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Blood-red blooms

2026-05-16T10:22:27Z

Rafferty:

[[Category:Recent History]] [[Category:387YE Winter]] [[Category:Military Council]]
<div style="float:left; width: 500px; clear: right;">{{CaptionedImage|file=Red water lily flower.jpg|caption=In Urizen, red flowers represent Courage.|align=left|width=500}}</div>
==In the Footsteps of the Dead==
{{#ev:youtube|link={{{https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JRaU3_pShVA}}}|300|right}}
The [[Fist of the Mountains]] broke themselves to preserve the spires of Elos. Denying the Grendel a ruinous weapon of the Spring realm looted from the fallen Temple of Tempest Jade, the orcs of the Broken Shore must adjust their strategy. Perhaps they initially intended a hit-and-run, looting Elos and leaving the port shattered to demonstrate again their arrogant belief that they are the masters of the Bay of Catazar. Perhaps they always intended to seize the coast of Redoubt; perhaps their hungry gaze is turned inland to where the [[Brilliant Star]] lies in the foothills of [[Redoubt#Tomari|Tomari]]. The [[Fake_empire#The_Salt_Lords_Council|Salt Lords]] of the Grendel have an insatiable lust for [[mithril]], after all.

There are three armies here - the Black Eels, the Bone Nautilus, and the Hamsin. The Black Eels, as is their wont, take every opportunity to strip the valuables from the people of Urizen whose spires they breach. The other two armies are more interested in land and conquest for all that they come [[Army orders#Cautious Advance|cautiously]], carefully. Perhaps they do not wish to risk the kind of unexpected confrontation that wrecked their plans last season.

They are [[Navy_orders#Naval_Support|supported]] by an armada of [[navy|swift-moving warships]] with red, and green, and blue, and yellow sails. The Shamal, the Simoom, the Tempest, and the Golden Winds These three armies are surely some of the best provisioned and well supported armies anywhere along the Bay of Catazar. Valuable as that support is, however, it can only do so much. It is the armies of the Broken Shore that must face the anger of the Empire, not the Grendel secure at sea on their fine warships.
<div style="float:left; width: 200px; clear: left;">[[File:FistoftheMountains_Colour.png|link=Fist of the Mountains]]</div>
==Sword, Spear, Staff==
The Fist of the Mountains faced the entire Grendel onslaught alone. The shadow of their heroism hangs over Redoubt, over the Imperial armies who come now to fight the barbarians. The [[Black Thorns]] out of [[Astolat]] march to join up with two new armies; the [[Argent Sword]] fresh from their part in securing [[Even darkness must pass|victory]] against the [[Druj]] in [[Zenith]], and the untested [[Pilgrim's Defiance]] only recently mustered in Casinea. Untested - but filled with zeal and virtue as only the [[Highguard|Highborn]] are. An army of [[Grey pilgrim|Grey pilgrims]] raised to fight the [[vallorn]], eager to temper their virtue in the tempest of war.
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<quote by="Clytemnestra of the House of the Wanderer, General of the Argent Sword">Heralds of the Autumn realm, now is our time! The virtue and loyalty of the Blackthorns and the Pilgrims patience will bolster our numbers, but that is not where we shine… The Grendel have taken our land and taken our riches - but we are the true masters of greed! Make Callidus proud! Let the Grendel fear us like the farmer fears a plague of locusts. Rob them, starve them. Root out their supply lines, find their caches of riches - Leave nothing behind. Take back our land and take everything the Grendel have. The Grendel think war is business - How Quaint! Let us show them that war is industry.</quote>
<quote by="Cadwell Waystone, General of the Black Thorns">Blackthorns, I know your pain. To see our home in Therunin fall to the sway of the vallorn. However, we have fought this war for 1000 years. We need allies. The people of Urizen call for aid and their calls will not fall on deaf ears, not while I still draw breath. We move to redoubt, to fight for Elos, Redoubt and the Empire. We remember the sacrifice of the fist of the mountain. A Hero has a name, and his name is Umarth. Eilian Sweetwater hides in the light house that was. I will not abandon our kin, find them.</quote>
<quote by="Nathaniel of the Woodwych harts, General of the Pilgrim's Defiance">We strive forth in Loyalty and solidarity with our siblings from Navarr and Urizen. Not to fight the vallorn, but to lend our strength and virtue to the Urizen of Redoubt. We shall be the Bulwark that defies any Grendel advance. We shall inspire and lead with our courage and vigilance. Our virtue will stand, redoubt will stand.</quote>
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Highguard and Navarr come together, making the river crossing at [[Necropolis#Hedra|Hedra]] to [[Redoubt#Cargo|Cargo]]. The Navarr veterans march together with the Highborn, and while one army is new, the soldiers of both are not strangers to each other. The Grey Pilgrims have walked the [[trods]] with the Navarr for years now. On the road south existing friendships are renewed and new ones built on shared experience. Both armies are wrapped in the [[Clarity of the Master Strategist|clarity of the Day realm]], which helps them make good time to their rendezvous. At the Urizen city they meet the [[Inhabitants of the realms|exotic mercenaries]] of the [[Realms#Autumn Realm|Autumn realm]]. Siege engines and titan constructs of brass and bronze are overseen by canny engineers from the [[Estavus|Fire Mountain]]; cadres of [[Callidus|chain-armoured]] minotaurs eager for plunder; spider-kin tacticians of the [[Prospero|City of Bridges]]; brutally efficient warriors from the cities of the Iron Labyrinth.
<div style="float:left; width: 200px; clear: left;">
[[File:ArgentSword_Colour.png|link=387YE_Autumn_Equinox_Military_Council_orders#Argent Sword]]
[[File:BlackThorns_Colour.png|link=387YE_Autumn_Equinox_Military_Council_orders#Black Thorns|]]
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When they move toward Siluri to engage the Grendel, the garrison of Cargo accompanies them, swelling their numbers. They are met by the [[Redoubt#Court of the White Fountain|White Fountain]] [[sentinel|sentinels]]. Both garrisons are bolstered by more Autumnal mercenaries; the [[Ramparts of Ashlar]] have been woven into the [[fortification|fortifications]] of Redoubt this season and their influence extends far beyond the walls of the [[Spire#Citadel|citadels]] themselves.

The Thorns and the Pilgrims move steadily, cautiously, careful to avoid whatever trap the Grendel are preparing. The Argent Sword are less concerned about the danger, focused as they are on claiming the valuables the Grendel have seized, and the [[Magic_items#Weapons|forged weapons]], and [[Magic_items#Armour|fine armour]], and [[Magic_items#Talisman|practical talismans]] they have brought with them. They are creatures of Autumn, after all, and there are no brokers of the [[Ephisis|City of Gold and Lead]] to gainsay their raiding.

As the armies begin to move, the magic of [[Spring magic|Spring]] floods through Redout. It sparkles in the streams and pools, and in the rain that falls. It nestles in every water-bottle and skin. The [[Rivers of Life]] flow through the hills, mountains, and valleys. Only fatal injuries will not be healed by this potent magic; those who survive a battle no matter how grievous their wounds will rise again refreshed the next morning. Most of the Empire's soldiers welcome the healing power but the heralds of Autumn mutter and grumble about it among themselves. They cast suspicious glances towards the clouds, and complain that the waters spread rust and verdigris and the taint of uncreation. If there is a real downside to the magic, it is that as with all such magic it is indiscriminate; healing the virtuous and the unvirtuous alike.

==Flowers in the Snow==
Imperial troops and their magical allies march south, to engage the invaders bent on claiming Siluri. The Grendel are already well on their way to seizing the region, and its wealth. There are spires aplenty on the slopes of the mountain that gives the region its name, and along the Couros to the east; rich mines of [[tempest jade]] and [[weltsilver]]; the pilgrim's way that leads to the [[Adelmar_the_Lion#The_Shrine_of_the_Armsmaster|Shrine of the Armsmaster]]; and perhaps most relevantly the central [[heliopticon]] tower for the Redoubt network. If that is captured, it has significant implications for the people of Redoubt, especially the [[Doyen of the Spires]]. And, of course, from Siluri it is barely a stone's throw to the rich city of Cargo...

The Grendel armies are clearly expecting some response from the Empire. Scouts from both sides quickly begin assessing the other sides' strength and position, and begin to manoeuvre their forces to seek advantage. On the second night after the Imperial forces enter Siluri along the road from Cargo, there is a rumbling thunderstorm during which no rain falls. The next morning, the sun rises over a [[Frozen Citadel of Cathan Canae|grand citadel of ice and blue stone]] perched on the side of Mount Siluri. From its gates issue a cohort of one-eyed giants armed with vicious hooked polearms. Their castellan is a stout giantess in a cloak of [[Legendary_beasts#Mandowla|mandowla]] feathers who offers the hospitality of the keep to the Pilgrim's Defiance. At the same time, a bastion of white stone with high fluted towers rises in the hills near Tabulous in [[Redoubt#Tomari|Tomari]]. Warbands of squat, bandy-legged goblin-kind armoured in silver metal and pale fur with whitewood shortbows come to fight alongside the Black Thorns. The heralds of Autumn, then, are joined by the warriors of Summer. Both sides studiously ignore one another as much as possible.

More powerful defensive magic; enough to give the Grendel pause indeed. But what do they expect? They are invading ''Urizen'', after all, and the pre-eminent magicians in the Empire and perhaps even the Known World do not sit at home lamenting when they can wield the power of the First Pillar to shape the world to their will.
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<quote by="Beagh Seosam, General of the Black Eels">Weltsilver and tempest jade and mithril and ilium are fine and all, but there are richer prizes yet to be found in the libraries of Siluri and Tomari. Take it all, and let the buyers decide where the value lies.</quote>
<quote by="Neeve, General of the Hamsin">The foothills of Mount Siluri represent opportunity for those audacious enough to seize it! Fight alongside our western allies, and show them what the scions of Rucraic do to the wizards of the north!</quote></div>
==An Argument of Blades==
The majority of both Grendel and Imperial forces have adopted more defensive strategies even as one strives to conquer Redoubt and the other works to drive them out. The Black Eels and the Argent Sword have very different plans. Both are focused on [[Army qualities#Foraging#plunder|plunder]] first and foremost. For the invaders, it is theft pure and simple, as they seek to divest the spires of Urizen of as much wealth as possible. The heralds of the Autumn realm are more interested in recovering what has already been stolen (although they are not shy about keeping a portion of that recovered wealth; a finder's fee if you will).

It is clear however that as well as more traditional wealth, the Black Eels are targeting the magical libraries of Urizen. Bands of thieves and raiders follow in the wake of the more disciplined armies, and fall on those spires that the Grendel capture. They are eager to clear the shelves - they seem to have little appreciation of what they are stealing knowing only that the magicians and scholars of Attar will pay well for these tomes and scrolls. Some are captured back by the Argent Sword; many more disappear south toward the waiting ships. There are rumours that ''Faireoir, Seer of the Sky and Diviner of Ophis'', the well-connected Grendel magician who helped lead the attempted looting of the Lyceum, has been "advising" some of the Black Eels thieves.

The hills ring with the sound of steel on steel, with the roars of Summer giants, with swift-spat words of battle magic, with voices raised in victorious hymns, and with the silence of the Navarr. The sides clash and the fray is joined. The wrath of many Imperials, especially the Highborn, is heightened when they see how many of the Grendel warriors bear weapons and shields of a particularly [[Wintermark]] cast. They have looted the dead, an egregious insult to those soldiers who laid down their lives to save Elos.
<div style="float:right; width: 200px; clear: left;">{{CaptionedImage|file=Clytemnestra.jpg|align=left|caption='''Clytemnestra of the House of the Wanderer''', General of the Argent Sword|width=200}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=Nathaniel of the Woodwych Harts.jpg|caption='''Nathaniel of the Woodwych Harts''', General of the Pilgrim's Defiance|align=left|width=200}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=Cadwell Waystone.png|caption='''Cadwell Waystone''', General of the Black Thorns|align=right|width=200}}</div>
While the Empire has magical allies, drawn from Autumn and Summer, the Grendel have more mundane auxiliaries. There are warbands of [[Asavean Archipelago|Asaveans]] among them, especially with the Hamsin. These mercenary soldiers particularly seek out opportunities to engage the Highborn troops, chanting blasphemous prayers to their [[Asavean_gods#The_Red_God|Red Goddess]] when they fight. They are cruel, and brutal, but they also seem to be a little on the back-foot. More used to fighting ragtag rebels along the shores of their archipelago than facing the bold steel of the Empire, perhaps. Their presence is a matter for concern; a consequence of the great Asavean battle-ships sailing alongside the Grendel navies. ''Venger's Blade'' and ''Balo's Grace'' are both here bolstering the Grendel navies.

The navies themselves bear powerful enchantments, according to observers high atop the walls of the White Fountain. Barely perceptible halos of [[Day magic]] flow and swirl in ordered patterns around the hundreds of ship along the coast. The ship captains and admirals oversee a smoothly oiled machine, where everyone seems to know where they are needed and where every opportunity for victory is quickly identified and exploited. This same magic washes over onto land; the Grendel are rigorously securing their positions in [[Redoubt#Naris|Naris]], bolstering the defences in anticipation of the siege they must know is coming. As their soldiers fight and die in the foothills, the marines and sailors prepare for the future.

==In Naris==
Fortunately, the navies are preoccupied, dealing with the [[Quickening Cold Meat|Winter spirits]] that haunt southern Naris after the destruction of the Fist of the Mountains. Many of those [[To_ruin#Battlefield_threat:_Winter_husks|unliving horrors]] were raised in [[Tassato]], cadavers of [[the League]] buried with [[To ruin#Battlefield opportunity: Recover Tassatan Gravegoods|grave goods]] that the Grendel raiders are eager to seize. Perhaps more importantly they have carried away [[To_ruin#Battlefield_opportunity:_Recover_the_Pinnacle|the Pinnacle]], a symbol of [[Pride]] for those who fought with the Fist. Divinations suggest it has been sent south to the court of Lord Garbhan, the Salt Lord of Deinath. What plans they might have for the stone are difficult to guess, but veterans who remember the fell use to which the [[Thule|Dragons]] once put the [[Crown of Three Tears]] fear the worst.

A greater loss, for the Urizen at least, is the [[Redoubt#Tower_of_Light_and_Shadow|Tower of Light and Shadow]], the seat of the [[Penumbral Watcher]]. The ''Rays of Uanán'' coven have torn away the shrouds that once protected the tower with a spell of [[Piercing Light of Revelation|merciless light]]. The delicate balance of [[Night magic]] that upheld the tower could not survive this rough treatment. Unravelled by ''Sky mage Kalleghan'' the secrets of the tower have been taken by the witches of the Naguerro; it remains to be seen what the former Lasambrian orcs will do with this lore.

Worst of all, news comes from spies and scouts that the navies are using their foothold to import [[white granite]], working feverishly to fortify the walls around the port of Elos. Crude by Imperial standards, these bolstered walls will nonetheless create an additional obstacle in reclaiming the port if they are completed. Both the granite and the engineering expertise comes not from the Grendel themselves but from their western allies. The old ''Sempronia'' family has apparently seized the quarries that once belonged to the now-much-reduced Tarquinius, but continue to supply the orcs of the Broken Shore. They are not attempting to throw up a [[fortification]]; the defences they are deploying are makeshift, similar to the kind of work the [[Army_qualities#Engineer|Towerjacks might do]]. It will make retaking Naris, and Elos in particular, much more challenging.

==Into Tomari==
While the bulk of the fighting takes place in Siluri, a sizable contingent of the Black Eels break off and along with Asavean mercenaries try to push east into [[Redoubt#Tomari|Tomari]]. It soon becomes clear that they cannot hope to make headway against the bastion of Cathan Canae, especially when the garrison of the Court of the White Fountain pulls back from the fighting in Siluri and comes to the defence of their neighbours. The speed and surety of the sentinel response puts the Black Eels on the back foot; they rethink their plans and ultimately fall back to rejoin the fighting in Siluri.

A small handful continue to raid the spires of western Tomari, but they are no match for the defenders. While they have some minor successes against a few spires taken by surprise, they are ultimately foiled by Urizen magic and the strength of the [[spire#citadel|citadels]] of Redoubt. Without the conjured fortress, though, the situation would have been very different. It's likely the Black Eels would have torn through the western spires, and seized a significant portion of Tomari.

==In the Shadow of Mount Siluri==
Naris and Tomari are far away from the foothills of Siluri, however, where great numbers of human and orc soldiers spill out their blood and sweat in pursuit of land. The Grendel have the advantage, in that their surprise attack has stolen a march on the Empire. It's obvious that had the Fist of the Mountain not been here, then their control of Siluri might have been completed before the Autumn Equinox and the fighting instead taken place in [[Redoubt#Limus|Limus]], threatening not only Cargo but the forges of the [[Seer_of_the_Spiral_Sword#The_Spiral_Sword|Spiral Sword]] and the western end of the [[Redoubt#Bridge_of_the_Air|Bridge of the Air]] as well for good measure.
{{CaptionedImage|file=Freeborn_Grendel.jpg|align=right|width=500|caption=The Grendel have triumphed in Redoubt, and now threaten both Cargo and the Brilliant Star.}}
The clash is furious, and the sides reasonably well-matched. What the Grendel lack in magic, they more than make up for with the support of their navies and their Asavean allies. In the end, the Imperial armies slow their advance, but cannot prevent them claiming Mount Siluri, and after that the entire region. The last battle takes place before the walls of the ''Keep of Azure Ice''; the frozen citadel holds for three days but in the end the orcs of the Broken Shore and the mercenaries of the west are able to breach the gate and seize the castle. After that, the writing is on the walls. The Imperial armies are forced to retreat back into Limus, towards Cargo.

The Imperial armies are bruised, but by no means bowed. Their retreat is orderly, controlled, disciplined. They take up positions in the hills around Cargo, bracing for another Grendel assault... which does not come. The invaders harry them as they withdraw, but do little more than probe the defences of the north-western hills. They seem content to secure their control of Siluri. They are clearly not prepared to risk beginning a siege of the well-defended walls of Cargo - built by an alliance of four nations - at least not yet. At the same time, there is a Grendel embassy in Cargo. For all that it has only a skeletal staff, it is almost inconceivable that that staff is not engaged in espionage against their hosts. Does the embassy pose a threat to the safety of Redoubt? Is the reason the Grendel are not yet pushing further north that they are waiting for some signal from the merchant-city?

There has been loss of life on both sides but it is a fraction of what it might have been without a combination of Spring magic and the cautious strategies employed. While Imperial and Grendel alike lost roughly the same number of troops, it is notable to the Imperial observers that the armies of the Grendel have been disproportionately weakened. The navies of the Attar offer support, but they are not at risk. The brunt of the fighting is endured by the Bone Nautilus and the Hamsin, while the Grendel admirals remain safely in the south.

Either way; as the Winter Solstice dawns Redoubt enjoys a moment to breathe, a delicate shroud of anticipation. Soldiers on both sides must be asking themselves "what next?" Will the Grendel strike toward Cargo, or will they seek easier pickings to the east? How far does their [[Grendel_religion#Ambition|Ambition]] extend? How far will their [[Grendel_religion#Audacity|Audacity]] take them? And how far will the Empire go to secure its own [[Grendel_religion#Retribution|Retribution]] against these invaders?
{{CaptionedImage|file=RegionsofRedoubt.png|caption=Dangerous lowlands and fortified citadels|title=Regions of Redoubt|align=right|width=400}}

==Game Information==
* '''Siluri and Naris are both in the hands of the Grendel'''
* '''Asavean allies are building makeshift fortifications in Elos
* '''The central heliopticon tower of Redoubt is in Grendel hands, reducing codification speed for the Doyen of the Spires'''
* '''The Tower of Light and Shadow has been seriously damaged'''
* '''The Winter husks unleashed after the fall of the Fist of the Mountain are being contained by the Grendel'''
Grendel forces now control both Siluri and Naris. A combination of cautious tactics on the part of the Grendel, the Empire's armies, and especially Imperial [[enchantment|enchantments]] prevented them from making even more significant gains. Without the Frozen Citadel of Cathan Canae in Tomari, for example, it is entirely possible the Black Eels might have claimed a quarter of Tomari and been well on their way to capturing the [[Brilliant Star]].

The Asavean allies of the Grendel among the Sempronia have provided white granite and expertise to construct makeshift defences around the port of Elos. These defences function in the same way as those that might be created by a force with the [[Army_qualities#Engineer|Engineer]] [[Army qualities|quality]] taking the ''Dig In'' order. They will be in place following the Winter Solstice, increasing the number of victory points needed to capture the Naris region by 10. This temporary fort will last until the start of the Summer Solstice, assuming that further effort is not expended to maintain or improve it... and assuming nobody interferes with the construction.

The loss of Siluri means that Redoubt's central [[heliopticon]] tower is in the hands of the Grendel, which has significant implications for the spires of Redoubt. While communication between spires is still possible, until this tower is liberated from the Grendel the ability of the [[Doyen of the Spires]] to [[Doyen_of_the_Spires#A_People_United|codify ritual texts]] will be reduced by 5 magnitude each season.

The delicate balance of [[Night magic]] that supported the [[Penumbral_Watcher#Tower_of_Light_and_Shadow|Tower of Light and Shadow]] - the Tilphussian Reach - has been wrecked by Grendel [[Day magic]]. The tower itself still stands, and as near as anyone can tell there is still a [[regio]] attuned to the Night realm in the vicinity, but its library has been extensively looted by the Grendel. It is feasible that if the tower is recovered, at least some of the power that once flowed here might be recovered in some form or another although that may require the aid of an [[eternal]]; the exact circumstances under which the Tilphussian Reach was harnessed are not common knowledge. Perhaps the [[Arcane Architect]] knows more?

The Winter spirits loosed by the fall of the Fist of the Mountains appear to have been contained, but it is not clear how much they have been weakened (if at all). Urizeni agents recount that ''[[Bones_in_the_ocean#Under_Contract|Saltbinder Grekodh]]'' - a Grendel master of the [[Winter magic|lore of salt]] - has been brought in to deal with the situation in some capacity.
{{CaptionedImage|file=Elos Harbour.png|align=right|width=400|caption=The beautiful harbour of Elos is in the hands of the Grendel and their Asavean allies.}}
===Grendel Opportunities===
* '''The Grendel are looting Urizen libraries in pursuit of magical lore'''
* '''The Pinnacle has been claimed by the Salt Lord of Deinath
The Grendel continue to loot Redoubt, particularly that of the Tower of Light and Shadow and the spires of Naris and Siluri. Imperial prognosticators speculate that it is likely the orcs of the Broken Shore have enough stolen arcana to [[opportunity|feasibly create]] an [[Army_qualities#Magic|arcane army]], or perhaps attract magicians to one or more of their [[army qualities#Mercenary|mercenary armies]]. Worse, however, is the grim spectre of a magical [[Imperial navy|navy]] combining manoeuvrability with the ability to deliver deadly [[curse|curses]] or hostile [[enchantment|enchantments]] anywhere along the coast of the Bay of Catazar.

The Pinnacle, the relic of the Fist of the Mountain claimed by Salt Lord Garbhan of Deinath, is a major prize for the Grendel. This trophy represents an [[opportunity]] for one of the barbarian armies to improve their [[army qualities|army quality]], or even create a new army with a potent quality much as the Empire has done on numerous occasions.

==Conjunctions==
* '''The Civil Service have identified several conjunctions of the Sentinel Gate leading to Redoubt'''
Several conjunctions of the [[Sentinel Gate]] have been identified by Imperial prognosticators that lead to Redoubt and the surrounds. It's not clear at this time what opportunities the conjunctions offer, but they're likely to involve Grendel efforts in the territory.

===A Short Path (Redoubt) ===
<div style="float:right; width: 300px; clear: right;">{{CaptionedImage|file=Tongs Barossa.jpg|align=right|caption='''"Tongs" Barossa''', Prelate of Adelmar's Shrine|width=300}}</div>
* '''The Academy of Arms is under attack by Asaveans and Grendel'''
* '''This skirmish is a [[Accessibility#Combat_Highly_Likely|combat highly likely]] encounter'''
* '''The ''Prelate of Adelmar's Shrine'' is [[Sentinel_Gate#Prognostication|responsible]] for defending the Academy'''
{{AgainstBarbarians}}
As the armies of the Grendel focus on claiming the rest of Siluri, a small company of Grendel lay siege to the [[Prelate_of_Adelmar%27s_Shrine#Academy_of_Arms|Academy of Arms]]. With them are Asaveans, relatives of those who tried to [[Drumbeat_of_war#Other_Weapons_(Conjunction)|burn it down]] a little over a year ago. Now, the followers of their corrupt pantheon of false gods are back, and if they are not stopped, they will burn the Academy of Arms to the ground. The mentors and students of the Academy are doing their best to hold them off; an academy of war is unsurprisingly adept at defence. Unfortunately, the Asaveans and their Grendel allies have time on their side, and supplies in the Academy are running low. If the Grendel and Asaveans are not defeated, then the Academy of Arms will fall within a fortnight. If the [[Prelate of Adelmar's Shrine]], '''Samantha "Tongs" Barossa De Tassato Regario''', can organise the defeat of the Grendel and Asaveans, then that will give the defenders a reprieve. The artisans will keep their [[Prelate_of_Adelmar%27s_Shrine#Gifts_of_Martial_Prowess|wares]] for the defenders, and nobody will be able to [[Prelate_of_Adelmar%27s_Shrine#Academy_Training|train]] in the gymnasium and palaestra, but the Prelate will still receive their twelve doses of [[liao]] at the Spring Equinox.

===Within the Stone (Redoubt)===
* '''A company of Grendel are travelling to raid the Brilliant Star'''
* '''The Grendel are accompanied by Asaveans'''
* '''This skirmish is a [[Accessibility#Combat_Highly_Likely|combat highly likely]] encounter'''
* '''The ''Custodian of the Brilliant Star'' is [[Sentinel_Gate#Prognostication|responsible]] for defeating the Grendel'''
{{AgainstBarbarians}}
Even as the Black Eels are forced to withdraw before the heralds of [[Cathan Canae]], there are other Grendel who take advantage of the fighting to move with speed and stealth across Tomari towards the [[Brilliant Star]]. Tomari still rightfully belongs to Urizen, but the Sentinel Gate shows that a small force - in the right place and at the right time - can make all the difference. If the company of Grendel and their Asavean allies can make it to the mithril mine, then they will loot as much as they can and be back behind Grendel lines before the garrison of the Court of the White Fountain can do anything to stop them. If they are not stopped, then the Custodian of the Brilliant Star, '''Volidus''', will receive only twenty wains of [[mithril]] next season. If they ''are'' stopped, then sentinels from nearby citadels will be able to secure the mine, guaranteeing that '''Volidus''' will receive the full thirty-one wains of mithril at the Spring Equinox, even if Tomari falls to the Grendel.

===At the Gardens (Necropolis) ===
* '''A company of Grendel are travelling to raid the Abbey of Reconciliation'''
* '''This skirmish is a [[Accessibility#Combat_Highly_Likely|combat highly likely]] encounter'''
* '''The ''Abbess of Reconciliation'' is [[Sentinel_Gate#Prognostication|responsible]] for defeating the Grendel'''
{{AgainstBarbarians}}
The focus of the [[Grendel#Salt_Council|Salt Council]] is clearly on Redoubt and Mareave; their navies and armies massing in those territories. However, individual Salt Lords, along with maistirs, quartermasters, and other wealthy Grendel, are almost always on the lookout for opportunities to increase their power.

''Eilidh'', maistir of the Haurlatch Iron Consortium, has dispatched a company of mercenaries to strike into Necropolis whilst the attention of the Highborn is elsewhere. The company are travelling through [[Necropolis#Fishguard|Fishguard]], towards the [[Abbess_of_Reconciliation#Abbey_of_Reconciliation|Abbey of Reconciliation]], intent on looting it and killing anyone who tries to defend it. Most of the residents will be able to flee, but the Abbey will need repairing if the Grendel are not stopped. It is the responsibility of the [[Abbess of Reconciliation]], '''Sister Rosa''', to organise the defeat of the Grendel.

The company are carrying their pay from previous contracts with them. It is likely to be something of a free-for-all looting these wealthy reavers if they can be defeated.

To ruin

2026-05-16T10:22:12Z

Rafferty:

[[Category:Recent History]] [[Category:387YE Autumn]] [[Category:Military Council]]
<div style="float:left; width: 500px; clear: right;">{{CaptionedImage|file=A Heroes Tale.jpg|caption=A hero has a name.|align=left|width=500}}</div>
==A Fistful of Runes==
{{audio|link=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bp2OmkEw9Z0}}
At first the watchers on the cliffs of [[Redoubt#Optarion|Visten]] believe it is a wave, a wall of water sweeping toward their shores; or perhaps a fogbank roused and motivated by powerful magic. Then the spyglasses of those in the towers reveal that it is neither. It is a forest of masts. An armada of Grendel ships. The alarm is raised, and as the news spreads quickly and the lights of the heliopticon flash their warning, the true scale of what is coming is made clear. All four Grendel navies are here - the Shamal, and the Simoom and the Tempest and the Golden Wind.

They bring the thunder with them; the beating of great drums, drums that keep time for those at the oars of the Asavean warships. The ''Leaping Bull'', sunk during the [[Harvest_of_infamy|failed attack on Meade]], has been replaced and more than that. Along with ''Venger’s Blade'' and ''Wind Tamer'' and ''Balo’s Grace'' come the ''Pilum Asav'' and the ''Deep Fury''. Five Asavean battle-ships, each with its own small fleet of auxiliary ships clustering in its wake, bound together by discipline and the beat of the drums. Each of the five would be a force to be reckoned with; together they might be a match for an entire Imperial or Grendel navy. Together with the Grendel armada…

''The runes click and clack and fall. [[Gralm|Crossroads]] and [[Jotra|swords]] and [[Ull|road]].''

They do not come with stealth - so many ships are a roaring stormfront - but they have swung out away from the shore as they arc westward, well out of reach of the defenders on the shore. The folk of Visten make ready for the attack as best they can - [[sentinel|sentinels]] in the harbour, magicians versed in healing and in battle-magic behind - but the armada does not stop. It does not care for Visten, nor for the Ribbon of Salt. And, indeed, the waters around the bay where the spire sits are too shallow for all save the lightest Grendel warships to approach. Even as the soldiers of the [[Redoubt#The_Court_of_the_White_Fountain|Court of the White Fountain]] - already on alert - rouse themselves the ships are gone, curving around the reaching headlands of [[Redoubt#Tomari|Tomari]].

As the armada gathers speed there is the faint hope that the Grendel might intend to keep moving, to smash themselves into the teeth of [[Necropolis#Reumah's_Rest|Reumah’s Rest]] or the [[Sarvos#The_Great_Chain|Great Chain]]. Yet there is a certainty, a foreboding, heavy in the hearts of the people of [[Redoubt#Elos|Elos]] as the harbingers of the heliopticon roar their alarm across Redoubt.

They come scything around Rebekah’s Leap, to the mouth of the lazy Couros, to [[Redoubt#Elos|Elos]] once more. [[On_southern_sands|Last time]] they attacked the port, they did so almost as an afterthought, on their way from Madruga to the Broken Shore. They were handed an embarrassing defeat by the combined force of the [[Citadel Guard]], the [[Towerjacks]], the [[Northern Eagle]], and the combined garrisons of [[Redoubt#Cargo|Cargo]] and the Court.

This time they seem fired up with a furious, terrible purpose. Everyone here knows what [[A beacon of smoke|happened in Siroc]], when last the Grendel and the Asaveans sailed together. Some folk retreat as the armada rounds the headland; most stay. They will fight to protect their home, to do what it takes to prevent their beautiful spire being rendered into ash.

''The runes spin and tumble, and the stars wheel overhead. The [[Queros|wave]], the [[Pallas|apple tree]], the [[Naeve|Fang]].''
<div style="float:right; width: 400px; clear: left;">{{CaptionedImage|file=Elos Harbour.png|align=left|caption=The port of Elos: white granite and light.|width=400}}</div>
==Knife in the Dark==
The garrisons are on the move as soon as the armada passes Visten. The [[sentinel|sentinels]] of the Court march east, the defenders of Cargo march south. The heliopticon chatters and winks. The little garrison at Elos readies itself. The seers at the [[Penumbral_Watcher#Tower_of_Light_and_Shadow|Tower of Light and Shadow]] search the [[Drawing the Penumbral Veil|shrouded]] sky for any beneficent sign but on these odd nights the constellations are unfamiliar - the true stars seem to [[The Lock|hide themselves away]], and the Crab, the Looking Glass, and the Bondring offer nothing that can be interpreted.

In the past the Grendel have sometimes assayed diplomacy before their attack, offering a chance to retreat and give them easy pickings. They do not do so this time. Horns blare, hundreds of horns, and the battle begins without preamble.

The green sails of the Tempest lead the way, a spear thrust straight to the heart of Elos’ defences. They allow nothing to distract them as they break through the harbour defences and seize control of several of the lighthouse towers. Behind and beside them come the Golden Winds and the red-sailed Shamal. They too [[Navy_orders#Shore_Offensive|strike straight]] into Elos - a risky strategy if there were any ships to oppose them but they must know there are not. As soon as they have secured part of the harbour wall, the Golden Winds begin disgorging Grendel warriors into the spire - the Black Eels and the Bone Nautilus and the Hamsin join the attack, three whole armies of the Broken Shore. The blue-sailed Simoom do not attack the docks directly, not at first, but rather assails the ships docked there - Imperial and Axou vessels are mercilessly boarded and looted, taken by the Grendel where time allows. Only those trading ships flying the flags of the Sarcophan Delves are spared - that vaunted neutrality serving as a shield.

The Asavean battle-ships follow behind, and once the Grendel have begun to secure the harbour they disgorge their own sunbronze armoured soldiers, their tridents soon bathed in the blood of Urizen sentinels.

They do their best, those brave defenders of Elos, but the odds are so stacked against them. They can only fall back, and hope against hope that aid is coming, as the Grendel secure more and more of the harbour and the reality - that the spire will fall next - becomes unavoidable.

''The runes bounce, spin. The [[Rhyv|red knife]], the [[Irremais|black blade]], the [[Verys|lion]] come to rest in a triangle about the crossroads and the road chosen.''
<div style="float:right; width: 500px; clear: left;"><quote by="Umarth 'Winter's Flame' Kannask, General of the Fist of the Mountains">There are dark omens in the sky, and a dread grows. When we cast the runes, however, we find hope. First among the runes is Zorech, and we take pride and passion that we do what must be done. You have liberated Madruga, and now you march to aid the Great Forest Orcs to the east. Your Ferocity and Loyalty is seen. Ignore those who doubt us. Despise folly and chastise the fool that spreads it. We make for the court of the white fountain, where we will pause to hem in the Husks, and alert the Urizen archers to our plans. The husks are useful, but do not let them stray. Keep them penned in till we unleash them next season.</quote></div>

==Horns on the Hillside==
A long journey along the coast has brought the Fist of the Mountains across the River Couros, over the [[A_beacon_of_smoke#News_From_the_Plain_(Necropolis)|Courspan bridge]]. Tired from the long march and the cold stares of Sarvos and Necropolis, the scops nonetheless keep spirits high as they come into Redoubt. An old army, the first army of [[Wintermark]]. Soldiers from the far north-west, supported by miners and engineers, regularly advised by clever [[Wintermark magical traditions#Icewalkers|icewalkers]] and proud [[Wintermark culture and customs#Art and History|scops]]. The soldiers of the Fist are known for their caution, and for their ability to fight viciously in tight spaces over vertiginous drops. Centuries of fighting in the mountains of [[Sermersuaq]], [[Skarsind]] and [[Hahnmark]] will no doubt set them in good stead for defending the mountains of Urizen.

That caution and cleverness is augmented these days by the [[divination|divinations]] of the [[Army_qualities#Farsighted|farsighted]] advisors that march with the army. The [[mystic|mystics]] mark the omens, mark the fall of the runes, and if their advice is heeded the Fist of the Mountains is almost never where the enemy expects it to be - but often in just the right place at just the right time.

The dead follow in their wake, last to cross the bridge under the disapproving gaze of the [[Steward of the Dead|stewards]] of Ethan's Respite. In Winter last year, the magicians of Wintermark [[Quickening Cold Meat|drew down a host of Winter spirits]] to fight with the Fist. The [[Follow_me_my_friend#Where_All_That's_Wrong_is_Right|dead walked]] in [[Tassato]] and marched with the Fist to [[Follow_me_my_friend|battle in Reinos]], and in the [[Long_grass_and_stormclouds#On_Freeborn_Shores|Quiet Grasses of Madruga]]. Their presence as the army marched through [[Sarvos]] and [[Necropolis]] did not go unremarked, of course. Not that all the winter spirits still wear the dead flesh of [[the League]]. There are a few [[orc|orcs]] of the [[Reinos|Lasambrian Hills]] among them now, still showing the wounds that killed them, crusted with dry blood. The spirits of the [[Realms#Winter|Winter realm]] do not care where the meat comes from, and the death of the husk is no great impediment to them.

To Redoubt come the Fist of the Mountains, and the dead, and the ravens, and the jackdaws, and the hawks fly ahead of them to presage their coming.

''The runes clatter like old bones. Both lanterns - [[Ophis|light]] and [[Diras|dark]] - with the [[Xun|wyrm]] between them on the mystic’s mat.''

They come to Redoubt, where they are not expected to be, into the teeth of the storm. Is this, here, the right place? Is now the right time?
{{CaptionedImage|file=GenFistoftheMountains.jpg|caption=Umarth Kannask, General of the Fist of the Mountains|align=right|width=250}}
==A Hero's Tale==
The light of the heliopticon shrieks a warning and despite their long march, the Fist of the Mountains gird themselves and move straight to engage the Grendel and their Asavean allies. Nobody will ever know it for sure but they arrive, their [[Banner-Bearer|banner-bearers]] sound the horns of battle, at the exact moment the first Grendel sets foot on the docks. Sometimes the world is simply like that, a mass of secret knots that no mortal will ever see.

Horns blare, and the warriors of Wintermark come to the aid of the people of Urizen. People they have never met, for the most part. Strangers, for whom the heroes of the ‘Mark are prepared to shed blood and lay down their lives if it comes to it. The mystics have read the signs, and the icewalkers have read the winds, and the veterans have read those symbols that are seen only by the eye of those who have known battle and survived. They do not charge pell-mell to the assault; their strategy is considered, careful, but no less resolute and courageous for all that.

The first priority is to protect the people of Elos, to give those who would be overwhelmed a chance to fight or flee. The second is to keep the Grendel from taking the harbour, or the spire, or to make them pay dearly for doing so. To delay them so that the garrisons to the north and the east can reach Naris. So that whatever harm is done here is contained, is ameliorated, if it cannot be prevented.

''They are very far from home, and some of the runestones are still in the air, still tumbling toward the mystics mat.''

At first the appearance of the Fist of the Mountains seems to set the attackers into disarray. They do not seem to have anticipated any major Imperial forces to be present at all. Yet they rally quickly, adjusting their approach to deal with the unexpected presence of four thousand Winterfolk. It quickly becomes clear that while the Tempest, the Shamal, the Golden Winds, and the Asavean warships are here to conquer, the rest of the Grendel forces are in a much more [[Army_qualities#Foraging|larcenous]] frame of mind. They fight, of course, but they are more interested in engaging in [[maggot|maggotry]] - stealing the wealth of this prosperous port for themselves. This by itself would be enough to ignite the fury of Wintermark, even without the threat to the innocent people of Naris.

Battle rages through the avenues of Elos, between the living and the dead. The Grendel are at a disadvantage because they cannot bring their full force to bear on the Winterfolk in one go - the streets of Urizen are wide but they are not ''that'' wide. Instead the cunning people of the north-west employ hit-and-run tactics, having a seemingly uncanny insight that lets them avoid the counterattacks set against them, an uncanny sense for where they can catch the Grendel unawares. An [[astronomancy|astronomancer]] might nod sagely and speak of the nature of The Door; but the magicians of Elos have more pressing matters on their minds.

It’s quickly obvious that the Fist of the Mountains cannot stop the Grendel capturing Elos. They can delay, but the conquest appears inevitable. Plans are begun to withdraw, a fighting retreat, taking as many of the Urizen with them as they possibly can.

Elos falls to the Grendel. The Fist of the Mountains retreat.

==Now For Wrath==
Elos falls, but the battle continues. This is no simple raid; the Grendel are here in force and they are here to conquer. They spread out across the coast, and spire after spire falls before them. They plunder freely, stealing a king’s ransom in crystal mana, dozens of magical items, and anything else with value that they can get their hands on. Yet they also establish encampments, seizing structures to turn to their own ends. Their ambition seems to be to take the whole of Naris… and perhaps more.

Joined at last by the garrisons of Cargo and the Court, the Fist of the Mountains continue to fight them at every turn, to stymie their plans, to slow them and turn them back where they can. They clash with the Black Eels, and the Hamsin, and the Bone Nautilus time and again, buying time for besieged Urizeni spires to escape with their greatest treasures - their books and their scrolls - even as they must leave so much else behind. If the Grendel hoped to seize some of the magical lore of Urizen, those hopes are unrealised.

It is just a matter of time before Naris falls entirely to the armada and the Asaveans. Yet even that does not appear to be the full extent of the Grendel strategy. The farsighted seers and scouts of the Fist of the Mountains have unearthed one more layer of intent, more to this attack than just the desire for conquest and plunder.

''The runes are settling now. The [[Hirmok|scythe]], the [[Sular|ship]], the [[Mawrig|storm]].''
<div style="float:right; width: 250px; clear: left;">[[File:FistoftheMountains_Colour.png|link=387YE_Summer_Solstice_Military_Council_orders#Fist_of_the_Mountains]]</div>

==Let This Be The Hour==
The Grendel have always been clear about one thing; they will be the uncontested masters of the Bay of Catazar. They will not countenance the Empire raising an [[navy]]. They burnt the shipyard at Atalaya, and the Freeborn Storm, to secure their dominance. Their spymasters must now realise the potential inherent in the Grand Harbour at Elos, that it could quickly become a place where navies were raised, almost on their doorstep. Or perhaps it is just the wealth of Urizen that calls them, like carrion birds. Either way, they do not plan to simply ''hold'' Elos. They plan to remove it as a threat. Permanently.

To that end, they have brought with them a misshapen sphere of tempest jade seized from the [[Bay_of_Catazar#Temple_of_Tempest_Jade|Temple of Tempest Jade]] in distant [[Bay of Catazar#Raineach|Raineach]]. A treasure of High Priestess Shivaarn plundered from her stronghold and brought here to the shores of Redoubt. A thing of the [[Siakha|Maelstrom]] intended to unleash absolute devastation against the harbour and the spire, to absolutely devastate them so that there might be no thought of Urizen or Highguard raising navies here. A show of strength and power. Not a crude burning such as the Asaveans forced in Siroc, but a careful and calculated excision. The removal of a thorn.

(And if that attack also destroys the Tower of Light and Shadow… well it’s doubtful the spies and agents of the Broken Shore will weep overlong with that particular annoyance dealt with).

The talisman will kill, most likely, a lot of people as well. There is every chance it will destroy not only Elos, but may threaten the mouth of the Couros itself and perhaps even [[Necropolis#The Necropolis|the Necropolis]] which after all is barely more than a bridge away to the west. Apparently this is a price the Grendel are prepared to pay to send an unequivocal message to the people of the Empire. That ''they'' own the Bay of Catazar, and that ships sail it at ''their'' whim.

It would be easy for the Fist of the Mountains to leave the Grendel to it, to let them destroy the port, to kill those people, to unleash ruinous [[Spring magic]] whose full reach cannot be predicted. But these are the heroes of Wintermark and they will not allow such an atrocity to take place. This is the Fist of the Mountains, and while there are dark omens, and dread grows, there is also hope. It will be no easy task, but it will need to be done swiftly if it is to work. There is no time for the heroes of Anvil to pass through the [[Sentinel Gate]] - so overwhelming has the Grendel attack been that it must be faced ''now'' or Elos will be lost and who can say for sure what else may be threatened as well. The omens are clear.

The catastrophe sphere is being erected in the plaza at the heart of the harbour, and it is there the heroes of Wintermark must strike if they are to end the Grendel scheme. They mirror, in a way, the Grendel attack. They move hard and fast, driving their blade deep into the heart of the Grendel occupying forces. Their assault takes the southern orcs and their mercenaries by surprise, exploits the fact that so many of them are bent on plunder and keen to ensure that ''they'' not their fellows get first bite of the apple.

They break the perimeter of Grendel-held Redoubt, and they do not stop. They have barely stopped since they left Madruga, and exhaustion must be taking a heavy toll, but they will not, cannot let this horror unfold while they are there to take action. Lives are spent to get as many warriors as possible to the heart of Elos, back into the settlement they had been driven out of. So many lives. The Urizen sentinels support them of course, but it is Wintermark that must pay the price and take the lead, and all the farsight and omens in the wide world can only take one so far.

Vicious fighting ignites again in Elos, but this time it is the Imperial Winterfolk attacking a Grendel-held settlement. More lives paid to get to the heart of the harbour. A cordon of sneering Asavean mercenaries stands between the heroes and their quarry, but they are no match for the blades of the ‘Mark. More specifically, they are no match for the dead, the Winter spirits clad now as often in Grendel husks as in Leaguish ones. They fall on the Asaveans, whose arrogant contempt turns to chaotic terror as the beasts start to feast. The heroes of Wintermark are right behind and more blood spilled, more brave soldiers fall whose bodies will not find their place in the marshes of the Sovennan.

At the last, the Grendel magicians and their Lord themselves fight, to keep the Empire at bay. As the dead feast, as it becomes clear that, impossibly, the Fist of the Mountains cannot be stopped, one of the Grendel tries to bring that ugly, squatting sphere of tempest jade to life. A crackling green glow blossoms within it…

''The last few runes land and lie still. The [[Tykonus|banner]]. The [[Lann|hound]]. The [[Feresh|eagle]]. Only one more still tumbles.''

… and then a two-handed hammer smashes against the crystal. Once, twice, a third time, cracking, cracking, and then shattering the infernal crystalline eye wide open. An unknown warrior of Wintermark, with a great hammer, and the courage of [[Inga Tarn]] herself flowing in their veins, ends the Grendel scheme. Breaks the priceless orb into a thousand pieces. The energy within hurls everyone in the plaza to the ground as it discharges and there is a moment of creaking silence.

Elos still stands. The harbour still stands, the spire. The waters of the Bay continue to surge, the Couros continues to flow, and the clouds that gather are nothing more than clouds. It starts to rain.

The price though… the price that has been paid.

''The last rune lands, and the silence falls. The [[Yoorn|shears]].''
{{CaptionedImage|file=Yoorn.png|title=Rune: Yoorn|align=right}}

==Like Rain On The Mountain==
The Fist of the Mountains have paid that price. Like the first [[Burning Falcon#History|Burning Falcon]] at [[Kallavesa#Ishal|Ishal]]. Like the [[Hounds of Glory]] at the [[Cost#Glory|Towers of Dusk]]. Like the [[Iron Helms]] and [[Isaella's Dance]] [[under eastern skies]]. The cost of stopping the Grendel destroying Elos, and risking so much else beside; the cost of ensuring that the libraries of the spires remain unlooted; the cost of slowing the Grendel, of confining them to Naris; of winning Urizen vital breathing space. That cost, that price, has been the Fist of the Mountains. The eldest of the Wintermark armies has fallen. The skein has been cut with the black iron shears that end all things in time.

They cut a swathe through the might of the Grendel with foresight and irrepressible courage. They taught the haughty Asaveans to fear. They seized victory even if it cost them everything else. They will sing songs of the Fist of the Mountains in Kallavesa, and in Hahnmark, and in Sermersuaq.

And everywhere else, as well, if the scops have any say in the matter.
{{CaptionedImage|file=RegionsofRedoubt.png|caption=Dangerous lowlands and fortified citadels|title=Regions of Redoubt|align=right|width=500}}
==Game Information==
* '''Grendel forces have seized Naris and are seven-tenths of the way toward conquering Siluri'''
* '''They now control Elos, including several commissions there, and the Tower of Light and Shadow'''
* '''The Fist of the Mountains army has disbanded'''
The Grendel have launched a major assault against Redoubt along with five Asavean battleships. They took the port at Elos, and then quickly spread to capture the whole of [[Redoubt#Naris|Naris]]. They are seven-tenths of the way toward claiming [[Redoubt#Siluri|Siluri]] as well.

As the Grendel have captured the [[Elosian_Architect#Great_Harbour_at_Elos|Great Harbour at Elos]], the [[Elosian Architect]] and the [[Quaymaster of the Hesychian Docks]] have lost access to their ministries. The [[fleet]] owners of Redoubt have also lost the [[great work]] benefit provided by the harbour.

They have likewise, seized the [[Penumbral_Watcher#Tower_of_Light_and_Shadow|Tower of Light and Shadow]] removing the ability of the [[Penumbral Watcher]] to gain further resources. It’s not clear if they have penetrated the tower, but it is no longer in Imperial hands. They are also threatening the [[Prelate_of_Adelmar%27s_Shrine|Academy of Arms]] in Siluri, but at the moment the shrine there, dedicated to [[Adelmar the Lion]] remains in Imperial hands.

The Fist of the Mountains army has disbanded, due to the overwhelming force brought against it. The brave sacrifice of the heroes of Wintermark has stopped the Grendel from destroying the Great Harbour at Elos, and causing significantly more damage as well. It also ensured that the Grendel would not take Siluri this season as well as Naris; prevented them from looting any significant magical texts; and ensured that the majority of Urizen in the invaded regions were able to flee to safety.

While the Fist of the Mountains have put paid to the Grendel using the stolen boon of Siakha to devastate Elos, they are still in possession of the region where it stands. Without a swift and effective response from the Empire it is eminently possible they will fall back on purely mundane means to achieve their goal - destroying the Great Harbour and with it the Hesychian Docks and perhaps the Tower of Light and Shadow as well. Unless they change strategies (and with the Grendel, nothing is ever guaranteed), these three commissions will be ruined by the start of the Winter Solstice if they are not dealt with.

===The Dead===
*'''There are a thousand winter spirits in Naris
Unfortunately, when they disbanded, the Fist of the Mountains was [[enchantment|enchanted]] with dangerous [[Winter magic]]. The ritual had nearly run its course - indeed the general seems to mention in their orders of planning to unleash them in the [[Sarangrave]] - but with the destruction of the army the spirits have been freed prematurely.

It is not clear what this means, but there is a thousand-strong force of unliving husks, motivated entirely by the desire to feed on mortal flesh, loose in Naris now. They will certainly remain for at least a season, after which they will ‘’probably’’ retreat back to the [[Realms#Winter|Winter realm]]... but that is by no means a certainty in a place as powerfully magical as Urizen. Indeed, there are still unliving horrors in parts of [[Zenith]] from last time the ritual ended in Urizen.

Regardless, they represent an unknown danger. Destroying their bodies is rarely enough to do more than slow them down - the spirit simply finds another corpse to inhabit. And while they most often take a new body from those nearby they can in theory inhabit a cadaver anywhere in the same territory.

===Hunger of the Gulls===
* '''A significant portion of the Grendel force were involved in raiding
A significant portion of the Grendel army was engaged in looting and plundering, rather than focusing on taking land or fighting the defenders of Redoubt. They have seized a significant amount of wealth, especially crystal mana and valuables. They have not, however, managed to claim any significant magical works - the Fist of the Mountains has ensured that the spires of south-western Redoubt were able to retreat safely.

It's probable that this vicious raid has had an impact on the Imperial Treasury, however. Redoubt is perhaps the richest of the Urizen territories, and Elos has become one of the wealthiest spires in the territory. Precisely how much impact this will have will need to be seen - the [[Master of the Imperial Mint]] will likely be the first to know.
===And Finally...===
* '''Eilian Sweetwater, is unaccounted for; he was involved in an extended appraisal of the historical lighthouses of the Empire
Given the significance of events going on in Redoubt, one final matter almost gets overlooked. During the Summer Solstice, the Imperial Senate approved a requested sabbatical from [[Appraisal#Eilian_Sweetwater|Eilian Sweetwater]], in which he intended to make a study of the Empire's historic lighthouses. The first historic lighthouse he was asked to look at was the fallen lighthouse of Nikephoros... in Redoubt. Sweetwater certainly reached Elos shortly before the Grendel attack, and was known to be looking for a captain prepared to take him and his companions to the rock where the lighthouse once stood. Unfortunately, nobody has any idea what happened to him after that.

