Some other bits to consider, which will also be lumped into the world primer:

[B][u]Points of Contention:[/u][/B]

[I]Treasure:[/I] The most obvious prize sought after by distant nations, local factions, and ambitious individuals is the fabulous riches found in the Antillean region. Several of the islands have rich veins of gold and precious gemstones in their mountains. There are rumors of even greater wealth in the mainland, even a Golden City deep in the jungles of the southern continent, but the dangerous wildlife and contentious relations with the mainland natives makes seeking these treasures a risky venture. 

[I]Artifacts of the Old Empire:[/I] A thousand years ago, the Empire of Aeternum spanned the Old World. Its collapse resulted in a centuries-long dark age where volumes of ancient knowledge were tragically lost. Recently, ruins of Aeternian colonies have been found in the New World, including artifacts of lost technology. These ancient mechanisms are not only worth a fortune, but can potentially provide tremendous technological advantages to anyone who can decipher their workings.

[I]Treasure of the Lost World:[/I] Aeternian scrolls contain myths of a lost world even more ancient than the Old Empire, people who wielded magical powers beyond understanding. Curiously, the natives of the New World also tell legends of old gods and demons that lived in lost cities in the sea. Some of the more wild rumors suggest that relics from this mythical Lost World still exist, and that they can bestow power to the wielders. 

[I]Class and Oppression:[/I] Not everyone is interested in hunting long-lost riches, but are instead fighting against the injustices that occur every day in the New World. The aristocracy of the Old World kingdoms all exploit the poor, subjugate the natives, and keep slaves to toil under intolerable conditions. The divide between rich and poor is wide, and while many of noble blood see this as the natural order, many more have begun to fight against this exploitation. 

[I]Dueling Schools:[/I] In a time and place where so much is settled by the sword, it's only natural that masters of the blade would set up their own schools, and that these schools would develop intense rivalries. These schools adorn their prized students' blades with a Mark to show their excellence and advertise their master's pedigree. The four Dueling Schools in the New World are Flynn (specializing in Albion sabre, Mark of the Hawk), Dumas (specializing in Vallé D'Or epée, Mark of the Lion), Montoya (specializing in Castillian rapier, Mark of the Wolf), and Garibaldi (specializing in the Medician spada de lato, Mark of the Serpent). Swordsmen with a school's Mark are often extremely proud of their school, and will fight other Marked duelists on sight purely as a matter of pride.