Kaldor is the name given to the region of the middle Kald River watershed, lying roughly between the Sorkin and Felsha Mountains of east central Hârn. The natural vegitation is mostly mixed woodland and forest and there are tracts of cropland and pasture. Most of the region is alluvial plains, but there are several hilly districts, notably the Kathela Hills and Upper Osel. The region has given its name to the feudal Kingdom of Kaldor; most Hârnians using the name Kaldor mean the kingdom, no the region.
Although the region is culturally dominated by the Kingdom of Kaldor, it is home to several tribal nations who range back and forth across the realm's ambiguous borders. Since it's foundation in 188 TR, Kaldor has assimilated large numbers of tribesmen, but many of the lands claimed by the kings and nobility of Kaldor are actually controlled by the Chelni, Kath, Pagaelin, and Taelda nations. By means of ambush and refusal to face open battle, these hardy tribesmen have been able to withstand intermittent Kaldoric attempts at conquest.
The lands to the south and west are the most volatile and contentious, hence the Kaldoric military districts of Oselmarch and Chelmarch. To the west, Chelni and Kath lands are crossed by the Salt Route and include some fertile Kald bottomland. Kaldor hopes to extend it's power to Trobridge Inn and further at the expense of both nations. Pagaelin territory to the south has a high proportion of woodland which is easier to clear than forest, giving it a higher agricultural potential. This region is crossed by an important trade route, the Genin Trail. Beyond the Pagaelin lies the small, but rich Chybisa, a kingdom to which the Kaldoric throne is not likely to forget it's claim.
While the kingdom is not entirely safe from the rampages of her barbaric neighbours, her colonization of surrounding lands continues. Kaldor's relations with her barbarian neighbours are not always warlike. A few hardy mercantylers go out to trade in the wilderness and tribesmes are hardly an unusual sight in Kaldor's border settlements.
Clan Elendsa has held the royal seat in Tashal since 603 TR. The current King, Miginath, has ruled wisely for the past 27 years, despite a chronic history of ilness. As he is now 67 years of age, many speculate that the contentious issue of a successor will soon need to be addressed.
Source: "Kaldor, Kingdom Module", Columbia Games Inc., 1986.