Westmarch

Westmarch is a realm of rolling grasslands and rugged hills. The kingdom boasts the best roads in all of Quindia, with well tended cobblestone lanes from Rookburg to the Pass of Gornath. There is always an inn within a day's march along these roads because Crowyn is the trade capital of the realm and there is a continuous stream of caravans and merchants year round. Although there are farms and ranches are scattered along less travelled routes, it is the latter that provides the locals the greatest chance to participate in the free markets of Crowyn. Westmarch is known for it's fine livestock. The phrase "soft as a Westmarch whisper" refers to the skill of the tanners of Westmarch and their soft leather, not the speech habits of the locals.

Westmarch has been inhabited for more than 1000 years, but not by the same people. It once was paet of the great Empire of the Ferons. Next it was the center of the sundered Kingdom of Actaulis. When the Shining Empire invaded in 701MR, the land became their base of all further operations. Later, there were several short lived kingdoms, annexation into the Empire of Zorono (when it gained the name it's known by today). Most recently, it reverted back to decendants of the Alabethi royal bloodline after a rebellion that freed it from the declining power of Gornath. Today, Westmarch enjoys prosperity and prominence among the nations of Quindia not only as a center of commerce, but also as a technological innovator.

Life and Society: Westmarch is a nation of merchants. Caravans come and go year round, bound for all parts of Quindia. Crowyn in the gateway for trade with the Shining Empire across the Great Sea. As such, the citizens are the greatest beneficiaries of the techolocigal age that has blossomed in the Empire. Steam power drives ships and mills throughout Westmarch and the kingdom is the only nation on Quindia to boast regiments of handgunners among her army. Steamjacks, clockwork golems of a kind, may be seen working on the docks in Crowyn and a small number of Military Steamjacks support the army along the frontier.

Major Geographical Features: Most of Westmarch is blessed with gentle rolling pastures with scattered woodland. The rocky soil is more suited to grazing herds of cattle than farming, but the small crop output is made up for by the effeciency of steam powered mills.

The central part of the kingdom gradually becomes more rugged until it forms a line of rocky hills. The hills are home to a sizable population of Gnomes, mostly refugees from Ghola, who quarry stone to keep the roads in good repair. There are also small copper and iron mines that supply the factories of Crowyn with the raw materials for boilers, steamjacks, and other wonders of technology.

The shoreline south of Crowyn is a dark and foggy marsh. Although it extends no more than a few miles from the coast, it runs along the entire length of the nameless bay that lies south of Sevengate City. It is home to goblinoids, lizardfolk, and worse, but some humans, known as Swampies, make their homes here as well.

Sites of Interest: Crowyn is the capital of Westmarch. Known as Sevengate City to locals, the city was founded by the Alabethi in 112MR and called Crowan. It became the capital of the Kingdom of Alabet and was the center of Alabathi power for nearly 600 years until the invasion of the Shining Empire in 701MR. The Galacians renamed the the city Crowyn and it served as their base of operations during the Imperial expansion. During the time of Zorono, it again was the seat of power for an Imperial Governer (and his ruthless Inquisition).

Rookburg is a large village that lies on the road between Crowyn and the free city of Enmilis. Besides the normal caravans that travel through, Rookburg has a thriving trade with the nomadic Alabethi (decendants of the founders of the nation who never embraced the New Ways). The small, sturdy horses of the Alabethi are favored by ranchers throughout Westmarch for their sure footedness.

Plots and Rumors: The exiled Imperial Governer plots revenge, but with the Inquisition shattered and Gornath too weak to hold their former realm, citizens need not fear his return.

Capital: Crowyn

Population: 631,000 (85% Human, 8% Gnome, 4% Halfling, 3% Other)

Government: Monarchy. The monarchy returned to royal bloodlines after the overthrow of the Imperial Governer. The Mace family descends from the old line of Alabethi lords who ruled the sundered realm of Actaulis before the invasion of the Shining Empire in 701MR.

Religions: The Church of Law is the major religion, with temples of Donblas, Arkyn, and Goldar, but as one might expect from the trading capital of Quindia, Goldar the Profiteer is the most popular, at least in the city of Crowyn. The Elemental Lord Straasha also has a large temple in Crowyn and is revered by all those who make their living at sea. Shrines to Grome may be found among the villages and hamlets that are scattered throughout Westmarch.

Imports: Coal, paper, timber, and weapons

Exports: Firearms, livestock, leather goods, meat, pottery, steamships, trade goods (gateway for goods from the Shining Empire), and wine

Regional Feats: Education, Mercantile Background, Seadog