The Empire of Xia is known for it's massive architectural cities, and is capable as a fairly new empire because every settlement from it's villages to it's cities are fortresses. Which, incidentally, also means that drow can usually be out-and-about without being in direct sunlight. It also helps that the drow have a tenuous alliance with the likes of goblins and orcs, who don't have sunlight sensitivity, and more or less operate the surface while the drow deal with things underground.

The Empire of Ferric is largely dwarven, and is in fact the only predominately dwarven nation. They're one of the oldest empires that still exist since their inception, dating back about 10000 years. In comparison, the next oldest was the Crystal Kharnate at 1300ish, but they've gone through hefty political upheaval in recent times (about 70 years ago) and are now the various countries in the north. The Majadan Empire is the third oldest current nation at 700, though currently the second oldest due to the fracture of the Kharnate.