Ruler: Council of the Queens Regnant: Queen Aiwendele of Lamprey City, the Keeper of Artifacts (LN female fair elf, Soc 11), Queen Briatha Cloverlind of Dolphinia, the Keeper of Wisdom (CG female forest gnome, Sor 15), Queen Gwendolyn of Deepwell, the Keeper of Song (LG female human [Zentradi], Sor 12/Brd 8), Queen Sariel of Nautilus, the Keeper of Visions (N female human [Jendi], Sor 16) and Queen Xenova of Grey Harbor, the Keeper of Tomes (NG female human [Aldari], Sor 13/Lor 4)
Government: Independent monarchy with hereditary rulership; each queen rules her individual city with complete autonomy and is advised by a spiritual attendant
Notable Figures: Danthor Moonchaser, President of the Sorcerous Society (CN male human, Sor 15)
Rule of Law: Neutral. Country is morally ambiguous with a moderate amount of written laws. Actions are neither evil nor good and tend to remain distant from international affairs.
Capital: None
Major Towns: Deepwell (pop. 7,500), Dolphinia (pop. 10,300), Grey Harbor (pop. 6,300), Lamprey City (pop. 18,500), Nautilus (pop. 17,700)
Population: 160,000- Human 45% (AJZsh), elf 35% (fair 65%, coast 25%, wood 10%), gnome 10% (forest 72%, hill 25%, tinker 3%), halfling 5% (greenthumb 70%, stoutheart 25%, fleetfoot 5%), dwarf 3% (brown), half-elf 1%, other 1% (mainly fae creatures)
Major Religions: Maya, Arcanus, Celinia, Shastra, Thera, Aersiline, Dione, Endorie, Thune, Vestra, Auralia, Glanya, Elf pantheon, Gnome pantheon, Halfling pantheon, Dwarf pantheon
Major Resources: Gold, silver, rare herbs, rare woods, gems, textiles
Military: 8,000 (includes light infantry and light and medium cavalry with a navy of 14 warships, forces are evenly distributed between the five major kingdoms)
Allies: Peregrine, Anubia
Enemies: Nimeiria, Cyndane (sometimes), Helacar (sometimes), Draken Isles
Coinage:Standard common

The Floating Kingdoms are a small island chain in the Midland Ocean almost due East of the March of Cyndane. The kingdoms form a confederation of five major city-states each governed by a powerful sorceress-queen. Each city is ruled as an autonomous realm but the five queens gather four times a year to decide matters of mutual importance such as defense, economy and affairs of state. The islands enjoy a semi-tropical to temperate climate much of the year with long, warm summers and short dry winters. The currents from the Narrow Sea keep the weather fairly stable throughout the year making the region ideal for farming.

The Floating Kingdoms have long been a have for sorcery and are built on many magical premises. Ages ago, sorcerers were discrimated against by wizards and much of the general population throughout Hyerune. Sorcerers were seen as untrustworthy and perhaps even tainted by draconic or fiendish influences. Many sorcerers fled the mainlands and set up safe havens on these islands. Here, they could practice their craft, conduct magical research and delve into the lost secrets of the ancients. Those days of persecution are long over but the Floating Kingdoms remain the home for many of their descendents.

As the five kingdoms grew in majesty, they each became specialized in a particular viewpoint. Whether it be magic through music or artifice, magical research or mystical insight, each of the city's reigning Queens became the symbol of the various core beliefs: Song, Tomes, Wisdom, Visions and Artifacts. The islands themselves grew to become a refuge for many magical creatures. The wilds of the lands are said to be homes for many faerie-folk, nature spirits, magical beasts and perhaps even creatures of legend. Certainly, the Essence is strong is these islands teaming with enchantment.

Rumors: It is a widely held belief that the fabled Apocalypse Dragon dwells in a hidden cavern in the mountains of the largest island in a state of magical hibernation. Common mythology states that one day, the dragon shall emerge from its magical slumber to destroy the world. Each Queen is said to possess one of the crystaline artifacts known as the Tide Jewels. These magical stones are said to have something to do with the dragon's sleep. The enemies of these magical islands are numerous and many villians would do practically anything to get their hands on the secrets said to be hidden away here.