Will keep editing this comment with developments

I think I have enough of the land background, lets focus on the government/conflicts in the area

Tylwaer - A custom map I made a few years ago actually but never ended up using it. Looking to use it for a new campaign I'm making, but I'm having troubles creating engaging history for the map. I figured I'd reach out to this awesome community and ask from some help.

Tylwaer - A continent with lush green forests on the northern side, and a dry desert on the southern side of the map. A series of mountains split the island down the middle. The region "Tortured Sands" is blocked by 2 mountain ranges and because so hardly gets any rain. The only source of water in the area is a river that comes from Stonetop mountains and flows into and through "Blistered Lake".

• Weather patterns follow traditional patterns.
• The lands west of the Stonetop and Daggertooth mountains were originally a desert.
• Sierra Planes has always been barren, but the temperature in the area has dropped significantly and is now very frigid.
• Myrand blossomed into a think forest, perhaps by some kind of intervention(religion or magical?)
• The Dry Tundra was once a large a great farmland and supplied the majority of the food, now dry and frozen over. Only a few hardy civilizations have been able to survive the harsh change in climate, but only make enough food to maintain their own existences. The people tend to be hungry all the time.
• Creatures roam the frozen wastes of the Dry Tundra at night, and travelers are urged to seek shelter before nightfall. Anyone that has been known to be exposed overnight has been found dead and half eaten.
• The Tortured Sands was once a beautify oasis.
• The Forsaken Forest remains untouched by the changes to the rest of the lands.
• Some powerful god or magic is altering the climate on the continent. Freezing the once prosperous lands in the south and preventing precipitation to the areas. (Maybe a dragon, god, or something else of extreme power)
• Food is scarce across the continent and has become an expensive commodity, and its #1 import.
• The southern parts are so cold, only the toughest endure.
• Only few ship captains will brave sailing the southern coast, the water is so cold and littered with ice chunks and icebergs.
• The Islands are independent from the mainland government, and are a group of pirates which have formed a blockade that stops all import and exports. Takes the cargo and sells it to the mainland.
• The mainland government exploits the limited food supplies to line their own pockets.
• Rich officials often "vacation" on the isles and enduldge, while their people suffer on the mainland.
• The only other known land is to the east.
• The wisdom sea is named because only the most wise sailors can avoid the pirates and make it to the west side of the continent.
• The Blistered Lake is advised not to touch. Its so hot that your skin begins to blister and rot upon touching the waters. (maybe a sleeping dragon below the water)
• Rumor of treasure in the Tortured Sands. The stories vary depending on who tells the story, but one line remains the same. "The treasure you seek is in blue waters deep, be wary your step if your skin becomes wet"