Listed first will be the Continent. Directly beneath each continent header is a short description, and then the "free" language that is the equivalent of the "common" language for that continent. Each continent has a different version of "common" language and they are not interchangeable. Thus, someone starting out in Buchlayne Major automatically knows how to speak Church Oestian for free but he cannot use it to communicate with someone from Verundhi unless that character has somehow also learned to speak Church Oestian.
After the Continent Language is a list of the countries or regions found within each continent with a short description.
Favored Class(es): This is a list of the favorite class for all characters from that particular country, which is not affected by race. For example, the Bard class is a favored class for any character starting out in Courriseux, no matter if that character is elf, dwarf, goblin, or another race. As per the Player's Handbook, humans and half-elves may always pick their highest class as their favored class.
Restricted Character(s): These classes/races are restricted by the government, religious leaders, tradition, or for other reasons. A character picking one of these classes or races should be aware that training, supplies, and even basic legal rights will be severely curtailed for him or her. Restricted characters have a -2 Circumstance Penalty to all Bluff and Diplomacy checks against natives from country that restricts them.
Skills: Starting characters receive a +1 bonus to these skills is they already have the appropriate skills on their class list. If the listed skills are cross-class skills for their character, then they become class skills. For example, a dwarf fighter who chooses Courriseux as his starting country can buy ranks in Bluff and Diplomacy as class skills (which are normally only available to fighters as cross-class skills). An elf rogue who chooses the Imperial Theocracy as her starting country will receive a +1 bonus to Diplomacy (a class skill for rogues) and would also receive Knowledge ( Religion-AEtonism) as a class skill (which is normally only available to rogues as a cross-class skill).
Languages: This is a list of the main languages spoken in the country (aside from the Continent Language). For each point of intelligence bonus, the character may pick another language from this list. Characters may choose to learn other languages not on their starting list by spending skill points on the Speak Language skill.
Continent Language: Church Oestian
Courriseux: A kingdom of absolute monarchy and a decadent aristocracy who line their pockets at theh extent of the people.
Favored Classes: Bard or Rogue
Restricted Characters: Sorcerer and Wizard
Skills: Bluff and Diplomacy
Languages: Courrisian, Estic, Untish
Stadhof: A land of common people in individual feudalistic manors. They war with each other constantly, but at times band together to fight a common enemy. There are also a few barbarian tribes here, which are rapidly being converted to AEtonism by word and by sword.
Favored Class: Ranger
Restricted Characters: Sorcerer and WIzard
Skills: Knowledge (Nature) and Survival
Languages: Stadhic, Dulmish, and Morlish
The Rijnbosch Republic: A former territory of the Imperial Theocracy which recently broke away to become an independent nation.
Favored Class: Rogue
Restricted Characters: None
Skills: Appraise and Sense Motive
Languages: Alvakke, Fjavatn
The Esorian Highlands: A buffer-state created by Esorian nobles to protect their interests in the Rijnbosch Republic from invasion by the Imperial Theocracy. A land of green, rolling hills and not much else.
Favored Class: Ranger
Restricted Characters: Sorcerer, Wizard, Orcs, Dwarves
Skills: Perform (Highlander Pipes) and Profession (Brewing)
Languages: Esorian, Cul Boyle, Oesti Boyle
