The Kingdom of Ganthes

Overview:
	The massive Kingdom of Ganthes spans an immense expanse of many 
different terrains.  Making use of its sea power, as well as exploiting the 
mountains for mining, King Ganthes IX has led the nation into its highest 
prosperity in several centuries.  A relatively peaceful state, the King has 
had to make his way through only a handful of strifes with the neighboring 
Arakian Empire.  Under the current rule, the Kingdom has only lost one minor 
hamlet, Roman, to the Empire, but it has in the past couple of centuries 
changed hands a number of times.  The King has established a loose 
affiliation with the Grand Duchy of Stac, but have suffered through a raid 
or two on the border colonies nearest the Theoren Nomads.
	Goblins becoming more and more bold have been termed more than just 
a nuisance of late, although King Ganthes has yet to make a decisive action 
against them.  In a series of carefully planned and executed raids and all 
out attacks, King Ganthes IV virtually drove back a large civilization of 
goblins living in the lower steppes near the Grey Peaks.  Since then, goblin 
activity in the entire nation has been virtually non-existent.  That is, 
until recently.  The Ettin Skull tribe, one of the two known surviving 
factions of the more stable former civilization, has recently begun to 
attempt to reclaim their former territory.  King Ganthes IX is anticipated 
to make a move soon if their raids become more fruitful.
	Although primarily a human settlement, all races have distinct 
representation in most of the larger towns and cities.  The elves of the 
Nizzian Forest, who have aided the Kingdom in ages past are still mostly 
independant, though they haven't made a claim to become a true independant 
state.
	Most of the major religions are represented in the capitol city, 
though, by far, Kasman is the one most worshipped.  Many others have lesser 
shrines throughout the city, many having their principle dioces elsewhere in 
the world.
	A wizard's guild has just opened within the city of Darna, following 
the style of the more prominent ones in other countries; the Ivory Towers in 
Darkkeep and the Sandbar Guild in Shantor.  Being relatively new, it is 
looking for new members and more importantly, information to store in their 
libraries.  It is even rumored that any wizard who can provide pertinent 
knowledge will be given a temporary membership to the guild.

Government:
	Monarchy (the Ganthesian line has been in power for five hundred 
years)

Population:
	About 1 500 000 persons (70% human, 10% half-elf, 10% elf, 5% dwarf, 
5% other)

Armed Forces:
	About 100 000 warriors (with about 10 000 as a standing army in 
Darna).  Fully 25% of these are cavalry on light war horses, and another 10% 
are crossbowmen.  The army is well trained, and are evenly distributed as 
3rd, 4th, and 5th level warriors.  The army corps are trained in axes, 
halberds, and crossbows as preliminary training, but have been known to take 
up their own styles if their personality requires it.  In these cases, many 
have been known to take bludgeons, as these seem to be more effective when 
atop a running horse.
	The navy is also well-equipped with over 50 major warships, with 
quadruple that number in other smaller ships.