It's possible he died during the raid, or is somewhere among those fleeing the Grendel advance. It's possible he has fallen into the hands of the invaders - either the Broken Shore or the Asaveans. It's possible he and his friends are currently sat on a desolate rock in the Bay of Catazar with no way to communicate with anyone that doesn't risk attracting the attention of the invaders. Either way, it is ''very'' unlikely he will be providing his report on the lighthouse during the Autumn Equinox.
{{CaptionedImage|file=Lock&KeyIllustrationInk.JPG|title=The Lock and The Key (Illus.)|align=right|width=256|height=240}}
==Battle Opportunity : All That is Gold==
The loss of the [[Fist of the Mountains]] has sent shockwaves across [[Redoubt#Naris|Naris]] and all of [[Redoubt]]. Some who chose to remain in the region now flee. Once secure in the belief that the army and the Court of the White Fountain would hold back the invaders, now the dead also stalk the coasts of the territory. The fear grows further when news of the raid on [[Sarvos]] and the advance of the [[Grendel]] in [[Mareave]]. Will aid come this season? Can armies be spared from the eastern front with the [[Druj]]? Those who were once refugees from [[Zenith]] remember the death and misery they endured. Refugees from [[Redoubt#Elos|Elos]] and the surrounding spires steam north and east, away from the coast.

The Grendel, too, are perhaps taken aback. Their initial plan to destroy Elos has been thwarted; hundreds of mercenary soldiers lost for nothing, money wasted. Imperial war scouts report that there is some contention between Moridun forces eager to find blame, or at least ensure they are not ascribed with failure in the eyes of the Salt Lords back home. But slowly, as the equinox approaches, an understanding is gained of what the Naguerro are attempting. Their focus has shifted from the rubble-strewn streets of Elos to the wider coastline as units of wave riders spread out in search of regios and to explore every corner of the rugged shores.

The prognosticators have identified an opportunity, amid the confusion and uncertainty of the interaction between [[The_Key_and_The_Lock#The_Lock|the Lock]] and [[The_Key_and_The_Lock#The Key|the Key]], to reach the ''Tilphussian Approach'' an area of scattered heath and woodland that rises up to the cliffs of Naris and the hidden [[Redoubt#Tower_of_Light_and_Shadow|Tower of Light and Shadow]]. Heroes can travel through the [[Sentinel Gate]] on either day of the equinox to reach the location.

===Objective: Preserve the Shrouds===
* '''The Tower of Light and Shadow is under threat from Grendel Sky ritualists'''
* '''Preventing the ritual team from casting Piercing Light of Revelation will protect the Tower'''
* '''Without intervention, the Grendel will be able to locate the Tower and loot and destroy it after the summit'''
* '''The Naguerro are hoping to make use of whatever resources they take from the Tower'''

The Grendel have been made aware of the existence of the Tower of Light and Shadow, the residence of the [[Penumbral Watcher]], from their now shattered [[A_dark_and_stormy_night#Watchers'_Flute|espionage ring]]. Thus far, the arcane nature of the structure and the eldritch nature of the magics emanating from the Tilphussian Reach have prevented them from actually discovering the tower's physical location. ''Caoimhe Kalleghan'', a senior magician operating alongside the Bone Nautilus, has dispatched a [[The_League_magical_traditions#Realms|Sky]] [[coven]], the ''Rays of Uanán'', to the Naris peninsula to locate the Reach and pierce the shrouds that hide the Tower from the Grendel's forces.

The coven sustained several key losses when the Fist of the Mountains sacrificed themselves to save the harbour. Information indicates the ritualists have secure supplies of [[Game_items#Mana_Crystals|mana crystals]] and [[Category:Paraphernalia|paraphernalia]] to assist their work and make up for the loss of mastery they faced. Due to the strange character of the tower's shrouds, they need to cast [[Piercing Light of Revelation]] at Magnitude 30 at a strong [[Day magic|Day]] [[regio]] at the ''Tilphussian Approach'' on both Saturday and the Sunday of the equinox, otherwise the tower will remain hidden.

Killing the ''Rays of Uanán'' coven would utterly defeat Kalleghan's schemes, but the coven could simply be prevented from accessing the regio to thwart their plans. If the opportunity is not taken, or the coven are not stopped from casting their rituals, then the Sky mage Kalleghan will be able to loot the magical knowledge found there. Given how delicate the magic is, there will be nothing left of the tower's strange dweomer afterwards - if the Grendel loot the tower, the Penumbral Watcher will be no more. The Naguerro are skilled magicians and reportedly have plans to make use of whatever treasures the tower gives up.

===Objective: Control the Spirits===
{{CaptionedImage|file=Binding Gems of the Three.jpg|width=300|caption=The gemstones will be delivered to the war scout if the battle is chosen.|title=Gemstones of indeterminate size|align=right}}
* '''Hundreds of Winter spirits animate the bodies of the dead across Naris'''
* '''The ''Thrice-Cursed Court'' collectively offer to take control of these terrors'''
* '''Successfully completing the offer of ''The Bound'' will give the Thrice Cursed Court control of the horde'''
Since the death of Empress Britta, the Winter ritual of [[Quickening Cold Meat]] has been used a number of times to call forth spirits to animate the dead to fight alongside the forces of the Empire. It is a powerful ritual, but all too often, there are unwelcome consequences when the ritual reaches its duration or is cut short. With the fall of the Fist of the Mountains, there are nigh on a thousand shambling cadavers that plague Naris, threatening both the fleeing citizens of Elos, the garrison of the Court of the White Fountain, and the Grendel invaders.

A way to contain the threat comes from an unexpected quarter. A meek and emaciated figure, more scar tissue and rent flesh than normal skin, stumbles from the Anvil regio to the Hub. There it offers a boon of the [[The Thrice-cursed Court|Three Acting as One]], a rare proposition from the ''Three'' who so often bicker and conspire between them. The Court propose to claim the spirits, seizing control of them and thereby preventing them from running amok.

All that is asked of the Empire is for three people to bear a bound gemstone with them onto the battlefield. Each stone, one from each member of the Court, will allow the bearer to endure great hardship in combat, but come at the [[Pallid_Flesh_of_the_Dead_King|expense of their vitality]], as if they were afflicted by a powerful venom. The bearers will need to head into the horde of dead and locate three white granite pillars. The gems must each be left at the base of one of the pillars as an offering to the ''Bound'', enabling them to focus their power and seize control of the spirits across the region in the days that follow.

===Battlefield opportunity: Recover the ''Pinnacle''===
* '''Pinnacle is a relic of the founding of the Fist of the Mountains'''
* '''With the loss of the army, the stone has been looted by the Grendel'''
* '''Recovering ''Pinnacle'' will prevent the Grendel selling or utilising the relic in future'''
The story of ''Mountain's Pinnacle'' is a tale from the founding of the Fist of the Mountains. ''Reeta Larksong'' of Fernhal, a stormcrow of Hahnmark who helped found the army, was the first bearer of the relic. According to the tales, Reeta climbed to the highest peak of [[Hahnmark#The Fingers|the Fingers]] and ripped a stone from the mountainside with her bare hands. Hardly an ostentatious memento, it was carried without pomp for centuries by the stormcrows, serving as a reminder of the steadfast mountains from where the first warriors journeyed to join the army. Its existence was once a well-kept secret, and with few outside the army even aware of its existence. But with it falling into the hands of the Grendel, the few surviving crows of the army are keen to see ''Pinnacle'' recovered. If it can be found, the Wintermark egregore can ensure it is returned to the summit of the Fingers where it can remain as a symbol of the Pride in those heroes who gave their lives against the southern barbarians. Otherwise, the Grendel are bound to try and find some nefarious use for it.

===Battlefield opportunity: Exfiltrate the Turncoat===
* '''''Muirgheal Cuindlis'' wishes to defect to the League'''
* '''The maistir will seek out League free companies carrying pikes wrapped in purple'''
* '''They will need help fleeing the battlefield, someone would need to cast Cuckoo's Egg'''
* '''Cuindlis will offer jewels worth ten thrones to those who bring her to safety'''
The mercurial Grendel agent known only as the ''Red Ibis'' has surfaced once again, contacting the civil service on behalf of one ''Muirgheal Cuindlis''. She is understood to be a merchant formerly based in Dubtraigh, with previous links to [[Feroz]] during the occupation of Governor Rahab. Having lost considerable amounts of money in the changing tides of the war with the Empire, Muirghael has evidently decided to break ties with the Salt Lords and seek a better life in the Empire. Using the last of her amassed wealth, she bought a maistir commission in the Hamsin army and reached out to the ''Red Ibis'' to seek assistance in escaping the Broken Shore.

Despite her military rank, Muirgheal has no access to military secrets or campaign intelligence that is not already known to the Imperial civil service. However, she is wealthy and willing to pay those who help her get out. Understood to be eager to join the League and settle in the port city of Sarvos, Muirghael will need locating, and then returning to Anvil via the [[Cuckoo's Egg]]. The maistir has made it clear that she will seek out "pikes wrapped in purple" on any battlefield, taking this to be a sign of the League's acceptance of her defection. The biggest difficulty will likely be the commander's unit that will not let her escape with her life should treachery be evident. If successfully brought to Anvil, Cuindlis has promised those who bring her to her new life ten thrones and goodwill gestures from any future business endeavours she is able to establish in Sarvos.

===Battlefield opportunity: Recover Tassatan Gravegoods===
* '''The dead of Tassato still bear with them their burial finery'''
* '''Jewellery of value may be found on the shambling dead'''
* '''An agent will visit the League camp after the battle to discuss suitable rewards'''
When the Fist of the Mountains were enchanted with Quickening Cold Meat, it wasn't just the bodies of the dead that rose from mortuary slabs or crawled from family vaults. Valuables of the dead, masks and rings especially, were born from crypts with their former owners. Many citizens of the [[Tassato|twin city]] are keen to recover these family heirlooms; the lost jewellery of their forebears. Even more so, the distraught city-folk are keen to ensure that the jewellery is not pillaged by the Grendel and hawked off in the back streets of [[Bay_of_Catazar#Dubhtraig|Dubtraigh]]. Should any citizen recover valuable jewellery from the husks on the battlefield, a merchant prince acting on behalf of the deceased's families will be available at 13:00 that day, at the crossroads of the League camp to negotiate rewards for their return.

===Battlefield threat: Winter husks===
* '''Hundreds of dead shamble the area, animated by spirits of the Winter realm'''
* '''The husks can be destroyed through various means'''
The spirits of the Winter realm are able to animate the bodies of the deceased, making recently fallen corpses or long-dead skeletons rise and shamble into combat. Rarely are such husks a major threat; their jerking movements and decaying equipment are no match for a skilled soldier or hero of the Empire, but in great numbers, they can overwhelm unprepared foes.

Wise heads and keen minds are the best weapons when combating Winter-animated husks on a large scale. Priests will be able to [[Exorcism|exorcise]] a husk with a single dose of [[liao]], firm in the knowledge that the possessing spirits cannot resist such force of will. Skilled warriors able to land [[Calls#CLEAVE|cleaving strikes]] or [[Calls#IMPALE|mortal blows]] can make short work of the monsters, severing limbs and bisecting the torsos of the monsters with ease. Even simple strikes will be sufficient to bring down a corpse, enabling a swift decapitating strike to prevent the body from rising again.

===Battlefield threat: Strange Conjunction===
* '''The strange interaction between the Lock and the Key is interfering with the Conjunction'''
* '''The nations going through the gate will be split in two'''
* '''The first half of the nations will emerge in the forest, near the husks'''
* '''The second half of the nations will emerge in the open near the Grendel forces'''
* '''The war scout will discuss the order with the Field Marshal if the Military Council choose this battle'''

The inexplicable astronomantic effect involving [[The Key and The Lock]] is affecting the conjunction of the Sentinel Gate. After careful investigation, the prognosticators are confident that the Gate will work as predicted, but it won't be as straightforward as usual.

Because of the strange magic, the forces going through the Gate should expect to be divided into two groups. The first half of those going through will emerge near the husks. Those who go through after them will appear in the open near the Grendel forces. The war scout will discuss the implications and the order that nations should go through with the Field Marshal if the Military Council elect to take advantage of this strange conjunction.

A beacon of smoke

2026-05-16T10:21:54Z

Rafferty:

[[Category:Recent History]] [[Category:385YE Winter]] [[Category:Military Council]]
<div style="float:left; width: 600px; clear: right;">{{CaptionedImage|file=A beacon of salt.png|caption=The Freeborn philosophy is that society is best served when every individual is responsible for themselves and to themselves.|align=left|width=600}}</div>{{audio|link= https://youtu.be/stKMG93Jdgw?si=6EiBbnrWTo18Wf6B}}
<div class="captioned-image captioned-image-{{{align|right}}}" style="clear: {{{align|right}}}">[[File:UrizenMagician.jpg|124x110px|link= https://youtu.be/vjwH_Nqs1Aw]]<div class="caption">Alternate audio version</div></div>
==City of Sails==
The [[Madruga#Siroc|City of a Thousand Sails]] is always enumerated alongside [[Mitwold#Meade|Meade]], [[Hahnmark#Kalpaheim|Kalpaheim]], and the cities of the League. Billowing Siroc, the Sapphire. The hakima say that it was founded by [[Tribe#Embracing_Guerra|Guerra]], that passionate opponent of slavery, driven to build a better world.

Brightly coloured tents extend Siroc out far beyond the small cluster of stone buildings that make up the heart of the city. Sails of all shapes and sizes fill the sheltered bay, guarded by twin towered keeps on either side of the bay along the approach to the harbour. The Salt Guard, [[The_same_bed#The_Salt_Guard|designed]] by Menno van Ritsjhof, and part of the legacy of [[Empress Lisabetta|Imperatrix Lisabetta's]] plan to armour the [[Bay of Catazar]] against the Grendel.
Each of the two halves of the Salt Guard is equipped with powerful engines of war, and garrisoned by skilled mariners and corsairs who ensure the towers are always ready to respond to any threat. Between the towers, the iron chains and nets that have guarded the harbour for centuries, since they were first imported at great expense from the forges of [[Wintermark]]. Menno van Ritsjhof believed the Salt Guard would make it impossible to assault the City of Rainbow Canvas by sea.

But he was wrong.
__TOC__
==Vengeance As A Burning Flame==
The first watchers to spy the Grendel Armada approaching assume they must be seeing things. Mistaking a great wave, or a bank of fog, for the wall of masts and sails. Red, green, yellow, and blue, the sails and the mast-banners announce what must surely be the entire Grendel navy speeding from the south-east toward the Madrugan coast. They are low in the water; their holds are packed but presumably with warriors rather than trade goods.

Some of those ships have been seen recently, in other ports across the Bay. Through spyglasses, increasingly panicked watchers make out ships from the yellow-sailed Golden Winds and the green-sailed Tempest. Both navies have [[Shallow_days#Visiting_Armadas|anchored off Imperial cities]] in the last year, escorting merchants, their crew coming ashore to eat and drink in the paradors of Siroc, laughing and joked with the Freeborn, frequenting the markets of the Sapphire, all under the aegis of the [[Ratify_treaty_with_the_Grendel_Autumn_383YE|two-year peace treaty]]. The treaty that has just run its course.

There are not only Grendel ships among the armada. As they get closer, as the warning bells echo across the city, the glasses pick out the Asavean warships flanking the main force. Balo's Grace, Leaping Bull and Wind Tamer. The warships that destroyed the Isle of the Justicars, that slaughtered the people of Shantarim. With them a scattering of other war-vessels, far from their home in the distant west.

It's clear why they are here, and were it the Grendel alone it would be bad enough. But the presence of the Asaveans fills those who have an inkling of what is to come with a terrible foreboding.
<div style="float:right; width: 500px; clear: right;">
<table class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="float: right; margin-left:10px; width=50%; max-width:500px;">
<tr><th>Captain</th><th>Nation</th><th>Territory</th><th>Banner</th></tr>
<tr><td>Iñez i Azul-Mar i Erigo</td><td>The Brass Coast</td><td>Kahraman</td><td>Bloodgold Jackals</td></tr>
</table></div>

==Salt Stone, Iron Net==
Massive as the armada is, it must contend with the Salt Guard. Trebuchet and catapult are armed and ready, launching great chunks of stone toward the attacking ships. A cheer goes up as one of the lead Grendel ships, a green-sailed vessel of the Tempest, is smashed to flotsam by the first stone.

Bronze sigils shimmer and flicker across the walls of the twin towers. Imperial magicians have used the potent [[Autumn magic]] to [[Mystic_scrolls_of_Estavus#Ramparts_of_Ashlar|magically reinforce]] the Salt Guard, with power acquired from the realm of the [[Estavus|Forge Mistress]]. The siege engines are loaded by towering bronze constructs drawn from the City of Fire and Stone, the volcano-smithy of Shikal. The magical sigils of fire, stone, strength ripple across the chains and nets as they are raised across the harbour mouth. The marines themselves wait nervously, the sweat that beads their skin not only due to the supernatural warmth the [[enchantment]] has brought with it.

A single warband of Freeborn soldiers has come to Siroc to protect the city, taking up places on the walls. They are not the only unexpected defenders. When runners are sent into the city proper, to warn the people, the Commonwealth Embassy responds by sending it's entire garrison to support the Salt Guard. It is hard it imagine that fifty grim-faced warriors dedicated to the common good will make much of a difference in the face of an entire Grendel armada – but they come anyway. They march through the streets as the bells ring and people hurry to gather their families, and maybe a few people take heart from their willingness to defend the Billowing City.

While the people are afraid, they are Freeborn. They do not bow their heads to tyrants, be they human or orc. Those with battle-experience grab weapons kept in cupboards, and strap on old pieces of battered armour. Corsairs and sailors take to their own ships, ready to try and engage any invading vessel that might somehow breach the defences. The doors of the Parador of the Kindled Flame are thrown wide, to any who want to take refuge beside the children behind their walls of white granite.

The Grendel don't know any of this of course – or perhaps they do. There has been [[Rings_and_crowns#Be_Alert_to_Dangers|talk for some time]] of an espionage ring in Madruga, sponsored by some spymaster of the Broken Shore. Surely no Freeborn would sell their loyalty to the Brass Coast to the Grendel, no matter how much they were offered. Surely.

It's clear the Armada is prepared, though, for the Salt Guard and the harbour defences. Several of the leading ships of the Tempest have great serrated metal rams attached to the prow, just on the waterline, designed to tangle and rip at the port defences. There are ballistae and catapults on the invading ships that counter the hail of stone and javelins with missiles of their own.

The Asaveans in particular hold back, maintaining a barrage against the two Salt Guard towers, chipping away at even the magically reinforced stone. The Balo's Grace, the Leaping Bull, the Wind Tamer. Named in honour of the blasphemous gods of the [[Asavean Archipelago|Archipelago]], they are massive compared to the Grendel vessels that surround them, but still surprisingly manoeuvrable, with triple banks of oars that let them evade all save the luckiest hit.

Then, without any warning, fighting erupts across the harbour itself. Confused reports begin to spread of both humans and orcs making pinpoint strikes at the winches and pulleys that control the web of steel keeping the invading ships from the harbour. Treachery, from within Siroc itself.

Out at sea, perfectly timed to coincide with the attacks against the nets and chains, dozens of smaller boats – rowboats – are launched. They strive for the harbour, hard to target directly, manoeuvrable, swift. Some are sunk; many more manage to reach the harbour walls and join the attack on the defences. The fighting spills across the docks themselves.

Many of the warriors attacking the harbour are Naguerro, a former sept of the Lasambrian Orcs with a particular hatred for the Empire. Others raise the unfamiliar banner of a shark, ringed by lightning. Both forces seem almost unhinged in their zeal to slaughter the Freeborn defenders and capture the docks, break the defences, leave the city vulnerable.

Step by step the defenders are forced to retreat back toward the fortress-keeps of the Salt Guard. The nets and chains fall. There are Grendel vessels in the harbour itself, more Naguerro and Storm Sharks spilling out across the quayside, spilling out into the city, spilling Freeborn blood with mad abandon.

==Canvas Makes a Poor Shield==
Not all the Grendel ships storm the harbour. While the green-sailed Tempest and the blue-sailed Simoom take the forefront in the attack, the Golden Wind are busy on the coast outside the city, unloading orc soldiers, covered by the vessels of the red-sailed Shamal.

The banners of the Iron Gulls are raised. The Empire knows the 'Gulls, veterans of dozens of engagements. They survived the [[382YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Leviathan_Wakes_.28Spiral.29|Battle of Solen's Doubt]]. They were at the forefront of the [[383YE_Autumn_Equinox_winds_of_war#Bronze|invasion of Feroz]]. They are known to be masters of [[Army_qualities#Siege|siege warfare]], and the warships of the Golden Wind unload rams and catapults alongside the soldiers themselves.

Beside them, the Black Eels raise their own standards. They, too, were at Solen's Doubt. They, too, are veterans of the war against the Empire. They enter the city from the south, but where the Iron Gulls are more interested in probing the defenders of the Salt Guard, the Black Eels seem to be here for [[Army qualities#Foraging|plunder]] and mayhem.

In the midst of the two armies a few hundred Grendel soldiers raise the slightly tattered banner of Governor Rahab, who rules over the conquered territories of Feroz to the south. There is a particular grimness to these orcs (and a handful of human mercenaries with them). Some of the Gulls and Eels mock them behind their backs, as they make haste toward the city ahead of the two armies. They seem especially eager to engage the Freeborn defenders.

While the rest of the armada is busy invading the harbour, the Shamal and the Tempest switch positions. Judging by the number of crimson sails the Shamal is smaller than the Tempest, their ships are newer, showing fewer of the marks of war. So too are the army they disgorge from their holds and decks. The standard of the Bone Nautilus, a white-and-gold tentacled spiral beast, are raised. This army is made up primarily of orcs, but there are a significant number of humans in their midst. Some are clearly hard bitten veteran mercenaries, some are keen-eyed youths, but there are also a number of Asavean footsoldiers, in distinctive helms, with spears and shields. They follow the other land troops in an assault against the south side of the city.

Menno van Ritsjhof was reportedly incensed when he discovered that Siroc has little in the way of defence against an attack from the shore. Perhaps the Freeborn felt that their position made it inconceivable that there would be a threat from the ground, rather than the sea. There are walls, but they are nearly as old as the city itself, and they surround the heart of the Sapphire not its borders. Siroc is a city of traders and merchants, that welcomes visitors. There are defences of course, but the Salt Guard is at the heart of them. There are defenders, but again they are focused around the Salt Guard. The three armies approaching by land are quickly in among the tents and palanquins, and canvas offers little protection against the rapacious invaders.

==Falling Salt==
The Salt Guard falls. Great metal-bound catapult stones chip away at the walls, and smash the towers. Under the cover of a seemingly random assault, a squad of Naguerro battle-magicians unleash [[Spring magic]] against the gates of first one keep, and then barely ten minutes later the other. Rending vines erupting across the wood and stone, ripping it to pieces. The attackers pour inside. Commonwealth and Freeborn soldiers back-to-back, using every trick that the League architects could think of to make it harder for them to seize the fort. One by one the engines of destruction on both sides of the Salt Guard fall silent. The garrison is too busy fighting to survive to focus on the Grendel armada.

Those ships of the Broken Shore who are equipped to do so launch barrage after barrage of missiles against the two towers of the Salt Guard. Those without siege engines on their decks either turn the captured harbour defences against the fortress, or disembark, joining the fighting in the docks and inside the Guard.

At this point, the Asavean vessels move closer. They join the bombardment but their target is not the Salt Guard but the city of Siroc itself. They are seemingly unconcerned about crushing Grendel troops beneath their iron shot. It's not clear what happens but suddenly after a half hour of smashing tents and buildings and fleeing Freeborn and small groups of Grendel, the Asavean weapons still for a few minutes, then open fire against the Salt Guard along with the others. But the damage is done – swathes of the markets and paradors clustered around the quayside, flattened, burning. Dozens of ships, of quays, shattered to splinters. Columns of smoke begin to rise. Fire flickers in some of the windows of the Salt Guard.

With an almighty groan, one of the two Salt Guard keeps begins to collapse in on itself, transformed suddenly into a chimney that sends roaring flames up through the interior. Barrels of oil join the rocks being hurled toward Menno von Rijshof's masterpiece. Those defenders still trapped inside are no longer battling the invading orcs, but fighting to breathe as the smoke rises, fighting to escape as the fire spreads.

As the sun drops towards the eastern horizon, the second tower catches. Those defenders who manage to make it out of the collapsing fortification, coughing, gasping, wheezing, are swiftly dealt with by the invaders.

==Fire Spreads==
With the Salt Guard shattered, the city is easy prey for the immense force ranged against it. The Grendel have not had it all their own way; the courage of the Salt Guard has purchased vital hours for those who can see what is coming to flee the city, north toward [[Madruga#Lightsea|Lightsea]] or west to one of the bridges across the Scorrero, toward [[Segura]].

The Grendel follow. Over the next few months, the invaders spread north along the coast into Lightsea. Quzar falls before the Iron Gulls, despite the best efforts of the [[hakima]] and masters of [[Autumn magic]] supporting the defenders. The [[Hakima_of_Salt_and_Sand#Parador_of_Salt_and_Sand|Parador of Salt and Sand]] is torn apart by the Naguerro, who loot many of the treasures within, treasures carried out of Feroz by fleeing magicians.

At the same time, the Black Eels loot and raid the port towns freely, killing any who try to resist, but seemingly unconcerned about those who wish to flee – unless they try to take their wealth with them.

Three of the Grendel navies, supported by the Bone Nautilus and the Asavean warships, assail [[Madruga#Free Landing|Free Landing]], assaulting the port towns of the corsairs. These islands were the first proper home for the Freeborn – and for the second time the Grendel seize Atalaya, the fount from which the entire Brass Coast flowed. Midport falls to the Shamal and the Golden Sails. The Tempest seizes the Shining Pillar – that great white-and-gold tower familiar to every sailor along the [[Bay of Catazar]], sometimes used as a symbol for the Brass Coast itself. When a sailor can see the beacon of the Shining Pillar, they know they are home. After the Grendel take the island on which it stands, the beacon falters, and goes out, for the first time in centuries the Shining Pillar does not shine.

Meanwhile the Simoom concerns itself with besieging the [[Madruga#The Lyceum|Isle of the Lyceum]]. The magicians there fight back, supported by their Commonwealth allies at the Lyceum Schloss. Contact with the island has been sporadic at best; it is not clear if the entire island has been conquered or what the state of the grand libraries, arcane academics, or students is. There is little hope that they may be able to hold out against the Grendel and their allies. There is a great deal of worry about what the Grendel might do with the vast stores of lore contained within the Lyceum.

As the Winter Solstice approaches... but wait. That's in the future. We aren't done with Siroc yet.

==The Last Sight==
Before the Grendel sweep across the rest of Madruga, on land and sea, they finish the conquest of Siroc. The offices of the [[Mistress of the Glass Parador]] are looted, by the honour guard of Governor Rahab of Feroz. Perhaps the wealth they manage to steal here will make up for the fortune Rahab lost when the Scorrero Nets collapsed?

The Bone Nautilus surround the Parador of the Kindled Flame, eager to capture those who have sought sanctuary within, eager to carry away the children whose home it is to a life of slavery. When they finally breach the heavy oak doors, they find the place deserted. No sign of anyone hiding.

They have no way of knowing, but the children, their guardians, and those who accepted the offer of safety within the walls, are long gone. As the flames consumed the Salt Guard, two dozen friends of the [[Irra Harah|Prince of a Thousand Foes]] revealed themselves, and the sewer entrance, and lead those who would otherwise have been trapped in the orphanage to safety. They are already well on their way to Segura.

The same story unfolds across Siroc. Guardian angels – most mortal, some decidedly not – reveal themselves and help people escape what is to come. Without their unexpected – and mostly invisible - aid, a great many more people would have died when the city fell. If anyone bothers to ask – and most people are simply grateful for the aid – they say that they are discharging a service for the Archmage of Spring. They run when they can, they fight when they must, but they never try to hide. They discourage hiding, for some reason.

While many escape, many more do not. The Grendel take a few slaves but once the city falls they seem more interested in bearing away its loot rather than its people. The same cannot be said for the Asaveans. Now that the Salt Guard has fallen, the warships and mercenaries of the far west join in the conquest of the city. They are absolutely without mercy, killing anyone who comes within spear-reach or sword-reach.

It is they who lead the attack against the House of the Way, one of the oldest congregations in the Brass Coast. They smash the doors, shatter beautiful windows that have blazed in the setting sun for two hundred years, slaughter the priests and sutannir. Even the Naguerro seem a little taken aback by their zeal for slaughter, these human warriors from far away across the sea.

The Asaveans are also the ones who set the fires. Despite the chaos, the Grendel are careful to make sure that the city of tents does not burn. For a day and a night, they rampage through Siroc, taking everything they can find, everything they can carry. Then as the sun sets on the second day after the fall, as the armies regroup on the plains outside the city for the march north and west, as the navies withdraw to anchorages along the coast, the Asavean warships launch barrels of burning oil into the city. Another, and another, and another. The sky turns red, the glow growing like a baleful promise.

Asavean captains, more than a dozen cold-eyed scions of the patrician families - and it seems all the major families are represented – watch from the shoreline. They are not alone. Their soldiers have taken carefully selected prisoners. Where possible they are [[sutannir]], or priests of the Way, or [[dhomiro]] of one family or other. Two dozen, no more, dragged in manacles to the waterline south of the city.

As the barrels of oil fly, as burning brands are touched to the kindling piled all across the city, as Siroc burns, these prisoners are forced to watch. And then, as the fire stretches across the horizon, the final cruelty.

The last priests of the God of Chains are with the Asaveans and at a nod form the captains, they murder each of the prisoners. The last thing they see as they are hurled untimely into the Labyrinth is the jewel of Madruga, the Sapphire, their Billowing City, burning as the first stars of evening glitter in the uncaring sky.

All save three. These last three - one Erigo, one Riqueza, one Guerra - are released once the fires start to die down. Pushed into the surf, discarded like refuse, like jetsam on the coast of Brass, the last words of their captors echoing in their ears.

“We were an Empire before any of your petty kingdoms existed; we have no more lessons to learn about vengeance. But we can teach.”

==Game Information: Madruga==
The Grendel armada has seized three regions of Madruga: Siroc Plains, Lightsea, and Free Landing. As detailed in the [[Not_a_drop_to_drink#Not_A_Drop_To_Drink|Not a drop to drink]] Wind of Fortune, the blight of the [[Madruga#Great Grasses|Great Grasses]] remains contained thanks to the enchantment that has been diligently cast each prior season. As predicted however it has also stabilized in a way that means the region is no longer under Imperial control. As a consequence, with the Freeborn only controlling Calvos Sound and Torres, they have lost control of the territory. The Grendel have not, however, taken control of the territory; they only control three of the six regions. The territory is thus considered contested – although the [[Senator]] for Madruga loses their seat in the Senate regardless.

The Salt Guard was overwhelmed and destroyed, but it provided sufficient defence to slow the Grendel invasion. Without it, and its enchantment, the armada may have had sufficient strength to launch a significant attack on Calvos Sound as well as the three regions it captured.

==Losses: Imperial Titles==
A number of Imperial titles have lost powers and sources of income.

Madruga no longer has a Senator.

The [[Mistress of the Glass Parador]] and the [[Hakima of Salt and Sand]] no longer have ministries. The titles still exist, however, and still have any appropriate responsibilities.

The [[Madruga#The_Commonwealth_Embassy|Commonwealth Embassy]] has been destroyed. The [[Ambassador to the Commonwealth]] has lost their [[Ambassador_to_the_Commonwealth#Commonwealth_Merchants|ministry]] but maintains their other powers. The [[Commonwealth]] is likely to have a strong opinion about the destruction of its embassy in the Empire.

[[Madruga#Freeborn_Flame_Marina|Freeborn Flame Marina]] is in Grendel hands. The benefits it provided, allowing [[fleet|fleets]] of the Brass Coast to be [[The_power_behind_our_moves#Atalaya|upgraded more easily]] have been lost to the Freeborn, although it might be possible to regain the benefit if it were liberated.

The Empire no longer controls the [[Madruga#The_Lyceum|Lyceum]]. This means the [[Dean of the Lyceum]] has lost their ability to [[Dean_of_the_Lyceum#Guiding_the_magicians_of_the_Lyceum|codify ritual texts]], the benefits of the [[Dean_of_the_Lyceum#The_Boon_of_the_Black_Sloth|Quiet Annexe]], and access to [[Dean_of_the_Lyceum#Apartments_at_the_Lyceum|their apartments]]. They remain [[Dean_of_the_Lyceum#Arbiter_of_Imperial_Lore|Arbiter of Imperial Lore]] however. Unfortunately, one of the things they have also lost is the work on the ritual text they were codifying; it is still on the island itself.

The Parador of the Kindled Flame has been ruined, along with the city of Siroc itself. The devastation is sufficient to give Siroc Plains the ''ruins'' quality.

==Losses: Military==
The loss of Siroc has struck a devastating blow to the Brass Coast. The wealth of the Sapphire has been taken by the Grendel and the city itself comprehensively burnt. Furthermore, the Grendel have captured the wealthy ports of Lightsea and Free Landing. Coupled with the loss of the entire territory of Feroz, this means that The Brass Coast [[Commission#Maximum_numbers_of_Imperial_Forces|can no longer support their three armies]]. If not for the Iron Qanat, they would only be able to support a single army. Regardless the outcome is the same; following the Winter Solstice, they will begin to decline due to [[Army#Insufficient_Supply|insufficient supply]].

Assuming nothing else significant changes, the Freeborn will reclaim their ability to support armies once they are again in control of two of the prosperous coastal regions of the Brass Coast - Free Landing, Lightsea, [[Feroz#Cazar_Straits|Cazar Straits]], [[Feroz#Oranseri|Oranseri]], or [[Feroz#Fontargenta|Fontargenta]]. This presumes they remain in control of Calvos Sound and the port-town of Calvos; if they lose that they will need to reconquer three regions.

The only silver lining is that the situation will not get worse - a nation is either "out of supply" or it is not. So even if the Brass Coast loses further territory their armies will not decline any faster - but it might mean that they have further to go before they can reclaim their ability to supply their armies.

==Intercede at the Lyceum (Battle)==
The Grendel's assault into Madruga has been a hammer blow to the Brass Coast. The Broken Shore's navies and armies have secured a solid foothold in the territory - almost claiming dominion in a single season of campaigning. Siroc has been razed and large swathes of the coast up through Free Landing are under the heel of the Salt Lords. Now the Grendel moridun troops and mercenary forces are securing the many islands offshore.

Principle among these is the isle on which the Lyceum has stood for nearly 300 years. This is an incredible prize for the Grendel, an asset of extraordinary value, however it is not so easily taken. Over the centuries, the magicians of the isle have spent considerable resources erecting potent magical wards that can protect the [[college of magic|college]] if is attacked. However those wards need powerful magical rituals to be performed to invoke them - no easy task.

The heroes of the Empire have an opportunity to strike against Grendel forces at the '''Field of Aenea'''. There, they can attempt to recover a ritual text of strategic importance; kill the "''Seeker of the Sky''" who is seeking the very same ritual; and take up the eternal Sadogua's offer to "[[Begins_where_it_ends#Sadogua|keep the Lyceum safe]]". There is also an unexpected and unusual opportunity to deploy powerful magic to aid the protection, defence and obfuscation of the entire island.

Prognosticator Atraxes notes that a conjunction of [[the Web]] and [[the Great Wyrm]] offers the Empire the unique window during the solstice to intercede in Madruga and potentially protect the Lyceum from the Grendel. The alignment of stars above the contested territory will enable rituals cast at two linked regio to behave in strange and more powerful ways than normal.

===Objective: Raise the Lyceum's wards===
* '''Cast rituals at the two regio to raise the islands powerful wards'''
* '''Each regio requires three potent rituals to invoke and power the ancient wards'''
* '''Failure will allow the Grendel to loot the Lyceum'''

The reason the Lyceum was located in Free Landing was the presence of twin regio that had an unusual property; they shifted the realm to which they were aligned after each ritual that was cast. They provided an excellent opportunity to research how ritual magic would interact with regio without risking accidentally cursing an entire territory. The regio shift according to a set pattern - something Imperial magicians have built the Lyceum's wards to exploit. The wards are difficult to raise, partly because of the magical energy need to power the wards and partly because they make using the Lyceum well nigh impossible, so it requires a major effort by Imperial magicians to trigger them.

The defensive wards of the Lyceum are tuned to the ''Shadow regio''. To raise these wards the Empire would need to perform an Autumn ritual of at least 20 magnitude, then Winter ritual of at least 20 magnitude and then finally perform [[Drawing the Penumbral Veil]] at magnitude 40. That is no easy feat, but if they are successful, the Lyceum will be plunged into impenetrable darkness for a year, making it utterly impossible for the Grendel to loot it, its books, or to carry away the researchers as slaves.

The offensive wards of the Lyceum are turned to the ''Storm regio''. To raise these wards the Empire would need a Day ritual of at least 20 magnitude, then a Summer ritual of at least 20 magnitude and then finally perform [[Foam and Spittle of the Furious Sea]]. If the final ritual is completed then the area around the Lyceum will be ravaged by storms for a year, hammering the Empire's enemies. The wards would serve as a strength 3000 fortification in the region that could not be conquered or removed. The magical storms would target the [[Grendel]] forces any time they undertook military action in the territory.

None of the rituals used in this way have their usual effect; their power is directed entirely toward the wards. Likewise, the Shadow regio and the Storm regio do not fulfil the requirement of a "strong regio" for purposes of ritual casting.

===Alternative: Respond to Sadogua's offer===
* '''Cast Align the Celestial Net in the presence of the ''Glutton's'' herald'''
* '''Casting the ritual will see the college spirited to the Night realm'''
* '''Rejecting the offer will leave the Lyceum in the Grendel's hands'''
Sadogua has made it abundantly clear that he is ''very angry indeed'' with the Empire. If the wards cannot be raised, one alternative might be to try and win round the ''Wyrm-King'' by travelling to the Lyceum and giving the college to the eternal. ''Jubbjibbaglob'', an apprentice of Sadogua's, has been sent to the isle to make sure the Grendel don't run off with the statue of Simargl, the Empty One, in the [[Dean_of_the_Lyceum#The_Quiet_Annexe|Quiet Annex]], and will be around should the Empire wish to placate the eternal in this matter.

To cede the Lyceum a night coven will need to take ''Jubbjibbaglob'' to either the ''Shadow regio'' or the ''Storm regio'' and perform [[Align the Celestial Net]] on it. Once completed the herald will confirm that the necessary steps have been taken to allow the ''Globbersnotch'' to swallow the Lyceum, putting it beyond the reach of the Grendel, and anyone else. It is understood that there will be ample time for anyone in the locale to escape, as Sadogua knows the importance of not rushing a big meal.

Of course if the Black Sloth devours the Lyceum, there's no going back from that, but at least it prevents it falling into the hands of the Grendel. However even the Glutton can't eat a whole library at once, so he'll save some of the tastiest books for later. Assuming the Empire wanted to build a replacement, then it can ask the Globberslotch to return whatever texts are still left to help with that. Once he's calmed down, of course.

===Objective: Find the ''Final Dance of the Immobile''===
* '''Recover the ritual text of the Winter ritual that was codified this season'''
* '''Success will return the ritual text to the Empire and allow it to be mastered or added to Imperial lore'''
* '''Failure will result in the Grendel being able to utilise the enchantment'''
Since their election at the last Summer Solstice, '''Palaphon Ankarien''', the Dean of the Lyceum had the college work upon the codification of ''Final Dance of the Immobile''. The ritual seems to hold out some promise of weakening or warding against the Dry Patricians. The researchers of the Lyceum had all but completed the codification of the ritual and were finishing the presentation of the text when the armada of the Grendel swept into sight. In the ensuing panic, the text was taken by a Navarri vate in an attempt to get it off the island. However, the vate never reached safety and is presumably still on the island.

The scholar is believed to have been injured or possibly captured by the Grendel. Imperial heroes should aim to find and rescue the mage, who should still have the text. If the ritual has been taken from them, the Navarri will be able to indicate who took it. Should the ritual text be recovered then it could either be kept, added to Imperial lore through an appropriate [[Declaration]], or added to Urizen lore through [[Gift of Knowledge]].

===Objective: Ransom Sky Mage Faireoir===
* '''Ransom the powerful ritualist of the Sky realm who has an unknown connection with the magicians of the Schloss'''
* '''Success would give the Empire opportunity to claim a powerful strategic ritual text from the Grendel'''
''Faireoir, Seer of the Sky and Diviner of Ophis'', is a well-connected and influential Sky ritualist among the bickering courts and mercantile chambers of the Broken Shore. The Sky Mage was instrumental in directing the Grendel's attack against the Lyceum, planning to use the wealth of magical lore to gain further favour and influence for themselves. While clearly there for the opportunity to enrich themselves and their coven, Faireoir is also looking for something specific. It's not clear what it is, but there's little likelihood that it's anything ''good''.

Strangely, this figure appears to be known to the magicians of the [[Dean_of_the_Lyceum#The_Lyceum_Schloss|Lyceum Schloss]] - the fortified annexe where the [[Commonwealth]] magicians studying at the Lyceum. They have taken refuge along with a number of students and several Imperial citizens, but they recognised Sky Mage Faireoir and have pointed him out to Imperial scouts.

How they know Sky Mage Faireoir is a fascinating question, one the normal candied Commonwealth have declined to answer at this time. However they have said his coven is powerful and have access to potent war rituals, some of which the Empire does not possess. If the Empire could capture the powerful Sky Mage, they are bound to agree to a ransom in return for this life. His captors could demand a ritual text from him, in return for letting him leave the field alive.

It would best if any contract were enforced with a [[Scrivener's Bloodmark]] but if they've captured him the Empire could invoke the [[Lictors]] for any ransom. Provided they take reasonable means to enforce the contract, the Sky Mage would be bound to send a copy of the ritual text to the Empire once they returns to Dubhtraig.

==Save the Shining Pillar (Battle)==
In the wake of the Grendel's invasion of Madruga there are others who wish to make the most of the opportunity; using it as a way to make their personal fortunes, strengthen their grip on the mortal realm, or strike against the Empire in their own way. Just before the Winter Solstice a force of Grendel moridun soldiers arrives at Atalaya Heights in Free Landing. With them come a small party of Asavean soldiers and a dignitary of some import.

The Plenum has dispatched ''The Priest of Wrecks'' accompanied by several "''Guardians of the Black Bull''" to assist and observe the Grendel's first strike against the Empire. Soon after landing on the shores of Atalaya, ''Barquentius Iyandeus'' the Asavean ecclesiast began preparations for a large supplication that is expected to be completed shortly after the Winter Solstice. This act is intended to serve as a symbolic blow against the Freeborn and the wider Empire and to ensure good fortune for the Grendel's ongoing campaign. It will involve the ritual killing of a number of Imperial citizens and the destruction of the Shining Pillar.

The ten attendants of the Shining Pillar known as '''The Beacon's Watch''' refused to abandon the tower, claiming that they must ensure the flame remains lit and the lighthouse is still seen out in the Bay. They have all been captured and are in the custody of the Grendel. This conjunction offers a chance to rescue them from potential sacrifice and to ensure that the skills and knowledge required to maintain and operate the Shining Pillar are preserved.

In the days before the Winter Solstice ''High Priestess Shivaarn'', she who praises the [[Siakha|Mother of Monsters]], arrived at one of the islands of Free Landing. Shivaarn performed some form of rite - calling on the Salt-born Devourer and the Mother of Wrecks and the Maelstrom. From dawn until dusk she chanted and gave offerings of trinkets claimed from corsairs, of the [[The_Brass_Coast_hearth_magic#Coins|lucky coins]] of a score of dhomiro, and finally mithril. Chest after chest filled with mithril ore was thrown into the shores and swiftly swept out to sea. And then the sea boiled and foamed as heralds of Siakha emerged. Not just the carcharodons that so many Imperials are familiar with, but something new. Tempests in human form drawn to join with the Grendel forces massing at the Shining Pillar to overwhelm it. And if they are able to claim enough lives to create some monstrosity of surf and squall in service of Siakha.

===Objective: Kill the Priest of Wrecks===
* '''Eliminate the Priest of Wrecks and the Guardians of the Black Bull'''
* '''Failure would result in the desecration and ultimate destruction of the Shining Pillar'''
Iyandeus is a loud and passionate orator, not a fighter, and the Plenum has dispatched a guard of warriors who have received blessings of their idolatrous god to ensure the priest is kept safe, or doesn't inadvertently wander into harms way. Marching in heavy chain and tall helms these soldiers are devotees of The Black Bull, the protector soldier spirit-god. These grizzled veterans are sworn into servitude to fight and die to protect Iyandeus, and can be expected to be well-prepared for battle.

Killing the Guardians and Iyandeus will ensure that the Asavean supplication cannot go ahead. Besides being an opportunity to take revenge on the Asaveans for Siroc, it will also put a stop to his plans to desecrate and destroy the Shining Pillar.

===Objective: Rescue the Beacon Watch===
* '''Free at least five members of the Beacon Watch from the Grendel'''
* '''Success will ensure a future legacy for the Shining Pillar'''
* '''Failure will see the attendants sacrificed to an Asavean god'''

The heroes of Anvil will need to track down and locate the members of the Beacon Watch in the area. They are under heavy guard by Grendel forces, rather than in the custody of the small Asavean delegation. The barbarians have split them to avoid any escape attempts and once it is clear that the Sentinel Gate has opened then they will move the lighthouse attendants during the battle to prevent potential rescue attempts.

If at least five members of the Beacon Watch are returned safely to Anvil, then the Asavean's rite to their Red God will not be possible. These attendants will return to the Brass Coast to pass on their knowledge and train others to operate the beacon once Madruga is liberated. This will mean that even if the Grendel destroys the edifice, it could be rebuilt to shine out again across the Bay once more.

===Objective: Deny the Carcharodons===
* '''Prevent the shoals of Siakha from murdering twenty or more Imperial heroes'''
* '''Success will diminish the influence of the eternal in the area'''
* '''Failure would see a fortified fane to Siakha form off the coast'''

The bloodlust rising from Atalaya's cove has drawn the fearsome carcharadon heralds of Siakha ashore to the Shining Pillar. When battle commences they will come ashore in greater numbers, drawn to bloodshed like wolves on the trail of their quarry. Heedless of their survival, the heralds will patrol the lines of contact seeking out those misfortunate enough to have been laid low. Anyone set upon by one of their number can expect a [[Calls#EXECUTE|swift and brutal death]].

If the heralds are able to murder twenty or more Imperial citizens, then Siakha's thirst for death and destruction will be fixed on the locale of the Shining Pillar. This would manifest as a raging Spring regio just off the Atalayan coast, forming a roiling gyre of tempest waves, fuming spray, and a sucking maelstrom of magic that would draw nearby ships down to certain death. Merchant shipping would be forced to give the area a wide berth until it could be dealt with, but the immediate threat would the monstrous heralds of Spring that would spew forth. The presence of the fane would be a dangerous new threat for the Military Council to contend with, serving as a two thousand strength [[fortification]].

===Battlefield Environment: Blood in the Air===
* '''The land near the Shining Pillar is under the effect of a powerful Spring miasma'''
* '''All characters experience a feeling of rising bloodlust'''
* '''Any character who does not resist the effect has a single use of CLEAVE with an appropriate melee weapon whilst in the location'''

''A coppery tang fills the nose and the mouth fills slick with thick saliva; the magic of savagery, blood, and destruction pulses through the veins.''

Anyone who travels to this location will experience a strong roleplaying effect of rising violence and bloodlust, unless they:

* Expend a hero point upon entering the area
* Draw on the spiritual strength of an anointing
* Draw on their Merrow lineage and assume a calm demeanour
* Are bonded to a magical item or have a ritual enchantment that mitigates effects like these

Whilst in the location any character can make a '''single''' [[Heroic_skills#Cleaving_Strike|CLEAVE]] call with any melee weapon other than a pike without the need to expend a hero point or the need to have the [[Heroic_skills#Cleaving_Strike|Cleaving Strike]] skill. This ability is lost if the character resists the roleplaying effect at any point, or upon their return to Anvil.

==Opportunities and Dangers (Conjunctions)==
There are smaller attacks from the Grendel across the Bay of Catazar. Probing attacks, with individual Grendel captains leading their fleets against specific targets in an attempt to recover what they can. Each of these fleets can potentially be claimed - if the Grendel who own them are defeated - but they will likely require extensive repair to get them to the high standard of the Empire. The civil service has agreed to an arrangement with the Sarvos Shipwrights Syndicate that where possible the League guild will salvage the ships of the Grendel and, in return, offer deeds to fleets to those recognised as responsible for the conjunction.

===News From the Plain (Necropolis)===
* '''A force of Grendel are seeking information on the bridge that spans the Couros'''
* '''The Sentinel Gate will open at 18:45 on Friday to Hedra's Meadow, Coursmouth'''
* '''This skirmish is a [[Accessibility#Combat_Highly_Likely|combat highly likely]] encounter'''
* '''The ''Champion of Courage'' is responsible for defeating the Grendel'''
''Ranald'', an influential Sky Mage of the Grendel, remained hidden in Necropolis as the peace treaty ran its course and the Imperial Senate [[385YE_Autumn_Equinox_Senate_sessions#Declare_war_on_the_Grendel|declared war]] on the Grendel. Barely escaping ahead of the purge once the espionage ring there was [[Rings_and_crowns#Eyes_of_the_Basilisk|uncovered]], they've been hiding out with a much reduced force along the banks of the river. Now, with the focus of the Highborn and the garrison of [[Necropolis#Reumah's_Rest|Reumah's Rest]] on the coast awaiting an attack from the sea, the company under ''Ranald'' are making their way through Coursmouth towards Ada's Plain.

On Ada's Plain not far from the river, and the Courspan Bridge that crosses it, stands the [[chapter]] of Ethan's Respite. The [[Highguard_religious_beliefs#Stewards_of_the_dead|stewards of the dead]] there repeatedly refused to allow the Grendel permission to visit the area over the last two years. The chapter cited tales about a secret, or a historical incident, that would allow the orcs to threaten the Courspan if they uncovered it. It's not clear if this is an item or a piece of information, but it's obvious that curiosity has gotten the better of Sky Mage Ranald.

The chapter of Ethnan's Respite have called for aid, asking that the [[Champion of Courage]], '''Thomir, Son of Astion''', take responsibility for preventing the Grendel from finding out... whatever it is they are trying to find out. Dispatching the Sky Mage and their guards before they can become a problem will likely head off future threats from the magician. There's also a chance the Champion might potentially uncover the secrets the Grendel are seeking themselves, of course. Especially if they chose to take magicians capable of using [[Clear Lens of the Eternal River|Day magic divinations]] or [[Shadowed Glass of Sung|Night magic visions]] to explore the area.

===The First Ship (Redoubt)===
* '''A force of Grendel are threatening the Great Harbour of Elos'''
* '''The Sentinel Gate will open at 14:30 on Saturday to The Elosian Grove, Naris'''
* '''This skirmish is a [[Accessibility#Combat_Highly_Likely|combat highly likely]] encounter'''
* '''The ''Elosian Architect'' is responsible for defeating the Grendel'''
''Maistir Dorcas'' has landed their ships on the gentle coast of [[Redoubt#Naris|Naris]]. The Grendel were observed by a small patrol of sentinels from the [[Redoubt#Court of the White Fountain|Court of the White Fountain]], and they are accompanied by creatures that bear all the hallmarks of being servants of the ''[[Siakha|Mother of Wrecks]]''. The Grendel left a small guard at their ships and made all haste toward Elos. It's unknown what exactly Maistir Dorcas thinks they might achieve if they are left, unchallenged, to reach the harbour. They might plan to fire the shipyard, loot the warehouses and their stockpiles of ingots and herbs, or even simply slaughter the workers on behalf of Siakha. The presence of the heralds makes those aware of them nervous, however. It's unfortunately doubtful the Court of the White Fountain can reach Elos in time to stop Dorcas doing... whatever they are planning to do.

The [[Elosian Architect]], '''Talia Seaboar''', is responsible for threats to the harbour there, and may want to gather a band of heroes to intercept the Grendel. There is another incentive, perhaps. The Sarvos Shipwrights Syndicate - who are arguably more salvagers than they are shipwrights these days - would relish the opportunity to claim the Grendel ships refurbish them and sell them on, or rip them apart for parts. They have agreed to give the Elosian Architect the deed to ''The Impulse'', an impressive [[fleet|ship]], its fine structure [[Fleet#Upgrade|upgraded]] with five wains of [[weirwood]], to do with as they see fit. Should Maistir Dorcas be dealt with, of course.

===Behind A Lock (Sarvos)===
* '''A force of Grendel are threatening Glass Point Cove'''
* '''The Sentinel Gate will open at 15:00 on Saturday to Isle of Quiet, Uccelini'''
* '''This skirmish is a [[Accessibility#Combat_Highly_Likely|combat highly likely]] encounter'''
* '''The ''Custodian of Glass Point Cove'' is responsible for defeating the Grendel'''
''Quartermaster Ewan'' has landed their ships on one of the heavily wooded islands of [[Sarvos#Uccelini|Uccelini]]. A passing fishing boat, by chance, brought news of their presence along with a warning that they are accompanied by servants of the ''[[Siakha|Salt-born Devourer]]''. Now the quartermaster has sent a small force ahead - under the guise of a fishing boat - to the secretive [[Custodian_of_Glass_Point_Cove#Glass_Point_Cove|Glass Point Cove]]. They clearly plan to establish a presence there, perhaps as an advance guard of the Grendel forces. There is a chance to strike at the Grendel on the wooded island before they move to reinforce the vanguard - claiming the precious mana and likely doing extensive damage to the mithril netting.

