The Blacklands
The doomed fifth kingdom of the south which met its fate generations of men before the empire formed. Has the dubious honor of triggering the only time the other four voluntarily worked together. At war with Vistaria and Teleurin, while also harassing Kiereth’s mining in the mountains they both bordered. They gradually overextended themselves and the king at the time turned to necromancy. With the help of an extremely powerful court wizard they were winning a three front war, though at the cost of their formerly lush land being turned into an undead infested swamp. After enough atrocities, Myabra was also pulled in and a final push of armies and heroes broke most of the power of the old kingdom. Since then, those areas that border the black lands continue to see attacks by undead that wander out of the swamp, and only the most seasoned heroes dare to see what treasures are buried in the darkness. The borders are traditionally watched by a combined holy order based in Gerid established quickly after discovering the dark powers that continued to hold sway. Called Eastwardens, the group politically clashed with imperial demands on its loyalty throughout much of the long stability but locals hold the order in very high regard and those clashes were unable to change anything of significance. They have also remained outside the fighting as the empire breaks.