From the introduction: The Shield Lands are located near the center of the Flanaess, on the northern coast of the Nyr Dyv. By land, we are nearly surrounded by the hostile Empire of Iuz. ... Unfortunately we recovered only a small piece of our nation during the Great Crusade; the lands immediately surrounding Critwall and Scragholme Island. The rest of the Shield Lands is completely dominated and controlled by the occupying forces of Iuz.