There is an opportunity to benefit from the cunning of the Grendel though. If the Grendel are defeated then not only will the delicate netting be protected, but the ships they arrived on will be left abandoned. The Sarvos Shipwrights Syndicate will waste little time in confiscating the vessels and either selling them on, or breaking them down for parts. They have offered the deed to ''Dance of Victory'', a fleet of ships that have had their hulls upgraded with five wains of weirwood, to the current [[Custodian of Glass Point Cove]], '''Dalibor Marek van Temeschwar''' to do with as they will - if they deal with the threat posed by Quartermaster Ewan.

===Following the Craft (Madruga)===
* '''A force of Grendel are fleeing with an heirloom stolen from the Parador of Salt and Sand'''
* '''The Sentinel Gate will open at 15:30 on Saturday to Ezmara's Thicket, Lightsea'''
* '''This skirmish is a [[Accessibility#Combat_Highly_Likely|combat highly likely]] encounter'''
* '''The ''Hakima of Salt and Sand'' is responsible for reclaiming the heirloom'''
''Nechtan'', a wealthy Sand Mage of the Grendel, has withdrawn north of Quzar in [[Madruga#Lightsea|Lightsea]]. The Grendel are accompanied by several heralds of ''[[Siakha|the Mother of Monsters]]'' and are waiting on their fleet to collect them with their ill-gotten gains. One of these is a valuable heirloom stolen from the [[Hakima_of_Salt_and_Sand#Parador_of_Salt_and_Sand|Parador of Salt and Sand]]. The item was used in teaching those who came to learn from the [[hakima]], and has come to symbolise the hope of regaining the parador and re-establishing such classes. Several of the surviving hakima, forced to flee when the parador fell, have pledged to pool their resources and support the Hakima of Salt and Sand with four mana crystals each season until the parador is regained... provided the heirloom is returned and shown to one of the Freeborn egregores.

There is an additional opportunity to benefit from the retribution of the Grendel though. If the Grendel are defeated then the fleet will be easy to overcome; something that the Sarvos Shipwrights Syndicate are more than willing to attempt. The Syndicate have offered the deed to ''The Blade of Freedom'', a fleet of ships that have had their hulls upgraded with five wains of weirwood, to the current [[Hakima of Salt and Sand]], '''Bakar i Riqueza''' to do with as they see fit - provided the Sand Mage and their entourage is dealt with.

Redoubt

2026-05-16T08:46:48Z

Rafferty: /* Elos */

{{CaptionedImage|file=RegionsofRedoubt.png|caption=Dangerous lowlands and fortified citadels|title=Regions of Redoubt|align=left|width=500}}
== Overview ==
Redoubt was once the least populated and wildest of the Urizen territories. The peaks are lower here and many spires are actually built in the foothills; only [[#Siluri|Mount Siluri]] comes close to matching the splendour of the peaks of [[Zenith]] to the north. There are many [[mine|mines]], with [[Materials#Green Iron|green iron]] and [[Materials#Tempest Jade|tempest jade]] being especially common, but ports such as [[#Naris|Elos]] and [[#Optarion|Visten]] look outwards to the wider world and the many opportunities it presents for trade and both philosophical and cultural exchange. Most of the coast is made up of white stone cliffs, unwelcoming and inhospitable; only as the land slopes down towards [[Necropolis]] and the river Couros does Redoubt possess many beaches.

The mountains here are riddled with odd star-shaped tunnels that date back thousands of years, long before there were any reliable records of humans in this part of the world. Scholars have spent centuries trying to tease some truth about these tunnels from the cold stone - are they a natural phenomena? Signs of pre-human habitation of the mountains? The result of some magical working? To date, no convincing explanation has been offered, and philosophers on all sides argue heatedly about their provenance.

Redoubt is lightly settled, even for Urizen, with many of the more prosperous spires being built along the coast, or overlooking the banks of the Couros river to the west. Unsurprisingly, there are many [[Urizen_military_concerns|citadels]] here and a strong martial tradition, but this is also a territory that produces more than its fair share of zoologists and botanists. These natural philosophers are sometimes blamed for the more esoteric animals and plants found here, and the occasional mutated hybrid horror that appears here is often a sign that a magician is straying dangerously close to insanity.

Parts of the lowlands are quite dangerous - and not just because of these mutated experiments. Several bands of orc bandits live in the spaces between the spires, and barely a year goes by without a nest of [[trogoni]] or a den of drakes becoming a nuisance.

==Recent History==
Since 331YE and the barbarian conquest of [[Spiral]], Redoubt has been preparing itself for invasion. Its long coastline is something of a liability against the [[Grendel]], but for now a combination of sheer cliffs, [[The Brass Coast|Freeborn]] [[corsair|corsairs]] and Urizen's own small fleet of martially inclined vessels have prevented the barbarians achieving much more than a few small raids along the shores of the Bay of Catazar.

Following a [[380YE_Winter_Solstice_winds_of_war#Shores_of_Naris|naval assault]] by the [[Grendel]] in Winter 380YE, there was a [[381YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Redoubt_Game_Information|significant]] barbarian [[orc]] presence in [[Redoubt#Naris|Naris]]. The [[Freeborn Storm]] were able to remove this threat in Summer 381YE.

== Major Features ==
=== Cargo ===
Perhaps the most advanced port in all the Empire, Cargo is built on high cliffs overlooking the river Couros in the [[#Limus|Limus]] foothills. Built on multiple gradated levels and sheer cliffs, it is truly a remarkable settlement. Food from the pampas of the [[The Brass Coast|Brass Coast]] and the distant [[The Marches|Marches]], as well as luxuries from cities of the [[The League|League]] and even raw materials from [[Varushka]] all pass through Cargo - along with travellers from both the Empire and distant foreign lands. Its wealth owes a lot to the remarkable cranes - both those that speed the process of loading and unloading visiting river boats, and those allowing great quantities of imported goods and exports of stone and metal ore to be winched from the riverside docks to the cliffside heights. As befits a town built on several levels, Cargo is also a centre for the stuff of civil engineering - and of those applications of ritual magic that enhance or support the creation of durable structures. There is some rivalry with the [[Highguard|Highborn]] town of [[Necropolis#Hedra|Hedra]] on the other side of the river, and historical rivalry with coastal spires such as [[#Elos|Elos]] and lost [[Spiral#Apulus|Apulian]].
===The Embassies of Cargo===
Cargo is home to three separate international embassies with the [[Principalities of Jarm]], the [[Axos|Citadels of Axos]], and the merchants of the [[Sarcophan Delves]]. The establishment of these three embassies has seen Cargo far outstrip its rivals in terms of prosperity, but created a few problems of its own as an increase in transient population places previously unknown pressure on the town to expand. An example of this prosperity are the [[Prime_Factor_of_the_deBruin_Docks#DeBruin Docks|DeBruin Docks]], not far from the Jarmish and Sarcophan embassies, which secures a [[weirwood]] trade route with the DeBruin family of the Sarcophan Delves.

In Summer 378YE work began on the [[Ambassador to Jarm|Jarmish embassy]] on one of the upper tiers. A beautiful, airy construction of white granite and weirwood with an extensive (and expensive) gardens as well as several private apartments, work was overseen by Atte, [[Senator]] for Sermersuaq. A reciprocal embassy was built in the distant port of [[Principalities_of_Jarm_ports#Rigia_.28Eastern_Principalities_of_Jarm.29|Rigia]], following intense discussion between Oswi Twice-Burned and the representatives of the Jarmish House of Princes. In 386YE, concerns began being raised about the proximity of the [[Ambassador_to_the_Commonwealth#The Diplomatenschloss|diplomatenschloss]] - the [[Commonwealth]] embassy - across the river in [[Necropolis#Hedrossan|Hedra]]. Ships from the two rival nations must travel up and down the Couros river to reach their respective embassies and there are worries that it is only a matter of time before fighting breaks out between the two.

The Jarmish embassy was joined by an [[Ambassador to Axos|embassy]] to the [[Axos|citadels of Axos]] shortly before the Autumn Equinox 380YE. In contrast to the embassy to the magician-princes, the embassy to the masters of the ''necromantia'' is a six storey structure of white granite, with a wide base that tapers toward the roof-garden that crowns it. It was designed with the assistance of architects from the Towers of Kantor, and in much the same way Urizen architects were extensively consulted before work began on the Imperial Embassy in Axos. Some minor controversy has been sparked by the inclusion of a half dozen mummified corpses in the chambers beneath the embassy, said variously to be deceased relatives of the ambassador ... or members of the ambassadorial staff, depending on who one asks.

At the same time the embassy to Axos was being built, work was also proceeding on an [[Ambassador to the Sarcophan Delves|embassy]] to the [[Sarcophan Delves]]. Three squat towers connected by covered walkways surround a central garden notable for its riotous profusion of exotic herbs and the glass roof that covers it, allowing the often-delicate plants to prosper in the otherwise inhospitable climate of western Urizen. The embassy has spilled over into Moonfall Square, an open area previously used by musicians and artists, which is now increasingly dominated by an impromptu market as merchants from all over the Empire (and beyond) come to bargain with the traders from Sarcophan. Due to the presence of five official ambassadors, and their staff, all trying to inhabit a single embassy, many of the buildings around the square have also been bought up by Sarcophan citizens leading to one [[the Marches|Marcher]] wag dubbing it "Little Delving". The garrulous Sarcophan enthusiasm for trading and street-culture has already made some of the Urizen citizens in the area a little uneasy - an unease that can only grow thanks to the completion of the [[Bewaarder_van_het_Vandersar_dok#The Concordium Dock|Concordium Dock]] and the concomitant increase in the number of Sarcophan merchants coming to Cargo.

Also, [[384YE_Spring_Equinox_Senate_sessions#Construct_Grendel_Embassy|since 384YE]], Cargo has been the home of the [[Grendel]] embassy. The orcs of the Broken Shore initially [[Everything_has_a_price#A_Grand_Edifice|proposed a grand edifice]] that would have overshadowed the other embassies, but the [[Imperial Senate]] declined their "kind" offer and instead built a more modest structure here. Built during a [[Ratify_treaty_with_the_Grendel_Autumn_383YE|time of relative peace]], since war resumed between the two nations the embassy has maintained a skeletal staff. Nonetheless, the embassy is carefully watched by the sentinels of Cargo; the Grendel have a well established enthusiasm for espionage after all.

===The Walls of Cargo===
Commissioned in [[Fortify_Cargo|Spring 382YE]], the fortified walls of Cargo are the result of [[The_whole_world#An_Opportunity_in_Cargo|cooperation between four]] nations. [[The_whole_world#The_Builders_of_Axos|Designed]] by the [[Axos|Axou]], [[The_whole_world#The_Wealth_of_Sarcophan|partially financed]] by the [[Sarcophan Delves]], and built by the Empire with [[The_whole_world#The_Magic_of_Jarm|magical assistance]] from the [[Principalities of Jarm]], their construction was intended to protect the town - and its embassies - from the threat of [[Druj]] invasion.

The fortification has a distinctly Axou appearance. Unlike Imperial fortifications, Axou castles and forts include extensive provisions for injuring and killing attacking soldiers rather than just protecting the settlement itself. The Axou embassy provides expert engineers and additional soldiers to the garrison, ensuring that these provisions are well maintained - and can be deployed to their best effect in the event of a siege.

Enlarging the fortification while keeping these unique features would represent a challenge, without the aid of an Axou architect or someone versed in their techniques, or an [[appraisal]] by the civil service.
===Bridge of the Air===
The [[Morrow#Bridge of the Air|Bridge of the Air]] was constructed in [[Morrow]] to help transport [[white granite]], but the mithril cables and lifts also spread through the adjoining territories to create a transport network that has greatly improved travel particularly in northern Redoubt. A true wonder, the Bridge transports people and trade goods between spires. Lifts help transport travellers and cargo from the lowlands to the highlands spires, and conventional roads and bridges have been employed where they are most useful. The main route of the Bridge extends between the Arch of the Sky in Morrow to [[#Cargo|Cargo]], allowing for swift transportation of white granite from the heights of the mountains.

===Elos===
At the mouth of the River Couros in western [[#Naris|Naris]], stands the harbour of Elos. Originally a base for what little navy Urizen had before the time of Empire, it slowly declined over the centuries until it was left as little more than a quiet fishing village. Most major trade passed it entirely in favour of the much larger ports of [[#Cargo|Cargo]] and [[Necropolis#Hedrossan|Hedra]] to the north. Despite this somnolence, there were still a few reminders of its former purpose - the quayside remained extensive and the harbour wall fortified in several places. The shipyard that once maintained a small fleet of weirwood vessels was reduced to servicing a few dozen fishing boats, but the shadow of what it once was persisted.

Then in 383YE the Imperial senate established the [[Quaymaster_of_the_Elosian_Docks#Hesychian_Docks|Hesychian Docks]] here, a dedicated quay for trading [[white granite]] with merchants from [[Axos]]. This was swiftly followers in Spring 384YE with extensive work that saw the harbour as a whole completely rebuilt, surpassing its original splendor by some distance. The ''[[Elosian_Architect#Great_Harbour_at_Elos|Great Harbour at Elos]]'', under the careful guidance of the [[Elosian Architect]], is once again a bustling port and perhaps with further effort could become [[To_see_what_you_sell#Additional_Benefits|something more]].

In Winter 386YE, both the [[Grendel]] and the [[Children of Wrecks]] attacking the town, each with their own agenda. The invaders were [[On southern sands|seen off]] by the [[Citadel Guard]], the [[Towerjacks]], and the [[Northern Eagle]] - an embarrassing defeat for the orcs of the Broken Shore in particular. This did not prevent the Grendel from [[To ruin|returning]] a year later. In 387YE, they assailed Naris and captured Elos - and if not for the sacrifice of the [[Wintermark|Winterfolk]] warriors of the [[Fist of the Mountains]] the entire town might have been annihilated.

===Delving===
{{CaptionedImage|file=Headdress2.jpg|title=Urizen Headdress|align=right|width=200}}
One of the best known spires in Redoubt is found in the [[#Tomari|Tomari]] peaks. Built in a network of deep caves that bear star-map patterns allegedly carved centuries before the height of the Terunael Empire. It is more mercantile than many spires. Although it is still a place of study, its wealth is based on [[mine|mining]] and the principles of engineering when it comes to mining. Adventuresome [[Wintermark|Winterfolk]] often come here to teach and to study, and it is considered a pre-eminent site for Urizen study of the [[Runes|runic]] tradition of magic. Prior to the fall of [[Holberg]], the university there maintained a traditional exchange program where students from the city would spend some time studying in the rarefied atmosphere of Redoubt, or travel north to the cosmopolitan halls of [[The League|League]] academia.

===The Court of the White Fountain===
Built in the foothills of [[#Optarion|Optarion]], the Court of the White Fountain is a single massive tower of white granite surrounded by a massive semi-circular wall that completely fills one of the few major passes between Redoubt and the Broken Shore to the south, The White Fountain itself is a great plume of liquid fire that bursts from somewhere deep within the earth and cascades down into a black basin before the tower, before disappearing back beneath the ground. The great courtyards of the tower are sufficient to hold the entire armed forces of Urizen, and the open ground they represent creates a deadly killing field for the skilled Urizen archers who garrison the upper reaches of the tower and the walls. ('''OOC Note:''' This is a rank one [[Fortifications|fortification]]).

At the Summer Solstice 384YE, a ritual was performed on the Court of the White Fountain as the culmination of [[Stone_and_stone#Girdle_the_Flame|a project suggested by Adamant]]. As a result, the fortification is now ''unbreakable''. This means that damage to the [[Fortification#Bastion|bastion]] cannot reduce it to below 1,000 integrity. It can be captured, but it cannot be destroyed.

===The [[Brilliant Star]]===
The Brilliant Star is a Bourse resource located in [[#Tomari|Tomari]] peaks, overlooking the [[spire]] of [[#Delving|Delving]]. Custodianship of the Star is an [[Imperial Title]] that brings with it a Seat on the [[Bourse]]. It produces 28 Imperial wains of mithril every season. Since the [[385YE_Summer_Solstice_Senate_sessions#Relinquish_the_Brilliant_Star|relinquishment]], control is determined by the [[Tally of the Votes]]; chosen by [[mana site]] owners in [[Urizen]].

===Tower of Light and Shadow===
Standing on a lonely headland in [[#Naris|Naris]], the [[Penumbral Watcher#Tower of Light and Shadow|Tower of Light and Shadow]] is a peculiar arcane structure finished shortly before the Summer Solstice 381YE. Appearing from a distance to be a lighthouse, the structure is actually a peculiar thaumaturgical building that harnesses the magical energies of a natural phenomenon called the Tilphussian Reach. The tower is overseen by the [[Penumbral Watcher]], an [[Imperial title]] appointed through the [[Conclave]].
{{Anchor|Grand Conservatory of Music}}
===Grand Conservatory (Ruined)===
The Grand Conservatory of Music stood in [[Redoubt#Willstone|Willstone]], not far from the eponymous [[spire]] that gives the region its name. Work was completed shortly before the Summer Solstice 381YE, taking advantage of the enthusiasm for art and culture left in the wake of a [[In_brightest_day#The_Power_to_Exalt|potent enchantment]]. The location was apparently chosen because it was close to the geographical "centre of Urizen" - at least on a map - but this created its own problems. Willstone is known to be the territory of three established bands of [[orc]] brigands, and there is little doubt the Grand Conservatory represented a rich prize should they ever become organised enough to threaten it.

In the end, though, it was the ''scions'' of [[Cold Sun]] who destroyed the Conservatory. During the Empire-wide attacks of late 385YE, a large force of heralds [[To_the_last_syllable#In_Urizen|assailed the isolated Conservatory]], taking the musicians and priests by surprise. While many were able to flee, many more were badly injured or killed. When sentinels from the Court of the White Fountain arrived, the beautiful structure was already in flames and the Urizen soldiers had a fierce battle on their hands. Without the intervention of Navarr thorns and Dawnish knights dedicated to fighting Cold Sun, there might have been significant loss of life. Regardless, the Conservatory was ruined, the broken amphitheatre and shattered remnants of the crystal dome a mute testament to destructive zeal of the Day [[eternal]].

==Regions==
===Limus===
*'''Qualities:''' Hills, City
Limus is known for two things; the port-town of [[#Cargo|Cargo]] and its remarkable cranes and its quarries. Hard stone well suited to construction and soft decorative stone alike are quarried out of the peaks and used for everything from the construction of new spires, to the tombs of [[Necropolis]], to the palaces of [[The League|League]] merchant princes, to the parador of [[The Brass Coast|Freeborn]] dhomiro. A number of spires have become rich [[business|exporting stone]] to the Empire and beyond - rare blue marble from the peaks of Limus is in demand as far afield as the [[Asavean Archipelago]] and the [[Principalities of Jarm]]. Indeed, when the [[Spiral_Spoils_of_War#Damakan_Bladeworks|Damakan Bladeworks]] relocated from [[Spiral]], they chose Limus as their new base of operations as the most likely location to ensure their future prosperity.

The [[Seer_of_the_Spiral_Sword#The_Spiral_Sword|Spiral Sword]] - the first Imperial [[runeforge]] of modern times - stands in northwestern Redoubt, part way between Cargo and the town of Hedra in Necropolis. Overseen by the [[Seer of the Spiral Sword]], this beautiful structure serves as a hub for Imperial [[Crafting skills#Artisan|crafters]] of [[magic items]].

The greatest threat to the spires and quarries of Limus comes not from below, but from a band of particularly clever orc bandits and their mountain [[ogre]] allies. These orcs are believed to occupy a cunningly hidden valley somewhere in the mountains here - or possibly on the slopes of southern Zenith - and regularly raid caravans travelling the road along the banks of the Couros. They have proved particularly difficult to uproot, and practical Urizen have responded simply by sending important cargo by boat rather than wagon. Those spires of Limus who lack the ability to take this easy option would likely be quite grateful to anyone who could solve their problem once and for all. To date, they have not dared attack Cargo, but some residents are concerned that it is just a matter of time.

===Naris===
*'''Quality:''' Coastal
The foothills of Redoubt slope smoothly down toward the Bay of Catazar here, presenting some of the most accessible coastline in the nation. Some spires [[farm|cultivate]] the fertile grassland here - especially along the banks of the Couros - but find that the low altitude makes their [[Urizen_economic_interests|ushabti]] unreliable, and few Urizen enjoy the hard manual labour entailed by working in a field. Much more common are [[herb garden|houses of healing]], especially those that focus on sickness of the mind or the spirit, and especially around the headland known as Rebekah's Leap. Some of these restful spires [[business|cater]] specifically to Imperial citizens from other nations suffering from stress or depression, recovering from chronic sickness, or in the last stages of terminal illness.

Here is found '''[[#Elos|Elos]]''', a base for what little navy Urizen had before the time of Empire. For centuries the spire was in decline, little more than a quiet fishing village, with most major trade passing it entirely in favour of the much larger ports of [[Redoubt#Cargo|Cargo]] and [[Necropolis#Hedrossan|Hedra]] to the north. In 383YE and 384YE the Imperial senate commissioned a set of docks to deal with [[Axos|Axou]] [[white granite]], and eventually [[Construct_Great_Harbour_of_Elos|ordered]] an expansion of the docks here, restoring them to and eventually surpassing their former glory. The ''[[Elosian Architect#Great Harbour at Elos|Great Harbour of Elos]]'' is once again a bustling port and perhaps with further effort could become [[To_see_what_you_sell#Additional_Benefits|something more]].

At the highest point of the headland that looks out over the Bay of Catazar is '''Rebekah's Leap''', the place where an eponymous [[Highguard_religious_beliefs#Stewards_of_the_dead|steward of the dead]] threw herself into the bay. Troubled in mind and spirit, she broke free from her attendants and hurled herself from the cliffs that bear her name after months convinced that she could hear the tolling of a great bell summoning her to the sea. Some fisherfolk of Elos still claim they can hear a bell in the deeps, from time to time.<br>

===Optarion===
The unsettled hills of Optarion quickly give way to a broad band of scrubby coast. Cliffs line the coast, and those few places where the walls of stone drop down towards sea level are the site of well defended Urizen port-spires. Indeed, Optarion is home to some of the best-defended spires in modern Urizen. The [[#The Court of the Fountain|Court of the Fountain]] stands here, guarding the approach into Redoubt through [[Spiral]] and the peaks are scattered with fortified citadels, many hastily defended in the wake of the fall of Spiral, who have been engaged in irregular border skirmishes with the [[Grendel]]. Most of the other spires are built along the coast - and likewise tend to possess unexpectedly strong defences in the face of barbarian raids along the coast.

The largest non-martial spire in the south-east is '''Visten''', a port built around three soaring towers occupying a strip of land that plunges down to the sea. It brings produce from across the Empire to the southern spires. It is a thriving community, home to those Urizen who find life in the mountains too stifling and want more contact with the wider world. It has one of the largest populations of [[briar|briars]] in Urizen, and its population has been swelled by refugees - and ships - from southern Spiral, especially those who managed to escape the fall of [[Spiral#Apulus|Apulian]].

One notable feature of Visten that attracts scholars and sight-seers alike is a potent [[regio]] tied to the realm of Spring that lies on the Bay of Catazar itself - a ring of turbulent water that erupts once or twice every week into a great waterspout that reaches several hundred feet into the air. [[Bands#Covens|Covens]] making use of this regio, called the '''Ribbon of Salt''' by the locals, find their rituals unexpectedly interrupted, occasionally with tragic consequences - the violent water shatters pontoons, rafts and small vessels with equal ease in its active state.

Above the Brilliant Star stands one of the [[The_fate_of_the_many#The_Serpent's_Edge|two mithril serpent statues]] that connect the Urizen living in Spiral to their siblings in the rest of their nation. Using the power of [[Sung]] they allow the [[spire|spires]] to the east to maintain their metaphysical connection to the rest of Urizen provided they draw on the power of the [[Vale of Shadows]]. If the statue were damaged or destroyed, that connection might well be permanently severed.

===Siluri===
*'''Quality:''' Hills
The entire region takes its name from Mount Siluri, which rises majestically toward the heavens and rivals the peaks of [[Zenith]] in height. The central tower of Redoubt's [[Urizen_culture_and_customs#The_Heliopticon|Heliopticon]] is built here, gazing down on the forested bowl of [[#Ventosi|Ventosi]] to one side and across the [[Necropolis]] to the other. Several [[mine|mines]] exploit the bounty of [[Materials#Tempest Jade|tempest jade]] and [[Materials#Weltsilver|weltsilver]] that lies beneath the peaks, but it is also home to a number of spires who study and expand the philosophies of war and conflict in their myriad incarnations.

One of the most notable structures here is the first '''[[Adelmar the Lion#The Shrine of the Armsmaster|Academy of Arms]]''', founded by the exemplar of [[Ambition]] [[Adelmar the Lion]] in the reign of [[Empress Richilde]]. Reached by a treacherous and winding mountain path, it had been somewhat eclipsed in the centuries since its foundation by the Academies of Dawn and the League. It remained a popular site of pilgrimage for followers of the Way seeking to learn more about Adelmar - or to study under the teachers who maintain the school there. In 384YE, '''Ranae deRondell''' consecrated the shrine there with [[Liao#True Liao|true liao]]; since then the influx of pilgrims prepared to brave the difficult climb up the mountain has been greatly increased.

===Tomari===
*'''Quality:''' Hills
The wild peaks of Tomari are some of the more populous in Redoubt. The mountains are riddled with [[mine|mines]], and rich in iron, precious metals, fine jewels and [[Materials#Green Iron|green iron]]. The [[#The Brilliant Star|Brilliant Star]] is found here, and occasional pockets of mithril are found throughout the peaks. It is also the site of the famous spire of [[#Delving|Delving]], whose prosperity is based on rich mines and the study of subterranean engineering.

Among other notable spires, '''Tabulous''' is a college whose curriculum focuses on teaching rigorous objectivity and complex mathematics. Many members of the faculty are retired Urizen civil servants, and the curriculum is considered excellent for training servants of the Empire, giving them the skills to make accurate accountings and forecasts. The Day [[regio]] in which Tabulous stands is credited both with cultivating an atmosphere of calm and rationality, and making the spire especially welcoming to [[merrow]] scholars.

On the highest peak here stands the fused ruin known as the '''Unmade'''. A crumbled tower of blasted stone, it is said that it once was a spire, that was eradicated completely by the massed Spires of Urizen early in the days of the Empire. No-one remembers why - which in a nation dedicated to the keeping of accurate records is a matter of obvious concern.

===Ventosi===
The valleys of Ventosi form a great shallow basin between the towering peaks to the north, east and south. Wild forests haunted by surly orcs and hungry [[Mundane_beasts#Drakes|drakes]] give way to fertile [[farm|farmland]] nearer the rocky coast, where sheer white stone cliffs drop vertiginously into the Bay of Catazar. These western cliffs, haunted by massive gulls and wild sea birds, give Ventosi the feeling of a secluded plateau rather than a valley. A few ambitious spires built along the coast use lifts and treacherous paths to access the water, while others are constructed into the rock walls themselves gazing out towards the Brass Coast. The cliffs of Ventosi are the only known nesting grounds within the empire of the Imperial Albatross - some specimens have been reported with wingspans of almost twenty feet.

One of the more prominent spires here is called '''The Hollows''', for its unusual construction: wind-blown caves in the sandstone formed into extensive dwellings by years of patient, meditative, stone-carving. It is exceptional in Redoubt as a place of spiritual study and introspection. The nature of time is a particular topic discussed here and the surrounding area is scattered with large works of sculpture left to the mercy of the elements.

===Willstone===
The slopes of north-eastern Redoubt are heavily wooded, with hardy conifers on the upper slopes and sprawling [[forest|forests]] of [[Materials#Beggar's Lye|beggarwood]] on the lower slopes. There are comparatively few spires here, and they tend to be both isolated and isolationist, keeping contact with their peers largely through the heliopticon. This has contributed somewhat to Willstone also being the home of at least three small bands of independent barbarian [[orc]] brigands who occasionally bedevil travellers or launch a (generally unsuccessful) raid against one of the smaller spires. The best known spire in the region is probably '''Willstone Citadel'''.

Built largely of wood on the lower slopes of the mountain, surrounding a central carved stone pillar worked with many runes. Whatever other properties it may possess, the runic pillar is known to be a [[Formulaic_ritual#Ritual_Texts|ritual text]] for [[Bound by Common Cause]], and the anchor for a strong Autumn [[regio]]. The spire is known for training particularly resourceful sentinels. Not far from Willstone stand the remnants of the [[#Grand Conservatory (Ruined)|Grand Conservatory of Music]] that once served as a point of pilgrimage both for wayfarers exploring the virtue of [[Pride]], and for musicians from all over Urizen until it was [[To the last syllable#In Urizen|ruined]] by ''scions'' of [[Cold Sun]]
{{CaptionedImage|file=SenRedoubt.jpg|caption='''Thalia of Netherwatch''', Senator for Redoubt|align=left|width=350}}
{{Senate Elections|Senator_for_Redoubt|Territory=Redoubt|Season=Summer}}

==OOC Notes==
* As of the start of the Winter Solstice 387YE, the Grendel control Naris and Siluri. Urizen controls the rest of the territory, making this an Imperial territory.
* The [[#The Court of the White Fountain|Court of the White Fountain]] is a rank one [[fortification]].
* The [[#The Walls of Cargo|Walls of Cargo]] is a rank one [[fortification]], but while the garrison is supported by Axou troops it will inflict half again as many casualties on any attacking army as a construction of similar size. Enlarging the fortification while maintaining this quality will be a challenge without Axou assistance.
* [[business|Businesses]] in the territory benefit from the Bridge of Air and produce an extra 36 rings each season.

* [[mana site|Mana sites]] in the territory benefit from the Bridge of Air and produce an extra mana crystal each season

==Further Reading==
* [[Blood-red blooms]] - 387YE Winter wind of war on the ongoing invasion of Redoubt
* [[To ruin]] - 387YE Autumn wind of war on the renewed invasion of Redoubt

[[Category:Urizen]][[Category:Grendel]][[Category:Gazetteer]][[Category:Imperial Territory]]

Photography

2026-05-13T12:23:39Z

Rafferty:

==Overview==
Photography in LRP is a compromise: on the one hand are the rights of attendees who do not wish to be photographed coupled with the impact on immersion for all players by the photographer's presence. On the other hand many players wish to enjoy a photographic record of their character and the events they attended and photographs can help to publicize, promote and improve a game. These guidelines are intended to set a balance between these compromises which we feel is appropriate for Profound Decisions events.

We ask that photographers do not release their photographs under a Creative Commons license or similar, since this will give up any rights they would have to pass along take-down requests to those who have used their photos. They are, of course, free to grant usage rights to third parties, but should retain as much ability to enforce take-down requests as they feasibly can when doing so.

==Rules for Photographers==
These rules apply to all photographers, players and crew at our events. Tom Garnett is in charge of photography at our events. Please use [mailto:photography@profounddecisions.co.uk photography@profounddecisions.co.uk] for all inquiries about photography at our events.

===Minimising the Damage to Immersion===
*'''Wear costume whenever you are in an IC area'''
*'''No flash photography on the IC field'''
*'''Avoid standing in player's line of sight when shooting'''
*'''If possible cover your camera to make it as unobtrusive as possible'''
*'''Do not stage shots with players on the IC field'''

Everyone who is taking photographs at events needs to take all possible steps to minimise the damage to immersion that their OOC presence causes. In line with the normal PD event rules, you must wear costume when you are in the IC area. In addition you should try to cover your camera if possible. Flash photography isn't permitted in the IC areas, nor is staging shots with players. If you need to use a flash or stage a shot then please do so from the OOC field.

The most important thing is to try and remain "outside the focus" of the game. If a verbal clash is occurring, then you should not be between the participants and other players; if a battle is occurring then you should be well away from the lines of combatants. This will limit the range of photographs that you can take at the event, but is a compromise that we require all photographers to make to ensure that you avoid being in the line of sight of players who are trying to roleplay while you are taking photographs.
{{CaptionedImage|file=TomGarnett.jpg|align=right|caption=Head of Photography: Tom Garnett|width=300}}
==Sale of Photographs==
* '''Do not sell photographs outside the LRP community without the express permission of the people in the photo'''
Photographing at PD events is undertaken on the understanding that while you may freely sell your work within the larp community - and to their friends and family - you shall not sell photographs more widely without the explicit permission of the identifiable major subjects.

This is intended to balance the interests of photographers against the ability of participants to control how they are portrayed to the wider world. Any questions about this policy, or how it applies to specific situations, should be addressed to PD by email.

===Take-down Requests===
*'''All photographers must take reasonable steps to respect player's privacy'''
*'''You must take down any photograph that you are asked to remove by a subject in the photo'''
Not all participants at an LRP event are fortunate enough to be unconcerned about images of themselves dressed in costume appearing on the internet. Given the size of the game it is impossible to maintain an effective list of individuals who do not wish to be photographed, but all photographers should take reasonable steps to try to avoid photographing players they know do not wish images of them live-roleplaying to be made public.

In particular photographers must remove any image that they have published, if they are requested to do so by a participant who is identifiable in the photograph, as quickly as practical. Any photographers who do not remove photographs when requested will have their right to attend future PD events permanently revoked.

==Filming and Audio Recordings==
* '''We do not allow filming by outside organizations at our events without prior permission'''
* '''You may not film or record other participants in the IC area during time-in'''
* '''You must have the consent of anyone you film; you may never film covertly at our events'''

Commercial TV production outfits are not permitted to film at our events without our prior consent. Live role-players and film-students or enthusiasts are permitted to film explicitly consenting subjects in areas that are not in-character - we anticipate this being used for things like reaction videos, and one-to-one interviews.

All requests for permission to film participants engaged in live-roleplaying in the IC-area during time-in at our events will be refused. Our goal is to minimise any disruption to immersion and to ensure that all participants are able to attend the event in the knowledge that Profound Decisions have done everything possible to ensure that they are not filmed without their consent. As a result covert filming of any part of the event is not permitted.

The one case where filming within the IC area may be allowed is where a person or group wishes to record an out-of-character "piece to camera" about their event, in private, and the most suitable space available is their own tent (in the in-character field). Since this will risk neither disrupting the game, nor capturing the roleplay of other participants, we will usually be happy to grant permission provided that we know what you are planning.

As with all rules, if you are uncertain about how they might apply to your specific case, we strongly encourage you to contact us and discuss your situation.

These restrictions include making audio recordings. You may not make audio recordings in the IC area during time-in. You may not record without the explicit consent of those you are recording.

==Crew Photographers==
*'''There are two crew photographers at our events'''
*'''Our crew photography department allocates photography slots for battles and skirmishes'''

Tom Garnett and Oliver Facey attend our events as part of our crew to take photographs. Their goal is to produce photographs of the event to help promote and improve the game. We do not require any further crew photographers at this time.

If you wish to take photographs on a battle or skirmish then you must [mailto:photography@profounddecisions.co.uk email the crew photographers] to see if a slot is free.
{{CaptionedImage|file=CM-160528-0470web.jpg|align=right|width=700}}

==Player Photographers==
*'''All other photographers attending the event must purchase a ticket'''

Everyone who has purchased a ticket to attend the event is welcome to take photographs in the main IC area if they wish to do so, provided that they follow the rules for photographers at our events.

==Battle and Skirmish Photography==
*'''Slots to photograph the battles and skirmishes are allocated by our crew photographers'''
*'''Photographing a battle is not an alternative to monstering'''

We have chosen to limit the number of slots available for players taking to the battlefield to take photographs in an attempt to ensure that the battles and skirmishes remain as immersive as possible. If you wish to take photographs on the battlefield then please [mailto:photography@profounddecisions.co.uk email us] to request access.

Two slots will be used on most battles by our crew photographers - if they are not photographing a battle or skirmish then additional slots will become free.

Photographing a battle is not considered an alternative to monstering. If players wish to fight in a battle as their character they will still need to monster a battle as well.

Feroz

2026-05-13T11:28:59Z

Rafferty:

{{CaptionedImage|file=RegionsofFeroz.png|title=Southernmost of the Freeborn territories, lush but threatened by barbarians over land and sea|caption=Regions of Feroz|align=left|width=500}}[[Category:Gazetteer]][[Category:Imperial Territory]][[category:The Brass Coast]]
== Overview ==
Feroz is the southernmost territory of the Brass Coast, and like [[Madruga]] to the north has both isles and coastline. Here the climate is warm and humid, perfect for the cultivation of different plants. This is the home of the fabulous spice gardens of Feroz, a source of great revenue for the people of this territory. The seas are more treacherous here, and the south and the west are constantly threatened by barbarians by land. As a result, many armed merchants patrolled the seas, and groups of young warriors journeyed along the borders, fighting skirmishes against jealous foes.

There is a traditional rivalry between the families of Feroz and those of Madruga. The northern territory was the first settled when the Freeborn [[The_Brass_Coast_history#The_Conquest_of_the_Coast|left Highguard]], and there is a popular stereotype that the people who live there are "stuck up". This stereotype is more humorous than hateful - the Freeborn move around too much to allow such prejudice to root itself too firmly in their psyche. Still, if a citizen of Feroz wants to insult a citizen of Madruga, they will fall back on accusations of arrogance and an over-reliance on tradition.

Some of the finest [[Surgical skills#Apothecary|apothecaries]] on the Brass Coast once lived in Feroz - the art of [[potion]] making has been studied here for centuries and even after two years of occupation by the Grendel it is still home to a great many [[herb garden|herb gardens]]. The mainland is a criss-cross patchwork of [[farm|farms]] and small settlements. At the height of its prosperity, a great deal of the food and drink consumed on the Brass Coast was produced here and exported to other Freeborn territories.

Unfortunately, in recent years the territory has been hit by disaster after disaster. Repeated raids by the Grendel eventually gave way to a concerted invasion, and while it was pushed back, the barbarian of the Broken Shore did not abandon their ambition to conquer Feroz. In 383YE, a [[Ratify treaty with the Grendel Autumn 383YE|peace treaty]] ceded the territory to the invaders, and saw the vicious, greedy, and tyrannical ''Governor Rahab'' establish his dominion over Feroz. The Freeborn organised a [[The power behind our moves|grand evacuation]] that saw much of the population escape Rahab's hungry grasp and resettle elsewhere in the Coast, but the move came at a price. When the treaty ended, and the Grendel were (mostly) driven out, Feroz was left abandoned, wrecked, and heavily underpopulated, its former residents preferring to stay with the new lives they had built elsewhere rather than return. Worse, the [[#Cazar Straits|Cazar Straits]] were taken by the [[Children of Wrecks]], transformed into a stronghold for the servants of the eternal [[Siakha]]. They in turn were supplanted towards the end of 387YE by the [[Iron Confederacy]], who drove out the Wreckers and claimed the island for themselves.

On the mainland, the situation is a little better, but what was once one of the richest Freeborn territories still struggles with the weight of two years of exploitation by a money-hungry tyrant, and what many see as its abandonment by the Empire.

==Recent History==
Being on the [[Bay of Catazar]], Feroz has always been under threat from the [[Grendel]] [[orc|orcs]]. In Spring 383YE, the orcs [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Spindrift|launched a naval invasion]], capturing [[#Oranseri|Oranseri]] and the [[#Cazar Straits|Cazar Straits]] in short order and making significant inroads into [[#Fontargenta|Fontargenta]]. The Grendel installed a grizzled old orc named ''Lord Rahab'' as overseer of the conquered land; he took up residence in the offices of the [[Scorrero Nets]] and quickly set about attempting to bring the rest of Feroz under his control. Part of their plan appeared to involve the ghosts of the [[#Isle of the Osseini|Isle of the Osseini]], but the scheme was countered by Imperial heroes travelling through the [[Sentinel Gate]] to exorcise the spirits and defeat the Grendel seeking to make use of them.

Undaunted by the loss of their supernatural weapon, the orcs kept up their assault. By Summer 383YE, they [[383YE_Summer_Solstice_winds_of_war#The_World_is_Not_Enough|sought to consolidate their gains in Fontargenta]]; they were opposed by [[Navarr]] and [[the Marches|Marcher]] [[Army|armies]], who held the Grendel at the town of [[#Fontargenta|Bramar]] for two days before being forced to retreat. They were able to slow the Grendel advance, however, leaving the orcs bogged down in Fontargenta and unable to press inland.

Following the engagement in Fontargenta, and battling under a powerful supernatural storm, the Grendel [[383YE_Autumn_Equinox_winds_of_war#Bronze|brought even more force]] to bear in the territory. While the Imperial armies were reinforced by [[Highguard|Highborn]] troops, the orc navies disgorged a great host of their own warriors. The fighting was bitter, but in the end Fontargenta fell - and as Fontargenta fell, so fell Feroz. While [[#Morajasse|Morajasse]] and [[#Afarjasse|Afarjasse]] remained free, the Grendel forces continued to mass along the coast.

During the Autumn Equinox 383, the [[Senate]] [[Ratify_treaty_with_the_Grendel_Autumn_383YE#Treaty|ratified a peace treaty]] with the Grendel. Presented by the [[Imperial Fleet Master]], among other things it [[Powers_of_the_Imperial_Senate#Concedence|ceded]] the two remaining regions of Feroz to the Grendel, albeit with provisions allowing Imperial citizens still in Morajasse and Afarjasse to withdraw to safety. Following the Equinox, Lord Rahab's forces spread out quickly to bring the two western regions under his control; Feroz was now [[To_curb_those_raging_appetites|completely under Grendel control]].

Just before the Autumn Equinox 386YE, the Imperial forces reconquered [[Glass_and_flame| reconquered Feroz]]. Possession of the territory is complicated by [[Children_of_Wrecks|Children of Wrecks]] as well as the remnants of the Grendel. Feroz has been run into the ground by Lord Rahab, eager to extract every drop of profit from the place, and it requires significant investment to return the territory to even a fraction of its former wealth.

In 386YE, the [[Senate]] commissioned an [[appraisal]] of Feroz that laid out many of the challenges presented by the newly reclaimed territory, and some potential solutions. Details are contained in the '''[[Send_for_me#State_of_Feroz|Send for me]]''' wind of fortune.

== Major Features ==
===Oran===
The largest and most prestigious port was Feroz is Oran, on the northern coast of [[#Oranseri|Oranseri]]. Across the bay from billowing [[Madruga#Siroc_(Ruined)|Siroc]] this thriving port specialised in high-value products such as fine wines and spice mixes. Unsurprisingly, given its position, for most of its history it has engaged in low-key economic warfare with its larger cousin to the north - Oran notably has cheaper dock fees than Siroc, and a number of entrepreneurs prefer to operate here as a consequence. It is especially welcoming to those merchants who are just starting out, and has a reputation for being more energetic than its competitors to the north and south. This energy has been significantly boosted by construction of the only open [[#The Temple of Balo and the Black Bull|Asavean Temple]] in the entire Empire; the surge of [[Asavean Archipelago|Asavean]] ships visiting Oran saw the town expand significantly to become the largest trading port in Feroz.

In Spring 383YE, however, Oran was [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Spindrift|conquered by the Grendel]]. An orc governor, Lord Rahab, chose the town as the site for his court, converting the offices of the [[Scorrero Nets]] to his personal use. Among other things, this invasion saw the collapse of the [[Broken Shore Bounty]], the Scorrero Nets falling into orc hands, and the Temple of Balo and the Black Bull sealing its doors against the orcs while offering sanctuary to Freeborn families. Following the treaty signed during the Autumn Equinox, the Grendel opened Oran as a port [[Everything_has_a_price#A_New_Destination|available to Imperial captains]]. This situation persisted until the peace treaty ended, and war with the Grendel resumed.

After the Summer Solstice 386YE, Imperial forces swept into Oranseri to liberate the territory from the Grendel. They [[Glass_and_flame#The_Siege_of_Oran|laid siege]] to Oran, and were quickly victorious. The [[Below_the_thunders#Objective:_Eliminate_Governor_Rahab|recent death of Governor Rahab]] in battle with the Empire's heroes left the garrison demoralised and disorganised. It was a grievous victory, however. The fighting that raged through the town, the overwhelming assault, the barrage of catapult stones, all contributed to the fact that many of the buildings have been left in ruins, and many more damaged. A fire at the docks threatened to spread through the town and only the valiant actions of League soldiers managed bring it under control. Barely a year later the town again came under serious attack, this time by the Children of Wrecks. Without the [[A_circle_sewn_with_fate#The_Battle_of_Oran|prompt action]] of the [[orc|orcs]] from the [[#Protectorate of Morajasse|Protectorate of Morajasse]], Oran again might have been destroyed. As it is, the town remains intact but in a sadly impoverished state.

Proposals have been put forward to [[Send_for_me#Wharfage_of_Oran|rebuild Oran]], but it remains to be seen what the future holds for the port town.

{{Anchor|The Temple of Balo and the Black Bull}}
===Temple of Balo and the Black Bull===
During the Spring Equinox 380YE, permission was granted to the people of the [[Asavean Archipelago]] to construct a major temple to their gods in [[#Oranseri|Oran]]. Initially, construction was expected to be completed shortly before the Autumn Equinox 380YE, but the temple did not actually open its doors until shortly before the Spring Equinox 381YE. The town is seeing an influx of Asavean shipping bringing white granite and architects to the Brass Coast, as well as throwing crowns around like water to secure local labour to complete their project. Relations between the people of the Empire and the priests of Asavea are monitored by ''[[El oficial de enlace imperial con los sacerdotes de Balo y el toro negro]]'' ("The Imperial intermediary to the priests of Balo and the Black Bull"), who among other things is able to [[ministry|buy Asavean goods]] at a reduced price. During the Summer Solstice 380YE, the Assembly of Nine supported Abaddon de Rondell in [[Temple_of_the_bull#Resolution|denouncing]] the temple as an idolatrous affront, making it significantly harder for the Asaveans to find labourers prepared to work on the construction and both delaying its completion and laying a significant economic burden on the foreign priests.

The temple remained extremely controversial among Imperial priests. When Oran fell to the Grendel, however, the priests at the temple [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Sand|offered sanctuary]] to a number of Freeborn families in spite of Governor Rahab's unhappiness. Several of those families were ultimately smuggled to safety in Madruga. Despite this, however, it was clear that the Asaveans were happy to work with the new owners of Oran - there were rumours that they quickly recognised a Grendel as the [[Imperial Delegate to the Temple in Feroz|Delegate to the Temple in Feroz]]. This situation was further exacerbated by the Summer 383YE [[Through_my_sails#Ruined_Buildings|attack]] on the "sister temple" to the Black Bull, the temple of the Way in Nemoria.

When Oran was [[Glass_and_flame#The_Siege_of_Oran|liberated from the Grendel]] in 386YE Autumn, the priests surrendered ''en masse'' and [[Glass_and_flame#Game_Information_:_Asavean_Diplomacy|asked to be repatriated]] back to the Archipelago. As of the winter of 387YE, the temple still stands but without tenants.

'''OOC Notes:''' More details on the construction of the Temple of Balo and the Black Bull can be found in the winds of fortune, specifically [[Seven_lords_of_virtue#Temple_of_Bahlo_and_the_Black_Bull|Seven lords of virtue]], [[Those who worship#The Black Bull|Those who worship]], and [[Distant deeps]].
===Celesti Lighthouse===
{{CaptionedImage|file=Oran_by_the_Sea.jpg|caption=The Celesti Lighthouse sits high on the headland overlooking Oran.|align=right|width=400}}
Situated near the farthest tip of the [[Feroz#Oran|Oran]] peninsula, at one of its highest points, is the [[Celesti_Lighthouse_Keeper#The_Celesti_Lighthouse|Celesti lighthouse]]. Nearly five hundred feet tall - a wonder of the Empire that once rivalled the [[Madruga#The_Shining_Pillar_(Destroyed)|Shining Pillar]] of [[Madruga]] - it was originally commissioned as part of the massive investment in coastal ports and defences during the reign of [[Emperor Barabbas]]. Intended to serve both as a navigation aid and to keep a watch for signs of [[Grendel]] ships, the structure was much larger than it needed to be - making it an object of ribald fun for satirists and humourists around the Bay of Catazar. Barabbas planned to have the lighthouse lit in a dramatic display as his great armada sailed past on its way to conquer Attar but due to overspending and delays, construction hadn’t yet started on the complex beacon, and only the tower itself was finished.

Following the destruction of the Barabbine Fleet, funding for coastal projects abruptly ceased, and there was little Senate interest in completing what was largely seen as one of the late Throne's great follies. In 380YE, however, '''Ahraz i Guerra''' of the Celesti - the hakima who tended the empty tower - raised the money necessary to complete the beacon. For several years, the golden light of the Gilded Peaks shone out across the Bay, welcoming travellers to the Brass Coast, and providing a vital navigation aid for those attempting to traverse the isles and sandbanks of [[Feroz#Cazar Strits|Cazar]]. The "Celesti Lighthouse Keeper" was charged with maintaining the tower; keen to promote trade with the newly opened foreign ports in the [[Principalities of Jarm]]. Sadly, when Feroz was conquered by the [[Grendel]], and ceded to the [[orc|orcs]] by the subsequent [[Ratify_treaty_with_the_Grendel_Autumn_383YE#Treaty|peace treaty]], the lighthouse came under the dominion of the ruthless and avaricious ''Governor Rahab''. Who promptly wrecked it.

In 387YE, the lighthouse was restored to its former glory; or more properly surpassed it. Rebuilt, it was furnished with a unique lamp incorporating a boon of [[Kimus]] called the ''watchstone''. The light is now unquenchable, but more than that it ensures that everyone on the Bay of Catazar is aware of exactly where the lighthouse is even if they cannot see it. It has both boosted the morale of the corsair families, and sent a defiant message to the enemies of the Brass Coast. More even than that, the magical lamp has a [[Celesti_Lighthouse_Keeper#Light_in_the_Storm|potent connection]] to the new lighthouse keeper that may help keep the Freeborn safe from future attacks against their coast.
{{Anchor|Protectorate of Morajasse}}

===Mora's Rock===
Built as part of the grand project to create [[fortification|fortifications]] across the southern Empire in response to the threat of the [[Grendel]], Mora's Rock in [[#Morajasse|Morajasse]] was completed in the months following the [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Bravado|invasion of 383YE]]. The fortification squats above the town of Mora, guarding against invasion from [[Segura]], and providing garrisons and scouts who can offer resistance to assaults from the sea.

When Morajasse was ceded to the Grendel in Autumn 383YE, they took control of the fortification and later expanded it significantly. The fortification resisted the [[Glass and flame|liberation]] of the territory, and as of the beginning of 387YE remains under the control of the Grendel. The garrison is led by ''[[Glass_and_flame#The_Shadow_of_Mora's_Rock|Commander Gallum Fiersach]]'', ably supported by his partner, the ''Wind Lord Saoirse''.

The garrison there includes a warband of veteran [[Elite_Grendel_troops#The_Stone_Born|Stone Born]], and the remainder appear to be very experienced soldiers. These Grendel are enemies of the Empire, obviously, but that did not prevent them acting to [[A_circle_sewn_with_fate#The_Battle_of_Oran|protect Oran]] from the Children of Wrecks in early 387YE. In the Summer of that year, the Senate [[387YE_Summer_Solstice_Senate_sessions#Recognise_Protectorate_of_Gallum_Fiersach|recognised the Protectorate of Morajasse]] as foreigners, as long as they remained independent of the Grendel. While there is still tension between the Freeborn and the orcs many see as occupying Morajasse, for now at least Gallum Fiersach's forces seem content to keep to their castle, apart from regular patrols along the borders of Feroz aimed at protecting the territory from the Children of Wrecks - and the Iron Confederacy.
===The Spice Gardens of Feroz===
In western [[#Morajasse|Morajasse]] stand the legendary Spice Gardens of Feroz - a set of heavily-walled enclosures covering several acres where the finest spices in the Empire are grown. A rich source of trade for whoever controls the gardens, the [[Imperial title]] of [[Keeper of the Spice Gardens]] has changed hands between families only a handful of times in the last few centuries, and the bargaining leading up to a new appointment has regularly involved the whole nation.

The peace treaty of Autumn 383YE that ceded control of Morajasse to the Grendel saw the Spice Gardens fall into the hands of the orcs. The Grendel appreciate fine spices as much as any Freeborn so the evidence is that they did not harm the legendary Gardens - but for many Freeborn the idea of their beautiful spice gardens being operated by Grendel slaves was particularly heinous. With Governor Rahab dead and Feroz liberated, the Spice Gardens remain out of Imperial hands as part of the [[#Protectorate of Morjasse|Protectorate of Morajasse]].

