The Waking World uses names drawn from Earth’s historical geography — adapted, not copied. What follows is a reference for the places, peoples, and terms that appear throughout the sourcebook.
The Continent and the Kingdom
- Oikoumene
- the only known continent in the Waking World. There are no other landmasses; no larger Russia, no Orient, no African continent beyond the northern coast.
- Valdara
- the unified kingdom that dominates Oikoumene, formed by the marriage of Neustria and Basileia. Also called "The Kingdom."
- Neustria
- the former western kingdom, culturally similar to Charlemagne’s kingdom. Merged with Basileia by dynastic marriage around 4100 to form Valdara. Inhabited by Neustrians who speak Franconian. Karlingrad was its capital.
- Basileia
- the former eastern kingdom, culturally similar to the Byzantine Empire. Merged with Neustria by dynastic marriage around 4100 to form Valdara. Inhabited by Basileans who speak Romaic. Tsarigrad was its capital.
- The Faith
- the dominant religion of Valdara. Developed separately from Judeo-Christian traditions, blending elements of early Christianity, tribal Judaism, Egyptian mysticism, and Islamic devotional practices, rooted in Byzantine theological traditions.
The Three Cities
- Tsarigrad
- the eastern capital of Valdara, located in Arzawa. Similar to Constantinople. Home to the Væringjar warriors.
- Karlingrad
- the western capital of Valdara. Similar to Aachen. The seat of Neustrian power.
- Ikosium
- the holy city and trade hub, located in Numidia. Similar to Algiers. The spiritual heart of The Faith.
The Allodial Regions
- Achaea
- similar to Greece. Inhabited by Achaeans who speak Hellenic.
- Aegypti
- similar to Egypt. Inhabited by Aegyptians who speak Coptic.
- Arya
- similar to Persia. Inhabited by Aryans who speak Pahlavi.
- Arzawa
- similar to Anatolia. Inhabited by Arzawans who speak Romaic. Home to Tsarigrad.
- Bretonia
- similar to Britain. Inhabited by Bretonians who speak Anglian and Saxon. Includes the sub-regions of Alba (Scotland), Cambria (Wales), and Ierne (Ireland).
- Burgundia
- similar to eastern France. Inhabited by Burgundians who speak Burgundian.
- Gallia
- similar to Gaul. Inhabited by Gallians who speak Frankish. Includes Francii, the region where Franconian culture developed.
- Haemus
- similar to the Balkans. Home to the Axios river and inhabited by the Tervingi Gothic tribal group.
- Hispania
- similar to the Iberian Peninsula. Inhabited by Hispanians who speak Castilian, Leonese, and Catalan depending on region.
- Jazirah
- similar to the Arabian Peninsula, positioned between Aegypti and Arya with Levantine Mediterranean coastal access.
- Liburnia
- similar to the Dalmatian Coast (Croatia).
- Numidia
- similar to Northern Algeria, Morocco, and Libya. Inhabited by the Mazigh people who speak Tamazight. Home to Ikosium.
- Sahil
- similar to the Maghreb and the inland West African empires.
- Socii Territories
- similar to Italy and the Roman Republic territories, but significantly smaller and never consolidated into an empire.
- Skania
- similar to Scandinavia. Inhabited by the Skanne people who speak Norse.
- Wendland
- similar to the Slavic regions of Poland and Eastern Europe. Inhabited by the Wends who speak Ruthenian in the east and Sorbian in the west.
Geography
- Aigaion
- similar to the Aegean Sea and its eastern shore. Can refer to the broader region including Achaea and southern Liburnia.
- Alashiya
- similar to Cyprus.
- Axios
- a river in Haemus, similar to the Vardar River.
- Mesogeios
- the great inland sea, similar to the Mediterranean.
- Rín
- a river in Francii and Neustria, serving as a vital trade route and natural boundary.