This nation is subject to change
Nyrond, or more properly the Kingdom of Nyrond, refers to one of the largest good-aligned states in the Flanaess.
The lands that became Nyrond were inhabited by the Flan prior to the Oeridian tribe of Nehron settled in the area approximately 1600 years ago, as indicated by burial catacombs at Claw Point.
The lands were later conquered by the Baghluny, who began to intermix with the Nehron. After the fall of the Baghluny empire, the kingdom of Nehron was established, which later became Nyrond. Nyrond was later defeated by the then Kingdom of Aerdy at the Battle of a Fortnight's Length in -110 CY, resulting in it becoming then known as the Great Kingdom.
The Overkings appointed viceroys to rule the major provinces, who had near total autonomy to efficiently deal with local problems answering only to the Malachite Throne. By 100 CY, there were 4 such viceroys including the Viceroyalty of Nyrond. It eventually included Urnst, and was ruled from Rel Mord by a junior branch of House Rax.
While strategically important to the new Great Kingdom, the ruling house of the land was made subservient to the eastern House Rax which ruled the territory from an impressive series of castles and fortresses centered on the imposing palace at Rel Mord. The Rax nobles exhibited insufferable arrogance, even if not as vile or ruthless as some eastern houses. When House Rax gained the Malachite Throne, Nyrond became ever more important to the affairs of the Overking. Increased attention meant higher taxes and greater headaches for the local landholders. When Ferrond rebelled in 254 CY, the Overking drew on the armies of Nyrondal nobles and thousands of Nyrond's men and women fell in the conflicts.
In 356 CY, bickering between the Aerdi and Nyrondal nobles exploded into violent political conflict. The local lords declared Nyrond free of the Overking's rule and named one of their own number, the wily Medven I, king of Nyrond. Every Nyrondal lord sponsored troops to an enormous gathering on the nation's eastern border.
Weakened by warfare against the likes of Ferrond, Perrenland, and Tenh, the scions of House Rax nonetheless amassed a large retribution-minded army to teach the upstart "kingdom" a lesson. At this moment, a coalition of Fruztii, Schnai and mercenary barbarians invaded North Province, distracting the Overking's army and allowing Nyrond critical time to entrench and train its military to repulse Aerdi military actions.
For the next two centuries, relations between the two states varied from open war to preparing for war. Nyrond during that period was the major protection for the Flanaess against the Great Kingdom.
Nyrond was left after obtaining independence with a huge army and great ambition. Within three years, it had annexed the newly formed Theocracy of the Pale, burning Wintershiven to the ground. A later foray into the County of Urnst met with equal (if less violent) success. Further expansion met resistance by the Duchy of Urnst at the Nesser River, where its galleys halted progress. The new "Grand Empire of Nyrond" then watched as House Rax's rule degenerated. The Turmoil Between Crowns beginning in 437 CY with the assassination of Overking Nalif led within nine years to House Naelax taking the Malachite Throne. With chaos and madness ruling from Rauxes, King Dunstan I knew Nyrond needed allies against the Great Kingdom. He could not pledge Nyrond's public support due to Ivid I's Northern Army massed near Innspa, but he attended the conference in Chathold that resulted in the formation of the Iron League where he privately assured support. Dunstan made good on that pledge, sending weapons and Nyrondal warships (although no troops) to aid besieged Irongate at the Battle of a Thousand Banners in 447 CY.
In his old age, Dunstan I, called Dunstan the Crafty, saw the Great Kingdom had survived two civil wars, and that Ivid had entrenched his rule. With the threat of internal strife and external enemies in Harvester 450 CY he called the Great Council of Rel Mord.
Delegates from every Nyrondal principality and subject state attended, as did representatives from Almor, the Iron League, the Duchy of Urnst, and the Domain of Greyhawk. After a month and a half of negotiation, Nyrondal troops were to withdraw from the Pale and the County of Urnst, and internal borders realigned. Almor also gained independence. Nyrond publicly supported the Iron League and rebuked the Great Kingdom. Nyrond entered a period of supremacy as castle-building programs dotted the central plains with fortifications, cities expanded, and commerce boomed. The nation gained a reputation for powerful mages and skillful artisans.
Nyrond lies between the Nesser River and Franz River to the west, the Harp River and Flinty Hills to the east, Relmor Bay to the south, and the Theocracy of the Pale to the north.
Nyrond also appears to hold the narrow strip of coastland west of the Nesser River, including the settlement of Darkshelf on the coast of the Sea of Gearnat (rather than Relmor Bay which lies to the east of the Nesser River), south of the Bright Desert.
The local climate is temperate, with moderate snowfall in the winter months. Summers in the nation's interior tend to be very dry and quite hot, with cool, pleasant evenings throughout much of the year.