==Lost and Ruined==
{{anchor|Shantarim}}
===Shantarim (ruined)===
In the southern islands of the [[#Cazar Straits|Cazar Straits]] the town of Shantarim was one a [[corsair]] stronghold. The families were are known to engage in fierce competition with their northern rivals, not only in Madruga but also in [[#Oranseri|Oranseri]] and even the other islands of the Straits. Smaller than the town of Cazar, Shantarim had a reputation for being somewhat less cosmopolitan than the other towns of Feroz - visitors from mainland families sometimes encounter prejudice and suspicion. The families of Shantarim more than made up for their relatively small size with the enthusiasm with which they opposed the orcs of the Broken Shore.

Prior to the [[Ratify treaty with the Grendel Autumn 383YE|peace treaty]] of 383YE, they were loud supporters of the [[Freeborn Storm]], and the various raids against the Grendel. The signing of the peace treaty with the southern orcs tied their hands, making it illegal to fight the Grendel, which became been a major source of dissension in Shantarim.

Towards the end of the ceasefire secured by the treaty, in 385YE, Shantarim was attacked and wrecked. Warships of the [[Asavean Archipelago]], allies of the Grendel occupation, engaged in a campaign of destruction across the Cazar Straits, and along with the Isle of the Osseini, Shantarim bore the brunt. Many corsairs who had endured the occupation of the Grendel were slain, and the town was looted and left in ruins. When the Children of Wrecks arrived, there was precious little left for the to wreck.
<div style="float:right; width: 450px; clear: right;"><box>'''Justicars'''<br>The priests who previously lived on the Isle of the Osseini called themselves ''justicars''. Specialist exorcists and inquisitors in the pre-Imperial history of the Brass Coast, they specialised in driving out malign spirits or cleansing unpleasant auras from people, places and objects. Never particularly populous, their sanctuary on the Isle of the Osseini was all but wiped out by the Grendel. A handful remained elsewhere, and during the Autumn Equinox 383YE the Freeborn assembly [[383YE_Autumn_Equinox_Synod_judgements#Judgement_22|called on them to come together to preserve their traditions]]. A small enclave of justicars was established on the Isle of Osseini at the sufferance of the Grendel. Unfortunately, when Asavean warships went on a rampage in 385YE, the first place they attacked was this enclave, putting the priests to the sword and burning the enclave. When the Children of Wrecks arrived, the Grendel magicians still left on the island fled back to the Broken Shore. As far as anyone knows today, the island is abandoned.</box></div>

{{Anchor|Isle of the Osseini}}
===Isle of the Osseini (Ruined)===
At the southern tip of the [[#Cazar Straits|Cazar Straits]], the island was known for its heavy sea fog, its ghosts, and for a small sect of Freeborn priests famed for their knowledge of the arts of [[exorcism]]. Stories claimed the Isle was haunted by those who had died at sea, but most Freeborn had no truck with such foolishness. In 383YE, however, it became clear these tales of ghosts were more than just idle gossip. During the Spring Equinox of that year, a [[Grendel]] shaman attempted to unleash a ghostly legion of drowned orcs bound in some fashion to white granite pillars on the island against the defenders of Feroz. Before they could do so they were [[383YE_Summer_Solstice_winds_of_war#The_World_is_Not_Enough|thwarted by Imperial heroes]] who reached the isle via the [[Sentinel Gate]]. Once the heroes retreated, the status of the island, the pillars, and the remaining priests was unknown.

Then in Autumn 383YE, as part of the negotiations that led to the peace treaty with the Grendel, a contract was negotiated with the orc diplomat regarding the Isle of the Osseini. In the wake of that agreement, a small group of priests were allowed to visit the Isle with a Grendel escort. There they discovered the remaining priests were dead, the ghost-binding pillars had been destroyed, and the island was in the hands of a coven of Grendel magicians. The orcs had already constructed a permanent residence there built around a particular Winter regio, and were less than welcoming to the Freeborn. Further negotiations followed; in the end the Freeborn were allowed to establish a small enclave here, under the careful watch of the Grendel.

The return of the justicars was short-lived. In 385YE, a fleet of warships from the Asavean Archipelago went on a murderous rampage in the southern Cazar Straits. Allies of the Grendel, they slaughtered the priests and burned the enclave before sailing north to Shantarim. When the Children of Wrecks arrived, the remaining Grendel magicians fled back to the Broken Shore. By the close of 387YE, the island appears to be abandoned, although it remains to be seen what the Iron Confederacy plan to do with it.

'''OOC Note:''' You can learn more about the historic Isle of the Osseini in the [[Bones in the ocean]] wind of fortune.
{{Anchor|The Scorrero Nets}}
===Scorrero Nets (Defunct)===
The Scorrero Nets were a [[Bourse]] resource located in [[#Oranseri|Oranseri]], seized by the Grendel in Spring 383YE as part of their conquest of Feroz. Custodianship of the Nets was an [[Imperial Title]] that brought with it a Seat on the [[Bourse]]. In Winter 384YE, a [[Drums_beat_in_my_head#The_Scorrero_Nets|daring plan]] was proposed to "steal" the nets by establishing the [[Cerevado Nets]] upriver in [[Segura]]. As a consequence, this Bourse resource ceased to exist, much to the chagrin of the Grendel governor Rahab.
{{Anchor|The Broken Shore Bounty}}
===The Broken Shore Bounty (Defunct)===
The [[Broken Shore Bounty]] was a Bourse resource that was technically located in the [[#Cazar Straits|Cazar Straits]] inasmuch as the holder of the [[Bourse]] seat has the use of a fortified villa in the hills near Cazar. The actual [[ilium]] that the seat provided was sourced throughout the Bay of Catazar; a portion of all ilium claimed from the nets of Freeborn, [[the League|League]], [[Highguard|Highborn]], and [[Urizen|Urizeni]] nets is claimed as part of the Bounty. It produced 7 rings of ilium each season and was allocated during the Spring Equinox.

When the Cazar Straits fell to the Grendel, they also seized the offices of the Broken Shore Bounty. Despite a [[Four_strong_winds#Broken_Shore_Bounty|proposal to move the offices]], the resource fell into disarray, the ilium ending up split between the Imperial Fleet Master and the Bourse Auction. With the ratification of the Grendel peace treaty, this title and resource effectively ceased to exist.
==Regions==
===Afarjasse===
'''Qualities:''' [[Region_qualities#Abandoned|Abandoned]], [[Region_qualities#Underpopulated|Underpopulated]]<br>
The wide open spaces of Afarjasse were sparsely populated even at the height of Feroz's prosperity. "Sweet afar" was a phrase sometimes used to describe being in the middle of nowhere, or an area where there was nothing but grass as far as the eye could see. The only major settlement was the quiet town of '''Afar''', established by [[hakima]] with close ties to the [[Guerra]] [[tribe]], near a potent [[regio]] tied to the [[Realms#Night|realm of Night]]. The town was not hard to reach, but it stood alone in a sea of sprawling grassland, and never encouraged casual visitors. On nights when powerful magics were performed, Afar was often visible for miles around - great bonfires blazing and massive drums pounding out powerful rhythms to help raise (or draw down, or both) the passionate energy for powerful workings.

As with the rest of Feroz, Afarjasse spent two years in the hands of the Grendel. The governor, Lord Rahab, made it clear that the hakima here would not be permitted access to their potent regio - they were after all an important strategic resource. Many of the people who once called the town home went into exile in [[Segura]] and [[Kahraman]] rather than endure Rahab's oppression. When the plains of Afarjasse were [[Glass_and_flame#Fontargenta_and_Bramar_and_Afar|liberated from the Grendel]] it was discovered that Rahab had established massive farms around Afar. The crops were tended by slaves, several hundred of whom were held at Afar in great dormitories, forced to work the fields until they fell, with the same heedless cruelty the Grendel apparently show to those who toil in their salt mines. These people were liberated by the [[Narwhal's Spear]] and the [[Fist of the Mountains]], who executed everyone responsible for their durance. Most were Imperial citizens, but maybe a hundred came from further afield, bought by Rahab from the slave markets of the Broken Shore. Those who are not already Imperial citizens were offered new homes in the Empire. The farms remain, but enthusiasm to work them is understandably low.

===Cazar Straits===
'''Qualities:''' Abandoned, Coastal, Impoverished, Island, Underpopulated<br>
For most of the Brass Coast's history, the islands of the Cazar Straits were dominated by [[corsair]] families. The largest settlement remains the port town from which the islands take their name - high-cliffed '''Cazar''' - but in recent years it has changed hands several times and is a shadow of its former self. Built around a bustling dock, it served as a safe harbour and home port for many of the [[fleet|fleets]] that protected the Bay from barbarian ships. The holder of the [[Broken Shore Bounty]] used to have the use of a fortified villa in the hills near Cazar, and the civil service offices that oversaw the resource were based here. Both were lost to the Grendel, then to the [[Children of Wrecks]], and in the last months of 387YE, to the [[Iron Confederacy]].

Even before the Children of Wrecks arrived, several of the more southerly islands of the Straits had a reputation for peculiarity. The corsairs of [[#Shantarim|Shantarim]] for example were renowned both for their enthusiastic rivalry with all other corsair families, and the zeal with which they waged war on the Grendel. The [[#Isle of the Osseini|Isle of the Osseini]] is also found here, once home to a sect of strange priests, allegedly haunted by the ghosts of drowned pirates, then the site of an uneasy truce between orc magicians and Freeborn priests. Towards the end of the peace treaty with the Grendel, however, a fleet of warships from the [[Asavean Archipelago]] slaughtered the justicars of Osseini and ruined the town of Shantarim. When the Children of Wrecks claimed the region, there was precious little left for them to destroy.

Shortly after the Autumn Equinox 387YE, a naval force belonging to the Iron Confederacy [[Red_skies#Swords_of_the_South|assailed the Cazar Straits]]. They smashed the Children of Wrecks stronghold and claimed the islands for themselves. [[Poets_light_but_lamps#The_Iron_Confederacy|Initial diplomatic discussion]] of the fate of the islands was inconclusive.

Today, the waters around the Cazar Straits remain treacherous, in part this is due to the presence of dozens of immature kraken hatched in the waters by the Children of Wrecks.

===Fontargenta===
'''Qualities:''' Abandoned, Coastal, Impoverished<br>
The trading port of '''Bramar''' stands on the coast here. Surrounded by rich agricultural land, its bountiful cornfields once competed with [[the Marches|Marcher]] grain in markets across the southern nations of the Empire, and their vineyards were justly famous. Before the Grendel invasion it served as an important hub for the Imperial wine trade, with many excellent vintages passing through its docks - both from the Brass Coast to the rest of the world, and from the rest of the world to the Brass Coast (and thus the Empire). Two years of mismanagement by Lord Rahab coupled with raids by the Children of Wrecks [[Glass_and_flame#Fontargenta_and_Bramar_and_Afar|left the region devastated]], and it remains to be seen if the farms here will ever recover.

===Morajasse===
'''Qualities:''' Protectorate of Morajasse, Abandoned, Impoverished, Underpopulated<br>
Morajasse was once one of the richest parts of the Brass Coast, home to extensive spice gardens and renowned for its herbalists, [[surgical skills#apothecary|apothecaries]], and chefs. The largest town was '''Mora''', once simply a spice market, transformed the Lasambrian invasion of [[Segura]] in 363YE. The threat of the western barbarians prompted a burst of rapid militarisation in this previously peaceful settlement. Refugees streamed in from southern Segura: some supported by their families, others looking to work in the market. With the liberation of the western territory, a strange reversal took place - the pool of desperate labourers largely dried up with refugees returning to their homes.

Immediately following the [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Bravado|invasion of Feroz]] in 383YE, work was completed on a [[fortification]] at the town of Mora, [[#Mora's Rock|Mora's Rock]]. The fortification served the defenders well, but with the ratification of the peace treaty it was taken over, and expanded, by Grendel troops. It now serves as the base of operations of ''Wind Lord Saoirse'' and her partner ''Commander Fiersach'', as well as a sizable force of Grendel veterans, in what the Senate has recognised as the [[#Protectorate of Morajasse|Protectorate of Morajasse]].

Western Morajasse is the site of the great [[#The Spice Gardens of Feroz|Spice Gardens]] and the [[Vizier of the Incarnadine Satchel]] was often quite active here, dealing with agents of the Spice Gardens and traders from the Jewelled Isles. Following the Grendel treaty, the offices that supported the Vizier were abandoned, and while they are still notionally the owner of the miraculous satchel that gives them their name, their ability to support the nations' apothecaries and physicks has been greatly reduced.

===Oranseri===
'''Qualities:''' Abandoned, Coastal, Impoverished<br>
Across the bay from billowing [[Madruga#Siroc|Siroc]] stands the once-thriving port town of [[#Oran|Oran]]. It is the only place in Feroz that seems to have prospered under the Grendel occupation - for a given value of "prospered". The port grew in prominence and prosperity, serving as the seat of power for the Grendel governor Lord Rahab. Today the town is a mismatched mess of old Freeborn and new Grendel architectural styles, with the [[#Temple of Balo and the Black Bull|Temple of Balo and the Black Bull]] further complicating the matter by being resolutely Asavean in outline.

Just outside Oran lies the great [[#The_Celesti_Lighthouse|Celesti Lighthouse]], its beacon repaired and restored to full functionality. Today its light shines brighter than ever - in large part thanks to the aid of the eternal [[Kimus]] who helped provide a unique lamp to shine brilliant beams across the dangerous waters of the Cazar Straits and the misty Bay of Oran.

West of Oran is the ''Scorrero Crossing''. The river Scorrero is wide and deep between Feroz and Madruga. During the Summer Solstice 383YE, the Grendel invaders attempted to take advantage of this by taking control of both bridges that connect the two Freeborn territories. Had they been successful, it would have been significantly harder for Imperial forces to move between Siroc and Oranseri. Their attempts were stymied, and ultimately became moot once the Scorrero [[Where_the_river_rises#Crossing|burst its banks]] and carried away all the existing bridges.

'''Joharra''' is a port south of Oran, considered much more stable than its northern cousin, and better known for its industry than its trade. Famous throughout the Empire for its cloth and dye-work, Joharra was called '' the Rainbow'' by coastal sailors who mark their progress round the coast with the first sight of the great billowing cloths hung out to dry on tall wooden frames along the low cliffs. As with the other settlements of Oranseri, the weavers and dyers here laboured for years under the yoke of the Grendel orcs. Many endured, however, and there is still [[Send_for_me#Inkworks_of_Joharra|potential to revive]] the industry here.

==Strategic Considerations==
* '''The damage to the bridges along the Scorrero prevents movement between Feroz and Madruga'''
* '''Cazar Straits have the Island quality which greatly complicates access by armies'''
The damage to almost all the bridges along the Scorrero means that it is effectively impossible for an [[Army|army]] to move between Feroz and [[Madruga]] (or vice versa). More information can be found in the '''[[Where_the_river_rises#Crossing|Where the river rises]]''' wind of fortune.

The islands of the Cazar Straits are separated from land by deep water, treacherous shoals, and the presence of juvenile kraken unleashed by the Children of Wrecks. Armies cannot move to, from, or through this region, nor can they attack it, unless transported by a [[navy]].
<div style="float:left; width: 450px; clear: right;">{{CaptionedImage|file=Garviel i Abrira i Erigo.jpg|caption='''Garviel i Abrira i Erigo''', Senator for Feroz|align=left|width=500}}</div>
{{Senate Elections|Senator_for_Feroz|Territory=Feroz|Season=Summer|Controlled=is}}

==OOC Notes==
* As of the start of the Winter Solstice 387YE, the Iron Confederacy control the Cazar Straits, the Protectorate of Morajasse controls Morajasse, and the Brass Coast controls Afarjasse, Fontargenta, and Oranseri. Feroz is an Imperial territory
* [[#Mora's Rock|Mora's Rock]] is a rank two fortification controlled by the Grendel.
* The status of various titles and resources located in Feroz is outlined in more detail in [[To_curb_those_raging_appetites#Lost_Opportunities|To curb those raging appetites]], a Winter 383YE wind of fortune.

==Further Reading==
* [[Red skies]] - 387YE Winter wind of war about the Iron Confederacy invasion of the Cazar Straits
* [[A circle sewn with fate]] - 387YE Spring wind of war detailing the Wrecker attack on Oran
* [[Send for me]] - 386YE Winter wind of fortune about the rebuilding of Feroz
* [[Glass and flame]] - 386YE Autumn wind of war about the liberation of Feroz
* [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Spindrift|Winds of War 383YE Spring]] - Detailing the Grendel invasion
* [[383YE_Summer_Solstice_winds_of_war#The_World_is_Not_Enough|Winds of War 383YE Summer]]
* [[383YE_Autumn_Equinox_winds_of_war#Bronze|Winds of War 383YE Autumn]]
* [[Ratify_treaty_with_the_Grendel_Autumn_383YE#Treaty|Treaty]] - the Autumn 383YE treaty with the Grendel
* [[To curb those raging appetites]] - a Winter 383YE wind of fortune that details the situation for Freeborn in Feroz
* [[Everything has a price]] - a Winter 383YE wind of fortune that details the general situation with the Grendel, and has several notes about their presence in Feroz
* [[Bones in the ocean]] - a Winter 383YE wind of fortune that specifically deals with the [[#Isle of the Osseini|Isle of the Osseini]] and the justicars

Celesti Lighthouse Keeper

2026-05-13T11:28:44Z

Rafferty:

{{CaptionedImage|file=Oran_by_the_Sea.jpg|caption=The Celesti Lighthouse sits high on the headland overlooking Oran.|align=left|width=400}}
===Overview===
The Celesti Lighthouse Keeper is an [[Imperial title]], originally [[Construct the Celesti Lighthouse II|created]] by the [[The Brass Coast|Freeborn]] [[Civilian Commissioner]] in Winter 380YE. Almost seven years later, at the Autumn Equinox 387YE, '''Garviel i Abrira i Erigo''', as [[Feroz#Recent_Senate_Elections|Senator for Feroz]], raised the motion to [[Repair Celesti Lighthouse|repair]] the damage done to the Celesti Lighthouse. The [[#The Celesti Lighthouse|Celesti lighthouse]] itself is built near the town of [[Feroz#Oranseri|Oran]], in [[Feroz]]; a stone tower topped with a massive beacon of polished mithril mirrors.

===Responsibilities===
The Lighthouse Keeper is expected to ensure the Celesti Lighthouse remains functional, providing a beacon to sailors along the coast of Feroz. They would also be the responsible for dealing with any threats to the Lighthouse - or in theory to Oran itself - but would also to deal with any [[opportunity]] related to the Celesti lighthouse.

==Powers==
===Crystals for Celesti===
The Celesti Lighthouse Keeper is a [[ministry]]. The Keeper can purchase quantities of crystal mana from mariners and ship-captains that visit Oran, buying at a set price. The Keeper makes their decision how much money to spend during downtime from their character page. Money is removed from, and resources are placed into, the character's inventory when the downtime is processed.
<div style="width: 400px; float: right; clear: right; margin-left:10px;">
<table class="mw-collapsible"><tr><td colspan="2" style="background-color: LightBlue;">'''Mariners' Mana'''</td></tr>
<tr><td>7 Crowns</td><td>8 mana crystals</td></tr>
<tr><td>17 Crowns</td><td>16 mana crystals</td></tr>
<tr><td>35 Crowns</td><td>25 mana crystals</td></tr>
<tr><td>48 Crowns</td><td>33 mana crystals</td></tr>
</table></div>

===Light in the Storm===
''Fotismos'', herald of [[Kimus]], has pledged to provide the Celesti Lighthouse Keeper with a fragment of the material from which the light was made, creating an unbreakable link between the lighthouse and the Keeper. As long as the Celesti Lighthouse Keeper is included as an additional target of a ritual, the effective magnitude of any [[divination]] cast on [[Feroz]] is increased by 10 for the purpose of overcoming shrouds, and any performance of [[Piercing Light of Revelation]] has its magnitude increased by 30 for the purposes of removing shrouds or effects that obscure or conceal the territory.
{{CaptionedImage|file=Kimus001.png|align=right|title=A herald of Kimus offers aid for as long as that eternal is not under enmity.|width=200}}
Furthermore, as long as Kimus is not placed under enmity, a performance of Piercing Light of Revelation specifically intended for that purpose could be used to destroy any curse of storm or ruin targeting Feroz - such as [[Foam and Spittle of the Furious Sea]] or [[Thunderous Deluge]] - provided the magnitude of the ritual is at least three times the magnitude of the target curse.

==Appointment==
The Celesti Lighthouse Keeper is appointed during the Winter Solstice each year. It is chosen by unanimous decision of the [[senator|senators]] of [[the Brass Coast]]. If a unanimous decision cannot be reached, the title [[Appointments_by_the_Senate#National_Position|may be appointed]] by the [[Senate]] instead.

The title can be held by any Freeborn citizen. They can be [[revocation|revoked]] by the [[Assembly#General_Assembly|General Assembly]], the [[Assembly#The_National_Assemblies|National Assembly]] of the Brass Coast, and by the [[Assembly#Assembly_of_the_Nine|Assembly of the Nine]].
{{RecentElections|Celesti_Lighthouse_Keeper}}
==The Celesti Lighthouse==
The Celesti lighthouse was originally constructed as part of the massive investment in coastal ports and defences during the reign of [[Emperor Barabbas]]. The lighthouse was intended to serve not only as a navigation aid but also to keep a watch for signs of [[Grendel]] ships. As befitting Barabbas’ grand [[ambition]], the structure was significantly larger than was strictly appropriate to the traffic through a moderate-sized coastal town - making it an object of fun for satirists and humourists around the Bay of Catazar.

Unfortunately, when Feroz was conquered by the [[Grendel]], and ceded to the [[orc|orcs]] by the subsequent [[Ratify_treaty_with_the_Grendel_Autumn_383YE#Treaty|peace treaty]], the lighthouse came under the dominion of the ruthless and avaricious ''Governor Rahab''. Following the liberation of Feroz, the lighthouse was left in remarkable shape; the foundations remain, though the burnished mirrors have long since been looted, and it still serves as an intimidating sight above the cliffs of Oran. This did not prevent the Children of Wrecks seeking to [[Send_for_me#Butcher's_Yard_(Feroz)|bring it down]] in Winter 386YE - another thumb to the eye of the Freeborn. Fortunately, the [[Strategos|Strategos of the Brass Coast]], '''Gael i Guerra''', organised a warband of Imperial heroes to ensure the wreckers were defeated, and so the tower at least still stands.

In Summer 387YE, an [[appraisal]] by [[Appraisal#Eilian Sweetwater|Eilian Sweetwater]] presented a [[For_those_in_peril_on_the_sea#The_Celesti_Lighthouse|proposal]] for restoring the ruined lighthouse to its former glories. The [[Senate]] approved [[387YE_Autumn_Equinox_Senate_sessions#Repair_Celesti_Lighthouse|the construction work]], which was completed shortly before the Winter Solstice. The beacon now once again shines its beam of brilliant light across the treacherous waters of the Cazar Straits, and the mist-shrouded Bay of Oran. These beams can penetrate even the worst weather conditions, thanks to the inclusion of a [[For_those_in_peril_on_the_sea#Light_in_the_Storm|magically infused lamp]] empowered by the [[eternal]] [[Kimus]].

The heart of this lamp is the ''watchstone'', installed by the [[inhabitants of the realms#Heralds|herald]] ''Fotismos''. The light is unquenchable, and provides several other benefits. Everyone in the Bay of Catazar knows exactly where they are in relation to this magical beacon. It serves as a reminder to hostile forces in the bay that the lighthouse - and the Freeborn nation it represents - defies them. Even the Grendel navies know the light is there, and cannot help but be reminded that no matter what they do to the Brass Coast, they will never submit. The light serves to raise the morale of the corsair families, and even has an impact on the pirates and privateers of the Bay.

It also helped restore the confidence of the common folk around the Bay that the Freeborn Corsairs are looking out for them. This allowed the Senate an opportunity to restore the [[Broken Shore Bounty]], which had previously been lost during the invasion of the Grendel. It also created a unique opportunity for Imperial vessels to [[Voyage#Patrol the Bay of Catazar|patrol the Bay of Catazar]], helping anyone who gets into trouble, and also being alert for any signs of threat or peculiar developments at sea or on its shore.

Obviously, if the Lighthouse were destroyed or looted again these benefits would be lost - one reason Fotismos in particular was eager to stress that a [[For_those_in_peril_on_the_sea#A Vigilant Light|larger, fortified lighthouse]] was a much better bet than the smaller, less defensible, version.
===History===
The original architectural plans were put together in collaboration with the [[hakima]] known as the Celesti, ensuring that it was built with a distinctly Freeborn aesthetic. While the original lighthouse was portrayed outside the Coast as something of a white elephant, the Freeborn appreciated the beautiful structure as much for its aesthetic as for its value as a beacon. The most significant contribution of the Celesti however - and perhaps the real reason for their inclusion in the project - was the beacon. The Celesti’s home since the founding of the Brass Coast is a reclusive monastery near the summit of the [[Kahraman#The_Gilded_Peak|Gilded Peak]] in [[Kahraman]]. Here they conducted extensive research on the natural phenomenon that gave the summit its name, and the peaks are rich with [[Materials#Orichalcum|orichalcum]] and mithril with which they crafted fine mirrors to recreate the golden light of the peaks.

Barabbas had originally planned to have the lighthouse lit in a dramatic display as his great flotilla sailed past on its way to conquer the Grendel. It was perhaps an ill omen that due to overspending and delays, construction hadn’t yet started on the complex beacon and only the tower itself was finished. With Barabbas' death just a few days after, funding for coastal projects abruptly stopped, and there was little interest from Senate in finishing what was largely seen as one of the late Throne's great follies. With no further money forthcoming, it proved impossible to complete the lighthouse.

For the past century, a small group of Guerra hakima have kept a large bonfire lit at night in the otherwise empty beacon room to maintain its function as an aid to sailors through the treacherous isles and sandbanks of the southern coast. Though using only a simple bonfire the beacon is nowhere near as clear or bright as was intended. Tourists and pilgrims to the site have provided enough funds to keep the structure itself in fair condition, though never enough to build its complex beacon.

In 380YE, Ahraz i Guerra, one of the remaining hakima of the Celesti, raised the funds necessary to complete the beacon and recovered the plans from the Celesti archives. The work was then authorised by the [[Civilian Commissioner]] for the Brass Coast, thus ensuring that golden light of the Gilded Peaks will, after nearly two long centuries of absence, finally be brought to shine out across the bay; welcoming those from near and far to the Brass Coast.

The lighthouse is situated near the farthest tip of the Oran peninsula at one of its highest points, and was engineered so that its beacon sat a square 500 ft above the sea. Making it visible from the mast of a moderately sized ship for some 30 miles, and enabling navigators to quickly calculate their distance from shore taking into account its known elevation. This makes it a useful navigation aid for those attempting to traverse the many isles and sandbanks of Cazar. By no coincidence, this also makes it visible to the taller structures in Siroc, Oran, and Joharra.

To ensure the monument would not fall into disrepair again, the title "Celesti Lighthouse Keeper" was created, to be appointed by the Freeborn senators. Keen to promote trade with the newly opened foreign ports in Rigia and Kantor, the Keeper was given powers of a ministry and empowered to purchase mana directly from ships captains, ensuring guaranteed prices on the docks of Oran for those willing to sell to civil service factors.

==Further Reading==
*[[For_those_in_peril_on_the_sea#The_Celesti_Lighthouse|For those in peril]] - 387YE Summer wind of fortune with the opportunity to rebuild the Lighthouse
*[[Send_for_me#Butcher's_Yard_(Feroz)|Send for me]] - 386YE Winter wind of fortune with details of a skirmish to prevent a force of wreckers from destroying the Lighthouse
*[[To_curb_those_raging_appetites#Lost_Opportunities|To curb those raging appetites]] - 383YE Winter wind of fortune on the fate of the Lighthouse following the conquest of Feroz

<ic>I was always happy to discuss matters with the families, it was after all what hakima did. In fact I made a point when I first moved to the keeper's lodgings in the base of the tower to oversee construction that I introduce myself to the locals. That my door was always open. I was not however expecting to be visited by a troupe of townsfolk at such an unsocial hour of night. I pulled my robe closer against the icy sea breeze rolling over the cliffs."

“It’s a metaphor you see”

I was attempting to answer their question of “what was all this about”. As the town had been using the lighthouse, even its diminished capacity, for the past two centuries I assumed they were well aware of its literal function and was attempting to explain the wider implications and intricacies.

“Two centuries ago Emperor Barabbas invited the Celesti as hakima to design this lighthouse not just because of their expertise in the matter, but for its symbolic importance. We as hakima serve to advise and guide the nation so that it may make the best decisions. The Celesti oath makes reference to bringing the light of Wisdom to all the Families. Thus this lighthouse doesn’t just serve a literal purpose in providing a light by which sailors may navigate; but it is a metaphor for the light that the hakima shine to guide the Families.”

The man in the lead of the small group sucked his teeth and thought on this for a moment.

“That may be the case good sir

But we would much appreciate it if the hakima didn’t shine their light of Wisdom through our bedroom windows when we are trying to sleep”</ic>
<small><sup>Original text from Charles Philip Wilkinson</sup></small>
[[Category:Title]]
[[Category:The Brass Coast]]

Feroz

2026-05-13T11:28:14Z

Rafferty: /* Celesti Lighthouse */

{{CaptionedImage|file=RegionsofFeroz.png|title=Southernmost of the Freeborn territories, lush but threatened by barbarians over land and sea|caption=Regions of Feroz|align=left|width=500}}[[Category:Gazetteer]][[Category:Imperial Territory]][[category:The Brass Coast]]
{{stub}}
== Overview ==
Feroz is the southernmost territory of the Brass Coast, and like [[Madruga]] to the north has both isles and coastline. Here the climate is warm and humid, perfect for the cultivation of different plants. This is the home of the fabulous spice gardens of Feroz, a source of great revenue for the people of this territory. The seas are more treacherous here, and the south and the west are constantly threatened by barbarians by land. As a result, many armed merchants patrolled the seas, and groups of young warriors journeyed along the borders, fighting skirmishes against jealous foes.

There is a traditional rivalry between the families of Feroz and those of Madruga. The northern territory was the first settled when the Freeborn [[The_Brass_Coast_history#The_Conquest_of_the_Coast|left Highguard]], and there is a popular stereotype that the people who live there are "stuck up". This stereotype is more humorous than hateful - the Freeborn move around too much to allow such prejudice to root itself too firmly in their psyche. Still, if a citizen of Feroz wants to insult a citizen of Madruga, they will fall back on accusations of arrogance and an over-reliance on tradition.

Some of the finest [[Surgical skills#Apothecary|apothecaries]] on the Brass Coast once lived in Feroz - the art of [[potion]] making has been studied here for centuries and even after two years of occupation by the Grendel it is still home to a great many [[herb garden|herb gardens]]. The mainland is a criss-cross patchwork of [[farm|farms]] and small settlements. At the height of its prosperity, a great deal of the food and drink consumed on the Brass Coast was produced here and exported to other Freeborn territories.

Unfortunately, in recent years the territory has been hit by disaster after disaster. Repeated raids by the Grendel eventually gave way to a concerted invasion, and while it was pushed back, the barbarian of the Broken Shore did not abandon their ambition to conquer Feroz. In 383YE, a [[Ratify treaty with the Grendel Autumn 383YE|peace treaty]] ceded the territory to the invaders, and saw the vicious, greedy, and tyrannical ''Governor Rahab'' establish his dominion over Feroz. The Freeborn organised a [[The power behind our moves|grand evacuation]] that saw much of the population escape Rahab's hungry grasp and resettle elsewhere in the Coast, but the move came at a price. When the treaty ended, and the Grendel were (mostly) driven out, Feroz was left abandoned, wrecked, and heavily underpopulated, its former residents preferring to stay with the new lives they had built elsewhere rather than return. Worse, the [[#Cazar Straits|Cazar Straits]] were taken by the [[Children of Wrecks]], transformed into a stronghold for the servants of the eternal [[Siakha]]. They in turn were supplanted towards the end of 387YE by the [[Iron Confederacy]], who drove out the Wreckers and claimed the island for themselves.

On the mainland, the situation is a little better, but what was once one of the richest Freeborn territories still struggles with the weight of two years of exploitation by a money-hungry tyrant, and what many see as its abandonment by the Empire.

==Recent History==
Being on the [[Bay of Catazar]], Feroz has always been under threat from the [[Grendel]] [[orc|orcs]]. In Spring 383YE, the orcs [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Spindrift|launched a naval invasion]], capturing [[#Oranseri|Oranseri]] and the [[#Cazar Straits|Cazar Straits]] in short order and making significant inroads into [[#Fontargenta|Fontargenta]]. The Grendel installed a grizzled old orc named ''Lord Rahab'' as overseer of the conquered land; he took up residence in the offices of the [[Scorrero Nets]] and quickly set about attempting to bring the rest of Feroz under his control. Part of their plan appeared to involve the ghosts of the [[#Isle of the Osseini|Isle of the Osseini]], but the scheme was countered by Imperial heroes travelling through the [[Sentinel Gate]] to exorcise the spirits and defeat the Grendel seeking to make use of them.

Undaunted by the loss of their supernatural weapon, the orcs kept up their assault. By Summer 383YE, they [[383YE_Summer_Solstice_winds_of_war#The_World_is_Not_Enough|sought to consolidate their gains in Fontargenta]]; they were opposed by [[Navarr]] and [[the Marches|Marcher]] [[Army|armies]], who held the Grendel at the town of [[#Fontargenta|Bramar]] for two days before being forced to retreat. They were able to slow the Grendel advance, however, leaving the orcs bogged down in Fontargenta and unable to press inland.

Following the engagement in Fontargenta, and battling under a powerful supernatural storm, the Grendel [[383YE_Autumn_Equinox_winds_of_war#Bronze|brought even more force]] to bear in the territory. While the Imperial armies were reinforced by [[Highguard|Highborn]] troops, the orc navies disgorged a great host of their own warriors. The fighting was bitter, but in the end Fontargenta fell - and as Fontargenta fell, so fell Feroz. While [[#Morajasse|Morajasse]] and [[#Afarjasse|Afarjasse]] remained free, the Grendel forces continued to mass along the coast.

During the Autumn Equinox 383, the [[Senate]] [[Ratify_treaty_with_the_Grendel_Autumn_383YE#Treaty|ratified a peace treaty]] with the Grendel. Presented by the [[Imperial Fleet Master]], among other things it [[Powers_of_the_Imperial_Senate#Concedence|ceded]] the two remaining regions of Feroz to the Grendel, albeit with provisions allowing Imperial citizens still in Morajasse and Afarjasse to withdraw to safety. Following the Equinox, Lord Rahab's forces spread out quickly to bring the two western regions under his control; Feroz was now [[To_curb_those_raging_appetites|completely under Grendel control]].

Just before the Autumn Equinox 386YE, the Imperial forces reconquered [[Glass_and_flame| reconquered Feroz]]. Possession of the territory is complicated by [[Children_of_Wrecks|Children of Wrecks]] as well as the remnants of the Grendel. Feroz has been run into the ground by Lord Rahab, eager to extract every drop of profit from the place, and it requires significant investment to return the territory to even a fraction of its former wealth.

In 386YE, the [[Senate]] commissioned an [[appraisal]] of Feroz that laid out many of the challenges presented by the newly reclaimed territory, and some potential solutions. Details are contained in the '''[[Send_for_me#State_of_Feroz|Send for me]]''' wind of fortune.

== Major Features ==
===Oran===
The largest and most prestigious port was Feroz is Oran, on the northern coast of [[#Oranseri|Oranseri]]. Across the bay from billowing [[Madruga#Siroc_(Ruined)|Siroc]] this thriving port specialised in high-value products such as fine wines and spice mixes. Unsurprisingly, given its position, for most of its history it has engaged in low-key economic warfare with its larger cousin to the north - Oran notably has cheaper dock fees than Siroc, and a number of entrepreneurs prefer to operate here as a consequence. It is especially welcoming to those merchants who are just starting out, and has a reputation for being more energetic than its competitors to the north and south. This energy has been significantly boosted by construction of the only open [[#The Temple of Balo and the Black Bull|Asavean Temple]] in the entire Empire; the surge of [[Asavean Archipelago|Asavean]] ships visiting Oran saw the town expand significantly to become the largest trading port in Feroz.

In Spring 383YE, however, Oran was [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Spindrift|conquered by the Grendel]]. An orc governor, Lord Rahab, chose the town as the site for his court, converting the offices of the [[Scorrero Nets]] to his personal use. Among other things, this invasion saw the collapse of the [[Broken Shore Bounty]], the Scorrero Nets falling into orc hands, and the Temple of Balo and the Black Bull sealing its doors against the orcs while offering sanctuary to Freeborn families. Following the treaty signed during the Autumn Equinox, the Grendel opened Oran as a port [[Everything_has_a_price#A_New_Destination|available to Imperial captains]]. This situation persisted until the peace treaty ended, and war with the Grendel resumed.

After the Summer Solstice 386YE, Imperial forces swept into Oranseri to liberate the territory from the Grendel. They [[Glass_and_flame#The_Siege_of_Oran|laid siege]] to Oran, and were quickly victorious. The [[Below_the_thunders#Objective:_Eliminate_Governor_Rahab|recent death of Governor Rahab]] in battle with the Empire's heroes left the garrison demoralised and disorganised. It was a grievous victory, however. The fighting that raged through the town, the overwhelming assault, the barrage of catapult stones, all contributed to the fact that many of the buildings have been left in ruins, and many more damaged. A fire at the docks threatened to spread through the town and only the valiant actions of League soldiers managed bring it under control. Barely a year later the town again came under serious attack, this time by the Children of Wrecks. Without the [[A_circle_sewn_with_fate#The_Battle_of_Oran|prompt action]] of the [[orc|orcs]] from the [[#Protectorate of Morajasse|Protectorate of Morajasse]], Oran again might have been destroyed. As it is, the town remains intact but in a sadly impoverished state.

Proposals have been put forward to [[Send_for_me#Wharfage_of_Oran|rebuild Oran]], but it remains to be seen what the future holds for the port town.

{{Anchor|The Temple of Balo and the Black Bull}}
===Temple of Balo and the Black Bull===
During the Spring Equinox 380YE, permission was granted to the people of the [[Asavean Archipelago]] to construct a major temple to their gods in [[#Oranseri|Oran]]. Initially, construction was expected to be completed shortly before the Autumn Equinox 380YE, but the temple did not actually open its doors until shortly before the Spring Equinox 381YE. The town is seeing an influx of Asavean shipping bringing white granite and architects to the Brass Coast, as well as throwing crowns around like water to secure local labour to complete their project. Relations between the people of the Empire and the priests of Asavea are monitored by ''[[El oficial de enlace imperial con los sacerdotes de Balo y el toro negro]]'' ("The Imperial intermediary to the priests of Balo and the Black Bull"), who among other things is able to [[ministry|buy Asavean goods]] at a reduced price. During the Summer Solstice 380YE, the Assembly of Nine supported Abaddon de Rondell in [[Temple_of_the_bull#Resolution|denouncing]] the temple as an idolatrous affront, making it significantly harder for the Asaveans to find labourers prepared to work on the construction and both delaying its completion and laying a significant economic burden on the foreign priests.

The temple remained extremely controversial among Imperial priests. When Oran fell to the Grendel, however, the priests at the temple [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Sand|offered sanctuary]] to a number of Freeborn families in spite of Governor Rahab's unhappiness. Several of those families were ultimately smuggled to safety in Madruga. Despite this, however, it was clear that the Asaveans were happy to work with the new owners of Oran - there were rumours that they quickly recognised a Grendel as the [[Imperial Delegate to the Temple in Feroz|Delegate to the Temple in Feroz]]. This situation was further exacerbated by the Summer 383YE [[Through_my_sails#Ruined_Buildings|attack]] on the "sister temple" to the Black Bull, the temple of the Way in Nemoria.

When Oran was [[Glass_and_flame#The_Siege_of_Oran|liberated from the Grendel]] in 386YE Autumn, the priests surrendered ''en masse'' and [[Glass_and_flame#Game_Information_:_Asavean_Diplomacy|asked to be repatriated]] back to the Archipelago. As of the winter of 387YE, the temple still stands but without tenants.

'''OOC Notes:''' More details on the construction of the Temple of Balo and the Black Bull can be found in the winds of fortune, specifically [[Seven_lords_of_virtue#Temple_of_Bahlo_and_the_Black_Bull|Seven lords of virtue]], [[Those who worship#The Black Bull|Those who worship]], and [[Distant deeps]].
===Celesti Lighthouse===
{{CaptionedImage|file=Oran_by_the_Sea.jpg|caption=The Celesti Lighthouse sits high on the headland overlooking Oran.|align=right|width=400}}
Situated near the farthest tip of the [[Feroz#Oran|Oran]] peninsula, at one of its highest points, is the [[Celesti_Lighthouse_Keeper#The_Celesti_Lighthouse|Celesti lighthouse]]. Nearly five hundred feet tall - a wonder of the Empire that once rivalled the [[Madruga#The_Shining_Pillar_(Destroyed)|Shining Pillar]] of [[Madruga]] - it was originally commissioned as part of the massive investment in coastal ports and defences during the reign of [[Emperor Barabbas]]. Intended to serve both as a navigation aid and to keep a watch for signs of [[Grendel]] ships, the structure was much larger than it needed to be - making it an object of ribald fun for satirists and humourists around the Bay of Catazar. Barabbas planned to have the lighthouse lit in a dramatic display as his great armada sailed past on its way to conquer Attar but due to overspending and delays, construction hadn’t yet started on the complex beacon, and only the tower itself was finished.

Following the destruction of the Barabbine Fleet, funding for coastal projects abruptly ceased, and there was little Senate interest in completing what was largely seen as one of the late Throne's great follies. In 380YE, however, '''Ahraz i Guerra''' of the Celesti - the hakima who tended the empty tower - raised the money necessary to complete the beacon. For several years, the golden light of the Gilded Peaks shone out across the Bay, welcoming travellers to the Brass Coast, and providing a vital navigation aid for those attempting to traverse the isles and sandbanks of [[Feroz#Cazar Strits|Cazar]]. The "Celesti Lighthouse Keeper" was charged with maintaining the tower; keen to promote trade with the newly opened foreign ports in the [[Principalities of Jarm]]. Sadly, when Feroz was conquered by the [[Grendel]], and ceded to the [[orc|orcs]] by the subsequent [[Ratify_treaty_with_the_Grendel_Autumn_383YE#Treaty|peace treaty]], the lighthouse came under the dominion of the ruthless and avaricious ''Governor Rahab''. Who promptly wrecked it.

In 387YE, the lighthouse was restored to its former glory; or more properly surpassed it. Rebuilt, it was furnished with a unique lamp incorporating a boon of [[Kimus]] called the ''watchstone''. The light is now unquenchable, but more than that it ensures that everyone on the Bay of Catazar is aware of exactly where the lighthouse is even if they cannot see it. It has both boosted the morale of the corsair families, and sent a defiant message to the enemies of the Brass Coast. More even than that, the magical lamp has a [[Celesti_Lighthouse_Keeper#Light_in_the_Storm|potent connection]] to the new lighthouse keeper that may help keep the Freeborn safe from future attacks against their coast.
{{Anchor|Protectorate of Morajasse}}

===Mora's Rock===
Built as part of the grand project to create [[fortification|fortifications]] across the southern Empire in response to the threat of the [[Grendel]], Mora's Rock in [[#Morajasse|Morajasse]] was completed in the months following the [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Bravado|invasion of 383YE]]. The fortification squats above the town of Mora, guarding against invasion from [[Segura]], and providing garrisons and scouts who can offer resistance to assaults from the sea.

When Morajasse was ceded to the Grendel in Autumn 383YE, they took control of the fortification and later expanded it significantly. The fortification resisted the [[Glass and flame|liberation]] of the territory, and as of the beginning of 387YE remains under the control of the Grendel. The garrison is led by ''[[Glass_and_flame#The_Shadow_of_Mora's_Rock|Commander Gallum Fiersach]]'', ably supported by his partner, the ''Wind Lord Saoirse''.

The garrison there includes a warband of veteran [[Elite_Grendel_troops#The_Stone_Born|Stone Born]], and the remainder appear to be very experienced soldiers. These Grendel are enemies of the Empire, obviously, but that did not prevent them acting to [[A_circle_sewn_with_fate#The_Battle_of_Oran|protect Oran]] from the Children of Wrecks in early 387YE. In the Summer of that year, the Senate [[387YE_Summer_Solstice_Senate_sessions#Recognise_Protectorate_of_Gallum_Fiersach|recognised the Protectorate of Morajasse]] as foreigners, as long as they remained independent of the Grendel. While there is still tension between the Freeborn and the orcs many see as occupying Morajasse, for now at least Gallum Fiersach's forces seem content to keep to their castle, apart from regular patrols along the borders of Feroz aimed at protecting the territory from the Children of Wrecks - and the Iron Confederacy.
===The Spice Gardens of Feroz===
In western [[#Morajasse|Morajasse]] stand the legendary Spice Gardens of Feroz - a set of heavily-walled enclosures covering several acres where the finest spices in the Empire are grown. A rich source of trade for whoever controls the gardens, the [[Imperial title]] of [[Keeper of the Spice Gardens]] has changed hands between families only a handful of times in the last few centuries, and the bargaining leading up to a new appointment has regularly involved the whole nation.

The peace treaty of Autumn 383YE that ceded control of Morajasse to the Grendel saw the Spice Gardens fall into the hands of the orcs. The Grendel appreciate fine spices as much as any Freeborn so the evidence is that they did not harm the legendary Gardens - but for many Freeborn the idea of their beautiful spice gardens being operated by Grendel slaves was particularly heinous. With Governor Rahab dead and Feroz liberated, the Spice Gardens remain out of Imperial hands as part of the [[#Protectorate of Morjasse|Protectorate of Morajasse]].

==Lost and Ruined==
{{anchor|Shantarim}}
===Shantarim (ruined)===
In the southern islands of the [[#Cazar Straits|Cazar Straits]] the town of Shantarim was one a [[corsair]] stronghold. The families were are known to engage in fierce competition with their northern rivals, not only in Madruga but also in [[#Oranseri|Oranseri]] and even the other islands of the Straits. Smaller than the town of Cazar, Shantarim had a reputation for being somewhat less cosmopolitan than the other towns of Feroz - visitors from mainland families sometimes encounter prejudice and suspicion. The families of Shantarim more than made up for their relatively small size with the enthusiasm with which they opposed the orcs of the Broken Shore.

Prior to the [[Ratify treaty with the Grendel Autumn 383YE|peace treaty]] of 383YE, they were loud supporters of the [[Freeborn Storm]], and the various raids against the Grendel. The signing of the peace treaty with the southern orcs tied their hands, making it illegal to fight the Grendel, which became been a major source of dissension in Shantarim.

Towards the end of the ceasefire secured by the treaty, in 385YE, Shantarim was attacked and wrecked. Warships of the [[Asavean Archipelago]], allies of the Grendel occupation, engaged in a campaign of destruction across the Cazar Straits, and along with the Isle of the Osseini, Shantarim bore the brunt. Many corsairs who had endured the occupation of the Grendel were slain, and the town was looted and left in ruins. When the Children of Wrecks arrived, there was precious little left for the to wreck.
<div style="float:right; width: 450px; clear: right;"><box>'''Justicars'''<br>The priests who previously lived on the Isle of the Osseini called themselves ''justicars''. Specialist exorcists and inquisitors in the pre-Imperial history of the Brass Coast, they specialised in driving out malign spirits or cleansing unpleasant auras from people, places and objects. Never particularly populous, their sanctuary on the Isle of the Osseini was all but wiped out by the Grendel. A handful remained elsewhere, and during the Autumn Equinox 383YE the Freeborn assembly [[383YE_Autumn_Equinox_Synod_judgements#Judgement_22|called on them to come together to preserve their traditions]]. A small enclave of justicars was established on the Isle of Osseini at the sufferance of the Grendel. Unfortunately, when Asavean warships went on a rampage in 385YE, the first place they attacked was this enclave, putting the priests to the sword and burning the enclave. When the Children of Wrecks arrived, the Grendel magicians still left on the island fled back to the Broken Shore. As far as anyone knows today, the island is abandoned.</box></div>

{{Anchor|Isle of the Osseini}}
===Isle of the Osseini (Ruined)===
At the southern tip of the [[#Cazar Straits|Cazar Straits]], the island was known for its heavy sea fog, its ghosts, and for a small sect of Freeborn priests famed for their knowledge of the arts of [[exorcism]]. Stories claimed the Isle was haunted by those who had died at sea, but most Freeborn had no truck with such foolishness. In 383YE, however, it became clear these tales of ghosts were more than just idle gossip. During the Spring Equinox of that year, a [[Grendel]] shaman attempted to unleash a ghostly legion of drowned orcs bound in some fashion to white granite pillars on the island against the defenders of Feroz. Before they could do so they were [[383YE_Summer_Solstice_winds_of_war#The_World_is_Not_Enough|thwarted by Imperial heroes]] who reached the isle via the [[Sentinel Gate]]. Once the heroes retreated, the status of the island, the pillars, and the remaining priests was unknown.

Then in Autumn 383YE, as part of the negotiations that led to the peace treaty with the Grendel, a contract was negotiated with the orc diplomat regarding the Isle of the Osseini. In the wake of that agreement, a small group of priests were allowed to visit the Isle with a Grendel escort. There they discovered the remaining priests were dead, the ghost-binding pillars had been destroyed, and the island was in the hands of a coven of Grendel magicians. The orcs had already constructed a permanent residence there built around a particular Winter regio, and were less than welcoming to the Freeborn. Further negotiations followed; in the end the Freeborn were allowed to establish a small enclave here, under the careful watch of the Grendel.

The return of the justicars was short-lived. In 385YE, a fleet of warships from the Asavean Archipelago went on a murderous rampage in the southern Cazar Straits. Allies of the Grendel, they slaughtered the priests and burned the enclave before sailing north to Shantarim. When the Children of Wrecks arrived, the remaining Grendel magicians fled back to the Broken Shore. By the close of 387YE, the island appears to be abandoned, although it remains to be seen what the Iron Confederacy plan to do with it.

'''OOC Note:''' You can learn more about the historic Isle of the Osseini in the [[Bones in the ocean]] wind of fortune.
{{Anchor|The Scorrero Nets}}
===Scorrero Nets (Defunct)===
The Scorrero Nets were a [[Bourse]] resource located in [[#Oranseri|Oranseri]], seized by the Grendel in Spring 383YE as part of their conquest of Feroz. Custodianship of the Nets was an [[Imperial Title]] that brought with it a Seat on the [[Bourse]]. In Winter 384YE, a [[Drums_beat_in_my_head#The_Scorrero_Nets|daring plan]] was proposed to "steal" the nets by establishing the [[Cerevado Nets]] upriver in [[Segura]]. As a consequence, this Bourse resource ceased to exist, much to the chagrin of the Grendel governor Rahab.
{{Anchor|The Broken Shore Bounty}}
===The Broken Shore Bounty (Defunct)===
The [[Broken Shore Bounty]] was a Bourse resource that was technically located in the [[#Cazar Straits|Cazar Straits]] inasmuch as the holder of the [[Bourse]] seat has the use of a fortified villa in the hills near Cazar. The actual [[ilium]] that the seat provided was sourced throughout the Bay of Catazar; a portion of all ilium claimed from the nets of Freeborn, [[the League|League]], [[Highguard|Highborn]], and [[Urizen|Urizeni]] nets is claimed as part of the Bounty. It produced 7 rings of ilium each season and was allocated during the Spring Equinox.

When the Cazar Straits fell to the Grendel, they also seized the offices of the Broken Shore Bounty. Despite a [[Four_strong_winds#Broken_Shore_Bounty|proposal to move the offices]], the resource fell into disarray, the ilium ending up split between the Imperial Fleet Master and the Bourse Auction. With the ratification of the Grendel peace treaty, this title and resource effectively ceased to exist.
==Regions==
===Afarjasse===
'''Qualities:''' [[Region_qualities#Abandoned|Abandoned]], [[Region_qualities#Underpopulated|Underpopulated]]<br>
The wide open spaces of Afarjasse were sparsely populated even at the height of Feroz's prosperity. "Sweet afar" was a phrase sometimes used to describe being in the middle of nowhere, or an area where there was nothing but grass as far as the eye could see. The only major settlement was the quiet town of '''Afar''', established by [[hakima]] with close ties to the [[Guerra]] [[tribe]], near a potent [[regio]] tied to the [[Realms#Night|realm of Night]]. The town was not hard to reach, but it stood alone in a sea of sprawling grassland, and never encouraged casual visitors. On nights when powerful magics were performed, Afar was often visible for miles around - great bonfires blazing and massive drums pounding out powerful rhythms to help raise (or draw down, or both) the passionate energy for powerful workings.

