The Threshold

The term "the Threshold" typically denotes the ring of princedoms and city-states on the outer edge of the Inland Sea—too barbarous for the Empress to govern directly, but still civilized enough to pay tribute to the Realm. The Realm proper directly rules only the Blessed Isle. Everything else is nominally independent, a kingdom or republic paying tribute and advised by an imperial satrap. Until recently, this meant imperial rule in everything but name, but with the disappearance of the Empress, the power of the Realm has began to crumble. No longer do all pay respect to the Immaculate Order, acknowledge the spiritual superiority of the Dragon-Blooded, and deliver tribute to the satraps unquestioningly. The states that border the Inland Sea are now reducing their tribute payment or evading it altogether. This provokes retaliation by the Realm, and disputes with tributaries have flared into outright revolt all around the Threshold.

Much of the Threshold is still at relative peace, and many lands are largely untroubled and generally calm. Yet revolt is spreading, rumors about the disappearance of the Empress are rife, the Deathlords nourish shadowlands like cancers, and the reappearance of the long-lost Solars is profoundly disquieting.