[@Lexicon]

I believe you've misunderstood the strategic situation. There are three powers in the northern continent:

1. The Hamrock Isles (Where Oromis and the players have been up until now)

2. The Etruscan League (A collection of independent kingdoms, theoretically loyal to the Prophet in the old city of Tolos. Sort of like the European Union)

3. The Tolosi Empire (A dying empire that used to control the north of the world)

The current conflict is between the Etruscan League and Oromis (and, by extension, the Isles). I see you've been confused by the city of Tolos; It used to be the capital of the Empire, but the empire lost all lands to the west, including the city. Now, it's the capital of the League. It's located at the mouth of the river in Etruscia, on the map of the League I put up. While all this is going on, the Empire is a neutral party, watching uncomfortably from the headlines.

Going around Samnidall wouldn't be an option anyway; those waters are virtually unnavigable, due to ice and freezing cold.