As with the rest of Feroz, Afarjasse spent two years in the hands of the Grendel. The governor, Lord Rahab, made it clear that the hakima here would not be permitted access to their potent regio - they were after all an important strategic resource. Many of the people who once called the town home went into exile in [[Segura]] and [[Kahraman]] rather than endure Rahab's oppression. When the plains of Afarjasse were [[Glass_and_flame#Fontargenta_and_Bramar_and_Afar|liberated from the Grendel]] it was discovered that Rahab had established massive farms around Afar. The crops were tended by slaves, several hundred of whom were held at Afar in great dormitories, forced to work the fields until they fell, with the same heedless cruelty the Grendel apparently show to those who toil in their salt mines. These people were liberated by the [[Narwhal's Spear]] and the [[Fist of the Mountains]], who executed everyone responsible for their durance. Most were Imperial citizens, but maybe a hundred came from further afield, bought by Rahab from the slave markets of the Broken Shore. Those who are not already Imperial citizens were offered new homes in the Empire. The farms remain, but enthusiasm to work them is understandably low.

===Cazar Straits===
'''Qualities:''' Abandoned, Coastal, Impoverished, Island, Underpopulated<br>
For most of the Brass Coast's history, the islands of the Cazar Straits were dominated by [[corsair]] families. The largest settlement remains the port town from which the islands take their name - high-cliffed '''Cazar''' - but in recent years it has changed hands several times and is a shadow of its former self. Built around a bustling dock, it served as a safe harbour and home port for many of the [[fleet|fleets]] that protected the Bay from barbarian ships. The holder of the [[Broken Shore Bounty]] used to have the use of a fortified villa in the hills near Cazar, and the civil service offices that oversaw the resource were based here. Both were lost to the Grendel, then to the [[Children of Wrecks]], and in the last months of 387YE, to the [[Iron Confederacy]].

Even before the Children of Wrecks arrived, several of the more southerly islands of the Straits had a reputation for peculiarity. The corsairs of [[#Shantarim|Shantarim]] for example were renowned both for their enthusiastic rivalry with all other corsair families, and the zeal with which they waged war on the Grendel. The [[#Isle of the Osseini|Isle of the Osseini]] is also found here, once home to a sect of strange priests, allegedly haunted by the ghosts of drowned pirates, then the site of an uneasy truce between orc magicians and Freeborn priests. Towards the end of the peace treaty with the Grendel, however, a fleet of warships from the [[Asavean Archipelago]] slaughtered the justicars of Osseini and ruined the town of Shantarim. When the Children of Wrecks claimed the region, there was precious little left for them to destroy.

Shortly after the Autumn Equinox 387YE, a naval force belonging to the Iron Confederacy [[Red_skies#Swords_of_the_South|assailed the Cazar Straits]]. They smashed the Children of Wrecks stronghold and claimed the islands for themselves. [[Poets_light_but_lamps#The_Iron_Confederacy|Initial diplomatic discussion]] of the fate of the islands was inconclusive.

Today, the waters around the Cazar Straits remain treacherous, in part this is due to the presence of dozens of immature kraken hatched in the waters by the Children of Wrecks.

===Fontargenta===
'''Qualities:''' Abandoned, Coastal, Impoverished<br>
The trading port of '''Bramar''' stands on the coast here. Surrounded by rich agricultural land, its bountiful cornfields once competed with [[the Marches|Marcher]] grain in markets across the southern nations of the Empire, and their vineyards were justly famous. Before the Grendel invasion it served as an important hub for the Imperial wine trade, with many excellent vintages passing through its docks - both from the Brass Coast to the rest of the world, and from the rest of the world to the Brass Coast (and thus the Empire). Two years of mismanagement by Lord Rahab coupled with raids by the Children of Wrecks [[Glass_and_flame#Fontargenta_and_Bramar_and_Afar|left the region devastated]], and it remains to be seen if the farms here will ever recover.

===Morajasse===
'''Qualities:''' Protectorate of Morajasse, Abandoned, Impoverished, Underpopulated<br>
Morajasse was once one of the richest parts of the Brass Coast, home to extensive spice gardens and renowned for its herbalists, [[surgical skills#apothecary|apothecaries]], and chefs. The largest town was '''Mora''', once simply a spice market, transformed the Lasambrian invasion of [[Segura]] in 363YE. The threat of the western barbarians prompted a burst of rapid militarisation in this previously peaceful settlement. Refugees streamed in from southern Segura: some supported by their families, others looking to work in the market. With the liberation of the western territory, a strange reversal took place - the pool of desperate labourers largely dried up with refugees returning to their homes.

Immediately following the [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Bravado|invasion of Feroz]] in 383YE, work was completed on a [[fortification]] at the town of Mora, [[#Mora's Rock|Mora's Rock]]. The fortification served the defenders well, but with the ratification of the peace treaty it was taken over, and expanded, by Grendel troops. It now serves as the base of operations of ''Wind Lord Saoirse'' and her partner ''Commander Fiersach'', as well as a sizable force of Grendel veterans, in what the Senate has recognised as the [[#Protectorate of Morajasse|Protectorate of Morajasse]].

Western Morajasse is the site of the great [[#The Spice Gardens of Feroz|Spice Gardens]] and the [[Vizier of the Incarnadine Satchel]] was often quite active here, dealing with agents of the Spice Gardens and traders from the Jewelled Isles. Following the Grendel treaty, the offices that supported the Vizier were abandoned, and while they are still notionally the owner of the miraculous satchel that gives them their name, their ability to support the nations' apothecaries and physicks has been greatly reduced.

===Oranseri===
'''Qualities:''' Abandoned, Coastal, Impoverished<br>
Across the bay from billowing [[Madruga#Siroc|Siroc]] stands the once-thriving port town of [[#Oran|Oran]]. It is the only place in Feroz that seems to have prospered under the Grendel occupation - for a given value of "prospered". The port grew in prominence and prosperity, serving as the seat of power for the Grendel governor Lord Rahab. Today the town is a mismatched mess of old Freeborn and new Grendel architectural styles, with the [[#Temple of Balo and the Black Bull|Temple of Balo and the Black Bull]] further complicating the matter by being resolutely Asavean in outline.

Just outside Oran lies the great [[#The_Celesti_Lighthouse|Celesti Lighthouse]], its beacon repaired and restored to full functionality. Today its light shines brighter than ever - in large part thanks to the aid of the eternal [[Kimus]] who helped provide a unique lamp to shine brilliant beams across the dangerous waters of the Cazar Straits and the misty Bay of Oran.

West of Oran is the ''Scorrero Crossing''. The river Scorrero is wide and deep between Feroz and Madruga. During the Summer Solstice 383YE, the Grendel invaders attempted to take advantage of this by taking control of both bridges that connect the two Freeborn territories. Had they been successful, it would have been significantly harder for Imperial forces to move between Siroc and Oranseri. Their attempts were stymied, and ultimately became moot once the Scorrero [[Where_the_river_rises#Crossing|burst its banks]] and carried away all the existing bridges.

'''Joharra''' is a port south of Oran, considered much more stable than its northern cousin, and better known for its industry than its trade. Famous throughout the Empire for its cloth and dye-work, Joharra was called '' the Rainbow'' by coastal sailors who mark their progress round the coast with the first sight of the great billowing cloths hung out to dry on tall wooden frames along the low cliffs. As with the other settlements of Oranseri, the weavers and dyers here laboured for years under the yoke of the Grendel orcs. Many endured, however, and there is still [[Send_for_me#Inkworks_of_Joharra|potential to revive]] the industry here.

==Strategic Considerations==
* '''The damage to the bridges along the Scorrero prevents movement between Feroz and Madruga'''
* '''Cazar Straits have the Island quality which greatly complicates access by armies'''
The damage to almost all the bridges along the Scorrero means that it is effectively impossible for an [[Army|army]] to move between Feroz and [[Madruga]] (or vice versa). More information can be found in the '''[[Where_the_river_rises#Crossing|Where the river rises]]''' wind of fortune.

The islands of the Cazar Straits are separated from land by deep water, treacherous shoals, and the presence of juvenile kraken unleashed by the Children of Wrecks. Armies cannot move to, from, or through this region, nor can they attack it, unless transported by a [[navy]].
<div style="float:left; width: 450px; clear: right;">{{CaptionedImage|file=Garviel i Abrira i Erigo.jpg|caption='''Garviel i Abrira i Erigo''', Senator for Feroz|align=left|width=500}}</div>
{{Senate Elections|Senator_for_Feroz|Territory=Feroz|Season=Summer|Controlled=is}}

==OOC Notes==
* As of the start of the Winter Solstice 387YE, the Iron Confederacy control the Cazar Straits, the Protectorate of Morajasse controls Morajasse, and the Brass Coast controls Afarjasse, Fontargenta, and Oranseri. Feroz is an Imperial territory
* [[#Mora's Rock|Mora's Rock]] is a rank two fortification controlled by the Grendel.
* The status of various titles and resources located in Feroz is outlined in more detail in [[To_curb_those_raging_appetites#Lost_Opportunities|To curb those raging appetites]], a Winter 383YE wind of fortune.

==Further Reading==
* [[Red skies]] - 387YE Winter wind of war about the Iron Confederacy invasion of the Cazar Straits
* [[A circle sewn with fate]] - 387YE Spring wind of war detailing the Wrecker attack on Oran
* [[Send for me]] - 386YE Winter wind of fortune about the rebuilding of Feroz
* [[Glass and flame]] - 386YE Autumn wind of war about the liberation of Feroz
* [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Spindrift|Winds of War 383YE Spring]] - Detailing the Grendel invasion
* [[383YE_Summer_Solstice_winds_of_war#The_World_is_Not_Enough|Winds of War 383YE Summer]]
* [[383YE_Autumn_Equinox_winds_of_war#Bronze|Winds of War 383YE Autumn]]
* [[Ratify_treaty_with_the_Grendel_Autumn_383YE#Treaty|Treaty]] - the Autumn 383YE treaty with the Grendel
* [[To curb those raging appetites]] - a Winter 383YE wind of fortune that details the situation for Freeborn in Feroz
* [[Everything has a price]] - a Winter 383YE wind of fortune that details the general situation with the Grendel, and has several notes about their presence in Feroz
* [[Bones in the ocean]] - a Winter 383YE wind of fortune that specifically deals with the [[#Isle of the Osseini|Isle of the Osseini]] and the justicars

Feroz

2026-05-13T11:27:58Z

Rafferty: /* Morajasse */

{{CaptionedImage|file=RegionsofFeroz.png|title=Southernmost of the Freeborn territories, lush but threatened by barbarians over land and sea|caption=Regions of Feroz|align=left|width=500}}[[Category:Gazetteer]][[Category:Imperial Territory]][[category:The Brass Coast]]
{{stub}}
== Overview ==
Feroz is the southernmost territory of the Brass Coast, and like [[Madruga]] to the north has both isles and coastline. Here the climate is warm and humid, perfect for the cultivation of different plants. This is the home of the fabulous spice gardens of Feroz, a source of great revenue for the people of this territory. The seas are more treacherous here, and the south and the west are constantly threatened by barbarians by land. As a result, many armed merchants patrolled the seas, and groups of young warriors journeyed along the borders, fighting skirmishes against jealous foes.

There is a traditional rivalry between the families of Feroz and those of Madruga. The northern territory was the first settled when the Freeborn [[The_Brass_Coast_history#The_Conquest_of_the_Coast|left Highguard]], and there is a popular stereotype that the people who live there are "stuck up". This stereotype is more humorous than hateful - the Freeborn move around too much to allow such prejudice to root itself too firmly in their psyche. Still, if a citizen of Feroz wants to insult a citizen of Madruga, they will fall back on accusations of arrogance and an over-reliance on tradition.

Some of the finest [[Surgical skills#Apothecary|apothecaries]] on the Brass Coast once lived in Feroz - the art of [[potion]] making has been studied here for centuries and even after two years of occupation by the Grendel it is still home to a great many [[herb garden|herb gardens]]. The mainland is a criss-cross patchwork of [[farm|farms]] and small settlements. At the height of its prosperity, a great deal of the food and drink consumed on the Brass Coast was produced here and exported to other Freeborn territories.

Unfortunately, in recent years the territory has been hit by disaster after disaster. Repeated raids by the Grendel eventually gave way to a concerted invasion, and while it was pushed back, the barbarian of the Broken Shore did not abandon their ambition to conquer Feroz. In 383YE, a [[Ratify treaty with the Grendel Autumn 383YE|peace treaty]] ceded the territory to the invaders, and saw the vicious, greedy, and tyrannical ''Governor Rahab'' establish his dominion over Feroz. The Freeborn organised a [[The power behind our moves|grand evacuation]] that saw much of the population escape Rahab's hungry grasp and resettle elsewhere in the Coast, but the move came at a price. When the treaty ended, and the Grendel were (mostly) driven out, Feroz was left abandoned, wrecked, and heavily underpopulated, its former residents preferring to stay with the new lives they had built elsewhere rather than return. Worse, the [[#Cazar Straits|Cazar Straits]] were taken by the [[Children of Wrecks]], transformed into a stronghold for the servants of the eternal [[Siakha]]. They in turn were supplanted towards the end of 387YE by the [[Iron Confederacy]], who drove out the Wreckers and claimed the island for themselves.

On the mainland, the situation is a little better, but what was once one of the richest Freeborn territories still struggles with the weight of two years of exploitation by a money-hungry tyrant, and what many see as its abandonment by the Empire.

==Recent History==
Being on the [[Bay of Catazar]], Feroz has always been under threat from the [[Grendel]] [[orc|orcs]]. In Spring 383YE, the orcs [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Spindrift|launched a naval invasion]], capturing [[#Oranseri|Oranseri]] and the [[#Cazar Straits|Cazar Straits]] in short order and making significant inroads into [[#Fontargenta|Fontargenta]]. The Grendel installed a grizzled old orc named ''Lord Rahab'' as overseer of the conquered land; he took up residence in the offices of the [[Scorrero Nets]] and quickly set about attempting to bring the rest of Feroz under his control. Part of their plan appeared to involve the ghosts of the [[#Isle of the Osseini|Isle of the Osseini]], but the scheme was countered by Imperial heroes travelling through the [[Sentinel Gate]] to exorcise the spirits and defeat the Grendel seeking to make use of them.

Undaunted by the loss of their supernatural weapon, the orcs kept up their assault. By Summer 383YE, they [[383YE_Summer_Solstice_winds_of_war#The_World_is_Not_Enough|sought to consolidate their gains in Fontargenta]]; they were opposed by [[Navarr]] and [[the Marches|Marcher]] [[Army|armies]], who held the Grendel at the town of [[#Fontargenta|Bramar]] for two days before being forced to retreat. They were able to slow the Grendel advance, however, leaving the orcs bogged down in Fontargenta and unable to press inland.

Following the engagement in Fontargenta, and battling under a powerful supernatural storm, the Grendel [[383YE_Autumn_Equinox_winds_of_war#Bronze|brought even more force]] to bear in the territory. While the Imperial armies were reinforced by [[Highguard|Highborn]] troops, the orc navies disgorged a great host of their own warriors. The fighting was bitter, but in the end Fontargenta fell - and as Fontargenta fell, so fell Feroz. While [[#Morajasse|Morajasse]] and [[#Afarjasse|Afarjasse]] remained free, the Grendel forces continued to mass along the coast.

During the Autumn Equinox 383, the [[Senate]] [[Ratify_treaty_with_the_Grendel_Autumn_383YE#Treaty|ratified a peace treaty]] with the Grendel. Presented by the [[Imperial Fleet Master]], among other things it [[Powers_of_the_Imperial_Senate#Concedence|ceded]] the two remaining regions of Feroz to the Grendel, albeit with provisions allowing Imperial citizens still in Morajasse and Afarjasse to withdraw to safety. Following the Equinox, Lord Rahab's forces spread out quickly to bring the two western regions under his control; Feroz was now [[To_curb_those_raging_appetites|completely under Grendel control]].

Just before the Autumn Equinox 386YE, the Imperial forces reconquered [[Glass_and_flame| reconquered Feroz]]. Possession of the territory is complicated by [[Children_of_Wrecks|Children of Wrecks]] as well as the remnants of the Grendel. Feroz has been run into the ground by Lord Rahab, eager to extract every drop of profit from the place, and it requires significant investment to return the territory to even a fraction of its former wealth.

In 386YE, the [[Senate]] commissioned an [[appraisal]] of Feroz that laid out many of the challenges presented by the newly reclaimed territory, and some potential solutions. Details are contained in the '''[[Send_for_me#State_of_Feroz|Send for me]]''' wind of fortune.

== Major Features ==
===Oran===
The largest and most prestigious port was Feroz is Oran, on the northern coast of [[#Oranseri|Oranseri]]. Across the bay from billowing [[Madruga#Siroc_(Ruined)|Siroc]] this thriving port specialised in high-value products such as fine wines and spice mixes. Unsurprisingly, given its position, for most of its history it has engaged in low-key economic warfare with its larger cousin to the north - Oran notably has cheaper dock fees than Siroc, and a number of entrepreneurs prefer to operate here as a consequence. It is especially welcoming to those merchants who are just starting out, and has a reputation for being more energetic than its competitors to the north and south. This energy has been significantly boosted by construction of the only open [[#The Temple of Balo and the Black Bull|Asavean Temple]] in the entire Empire; the surge of [[Asavean Archipelago|Asavean]] ships visiting Oran saw the town expand significantly to become the largest trading port in Feroz.

In Spring 383YE, however, Oran was [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Spindrift|conquered by the Grendel]]. An orc governor, Lord Rahab, chose the town as the site for his court, converting the offices of the [[Scorrero Nets]] to his personal use. Among other things, this invasion saw the collapse of the [[Broken Shore Bounty]], the Scorrero Nets falling into orc hands, and the Temple of Balo and the Black Bull sealing its doors against the orcs while offering sanctuary to Freeborn families. Following the treaty signed during the Autumn Equinox, the Grendel opened Oran as a port [[Everything_has_a_price#A_New_Destination|available to Imperial captains]]. This situation persisted until the peace treaty ended, and war with the Grendel resumed.

After the Summer Solstice 386YE, Imperial forces swept into Oranseri to liberate the territory from the Grendel. They [[Glass_and_flame#The_Siege_of_Oran|laid siege]] to Oran, and were quickly victorious. The [[Below_the_thunders#Objective:_Eliminate_Governor_Rahab|recent death of Governor Rahab]] in battle with the Empire's heroes left the garrison demoralised and disorganised. It was a grievous victory, however. The fighting that raged through the town, the overwhelming assault, the barrage of catapult stones, all contributed to the fact that many of the buildings have been left in ruins, and many more damaged. A fire at the docks threatened to spread through the town and only the valiant actions of League soldiers managed bring it under control. Barely a year later the town again came under serious attack, this time by the Children of Wrecks. Without the [[A_circle_sewn_with_fate#The_Battle_of_Oran|prompt action]] of the [[orc|orcs]] from the [[#Protectorate of Morajasse|Protectorate of Morajasse]], Oran again might have been destroyed. As it is, the town remains intact but in a sadly impoverished state.

Proposals have been put forward to [[Send_for_me#Wharfage_of_Oran|rebuild Oran]], but it remains to be seen what the future holds for the port town.

{{Anchor|The Temple of Balo and the Black Bull}}
===Temple of Balo and the Black Bull===
During the Spring Equinox 380YE, permission was granted to the people of the [[Asavean Archipelago]] to construct a major temple to their gods in [[#Oranseri|Oran]]. Initially, construction was expected to be completed shortly before the Autumn Equinox 380YE, but the temple did not actually open its doors until shortly before the Spring Equinox 381YE. The town is seeing an influx of Asavean shipping bringing white granite and architects to the Brass Coast, as well as throwing crowns around like water to secure local labour to complete their project. Relations between the people of the Empire and the priests of Asavea are monitored by ''[[El oficial de enlace imperial con los sacerdotes de Balo y el toro negro]]'' ("The Imperial intermediary to the priests of Balo and the Black Bull"), who among other things is able to [[ministry|buy Asavean goods]] at a reduced price. During the Summer Solstice 380YE, the Assembly of Nine supported Abaddon de Rondell in [[Temple_of_the_bull#Resolution|denouncing]] the temple as an idolatrous affront, making it significantly harder for the Asaveans to find labourers prepared to work on the construction and both delaying its completion and laying a significant economic burden on the foreign priests.

The temple remained extremely controversial among Imperial priests. When Oran fell to the Grendel, however, the priests at the temple [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Sand|offered sanctuary]] to a number of Freeborn families in spite of Governor Rahab's unhappiness. Several of those families were ultimately smuggled to safety in Madruga. Despite this, however, it was clear that the Asaveans were happy to work with the new owners of Oran - there were rumours that they quickly recognised a Grendel as the [[Imperial Delegate to the Temple in Feroz|Delegate to the Temple in Feroz]]. This situation was further exacerbated by the Summer 383YE [[Through_my_sails#Ruined_Buildings|attack]] on the "sister temple" to the Black Bull, the temple of the Way in Nemoria.

When Oran was [[Glass_and_flame#The_Siege_of_Oran|liberated from the Grendel]] in 386YE Autumn, the priests surrendered ''en masse'' and [[Glass_and_flame#Game_Information_:_Asavean_Diplomacy|asked to be repatriated]] back to the Archipelago. As of the winter of 387YE, the temple still stands but without tenants.

'''OOC Notes:''' More details on the construction of the Temple of Balo and the Black Bull can be found in the winds of fortune, specifically [[Seven_lords_of_virtue#Temple_of_Bahlo_and_the_Black_Bull|Seven lords of virtue]], [[Those who worship#The Black Bull|Those who worship]], and [[Distant deeps]].
===Celesti Lighthouse===
Situated near the farthest tip of the [[Feroz#Oran|Oran]] peninsula, at one of its highest points, is the [[Celesti_Lighthouse_Keeper#The_Celesti_Lighthouse|Celesti lighthouse]]. Nearly five hundred feet tall - a wonder of the Empire that once rivalled the [[Madruga#The_Shining_Pillar_(Destroyed)|Shining Pillar]] of [[Madruga]] - it was originally commissioned as part of the massive investment in coastal ports and defences during the reign of [[Emperor Barabbas]]. Intended to serve both as a navigation aid and to keep a watch for signs of [[Grendel]] ships, the structure was much larger than it needed to be - making it an object of ribald fun for satirists and humourists around the Bay of Catazar. Barabbas planned to have the lighthouse lit in a dramatic display as his great armada sailed past on its way to conquer Attar but due to overspending and delays, construction hadn’t yet started on the complex beacon, and only the tower itself was finished.

Following the destruction of the Barabbine Fleet, funding for coastal projects abruptly ceased, and there was little Senate interest in completing what was largely seen as one of the late Throne's great follies. In 380YE, however, '''Ahraz i Guerra''' of the Celesti - the hakima who tended the empty tower - raised the money necessary to complete the beacon. For several years, the golden light of the Gilded Peaks shone out across the Bay, welcoming travellers to the Brass Coast, and providing a vital navigation aid for those attempting to traverse the isles and sandbanks of [[Feroz#Cazar Strits|Cazar]]. The "Celesti Lighthouse Keeper" was charged with maintaining the tower; keen to promote trade with the newly opened foreign ports in the [[Principalities of Jarm]]. Sadly, when Feroz was conquered by the [[Grendel]], and ceded to the [[orc|orcs]] by the subsequent [[Ratify_treaty_with_the_Grendel_Autumn_383YE#Treaty|peace treaty]], the lighthouse came under the dominion of the ruthless and avaricious ''Governor Rahab''. Who promptly wrecked it.

In 387YE, the lighthouse was restored to its former glory; or more properly surpassed it. Rebuilt, it was furnished with a unique lamp incorporating a boon of [[Kimus]] called the ''watchstone''. The light is now unquenchable, but more than that it ensures that everyone on the Bay of Catazar is aware of exactly where the lighthouse is even if they cannot see it. It has both boosted the morale of the corsair families, and sent a defiant message to the enemies of the Brass Coast. More even than that, the magical lamp has a [[Celesti_Lighthouse_Keeper#Light_in_the_Storm|potent connection]] to the new lighthouse keeper that may help keep the Freeborn safe from future attacks against their coast.
{{Anchor|Protectorate of Morajasse}}

===Mora's Rock===
Built as part of the grand project to create [[fortification|fortifications]] across the southern Empire in response to the threat of the [[Grendel]], Mora's Rock in [[#Morajasse|Morajasse]] was completed in the months following the [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Bravado|invasion of 383YE]]. The fortification squats above the town of Mora, guarding against invasion from [[Segura]], and providing garrisons and scouts who can offer resistance to assaults from the sea.

When Morajasse was ceded to the Grendel in Autumn 383YE, they took control of the fortification and later expanded it significantly. The fortification resisted the [[Glass and flame|liberation]] of the territory, and as of the beginning of 387YE remains under the control of the Grendel. The garrison is led by ''[[Glass_and_flame#The_Shadow_of_Mora's_Rock|Commander Gallum Fiersach]]'', ably supported by his partner, the ''Wind Lord Saoirse''.

The garrison there includes a warband of veteran [[Elite_Grendel_troops#The_Stone_Born|Stone Born]], and the remainder appear to be very experienced soldiers. These Grendel are enemies of the Empire, obviously, but that did not prevent them acting to [[A_circle_sewn_with_fate#The_Battle_of_Oran|protect Oran]] from the Children of Wrecks in early 387YE. In the Summer of that year, the Senate [[387YE_Summer_Solstice_Senate_sessions#Recognise_Protectorate_of_Gallum_Fiersach|recognised the Protectorate of Morajasse]] as foreigners, as long as they remained independent of the Grendel. While there is still tension between the Freeborn and the orcs many see as occupying Morajasse, for now at least Gallum Fiersach's forces seem content to keep to their castle, apart from regular patrols along the borders of Feroz aimed at protecting the territory from the Children of Wrecks - and the Iron Confederacy.
===The Spice Gardens of Feroz===
In western [[#Morajasse|Morajasse]] stand the legendary Spice Gardens of Feroz - a set of heavily-walled enclosures covering several acres where the finest spices in the Empire are grown. A rich source of trade for whoever controls the gardens, the [[Imperial title]] of [[Keeper of the Spice Gardens]] has changed hands between families only a handful of times in the last few centuries, and the bargaining leading up to a new appointment has regularly involved the whole nation.

The peace treaty of Autumn 383YE that ceded control of Morajasse to the Grendel saw the Spice Gardens fall into the hands of the orcs. The Grendel appreciate fine spices as much as any Freeborn so the evidence is that they did not harm the legendary Gardens - but for many Freeborn the idea of their beautiful spice gardens being operated by Grendel slaves was particularly heinous. With Governor Rahab dead and Feroz liberated, the Spice Gardens remain out of Imperial hands as part of the [[#Protectorate of Morjasse|Protectorate of Morajasse]].

==Lost and Ruined==
{{anchor|Shantarim}}
===Shantarim (ruined)===
In the southern islands of the [[#Cazar Straits|Cazar Straits]] the town of Shantarim was one a [[corsair]] stronghold. The families were are known to engage in fierce competition with their northern rivals, not only in Madruga but also in [[#Oranseri|Oranseri]] and even the other islands of the Straits. Smaller than the town of Cazar, Shantarim had a reputation for being somewhat less cosmopolitan than the other towns of Feroz - visitors from mainland families sometimes encounter prejudice and suspicion. The families of Shantarim more than made up for their relatively small size with the enthusiasm with which they opposed the orcs of the Broken Shore.

Prior to the [[Ratify treaty with the Grendel Autumn 383YE|peace treaty]] of 383YE, they were loud supporters of the [[Freeborn Storm]], and the various raids against the Grendel. The signing of the peace treaty with the southern orcs tied their hands, making it illegal to fight the Grendel, which became been a major source of dissension in Shantarim.

Towards the end of the ceasefire secured by the treaty, in 385YE, Shantarim was attacked and wrecked. Warships of the [[Asavean Archipelago]], allies of the Grendel occupation, engaged in a campaign of destruction across the Cazar Straits, and along with the Isle of the Osseini, Shantarim bore the brunt. Many corsairs who had endured the occupation of the Grendel were slain, and the town was looted and left in ruins. When the Children of Wrecks arrived, there was precious little left for the to wreck.
<div style="float:right; width: 450px; clear: right;"><box>'''Justicars'''<br>The priests who previously lived on the Isle of the Osseini called themselves ''justicars''. Specialist exorcists and inquisitors in the pre-Imperial history of the Brass Coast, they specialised in driving out malign spirits or cleansing unpleasant auras from people, places and objects. Never particularly populous, their sanctuary on the Isle of the Osseini was all but wiped out by the Grendel. A handful remained elsewhere, and during the Autumn Equinox 383YE the Freeborn assembly [[383YE_Autumn_Equinox_Synod_judgements#Judgement_22|called on them to come together to preserve their traditions]]. A small enclave of justicars was established on the Isle of Osseini at the sufferance of the Grendel. Unfortunately, when Asavean warships went on a rampage in 385YE, the first place they attacked was this enclave, putting the priests to the sword and burning the enclave. When the Children of Wrecks arrived, the Grendel magicians still left on the island fled back to the Broken Shore. As far as anyone knows today, the island is abandoned.</box></div>

{{Anchor|Isle of the Osseini}}
===Isle of the Osseini (Ruined)===
At the southern tip of the [[#Cazar Straits|Cazar Straits]], the island was known for its heavy sea fog, its ghosts, and for a small sect of Freeborn priests famed for their knowledge of the arts of [[exorcism]]. Stories claimed the Isle was haunted by those who had died at sea, but most Freeborn had no truck with such foolishness. In 383YE, however, it became clear these tales of ghosts were more than just idle gossip. During the Spring Equinox of that year, a [[Grendel]] shaman attempted to unleash a ghostly legion of drowned orcs bound in some fashion to white granite pillars on the island against the defenders of Feroz. Before they could do so they were [[383YE_Summer_Solstice_winds_of_war#The_World_is_Not_Enough|thwarted by Imperial heroes]] who reached the isle via the [[Sentinel Gate]]. Once the heroes retreated, the status of the island, the pillars, and the remaining priests was unknown.

Then in Autumn 383YE, as part of the negotiations that led to the peace treaty with the Grendel, a contract was negotiated with the orc diplomat regarding the Isle of the Osseini. In the wake of that agreement, a small group of priests were allowed to visit the Isle with a Grendel escort. There they discovered the remaining priests were dead, the ghost-binding pillars had been destroyed, and the island was in the hands of a coven of Grendel magicians. The orcs had already constructed a permanent residence there built around a particular Winter regio, and were less than welcoming to the Freeborn. Further negotiations followed; in the end the Freeborn were allowed to establish a small enclave here, under the careful watch of the Grendel.

The return of the justicars was short-lived. In 385YE, a fleet of warships from the Asavean Archipelago went on a murderous rampage in the southern Cazar Straits. Allies of the Grendel, they slaughtered the priests and burned the enclave before sailing north to Shantarim. When the Children of Wrecks arrived, the remaining Grendel magicians fled back to the Broken Shore. By the close of 387YE, the island appears to be abandoned, although it remains to be seen what the Iron Confederacy plan to do with it.

'''OOC Note:''' You can learn more about the historic Isle of the Osseini in the [[Bones in the ocean]] wind of fortune.
{{Anchor|The Scorrero Nets}}
===Scorrero Nets (Defunct)===
The Scorrero Nets were a [[Bourse]] resource located in [[#Oranseri|Oranseri]], seized by the Grendel in Spring 383YE as part of their conquest of Feroz. Custodianship of the Nets was an [[Imperial Title]] that brought with it a Seat on the [[Bourse]]. In Winter 384YE, a [[Drums_beat_in_my_head#The_Scorrero_Nets|daring plan]] was proposed to "steal" the nets by establishing the [[Cerevado Nets]] upriver in [[Segura]]. As a consequence, this Bourse resource ceased to exist, much to the chagrin of the Grendel governor Rahab.
{{Anchor|The Broken Shore Bounty}}
===The Broken Shore Bounty (Defunct)===
The [[Broken Shore Bounty]] was a Bourse resource that was technically located in the [[#Cazar Straits|Cazar Straits]] inasmuch as the holder of the [[Bourse]] seat has the use of a fortified villa in the hills near Cazar. The actual [[ilium]] that the seat provided was sourced throughout the Bay of Catazar; a portion of all ilium claimed from the nets of Freeborn, [[the League|League]], [[Highguard|Highborn]], and [[Urizen|Urizeni]] nets is claimed as part of the Bounty. It produced 7 rings of ilium each season and was allocated during the Spring Equinox.

When the Cazar Straits fell to the Grendel, they also seized the offices of the Broken Shore Bounty. Despite a [[Four_strong_winds#Broken_Shore_Bounty|proposal to move the offices]], the resource fell into disarray, the ilium ending up split between the Imperial Fleet Master and the Bourse Auction. With the ratification of the Grendel peace treaty, this title and resource effectively ceased to exist.
==Regions==
===Afarjasse===
'''Qualities:''' [[Region_qualities#Abandoned|Abandoned]], [[Region_qualities#Underpopulated|Underpopulated]]<br>
The wide open spaces of Afarjasse were sparsely populated even at the height of Feroz's prosperity. "Sweet afar" was a phrase sometimes used to describe being in the middle of nowhere, or an area where there was nothing but grass as far as the eye could see. The only major settlement was the quiet town of '''Afar''', established by [[hakima]] with close ties to the [[Guerra]] [[tribe]], near a potent [[regio]] tied to the [[Realms#Night|realm of Night]]. The town was not hard to reach, but it stood alone in a sea of sprawling grassland, and never encouraged casual visitors. On nights when powerful magics were performed, Afar was often visible for miles around - great bonfires blazing and massive drums pounding out powerful rhythms to help raise (or draw down, or both) the passionate energy for powerful workings.

As with the rest of Feroz, Afarjasse spent two years in the hands of the Grendel. The governor, Lord Rahab, made it clear that the hakima here would not be permitted access to their potent regio - they were after all an important strategic resource. Many of the people who once called the town home went into exile in [[Segura]] and [[Kahraman]] rather than endure Rahab's oppression. When the plains of Afarjasse were [[Glass_and_flame#Fontargenta_and_Bramar_and_Afar|liberated from the Grendel]] it was discovered that Rahab had established massive farms around Afar. The crops were tended by slaves, several hundred of whom were held at Afar in great dormitories, forced to work the fields until they fell, with the same heedless cruelty the Grendel apparently show to those who toil in their salt mines. These people were liberated by the [[Narwhal's Spear]] and the [[Fist of the Mountains]], who executed everyone responsible for their durance. Most were Imperial citizens, but maybe a hundred came from further afield, bought by Rahab from the slave markets of the Broken Shore. Those who are not already Imperial citizens were offered new homes in the Empire. The farms remain, but enthusiasm to work them is understandably low.

===Cazar Straits===
'''Qualities:''' Abandoned, Coastal, Impoverished, Island, Underpopulated<br>
For most of the Brass Coast's history, the islands of the Cazar Straits were dominated by [[corsair]] families. The largest settlement remains the port town from which the islands take their name - high-cliffed '''Cazar''' - but in recent years it has changed hands several times and is a shadow of its former self. Built around a bustling dock, it served as a safe harbour and home port for many of the [[fleet|fleets]] that protected the Bay from barbarian ships. The holder of the [[Broken Shore Bounty]] used to have the use of a fortified villa in the hills near Cazar, and the civil service offices that oversaw the resource were based here. Both were lost to the Grendel, then to the [[Children of Wrecks]], and in the last months of 387YE, to the [[Iron Confederacy]].

Even before the Children of Wrecks arrived, several of the more southerly islands of the Straits had a reputation for peculiarity. The corsairs of [[#Shantarim|Shantarim]] for example were renowned both for their enthusiastic rivalry with all other corsair families, and the zeal with which they waged war on the Grendel. The [[#Isle of the Osseini|Isle of the Osseini]] is also found here, once home to a sect of strange priests, allegedly haunted by the ghosts of drowned pirates, then the site of an uneasy truce between orc magicians and Freeborn priests. Towards the end of the peace treaty with the Grendel, however, a fleet of warships from the [[Asavean Archipelago]] slaughtered the justicars of Osseini and ruined the town of Shantarim. When the Children of Wrecks claimed the region, there was precious little left for them to destroy.

Shortly after the Autumn Equinox 387YE, a naval force belonging to the Iron Confederacy [[Red_skies#Swords_of_the_South|assailed the Cazar Straits]]. They smashed the Children of Wrecks stronghold and claimed the islands for themselves. [[Poets_light_but_lamps#The_Iron_Confederacy|Initial diplomatic discussion]] of the fate of the islands was inconclusive.

Today, the waters around the Cazar Straits remain treacherous, in part this is due to the presence of dozens of immature kraken hatched in the waters by the Children of Wrecks.

===Fontargenta===
'''Qualities:''' Abandoned, Coastal, Impoverished<br>
The trading port of '''Bramar''' stands on the coast here. Surrounded by rich agricultural land, its bountiful cornfields once competed with [[the Marches|Marcher]] grain in markets across the southern nations of the Empire, and their vineyards were justly famous. Before the Grendel invasion it served as an important hub for the Imperial wine trade, with many excellent vintages passing through its docks - both from the Brass Coast to the rest of the world, and from the rest of the world to the Brass Coast (and thus the Empire). Two years of mismanagement by Lord Rahab coupled with raids by the Children of Wrecks [[Glass_and_flame#Fontargenta_and_Bramar_and_Afar|left the region devastated]], and it remains to be seen if the farms here will ever recover.

===Morajasse===
'''Qualities:''' Protectorate of Morajasse, Abandoned, Impoverished, Underpopulated<br>
Morajasse was once one of the richest parts of the Brass Coast, home to extensive spice gardens and renowned for its herbalists, [[surgical skills#apothecary|apothecaries]], and chefs. The largest town was '''Mora''', once simply a spice market, transformed the Lasambrian invasion of [[Segura]] in 363YE. The threat of the western barbarians prompted a burst of rapid militarisation in this previously peaceful settlement. Refugees streamed in from southern Segura: some supported by their families, others looking to work in the market. With the liberation of the western territory, a strange reversal took place - the pool of desperate labourers largely dried up with refugees returning to their homes.

Immediately following the [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Bravado|invasion of Feroz]] in 383YE, work was completed on a [[fortification]] at the town of Mora, [[#Mora's Rock|Mora's Rock]]. The fortification served the defenders well, but with the ratification of the peace treaty it was taken over, and expanded, by Grendel troops. It now serves as the base of operations of ''Wind Lord Saoirse'' and her partner ''Commander Fiersach'', as well as a sizable force of Grendel veterans, in what the Senate has recognised as the [[#Protectorate of Morajasse|Protectorate of Morajasse]].

Western Morajasse is the site of the great [[#The Spice Gardens of Feroz|Spice Gardens]] and the [[Vizier of the Incarnadine Satchel]] was often quite active here, dealing with agents of the Spice Gardens and traders from the Jewelled Isles. Following the Grendel treaty, the offices that supported the Vizier were abandoned, and while they are still notionally the owner of the miraculous satchel that gives them their name, their ability to support the nations' apothecaries and physicks has been greatly reduced.

===Oranseri===
'''Qualities:''' Abandoned, Coastal, Impoverished<br>
Across the bay from billowing [[Madruga#Siroc|Siroc]] stands the once-thriving port town of [[#Oran|Oran]]. It is the only place in Feroz that seems to have prospered under the Grendel occupation - for a given value of "prospered". The port grew in prominence and prosperity, serving as the seat of power for the Grendel governor Lord Rahab. Today the town is a mismatched mess of old Freeborn and new Grendel architectural styles, with the [[#Temple of Balo and the Black Bull|Temple of Balo and the Black Bull]] further complicating the matter by being resolutely Asavean in outline.

Just outside Oran lies the great [[#The_Celesti_Lighthouse|Celesti Lighthouse]], its beacon repaired and restored to full functionality. Today its light shines brighter than ever - in large part thanks to the aid of the eternal [[Kimus]] who helped provide a unique lamp to shine brilliant beams across the dangerous waters of the Cazar Straits and the misty Bay of Oran.

West of Oran is the ''Scorrero Crossing''. The river Scorrero is wide and deep between Feroz and Madruga. During the Summer Solstice 383YE, the Grendel invaders attempted to take advantage of this by taking control of both bridges that connect the two Freeborn territories. Had they been successful, it would have been significantly harder for Imperial forces to move between Siroc and Oranseri. Their attempts were stymied, and ultimately became moot once the Scorrero [[Where_the_river_rises#Crossing|burst its banks]] and carried away all the existing bridges.

'''Joharra''' is a port south of Oran, considered much more stable than its northern cousin, and better known for its industry than its trade. Famous throughout the Empire for its cloth and dye-work, Joharra was called '' the Rainbow'' by coastal sailors who mark their progress round the coast with the first sight of the great billowing cloths hung out to dry on tall wooden frames along the low cliffs. As with the other settlements of Oranseri, the weavers and dyers here laboured for years under the yoke of the Grendel orcs. Many endured, however, and there is still [[Send_for_me#Inkworks_of_Joharra|potential to revive]] the industry here.

==Strategic Considerations==
* '''The damage to the bridges along the Scorrero prevents movement between Feroz and Madruga'''
* '''Cazar Straits have the Island quality which greatly complicates access by armies'''
The damage to almost all the bridges along the Scorrero means that it is effectively impossible for an [[Army|army]] to move between Feroz and [[Madruga]] (or vice versa). More information can be found in the '''[[Where_the_river_rises#Crossing|Where the river rises]]''' wind of fortune.

The islands of the Cazar Straits are separated from land by deep water, treacherous shoals, and the presence of juvenile kraken unleashed by the Children of Wrecks. Armies cannot move to, from, or through this region, nor can they attack it, unless transported by a [[navy]].
<div style="float:left; width: 450px; clear: right;">{{CaptionedImage|file=Garviel i Abrira i Erigo.jpg|caption='''Garviel i Abrira i Erigo''', Senator for Feroz|align=left|width=500}}</div>
{{Senate Elections|Senator_for_Feroz|Territory=Feroz|Season=Summer|Controlled=is}}

==OOC Notes==
* As of the start of the Winter Solstice 387YE, the Iron Confederacy control the Cazar Straits, the Protectorate of Morajasse controls Morajasse, and the Brass Coast controls Afarjasse, Fontargenta, and Oranseri. Feroz is an Imperial territory
* [[#Mora's Rock|Mora's Rock]] is a rank two fortification controlled by the Grendel.
* The status of various titles and resources located in Feroz is outlined in more detail in [[To_curb_those_raging_appetites#Lost_Opportunities|To curb those raging appetites]], a Winter 383YE wind of fortune.

==Further Reading==
* [[Red skies]] - 387YE Winter wind of war about the Iron Confederacy invasion of the Cazar Straits
* [[A circle sewn with fate]] - 387YE Spring wind of war detailing the Wrecker attack on Oran
* [[Send for me]] - 386YE Winter wind of fortune about the rebuilding of Feroz
* [[Glass and flame]] - 386YE Autumn wind of war about the liberation of Feroz
* [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Spindrift|Winds of War 383YE Spring]] - Detailing the Grendel invasion
* [[383YE_Summer_Solstice_winds_of_war#The_World_is_Not_Enough|Winds of War 383YE Summer]]
* [[383YE_Autumn_Equinox_winds_of_war#Bronze|Winds of War 383YE Autumn]]
* [[Ratify_treaty_with_the_Grendel_Autumn_383YE#Treaty|Treaty]] - the Autumn 383YE treaty with the Grendel
* [[To curb those raging appetites]] - a Winter 383YE wind of fortune that details the situation for Freeborn in Feroz
* [[Everything has a price]] - a Winter 383YE wind of fortune that details the general situation with the Grendel, and has several notes about their presence in Feroz
* [[Bones in the ocean]] - a Winter 383YE wind of fortune that specifically deals with the [[#Isle of the Osseini|Isle of the Osseini]] and the justicars

Feroz

2026-05-13T11:27:48Z

Rafferty: /* Oranseri */

{{CaptionedImage|file=RegionsofFeroz.png|title=Southernmost of the Freeborn territories, lush but threatened by barbarians over land and sea|caption=Regions of Feroz|align=left|width=500}}[[Category:Gazetteer]][[Category:Imperial Territory]][[category:The Brass Coast]]
{{stub}}
== Overview ==
Feroz is the southernmost territory of the Brass Coast, and like [[Madruga]] to the north has both isles and coastline. Here the climate is warm and humid, perfect for the cultivation of different plants. This is the home of the fabulous spice gardens of Feroz, a source of great revenue for the people of this territory. The seas are more treacherous here, and the south and the west are constantly threatened by barbarians by land. As a result, many armed merchants patrolled the seas, and groups of young warriors journeyed along the borders, fighting skirmishes against jealous foes.

There is a traditional rivalry between the families of Feroz and those of Madruga. The northern territory was the first settled when the Freeborn [[The_Brass_Coast_history#The_Conquest_of_the_Coast|left Highguard]], and there is a popular stereotype that the people who live there are "stuck up". This stereotype is more humorous than hateful - the Freeborn move around too much to allow such prejudice to root itself too firmly in their psyche. Still, if a citizen of Feroz wants to insult a citizen of Madruga, they will fall back on accusations of arrogance and an over-reliance on tradition.

Some of the finest [[Surgical skills#Apothecary|apothecaries]] on the Brass Coast once lived in Feroz - the art of [[potion]] making has been studied here for centuries and even after two years of occupation by the Grendel it is still home to a great many [[herb garden|herb gardens]]. The mainland is a criss-cross patchwork of [[farm|farms]] and small settlements. At the height of its prosperity, a great deal of the food and drink consumed on the Brass Coast was produced here and exported to other Freeborn territories.

Unfortunately, in recent years the territory has been hit by disaster after disaster. Repeated raids by the Grendel eventually gave way to a concerted invasion, and while it was pushed back, the barbarian of the Broken Shore did not abandon their ambition to conquer Feroz. In 383YE, a [[Ratify treaty with the Grendel Autumn 383YE|peace treaty]] ceded the territory to the invaders, and saw the vicious, greedy, and tyrannical ''Governor Rahab'' establish his dominion over Feroz. The Freeborn organised a [[The power behind our moves|grand evacuation]] that saw much of the population escape Rahab's hungry grasp and resettle elsewhere in the Coast, but the move came at a price. When the treaty ended, and the Grendel were (mostly) driven out, Feroz was left abandoned, wrecked, and heavily underpopulated, its former residents preferring to stay with the new lives they had built elsewhere rather than return. Worse, the [[#Cazar Straits|Cazar Straits]] were taken by the [[Children of Wrecks]], transformed into a stronghold for the servants of the eternal [[Siakha]]. They in turn were supplanted towards the end of 387YE by the [[Iron Confederacy]], who drove out the Wreckers and claimed the island for themselves.

On the mainland, the situation is a little better, but what was once one of the richest Freeborn territories still struggles with the weight of two years of exploitation by a money-hungry tyrant, and what many see as its abandonment by the Empire.

==Recent History==
Being on the [[Bay of Catazar]], Feroz has always been under threat from the [[Grendel]] [[orc|orcs]]. In Spring 383YE, the orcs [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Spindrift|launched a naval invasion]], capturing [[#Oranseri|Oranseri]] and the [[#Cazar Straits|Cazar Straits]] in short order and making significant inroads into [[#Fontargenta|Fontargenta]]. The Grendel installed a grizzled old orc named ''Lord Rahab'' as overseer of the conquered land; he took up residence in the offices of the [[Scorrero Nets]] and quickly set about attempting to bring the rest of Feroz under his control. Part of their plan appeared to involve the ghosts of the [[#Isle of the Osseini|Isle of the Osseini]], but the scheme was countered by Imperial heroes travelling through the [[Sentinel Gate]] to exorcise the spirits and defeat the Grendel seeking to make use of them.

Undaunted by the loss of their supernatural weapon, the orcs kept up their assault. By Summer 383YE, they [[383YE_Summer_Solstice_winds_of_war#The_World_is_Not_Enough|sought to consolidate their gains in Fontargenta]]; they were opposed by [[Navarr]] and [[the Marches|Marcher]] [[Army|armies]], who held the Grendel at the town of [[#Fontargenta|Bramar]] for two days before being forced to retreat. They were able to slow the Grendel advance, however, leaving the orcs bogged down in Fontargenta and unable to press inland.

Following the engagement in Fontargenta, and battling under a powerful supernatural storm, the Grendel [[383YE_Autumn_Equinox_winds_of_war#Bronze|brought even more force]] to bear in the territory. While the Imperial armies were reinforced by [[Highguard|Highborn]] troops, the orc navies disgorged a great host of their own warriors. The fighting was bitter, but in the end Fontargenta fell - and as Fontargenta fell, so fell Feroz. While [[#Morajasse|Morajasse]] and [[#Afarjasse|Afarjasse]] remained free, the Grendel forces continued to mass along the coast.

During the Autumn Equinox 383, the [[Senate]] [[Ratify_treaty_with_the_Grendel_Autumn_383YE#Treaty|ratified a peace treaty]] with the Grendel. Presented by the [[Imperial Fleet Master]], among other things it [[Powers_of_the_Imperial_Senate#Concedence|ceded]] the two remaining regions of Feroz to the Grendel, albeit with provisions allowing Imperial citizens still in Morajasse and Afarjasse to withdraw to safety. Following the Equinox, Lord Rahab's forces spread out quickly to bring the two western regions under his control; Feroz was now [[To_curb_those_raging_appetites|completely under Grendel control]].

Just before the Autumn Equinox 386YE, the Imperial forces reconquered [[Glass_and_flame| reconquered Feroz]]. Possession of the territory is complicated by [[Children_of_Wrecks|Children of Wrecks]] as well as the remnants of the Grendel. Feroz has been run into the ground by Lord Rahab, eager to extract every drop of profit from the place, and it requires significant investment to return the territory to even a fraction of its former wealth.

In 386YE, the [[Senate]] commissioned an [[appraisal]] of Feroz that laid out many of the challenges presented by the newly reclaimed territory, and some potential solutions. Details are contained in the '''[[Send_for_me#State_of_Feroz|Send for me]]''' wind of fortune.

== Major Features ==
===Oran===
The largest and most prestigious port was Feroz is Oran, on the northern coast of [[#Oranseri|Oranseri]]. Across the bay from billowing [[Madruga#Siroc_(Ruined)|Siroc]] this thriving port specialised in high-value products such as fine wines and spice mixes. Unsurprisingly, given its position, for most of its history it has engaged in low-key economic warfare with its larger cousin to the north - Oran notably has cheaper dock fees than Siroc, and a number of entrepreneurs prefer to operate here as a consequence. It is especially welcoming to those merchants who are just starting out, and has a reputation for being more energetic than its competitors to the north and south. This energy has been significantly boosted by construction of the only open [[#The Temple of Balo and the Black Bull|Asavean Temple]] in the entire Empire; the surge of [[Asavean Archipelago|Asavean]] ships visiting Oran saw the town expand significantly to become the largest trading port in Feroz.

In Spring 383YE, however, Oran was [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Spindrift|conquered by the Grendel]]. An orc governor, Lord Rahab, chose the town as the site for his court, converting the offices of the [[Scorrero Nets]] to his personal use. Among other things, this invasion saw the collapse of the [[Broken Shore Bounty]], the Scorrero Nets falling into orc hands, and the Temple of Balo and the Black Bull sealing its doors against the orcs while offering sanctuary to Freeborn families. Following the treaty signed during the Autumn Equinox, the Grendel opened Oran as a port [[Everything_has_a_price#A_New_Destination|available to Imperial captains]]. This situation persisted until the peace treaty ended, and war with the Grendel resumed.

After the Summer Solstice 386YE, Imperial forces swept into Oranseri to liberate the territory from the Grendel. They [[Glass_and_flame#The_Siege_of_Oran|laid siege]] to Oran, and were quickly victorious. The [[Below_the_thunders#Objective:_Eliminate_Governor_Rahab|recent death of Governor Rahab]] in battle with the Empire's heroes left the garrison demoralised and disorganised. It was a grievous victory, however. The fighting that raged through the town, the overwhelming assault, the barrage of catapult stones, all contributed to the fact that many of the buildings have been left in ruins, and many more damaged. A fire at the docks threatened to spread through the town and only the valiant actions of League soldiers managed bring it under control. Barely a year later the town again came under serious attack, this time by the Children of Wrecks. Without the [[A_circle_sewn_with_fate#The_Battle_of_Oran|prompt action]] of the [[orc|orcs]] from the [[#Protectorate of Morajasse|Protectorate of Morajasse]], Oran again might have been destroyed. As it is, the town remains intact but in a sadly impoverished state.

Proposals have been put forward to [[Send_for_me#Wharfage_of_Oran|rebuild Oran]], but it remains to be seen what the future holds for the port town.

