Setting Overview¶
The world of Europa is a continent-rich planet with five named major landmasses and a number of smaller islands. The world's geopolitics revolve around three principal blocs (the Western Defense Pact, the Eastern Strategic Alliance, and the Sierra Non-Aligned Movement) and is currently shaped by the Continuation War and the Volnian Civil War.
Sierra¶
A vast and diverse continent stretching from the icy shores of the Northern Ocean to the tropical beaches of the Southern Seas. Sierra was the principal stage of the Continental Wars (1890–1972) and remains the geopolitical center of gravity for the world of Europa.
Notable geography¶
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Arcadian Mountains | Massive range dominating the western coast. Rich in minerals and rare earths. Forms a natural barrier between the trans-Keltic nations and the interior. |
| Great Sierran Steppe | Expansive grassland across the continent's center. Critical for agriculture; historically a trade and invasion conduit. |
| Choktovakian Forest | Dense old-growth forest covering the northeast. Timber, unique wildlife. |
| Rakutanian Desert | Harsh arid region east of the Steppe. Inhospitable but rich in mineral and hydrocarbon deposits. |
| Livonian Lakes | Interconnected freshwater lakes in the southeast. |
| Aegiran Archipelago | Chain of strategic islands in the Aegiran Sea. Maritime trade chokepoint. |
Climate¶
Sierra's climate varies dramatically. The north sees long harsh winters and short mild summers; the central areas have continental conditions with hot summers and cold winters; the southern coastal and Aegiran regions enjoy a Mediterranean climate; the interior desert sees extreme temperature swings.
Natural resources¶
Sierra is wealthy and resource-coveted — both a blessing and a curse:
- Vast oil and natural gas in the Rakutanian Desert and offshore Southern Seas
- Rich mineral and rare-earth deposits in the Arcadian Mountains
- Fertile farmland in the Great Sierran Steppe and river valleys
- Abundant fresh water in the Livonian Lakes and major river systems
- Extensive forests for timber and ecosystem services
Brassica¶
A second continent sitting slightly more northward of Europa's equator than Sierra, with a noticeably colder overall climate. Brassica features forests of all kinds — dense alpine to sprawling woodland — separated by grasslands and mountain chains. Sparse warmer arid regions lie along its southernmost fringes.
Notable geography¶
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Arthurian Mountains | Vast range along the inner Thumbrian border. Natural defensive barrier; rare-earth and ore extraction site. |
| Plains of Velicuse (Steppes of Velia) | Largest agricultural base on Brassica. |
| Seyr River | Brassica's largest river; runs from the Leipzisch Kaiserreich north coast through to the Sea of Telva. Vital trade conduit. |
| The Three Seas | Three interconnected inland seas, rich in freshwater fauna and home to fishing communities. |
| Eurekan Grand Reef | Major coral system in the Eurekan Sea between the two primary islands. |
Climate¶
Colder than Sierra overall, with warmer pockets only at Thumbria's and Velicuse's southernmost fringes.
Natural resources¶
Brassica is forest-, mineral-, and water-rich but deficit in oil and gas — the continent imports roughly 84% of its hydrocarbon needs.
Caldoria¶
A warm, arid-to-tropical continent south of Sierra, bridging the climatic and cultural space between an arid, mercantile north and a tropical, river-valley south. Caldoria is dominated by desert, savanna, river-valley civilization, and a long tropical coastline.
Nations of Caldoria¶
| Northern (arid coastal belt) | Southern (tropical interior belt) |
|---|---|
| Sur'Bari Sultanate | Empire of Mahasrana |
| Sultanate of Tamzar | Kingdom of Daksina |
| Emirate of Khaldoun | Republic of Vanyapur |
| Bel'Ifrin Caliphate | |
| Kingdom of Zerouane | |
| Republic of Marrakir |
Geography¶
Caldoria's interior is dominated by desert and the Sur'Bari Gulf in the north; a tropical river-valley and monsoon belt defines the south. The two halves are separated by a central mountainous spine.
Magnolia¶
A continent of mainland and island arcs and island arc, separated from Sierra by the Endorin Ocean and from Caldoria by the Sea of Pelawan. Magnolia comprises a continental mainland and an extensive northern and southern island chain.
Nations of Magnolia¶
| Mainland & near islands | Northern Magnolian arc | Southern Magnolian arc |
|---|---|---|
| Xianren Federation | Hinomuran Federation | Sea of Pelawan island nations: |
| Osakoro (autonomous kingdom) | Kingdom of Yukimori | Sultanate of Pelawan |
| Federation of Malavanu | Principality of Hokumura | Republic of Telinor |
| Pelnau | (under Hinomuran protection) | People's Republic of Sangharan |
| Kingdom of Ryukai | ||
| Republic of Kaikuni |
Geography¶
A continental mainland (Xianren) flanked by long volcanic island arcs to the north (Hinomuran islands) and south (Pelawan / Sangharan / Telinor archipelagos). The Hinomuran Sea and Sea of Xianren lie between the mainland and the northern arc; the Sea of Pelawan separates the southern arc from the mainland.
Meridiana¶
The southern continent and its surrounding island confederations — climatically arid in the interior, with tropical island groups along its northern and eastern approaches. Population centers cluster along the coast.
Nations of Meridiana¶
| Mainland | Island confederations |
|---|---|
| Austran Federation | Tribal Alliance of Mulwarra |
| Wirrindi Territory | Confederation of Yarrabilla |
| Karralong Isles | |
| Tribal Alliance of Targona |
Geography¶
A vast arid interior with fertile coastal margins; the Karralong Sea and Yarrabilla Strait separate the mainland from the surrounding island groups.
Ultimera¶
The polar continent at the far south of Europa. Largely uninhabited. Surrounded by the Ultimal Ocean. Subject to the Outer Space Demilitarization Protocols' polar treaty provisions.
Other landmasses¶
Beyond the five major continents, smaller landmasses include:
- Vorseyja — a Hesperian-island island nation in the northern Hesperian Ocean
- Smaller islands and atolls scattered across the Endorin, Hesperian, and Sur'Bari oceans
Calendar and timeline¶
The standard Europan calendar uses twelve months and aligns with the same year-numbering used throughout this wiki. Key anchors:
- 1878 — Principality of Chartania gains independence from the Volnian Empire
- 1884 — Republic of Livonia gains independence from the Volnian Empire
- 1890 — Messoman invasion; Continental Wars begin
- 1919 — First Armistice
- 1925 — Continental Wars resume (Mid-Period)
- 1947 — Second Armistice
- 1950 — Continental Wars resume (Late Period)
- 1955 — First manned military space station (FSA)
- 1972 — Treaty of Chartania ends the Continental Wars
- 2025 — Volnian Civil War begins
- 2026 — Continuation War begins (July 24)
See Setting History for the full narrative.