The world west of the Dragonspine Mountains (mk-3)

An update to the map of Infrastructure, showing three areas: the Eastern Principalities (as a general area of territory) as well as the Protectorate of Nycon and the Principality of Osetia. 

The Principality of Osetia and the Protectorate of Nycon are two human states (each with a small Dwarvish minority and a few orcish tribes living in their mountainous territories) on the westernmost end of the Great Continent. The Principality is a monarchy, but one with a few peculiarities. The first of which is the fact that none four ruling dynasties has ever claimed the title of "King" for complex legalistic reasons despite the fact that it is larger than a few Kingdoms, instead styling themselves as "Prince". The second being the fact that while there is an established landed nobility, for the last two centuries the upper classes of the common class have a direct say in government. The wealthiest 10% of the common born population (which can be either female or male, but mostly male due to the principality's property laws) can run for office and vote in representatives to 144 seats in the Grand Assembly (the remaining 144 seats are held by the nobility either on a hereditary basis or by appointment and 12 seats which go to the Order of Keepers), which sets the budget. It's military forces include of the native chivalry (a few sections of which still grumbles about the fact that they were stripped of their right to raise infantry two centuries prior) and city and town guards, but it's main force is it's 30,000 man strong standing army, it's 70,000 strong reserve auxiliary and it's navy. It's territory includes the lands of a fallen Drow State which was destroyed by the First Empire around 3100 BIA.

The Protectorate of Nycon is older and more martial state, claiming to be a remnant of the Third Empire with it's capital being the fortress of Nycon. Nycon has no formalized nobility (though wealthy landowners do form an informal patrician class) though it does have a class system in place: 45% of it's population are citizens, 40% of the population are serfs bound to the land and 15% are chattel slaves. All able bodied male citizens are required to keep arms and serve for at least three years in either the Nyconian Navy or Legions, dishonorable discharge during said term of service means enserfment (which is also a punishment for a number of crimes committed by citizens, with enslavement being the punishment for more serious offenses). To hold political office, someone must serve for twelve years. The leader of the Protectorate is the Lord Protector, a military dictator elected by the Council of Thirty Five (which composed of the Empire's sixteen Legates, Eight Navarchs and the eleven appointed ministers tasked with civilian aspects of government) who serves for life or until voted out in a vote of non confidence by a two-thirds majority of the council (which has only happened three times, once resulting in civil war). By law the Children of a Lord Protector are barred from that particular office, for one thing the Nyconians will never abide is the rule of kings. The protectorate's motto is Duty, Discipline, Vigilance: three qualities that all citizens are expected to show.

Despite their differences and a few wars between these two states, both Osetia and Nycon have been allies for three centuries (despite a few periods of falling out) due to the fact that they share a border with the Kingdom of Torion which has on multiple occasions attempted to conquer both these countries either in full or in part. While some territory has fallen under Torion control, the Kingdom has never been able to fully subdue either state and they are capable of launching fearsome counter offensives. Both states invest heavily in their navies. They are also not above commissioning Drow Corsairs to aide in their efforts, much to the dispair of the High Elves.