Ages ago Shontar was a single landmass, under one ruler. But it is believed that during the 2nd Chaos War the ruler of Shontar angered one of the gods. That god struck Shontar with a blast of lighting that split the continent, forming the great canal, and flooding a vast valley forming the Shontar Sea.
Then about a thousand years ago the last single ruler of Shontar gave his two sons each a portion of the continent, shortly thereafter he was assassinated by one of the two sons and war began. The conflict has been going on for a thousand years, and now nobody from either nation remembers the real reason for their fighting. The portion of Shontar north of the Grand Canal is called Throyos. The land south of the canal is Cosza.
THE NATION OF THROYOS
The capitol city of Throyos is Thryos, which is home to Emperor Xan-Rhan X. This is a large city of about 70,000. Despite the emperor's young age of twelve he is loved by his people, despite his abolishing most of the old customs. But he has retained one old custom, that of taking more than one wife, Xan-Rhan has eight wives, but everyone assumes that he'll have more, since he is after all only twelve.
Chankra is the next largest city of the nation, and due to the constant of war is ruled by a Military Governor, which is currently Rakenton, who is a veteran of many conflicts. He is a skilled tactician and a shrewd politician. Chankra has a population of around 60,000.
Deep in the Obertyne forest is the elven city of Ayre, which has declared neutrality in the war. King Zhalamar has let it be known that any fighting done in his forest and those responsible will not see the next sunrise. So far nobody has tested his word. The population of Ayre is unknown.
Tronque is a large military port city with a population of over 50,000. From its location it sails ships out onto the sea and down the Grand Canal. The city is ruled by Military Governor Captain-General Khaan-Tal, who is probably the most blood thirsty man in all of Alistarr. And his personal warship the Blooded Dragon is possibly the most feared vessel anywhere.
THE NATION OF COSZA
Cosza is ruled from the city of Cossta, where Emperor Chenbar rules his nation with an Bloody Iron Fist. Cossta has a population of about 65,000, all of whom live in mortal fear of their emperor. When Chenbar is depressed, he is known to personally torture and kill prisoners. He is best known for the summary execution of 1,000 prisoners in a single day, and their were all citizens of Cossta.
Ashwan is on the shore of the Shontar Sea and is surrounded by a huge palisade to keep it safe from attackers. It is a small city with a population of only 9,000. It is home to the Interior Navy, a fleet of ships that sails only the Shontar Sea and the Grand Canal.
The city of Hauuk sits in the steeps of the Hauuk mountains, and it is a mining city of 40,000 ruled by a Dwarf.
Prince Vim-Thoth (The title was given to him by Chenbar),was exiled from Karraza-Tuun for the practice of Demon Arts. He is a master metallurgist and weaponsmith, and practiced the art of binding demons into his weapons. Chenbar encourages his practice. The Hauuk mountains produce a very poor quality of ore, but Vim-Thoth has found a way to vastly improve the quality.
Syon is the only commercial port city in Cosza and is located far from the fighting of the war. It has a population of 35,000. It is ruled by Chenbar's finance Minister Jerreth, who knows that if he makes one mistake, his head will adorn a pike in Chenbar's hall.
Ubrath is the Military Port for Cosza with a population of over 90,000, but over half of them are slaves. All of the warships of Cosza are rowed by slaves. The city is ruled by Suemar-Chenbar, the daughter of Chenbar. She is very intelligent and a highly skilled tactician, and is far more dangerous than her father.