The continent known to its inhabitants as Ragoth is a tumultuous one. Feudalism is alive and well in these lands, and conflict and war is commonplace. Each kingdom is run by a true dragon, typically travelling in human form, with many lesser dragons or half-dragons serving in their court of nobles and subordinates. These dragons are constantly at war with each other over territory, wealth, resources, or simple pride. A unified Ragoth is an unstoppable force, but a fractured Ragoth is a distracted and weakened Ragoth. The Empire keeps a close eye on all political proceedings, encouraging war here and there where peace looks likely, for even the Empire fears a true dragon who can unify the warring Courts. Most of the more dangerous creatures such as giants or Chimeras have been all but wiped out by the dragons during their initial land grabs at the end of the previous Cataclysm, the one that ended the reign of the Precursors. The most dangerous predators on Ragoth are the lords themselves, seconded by the occasional wyvern or manticore kept as beasts of war and their numerous half-dragon offspring. None of these lords consider mortals anything close to equal to themselves, and so throw away thousands of lives on a whim in wars over nothing more than a new acre of land.
In contrast, the decadent Dragon Lords rarely enter the fray themselves, secretly afraid that their rival has gained some sort of new strength or power and as such will kill them on the field of battle. The Sea of Ragoth is considered cursed by some and holy by others, and all who visit are warned to never leave the ship that they reside on. Those that believe it is holy will not allow mortals to taint it with their filthy bodies, and those that believe it cursed are afraid of being killed by the monsters that lurk within. Both theories hold true, as no one who goes into the waters lives long after.
As horrible as these lands sound, the inhabitants see it much differently. Ragoth is a fertile and rich continent, with abundant food, water, and land. Fortune can be had for those brave enough to seek out ancient ruins, buried treasures, and rogue dragon hoards. For those that live here, starvation is a rare problem, as there is more than enough food for all. The most common cause of death is war, as men and women alike are conscripted equally and casualties are all too common. Those that succeed on the field of battle believe their place in Valhalla is guaranteed, a belief their Lords are happy to encourage as it keeps morale high even in the face of constant conflict.
The Dragon Courts are a feudalistic society, fighting just as much within their own borders as they do outside of them. Most nobles are half-dragons of some variety or another, pressing their claims against their neighbors when they believe themselves stronger or more deserving. All pay tribute to their regional King, a full, usually Ancient dragon. Occasionally, these Kings will get greedy and seek out conquest, gathering their squabbling nobles and setting forth under a united banner. The most successful of these attacks will take a sizeable chunk of their rivals' land and valuables, before inevitably falling to infighting and internal political shifts.
Above it all, the Dragon Kings take their share and languish in their wealth, content to play their political games against each other. These games are played with human lives, which in some counties are cheaper than a blade of good steel.
Even the Emperor of Feredas knows that a united Ragoth would be an unstoppable force, so much of the Empire's considerable spy network is set to making sure the Kings continue fighting each other.
Red Court: Situated in the dense, rolling hills in the northeastern most portion of Ragoth, the Red Court has long enjoyed mineral wealth and safe shipping direct from the ocean to the Sea of Gods.
Blue Court: The Blue Court makes their home in the towering rock formations in the northwest of Ragoth. Their lands are fertile and highly defensible but poor in mineral wealth.
Green Court: The Green Court is situated in the southwest of Ragoth. They have neither the most fertile lands nor the most mineral wealth, but they occupy a potent tactical position and control large tracts of land.
White Court: Currently controlling the Eastern Peninsula of Ragoth, the whites have the least land and mineral wealth, but occupy the fortress-islands east of the Bay of Loxxar. The islands give them a potent trading position, able to levy taxes on all goods making their way into the Sea of Gods.
Black Court: The Black Court is a whisper of its' former glory. Most of the lands previously occupied by the devious Black Court have fallen into a Red Zone, and the rest have fallen into a Yellow Zone. Most of their resources are put into controlling the spread of Arcanium, which the other Courts are all too happy to allow them to do. In the past, Black would have worked up the armies to invade white and go on a conquering spree of the whole continent; now, Black sits back and sells their Arcanium technology and materials to the highest bidders. No one wants to stop Black and they are not making any overt moves on their own, so Black enjoys a sort of unofficial cease-fire, at least from its' external rivals.
Shadow Court: It is rumored that one of Black's family was corrupted by the Red Zone, and now exists as a Shadow Dragon, sending mutant Arcanium creatures out to do its' mysterious bidding.