The World
The world in Exiles is much like what you know today. Events in history even mirror a normal timeline, though there are quite a few exceptions in the details!
Technology in the world is far more advanced and this has impacted most of the wars over the last few centuries. The Renaissance brought exceptional advances in all fields, using clockwork, steam, and even electric power. Thanks to the great Leonardo DaVinci, and a number of others, the clockwork age was in full effect by the mid 18th century. Britain, Hispania, Prussia, and Gaul were the first to seize on these new methods and expand on them. They made marvels - and of course they made weapons. These countries, especially Britain, emerged as the dominant forces in the world, and soon claimed most of the territories around the globe. Smaller nations could not match the might of these industrial giants, and were absorbed into various empires.
The Continental states quickly found that they could fight forever and gain little ground. Instead, in 1813, the countries of the Continent (Italy, Prussia, Gaul, Hispania and Britain) signed a non-aggression and trade treaty. Though this created peace on the Continent, it only allowed the countries to focus their power on the rest of the world; and their empires grew. Only when the Appalachian Empire arose and threw off British rule was there another country capable of competing with the Continental Union. The Empire soon outstripped even these, with the raw resources of the Republic right next to them, and now both sides of the ocean eye each other uncertainly.
The largest threat to the Continent is Russia. This huge, sprawling empire contains a wealth of resources; but the gruff, proud Russians aren't eager to share. The nation began trading its lumber and coal for technology decades ago. The Tsar then turned around and began pushing out the borders of his nation and bringing his people under his wing. The result is a solidified Russia, capable not only of rebuffing the Continental advances, but in gaining ground. What the Russians lack in finesse, they make up for in brute strength. That, and their very land, unsettled as it is, turns back invaders with frigid winters and dark woods that claim the lives of the unwary. The people are highly superstitious, and it seems they have reason to be. For now, the fighting has died down to skirmishing on the hard borders of the Continent. Russia can't break through, but neither have the Prussians been able to win land back. The Imperial Russian Empire is fighting for land on all fronts, thus dividing its resources and making any advancements difficult. Trade, though thinly hidden, continues to the benefit of both sides.
Africa is largely unclaimed, though most countries have staked out land and are trying to press inland. The fierce terrain and devotion of the native peoples have stopped their advancement, at least for now. The United Arabian Kingdoms are far more advanced than their southern brethren, but lack the technology of the Continent. Still, they have many clever secrets that have kept them independent; and they are not shy about beating back the invaders in Africa. Largely nomadic and clannish, the Arabians are a mysterious people shrouded in veils. Their many kingdoms act as a family when it comes to dealing with the outside world, though cracks in their unity have started to appear.
The Ottoman Empire, once part of the Arabian Nations, has emerged into a separate entity. This is a nation of traders and diplomats, located as they are between many sides. Anything in the world can be found at an Ottoman bazaar! Once powerful and feared warriors, their strength has faded and they now seem content to gain wealth in peace.
The Ottomans border peacefully, for the most part, with the Great Celestial Empire. The Celestials were able to conquer much of the continent and spread to Japan, making a huge empire. Over time, their lands shrank back, and they were not able to keep control of Mongolia, or withstand the claims encroaching on their southern lands. An ancient people with a rich history of invention and culture, the Celestials have fallen behind - especially with weapons. Most Celestials are fierce fighters, trained to go to war for the Emperor at any time he calls for them. This allowed them to put up a stronger resistance to the rest of the world than was expected. As a result, the Empire of the Stars, as it is called, has kept is sovereignty. Their people learn quickly, and are already adapting their own resources and unique abilities into the technology of the west. While on the surface the people appear mostly interested in artistic pursuits and philosophy, outsiders have observed quite a bit of military action of late. Much of the country is still poor and struggling with hunger, disease, and bandits. Many Celestials flee in order to find a better life - many going to the Republic. Known to be quiet, agreeable, and unassuming, the Celestials make excellent workers and have filled quite a few professions. The spark of a proud people remains, however, and it is wise not to rouse them to battle.
Their war-like cousins, the Mongols, have kept their lands mostly because they were not seen as useful to anyone else. The steppes of Mongolia can be harsh and overwhelming to most, and only the nomadic riders of the Mongolian tribes know all the secrets of their land. Russia and Celestia both would like to claim the territory, if only to expand on their own holdings.
South Appalachiad is also struggling between many forces. Much of the land is claimed by Hispania, a huge coup for that nation, but it is proving difficult to hold. Alien terrain, difficult people, and contention from other nations has led Hispania to rethink its expansion there. Many Hispanish have withdrawn to Brasil in the wake of violent attacks against white settlers in the rest of the territories. Brasil is calm, by comparison, and still rich with resources. France, Britain, and Prussia all maintain lands on the coast, as well, but have also not made further claims inland. Spread thin, the Continentals thus far prefer to trade with locals for their resources and keep to the safety of their colonies. To the north, Serape is still too weak to advance into territory guarded by the Continentals, but many see a time when that will not be the case.
The world is carved up into empires, but there is unrest even underneath the iron umbrella of these industrialized nations. Intrigue and power struggles turn to conflict and war, and the tables could turn at any moment. Your character may come from one of these far off places, or at least know about them. Even more likely, representatives from anywhere in the world could be seeking information or assistance from the Republic right now, and might pull your character into their web. In the Exiles, the danger can come from anywhere!