The World of Eberron

The world of Eberron consists of six continents. The primary continent, Khorvaire, is surrounded by
the Bitter Sea to the north, the Lhazaar Sea to the east, the Thunder Sea to the south and the Barren
Sea to the west. The continent of Aerenal is located to the south-east of Khorvaire. Further south is
the continent of Xen’drik and south of Xen’drik lies the polar continent of Everice. Between Xen’drik
and Everice is a narrow body of water called the Icemaw Sea. To the east of Xen’drik, across the Dark
Sea, lies the continent of Argonnessen. An area known as The Dragonreach is located at the north-
western edge of Argonnessen. To the south-east lies the Sea of Lost Souls and to the north-east, the
Sea of Rage. Across the Sea of Rage is the final continent, Sarlona, with the last of Eberron’s seas, the
White Sea, to the north.

The Continent of Khorvaire

History:

Over 1000 years ago, the continent of Khorvaire consisted of five nations: Aundair, Breland, Thrane,
Karrnath and Cyre. In the year 1 YK, King Galifar I united the five nations into The Kingdom of
Galifar. The peoples of Khorvaire enjoyed peace and prosperity under a succession of monarchs for
almost nine centuries. The Kingdom of Galifar fell apart when King Jarot died in 894 YK. Three of his
five children disputed the right of succession and started a century-long, extremely bloody conflict
which became known as The Last War. The beginning of the end of this war is marked by The Day of
Mourning, when the kingdom of Cyre was destroyed in a magical cataclysm of unknown origins on
the 20th of Olarune, 994 YK. By the end of the day, a veil of dead-gray mist had formed a wall
around the remains of the kingdom of Cyre, an area now known as The Mournland. Two years after
this infamous event, in the year 996 YK, the war officially ended when The Treaty of Thronehold was
signed. This treaty officially recognized twelve different nations and the Kingdom of Galifar officially
ceased to exist. The original Five Nations, with the exception of Cyre, still exist, but have drastically
diminished in terms of power, influence and territory. Lastly, the treaty included provisions that
realized the emancipation of Warforged and the banning of the Creation Forges.

Kingdoms and Nations:

Aundair: One of the original Five nations of Khorvaire, Aundair is a kingdom of both agriculture and
learning. Although much of its western forest territory has now become the Eldeen Reaches, Aundair
still possesses beautiful swaths of fertile fields that supply the nations of Khorvaire with food and fine
wines, while large institutions of higher learning output scholars and knowledge.

Breland: One of the original Five Nations of Khorvaire. Breland lies in the southwest of the continent,
enjoying one of the largest territories on the continent. Breland is a mix of open farmland, woodland,
and sprawling metropolises, the largest and most famous of which is Sharn, the City of Towers. The
lightning rail originates out of Sharn and from there travels across Breland and out to the other
nations of Khorvaire, while roadways branch out to more remote locations among the countryside.

Thrane: One of the original Five Nations of Khorvaire, Thrane is the only nation out of the Five
Nations that has replaced its monarchy with a theocracy. Unlike the other nations which largely
worship the Sovereign Host religion, Thrane's state religion is the Church of the Silver Flame.

Karrnath: One of the Five Nations of Khorvaire, Karrnath is ruled by King Kaius III and was the first
kingdom to be established on the continent. It was founded by Karrn the Conqueror over two
thousand years ago and has remained a strong, militaristic kingdom ever since. The nation is
particularly noted for its widespread use of undead soldiers during the Last War and the ruthless
dictatorship of its monarch.

The Mournland: The shattered remnants of the nation of Cyre, which was lost to a magical cataclysm
on the Day of Mourning, in 994 YK. The Mournland is now a ruined wasteland twisted by the leftover
magic of the Day of Mourning. It is primarily inhabited by the Warforged, sentient machines created
to fight in The Last War.

Darguun: Darguun is a nation that broke off from Cyre during the Last War, when goblin mercenaries
seized the region for themselves. The nation has become a host for many members of their race
seeking a homeland, including hobgoblins and bugbears.

The Demon Wastes: On the outer fringe of Khorvaire both physically and socially, The Demon
Wastes are a foreboding realm of barren rock and arid soil. Tribes of human and orc barbarians live
here in the shadows of demons and night hags. The last remnant of the ancient civilization of the
rakshasas terrorize this stretch of land from their home in the ancient city of Ashtakala.