{{Anchor|The Temple of Balo and the Black Bull}}
===Temple of Balo and the Black Bull===
During the Spring Equinox 380YE, permission was granted to the people of the [[Asavean Archipelago]] to construct a major temple to their gods in [[#Oranseri|Oran]]. Initially, construction was expected to be completed shortly before the Autumn Equinox 380YE, but the temple did not actually open its doors until shortly before the Spring Equinox 381YE. The town is seeing an influx of Asavean shipping bringing white granite and architects to the Brass Coast, as well as throwing crowns around like water to secure local labour to complete their project. Relations between the people of the Empire and the priests of Asavea are monitored by ''[[El oficial de enlace imperial con los sacerdotes de Balo y el toro negro]]'' ("The Imperial intermediary to the priests of Balo and the Black Bull"), who among other things is able to [[ministry|buy Asavean goods]] at a reduced price. During the Summer Solstice 380YE, the Assembly of Nine supported Abaddon de Rondell in [[Temple_of_the_bull#Resolution|denouncing]] the temple as an idolatrous affront, making it significantly harder for the Asaveans to find labourers prepared to work on the construction and both delaying its completion and laying a significant economic burden on the foreign priests.

The temple remained extremely controversial among Imperial priests. When Oran fell to the Grendel, however, the priests at the temple [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Sand|offered sanctuary]] to a number of Freeborn families in spite of Governor Rahab's unhappiness. Several of those families were ultimately smuggled to safety in Madruga. Despite this, however, it was clear that the Asaveans were happy to work with the new owners of Oran - there were rumours that they quickly recognised a Grendel as the [[Imperial Delegate to the Temple in Feroz|Delegate to the Temple in Feroz]]. This situation was further exacerbated by the Summer 383YE [[Through_my_sails#Ruined_Buildings|attack]] on the "sister temple" to the Black Bull, the temple of the Way in Nemoria.

When Oran was [[Glass_and_flame#The_Siege_of_Oran|liberated from the Grendel]] in 386YE Autumn, the priests surrendered ''en masse'' and [[Glass_and_flame#Game_Information_:_Asavean_Diplomacy|asked to be repatriated]] back to the Archipelago. As of the winter of 387YE, the temple still stands but without tenants.

'''OOC Notes:''' More details on the construction of the Temple of Balo and the Black Bull can be found in the winds of fortune, specifically [[Seven_lords_of_virtue#Temple_of_Bahlo_and_the_Black_Bull|Seven lords of virtue]], [[Those who worship#The Black Bull|Those who worship]], and [[Distant deeps]].
===Celesti Lighthouse===
Situated near the farthest tip of the [[Feroz#Oran|Oran]] peninsula, at one of its highest points, is the [[Celesti_Lighthouse_Keeper#The_Celesti_Lighthouse|Celesti lighthouse]]. Nearly five hundred feet tall - a wonder of the Empire that once rivalled the [[Madruga#The_Shining_Pillar_(Destroyed)|Shining Pillar]] of [[Madruga]] - it was originally commissioned as part of the massive investment in coastal ports and defences during the reign of [[Emperor Barabbas]]. Intended to serve both as a navigation aid and to keep a watch for signs of [[Grendel]] ships, the structure was much larger than it needed to be - making it an object of ribald fun for satirists and humourists around the Bay of Catazar. Barabbas planned to have the lighthouse lit in a dramatic display as his great armada sailed past on its way to conquer Attar but due to overspending and delays, construction hadn’t yet started on the complex beacon, and only the tower itself was finished.

Following the destruction of the Barabbine Fleet, funding for coastal projects abruptly ceased, and there was little Senate interest in completing what was largely seen as one of the late Throne's great follies. In 380YE, however, '''Ahraz i Guerra''' of the Celesti - the hakima who tended the empty tower - raised the money necessary to complete the beacon. For several years, the golden light of the Gilded Peaks shone out across the Bay, welcoming travellers to the Brass Coast, and providing a vital navigation aid for those attempting to traverse the isles and sandbanks of [[Feroz#Cazar Strits|Cazar]]. The "Celesti Lighthouse Keeper" was charged with maintaining the tower; keen to promote trade with the newly opened foreign ports in the [[Principalities of Jarm]]. Sadly, when Feroz was conquered by the [[Grendel]], and ceded to the [[orc|orcs]] by the subsequent [[Ratify_treaty_with_the_Grendel_Autumn_383YE#Treaty|peace treaty]], the lighthouse came under the dominion of the ruthless and avaricious ''Governor Rahab''. Who promptly wrecked it.

In 387YE, the lighthouse was restored to its former glory; or more properly surpassed it. Rebuilt, it was furnished with a unique lamp incorporating a boon of [[Kimus]] called the ''watchstone''. The light is now unquenchable, but more than that it ensures that everyone on the Bay of Catazar is aware of exactly where the lighthouse is even if they cannot see it. It has both boosted the morale of the corsair families, and sent a defiant message to the enemies of the Brass Coast. More even than that, the magical lamp has a [[Celesti_Lighthouse_Keeper#Light_in_the_Storm|potent connection]] to the new lighthouse keeper that may help keep the Freeborn safe from future attacks against their coast.
{{Anchor|Protectorate of Morajasse}}

===Mora's Rock===
Built as part of the grand project to create [[fortification|fortifications]] across the southern Empire in response to the threat of the [[Grendel]], Mora's Rock in [[#Morajasse|Morajasse]] was completed in the months following the [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Bravado|invasion of 383YE]]. The fortification squats above the town of Mora, guarding against invasion from [[Segura]], and providing garrisons and scouts who can offer resistance to assaults from the sea.

When Morajasse was ceded to the Grendel in Autumn 383YE, they took control of the fortification and later expanded it significantly. The fortification resisted the [[Glass and flame|liberation]] of the territory, and as of the beginning of 387YE remains under the control of the Grendel. The garrison is led by ''[[Glass_and_flame#The_Shadow_of_Mora's_Rock|Commander Gallum Fiersach]]'', ably supported by his partner, the ''Wind Lord Saoirse''.

The garrison there includes a warband of veteran [[Elite_Grendel_troops#The_Stone_Born|Stone Born]], and the remainder appear to be very experienced soldiers. These Grendel are enemies of the Empire, obviously, but that did not prevent them acting to [[A_circle_sewn_with_fate#The_Battle_of_Oran|protect Oran]] from the Children of Wrecks in early 387YE. In the Summer of that year, the Senate [[387YE_Summer_Solstice_Senate_sessions#Recognise_Protectorate_of_Gallum_Fiersach|recognised the Protectorate of Morajasse]] as foreigners, as long as they remained independent of the Grendel. While there is still tension between the Freeborn and the orcs many see as occupying Morajasse, for now at least Gallum Fiersach's forces seem content to keep to their castle, apart from regular patrols along the borders of Feroz aimed at protecting the territory from the Children of Wrecks - and the Iron Confederacy.
===The Spice Gardens of Feroz===
In western [[#Morajasse|Morajasse]] stand the legendary Spice Gardens of Feroz - a set of heavily-walled enclosures covering several acres where the finest spices in the Empire are grown. A rich source of trade for whoever controls the gardens, the [[Imperial title]] of [[Keeper of the Spice Gardens]] has changed hands between families only a handful of times in the last few centuries, and the bargaining leading up to a new appointment has regularly involved the whole nation.

The peace treaty of Autumn 383YE that ceded control of Morajasse to the Grendel saw the Spice Gardens fall into the hands of the orcs. The Grendel appreciate fine spices as much as any Freeborn so the evidence is that they did not harm the legendary Gardens - but for many Freeborn the idea of their beautiful spice gardens being operated by Grendel slaves was particularly heinous. With Governor Rahab dead and Feroz liberated, the Spice Gardens remain out of Imperial hands as part of the [[#Protectorate of Morjasse|Protectorate of Morajasse]].

==Lost and Ruined==
{{anchor|Shantarim}}
===Shantarim (ruined)===
In the southern islands of the [[#Cazar Straits|Cazar Straits]] the town of Shantarim was one a [[corsair]] stronghold. The families were are known to engage in fierce competition with their northern rivals, not only in Madruga but also in [[#Oranseri|Oranseri]] and even the other islands of the Straits. Smaller than the town of Cazar, Shantarim had a reputation for being somewhat less cosmopolitan than the other towns of Feroz - visitors from mainland families sometimes encounter prejudice and suspicion. The families of Shantarim more than made up for their relatively small size with the enthusiasm with which they opposed the orcs of the Broken Shore.

Prior to the [[Ratify treaty with the Grendel Autumn 383YE|peace treaty]] of 383YE, they were loud supporters of the [[Freeborn Storm]], and the various raids against the Grendel. The signing of the peace treaty with the southern orcs tied their hands, making it illegal to fight the Grendel, which became been a major source of dissension in Shantarim.

Towards the end of the ceasefire secured by the treaty, in 385YE, Shantarim was attacked and wrecked. Warships of the [[Asavean Archipelago]], allies of the Grendel occupation, engaged in a campaign of destruction across the Cazar Straits, and along with the Isle of the Osseini, Shantarim bore the brunt. Many corsairs who had endured the occupation of the Grendel were slain, and the town was looted and left in ruins. When the Children of Wrecks arrived, there was precious little left for the to wreck.
<div style="float:right; width: 450px; clear: right;"><box>'''Justicars'''<br>The priests who previously lived on the Isle of the Osseini called themselves ''justicars''. Specialist exorcists and inquisitors in the pre-Imperial history of the Brass Coast, they specialised in driving out malign spirits or cleansing unpleasant auras from people, places and objects. Never particularly populous, their sanctuary on the Isle of the Osseini was all but wiped out by the Grendel. A handful remained elsewhere, and during the Autumn Equinox 383YE the Freeborn assembly [[383YE_Autumn_Equinox_Synod_judgements#Judgement_22|called on them to come together to preserve their traditions]]. A small enclave of justicars was established on the Isle of Osseini at the sufferance of the Grendel. Unfortunately, when Asavean warships went on a rampage in 385YE, the first place they attacked was this enclave, putting the priests to the sword and burning the enclave. When the Children of Wrecks arrived, the Grendel magicians still left on the island fled back to the Broken Shore. As far as anyone knows today, the island is abandoned.</box></div>

{{Anchor|Isle of the Osseini}}
===Isle of the Osseini (Ruined)===
At the southern tip of the [[#Cazar Straits|Cazar Straits]], the island was known for its heavy sea fog, its ghosts, and for a small sect of Freeborn priests famed for their knowledge of the arts of [[exorcism]]. Stories claimed the Isle was haunted by those who had died at sea, but most Freeborn had no truck with such foolishness. In 383YE, however, it became clear these tales of ghosts were more than just idle gossip. During the Spring Equinox of that year, a [[Grendel]] shaman attempted to unleash a ghostly legion of drowned orcs bound in some fashion to white granite pillars on the island against the defenders of Feroz. Before they could do so they were [[383YE_Summer_Solstice_winds_of_war#The_World_is_Not_Enough|thwarted by Imperial heroes]] who reached the isle via the [[Sentinel Gate]]. Once the heroes retreated, the status of the island, the pillars, and the remaining priests was unknown.

Then in Autumn 383YE, as part of the negotiations that led to the peace treaty with the Grendel, a contract was negotiated with the orc diplomat regarding the Isle of the Osseini. In the wake of that agreement, a small group of priests were allowed to visit the Isle with a Grendel escort. There they discovered the remaining priests were dead, the ghost-binding pillars had been destroyed, and the island was in the hands of a coven of Grendel magicians. The orcs had already constructed a permanent residence there built around a particular Winter regio, and were less than welcoming to the Freeborn. Further negotiations followed; in the end the Freeborn were allowed to establish a small enclave here, under the careful watch of the Grendel.

The return of the justicars was short-lived. In 385YE, a fleet of warships from the Asavean Archipelago went on a murderous rampage in the southern Cazar Straits. Allies of the Grendel, they slaughtered the priests and burned the enclave before sailing north to Shantarim. When the Children of Wrecks arrived, the remaining Grendel magicians fled back to the Broken Shore. By the close of 387YE, the island appears to be abandoned, although it remains to be seen what the Iron Confederacy plan to do with it.

'''OOC Note:''' You can learn more about the historic Isle of the Osseini in the [[Bones in the ocean]] wind of fortune.
{{Anchor|The Scorrero Nets}}
===Scorrero Nets (Defunct)===
The Scorrero Nets were a [[Bourse]] resource located in [[#Oranseri|Oranseri]], seized by the Grendel in Spring 383YE as part of their conquest of Feroz. Custodianship of the Nets was an [[Imperial Title]] that brought with it a Seat on the [[Bourse]]. In Winter 384YE, a [[Drums_beat_in_my_head#The_Scorrero_Nets|daring plan]] was proposed to "steal" the nets by establishing the [[Cerevado Nets]] upriver in [[Segura]]. As a consequence, this Bourse resource ceased to exist, much to the chagrin of the Grendel governor Rahab.
{{Anchor|The Broken Shore Bounty}}
===The Broken Shore Bounty (Defunct)===
The [[Broken Shore Bounty]] was a Bourse resource that was technically located in the [[#Cazar Straits|Cazar Straits]] inasmuch as the holder of the [[Bourse]] seat has the use of a fortified villa in the hills near Cazar. The actual [[ilium]] that the seat provided was sourced throughout the Bay of Catazar; a portion of all ilium claimed from the nets of Freeborn, [[the League|League]], [[Highguard|Highborn]], and [[Urizen|Urizeni]] nets is claimed as part of the Bounty. It produced 7 rings of ilium each season and was allocated during the Spring Equinox.

When the Cazar Straits fell to the Grendel, they also seized the offices of the Broken Shore Bounty. Despite a [[Four_strong_winds#Broken_Shore_Bounty|proposal to move the offices]], the resource fell into disarray, the ilium ending up split between the Imperial Fleet Master and the Bourse Auction. With the ratification of the Grendel peace treaty, this title and resource effectively ceased to exist.
==Regions==
===Afarjasse===
'''Qualities:''' [[Region_qualities#Abandoned|Abandoned]], [[Region_qualities#Underpopulated|Underpopulated]]<br>
The wide open spaces of Afarjasse were sparsely populated even at the height of Feroz's prosperity. "Sweet afar" was a phrase sometimes used to describe being in the middle of nowhere, or an area where there was nothing but grass as far as the eye could see. The only major settlement was the quiet town of '''Afar''', established by [[hakima]] with close ties to the [[Guerra]] [[tribe]], near a potent [[regio]] tied to the [[Realms#Night|realm of Night]]. The town was not hard to reach, but it stood alone in a sea of sprawling grassland, and never encouraged casual visitors. On nights when powerful magics were performed, Afar was often visible for miles around - great bonfires blazing and massive drums pounding out powerful rhythms to help raise (or draw down, or both) the passionate energy for powerful workings.

As with the rest of Feroz, Afarjasse spent two years in the hands of the Grendel. The governor, Lord Rahab, made it clear that the hakima here would not be permitted access to their potent regio - they were after all an important strategic resource. Many of the people who once called the town home went into exile in [[Segura]] and [[Kahraman]] rather than endure Rahab's oppression. When the plains of Afarjasse were [[Glass_and_flame#Fontargenta_and_Bramar_and_Afar|liberated from the Grendel]] it was discovered that Rahab had established massive farms around Afar. The crops were tended by slaves, several hundred of whom were held at Afar in great dormitories, forced to work the fields until they fell, with the same heedless cruelty the Grendel apparently show to those who toil in their salt mines. These people were liberated by the [[Narwhal's Spear]] and the [[Fist of the Mountains]], who executed everyone responsible for their durance. Most were Imperial citizens, but maybe a hundred came from further afield, bought by Rahab from the slave markets of the Broken Shore. Those who are not already Imperial citizens were offered new homes in the Empire. The farms remain, but enthusiasm to work them is understandably low.

===Cazar Straits===
'''Qualities:''' Abandoned, Coastal, Impoverished, Island, Underpopulated<br>
For most of the Brass Coast's history, the islands of the Cazar Straits were dominated by [[corsair]] families. The largest settlement remains the port town from which the islands take their name - high-cliffed '''Cazar''' - but in recent years it has changed hands several times and is a shadow of its former self. Built around a bustling dock, it served as a safe harbour and home port for many of the [[fleet|fleets]] that protected the Bay from barbarian ships. The holder of the [[Broken Shore Bounty]] used to have the use of a fortified villa in the hills near Cazar, and the civil service offices that oversaw the resource were based here. Both were lost to the Grendel, then to the [[Children of Wrecks]], and in the last months of 387YE, to the [[Iron Confederacy]].

Even before the Children of Wrecks arrived, several of the more southerly islands of the Straits had a reputation for peculiarity. The corsairs of [[#Shantarim|Shantarim]] for example were renowned both for their enthusiastic rivalry with all other corsair families, and the zeal with which they waged war on the Grendel. The [[#Isle of the Osseini|Isle of the Osseini]] is also found here, once home to a sect of strange priests, allegedly haunted by the ghosts of drowned pirates, then the site of an uneasy truce between orc magicians and Freeborn priests. Towards the end of the peace treaty with the Grendel, however, a fleet of warships from the [[Asavean Archipelago]] slaughtered the justicars of Osseini and ruined the town of Shantarim. When the Children of Wrecks claimed the region, there was precious little left for them to destroy.

Shortly after the Autumn Equinox 387YE, a naval force belonging to the Iron Confederacy [[Red_skies#Swords_of_the_South|assailed the Cazar Straits]]. They smashed the Children of Wrecks stronghold and claimed the islands for themselves. [[Poets_light_but_lamps#The_Iron_Confederacy|Initial diplomatic discussion]] of the fate of the islands was inconclusive.

Today, the waters around the Cazar Straits remain treacherous, in part this is due to the presence of dozens of immature kraken hatched in the waters by the Children of Wrecks.

===Fontargenta===
'''Qualities:''' Abandoned, Coastal, Impoverished<br>
The trading port of '''Bramar''' stands on the coast here. Surrounded by rich agricultural land, its bountiful cornfields once competed with [[the Marches|Marcher]] grain in markets across the southern nations of the Empire, and their vineyards were justly famous. Before the Grendel invasion it served as an important hub for the Imperial wine trade, with many excellent vintages passing through its docks - both from the Brass Coast to the rest of the world, and from the rest of the world to the Brass Coast (and thus the Empire). Two years of mismanagement by Lord Rahab coupled with raids by the Children of Wrecks [[Glass_and_flame#Fontargenta_and_Bramar_and_Afar|left the region devastated]], and it remains to be seen if the farms here will ever recover.

===Morajasse===
'''Qualities:''' Protectorate of Morajasse, Abandoned, Impoverished, Underpopulated<br>
Morajasse was once one of the richest parts of the Brass Coast, home to extensive spice gardens and renowned for its herbalists, [[surgical skills#apothecary|apothecaries]], and chefs. The largest town was '''Mora''', once simply a spice market, transformed the Lasambrian invasion of [[Segura]] in 363YE. The threat of the western barbarians prompted a burst of rapid militarisation in this previously peaceful settlement. Refugees streamed in from southern Segura: some supported by their families, others looking to work in the market. With the liberation of the western territory, a strange reversal took place - the pool of desperate labourers largely dried up with refugees returning to their homes.

Immediately following the [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Bravado|invasion of Feroz]] in 383YE, work was completed on a [[fortification]] at the town of Mora, [[#Mora's Rock|Mora's Rock]]. The fortification served the defenders well, but with the ratification of the peace treaty it was taken over, and expanded, by Grendel troops. It now serves as the base of operations of ''Wind Lord Saoirse'' and her partner ''Commander Fiersach'', as well as a sizable force of Grendel veterans, in what the Senate has recognised as the [[#Protectorate of Morajasse|Protectorate of Morajasse]].

Western Morajasse is the site of the great [[#The Spice Gardens of Feroz|Spice Gardens]] and the [[Vizier of the Incarnadine Satchel]] was often quite active here, dealing with agents of the Spice Gardens and traders from the Jewelled Isles. Following the Grendel treaty, the offices that supported the Vizier were abandoned, and while they are still notionally the owner of the miraculous satchel that gives them their name, their ability to support the nations' apothecaries and physicks has been greatly reduced.
{{CaptionedImage|file=Oran_by_the_Sea.jpg|caption=The Celesti Lighthouse sits high on the headland overlooking Oran.|align=right|width=400}}

===Oranseri===
'''Qualities:''' Abandoned, Coastal, Impoverished<br>
Across the bay from billowing [[Madruga#Siroc|Siroc]] stands the once-thriving port town of [[#Oran|Oran]]. It is the only place in Feroz that seems to have prospered under the Grendel occupation - for a given value of "prospered". The port grew in prominence and prosperity, serving as the seat of power for the Grendel governor Lord Rahab. Today the town is a mismatched mess of old Freeborn and new Grendel architectural styles, with the [[#Temple of Balo and the Black Bull|Temple of Balo and the Black Bull]] further complicating the matter by being resolutely Asavean in outline.

Just outside Oran lies the great [[#The_Celesti_Lighthouse|Celesti Lighthouse]], its beacon repaired and restored to full functionality. Today its light shines brighter than ever - in large part thanks to the aid of the eternal [[Kimus]] who helped provide a unique lamp to shine brilliant beams across the dangerous waters of the Cazar Straits and the misty Bay of Oran.

West of Oran is the ''Scorrero Crossing''. The river Scorrero is wide and deep between Feroz and Madruga. During the Summer Solstice 383YE, the Grendel invaders attempted to take advantage of this by taking control of both bridges that connect the two Freeborn territories. Had they been successful, it would have been significantly harder for Imperial forces to move between Siroc and Oranseri. Their attempts were stymied, and ultimately became moot once the Scorrero [[Where_the_river_rises#Crossing|burst its banks]] and carried away all the existing bridges.

'''Joharra''' is a port south of Oran, considered much more stable than its northern cousin, and better known for its industry than its trade. Famous throughout the Empire for its cloth and dye-work, Joharra was called '' the Rainbow'' by coastal sailors who mark their progress round the coast with the first sight of the great billowing cloths hung out to dry on tall wooden frames along the low cliffs. As with the other settlements of Oranseri, the weavers and dyers here laboured for years under the yoke of the Grendel orcs. Many endured, however, and there is still [[Send_for_me#Inkworks_of_Joharra|potential to revive]] the industry here.

==Strategic Considerations==
* '''The damage to the bridges along the Scorrero prevents movement between Feroz and Madruga'''
* '''Cazar Straits have the Island quality which greatly complicates access by armies'''
The damage to almost all the bridges along the Scorrero means that it is effectively impossible for an [[Army|army]] to move between Feroz and [[Madruga]] (or vice versa). More information can be found in the '''[[Where_the_river_rises#Crossing|Where the river rises]]''' wind of fortune.

The islands of the Cazar Straits are separated from land by deep water, treacherous shoals, and the presence of juvenile kraken unleashed by the Children of Wrecks. Armies cannot move to, from, or through this region, nor can they attack it, unless transported by a [[navy]].
<div style="float:left; width: 450px; clear: right;">{{CaptionedImage|file=Garviel i Abrira i Erigo.jpg|caption='''Garviel i Abrira i Erigo''', Senator for Feroz|align=left|width=500}}</div>
{{Senate Elections|Senator_for_Feroz|Territory=Feroz|Season=Summer|Controlled=is}}

==OOC Notes==
* As of the start of the Winter Solstice 387YE, the Iron Confederacy control the Cazar Straits, the Protectorate of Morajasse controls Morajasse, and the Brass Coast controls Afarjasse, Fontargenta, and Oranseri. Feroz is an Imperial territory
* [[#Mora's Rock|Mora's Rock]] is a rank two fortification controlled by the Grendel.
* The status of various titles and resources located in Feroz is outlined in more detail in [[To_curb_those_raging_appetites#Lost_Opportunities|To curb those raging appetites]], a Winter 383YE wind of fortune.

==Further Reading==
* [[Red skies]] - 387YE Winter wind of war about the Iron Confederacy invasion of the Cazar Straits
* [[A circle sewn with fate]] - 387YE Spring wind of war detailing the Wrecker attack on Oran
* [[Send for me]] - 386YE Winter wind of fortune about the rebuilding of Feroz
* [[Glass and flame]] - 386YE Autumn wind of war about the liberation of Feroz
* [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Spindrift|Winds of War 383YE Spring]] - Detailing the Grendel invasion
* [[383YE_Summer_Solstice_winds_of_war#The_World_is_Not_Enough|Winds of War 383YE Summer]]
* [[383YE_Autumn_Equinox_winds_of_war#Bronze|Winds of War 383YE Autumn]]
* [[Ratify_treaty_with_the_Grendel_Autumn_383YE#Treaty|Treaty]] - the Autumn 383YE treaty with the Grendel
* [[To curb those raging appetites]] - a Winter 383YE wind of fortune that details the situation for Freeborn in Feroz
* [[Everything has a price]] - a Winter 383YE wind of fortune that details the general situation with the Grendel, and has several notes about their presence in Feroz
* [[Bones in the ocean]] - a Winter 383YE wind of fortune that specifically deals with the [[#Isle of the Osseini|Isle of the Osseini]] and the justicars

Feroz

2026-05-13T11:27:07Z

Rafferty: /* Celesti Lighthouse */

{{CaptionedImage|file=RegionsofFeroz.png|title=Southernmost of the Freeborn territories, lush but threatened by barbarians over land and sea|caption=Regions of Feroz|align=left|width=500}}[[Category:Gazetteer]][[Category:Imperial Territory]][[category:The Brass Coast]]
{{stub}}
== Overview ==
Feroz is the southernmost territory of the Brass Coast, and like [[Madruga]] to the north has both isles and coastline. Here the climate is warm and humid, perfect for the cultivation of different plants. This is the home of the fabulous spice gardens of Feroz, a source of great revenue for the people of this territory. The seas are more treacherous here, and the south and the west are constantly threatened by barbarians by land. As a result, many armed merchants patrolled the seas, and groups of young warriors journeyed along the borders, fighting skirmishes against jealous foes.

There is a traditional rivalry between the families of Feroz and those of Madruga. The northern territory was the first settled when the Freeborn [[The_Brass_Coast_history#The_Conquest_of_the_Coast|left Highguard]], and there is a popular stereotype that the people who live there are "stuck up". This stereotype is more humorous than hateful - the Freeborn move around too much to allow such prejudice to root itself too firmly in their psyche. Still, if a citizen of Feroz wants to insult a citizen of Madruga, they will fall back on accusations of arrogance and an over-reliance on tradition.

Some of the finest [[Surgical skills#Apothecary|apothecaries]] on the Brass Coast once lived in Feroz - the art of [[potion]] making has been studied here for centuries and even after two years of occupation by the Grendel it is still home to a great many [[herb garden|herb gardens]]. The mainland is a criss-cross patchwork of [[farm|farms]] and small settlements. At the height of its prosperity, a great deal of the food and drink consumed on the Brass Coast was produced here and exported to other Freeborn territories.

Unfortunately, in recent years the territory has been hit by disaster after disaster. Repeated raids by the Grendel eventually gave way to a concerted invasion, and while it was pushed back, the barbarian of the Broken Shore did not abandon their ambition to conquer Feroz. In 383YE, a [[Ratify treaty with the Grendel Autumn 383YE|peace treaty]] ceded the territory to the invaders, and saw the vicious, greedy, and tyrannical ''Governor Rahab'' establish his dominion over Feroz. The Freeborn organised a [[The power behind our moves|grand evacuation]] that saw much of the population escape Rahab's hungry grasp and resettle elsewhere in the Coast, but the move came at a price. When the treaty ended, and the Grendel were (mostly) driven out, Feroz was left abandoned, wrecked, and heavily underpopulated, its former residents preferring to stay with the new lives they had built elsewhere rather than return. Worse, the [[#Cazar Straits|Cazar Straits]] were taken by the [[Children of Wrecks]], transformed into a stronghold for the servants of the eternal [[Siakha]]. They in turn were supplanted towards the end of 387YE by the [[Iron Confederacy]], who drove out the Wreckers and claimed the island for themselves.

On the mainland, the situation is a little better, but what was once one of the richest Freeborn territories still struggles with the weight of two years of exploitation by a money-hungry tyrant, and what many see as its abandonment by the Empire.

==Recent History==
Being on the [[Bay of Catazar]], Feroz has always been under threat from the [[Grendel]] [[orc|orcs]]. In Spring 383YE, the orcs [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Spindrift|launched a naval invasion]], capturing [[#Oranseri|Oranseri]] and the [[#Cazar Straits|Cazar Straits]] in short order and making significant inroads into [[#Fontargenta|Fontargenta]]. The Grendel installed a grizzled old orc named ''Lord Rahab'' as overseer of the conquered land; he took up residence in the offices of the [[Scorrero Nets]] and quickly set about attempting to bring the rest of Feroz under his control. Part of their plan appeared to involve the ghosts of the [[#Isle of the Osseini|Isle of the Osseini]], but the scheme was countered by Imperial heroes travelling through the [[Sentinel Gate]] to exorcise the spirits and defeat the Grendel seeking to make use of them.

Undaunted by the loss of their supernatural weapon, the orcs kept up their assault. By Summer 383YE, they [[383YE_Summer_Solstice_winds_of_war#The_World_is_Not_Enough|sought to consolidate their gains in Fontargenta]]; they were opposed by [[Navarr]] and [[the Marches|Marcher]] [[Army|armies]], who held the Grendel at the town of [[#Fontargenta|Bramar]] for two days before being forced to retreat. They were able to slow the Grendel advance, however, leaving the orcs bogged down in Fontargenta and unable to press inland.

Following the engagement in Fontargenta, and battling under a powerful supernatural storm, the Grendel [[383YE_Autumn_Equinox_winds_of_war#Bronze|brought even more force]] to bear in the territory. While the Imperial armies were reinforced by [[Highguard|Highborn]] troops, the orc navies disgorged a great host of their own warriors. The fighting was bitter, but in the end Fontargenta fell - and as Fontargenta fell, so fell Feroz. While [[#Morajasse|Morajasse]] and [[#Afarjasse|Afarjasse]] remained free, the Grendel forces continued to mass along the coast.

During the Autumn Equinox 383, the [[Senate]] [[Ratify_treaty_with_the_Grendel_Autumn_383YE#Treaty|ratified a peace treaty]] with the Grendel. Presented by the [[Imperial Fleet Master]], among other things it [[Powers_of_the_Imperial_Senate#Concedence|ceded]] the two remaining regions of Feroz to the Grendel, albeit with provisions allowing Imperial citizens still in Morajasse and Afarjasse to withdraw to safety. Following the Equinox, Lord Rahab's forces spread out quickly to bring the two western regions under his control; Feroz was now [[To_curb_those_raging_appetites|completely under Grendel control]].

Just before the Autumn Equinox 386YE, the Imperial forces reconquered [[Glass_and_flame| reconquered Feroz]]. Possession of the territory is complicated by [[Children_of_Wrecks|Children of Wrecks]] as well as the remnants of the Grendel. Feroz has been run into the ground by Lord Rahab, eager to extract every drop of profit from the place, and it requires significant investment to return the territory to even a fraction of its former wealth.

In 386YE, the [[Senate]] commissioned an [[appraisal]] of Feroz that laid out many of the challenges presented by the newly reclaimed territory, and some potential solutions. Details are contained in the '''[[Send_for_me#State_of_Feroz|Send for me]]''' wind of fortune.

== Major Features ==
===Oran===
The largest and most prestigious port was Feroz is Oran, on the northern coast of [[#Oranseri|Oranseri]]. Across the bay from billowing [[Madruga#Siroc_(Ruined)|Siroc]] this thriving port specialised in high-value products such as fine wines and spice mixes. Unsurprisingly, given its position, for most of its history it has engaged in low-key economic warfare with its larger cousin to the north - Oran notably has cheaper dock fees than Siroc, and a number of entrepreneurs prefer to operate here as a consequence. It is especially welcoming to those merchants who are just starting out, and has a reputation for being more energetic than its competitors to the north and south. This energy has been significantly boosted by construction of the only open [[#The Temple of Balo and the Black Bull|Asavean Temple]] in the entire Empire; the surge of [[Asavean Archipelago|Asavean]] ships visiting Oran saw the town expand significantly to become the largest trading port in Feroz.

In Spring 383YE, however, Oran was [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Spindrift|conquered by the Grendel]]. An orc governor, Lord Rahab, chose the town as the site for his court, converting the offices of the [[Scorrero Nets]] to his personal use. Among other things, this invasion saw the collapse of the [[Broken Shore Bounty]], the Scorrero Nets falling into orc hands, and the Temple of Balo and the Black Bull sealing its doors against the orcs while offering sanctuary to Freeborn families. Following the treaty signed during the Autumn Equinox, the Grendel opened Oran as a port [[Everything_has_a_price#A_New_Destination|available to Imperial captains]]. This situation persisted until the peace treaty ended, and war with the Grendel resumed.

After the Summer Solstice 386YE, Imperial forces swept into Oranseri to liberate the territory from the Grendel. They [[Glass_and_flame#The_Siege_of_Oran|laid siege]] to Oran, and were quickly victorious. The [[Below_the_thunders#Objective:_Eliminate_Governor_Rahab|recent death of Governor Rahab]] in battle with the Empire's heroes left the garrison demoralised and disorganised. It was a grievous victory, however. The fighting that raged through the town, the overwhelming assault, the barrage of catapult stones, all contributed to the fact that many of the buildings have been left in ruins, and many more damaged. A fire at the docks threatened to spread through the town and only the valiant actions of League soldiers managed bring it under control. Barely a year later the town again came under serious attack, this time by the Children of Wrecks. Without the [[A_circle_sewn_with_fate#The_Battle_of_Oran|prompt action]] of the [[orc|orcs]] from the [[#Protectorate of Morajasse|Protectorate of Morajasse]], Oran again might have been destroyed. As it is, the town remains intact but in a sadly impoverished state.

Proposals have been put forward to [[Send_for_me#Wharfage_of_Oran|rebuild Oran]], but it remains to be seen what the future holds for the port town.

{{Anchor|The Temple of Balo and the Black Bull}}
===Temple of Balo and the Black Bull===
During the Spring Equinox 380YE, permission was granted to the people of the [[Asavean Archipelago]] to construct a major temple to their gods in [[#Oranseri|Oran]]. Initially, construction was expected to be completed shortly before the Autumn Equinox 380YE, but the temple did not actually open its doors until shortly before the Spring Equinox 381YE. The town is seeing an influx of Asavean shipping bringing white granite and architects to the Brass Coast, as well as throwing crowns around like water to secure local labour to complete their project. Relations between the people of the Empire and the priests of Asavea are monitored by ''[[El oficial de enlace imperial con los sacerdotes de Balo y el toro negro]]'' ("The Imperial intermediary to the priests of Balo and the Black Bull"), who among other things is able to [[ministry|buy Asavean goods]] at a reduced price. During the Summer Solstice 380YE, the Assembly of Nine supported Abaddon de Rondell in [[Temple_of_the_bull#Resolution|denouncing]] the temple as an idolatrous affront, making it significantly harder for the Asaveans to find labourers prepared to work on the construction and both delaying its completion and laying a significant economic burden on the foreign priests.

The temple remained extremely controversial among Imperial priests. When Oran fell to the Grendel, however, the priests at the temple [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Sand|offered sanctuary]] to a number of Freeborn families in spite of Governor Rahab's unhappiness. Several of those families were ultimately smuggled to safety in Madruga. Despite this, however, it was clear that the Asaveans were happy to work with the new owners of Oran - there were rumours that they quickly recognised a Grendel as the [[Imperial Delegate to the Temple in Feroz|Delegate to the Temple in Feroz]]. This situation was further exacerbated by the Summer 383YE [[Through_my_sails#Ruined_Buildings|attack]] on the "sister temple" to the Black Bull, the temple of the Way in Nemoria.

When Oran was [[Glass_and_flame#The_Siege_of_Oran|liberated from the Grendel]] in 386YE Autumn, the priests surrendered ''en masse'' and [[Glass_and_flame#Game_Information_:_Asavean_Diplomacy|asked to be repatriated]] back to the Archipelago. As of the winter of 387YE, the temple still stands but without tenants.

'''OOC Notes:''' More details on the construction of the Temple of Balo and the Black Bull can be found in the winds of fortune, specifically [[Seven_lords_of_virtue#Temple_of_Bahlo_and_the_Black_Bull|Seven lords of virtue]], [[Those who worship#The Black Bull|Those who worship]], and [[Distant deeps]].
===Celesti Lighthouse===
Situated near the farthest tip of the [[Feroz#Oran|Oran]] peninsula, at one of its highest points, is the [[Celesti_Lighthouse_Keeper#The_Celesti_Lighthouse|Celesti lighthouse]]. Nearly five hundred feet tall - a wonder of the Empire that once rivalled the [[Madruga#The_Shining_Pillar_(Destroyed)|Shining Pillar]] of [[Madruga]] - it was originally commissioned as part of the massive investment in coastal ports and defences during the reign of [[Emperor Barabbas]]. Intended to serve both as a navigation aid and to keep a watch for signs of [[Grendel]] ships, the structure was much larger than it needed to be - making it an object of ribald fun for satirists and humourists around the Bay of Catazar. Barabbas planned to have the lighthouse lit in a dramatic display as his great armada sailed past on its way to conquer Attar but due to overspending and delays, construction hadn’t yet started on the complex beacon, and only the tower itself was finished.

Following the destruction of the Barabbine Fleet, funding for coastal projects abruptly ceased, and there was little Senate interest in completing what was largely seen as one of the late Throne's great follies. In 380YE, however, '''Ahraz i Guerra''' of the Celesti - the hakima who tended the empty tower - raised the money necessary to complete the beacon. For several years, the golden light of the Gilded Peaks shone out across the Bay, welcoming travellers to the Brass Coast, and providing a vital navigation aid for those attempting to traverse the isles and sandbanks of [[Feroz#Cazar Strits|Cazar]]. The "Celesti Lighthouse Keeper" was charged with maintaining the tower; keen to promote trade with the newly opened foreign ports in the [[Principalities of Jarm]]. Sadly, when Feroz was conquered by the [[Grendel]], and ceded to the [[orc|orcs]] by the subsequent [[Ratify_treaty_with_the_Grendel_Autumn_383YE#Treaty|peace treaty]], the lighthouse came under the dominion of the ruthless and avaricious ''Governor Rahab''. Who promptly wrecked it.

In 387YE, the lighthouse was restored to its former glory; or more properly surpassed it. Rebuilt, it was furnished with a unique lamp incorporating a boon of [[Kimus]] called the ''watchstone''. The light is now unquenchable, but more than that it ensures that everyone on the Bay of Catazar is aware of exactly where the lighthouse is even if they cannot see it. It has both boosted the morale of the corsair families, and sent a defiant message to the enemies of the Brass Coast. More even than that, the magical lamp has a [[Celesti_Lighthouse_Keeper#Light_in_the_Storm|potent connection]] to the new lighthouse keeper that may help keep the Freeborn safe from future attacks against their coast.
{{Anchor|Protectorate of Morajasse}}

===Mora's Rock===
Built as part of the grand project to create [[fortification|fortifications]] across the southern Empire in response to the threat of the [[Grendel]], Mora's Rock in [[#Morajasse|Morajasse]] was completed in the months following the [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Bravado|invasion of 383YE]]. The fortification squats above the town of Mora, guarding against invasion from [[Segura]], and providing garrisons and scouts who can offer resistance to assaults from the sea.

When Morajasse was ceded to the Grendel in Autumn 383YE, they took control of the fortification and later expanded it significantly. The fortification resisted the [[Glass and flame|liberation]] of the territory, and as of the beginning of 387YE remains under the control of the Grendel. The garrison is led by ''[[Glass_and_flame#The_Shadow_of_Mora's_Rock|Commander Gallum Fiersach]]'', ably supported by his partner, the ''Wind Lord Saoirse''.

The garrison there includes a warband of veteran [[Elite_Grendel_troops#The_Stone_Born|Stone Born]], and the remainder appear to be very experienced soldiers. These Grendel are enemies of the Empire, obviously, but that did not prevent them acting to [[A_circle_sewn_with_fate#The_Battle_of_Oran|protect Oran]] from the Children of Wrecks in early 387YE. In the Summer of that year, the Senate [[387YE_Summer_Solstice_Senate_sessions#Recognise_Protectorate_of_Gallum_Fiersach|recognised the Protectorate of Morajasse]] as foreigners, as long as they remained independent of the Grendel. While there is still tension between the Freeborn and the orcs many see as occupying Morajasse, for now at least Gallum Fiersach's forces seem content to keep to their castle, apart from regular patrols along the borders of Feroz aimed at protecting the territory from the Children of Wrecks - and the Iron Confederacy.
===The Spice Gardens of Feroz===
In western [[#Morajasse|Morajasse]] stand the legendary Spice Gardens of Feroz - a set of heavily-walled enclosures covering several acres where the finest spices in the Empire are grown. A rich source of trade for whoever controls the gardens, the [[Imperial title]] of [[Keeper of the Spice Gardens]] has changed hands between families only a handful of times in the last few centuries, and the bargaining leading up to a new appointment has regularly involved the whole nation.

The peace treaty of Autumn 383YE that ceded control of Morajasse to the Grendel saw the Spice Gardens fall into the hands of the orcs. The Grendel appreciate fine spices as much as any Freeborn so the evidence is that they did not harm the legendary Gardens - but for many Freeborn the idea of their beautiful spice gardens being operated by Grendel slaves was particularly heinous. With Governor Rahab dead and Feroz liberated, the Spice Gardens remain out of Imperial hands as part of the [[#Protectorate of Morjasse|Protectorate of Morajasse]].

==Lost and Ruined==
{{anchor|Shantarim}}
===Shantarim (ruined)===
In the southern islands of the [[#Cazar Straits|Cazar Straits]] the town of Shantarim was one a [[corsair]] stronghold. The families were are known to engage in fierce competition with their northern rivals, not only in Madruga but also in [[#Oranseri|Oranseri]] and even the other islands of the Straits. Smaller than the town of Cazar, Shantarim had a reputation for being somewhat less cosmopolitan than the other towns of Feroz - visitors from mainland families sometimes encounter prejudice and suspicion. The families of Shantarim more than made up for their relatively small size with the enthusiasm with which they opposed the orcs of the Broken Shore.

Prior to the [[Ratify treaty with the Grendel Autumn 383YE|peace treaty]] of 383YE, they were loud supporters of the [[Freeborn Storm]], and the various raids against the Grendel. The signing of the peace treaty with the southern orcs tied their hands, making it illegal to fight the Grendel, which became been a major source of dissension in Shantarim.

Towards the end of the ceasefire secured by the treaty, in 385YE, Shantarim was attacked and wrecked. Warships of the [[Asavean Archipelago]], allies of the Grendel occupation, engaged in a campaign of destruction across the Cazar Straits, and along with the Isle of the Osseini, Shantarim bore the brunt. Many corsairs who had endured the occupation of the Grendel were slain, and the town was looted and left in ruins. When the Children of Wrecks arrived, there was precious little left for the to wreck.
<div style="float:right; width: 450px; clear: right;"><box>'''Justicars'''<br>The priests who previously lived on the Isle of the Osseini called themselves ''justicars''. Specialist exorcists and inquisitors in the pre-Imperial history of the Brass Coast, they specialised in driving out malign spirits or cleansing unpleasant auras from people, places and objects. Never particularly populous, their sanctuary on the Isle of the Osseini was all but wiped out by the Grendel. A handful remained elsewhere, and during the Autumn Equinox 383YE the Freeborn assembly [[383YE_Autumn_Equinox_Synod_judgements#Judgement_22|called on them to come together to preserve their traditions]]. A small enclave of justicars was established on the Isle of Osseini at the sufferance of the Grendel. Unfortunately, when Asavean warships went on a rampage in 385YE, the first place they attacked was this enclave, putting the priests to the sword and burning the enclave. When the Children of Wrecks arrived, the Grendel magicians still left on the island fled back to the Broken Shore. As far as anyone knows today, the island is abandoned.</box></div>

{{Anchor|Isle of the Osseini}}
===Isle of the Osseini (Ruined)===
At the southern tip of the [[#Cazar Straits|Cazar Straits]], the island was known for its heavy sea fog, its ghosts, and for a small sect of Freeborn priests famed for their knowledge of the arts of [[exorcism]]. Stories claimed the Isle was haunted by those who had died at sea, but most Freeborn had no truck with such foolishness. In 383YE, however, it became clear these tales of ghosts were more than just idle gossip. During the Spring Equinox of that year, a [[Grendel]] shaman attempted to unleash a ghostly legion of drowned orcs bound in some fashion to white granite pillars on the island against the defenders of Feroz. Before they could do so they were [[383YE_Summer_Solstice_winds_of_war#The_World_is_Not_Enough|thwarted by Imperial heroes]] who reached the isle via the [[Sentinel Gate]]. Once the heroes retreated, the status of the island, the pillars, and the remaining priests was unknown.

Then in Autumn 383YE, as part of the negotiations that led to the peace treaty with the Grendel, a contract was negotiated with the orc diplomat regarding the Isle of the Osseini. In the wake of that agreement, a small group of priests were allowed to visit the Isle with a Grendel escort. There they discovered the remaining priests were dead, the ghost-binding pillars had been destroyed, and the island was in the hands of a coven of Grendel magicians. The orcs had already constructed a permanent residence there built around a particular Winter regio, and were less than welcoming to the Freeborn. Further negotiations followed; in the end the Freeborn were allowed to establish a small enclave here, under the careful watch of the Grendel.

The return of the justicars was short-lived. In 385YE, a fleet of warships from the Asavean Archipelago went on a murderous rampage in the southern Cazar Straits. Allies of the Grendel, they slaughtered the priests and burned the enclave before sailing north to Shantarim. When the Children of Wrecks arrived, the remaining Grendel magicians fled back to the Broken Shore. By the close of 387YE, the island appears to be abandoned, although it remains to be seen what the Iron Confederacy plan to do with it.

'''OOC Note:''' You can learn more about the historic Isle of the Osseini in the [[Bones in the ocean]] wind of fortune.
{{Anchor|The Scorrero Nets}}
===Scorrero Nets (Defunct)===
The Scorrero Nets were a [[Bourse]] resource located in [[#Oranseri|Oranseri]], seized by the Grendel in Spring 383YE as part of their conquest of Feroz. Custodianship of the Nets was an [[Imperial Title]] that brought with it a Seat on the [[Bourse]]. In Winter 384YE, a [[Drums_beat_in_my_head#The_Scorrero_Nets|daring plan]] was proposed to "steal" the nets by establishing the [[Cerevado Nets]] upriver in [[Segura]]. As a consequence, this Bourse resource ceased to exist, much to the chagrin of the Grendel governor Rahab.
{{Anchor|The Broken Shore Bounty}}
===The Broken Shore Bounty (Defunct)===
The [[Broken Shore Bounty]] was a Bourse resource that was technically located in the [[#Cazar Straits|Cazar Straits]] inasmuch as the holder of the [[Bourse]] seat has the use of a fortified villa in the hills near Cazar. The actual [[ilium]] that the seat provided was sourced throughout the Bay of Catazar; a portion of all ilium claimed from the nets of Freeborn, [[the League|League]], [[Highguard|Highborn]], and [[Urizen|Urizeni]] nets is claimed as part of the Bounty. It produced 7 rings of ilium each season and was allocated during the Spring Equinox.

When the Cazar Straits fell to the Grendel, they also seized the offices of the Broken Shore Bounty. Despite a [[Four_strong_winds#Broken_Shore_Bounty|proposal to move the offices]], the resource fell into disarray, the ilium ending up split between the Imperial Fleet Master and the Bourse Auction. With the ratification of the Grendel peace treaty, this title and resource effectively ceased to exist.
==Regions==
===Afarjasse===
'''Qualities:''' [[Region_qualities#Abandoned|Abandoned]], [[Region_qualities#Underpopulated|Underpopulated]]<br>
The wide open spaces of Afarjasse were sparsely populated even at the height of Feroz's prosperity. "Sweet afar" was a phrase sometimes used to describe being in the middle of nowhere, or an area where there was nothing but grass as far as the eye could see. The only major settlement was the quiet town of '''Afar''', established by [[hakima]] with close ties to the [[Guerra]] [[tribe]], near a potent [[regio]] tied to the [[Realms#Night|realm of Night]]. The town was not hard to reach, but it stood alone in a sea of sprawling grassland, and never encouraged casual visitors. On nights when powerful magics were performed, Afar was often visible for miles around - great bonfires blazing and massive drums pounding out powerful rhythms to help raise (or draw down, or both) the passionate energy for powerful workings.

As with the rest of Feroz, Afarjasse spent two years in the hands of the Grendel. The governor, Lord Rahab, made it clear that the hakima here would not be permitted access to their potent regio - they were after all an important strategic resource. Many of the people who once called the town home went into exile in [[Segura]] and [[Kahraman]] rather than endure Rahab's oppression. When the plains of Afarjasse were [[Glass_and_flame#Fontargenta_and_Bramar_and_Afar|liberated from the Grendel]] it was discovered that Rahab had established massive farms around Afar. The crops were tended by slaves, several hundred of whom were held at Afar in great dormitories, forced to work the fields until they fell, with the same heedless cruelty the Grendel apparently show to those who toil in their salt mines. These people were liberated by the [[Narwhal's Spear]] and the [[Fist of the Mountains]], who executed everyone responsible for their durance. Most were Imperial citizens, but maybe a hundred came from further afield, bought by Rahab from the slave markets of the Broken Shore. Those who are not already Imperial citizens were offered new homes in the Empire. The farms remain, but enthusiasm to work them is understandably low.

===Cazar Straits===
'''Qualities:''' Abandoned, Coastal, Impoverished, Island, Underpopulated<br>
For most of the Brass Coast's history, the islands of the Cazar Straits were dominated by [[corsair]] families. The largest settlement remains the port town from which the islands take their name - high-cliffed '''Cazar''' - but in recent years it has changed hands several times and is a shadow of its former self. Built around a bustling dock, it served as a safe harbour and home port for many of the [[fleet|fleets]] that protected the Bay from barbarian ships. The holder of the [[Broken Shore Bounty]] used to have the use of a fortified villa in the hills near Cazar, and the civil service offices that oversaw the resource were based here. Both were lost to the Grendel, then to the [[Children of Wrecks]], and in the last months of 387YE, to the [[Iron Confederacy]].

Even before the Children of Wrecks arrived, several of the more southerly islands of the Straits had a reputation for peculiarity. The corsairs of [[#Shantarim|Shantarim]] for example were renowned both for their enthusiastic rivalry with all other corsair families, and the zeal with which they waged war on the Grendel. The [[#Isle of the Osseini|Isle of the Osseini]] is also found here, once home to a sect of strange priests, allegedly haunted by the ghosts of drowned pirates, then the site of an uneasy truce between orc magicians and Freeborn priests. Towards the end of the peace treaty with the Grendel, however, a fleet of warships from the [[Asavean Archipelago]] slaughtered the justicars of Osseini and ruined the town of Shantarim. When the Children of Wrecks claimed the region, there was precious little left for them to destroy.

Shortly after the Autumn Equinox 387YE, a naval force belonging to the Iron Confederacy [[Red_skies#Swords_of_the_South|assailed the Cazar Straits]]. They smashed the Children of Wrecks stronghold and claimed the islands for themselves. [[Poets_light_but_lamps#The_Iron_Confederacy|Initial diplomatic discussion]] of the fate of the islands was inconclusive.

Today, the waters around the Cazar Straits remain treacherous, in part this is due to the presence of dozens of immature kraken hatched in the waters by the Children of Wrecks.

===Fontargenta===
'''Qualities:''' Abandoned, Coastal, Impoverished<br>
The trading port of '''Bramar''' stands on the coast here. Surrounded by rich agricultural land, its bountiful cornfields once competed with [[the Marches|Marcher]] grain in markets across the southern nations of the Empire, and their vineyards were justly famous. Before the Grendel invasion it served as an important hub for the Imperial wine trade, with many excellent vintages passing through its docks - both from the Brass Coast to the rest of the world, and from the rest of the world to the Brass Coast (and thus the Empire). Two years of mismanagement by Lord Rahab coupled with raids by the Children of Wrecks [[Glass_and_flame#Fontargenta_and_Bramar_and_Afar|left the region devastated]], and it remains to be seen if the farms here will ever recover.

===Morajasse===
'''Qualities:''' Protectorate of Morajasse, Abandoned, Impoverished, Underpopulated<br>
Morajasse was once one of the richest parts of the Brass Coast, home to extensive spice gardens and renowned for its herbalists, [[surgical skills#apothecary|apothecaries]], and chefs. The largest town was '''Mora''', once simply a spice market, transformed the Lasambrian invasion of [[Segura]] in 363YE. The threat of the western barbarians prompted a burst of rapid militarisation in this previously peaceful settlement. Refugees streamed in from southern Segura: some supported by their families, others looking to work in the market. With the liberation of the western territory, a strange reversal took place - the pool of desperate labourers largely dried up with refugees returning to their homes.

