In 92 R, the elven Sea Captain Therimines left the port of New Hope on an exploratory mission beyond the Cursed Lands. He traveled for months without knowledge or proof of what he was about to find. Then, far beyond the wastes, across a yawning ocean, the captain found a continent filled with heretofore unseen and unknown beings: gnomes.
Very little is known about the Meristium Empire besides the fact that it is ancient. Many scholars believe the cultures on their continent to be older than any on the Old Continent. The Meristium Empire is also highly advanced in technology and magic, and trade often with other kingdoms. However, all trading occurs on the eastern side of the Ocean Divide. No non-gnome is allowed to set foot upon Merist.
The gnomes are not alone on their continent. There also exists a sub-race of gnomes, known as halflings. On Merist, halflings are considered an inferior race, and are given very little influence or power. For this reason, since the discovery of the Empire, many halflings have flooded across the ocean to try and find some measure of success away from their homeland.