Droaam: Droaam is a nation ruled by monsters, established by the Daughters of Sora Kell in 986 YK.
Few of the civilized races dare to test its borders. Their connection with the rest of Khorvaire is
limited to a single roadway that passes through Graywall and into the Great Crag.

The Eldeen Reaches: The Eldeen Reaches are covered by heavy forest, though some cities have
formed around the borders of Breland and Aundair. Two main social groups exist in the Eldeen
Reaches, the Druidic sects in the forests and agricultural groups in the plains.

The Lhazaar Principalities: The Lhazaar Principalities is a country comprised of a strip of land and a
collection of islands on the northeastern coast of Khorvaire. Pirates, sea barons, merchant traders
and all with a love of the water find their home there. With a history that is equal part piracy and
seafaring trade, the Principalities have always been separated from the Kingdom of Galifar. Now,
with the kingdom of Galifar officially shattered, the Lhazaar Principalities have formed a loose
confederacy of states each ruled by their own sea prince, with a way of life where might makes right
and the person with the largest fleet rules the sea.

The Mror Holds: The Mror Holds are known as the homeland of the dwarves. Not only is the Mror
Holds one of the few dwarven lands in Khorvaire, but it is estimated that no fewer than 455,000
dwarves live there; many more than any other dwarven territory.

Q’Barra: Q'barra is a dangerous frontier nation. Originally founded by Duke Ven ir'Kesslan, a Cyran
refugee, the few civilized settlements in the area continue to struggle against tribes of lizardfolk,
Valenar warbands, Lhazaar raiders and Kobold marauders from the Endworld Mountains.

The Shadow Marches: The Shadow Marches are little more than backwater swamps, which have
been a home to the Orcs of Khorvaire for thousands of years. Still, a glimmer of civilization lingers
here, if one has enough tenacity and endurance to seek it out.

The Talenta Plains: The Talenta Plains are a vast grassland stretching from the Blade Desert to the
borders of Karrnath and the Mournland. It is the home of wandering herds of buffalo-sized dinosaurs
and tribal halflings, who have remained true to their nomadic way of life from the time before the
first humans arrived on Khorvaire.

Valenar: Valenar is a nation that broke away from the nation of Cyre during the Last War when the
mercenary elves of the region revolted. It is primarily inhabited by the elven Valaes Tairn.
Zilargo: Zilargo is a Gnomish nation in the South of Khorvaire. It is best known for its national
newspaper, elemental binding, bards, Korranberg Library and diplomatic expertise. The kingdom of
Galifar invaded Zilargo around 5YK and Zilargo swiftly surrendered. During the negotiations Zilargo
managed to become an independent province within the kingdom. Under the Treaty of Thronehold,
Zilargo managed to become an independent nation once again, though it still retains close diplomatic
ties to Breland.

The Lightning Rail:

The civilized races of Khorvaire have innovated the combination of magic and technology for
generations. One of the most prevalent and useful inventions is known as The Lightning Rail; an
international, magical rail line connecting many of the major cities throughout Khorvaire. Invented in
811 YK, The Lightning Rail follows a path of conductor stones, which form a conduit of magical
energy to allow The Lightning Rail to travel at high speeds across Khorvaire, generally at a steady rate
of fifty kilometers per hour. This transportation system is mostly used for import and export between
kingdoms and cities, but also offers rides to passengers, albeit at a considerable price.

The Continent of Aerenal

Located to the Southeast of Khorvaire, Aerenal is an island continent largely occupied by elves. The
elven race made an exodus to Aerenal when the giant civilization of Xen'drik collapsed. Aerenal is its
own nation and is overseen by The Undying Court.

History:

Elven civilization began on the continent of Xen'drik. The elves were slaves to the giants of Xen'drik
for thousands of years. 40.000 years ago the elves revolted against their masters and started a war
for freedom. The giants were destroyed and the elves were forced to leave the continent. A visionary
named Aeren led the elves away to the island of Aerenal, which was named in commemoration of
their leader (who died shortly after arrival). With the giants dead and no need to fight, the elven
tribes separated, but maintained friendly relations with each other. The elves shared a strong sense
of reverence for their ancestors and with the war now over the elves dedicated themselves to the
study of magic, the art of necromancy in particular. In time, two schools of thought came to
dominate the field of necromancy: the techniques of the line of Vol, which many blame for the
spread of vampirism into Khorvaire; and the traditions of the Priests of Transition, which focused on
positive energy and the power of Irian. The Priests of Transition won out and the tribes united in
support of The Undying Court.