Immediately following the [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Bravado|invasion of Feroz]] in 383YE, work was completed on a [[fortification]] at the town of Mora, [[#Mora's Rock|Mora's Rock]]. The fortification served the defenders well, but with the ratification of the peace treaty it was taken over, and expanded, by Grendel troops. It now serves as the base of operations of ''Wind Lord Saoirse'' and her partner ''Commander Fiersach'', as well as a sizable force of Grendel veterans, in what the Senate has recognised as the [[#Protectorate of Morajasse|Protectorate of Morajasse]].

Western Morajasse is the site of the great [[#The Spice Gardens of Feroz|Spice Gardens]] and the [[Vizier of the Incarnadine Satchel]] was often quite active here, dealing with agents of the Spice Gardens and traders from the Jewelled Isles. Following the Grendel treaty, the offices that supported the Vizier were abandoned, and while they are still notionally the owner of the miraculous satchel that gives them their name, their ability to support the nations' apothecaries and physicks has been greatly reduced.
{{CaptionedImage|file=Oran_by_the_Sea.jpg|caption=The Celesti Lighthouse sits high on the headland overlooking Oran.|align=right|width=400}}

===Oranseri===
'''Qualities:''' Abandoned, Coastal, Impoverished<br>
Across the bay from billowing [[Madruga#Siroc|Siroc]] stands the once-thriving port town of [[#Oran|Oran]]. It is the only place in Feroz that seems to have prospered under the Grendel occupation - for a given value of "prospered". The port grew in prominence and prosperity, serving as the seat of power for the Grendel governor Lord Rahab. Today the town is a mismatched mess of old Freeborn and new Grendel architectural styles, with the [[#Temple of Balo and the Black Bull|Temple of Balo and the Black Bull]] further complicating the matter by being resolutely Asavean in outline.

Just outside Oran lies the great [[Celesti_Lighthouse_Keeper#The_Celesti_Lighthouse|Celesti Lighthouse]], originally constructed during the reign of [[Emperor Barabbas]]. The lighthouse was looted under Rahab's governance, and nearly destroyed by the Children of Wrecks. In 387YE however, the beacon was repaired and restored to full functionality. Today its light shines brighter than ever - in large part thanks to the aid of the eternal [[Kimus]] who helped provide a unique lamp to shine brilliant beams across the dangerous waters of the Cazar Straits and the misty Bay of Oran.

West of Oran is the ''Scorrero Crossing''. The river Scorrero is wide and deep between Feroz and Madruga. During the Summer Solstice 383YE, the Grendel invaders attempted to take advantage of this by taking control of both bridges that connect the two Freeborn territories. Had they been successful, it would have been significantly harder for Imperial forces to move between Siroc and Oranseri. Their attempts were stymied, and ultimately became moot once the Scorrero [[Where_the_river_rises#Crossing|burst its banks]] and carried away all the existing bridges.

'''Joharra''' is a port south of Oran, considered much more stable than its northern cousin, and better known for its industry than its trade. Famous throughout the Empire for its cloth and dye-work, Joharra was called '' the Rainbow'' by coastal sailors who mark their progress round the coast with the first sight of the great billowing cloths hung out to dry on tall wooden frames along the low cliffs. As with the other settlements of Oranseri, the weavers and dyers here laboured for years under the yoke of the Grendel orcs. Many endured, however, and there is still [[Send_for_me#Inkworks_of_Joharra|potential to revive]] the industry here.

==Strategic Considerations==
* '''The damage to the bridges along the Scorrero prevents movement between Feroz and Madruga'''
* '''Cazar Straits have the Island quality which greatly complicates access by armies'''
The damage to almost all the bridges along the Scorrero means that it is effectively impossible for an [[Army|army]] to move between Feroz and [[Madruga]] (or vice versa). More information can be found in the '''[[Where_the_river_rises#Crossing|Where the river rises]]''' wind of fortune.

The islands of the Cazar Straits are separated from land by deep water, treacherous shoals, and the presence of juvenile kraken unleashed by the Children of Wrecks. Armies cannot move to, from, or through this region, nor can they attack it, unless transported by a [[navy]].
<div style="float:left; width: 450px; clear: right;">{{CaptionedImage|file=Garviel i Abrira i Erigo.jpg|caption='''Garviel i Abrira i Erigo''', Senator for Feroz|align=left|width=500}}</div>
{{Senate Elections|Senator_for_Feroz|Territory=Feroz|Season=Summer|Controlled=is}}

==OOC Notes==
* As of the start of the Winter Solstice 387YE, the Iron Confederacy control the Cazar Straits, the Protectorate of Morajasse controls Morajasse, and the Brass Coast controls Afarjasse, Fontargenta, and Oranseri. Feroz is an Imperial territory
* [[#Mora's Rock|Mora's Rock]] is a rank two fortification controlled by the Grendel.
* The status of various titles and resources located in Feroz is outlined in more detail in [[To_curb_those_raging_appetites#Lost_Opportunities|To curb those raging appetites]], a Winter 383YE wind of fortune.

==Further Reading==
* [[Red skies]] - 387YE Winter wind of war about the Iron Confederacy invasion of the Cazar Straits
* [[A circle sewn with fate]] - 387YE Spring wind of war detailing the Wrecker attack on Oran
* [[Send for me]] - 386YE Winter wind of fortune about the rebuilding of Feroz
* [[Glass and flame]] - 386YE Autumn wind of war about the liberation of Feroz
* [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Spindrift|Winds of War 383YE Spring]] - Detailing the Grendel invasion
* [[383YE_Summer_Solstice_winds_of_war#The_World_is_Not_Enough|Winds of War 383YE Summer]]
* [[383YE_Autumn_Equinox_winds_of_war#Bronze|Winds of War 383YE Autumn]]
* [[Ratify_treaty_with_the_Grendel_Autumn_383YE#Treaty|Treaty]] - the Autumn 383YE treaty with the Grendel
* [[To curb those raging appetites]] - a Winter 383YE wind of fortune that details the situation for Freeborn in Feroz
* [[Everything has a price]] - a Winter 383YE wind of fortune that details the general situation with the Grendel, and has several notes about their presence in Feroz
* [[Bones in the ocean]] - a Winter 383YE wind of fortune that specifically deals with the [[#Isle of the Osseini|Isle of the Osseini]] and the justicars

Feroz

2026-05-13T11:26:48Z

Rafferty: /* Temple of Balo and the Black Bull */

{{CaptionedImage|file=RegionsofFeroz.png|title=Southernmost of the Freeborn territories, lush but threatened by barbarians over land and sea|caption=Regions of Feroz|align=left|width=500}}[[Category:Gazetteer]][[Category:Imperial Territory]][[category:The Brass Coast]]
{{stub}}
== Overview ==
Feroz is the southernmost territory of the Brass Coast, and like [[Madruga]] to the north has both isles and coastline. Here the climate is warm and humid, perfect for the cultivation of different plants. This is the home of the fabulous spice gardens of Feroz, a source of great revenue for the people of this territory. The seas are more treacherous here, and the south and the west are constantly threatened by barbarians by land. As a result, many armed merchants patrolled the seas, and groups of young warriors journeyed along the borders, fighting skirmishes against jealous foes.

There is a traditional rivalry between the families of Feroz and those of Madruga. The northern territory was the first settled when the Freeborn [[The_Brass_Coast_history#The_Conquest_of_the_Coast|left Highguard]], and there is a popular stereotype that the people who live there are "stuck up". This stereotype is more humorous than hateful - the Freeborn move around too much to allow such prejudice to root itself too firmly in their psyche. Still, if a citizen of Feroz wants to insult a citizen of Madruga, they will fall back on accusations of arrogance and an over-reliance on tradition.

Some of the finest [[Surgical skills#Apothecary|apothecaries]] on the Brass Coast once lived in Feroz - the art of [[potion]] making has been studied here for centuries and even after two years of occupation by the Grendel it is still home to a great many [[herb garden|herb gardens]]. The mainland is a criss-cross patchwork of [[farm|farms]] and small settlements. At the height of its prosperity, a great deal of the food and drink consumed on the Brass Coast was produced here and exported to other Freeborn territories.

Unfortunately, in recent years the territory has been hit by disaster after disaster. Repeated raids by the Grendel eventually gave way to a concerted invasion, and while it was pushed back, the barbarian of the Broken Shore did not abandon their ambition to conquer Feroz. In 383YE, a [[Ratify treaty with the Grendel Autumn 383YE|peace treaty]] ceded the territory to the invaders, and saw the vicious, greedy, and tyrannical ''Governor Rahab'' establish his dominion over Feroz. The Freeborn organised a [[The power behind our moves|grand evacuation]] that saw much of the population escape Rahab's hungry grasp and resettle elsewhere in the Coast, but the move came at a price. When the treaty ended, and the Grendel were (mostly) driven out, Feroz was left abandoned, wrecked, and heavily underpopulated, its former residents preferring to stay with the new lives they had built elsewhere rather than return. Worse, the [[#Cazar Straits|Cazar Straits]] were taken by the [[Children of Wrecks]], transformed into a stronghold for the servants of the eternal [[Siakha]]. They in turn were supplanted towards the end of 387YE by the [[Iron Confederacy]], who drove out the Wreckers and claimed the island for themselves.

On the mainland, the situation is a little better, but what was once one of the richest Freeborn territories still struggles with the weight of two years of exploitation by a money-hungry tyrant, and what many see as its abandonment by the Empire.

==Recent History==
Being on the [[Bay of Catazar]], Feroz has always been under threat from the [[Grendel]] [[orc|orcs]]. In Spring 383YE, the orcs [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Spindrift|launched a naval invasion]], capturing [[#Oranseri|Oranseri]] and the [[#Cazar Straits|Cazar Straits]] in short order and making significant inroads into [[#Fontargenta|Fontargenta]]. The Grendel installed a grizzled old orc named ''Lord Rahab'' as overseer of the conquered land; he took up residence in the offices of the [[Scorrero Nets]] and quickly set about attempting to bring the rest of Feroz under his control. Part of their plan appeared to involve the ghosts of the [[#Isle of the Osseini|Isle of the Osseini]], but the scheme was countered by Imperial heroes travelling through the [[Sentinel Gate]] to exorcise the spirits and defeat the Grendel seeking to make use of them.

Undaunted by the loss of their supernatural weapon, the orcs kept up their assault. By Summer 383YE, they [[383YE_Summer_Solstice_winds_of_war#The_World_is_Not_Enough|sought to consolidate their gains in Fontargenta]]; they were opposed by [[Navarr]] and [[the Marches|Marcher]] [[Army|armies]], who held the Grendel at the town of [[#Fontargenta|Bramar]] for two days before being forced to retreat. They were able to slow the Grendel advance, however, leaving the orcs bogged down in Fontargenta and unable to press inland.

Following the engagement in Fontargenta, and battling under a powerful supernatural storm, the Grendel [[383YE_Autumn_Equinox_winds_of_war#Bronze|brought even more force]] to bear in the territory. While the Imperial armies were reinforced by [[Highguard|Highborn]] troops, the orc navies disgorged a great host of their own warriors. The fighting was bitter, but in the end Fontargenta fell - and as Fontargenta fell, so fell Feroz. While [[#Morajasse|Morajasse]] and [[#Afarjasse|Afarjasse]] remained free, the Grendel forces continued to mass along the coast.

During the Autumn Equinox 383, the [[Senate]] [[Ratify_treaty_with_the_Grendel_Autumn_383YE#Treaty|ratified a peace treaty]] with the Grendel. Presented by the [[Imperial Fleet Master]], among other things it [[Powers_of_the_Imperial_Senate#Concedence|ceded]] the two remaining regions of Feroz to the Grendel, albeit with provisions allowing Imperial citizens still in Morajasse and Afarjasse to withdraw to safety. Following the Equinox, Lord Rahab's forces spread out quickly to bring the two western regions under his control; Feroz was now [[To_curb_those_raging_appetites|completely under Grendel control]].

Just before the Autumn Equinox 386YE, the Imperial forces reconquered [[Glass_and_flame| reconquered Feroz]]. Possession of the territory is complicated by [[Children_of_Wrecks|Children of Wrecks]] as well as the remnants of the Grendel. Feroz has been run into the ground by Lord Rahab, eager to extract every drop of profit from the place, and it requires significant investment to return the territory to even a fraction of its former wealth.

In 386YE, the [[Senate]] commissioned an [[appraisal]] of Feroz that laid out many of the challenges presented by the newly reclaimed territory, and some potential solutions. Details are contained in the '''[[Send_for_me#State_of_Feroz|Send for me]]''' wind of fortune.

== Major Features ==
===Oran===
The largest and most prestigious port was Feroz is Oran, on the northern coast of [[#Oranseri|Oranseri]]. Across the bay from billowing [[Madruga#Siroc_(Ruined)|Siroc]] this thriving port specialised in high-value products such as fine wines and spice mixes. Unsurprisingly, given its position, for most of its history it has engaged in low-key economic warfare with its larger cousin to the north - Oran notably has cheaper dock fees than Siroc, and a number of entrepreneurs prefer to operate here as a consequence. It is especially welcoming to those merchants who are just starting out, and has a reputation for being more energetic than its competitors to the north and south. This energy has been significantly boosted by construction of the only open [[#The Temple of Balo and the Black Bull|Asavean Temple]] in the entire Empire; the surge of [[Asavean Archipelago|Asavean]] ships visiting Oran saw the town expand significantly to become the largest trading port in Feroz.

In Spring 383YE, however, Oran was [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Spindrift|conquered by the Grendel]]. An orc governor, Lord Rahab, chose the town as the site for his court, converting the offices of the [[Scorrero Nets]] to his personal use. Among other things, this invasion saw the collapse of the [[Broken Shore Bounty]], the Scorrero Nets falling into orc hands, and the Temple of Balo and the Black Bull sealing its doors against the orcs while offering sanctuary to Freeborn families. Following the treaty signed during the Autumn Equinox, the Grendel opened Oran as a port [[Everything_has_a_price#A_New_Destination|available to Imperial captains]]. This situation persisted until the peace treaty ended, and war with the Grendel resumed.

After the Summer Solstice 386YE, Imperial forces swept into Oranseri to liberate the territory from the Grendel. They [[Glass_and_flame#The_Siege_of_Oran|laid siege]] to Oran, and were quickly victorious. The [[Below_the_thunders#Objective:_Eliminate_Governor_Rahab|recent death of Governor Rahab]] in battle with the Empire's heroes left the garrison demoralised and disorganised. It was a grievous victory, however. The fighting that raged through the town, the overwhelming assault, the barrage of catapult stones, all contributed to the fact that many of the buildings have been left in ruins, and many more damaged. A fire at the docks threatened to spread through the town and only the valiant actions of League soldiers managed bring it under control. Barely a year later the town again came under serious attack, this time by the Children of Wrecks. Without the [[A_circle_sewn_with_fate#The_Battle_of_Oran|prompt action]] of the [[orc|orcs]] from the [[#Protectorate of Morajasse|Protectorate of Morajasse]], Oran again might have been destroyed. As it is, the town remains intact but in a sadly impoverished state.

Proposals have been put forward to [[Send_for_me#Wharfage_of_Oran|rebuild Oran]], but it remains to be seen what the future holds for the port town.

{{Anchor|The Temple of Balo and the Black Bull}}
===Temple of Balo and the Black Bull===
During the Spring Equinox 380YE, permission was granted to the people of the [[Asavean Archipelago]] to construct a major temple to their gods in [[#Oranseri|Oran]]. Initially, construction was expected to be completed shortly before the Autumn Equinox 380YE, but the temple did not actually open its doors until shortly before the Spring Equinox 381YE. The town is seeing an influx of Asavean shipping bringing white granite and architects to the Brass Coast, as well as throwing crowns around like water to secure local labour to complete their project. Relations between the people of the Empire and the priests of Asavea are monitored by ''[[El oficial de enlace imperial con los sacerdotes de Balo y el toro negro]]'' ("The Imperial intermediary to the priests of Balo and the Black Bull"), who among other things is able to [[ministry|buy Asavean goods]] at a reduced price. During the Summer Solstice 380YE, the Assembly of Nine supported Abaddon de Rondell in [[Temple_of_the_bull#Resolution|denouncing]] the temple as an idolatrous affront, making it significantly harder for the Asaveans to find labourers prepared to work on the construction and both delaying its completion and laying a significant economic burden on the foreign priests.

The temple remained extremely controversial among Imperial priests. When Oran fell to the Grendel, however, the priests at the temple [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Sand|offered sanctuary]] to a number of Freeborn families in spite of Governor Rahab's unhappiness. Several of those families were ultimately smuggled to safety in Madruga. Despite this, however, it was clear that the Asaveans were happy to work with the new owners of Oran - there were rumours that they quickly recognised a Grendel as the [[Imperial Delegate to the Temple in Feroz|Delegate to the Temple in Feroz]]. This situation was further exacerbated by the Summer 383YE [[Through_my_sails#Ruined_Buildings|attack]] on the "sister temple" to the Black Bull, the temple of the Way in Nemoria.

When Oran was [[Glass_and_flame#The_Siege_of_Oran|liberated from the Grendel]] in 386YE Autumn, the priests surrendered ''en masse'' and [[Glass_and_flame#Game_Information_:_Asavean_Diplomacy|asked to be repatriated]] back to the Archipelago. As of the winter of 387YE, the temple still stands but without tenants.

'''OOC Notes:''' More details on the construction of the Temple of Balo and the Black Bull can be found in the winds of fortune, specifically [[Seven_lords_of_virtue#Temple_of_Bahlo_and_the_Black_Bull|Seven lords of virtue]], [[Those who worship#The Black Bull|Those who worship]], and [[Distant deeps]].
==Celesti Lighthouse==
Situated near the farthest tip of the [[Feroz#Oran|Oran]] peninsula, at one of its highest points, is the [[Celesti_Lighthouse_Keeper#The_Celesti_Lighthouse|Celesti lighthouse]]. Nearly five hundred feet tall - a wonder of the Empire that once rivalled the [[Madruga#The_Shining_Pillar_(Destroyed)|Shining Pillar]] of [[Madruga]] - it was originally commissioned as part of the massive investment in coastal ports and defences during the reign of [[Emperor Barabbas]]. Intended to serve both as a navigation aid and to keep a watch for signs of [[Grendel]] ships, the structure was much larger than it needed to be - making it an object of ribald fun for satirists and humourists around the Bay of Catazar. Barabbas planned to have the lighthouse lit in a dramatic display as his great armada sailed past on its way to conquer Attar but due to overspending and delays, construction hadn’t yet started on the complex beacon, and only the tower itself was finished.

Following the destruction of the Barabbine Fleet, funding for coastal projects abruptly ceased, and there was little Senate interest in completing what was largely seen as one of the late Throne's great follies. In 380YE, however, '''Ahraz i Guerra''' of the Celesti - the hakima who tended the empty tower - raised the money necessary to complete the beacon. For several years, the golden light of the Gilded Peaks shone out across the Bay, welcoming travellers to the Brass Coast, and providing a vital navigation aid for those attempting to traverse the isles and sandbanks of [[Feroz#Cazar Strits|Cazar]]. The "Celesti Lighthouse Keeper" was charged with maintaining the tower; keen to promote trade with the newly opened foreign ports in the [[Principalities of Jarm]]. Sadly, when Feroz was conquered by the [[Grendel]], and ceded to the [[orc|orcs]] by the subsequent [[Ratify_treaty_with_the_Grendel_Autumn_383YE#Treaty|peace treaty]], the lighthouse came under the dominion of the ruthless and avaricious ''Governor Rahab''. Who promptly wrecked it.

In 387YE, the lighthouse was restored to its former glory; or more properly surpassed it. Rebuilt, it was furnished with a unique lamp incorporating a boon of [[Kimus]] called the ''watchstone''. The light is now unquenchable, but more than that it ensures that everyone on the Bay of Catazar is aware of exactly where the lighthouse is even if they cannot see it. It has both boosted the morale of the corsair families, and sent a defiant message to the enemies of the Brass Coast. More even than that, the magical lamp has a [[Celesti_Lighthouse_Keeper#Light_in_the_Storm|potent connection]] to the new lighthouse keeper that may help keep the Freeborn safe from future attacks against their coast.
{{Anchor|Protectorate of Morajasse}}

===Mora's Rock===
Built as part of the grand project to create [[fortification|fortifications]] across the southern Empire in response to the threat of the [[Grendel]], Mora's Rock in [[#Morajasse|Morajasse]] was completed in the months following the [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Bravado|invasion of 383YE]]. The fortification squats above the town of Mora, guarding against invasion from [[Segura]], and providing garrisons and scouts who can offer resistance to assaults from the sea.

When Morajasse was ceded to the Grendel in Autumn 383YE, they took control of the fortification and later expanded it significantly. The fortification resisted the [[Glass and flame|liberation]] of the territory, and as of the beginning of 387YE remains under the control of the Grendel. The garrison is led by ''[[Glass_and_flame#The_Shadow_of_Mora's_Rock|Commander Gallum Fiersach]]'', ably supported by his partner, the ''Wind Lord Saoirse''.

The garrison there includes a warband of veteran [[Elite_Grendel_troops#The_Stone_Born|Stone Born]], and the remainder appear to be very experienced soldiers. These Grendel are enemies of the Empire, obviously, but that did not prevent them acting to [[A_circle_sewn_with_fate#The_Battle_of_Oran|protect Oran]] from the Children of Wrecks in early 387YE. In the Summer of that year, the Senate [[387YE_Summer_Solstice_Senate_sessions#Recognise_Protectorate_of_Gallum_Fiersach|recognised the Protectorate of Morajasse]] as foreigners, as long as they remained independent of the Grendel. While there is still tension between the Freeborn and the orcs many see as occupying Morajasse, for now at least Gallum Fiersach's forces seem content to keep to their castle, apart from regular patrols along the borders of Feroz aimed at protecting the territory from the Children of Wrecks - and the Iron Confederacy.
===The Spice Gardens of Feroz===
In western [[#Morajasse|Morajasse]] stand the legendary Spice Gardens of Feroz - a set of heavily-walled enclosures covering several acres where the finest spices in the Empire are grown. A rich source of trade for whoever controls the gardens, the [[Imperial title]] of [[Keeper of the Spice Gardens]] has changed hands between families only a handful of times in the last few centuries, and the bargaining leading up to a new appointment has regularly involved the whole nation.

The peace treaty of Autumn 383YE that ceded control of Morajasse to the Grendel saw the Spice Gardens fall into the hands of the orcs. The Grendel appreciate fine spices as much as any Freeborn so the evidence is that they did not harm the legendary Gardens - but for many Freeborn the idea of their beautiful spice gardens being operated by Grendel slaves was particularly heinous. With Governor Rahab dead and Feroz liberated, the Spice Gardens remain out of Imperial hands as part of the [[#Protectorate of Morjasse|Protectorate of Morajasse]].
==Lost and Ruined==
{{anchor|Shantarim}}
===Shantarim (ruined)===
In the southern islands of the [[#Cazar Straits|Cazar Straits]] the town of Shantarim was one a [[corsair]] stronghold. The families were are known to engage in fierce competition with their northern rivals, not only in Madruga but also in [[#Oranseri|Oranseri]] and even the other islands of the Straits. Smaller than the town of Cazar, Shantarim had a reputation for being somewhat less cosmopolitan than the other towns of Feroz - visitors from mainland families sometimes encounter prejudice and suspicion. The families of Shantarim more than made up for their relatively small size with the enthusiasm with which they opposed the orcs of the Broken Shore.

Prior to the [[Ratify treaty with the Grendel Autumn 383YE|peace treaty]] of 383YE, they were loud supporters of the [[Freeborn Storm]], and the various raids against the Grendel. The signing of the peace treaty with the southern orcs tied their hands, making it illegal to fight the Grendel, which became been a major source of dissension in Shantarim.

Towards the end of the ceasefire secured by the treaty, in 385YE, Shantarim was attacked and wrecked. Warships of the [[Asavean Archipelago]], allies of the Grendel occupation, engaged in a campaign of destruction across the Cazar Straits, and along with the Isle of the Osseini, Shantarim bore the brunt. Many corsairs who had endured the occupation of the Grendel were slain, and the town was looted and left in ruins. When the Children of Wrecks arrived, there was precious little left for the to wreck.
<div style="float:right; width: 450px; clear: right;"><box>'''Justicars'''<br>The priests who previously lived on the Isle of the Osseini called themselves ''justicars''. Specialist exorcists and inquisitors in the pre-Imperial history of the Brass Coast, they specialised in driving out malign spirits or cleansing unpleasant auras from people, places and objects. Never particularly populous, their sanctuary on the Isle of the Osseini was all but wiped out by the Grendel. A handful remained elsewhere, and during the Autumn Equinox 383YE the Freeborn assembly [[383YE_Autumn_Equinox_Synod_judgements#Judgement_22|called on them to come together to preserve their traditions]]. A small enclave of justicars was established on the Isle of Osseini at the sufferance of the Grendel. Unfortunately, when Asavean warships went on a rampage in 385YE, the first place they attacked was this enclave, putting the priests to the sword and burning the enclave. When the Children of Wrecks arrived, the Grendel magicians still left on the island fled back to the Broken Shore. As far as anyone knows today, the island is abandoned.</box></div>

{{Anchor|Isle of the Osseini}}
===Isle of the Osseini (Ruined)===
At the southern tip of the [[#Cazar Straits|Cazar Straits]], the island was known for its heavy sea fog, its ghosts, and for a small sect of Freeborn priests famed for their knowledge of the arts of [[exorcism]]. Stories claimed the Isle was haunted by those who had died at sea, but most Freeborn had no truck with such foolishness. In 383YE, however, it became clear these tales of ghosts were more than just idle gossip. During the Spring Equinox of that year, a [[Grendel]] shaman attempted to unleash a ghostly legion of drowned orcs bound in some fashion to white granite pillars on the island against the defenders of Feroz. Before they could do so they were [[383YE_Summer_Solstice_winds_of_war#The_World_is_Not_Enough|thwarted by Imperial heroes]] who reached the isle via the [[Sentinel Gate]]. Once the heroes retreated, the status of the island, the pillars, and the remaining priests was unknown.

Then in Autumn 383YE, as part of the negotiations that led to the peace treaty with the Grendel, a contract was negotiated with the orc diplomat regarding the Isle of the Osseini. In the wake of that agreement, a small group of priests were allowed to visit the Isle with a Grendel escort. There they discovered the remaining priests were dead, the ghost-binding pillars had been destroyed, and the island was in the hands of a coven of Grendel magicians. The orcs had already constructed a permanent residence there built around a particular Winter regio, and were less than welcoming to the Freeborn. Further negotiations followed; in the end the Freeborn were allowed to establish a small enclave here, under the careful watch of the Grendel.

The return of the justicars was short-lived. In 385YE, a fleet of warships from the Asavean Archipelago went on a murderous rampage in the southern Cazar Straits. Allies of the Grendel, they slaughtered the priests and burned the enclave before sailing north to Shantarim. When the Children of Wrecks arrived, the remaining Grendel magicians fled back to the Broken Shore. By the close of 387YE, the island appears to be abandoned, although it remains to be seen what the Iron Confederacy plan to do with it.

'''OOC Note:''' You can learn more about the historic Isle of the Osseini in the [[Bones in the ocean]] wind of fortune.
{{Anchor|The Scorrero Nets}}
===Scorrero Nets (Defunct)===
The Scorrero Nets were a [[Bourse]] resource located in [[#Oranseri|Oranseri]], seized by the Grendel in Spring 383YE as part of their conquest of Feroz. Custodianship of the Nets was an [[Imperial Title]] that brought with it a Seat on the [[Bourse]]. In Winter 384YE, a [[Drums_beat_in_my_head#The_Scorrero_Nets|daring plan]] was proposed to "steal" the nets by establishing the [[Cerevado Nets]] upriver in [[Segura]]. As a consequence, this Bourse resource ceased to exist, much to the chagrin of the Grendel governor Rahab.
{{Anchor|The Broken Shore Bounty}}
===The Broken Shore Bounty (Defunct)===
The [[Broken Shore Bounty]] was a Bourse resource that was technically located in the [[#Cazar Straits|Cazar Straits]] inasmuch as the holder of the [[Bourse]] seat has the use of a fortified villa in the hills near Cazar. The actual [[ilium]] that the seat provided was sourced throughout the Bay of Catazar; a portion of all ilium claimed from the nets of Freeborn, [[the League|League]], [[Highguard|Highborn]], and [[Urizen|Urizeni]] nets is claimed as part of the Bounty. It produced 7 rings of ilium each season and was allocated during the Spring Equinox.

When the Cazar Straits fell to the Grendel, they also seized the offices of the Broken Shore Bounty. Despite a [[Four_strong_winds#Broken_Shore_Bounty|proposal to move the offices]], the resource fell into disarray, the ilium ending up split between the Imperial Fleet Master and the Bourse Auction. With the ratification of the Grendel peace treaty, this title and resource effectively ceased to exist.
==Regions==
===Afarjasse===
'''Qualities:''' [[Region_qualities#Abandoned|Abandoned]], [[Region_qualities#Underpopulated|Underpopulated]]<br>
The wide open spaces of Afarjasse were sparsely populated even at the height of Feroz's prosperity. "Sweet afar" was a phrase sometimes used to describe being in the middle of nowhere, or an area where there was nothing but grass as far as the eye could see. The only major settlement was the quiet town of '''Afar''', established by [[hakima]] with close ties to the [[Guerra]] [[tribe]], near a potent [[regio]] tied to the [[Realms#Night|realm of Night]]. The town was not hard to reach, but it stood alone in a sea of sprawling grassland, and never encouraged casual visitors. On nights when powerful magics were performed, Afar was often visible for miles around - great bonfires blazing and massive drums pounding out powerful rhythms to help raise (or draw down, or both) the passionate energy for powerful workings.

As with the rest of Feroz, Afarjasse spent two years in the hands of the Grendel. The governor, Lord Rahab, made it clear that the hakima here would not be permitted access to their potent regio - they were after all an important strategic resource. Many of the people who once called the town home went into exile in [[Segura]] and [[Kahraman]] rather than endure Rahab's oppression. When the plains of Afarjasse were [[Glass_and_flame#Fontargenta_and_Bramar_and_Afar|liberated from the Grendel]] it was discovered that Rahab had established massive farms around Afar. The crops were tended by slaves, several hundred of whom were held at Afar in great dormitories, forced to work the fields until they fell, with the same heedless cruelty the Grendel apparently show to those who toil in their salt mines. These people were liberated by the [[Narwhal's Spear]] and the [[Fist of the Mountains]], who executed everyone responsible for their durance. Most were Imperial citizens, but maybe a hundred came from further afield, bought by Rahab from the slave markets of the Broken Shore. Those who are not already Imperial citizens were offered new homes in the Empire. The farms remain, but enthusiasm to work them is understandably low.

===Cazar Straits===
'''Qualities:''' Abandoned, Coastal, Impoverished, Island, Underpopulated<br>
For most of the Brass Coast's history, the islands of the Cazar Straits were dominated by [[corsair]] families. The largest settlement remains the port town from which the islands take their name - high-cliffed '''Cazar''' - but in recent years it has changed hands several times and is a shadow of its former self. Built around a bustling dock, it served as a safe harbour and home port for many of the [[fleet|fleets]] that protected the Bay from barbarian ships. The holder of the [[Broken Shore Bounty]] used to have the use of a fortified villa in the hills near Cazar, and the civil service offices that oversaw the resource were based here. Both were lost to the Grendel, then to the [[Children of Wrecks]], and in the last months of 387YE, to the [[Iron Confederacy]].

Even before the Children of Wrecks arrived, several of the more southerly islands of the Straits had a reputation for peculiarity. The corsairs of [[#Shantarim|Shantarim]] for example were renowned both for their enthusiastic rivalry with all other corsair families, and the zeal with which they waged war on the Grendel. The [[#Isle of the Osseini|Isle of the Osseini]] is also found here, once home to a sect of strange priests, allegedly haunted by the ghosts of drowned pirates, then the site of an uneasy truce between orc magicians and Freeborn priests. Towards the end of the peace treaty with the Grendel, however, a fleet of warships from the [[Asavean Archipelago]] slaughtered the justicars of Osseini and ruined the town of Shantarim. When the Children of Wrecks claimed the region, there was precious little left for them to destroy.

Shortly after the Autumn Equinox 387YE, a naval force belonging to the Iron Confederacy [[Red_skies#Swords_of_the_South|assailed the Cazar Straits]]. They smashed the Children of Wrecks stronghold and claimed the islands for themselves. [[Poets_light_but_lamps#The_Iron_Confederacy|Initial diplomatic discussion]] of the fate of the islands was inconclusive.

Today, the waters around the Cazar Straits remain treacherous, in part this is due to the presence of dozens of immature kraken hatched in the waters by the Children of Wrecks.

===Fontargenta===
'''Qualities:''' Abandoned, Coastal, Impoverished<br>
The trading port of '''Bramar''' stands on the coast here. Surrounded by rich agricultural land, its bountiful cornfields once competed with [[the Marches|Marcher]] grain in markets across the southern nations of the Empire, and their vineyards were justly famous. Before the Grendel invasion it served as an important hub for the Imperial wine trade, with many excellent vintages passing through its docks - both from the Brass Coast to the rest of the world, and from the rest of the world to the Brass Coast (and thus the Empire). Two years of mismanagement by Lord Rahab coupled with raids by the Children of Wrecks [[Glass_and_flame#Fontargenta_and_Bramar_and_Afar|left the region devastated]], and it remains to be seen if the farms here will ever recover.

===Morajasse===
'''Qualities:''' Protectorate of Morajasse, Abandoned, Impoverished, Underpopulated<br>
Morajasse was once one of the richest parts of the Brass Coast, home to extensive spice gardens and renowned for its herbalists, [[surgical skills#apothecary|apothecaries]], and chefs. The largest town was '''Mora''', once simply a spice market, transformed the Lasambrian invasion of [[Segura]] in 363YE. The threat of the western barbarians prompted a burst of rapid militarisation in this previously peaceful settlement. Refugees streamed in from southern Segura: some supported by their families, others looking to work in the market. With the liberation of the western territory, a strange reversal took place - the pool of desperate labourers largely dried up with refugees returning to their homes.

Immediately following the [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Bravado|invasion of Feroz]] in 383YE, work was completed on a [[fortification]] at the town of Mora, [[#Mora's Rock|Mora's Rock]]. The fortification served the defenders well, but with the ratification of the peace treaty it was taken over, and expanded, by Grendel troops. It now serves as the base of operations of ''Wind Lord Saoirse'' and her partner ''Commander Fiersach'', as well as a sizable force of Grendel veterans, in what the Senate has recognised as the [[#Protectorate of Morajasse|Protectorate of Morajasse]].

Western Morajasse is the site of the great [[#The Spice Gardens of Feroz|Spice Gardens]] and the [[Vizier of the Incarnadine Satchel]] was often quite active here, dealing with agents of the Spice Gardens and traders from the Jewelled Isles. Following the Grendel treaty, the offices that supported the Vizier were abandoned, and while they are still notionally the owner of the miraculous satchel that gives them their name, their ability to support the nations' apothecaries and physicks has been greatly reduced.
{{CaptionedImage|file=Oran_by_the_Sea.jpg|caption=The Celesti Lighthouse sits high on the headland overlooking Oran.|align=right|width=400}}

===Oranseri===
'''Qualities:''' Abandoned, Coastal, Impoverished<br>
Across the bay from billowing [[Madruga#Siroc|Siroc]] stands the once-thriving port town of [[#Oran|Oran]]. It is the only place in Feroz that seems to have prospered under the Grendel occupation - for a given value of "prospered". The port grew in prominence and prosperity, serving as the seat of power for the Grendel governor Lord Rahab. Today the town is a mismatched mess of old Freeborn and new Grendel architectural styles, with the [[#Temple of Balo and the Black Bull|Temple of Balo and the Black Bull]] further complicating the matter by being resolutely Asavean in outline.

Just outside Oran lies the great [[Celesti_Lighthouse_Keeper#The_Celesti_Lighthouse|Celesti Lighthouse]], originally constructed during the reign of [[Emperor Barabbas]]. The lighthouse was looted under Rahab's governance, and nearly destroyed by the Children of Wrecks. In 387YE however, the beacon was repaired and restored to full functionality. Today its light shines brighter than ever - in large part thanks to the aid of the eternal [[Kimus]] who helped provide a unique lamp to shine brilliant beams across the dangerous waters of the Cazar Straits and the misty Bay of Oran.

West of Oran is the ''Scorrero Crossing''. The river Scorrero is wide and deep between Feroz and Madruga. During the Summer Solstice 383YE, the Grendel invaders attempted to take advantage of this by taking control of both bridges that connect the two Freeborn territories. Had they been successful, it would have been significantly harder for Imperial forces to move between Siroc and Oranseri. Their attempts were stymied, and ultimately became moot once the Scorrero [[Where_the_river_rises#Crossing|burst its banks]] and carried away all the existing bridges.

'''Joharra''' is a port south of Oran, considered much more stable than its northern cousin, and better known for its industry than its trade. Famous throughout the Empire for its cloth and dye-work, Joharra was called '' the Rainbow'' by coastal sailors who mark their progress round the coast with the first sight of the great billowing cloths hung out to dry on tall wooden frames along the low cliffs. As with the other settlements of Oranseri, the weavers and dyers here laboured for years under the yoke of the Grendel orcs. Many endured, however, and there is still [[Send_for_me#Inkworks_of_Joharra|potential to revive]] the industry here.

==Strategic Considerations==
* '''The damage to the bridges along the Scorrero prevents movement between Feroz and Madruga'''
* '''Cazar Straits have the Island quality which greatly complicates access by armies'''
The damage to almost all the bridges along the Scorrero means that it is effectively impossible for an [[Army|army]] to move between Feroz and [[Madruga]] (or vice versa). More information can be found in the '''[[Where_the_river_rises#Crossing|Where the river rises]]''' wind of fortune.

The islands of the Cazar Straits are separated from land by deep water, treacherous shoals, and the presence of juvenile kraken unleashed by the Children of Wrecks. Armies cannot move to, from, or through this region, nor can they attack it, unless transported by a [[navy]].
<div style="float:left; width: 450px; clear: right;">{{CaptionedImage|file=Garviel i Abrira i Erigo.jpg|caption='''Garviel i Abrira i Erigo''', Senator for Feroz|align=left|width=500}}</div>
{{Senate Elections|Senator_for_Feroz|Territory=Feroz|Season=Summer|Controlled=is}}

==OOC Notes==
* As of the start of the Winter Solstice 387YE, the Iron Confederacy control the Cazar Straits, the Protectorate of Morajasse controls Morajasse, and the Brass Coast controls Afarjasse, Fontargenta, and Oranseri. Feroz is an Imperial territory
* [[#Mora's Rock|Mora's Rock]] is a rank two fortification controlled by the Grendel.
* The status of various titles and resources located in Feroz is outlined in more detail in [[To_curb_those_raging_appetites#Lost_Opportunities|To curb those raging appetites]], a Winter 383YE wind of fortune.

==Further Reading==
* [[Red skies]] - 387YE Winter wind of war about the Iron Confederacy invasion of the Cazar Straits
* [[A circle sewn with fate]] - 387YE Spring wind of war detailing the Wrecker attack on Oran
* [[Send for me]] - 386YE Winter wind of fortune about the rebuilding of Feroz
* [[Glass and flame]] - 386YE Autumn wind of war about the liberation of Feroz
* [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Spindrift|Winds of War 383YE Spring]] - Detailing the Grendel invasion
* [[383YE_Summer_Solstice_winds_of_war#The_World_is_Not_Enough|Winds of War 383YE Summer]]
* [[383YE_Autumn_Equinox_winds_of_war#Bronze|Winds of War 383YE Autumn]]
* [[Ratify_treaty_with_the_Grendel_Autumn_383YE#Treaty|Treaty]] - the Autumn 383YE treaty with the Grendel
* [[To curb those raging appetites]] - a Winter 383YE wind of fortune that details the situation for Freeborn in Feroz
* [[Everything has a price]] - a Winter 383YE wind of fortune that details the general situation with the Grendel, and has several notes about their presence in Feroz
* [[Bones in the ocean]] - a Winter 383YE wind of fortune that specifically deals with the [[#Isle of the Osseini|Isle of the Osseini]] and the justicars

Celesti Lighthouse Keeper

2026-05-13T11:20:47Z

Rafferty: /* The Celesti Lighthouse */

{{CaptionedImage|file=Kimus001.png|align=left|title=A herald of Kimus offers aid for as long as that eternal is not under enmity.|width=200}}
===Overview===
The Celesti Lighthouse Keeper is an [[Imperial title]], originally [[Construct the Celesti Lighthouse II|created]] by the [[The Brass Coast|Freeborn]] [[Civilian Commissioner]] in Winter 380YE. Almost seven years later, at the Autumn Equinox 387YE, '''Garviel i Abrira i Erigo''', as [[Feroz#Recent_Senate_Elections|Senator for Feroz]], raised the motion to [[Repair Celesti Lighthouse|repair]] the damage done to the Celesti Lighthouse. The [[#The Celesti Lighthouse|Celesti lighthouse]] itself is built near the town of [[Feroz#Oranseri|Oran]], in [[Feroz]]; a stone tower topped with a massive beacon of polished mithril mirrors.

===Responsibilities===
The Lighthouse Keeper is expected to ensure the Celesti Lighthouse remains functional, providing a beacon to sailors along the coast of Feroz. They would also be the responsible for dealing with any threats to the Lighthouse - or in theory to Oran itself - but would also to deal with any [[opportunity]] related to the Celesti lighthouse.

==Powers==
===Crystals for Celesti===
The Celesti Lighthouse Keeper is a [[ministry]]. The Keeper can purchase quantities of crystal mana from mariners and ship-captains that visit Oran, buying at a set price. The Keeper makes their decision how much money to spend during downtime from their character page. Money is removed from, and resources are placed into, the character's inventory when the downtime is processed.
<div style="width: 400px; float: right; clear: right; margin-left:10px;">
<table class="mw-collapsible"><tr><td colspan="2" style="background-color: LightBlue;">'''Mariners' Mana'''</td></tr>
<tr><td>7 Crowns</td><td>8 mana crystals</td></tr>
<tr><td>17 Crowns</td><td>16 mana crystals</td></tr>
<tr><td>35 Crowns</td><td>25 mana crystals</td></tr>
<tr><td>48 Crowns</td><td>33 mana crystals</td></tr>
</table></div>

===Light in the Storm===
''Fotismos'', herald of [[Kimus]], has pledged to provide the Celesti Lighthouse Keeper with a fragment of the material from which the light was made, creating an unbreakable link between the lighthouse and the Keeper. As long as the Celesti Lighthouse Keeper is included as an additional target of a ritual, the effective magnitude of any [[divination]] cast on [[Feroz]] is increased by 10 for the purpose of overcoming shrouds, and any performance of [[Piercing Light of Revelation]] has its magnitude increased by 30 for the purposes of removing shrouds or effects that obscure or conceal the territory.

Furthermore, as long as Kimus is not placed under enmity, a performance of Piercing Light of Revelation specifically intended for that purpose could be used to destroy any curse of storm or ruin targeting Feroz - such as [[Foam and Spittle of the Furious Sea]] or [[Thunderous Deluge]] - provided the magnitude of the ritual is at least three times the magnitude of the target curse.

==Appointment==
The Celesti Lighthouse Keeper is appointed during the Winter Solstice each year. It is chosen by unanimous decision of the [[senator|senators]] of [[the Brass Coast]]. If a unanimous decision cannot be reached, the title [[Appointments_by_the_Senate#National_Position|may be appointed]] by the [[Senate]] instead.

The title can be held by any Freeborn citizen. They can be [[revocation|revoked]] by the [[Assembly#General_Assembly|General Assembly]], the [[Assembly#The_National_Assemblies|National Assembly]] of the Brass Coast, and by the [[Assembly#Assembly_of_the_Nine|Assembly of the Nine]].
{{RecentElections|Celesti_Lighthouse_Keeper}}
==The Celesti Lighthouse==
The Celesti lighthouse was originally constructed as part of the massive investment in coastal ports and defences during the reign of [[Emperor Barabbas]]. The lighthouse was intended to serve not only as a navigation aid but also to keep a watch for signs of [[Grendel]] ships. As befitting Barabbas’ grand [[ambition]], the structure was significantly larger than was strictly appropriate to the traffic through a moderate-sized coastal town - making it an object of fun for satirists and humourists around the Bay of Catazar.

Unfortunately, when Feroz was conquered by the [[Grendel]], and ceded to the [[orc|orcs]] by the subsequent [[Ratify_treaty_with_the_Grendel_Autumn_383YE#Treaty|peace treaty]], the lighthouse came under the dominion of the ruthless and avaricious ''Governor Rahab''. Following the liberation of Feroz, the lighthouse was left in remarkable shape; the foundations remain, though the burnished mirrors have long since been looted, and it still serves as an intimidating sight above the cliffs of Oran. This did not prevent the Children of Wrecks seeking to [[Send_for_me#Butcher's_Yard_(Feroz)|bring it down]] in Winter 386YE - another thumb to the eye of the Freeborn. Fortunately, the [[Strategos|Strategos of the Brass Coast]], '''Gael i Guerra''', organised a warband of Imperial heroes to ensure the wreckers were defeated, and so the tower at least still stands.

In Summer 387YE, an [[appraisal]] by [[Appraisal#Eilian Sweetwater|Eilian Sweetwater]] presented a [[For_those_in_peril_on_the_sea#The_Celesti_Lighthouse|proposal]] for restoring the ruined lighthouse to its former glories. The [[Senate]] approved [[387YE_Autumn_Equinox_Senate_sessions#Repair_Celesti_Lighthouse|the construction work]], which was completed shortly before the Winter Solstice. The beacon now once again shines its beam of brilliant light across the treacherous waters of the Cazar Straits, and the mist-shrouded Bay of Oran. These beams can penetrate even the worst weather conditions, thanks to the inclusion of a [[For_those_in_peril_on_the_sea#Light_in_the_Storm|magically infused lamp]] empowered by the [[eternal]] [[Kimus]].

The heart of this lamp is the ''watchstone'', installed by the [[inhabitants of the realms#Heralds|herald]] ''Fotismos''. The light is unquenchable, and provides several other benefits. Everyone in the Bay of Catazar knows exactly where they are in relation to this magical beacon. It serves as a reminder to hostile forces in the bay that the lighthouse - and the Freeborn nation it represents - defies them. Even the Grendel navies know the light is there, and cannot help but be reminded that no matter what they do to the Brass Coast, they will never submit. The light serves to raise the morale of the corsair families, and even has an impact on the pirates and privateers of the Bay.

It also helped restore the confidence of the common folk around the Bay that the Freeborn Corsairs are looking out for them. This allowed the Senate an opportunity to restore the [[Broken Shore Bounty]], which had previously been lost during the invasion of the Grendel. It also created a unique opportunity for Imperial vessels to [[Voyage#Patrol the Bay of Catazar|patrol the Bay of Catazar]], helping anyone who gets into trouble, and also being alert for any signs of threat or peculiar developments at sea or on its shore.

Obviously, if the Lighthouse were destroyed or looted again these benefits would be lost - one reason Fotismos in particular was eager to stress that a [[For_those_in_peril_on_the_sea#A Vigilant Light|larger, fortified lighthouse]] was a much better bet than the smaller, less defensible, version.
===History===
The original architectural plans were put together in collaboration with the [[hakima]] known as the Celesti, ensuring that it was built with a distinctly Freeborn aesthetic. While the original lighthouse was portrayed outside the Coast as something of a white elephant, the Freeborn appreciated the beautiful structure as much for its aesthetic as for its value as a beacon. The most significant contribution of the Celesti however - and perhaps the real reason for their inclusion in the project - was the beacon. The Celesti’s home since the founding of the Brass Coast is a reclusive monastery near the summit of the [[Kahraman#The_Gilded_Peak|Gilded Peak]] in [[Kahraman]]. Here they conducted extensive research on the natural phenomenon that gave the summit its name, and the peaks are rich with [[Materials#Orichalcum|orichalcum]] and mithril with which they crafted fine mirrors to recreate the golden light of the peaks.

Barabbas had originally planned to have the lighthouse lit in a dramatic display as his great flotilla sailed past on its way to conquer the Grendel. It was perhaps an ill omen that due to overspending and delays, construction hadn’t yet started on the complex beacon and only the tower itself was finished. With Barabbas' death just a few days after, funding for coastal projects abruptly stopped, and there was little interest from Senate in finishing what was largely seen as one of the late Throne's great follies. With no further money forthcoming, it proved impossible to complete the lighthouse.

For the past century, a small group of Guerra hakima have kept a large bonfire lit at night in the otherwise empty beacon room to maintain its function as an aid to sailors through the treacherous isles and sandbanks of the southern coast. Though using only a simple bonfire the beacon is nowhere near as clear or bright as was intended. Tourists and pilgrims to the site have provided enough funds to keep the structure itself in fair condition, though never enough to build its complex beacon.

In 380YE, Ahraz i Guerra, one of the remaining hakima of the Celesti, raised the funds necessary to complete the beacon and recovered the plans from the Celesti archives. The work was then authorised by the [[Civilian Commissioner]] for the Brass Coast, thus ensuring that golden light of the Gilded Peaks will, after nearly two long centuries of absence, finally be brought to shine out across the bay; welcoming those from near and far to the Brass Coast.

The lighthouse is situated near the farthest tip of the Oran peninsula at one of its highest points, and was engineered so that its beacon sat a square 500 ft above the sea. Making it visible from the mast of a moderately sized ship for some 30 miles, and enabling navigators to quickly calculate their distance from shore taking into account its known elevation. This makes it a useful navigation aid for those attempting to traverse the many isles and sandbanks of Cazar. By no coincidence, this also makes it visible to the taller structures in Siroc, Oran, and Joharra.

To ensure the monument would not fall into disrepair again, the title "Celesti Lighthouse Keeper" was created, to be appointed by the Freeborn senators. Keen to promote trade with the newly opened foreign ports in Rigia and Kantor, the Keeper was given powers of a ministry and empowered to purchase mana directly from ships captains, ensuring guaranteed prices on the docks of Oran for those willing to sell to civil service factors.

==Further Reading==
*[[For_those_in_peril_on_the_sea#The_Celesti_Lighthouse|For those in peril]] - 387YE Summer wind of fortune with the opportunity to rebuild the Lighthouse
*[[Send_for_me#Butcher's_Yard_(Feroz)|Send for me]] - 386YE Winter wind of fortune with details of a skirmish to prevent a force of wreckers from destroying the Lighthouse
*[[To_curb_those_raging_appetites#Lost_Opportunities|To curb those raging appetites]] - 383YE Winter wind of fortune on the fate of the Lighthouse following the conquest of Feroz

<ic>I was always happy to discuss matters with the families, it was after all what hakima did. In fact I made a point when I first moved to the keeper's lodgings in the base of the tower to oversee construction that I introduce myself to the locals. That my door was always open. I was not however expecting to be visited by a troupe of townsfolk at such an unsocial hour of night. I pulled my robe closer against the icy sea breeze rolling over the cliffs."

“It’s a metaphor you see”

I was attempting to answer their question of “what was all this about”. As the town had been using the lighthouse, even its diminished capacity, for the past two centuries I assumed they were well aware of its literal function and was attempting to explain the wider implications and intricacies.

“Two centuries ago Emperor Barabbas invited the Celesti as hakima to design this lighthouse not just because of their expertise in the matter, but for its symbolic importance. We as hakima serve to advise and guide the nation so that it may make the best decisions. The Celesti oath makes reference to bringing the light of Wisdom to all the Families. Thus this lighthouse doesn’t just serve a literal purpose in providing a light by which sailors may navigate; but it is a metaphor for the light that the hakima shine to guide the Families.”

The man in the lead of the small group sucked his teeth and thought on this for a moment.

“That may be the case good sir

But we would much appreciate it if the hakima didn’t shine their light of Wisdom through our bedroom windows when we are trying to sleep”</ic>
<small><sup>Original text from Charles Philip Wilkinson</sup></small>
[[Category:Title]]
[[Category:The Brass Coast]]

Feroz

2026-05-13T11:12:00Z

Rafferty: /* OOC Notes */

{{CaptionedImage|file=RegionsofFeroz.png|title=Southernmost of the Freeborn territories, lush but threatened by barbarians over land and sea|caption=Regions of Feroz|align=left|width=500}}[[Category:Gazetteer]][[Category:Imperial Territory]][[category:The Brass Coast]]
{{stub}}
== Overview ==
Feroz is the southernmost territory of the Brass Coast, and like [[Madruga]] to the north has both isles and coastline. Here the climate is warm and humid, perfect for the cultivation of different plants. This is the home of the fabulous spice gardens of Feroz, a source of great revenue for the people of this territory. The seas are more treacherous here, and the south and the west are constantly threatened by barbarians by land. As a result, many armed merchants patrolled the seas, and groups of young warriors journeyed along the borders, fighting skirmishes against jealous foes.

