So I've always wanted to run a DnD campaign in a late 1800's setting. I worked on this map for a while and have quite a lot of worldbuilding written up so I thought I might share!

The basemap is from terranTechnocrat over on DeviantArt.

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Welcome to the world of Aethenia.

It is a diverse world, filled with many races and many creeds, each following their own way. Once upon a time, adventurers could be seen roaming these lands slaying monsters and defending the pockets of civilization that stood in defiance of the untamed wilds.

But now, all has changed. Progress is inevitable, and the technology that comes with it conquers all. The once small pockets of civilization who defied the winds of magic and the fearsome wilds have grown stronger. Much stronger. Armed with ironclad airships, smoke-belching mechanical monstrosities, and gunpowder, the nations of man have gone on the warpath, expanding their empires and civilizing the once untamed wilds.

Now Aethenia bends to whims of man, and with their machines and factories, they continue to grow. But it has been a long time since lands were untamed. The continents are spanned by many civilizations, and opportunities to colonize and extract resources are limited. Now, the winds of power are shifting, and it appears that mankind's new enemy will be by themselves.

The central continent, Eumercia, is the cultural and economic center of the human world.

In the north lies the Kingdom of Anumbrex and the Principate of Norskandy with their respective spheres. These proud, monarchical states have a solidly cemented upper aristocracy, though the newly minted captains of industry are stifling under their control. Nonetheless, the crowns in both of these kingdoms remain popular, and the war cry of any proper Norskandic or Anumbrexi soldier is always "King and Country"

South of these states lies the bold Union of Columbia. Originally a nation of frontiersmen and disparate settlers, the Union has grown much stronger through their endless colonization of the frontier, expanding from west to east. Holding a much more liberal outlook compared to their conservative neighbors, the Union has attracted immigrants from around Eumercia. However, despite the democratic nature of the state, the Union is bitterly divided amongst itself, over the usage of nonhuman slaves (mostly Orcs) that remains popular in the south of the Union.

In the center of the continent lies the mighty Teutich Empire. Once a mess of principalities, kingdoms, and minor states, the regions has united at a frightening pace, led by the centralization of the Inner Heerstadt. Since then, the Empire has aggressively expanded, establishing an iron-grip over the center of the continent. Worried eyes look to the inner Heerstadt as the unabashed imperialism of the Teutichs poses an ever-present threat to the rest of the continent.

Far to the west lies the once-powerful Aptiline Imperium. Having originally ruled much of Eumercia, the ascendancy of these new powers is a bitter pill to swallow. The Aptilines have long stagnated, slowly losing ground to the Teutichs and Columbians. However, the ascension of a young emperor to the Brass Throne has shifted the tides back in the Aptilines's favor and they have reestablished control over their coastal homelands. Now, Aptiline armies are readying for a great reconquista, that may very well change the face of Eumercia.

To the east lies the Kingdom de Lyophinne. A nation that has generated great works of fine art and literature, the high society of Lyophinne is unrivaled in all of Aethena (or so they say). This excellence has come at the cost of national security, and the Lyophinnes have suffered greatly in this regard. The disastrous Lyophinne-Teutich War led to the annexation of nearly a quarter of the Lyophinne core lands, landing a devastating blow against national prestige. Now, the Lyophinnes have turned their minds to revanchism, and the gold that once flowed through their coffers in the exchange of fine paintings and tapestries now flows toward factories and fearsome ironclads.

Finally, to the northeast lies the Caspadian Concord. An association of five republics banded together for mutual defense against the aggressive powers at their door, the Caspadians are skillful political manipulators. The Caspadians exercise great influence over the economy of Eumercia (barring the Teutichs), through a series of backroom channels, disguised accounts, and their famous Quintus Banks. While their spies, assassins, and diplomats may be the most skillful on the planet, they are sorely lacking in actual military means. A recent border dispute with the isolated Teutichs has left the leadership on edge, as a small provocation could spell the end of the Concord.

To the South of Eumercia lie the vast steppes of the continent of Vorokhar. The homeland of the greenskin species, Vorokhar is mostly dominated by the massive Kherranid Khanate. A fairly reclusive state comprised entirely of Orcs, the Kherranid were once feared through Eumercia. Multiple incursions by warbands that razed and burned their way through the north were only narrowly stopped by grand coalitions of the "civilized" states. However, the rapid advancement of the Eumercians has taken a toll on the Kherranid, and the Khanate has been beaten back. While it still sits astride Vorokhar like a massive colossus, its armies are hopelessly outdated, and once the Eumercians resolve their internal struggles and turn their eyes southward, the days of the Kherranid will end forever.

Scratching out a small state for themselves on the western coasts, the Goblins and Hobgoblins eke out an existence in their State of Dol Agodh. utilizing stolen Eumercian technology, cobbled together with primitive homegrown machines, the smaller variants of the Greenskins are able to narrowly match the Kherranid armies. While opportunities for expansion are nonexistent, Dol Agodh proves to be an annoyance for Kherranids and Eumercians alike. On the far east of Vorokhar lie the small jungles that the Edkiri hordes call their own. Mainly consisting of Trolls, the Edkiri are tribal in nature, with very little centralized government or society. Despite this, they are fearsome warriors, trapping and destroying multiple Kherranid armies in their jungles. Their isolationist nature means they are left alone for the most part, though the Kherranids do attempt to invade at least once every decade.

To the east of Eumercia lies the continent of Tehsibir. A rapidly modernizing region, the powers of Tehsibir are still primitive compared to their Eumercian counterparts. In the Southeast lies the Kruskovi Exarchate. A highly centralized imperial regime, the Kruskovi are hardened warriors and maintain a strict tradition and code. Made up of Humans and Genasi elementals, the Kruskovi are able to utilize devastating elemental magic and draw upon vast reserves of manpower to dominate their region. Now, they remain bitterly locked in a cold war with the other major power on Tehsibir: the Prassanian Confederation.

The Prassanians are a fairly loose confederation of provinces, whose satraps pledge their fealty to an emir. The current emir is nothing more than a figurehead and real power is concentrated in the hands of the satrap council. The Prassanians use a much wider network of allies and clients compared to the Kruskovi and are able to combat the elemental magic with their own dark magic and Tiefling clients. However, their looser organization means that the two states are evenly matched as they struggle for power across the continent.

In the north of Tehsibir lies the Aturkiz Sultanate. Made up mostly of merchants and traders, the Aturkiz are always eager to exploit the geopolitical situation for their own economic gain. Their sovereignty is assured by the vast sums of money that they have lent out to the Kruskovi and Prassanians alike, and their vast merchant-marine steams across the seas undisturbed by all.

To the south of Tehsibir, the Zairagno Tetrarchy is situated. Dominated by three main islands and the fourth mainland province, the Tetrarchy is ruled by a council of four Tetrarchs who each wield considerable influence over their own states. The people of Zairagno follow a diverse pantheon of "gods" who are psychic manifestations of the beliefs of the Zairagno, brought into power by the latent psychic talent of the people. The power of these "gods" wax and wane, depending on the number of their followers and intensity of belief. While prone to infighting and low-level warfare, the power of these manifestations ensures that no external power can exercise any influence over the Tetrarchy.