[Astromancer]

Here's an idea to try, let the Maelstorm develop a new and steady pattern. Several weeks each summer have the Maelstrom move far to the south allowing regular easy passage west of Al-Haz.

1) You can have the rest of Ytarria clash with the Djinn lands.

2) Place a new culture in the western lands. Perhaps a Hindu Empire or a Pagan Rome.

3) Try a society of lost people from Western Europe and North America in the 19th and 20th centuries who have managed to create a TL6 society that is becoming a TL7 society, Elves, Halflings, and Orcs, are integrated into this society as equals. There are mages among these people but they use a syntactical magic system rather than normal Ytarrian Magic.