Cothrome

History
Unlike e.g. Seeland, Cothrome was conquered in a very piecemeal fashion. Geographically, it is mostly flat and covered in large grass plains. This led to the rise of nomadic tribes, who rarely settled in one place but led their herds of cattle, horses and other animals from one grazing area to the next. These tribes were however quite splintered, and frequently at war with one another. Though they tried to unite, the disciplined and well-organized Isernian armies slowly smashed the tribes, often employing intrigue to forge alliances with some tribes, only to betray them later. Again, the Prince of Shadows showed his value to the Empire.

Eventually, the remaining tribes were forced to capitulate. A great meeting was held at the Great Camp (the closest thing to a large, permanent settlement in Cothrome) where the remaining tribal leaders agreed to join the Empire in exchange for some degree of autonomy. As long as they pay taxes (usually in the form of cattle) and provide manpower, the Isernian Emperor tolerates their disorganized nature. Much of the Isernian cavalry to this day consists of Cothroman riders, who are easily the best in all of the 12 Realms.

Politics
The tribes do not have something like an ordered political structure, but the Isernian Emperor demands a representative from all of his realms. Among the Cothromans, this is decided via a contest of martial skill, and the winner is dubbed the Warrior Lord of Cothrome. He must take on all challengers, and may not abdicate, but has to fight until he is defeated and usually killed. While this position does grant a lot of respect and some influence, his position is still largely one of representation rather than actual rule.

But the tribes of Cothrome are hard to control, and despite their status as realm of the Empire, raids on bordering realms have ebbed and flowed over the centuries. The stronger the empire, the better the behavior of the tribes, but when they smell weakness, they have always spilled over the borders of the neighboring Secari, Scelmir, Sacronans and Bheinnans to take whatever easy plunder made itself available to them. The Warrior Lord of Cothrome denies any knowledge of such events and makes an example of the supposed wrongdoers, but it is well known that this is more a ceremonial procedure of false apology than a serious attempt to prevent such events in the future.

Religion
The Cothromans generally pay lip service to Abadar, but his tenets do not resonate very greatly with such a pastoral and disorganized people. The worship of Desna is common, but it is unfortunately not unknown for whole tribes to turn to Lamashtu, who turns their herds into terrible and deformed yet also very powerful beasts. These tribes are usually hunted down either by the Cothromans themselves or by the Crusader, but can inflict great harm in a short span of time before this happens.