Tabolport as a city began in the annals of ancient history, with a
race of men known as the Anzarin living in some measure of peace with
elves of the local forests.  The almost ideal harbor conditions
unfortunately led to raids from more ocean-going races (the Anzarin
followed the earth, not the sea) and they very quickly grew to
dominate the surrounding area and thus formed a city-state.  Other,
similiar nations developed nearby as well, sharing a common language
due to similiar origins and relatively frequent travelers.  This made
trade easy, and eventually lead to the formation of a loosely-allied
empire, centered SE of Tabolport at Mitoch.

Relations with nations outside of the empire are not so cordial: an
orc-contolled region immediately SW of Tabolport's border has provided
a fairly constant set of scirmishes, and occasionally real wars.  A
dwarven nation to the south is normally more friendly, disputes being
settled diplomatically in almost all cases.  Human nations in the area
are somewhat more volatile; fluctuating irregularly between mutual
trade and open warfare.

The Tenkin Islands to the NW are on generally good terms with
Tabolport, being a fairly sophisticated society of sea-traders (their
government is matriarchial, btw).  Other islands in that area breed
less welcome visitors, after the Viking model- ironically, these same
less welcome visitors were the founders of the citystate.  To
Tabolport's north, a longish travel away, is a continental landmass
with many, many nations on it; transport is difficult so they are
rarely seen in the harbor.