Merrion is a human monarchy whose territory stretches roughly from the Eural Mountains and Penthus River in the west to the Kariakton Marches and Bluebrine River in the east. Halflings, gnomes, and half-elves are also commonly found within the kingdom’s settlements. Other races frequently pass through its larger cities, provided they are not perceived as too much of a threat by the local authorities. The King of Merrion and his vassals mostly control the land within the aforementioned boundaries, as well as the stretch of coastline between Kesserac and Fort Erridge, but due to the kingdom’s large size, there are still substantial areas of wilderness between settlements where the crown’s authority is tenuous and travelers cannot rely on royal forces for protection.
The realm is ruled from the large fortified city of Halleck by the King and Queen of Merrion. The throne has historically been contested between the five founding noble houses: Fording, Arbour, Ben Erridge, Taebor, and Orsanton. Powerful warlords from these families combined their wealth and military might over three hundred years ago to protect their collective land holdings from other human, orc, and elven factions in the region, as well as the nomads and raiders who inhabit the surrounding Onora Wilds, Bluebrine Riverlands, and Paditham Delta. They eventually established a new capital, Halleck, on the banks of the Sweetwater. The first Merrionite monarchs were from House Taebor; they were eventually overthrown by the Orsantons and then the Fordings. The Merrionite Crown once held a strong alliance with the wizards of the White Orchid, based at the Ivory Citadel, but one of the Orsanton kings betrayed the Order by attempting to steal from their library, causing the wizards to take control of Valkyria and sever all ties with the neighboring monarchy.
The current King, Orryn Arbour, ascended to the throne five years ago by marrying Rasha Ben Erridge, the eldest daughter of the Ben Erridge family, and carrying out a largely bloodless coup to install himself as king instead of the Fording heir. Merrionite leaders now seek to expand their territory into Valkyria, the Bluebrine Riverlands, and the Paditham Delta, but have given up their ambitions of controlling Rust Gap due to the persistent bands of gnolls and goblinoids who roam the hills. Besides, Orryn will need to deal with the political turmoil already overtaking his kingdom before attempting any serious conquests.