The Continent of Xen’drik

Xen'drik is a continent on the planet Eberron located in the southern hemisphere, to the south of the
continent of Khorvaire.

History:

Giants built the first civilization on Eberron 80.000 years ago on the continent of Xen'drik. The giants
and their slaves, drow and elves, built sprawling cities and massive temples throughout their
empires. After 20.000 years of building their civilization in Xen’drik, Giant explorers left the continent
and started exploring the world and the seas of Eberron. Across the Dark Sea these Giants
encountered the ancient race of Dragons for the first time on the shores of their homeland
Argonnessen. Fascinated by the much-younger race, groups of Dragons traveled to Xen’drik and
began sharing their knowledge of magic and the arcane with the Giants. The Giants quickly mastered
the lessons taught by the Dragons and began construction on a plethora of arcane artifacts and
locations, most of which were lost after their collapse. Growing conflict and intrigue in their
homeland caused the Dragons that had settled in Xen’drik to return home, leaving the Giants and
their slaves in peace. 40.000 years ago, wars between the various empires of Xen’drik erupted and
the enslaved elves saw an opportunity to earn their freedom. The empires of the Giants were forced
to unite against their common enemy, the elves and drow they used to oppress. In the aftermath of
this war the empires of the Giants were no more. The great cities, temples and monuments of the
Giants were left in ruins. For 35.000 thousand years the echoes of the conflict between the Elves and
Giants have distorted the lands of Xen’drik. Formerly enslaved elves fled to Aerenal. Giants
devastated by the war were left shattered and hopeless. Their civilization lost, the Giants became
primitive and violent beasts. The wilds of Xen’drik returned and the glory of the continent's ancient
culture was forgotten in myth and legend.

The Continent of Argonnessen

Argonnessen is a continent to the far east of Khorvaire and south of Sarlona. The continent of
Argonnessen is almost totally unexplored by any race of Khorvaire, owing to the fact that it is
inhabited primarily by dragons. Off the coast of Argonnessen lies Seren Island. Argonnessen and
Seren are for the most part off limits to the "lesser races" (which includes almost everyone except
dragons). The continent and island are also inhabited by dragon-worshiping human barbarians, the
Seren tribes.

The Continent of Sarlona

Sarlona is a continent to the East of Khorvaire. It is also known as the cradle of human civilization, as
it was once the only continent the human race inhabited. Sarlona is home to both humans and
kalashtar.

The Continent of Everice

Everice is a shifting sheet of ice located south of Xen'drik in the Icemaw Sea. It is believed that several
island land masses exist beneath the sheet of ice, but this has never been confirmed. Everice is
believed to be the domain of an archfey known as the Queen of Winter, as well as the home of frost
giants who escaped the destruction of Xen'drik.

The Draconic Prophecy

The draconic prophecy encompasses many volumes and is said to be as complex and unfathomable
as the dragons themselves. A handful of scholars study snippets of the massive work, but only the
dragons with their incredibly long lifespan, the elves of Aerenal, and the immortal rakshasa have the
ability and patience to see the prophecy for what it truly is. It is unknown what the draconic
prophecy entails. Some argue it is a revelation of the end of the world, others say it heralds a new
beginning. Whatever the prophecy means, it is sure to change the world of Eberron drastically once it
reaches its end.

Dragonmarks
Dragonmarks are physical manifestations of the Draconic Prophecy. They have appeared on seven of
Khorvaire's common races. They are more intricate than a birthmark and more distinct than a tattoo.
There are twelve families of dragonmarks; originally there were thirteen, but no living creature on
Eberron possesses the destroyed mark of House Vol. In addition to being a status symbol in
Khorvaire, the dragonmarks provide the bearer with magical talents.

Calendar
The calendar of Eberron consists of twelve months, with 28 days in each month.

Zarantyr - Mid-winter (January)

Olarune - Late winter (February)

Therendor - Early Spring (March)

Eyre - Mid-spring (April)

Dravago - Late Spring (May)

Nymm - Early Summer (June)

Lharvion - Mid-summer (July)

Barrakas - Late Summer (August)

Rhaan - Early Autumn (September)

Sypheros - Mid-autumn (October)

Aryth - Late Autumn (November)

Vult - Early Winter (December)