The Pale, properly known as the Theocracy of the Pale, is a political state situated in the Old Aerdy West region of the Flanaess, just west of the Rakers. The Pale is a nation devoted to the worship of Pholtus, and the theocracy suppresses all other religions.
Pholtus had long been worshiped by the people of the Great Kingdom, resulting in its wide spread of followers throughout the realm and beyond. The Church of Pholtus is known to be very strict, and they specifically advocate against the use of magic, encouraging their followers of punishing anyone suspected of using magic.
At the height of the Great Kingdom, the Head of the Church of Pholtus was given the title of Holy Censor, which brought duties of oversight of the court system. Later Overkings would remove the title, in an attempt to weaken the power of the church. This prompted many Pholtus worshippers to begin feeling persecuted and flee to the area which now is the Pale. Fighting with the early settlers was Ceril the Relentless, who founded the Council of the Nine. In 342 CY, the first Theocrat of the Pale was chosen by the Council, though the land remained theoretically under Great Kingdom rule. But in 356 CY, Nyrond declared independence, claiming the Pale, which then tried to seize its own independence, but failed, remaining under Nyrondian rule.
In 450 CY, the leaders of the cult of Pholtus convinced the King of Nyrond to grant them independence in return for promises of mutual aid and assistance.
A land of moderate size, the Pale is bordered by the Rakers, the Phostwood, and the Gamboge Forest. The Pale is divided into nine archdioceses.
The climate in the Pale can be very harsh; the lands knows long winters, and barely bearable summers.
The Pale is a theocracy administered in the name of Pholtus. All government offices are held by Pholtan clerics. The Pale is ruled from Wintershiven by a religious bureaucracy with command over the military, law enforcement, economics, trade, and nearly every aspect of life.