Niam Liad
Niam Liad is one of the great cities of The Four Part Land, ruling much of the coastline from their central position on a peninsula that sticks out into the ocean. They, along with Tregonethra, control almost the entirety of the sea-going trade between the lands, and the influence of the peninsular kingdom extends to Bethra in the west and Miath Mhor in the north. Arnich, Massick, and other cities further around the coastline are protected by the lengthy land route along the shore, and are some of the primary lesser kingdoms, although they tend to owe equal allegiance to Tregonethra and Niam Liad.
One of the pivotal actors in the history of The Four Part Land, Niam Liad is the country that fractured Hymerodraeth Heula, rebelling several hundred years ago, although the rebellion was driven less by great idealism than by a group of nationalist rulers who wished to have their own country. Using the great desert as a shield, the forces of Niam Liad were able to distract and delay the much stronger armies of Bhreac Veryan until the new-made rulers had consolidated their power. That done, the generals of Niam Liad conducted a scorched earth campaign as they were driven backwards down the peninsula, winning not through military means, but by starving the massed forces of Bhreac Veryan. Eventually, hunger defeated the superior army and Niam Liad was left to become the trading and economic power that it is today. Shortly after Niam Liad freed itself, Fal Skiddy, Arnich, Massick, and Tri-Hauwcerton all fell away from the Veryan empire.
The process of becoming a great nation has not been without its share of squabbles, as the borders of Niam Liad have expanded and contracted over the years, as certain rulers take upon themselves the belief that they can capture the surrounding smaller city-states, and incorporate them into the kingdom of Niam Liad. Horain and Miath Mhor fell in the early years, and never freed themselves, while Arnich and Bethra have swung between being vassals and independent nations. Currently, Arnich is independent, but only by relying on the strength of Tregonethra to balance Niam Liad. Bethra, meanwhile, is a vassal of the Liadian empire, but has been making rebellious noises, and may soon rise up against their overlords, especially if circumstances arise that would allow for a quiet escape. Certainly, the Bethrans look to the Veryans with hope.