhabitants,

Adwenigen
Known by its inhabitants as Adwengwyngeryn

Grimlech
Known by the Borostím as Gwyngyrymlech,

Heardnemim
Known by the Borostím as Headrdnegyrmmym,

Dwaerkar freeholds
Although many mistakenly believe the Dwaerkar to live in a single kingdom, this is far from the case. The Dwaerkar inhabit a confederation of freeholds, which vary in government, size, population, and other factors.

The Dwaerkar freeholds are often eponymous with their holds, although some holds are also known by the names of the traditional Dwaerkar regions they are located in.

Tielsland


Tielsland freehold, also known as Tjelsland, is located in the Northern reaches of Borost, under the auspices of the Barend range. Its capital is Ouwestad, which, as far as Ouwestadians are concerned, is the unofficial capital of the Dwaerkar

In the year +332, this freehold annexed the former Terbrug freehold.

The principal Dwaerkar settlements outside the capital are Terbrug, Uylssedorp, Valenlo, Barendskoers and Zuiderwerke.

This freehold is unique in that its populace is primarily Dwaerkar in origin, and the elven population is almost negligible. The Dwaerkar of Ouwestad, and most of the hold, are stout and conservative in their views. Ouwestad is the religious center of the Faith of Kel, and the Dwaerkar of this hold consider themselves to be the examplar of proper orthodoxy and orthopraxy.

The Chief of this hold is Keris Ÿzerhand, of Clan Ÿzerhand. The Golden Tower of Ouwestad is a famously opulent display of the city's power and wealth, and houses the principal administrative organs of the city and the freehold. It also houses the quarters of the 'Great Clan'.

Helderen
Helderen freehold is largely considered to be the second most influential of the Dwaerkar freeholds. Nieuwehaven, the capital of Helderen, is probably the most important trading hub in the land. The administrator of Nieuwehaven, Stadtholder Korthodum II, oversees the Council of Nieuwehaven, the democratically-elected body that presides over the city and the hold.

The main settlements in the hold are Kamp Paarseblou, Riviersmond, Dwyrainswersyll, Mynstrefydd and Halentref. The Borostím population of Helderen is mostly located in the Halen peninsula, which is generally the closest to the Homeland the dark elves are allowed to settle. The rest of the hold, with the exception of the above settlements, is rather rural, with numerous Dwaerkar living in hill-farms and tending to numerous herds and flocks.

Helderen has secured ties with Bahyrst and Zuiderbaai to protect the commercial interests of the most important harbour in Borost. Behind closed doors, it is claimed this alliance was designed to counter the expansionism of Ouwestad.

Vaalsebossen


Scheveningen is the capital of Vaalsebossen freehold. As the name implies, Vaalsebossen is densely forested, a thick pine woodland that stretches through most of northern Borost.

The main settlements in the dense forests of the Vaalse are Vaalseburght, Valanstref, and Ddafstref. With the exception of the cities of Scheveningen and Vaalseburght, the majority of the freehold is of elvic extraction: the pine forests have been inhabited by elven hunters and tree-farmers since time immemorial.

Raadspensionaris Yevek Gorthoadum, the 'Silent Senator' and 'Optimus Princeps' of Scheveningen, leads the hold. He sits at the head of what is, de facto, a patrician republic, a façade of democracy which in reality acts more like an oligarchic republic. The Dwaerkar of Scheveningen are considered, at least by its former overlord, Ouwestad, to be heretics -- indeed, Scheveningen was founded by Ouwestadian religious and political outcasts. In response, Vaalsebossen acts as a haven for the Borostím, and practices some of the most liberal Fatherhood policies in Borost.

Scheveningen itself is constructed almost completely under a hill: the enormous gate of its principal entrance, once a fortification on the western approach to Ouwestad, is an imposing reminder of the monumental scale of the Invisible City.

Hyrost
Bahyrst is the capital of Hyrost freehold. One of the few non-mountainous cities of the Dwaerkar, Bahyrst's close proximity to the Waal means that water-wheel satiate much of its manufacturing requirements.

The flatlands of Hyrost freehold are dominated by the powerful waters of the Waal, which facilitates the travel of Dwaerkar patrols in the area. This is much necessary, as the Sim of Hyrost are simple-minded and easily enlisted into the many terrorist cells in the area.

The largest settlements in Hyrost freehold are Hyrssehaven, Reenemuide, Claerwenstref, Kamp Hyrost, Nantgwyn, Rhyssanstref, and Inversyll.

Hyrost is ruled by Chief Grandahl Yulthermand.

Tederland
Zuiderbaai, one of the principal trading hubs of southern Borost, is, to the displeasure of the other Freeholds, both rich and colorful. A progressive and tolerant implementation of the Fatherhood has also been effective at drawing the anger of the other Freeholds.

Other settlements in Tederland include Bronwensyll, Aerynstref, Fort Erikssen, and Taederstref.

Westerbos
Westerbos region has Windbaai as its capital.

The principal settlements other than the capital are Walgochstref, Bermdorp, Ymylsllyn, Unman, Stroomsekamp, Zuiderstroomschap, Steynsdorp, Karelskoers and Kappanskoers.