There is a traditional rivalry between the families of Feroz and those of Madruga. The northern territory was the first settled when the Freeborn [[The_Brass_Coast_history#The_Conquest_of_the_Coast|left Highguard]], and there is a popular stereotype that the people who live there are "stuck up". This stereotype is more humorous than hateful - the Freeborn move around too much to allow such prejudice to root itself too firmly in their psyche. Still, if a citizen of Feroz wants to insult a citizen of Madruga, they will fall back on accusations of arrogance and an over-reliance on tradition.

Some of the finest [[Surgical skills#Apothecary|apothecaries]] on the Brass Coast once lived in Feroz - the art of [[potion]] making has been studied here for centuries and even after two years of occupation by the Grendel it is still home to a great many [[herb garden|herb gardens]]. The mainland is a criss-cross patchwork of [[farm|farms]] and small settlements. At the height of its prosperity, a great deal of the food and drink consumed on the Brass Coast was produced here and exported to other Freeborn territories.

Unfortunately, in recent years the territory has been hit by disaster after disaster. Repeated raids by the Grendel eventually gave way to a concerted invasion, and while it was pushed back, the barbarian of the Broken Shore did not abandon their ambition to conquer Feroz. In 383YE, a [[Ratify treaty with the Grendel Autumn 383YE|peace treaty]] ceded the territory to the invaders, and saw the vicious, greedy, and tyrannical ''Governor Rahab'' establish his dominion over Feroz. The Freeborn organised a [[The power behind our moves|grand evacuation]] that saw much of the population escape Rahab's hungry grasp and resettle elsewhere in the Coast, but the move came at a price. When the treaty ended, and the Grendel were (mostly) driven out, Feroz was left abandoned, wrecked, and heavily underpopulated, its former residents preferring to stay with the new lives they had built elsewhere rather than return. Worse, the [[#Cazar Straits|Cazar Straits]] were taken by the [[Children of Wrecks]], transformed into a stronghold for the servants of the eternal [[Siakha]]. They in turn were supplanted towards the end of 387YE by the [[Iron Confederacy]], who drove out the Wreckers and claimed the island for themselves.

On the mainland, the situation is a little better, but what was once one of the richest Freeborn territories still struggles with the weight of two years of exploitation by a money-hungry tyrant, and what many see as its abandonment by the Empire.

==Recent History==
Being on the [[Bay of Catazar]], Feroz has always been under threat from the [[Grendel]] [[orc|orcs]]. In Spring 383YE, the orcs [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Spindrift|launched a naval invasion]], capturing [[#Oranseri|Oranseri]] and the [[#Cazar Straits|Cazar Straits]] in short order and making significant inroads into [[#Fontargenta|Fontargenta]]. The Grendel installed a grizzled old orc named ''Lord Rahab'' as overseer of the conquered land; he took up residence in the offices of the [[Scorrero Nets]] and quickly set about attempting to bring the rest of Feroz under his control. Part of their plan appeared to involve the ghosts of the [[#Isle of the Osseini|Isle of the Osseini]], but the scheme was countered by Imperial heroes travelling through the [[Sentinel Gate]] to exorcise the spirits and defeat the Grendel seeking to make use of them.

Undaunted by the loss of their supernatural weapon, the orcs kept up their assault. By Summer 383YE, they [[383YE_Summer_Solstice_winds_of_war#The_World_is_Not_Enough|sought to consolidate their gains in Fontargenta]]; they were opposed by [[Navarr]] and [[the Marches|Marcher]] [[Army|armies]], who held the Grendel at the town of [[#Fontargenta|Bramar]] for two days before being forced to retreat. They were able to slow the Grendel advance, however, leaving the orcs bogged down in Fontargenta and unable to press inland.

Following the engagement in Fontargenta, and battling under a powerful supernatural storm, the Grendel [[383YE_Autumn_Equinox_winds_of_war#Bronze|brought even more force]] to bear in the territory. While the Imperial armies were reinforced by [[Highguard|Highborn]] troops, the orc navies disgorged a great host of their own warriors. The fighting was bitter, but in the end Fontargenta fell - and as Fontargenta falls, so falls Feroz. While [[#Morajasse|Morajasse]] and [[#Afarjasse|Afarjasse]] remained free, the Grendel forces continued to mass along the coast.

During the Autumn Equinox 383, the [[Senate]] [[Ratify_treaty_with_the_Grendel_Autumn_383YE#Treaty|ratified a peace treaty]] with the Grendel. Presented by the [[Imperial Fleet Master]], among other things it [[Powers_of_the_Imperial_Senate#Concedence|ceded]] the two remaining regions of Feroz to the Grendel, albeit with provisions allowing Imperial citizens still in Morajasse and Afarjasse to withdraw to safety. Following the Equinox, Lord Rahab's forces spread out quickly to bring the two western regions under his control; Feroz was now [[To_curb_those_raging_appetites|completely under Grendel control]].

Just before the Autumn Equinox 386YE, the Imperial forces reconquered [[Glass_and_flame| reconquered Feroz]]. Possession of the territory is complicated by [[Children_of_Wrecks|Children of Wrecks]] as well as the remnants of the Grendel. Feroz has been run into the ground by Lord Rahab, eager to extract every drop of profit from the place, and it requires significant investment to return the territory to even a fraction of its former wealth.

In 386YE, the [[Senate]] commissioned an [[appraisal]] of Feroz that laid out many of the challenges presented by the newly reclaimed territory, and some potential solutions. Details are contained in the '''[[Send_for_me#State_of_Feroz|Send for me]]''' wind of fortune.

== Major Features ==
===Oran===
The largest and most prestigious port was Feroz is Oran, on the northern coast of [[#Oranseri|Oranseri]]. Across the bay from billowing [[Madruga#Siroc_(Ruined)|Siroc]] this thriving port specialised in high-value products such as fine wines and spice mixes. Unsurprisingly, given its position, for most of its history it has engaged in low-key economic warfare with its larger cousin to the north - Oran notably has cheaper dock fees than Siroc, and a number of entrepreneurs prefer to operate here as a consequence. It is especially welcoming to those merchants who are just starting out, and has a reputation for being more energetic than its competitors to the north and south. This energy has been significantly boosted by construction of the only open [[#The Temple of Balo and the Black Bull|Asavean Temple]] in the entire Empire; the surge of [[Asavean Archipelago|Asavean]] ships visiting Oran saw the town expand significantly to become the largest trading port in Feroz.

In Spring 383YE, however, Oran was [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Spindrift|conquered by the Grendel]]. An orc governor, Lord Rahab, chose the town as the site for his court, converting the offices of the [[Scorrero Nets]] to his personal use. Among other things, this invasion saw the collapse of the [[Broken Shore Bounty]], the Scorrero Nets falling into orc hands, and the Temple of Balo and the Black Bull sealing its doors against the orcs while offering sanctuary to Freeborn families. Following the treaty signed during the Autumn Equinox, the Grendel opened Oran as a port [[Everything_has_a_price#A_New_Destination|available to Imperial captains]]. This situation persisted until the peace treaty ended, and war with the Grendel resumed.

After the Summer Solstice 386YE, Imperial forces swept into Oranseri to liberate the territory from the Grendel. They [[Glass_and_flame#The_Siege_of_Oran|laid siege]] to Oran, and were quickly victorious. The [[Below_the_thunders#Objective:_Eliminate_Governor_Rahab|recent death of Governor Rahab]] in battle with the Empire's heroes left the garrison demoralised and disorganised. It was a grievous victory, however. The fighting that raged through the town, the overwhelming assault, the barrage of catapult stones, all contributed to the fact that many of the buildings have been left in ruins, and many more damaged. A fire at the docks threatened to spread through the town and only the valiant actions of League soldiers managed bring it under control. Barely a year later the town again came under serious attack, this time by the Children of Wrecks. Without the [[A_circle_sewn_with_fate#The_Battle_of_Oran|prompt action]] of the [[orc|orcs]] from the [[#Protectorate of Morajasse|Protectorate of Morajasse]], Oran again might have been destroyed. As it is, the town remains intact but in a sadly impoverished state.

Proposals have been put forward to [[Send_for_me#Wharfage_of_Oran|rebuild Oran]], but it remains to be seen what the future holds for the port town.

{{Anchor|The Temple of Balo and the Black Bull}}
===Temple of Balo and the Black Bull===
During the Spring Equinox 380YE, permission was granted to the people of the [[Asavean Archipelago]] to construct a major temple to their gods in [[#Oranseri|Oran]]. Initially, construction was expected to be completed shortly before the Autumn Equinox 380YE, but the temple did not actually open its doors until shortly before the Spring Equinox 381YE. The town is seeing an influx of Asavean shipping bringing white granite and architects to the Brass Coast, as well as throwing crowns around like water to secure local labour to complete their project. Relations between the people of the Empire and the priests of Asavea are monitored by ''[[El oficial de enlace imperial con los sacerdotes de Balo y el toro negro]]'' ("The Imperial intermediary to the priests of Balo and the Black Bull"), who among other things is able to [[ministry|buy Asavean goods]] at a reduced price. During the Summer Solstice 380YE, the Assembly of Nine supported Abaddon de Rondell in [[Temple_of_the_bull#Resolution|denouncing]] the temple as an idolatrous affront, making it significantly harder for the Asaveans to find labourers prepared to work on the construction and both delaying its completion and laying a significant economic burden on the foreign priests.

The temple remained extremely controversial among Imperial priests. When Oran fell to the Grendel, however, the priests at the temple [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Sand|offered sanctuary]] to a number of Freeborn families in spite of Governor Rahab's unhappiness. Several of those families were ultimately smuggled to safety in Madruga. Despite this, however, it was clear that the Asaveans were happy to work with the new owners of Oran - there were rumours that they quickly recognised a Grendel as the [[Imperial Delegate to the Temple in Feroz|Delegate to the Temple in Feroz]]. This situation was further exacerbated by the Summer 383YE [[Through_my_sails#Ruined_Buildings|attack]] on the "sister temple" to the Black Bull, the temple of the Way in Nemoria.

When Oran was [[Glass_and_flame#The_Siege_of_Oran|liberated from the Grendel]] in 386YE Autumn, the priests surrendered ''en masse'' and [[Glass_and_flame#Game_Information_:_Asavean_Diplomacy|asked to be repatriated]] back to the Archipelago. As of the winter of 387YE, the temple still stands but without tenants.

'''OOC Notes:''' More details on the construction of the Temple of Balo and the Black Bull can be found in the winds of fortune, specifically [[Seven_lords_of_virtue#Temple_of_Bahlo_and_the_Black_Bull|Seven lords of virtue]], [[Those who worship#The Black Bull|Those who worship]], and [[Distant deeps]].
{{Anchor|Protectorate of Morajasse}}
===Mora's Rock===
Built as part of the grand project to create [[fortification|fortifications]] across the southern Empire in response to the threat of the [[Grendel]], Mora's Rock in [[#Morajasse|Morajasse]] was completed in the months following the [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Bravado|invasion of 383YE]]. The fortification squats above the town of Mora, guarding against invasion from [[Segura]], and providing garrisons and scouts who can offer resistance to assaults from the sea.

When Morajasse was ceded to the Grendel in Autumn 383YE, they took control of the fortification and later expanded it significantly. The fortification resisted the [[Glass and flame|liberation]] of the territory, and as of the beginning of 387YE remains under the control of the Grendel. The garrison is led by ''[[Glass_and_flame#The_Shadow_of_Mora's_Rock|Commander Gallum Fiersach]]'', ably supported by his partner, the ''Wind Lord Saoirse''.

The garrison there includes a warband of veteran [[Elite_Grendel_troops#The_Stone_Born|Stone Born]], and the remainder appear to be very experienced soldiers. These Grendel are enemies of the Empire, obviously, but that did not prevent them acting to [[A_circle_sewn_with_fate#The_Battle_of_Oran|protect Oran]] from the Children of Wrecks in early 387YE. In the Summer of that year, the Senate [[387YE_Summer_Solstice_Senate_sessions#Recognise_Protectorate_of_Gallum_Fiersach|recognised the Protectorate of Morajasse]] as foreigners, as long as they reamined independent of the Grendel. While there is still tension between the Freeborn and the orcs many see as occupying Morajasse, for now at least Gallum Fiersach's forces seem content to keep to their castle, apart from regular patrols along the borders of Feroz aimed at protecting the territory from the Children of Wrecks - and the Iron Confederacy.
===The Spice Gardens of Feroz===
In western [[#Morajasse|Morajasse]] stand the legendary Spice Gardens of Feroz - a set of heavily-walled enclosures covering several acres where the finest spices in the Empire are grown. A rich source of trade for whoever controls the gardens, the [[Imperial title]] of [[Keeper of the Spice Gardens]] has changed hands between families only a handful of times in the last few centuries, and the bargaining leading up to a new appointment has regularly involved the whole nation.

The peace treaty of Autumn 383YE that ceded control of Morajasse to the Grendel saw the Spice Gardens fall into the hands of the orcs. The Grendel appreciate fine spices as much as any Freeborn so the evidence is that they did not harm the legendary Gardens - but for many Freeborn the idea of their beautiful spice gardens being operated by Grendel slaves was particularly heinous. With Governor Rahab dead and Feroz liberated, the Spice Gardens remain out of Imperial hands as part of the [[#Protectorate of Morjasse|Protectorate of Morajasse]].
==Lost and Ruined==
{{anchor|Shantarim}}
===Shantarim (ruined)===
In the southern islands of the [[#Cazar Straits|Cazar Straits]] the town of Shantarim was one a [[corsair]] stronghold. The families were are known to engage in fierce competition with their northern rivals, not only in Madruga but also in [[#Oranseri|Oranseri]] and even the other islands of the Straits. Smaller than the town of Cazar, Shantarim had a reputation for being somewhat less cosmopolitan than the other towns of Feroz - visitors from mainland families sometimes encounter prejudice and suspicion. The families of Shantarim more than made up for their relatively small size with the enthusiasm with which they opposed the orcs of the Broken Shore.

Prior to the [[Ratify treaty with the Grendel Autumn 383YE|peace treaty]] of 383YE, they were loud supporters of the [[Freeborn Storm]], and the various raids against the Grendel. The signing of the peace treaty with the southern orcs tied their hands, making it illegal to fight the Grendel, which became been a major source of dissension in Shantarim.

Towards the end of the ceasefire secured by the treaty, in 385YE, Shatarim was attacked and wrecked. Warships of the [[Asavean Archipelago]], allies of the Grendel occupation, engaged in a campaign of destruction across the Cazar Straits, and along with the Isle of the Osseini, Shantarim bore the brunt. Many corsairs who had endured the occupation of the Grendel were slain, and the town was looted and left in ruins. When the Children of Wrecks arrived, there was precious little left for the to wreck.
<div style="float:right; width: 450px; clear: right;"><box>'''Justicars'''<br>The priests who previously lived on the Isle of the Osseini called themselves ''justicars''. Specialist exorcists and inquisitors in the pre-Imperial history of the Brass Coast, they specialised in driving out malign spirits or cleansing unpleasant auras from people, places and objects. Never particularly populous, their sanctuary on the Isle of the Osseini was all but wiped out by the Grendel. A handful remained elsewhere, and during the Autumn Equinox 383YE the Freeborn assembly [[383YE_Autumn_Equinox_Synod_judgements#Judgement_22|called on them to come together to preserve their traditions]]. A small enclave of justicars was established on the Isle of Osseini at the sufferance of the Grendel. Unfortunately, when Asavean warships went on a rampage in 385YE, the first place they attacked was this enclave, putting the priests to the sword and burning the enclave. When the Children of Wrecks arrived, the Grendel magicians still left on the island fled back to the Broken Shore. As far as anyone knows today, the island is abandoned.</box></div>

{{Anchor|Isle of the Osseini}}
===Isle of the Osseini (Ruined)===
At the southern tip of the [[#Cazar Straits|Cazar Straits]], the island was known for its heavy sea fog, its ghosts, and for a small sect of Freeborn priests famed for their knowledge of the arts of [[exorcism]]. Stories claimed the Isle was haunted by those who had died at sea, but most Freeborn had no truck with such foolishness. In 383YE, however, it became clear these tales of ghosts were more than just idle gossip. During the Spring Equinox of that year, a [[Grendel]] shaman attempted to unleash a ghostly legion of drowned orcs bound in some fashion to white granite pillars on the island against the defenders of Feroz. Before they could do so they were [[383YE_Summer_Solstice_winds_of_war#The_World_is_Not_Enough|thwarted by Imperial heroes]] who reached the isle via the [[Sentinel Gate]]. Once the heroes retreated, the status of the island, the pillars, and the remaining priests was unknown.

Then in Autumn 383YE, as part of the negotiations that led to the peace treaty with the Grendel, a contract was negotiated with the orc diplomat regarding the Isle of the Osseini. In the wake of that agreement, a small group of priests were allowed to visit the Isle with a Grendel escort. There they discovered the remaining priests were dead, the ghost-binding pillars had been destroyed, and the island was in the hands of a coven of Grendel magicians. The orcs had already constructed a permanent residence there built around a particular Winter regio, and were less than welcoming to the Freeborn. Further negotiations followed; in the end the Freeborn were allowed to establish a small enclave here, under the careful watch of the Grendel.

The return of the justicars was short-lived. In 385YE, a fleet of warships from the Asavean Archipelago went on a murderous rampage in the southern Cazar Straits. Allies of the Grendel, they slaughtered the priests and burned the enclave before sailing north to Shantarim. When the Children of Wrecks arrived, the remaining Grendel magicians fled back to the Broken Shore. By the close of 387YE, the island appears to be abandoned, although it remains to be seen what the Iron Confederacy plan to do with it.

'''OOC Note:''' You can learn more about the historic Isle of the Osseini in the [[Bones in the ocean]] wind of fortune.
{{Anchor|The Scorrero Nets}}
===Scorrero Nets (Defunct)===
The Scorrero Nets were a [[Bourse]] resource located in [[#Oranseri|Oranseri]], seized by the Grendel in Spring 383YE as part of their conquest of Feroz. Custodianship of the Nets was an [[Imperial Title]] that brought with it a Seat on the [[Bourse]]. In Winter 384YE, a [[Drums_beat_in_my_head#The_Scorrero_Nets|daring plan]] was proposed to "steal" the nets by establishing the [[Cerevado Nets]] upriver in [[Segura]]. As a consequence, this Bourse resource ceased to exist, much to the chagrin of the Grendel governor Rahab.
{{Anchor|The Broken Shore Bounty}}
===The Broken Shore Bounty (Defunct)===
The [[Broken Shore Bounty]] was a Bourse resource that was technically located in the [[#Cazar Straits|Cazar Straits]] inasmuch as the holder of the [[Bourse]] seat has the use of a fortified villa in the hills near Cazar. The actual [[ilium]] that the seat provided was sourced throughout the Bay of Catazar; a portion of all ilium claimed from the nets of Freeborn, [[the League|League]], [[Highguard|Highborn]], and [[Urizen|Urizeni]] nets is claimed as part of the Bounty. It produced 7 rings of ilium each season and was allocated during the Spring Equinox.

When the Cazar Straits fell to the Grendel, they also seized the offices of the Broken Shore Bounty. Despite a [[Four_strong_winds#Broken_Shore_Bounty|proposal to move the offices]], the resource fell into disarray, the ilium ending up split between the Imperial Fleet Master and the Bourse Auction. With the ratification of the Grendel peace treaty, this title and resource effectively ceased to exist.
==Regions==
===Afarjasse===
'''Qualities:''' [[Region_qualities#Abandoned|Abandoned]], [[Region_qualities#Underpopulated|Underpopulated]]<br>
The wide open spaces of Afarjasse were sparsely populated even at the height of Feroz's prosperity. "Sweet afar" was a phrase sometimes used to describe being in the middle of nowhere, or an area where there was nothing but grass as far as the eye could see. The only major settlement was the quiet town of '''Afar''', established by [[hakima]] with close ties to the [[Guerra]] [[tribe]], near a potent [[regio]] tied to the [[Realms#Night|realm of Night]]. The town was not hard to reach, but it stood alone in a sea of sprawling grassland, and never encouraged casual visitors. On nights when powerful magics were performed, Afar was often visible for miles around - great bonfires blazing and massive drums pounding out powerful rhythms to help raise (or draw down, or both) the passionate energy for powerful workings.

As with the rest of Feroz, Afarjasse spent two years in the hands of the Grendel. The governor, Lord Rahab, made it clear that the hakima here would not be permitted access to their potent regio - they were after all an important strategic resource. Many of the people who once called the town home went into exile in [[Segura]] and [[Kahraman]] rather than endure Rahab's oppression. When the plains of Afarjasse were [[Glass_and_flame#Fontargenta_and_Bramar_and_Afar|liberated from the Grendel]] it was discovered that Rahab had established massive farms around Afar. The crops were tended by slaves, several hundred of whome were held at Afar in great dormitories, forced to work the fields until they fell, with the same heedless cruelty the Grendel apparently show to those who toil in their salt mines. These people were liberated by the [[Narwhal's Spear]] and the [[Fist of the Mountains]], who executed everyone responsible for their durance. Most were Imperial citizens, but maybe a hundred came from further afield, bought by Rahab from the slave markets of the Broken Shore. Those who are not already Imperial citizens were offered new homes in the Empire. The farms remain, but enthusiasm to work them is understandably low.

===Cazar Straits===
'''Qualities:''' Abandoned, Coastal, Impoverished, Island, Underpopulated<br>
For most of the Brass Coast's history, the islands of the Cazar Straits were dominated by [[corsair]] families. The largest settlement remains the port town from which the islands take their name - high-cliffed '''Cazar''' - but in recent years it has changed hands several times and is a shadow of its former self. Built around a bustling dock, it served as a safe harbour and home port for many of the [[fleet|fleets]] that protected the Bay from barbarian ships. The holder of the [[Broken Shore Bounty]] used to have the use of a fortified villa in the hills near Cazar, and the civil service offices that oversaw the resource were based here. Both were lost to the Grendel, then to the [[Children of Wrecks]], and in the last months of 387YE, to the [[Iron Confederacy]].

Even before the Children of Wrecks arrived, several of the more southerly islands of the Straits had a reputation for peculiarity. The corsairs of [[#Shantarim|Shantarim]] for example were renowned both for their enthusiastic rivalry with all other corsair families, and the zeal with which they waged war on the Grendel. The [[#Isle of the Osseini|Isle of the Osseini]] is also found here, once home to a sect of strange priests, allegedly haunted by the ghosts of drowned pirates, then the site of an uneasy truce between orc magicians and Freeborn priests. Towards the end of the peace treaty with the Grendel, however, a fleet of warships from the [[Asavean Archipelago]] slaughtered the justicars of Osseini and ruined the town of Shantarim. When the Children of Wrecks claimed the region, there was precious little left for them to destroy.

Shortly after the Autumn Equinox 387YE, a naval force belonging to the Iron Confederacy [[Red_skies#Swords_of_the_South|assailed the Cazar Straits]]. They smashed the Children of Wrecks stronghold and claimed the islands for themselves. [[Poets_light_but_lamps#The_Iron_Confederacy|Initial diplomatic discussion]] of the fate of the islands was inconclusive.

Today, the waters around the Cazar Straits remain treacherous, in part this is due to the presence of dozens of immature kraken hatched in the waters by the Children of Wrecks.

===Fontargenta===
'''Qualities:''' Abandoned, Coastal, Impoverished<br>
The trading port of '''Bramar''' stands on the coast here. Surrounded by rich agricultural land, its bountiful cornfields once competed with [[the Marches|Marcher]] grain in markets across the southern nations of the Empire, and their vineyards were justly famous. Before the Grendel invasion it served as an important hub for the Imperial wine trade, with many excellent vintages passing through its docks - both from the Brass Coast to the rest of the world, and from the rest of the world to the Brass Coast (and thus the Empire). Two years of mismanagement by Lord Rahab coupled with raids by the Children of Wrecks [[Glass_and_flame#Fontargenta_and_Bramar_and_Afar|left the region devastated]], and it remains to be seen if the farms here will ever recover.

===Morajasse===
'''Qualities:''' Protectorate of Morajasse, Abandoned, Impoverished, Underpopulated<br>
Morajasse was once one of the richest parts of the Brass Coast, home to extensive spice gardens and renowned for its herbalists, [[surgical skills#apothecary|apothecaries]], and chefs. The largest town was '''Mora''', once simply a spice market, transformed the Lasambrian invasion of [[Segura]] in 363YE. The threat of the western barbarians prompted a burst of rapid militarisation in this previously peaceful settlement. Refugees streamed in from southern Segura: some supported by their families, others looking to work in the market. With the liberation of the western territory, a strange reversal took place - the pool of desperate labourers largely dried up with refugees returning to their homes.

Immediately following the [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Bravado|invasion of Feroz]] in 383YE, work was completed on a [[fortification]] at the town of Mora, [[#Mora's Rock|Mora's Rock]]. The fortification served the defenders well, but with the ratification of the peace treaty it was taken over, and expanded, by Grendel troops. It now serves as the base of operations of ''Wind Lord Saoirse'' and her partner ''Commander Fiersach'', as well as a sizable force of Grendel veterans, in what the Senate has recognised as the [[#Protectorate of Morajasse|Protectorate of Morajasse]].

Western Morajasse is the site of the great [[#The Spice Gardens of Feroz|Spice Gardens]] and the [[Vizier of the Incarnadine Satchel]] was often quite active here, dealing with agents of the Spice Gardens and traders from the Jewelled Isles. Following the Grendel treaty, the offices that supported the Vizier were abandoned, and while they are still notionally the owner of the miraculous satchel that gives them their name, their ability to support the nations' apothecaries and physicks has been greatly reduced.
{{CaptionedImage|file=Oran_by_the_Sea.jpg|caption=The Celesti Lighthouse sits high on the headland overlooking Oran.|align=right|width=400}}

===Oranseri===
'''Qualities:''' Abandoned, Coastal, Impoverished<br>
Across the bay from billowing [[Madruga#Siroc|Siroc]] stands the once-thriving port town of [[#Oran|Oran]]. It is the only place in Feroz that seems to have prospered under the Grendel occupation - for a given value of "prospered". The port grew in prominence and prosperity, serving as the seat of power for the Grendel governor Lord Rahab. Today the town is a mismatched mess of old Freeborn and new Grendel architectural styles, with the [[#Temple of Balo and the Black Bull|Temple of Balo and the Black Bull]] further complicating the matter by being resolutely Asavean in outline.

Just outside Oran lies the great [[Celesti_Lighthouse_Keeper#The_Celesti_Lighthouse|Celesti Lighthouse]], originally constructed during the reign of [[Emperor Barabbas]]. The lighthouse was looted under Rahab's governance, and nearly destroyed by the Children of Wrecks. In 387YE however, the beacon was repaired and restored to full functionality. Today its light shines brighter than ever - in large part thanks to the aid of the eternal [[Kimus]] who helped provide a unique lamp to shine brilliant beams across the dangerous waters of the Cazar Straits and the misty Bay of Oran.

West of Oran is the ''Scorrero Crossing''. The river Scorrero is wide and deep between Feroz and Madruga. During the Summer Solstice 383YE, the Grendel invaders attempted to take advantage of this by taking control of both bridges that connect the two Freeborn territories. Had they been successful, it would have been significantly harder for Imperial forces to move between Siroc and Oranseri. Their attempts were stymied, and ultimately became moot once the Scorrero [[Where_the_river_rises#Crossing|burst its banks]] and carried away all the existing bridges.

'''Joharra''' is a port south of Oran, considered much more stable than its northern cousin, and better known for its industry than its trade. Famous throughout the Empire for its cloth and dye-work, Joharra was called '' the Rainbow'' by coastal sailors who mark their progress round the coast with the first sight of the great billowing cloths hung out to dry on tall wooden frames along the low cliffs. As with the other settlements of Oranseri, the weavers and dyers here laboured for years under the yoke of the Grendel orcs. Many endured, however, and there is still [[Send_for_me#Inkworks_of_Joharra|potential to revive]] the industry here.

==Strategic Considerations==
* '''The damage to the bridges along the Scorrero prevents movement between Feroz and Madruga'''
* '''Cazar Straits have the Island quality which greatly complicates access by armies'''
The damage to almost all the bridges along the Scorrero means that it is effectively impossible for an [[Army|army]] to move between Feroz and [[Madruga]] (or vice versa). More information can be found in the '''[[Where_the_river_rises#Crossing|Where the river rises]]''' wind of fortune.

The islands of the Cazar Straits are separated from land by deep water, treacherous shoals, and the presence of juvenile kraken unleashed by the Children of Wrecks. Armies cannot move to, from, or through this region, nor can they attack it, unless transported by a [[navy]].
<div style="float:left; width: 450px; clear: right;">{{CaptionedImage|file=Garviel i Abrira i Erigo.jpg|caption='''Garviel i Abrira i Erigo''', Senator for Feroz|align=left|width=500}}</div>
{{Senate Elections|Senator_for_Feroz|Territory=Feroz|Season=Summer|Controlled=is}}

==OOC Notes==
* As of the start of the Winter Solstice 387YE, the Iron Confederacy control the Cazar Straits, the Protectorate of Morajasse controls Morajasse, and the Brass Coast controls Afarjasse, Fontargenta, and Oranseri. Feroz is an Imperial territory
* [[#Mora's Rock|Mora's Rock]] is a rank two fortification controlled by the Grendel.
* The status of various titles and resources located in Feroz is outlined in more detail in [[To_curb_those_raging_appetites#Lost_Opportunities|To curb those raging appetites]], a Winter 383YE wind of fortune.

==Further Reading==
* [[Red skies]] - 387YE Winter wind of war about the Iron Confederacy invasion of the Cazar Straits
* [[A circle sewn with fate]] - 387YE Spring wind of war detailing the Wrecker attack on Oran
* [[Send for me]] - 386YE Winter wind of fortune about the rebuilding of Feroz
* [[Glass and flame]] - 386YE Autumn wind of war about the liberation of Feroz
* [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Spindrift|Winds of War 383YE Spring]] - Detailing the Grendel invasion
* [[383YE_Summer_Solstice_winds_of_war#The_World_is_Not_Enough|Winds of War 383YE Summer]]
* [[383YE_Autumn_Equinox_winds_of_war#Bronze|Winds of War 383YE Autumn]]
* [[Ratify_treaty_with_the_Grendel_Autumn_383YE#Treaty|Treaty]] - the Autumn 383YE treaty with the Grendel
* [[To curb those raging appetites]] - a Winter 383YE wind of fortune that details the situation for Freeborn in Feroz
* [[Everything has a price]] - a Winter 383YE wind of fortune that details the general situation with the Grendel, and has several notes about their presence in Feroz
* [[Bones in the ocean]] - a Winter 383YE wind of fortune that specifically deals with the [[#Isle of the Osseini|Isle of the Osseini]] and the justicars

Feroz

2026-05-13T11:11:35Z

Rafferty: /* Strategic Considerations */

{{CaptionedImage|file=RegionsofFeroz.png|title=Southernmost of the Freeborn territories, lush but threatened by barbarians over land and sea|caption=Regions of Feroz|align=left|width=500}}[[Category:Gazetteer]][[Category:Imperial Territory]][[category:The Brass Coast]]
{{stub}}
== Overview ==
Feroz is the southernmost territory of the Brass Coast, and like [[Madruga]] to the north has both isles and coastline. Here the climate is warm and humid, perfect for the cultivation of different plants. This is the home of the fabulous spice gardens of Feroz, a source of great revenue for the people of this territory. The seas are more treacherous here, and the south and the west are constantly threatened by barbarians by land. As a result, many armed merchants patrolled the seas, and groups of young warriors journeyed along the borders, fighting skirmishes against jealous foes.

There is a traditional rivalry between the families of Feroz and those of Madruga. The northern territory was the first settled when the Freeborn [[The_Brass_Coast_history#The_Conquest_of_the_Coast|left Highguard]], and there is a popular stereotype that the people who live there are "stuck up". This stereotype is more humorous than hateful - the Freeborn move around too much to allow such prejudice to root itself too firmly in their psyche. Still, if a citizen of Feroz wants to insult a citizen of Madruga, they will fall back on accusations of arrogance and an over-reliance on tradition.

Some of the finest [[Surgical skills#Apothecary|apothecaries]] on the Brass Coast once lived in Feroz - the art of [[potion]] making has been studied here for centuries and even after two years of occupation by the Grendel it is still home to a great many [[herb garden|herb gardens]]. The mainland is a criss-cross patchwork of [[farm|farms]] and small settlements. At the height of its prosperity, a great deal of the food and drink consumed on the Brass Coast was produced here and exported to other Freeborn territories.

Unfortunately, in recent years the territory has been hit by disaster after disaster. Repeated raids by the Grendel eventually gave way to a concerted invasion, and while it was pushed back, the barbarian of the Broken Shore did not abandon their ambition to conquer Feroz. In 383YE, a [[Ratify treaty with the Grendel Autumn 383YE|peace treaty]] ceded the territory to the invaders, and saw the vicious, greedy, and tyrannical ''Governor Rahab'' establish his dominion over Feroz. The Freeborn organised a [[The power behind our moves|grand evacuation]] that saw much of the population escape Rahab's hungry grasp and resettle elsewhere in the Coast, but the move came at a price. When the treaty ended, and the Grendel were (mostly) driven out, Feroz was left abandoned, wrecked, and heavily underpopulated, its former residents preferring to stay with the new lives they had built elsewhere rather than return. Worse, the [[#Cazar Straits|Cazar Straits]] were taken by the [[Children of Wrecks]], transformed into a stronghold for the servants of the eternal [[Siakha]]. They in turn were supplanted towards the end of 387YE by the [[Iron Confederacy]], who drove out the Wreckers and claimed the island for themselves.

On the mainland, the situation is a little better, but what was once one of the richest Freeborn territories still struggles with the weight of two years of exploitation by a money-hungry tyrant, and what many see as its abandonment by the Empire.

==Recent History==
Being on the [[Bay of Catazar]], Feroz has always been under threat from the [[Grendel]] [[orc|orcs]]. In Spring 383YE, the orcs [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Spindrift|launched a naval invasion]], capturing [[#Oranseri|Oranseri]] and the [[#Cazar Straits|Cazar Straits]] in short order and making significant inroads into [[#Fontargenta|Fontargenta]]. The Grendel installed a grizzled old orc named ''Lord Rahab'' as overseer of the conquered land; he took up residence in the offices of the [[Scorrero Nets]] and quickly set about attempting to bring the rest of Feroz under his control. Part of their plan appeared to involve the ghosts of the [[#Isle of the Osseini|Isle of the Osseini]], but the scheme was countered by Imperial heroes travelling through the [[Sentinel Gate]] to exorcise the spirits and defeat the Grendel seeking to make use of them.

Undaunted by the loss of their supernatural weapon, the orcs kept up their assault. By Summer 383YE, they [[383YE_Summer_Solstice_winds_of_war#The_World_is_Not_Enough|sought to consolidate their gains in Fontargenta]]; they were opposed by [[Navarr]] and [[the Marches|Marcher]] [[Army|armies]], who held the Grendel at the town of [[#Fontargenta|Bramar]] for two days before being forced to retreat. They were able to slow the Grendel advance, however, leaving the orcs bogged down in Fontargenta and unable to press inland.

Following the engagement in Fontargenta, and battling under a powerful supernatural storm, the Grendel [[383YE_Autumn_Equinox_winds_of_war#Bronze|brought even more force]] to bear in the territory. While the Imperial armies were reinforced by [[Highguard|Highborn]] troops, the orc navies disgorged a great host of their own warriors. The fighting was bitter, but in the end Fontargenta fell - and as Fontargenta falls, so falls Feroz. While [[#Morajasse|Morajasse]] and [[#Afarjasse|Afarjasse]] remained free, the Grendel forces continued to mass along the coast.

During the Autumn Equinox 383, the [[Senate]] [[Ratify_treaty_with_the_Grendel_Autumn_383YE#Treaty|ratified a peace treaty]] with the Grendel. Presented by the [[Imperial Fleet Master]], among other things it [[Powers_of_the_Imperial_Senate#Concedence|ceded]] the two remaining regions of Feroz to the Grendel, albeit with provisions allowing Imperial citizens still in Morajasse and Afarjasse to withdraw to safety. Following the Equinox, Lord Rahab's forces spread out quickly to bring the two western regions under his control; Feroz was now [[To_curb_those_raging_appetites|completely under Grendel control]].

Just before the Autumn Equinox 386YE, the Imperial forces reconquered [[Glass_and_flame| reconquered Feroz]]. Possession of the territory is complicated by [[Children_of_Wrecks|Children of Wrecks]] as well as the remnants of the Grendel. Feroz has been run into the ground by Lord Rahab, eager to extract every drop of profit from the place, and it requires significant investment to return the territory to even a fraction of its former wealth.

In 386YE, the [[Senate]] commissioned an [[appraisal]] of Feroz that laid out many of the challenges presented by the newly reclaimed territory, and some potential solutions. Details are contained in the '''[[Send_for_me#State_of_Feroz|Send for me]]''' wind of fortune.

== Major Features ==
===Oran===
The largest and most prestigious port was Feroz is Oran, on the northern coast of [[#Oranseri|Oranseri]]. Across the bay from billowing [[Madruga#Siroc_(Ruined)|Siroc]] this thriving port specialised in high-value products such as fine wines and spice mixes. Unsurprisingly, given its position, for most of its history it has engaged in low-key economic warfare with its larger cousin to the north - Oran notably has cheaper dock fees than Siroc, and a number of entrepreneurs prefer to operate here as a consequence. It is especially welcoming to those merchants who are just starting out, and has a reputation for being more energetic than its competitors to the north and south. This energy has been significantly boosted by construction of the only open [[#The Temple of Balo and the Black Bull|Asavean Temple]] in the entire Empire; the surge of [[Asavean Archipelago|Asavean]] ships visiting Oran saw the town expand significantly to become the largest trading port in Feroz.

In Spring 383YE, however, Oran was [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Spindrift|conquered by the Grendel]]. An orc governor, Lord Rahab, chose the town as the site for his court, converting the offices of the [[Scorrero Nets]] to his personal use. Among other things, this invasion saw the collapse of the [[Broken Shore Bounty]], the Scorrero Nets falling into orc hands, and the Temple of Balo and the Black Bull sealing its doors against the orcs while offering sanctuary to Freeborn families. Following the treaty signed during the Autumn Equinox, the Grendel opened Oran as a port [[Everything_has_a_price#A_New_Destination|available to Imperial captains]]. This situation persisted until the peace treaty ended, and war with the Grendel resumed.

After the Summer Solstice 386YE, Imperial forces swept into Oranseri to liberate the territory from the Grendel. They [[Glass_and_flame#The_Siege_of_Oran|laid siege]] to Oran, and were quickly victorious. The [[Below_the_thunders#Objective:_Eliminate_Governor_Rahab|recent death of Governor Rahab]] in battle with the Empire's heroes left the garrison demoralised and disorganised. It was a grievous victory, however. The fighting that raged through the town, the overwhelming assault, the barrage of catapult stones, all contributed to the fact that many of the buildings have been left in ruins, and many more damaged. A fire at the docks threatened to spread through the town and only the valiant actions of League soldiers managed bring it under control. Barely a year later the town again came under serious attack, this time by the Children of Wrecks. Without the [[A_circle_sewn_with_fate#The_Battle_of_Oran|prompt action]] of the [[orc|orcs]] from the [[#Protectorate of Morajasse|Protectorate of Morajasse]], Oran again might have been destroyed. As it is, the town remains intact but in a sadly impoverished state.

Proposals have been put forward to [[Send_for_me#Wharfage_of_Oran|rebuild Oran]], but it remains to be seen what the future holds for the port town.

{{Anchor|The Temple of Balo and the Black Bull}}
===Temple of Balo and the Black Bull===
During the Spring Equinox 380YE, permission was granted to the people of the [[Asavean Archipelago]] to construct a major temple to their gods in [[#Oranseri|Oran]]. Initially, construction was expected to be completed shortly before the Autumn Equinox 380YE, but the temple did not actually open its doors until shortly before the Spring Equinox 381YE. The town is seeing an influx of Asavean shipping bringing white granite and architects to the Brass Coast, as well as throwing crowns around like water to secure local labour to complete their project. Relations between the people of the Empire and the priests of Asavea are monitored by ''[[El oficial de enlace imperial con los sacerdotes de Balo y el toro negro]]'' ("The Imperial intermediary to the priests of Balo and the Black Bull"), who among other things is able to [[ministry|buy Asavean goods]] at a reduced price. During the Summer Solstice 380YE, the Assembly of Nine supported Abaddon de Rondell in [[Temple_of_the_bull#Resolution|denouncing]] the temple as an idolatrous affront, making it significantly harder for the Asaveans to find labourers prepared to work on the construction and both delaying its completion and laying a significant economic burden on the foreign priests.

The temple remained extremely controversial among Imperial priests. When Oran fell to the Grendel, however, the priests at the temple [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Sand|offered sanctuary]] to a number of Freeborn families in spite of Governor Rahab's unhappiness. Several of those families were ultimately smuggled to safety in Madruga. Despite this, however, it was clear that the Asaveans were happy to work with the new owners of Oran - there were rumours that they quickly recognised a Grendel as the [[Imperial Delegate to the Temple in Feroz|Delegate to the Temple in Feroz]]. This situation was further exacerbated by the Summer 383YE [[Through_my_sails#Ruined_Buildings|attack]] on the "sister temple" to the Black Bull, the temple of the Way in Nemoria.

When Oran was [[Glass_and_flame#The_Siege_of_Oran|liberated from the Grendel]] in 386YE Autumn, the priests surrendered ''en masse'' and [[Glass_and_flame#Game_Information_:_Asavean_Diplomacy|asked to be repatriated]] back to the Archipelago. As of the winter of 387YE, the temple still stands but without tenants.

'''OOC Notes:''' More details on the construction of the Temple of Balo and the Black Bull can be found in the winds of fortune, specifically [[Seven_lords_of_virtue#Temple_of_Bahlo_and_the_Black_Bull|Seven lords of virtue]], [[Those who worship#The Black Bull|Those who worship]], and [[Distant deeps]].
{{Anchor|Protectorate of Morajasse}}
===Mora's Rock===
Built as part of the grand project to create [[fortification|fortifications]] across the southern Empire in response to the threat of the [[Grendel]], Mora's Rock in [[#Morajasse|Morajasse]] was completed in the months following the [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Bravado|invasion of 383YE]]. The fortification squats above the town of Mora, guarding against invasion from [[Segura]], and providing garrisons and scouts who can offer resistance to assaults from the sea.

When Morajasse was ceded to the Grendel in Autumn 383YE, they took control of the fortification and later expanded it significantly. The fortification resisted the [[Glass and flame|liberation]] of the territory, and as of the beginning of 387YE remains under the control of the Grendel. The garrison is led by ''[[Glass_and_flame#The_Shadow_of_Mora's_Rock|Commander Gallum Fiersach]]'', ably supported by his partner, the ''Wind Lord Saoirse''.

The garrison there includes a warband of veteran [[Elite_Grendel_troops#The_Stone_Born|Stone Born]], and the remainder appear to be very experienced soldiers. These Grendel are enemies of the Empire, obviously, but that did not prevent them acting to [[A_circle_sewn_with_fate#The_Battle_of_Oran|protect Oran]] from the Children of Wrecks in early 387YE. In the Summer of that year, the Senate [[387YE_Summer_Solstice_Senate_sessions#Recognise_Protectorate_of_Gallum_Fiersach|recognised the Protectorate of Morajasse]] as foreigners, as long as they reamined independent of the Grendel. While there is still tension between the Freeborn and the orcs many see as occupying Morajasse, for now at least Gallum Fiersach's forces seem content to keep to their castle, apart from regular patrols along the borders of Feroz aimed at protecting the territory from the Children of Wrecks - and the Iron Confederacy.
===The Spice Gardens of Feroz===
In western [[#Morajasse|Morajasse]] stand the legendary Spice Gardens of Feroz - a set of heavily-walled enclosures covering several acres where the finest spices in the Empire are grown. A rich source of trade for whoever controls the gardens, the [[Imperial title]] of [[Keeper of the Spice Gardens]] has changed hands between families only a handful of times in the last few centuries, and the bargaining leading up to a new appointment has regularly involved the whole nation.

The peace treaty of Autumn 383YE that ceded control of Morajasse to the Grendel saw the Spice Gardens fall into the hands of the orcs. The Grendel appreciate fine spices as much as any Freeborn so the evidence is that they did not harm the legendary Gardens - but for many Freeborn the idea of their beautiful spice gardens being operated by Grendel slaves was particularly heinous. With Governor Rahab dead and Feroz liberated, the Spice Gardens remain out of Imperial hands as part of the [[#Protectorate of Morjasse|Protectorate of Morajasse]].
==Lost and Ruined==
{{anchor|Shantarim}}
===Shantarim (ruined)===
In the southern islands of the [[#Cazar Straits|Cazar Straits]] the town of Shantarim was one a [[corsair]] stronghold. The families were are known to engage in fierce competition with their northern rivals, not only in Madruga but also in [[#Oranseri|Oranseri]] and even the other islands of the Straits. Smaller than the town of Cazar, Shantarim had a reputation for being somewhat less cosmopolitan than the other towns of Feroz - visitors from mainland families sometimes encounter prejudice and suspicion. The families of Shantarim more than made up for their relatively small size with the enthusiasm with which they opposed the orcs of the Broken Shore.

Prior to the [[Ratify treaty with the Grendel Autumn 383YE|peace treaty]] of 383YE, they were loud supporters of the [[Freeborn Storm]], and the various raids against the Grendel. The signing of the peace treaty with the southern orcs tied their hands, making it illegal to fight the Grendel, which became been a major source of dissension in Shantarim.

Towards the end of the ceasefire secured by the treaty, in 385YE, Shatarim was attacked and wrecked. Warships of the [[Asavean Archipelago]], allies of the Grendel occupation, engaged in a campaign of destruction across the Cazar Straits, and along with the Isle of the Osseini, Shantarim bore the brunt. Many corsairs who had endured the occupation of the Grendel were slain, and the town was looted and left in ruins. When the Children of Wrecks arrived, there was precious little left for the to wreck.
<div style="float:right; width: 450px; clear: right;"><box>'''Justicars'''<br>The priests who previously lived on the Isle of the Osseini called themselves ''justicars''. Specialist exorcists and inquisitors in the pre-Imperial history of the Brass Coast, they specialised in driving out malign spirits or cleansing unpleasant auras from people, places and objects. Never particularly populous, their sanctuary on the Isle of the Osseini was all but wiped out by the Grendel. A handful remained elsewhere, and during the Autumn Equinox 383YE the Freeborn assembly [[383YE_Autumn_Equinox_Synod_judgements#Judgement_22|called on them to come together to preserve their traditions]]. A small enclave of justicars was established on the Isle of Osseini at the sufferance of the Grendel. Unfortunately, when Asavean warships went on a rampage in 385YE, the first place they attacked was this enclave, putting the priests to the sword and burning the enclave. When the Children of Wrecks arrived, the Grendel magicians still left on the island fled back to the Broken Shore. As far as anyone knows today, the island is abandoned.</box></div>

{{Anchor|Isle of the Osseini}}
===Isle of the Osseini (Ruined)===
At the southern tip of the [[#Cazar Straits|Cazar Straits]], the island was known for its heavy sea fog, its ghosts, and for a small sect of Freeborn priests famed for their knowledge of the arts of [[exorcism]]. Stories claimed the Isle was haunted by those who had died at sea, but most Freeborn had no truck with such foolishness. In 383YE, however, it became clear these tales of ghosts were more than just idle gossip. During the Spring Equinox of that year, a [[Grendel]] shaman attempted to unleash a ghostly legion of drowned orcs bound in some fashion to white granite pillars on the island against the defenders of Feroz. Before they could do so they were [[383YE_Summer_Solstice_winds_of_war#The_World_is_Not_Enough|thwarted by Imperial heroes]] who reached the isle via the [[Sentinel Gate]]. Once the heroes retreated, the status of the island, the pillars, and the remaining priests was unknown.

Then in Autumn 383YE, as part of the negotiations that led to the peace treaty with the Grendel, a contract was negotiated with the orc diplomat regarding the Isle of the Osseini. In the wake of that agreement, a small group of priests were allowed to visit the Isle with a Grendel escort. There they discovered the remaining priests were dead, the ghost-binding pillars had been destroyed, and the island was in the hands of a coven of Grendel magicians. The orcs had already constructed a permanent residence there built around a particular Winter regio, and were less than welcoming to the Freeborn. Further negotiations followed; in the end the Freeborn were allowed to establish a small enclave here, under the careful watch of the Grendel.

The return of the justicars was short-lived. In 385YE, a fleet of warships from the Asavean Archipelago went on a murderous rampage in the southern Cazar Straits. Allies of the Grendel, they slaughtered the priests and burned the enclave before sailing north to Shantarim. When the Children of Wrecks arrived, the remaining Grendel magicians fled back to the Broken Shore. By the close of 387YE, the island appears to be abandoned, although it remains to be seen what the Iron Confederacy plan to do with it.

'''OOC Note:''' You can learn more about the historic Isle of the Osseini in the [[Bones in the ocean]] wind of fortune.
{{Anchor|The Scorrero Nets}}
===Scorrero Nets (Defunct)===
The Scorrero Nets were a [[Bourse]] resource located in [[#Oranseri|Oranseri]], seized by the Grendel in Spring 383YE as part of their conquest of Feroz. Custodianship of the Nets was an [[Imperial Title]] that brought with it a Seat on the [[Bourse]]. In Winter 384YE, a [[Drums_beat_in_my_head#The_Scorrero_Nets|daring plan]] was proposed to "steal" the nets by establishing the [[Cerevado Nets]] upriver in [[Segura]]. As a consequence, this Bourse resource ceased to exist, much to the chagrin of the Grendel governor Rahab.
{{Anchor|The Broken Shore Bounty}}
===The Broken Shore Bounty (Defunct)===
The [[Broken Shore Bounty]] was a Bourse resource that was technically located in the [[#Cazar Straits|Cazar Straits]] inasmuch as the holder of the [[Bourse]] seat has the use of a fortified villa in the hills near Cazar. The actual [[ilium]] that the seat provided was sourced throughout the Bay of Catazar; a portion of all ilium claimed from the nets of Freeborn, [[the League|League]], [[Highguard|Highborn]], and [[Urizen|Urizeni]] nets is claimed as part of the Bounty. It produced 7 rings of ilium each season and was allocated during the Spring Equinox.

When the Cazar Straits fell to the Grendel, they also seized the offices of the Broken Shore Bounty. Despite a [[Four_strong_winds#Broken_Shore_Bounty|proposal to move the offices]], the resource fell into disarray, the ilium ending up split between the Imperial Fleet Master and the Bourse Auction. With the ratification of the Grendel peace treaty, this title and resource effectively ceased to exist.
==Regions==
===Afarjasse===
'''Qualities:''' [[Region_qualities#Abandoned|Abandoned]], [[Region_qualities#Underpopulated|Underpopulated]]<br>
The wide open spaces of Afarjasse were sparsely populated even at the height of Feroz's prosperity. "Sweet afar" was a phrase sometimes used to describe being in the middle of nowhere, or an area where there was nothing but grass as far as the eye could see. The only major settlement was the quiet town of '''Afar''', established by [[hakima]] with close ties to the [[Guerra]] [[tribe]], near a potent [[regio]] tied to the [[Realms#Night|realm of Night]]. The town was not hard to reach, but it stood alone in a sea of sprawling grassland, and never encouraged casual visitors. On nights when powerful magics were performed, Afar was often visible for miles around - great bonfires blazing and massive drums pounding out powerful rhythms to help raise (or draw down, or both) the passionate energy for powerful workings.

As with the rest of Feroz, Afarjasse spent two years in the hands of the Grendel. The governor, Lord Rahab, made it clear that the hakima here would not be permitted access to their potent regio - they were after all an important strategic resource. Many of the people who once called the town home went into exile in [[Segura]] and [[Kahraman]] rather than endure Rahab's oppression. When the plains of Afarjasse were [[Glass_and_flame#Fontargenta_and_Bramar_and_Afar|liberated from the Grendel]] it was discovered that Rahab had established massive farms around Afar. The crops were tended by slaves, several hundred of whome were held at Afar in great dormitories, forced to work the fields until they fell, with the same heedless cruelty the Grendel apparently show to those who toil in their salt mines. These people were liberated by the [[Narwhal's Spear]] and the [[Fist of the Mountains]], who executed everyone responsible for their durance. Most were Imperial citizens, but maybe a hundred came from further afield, bought by Rahab from the slave markets of the Broken Shore. Those who are not already Imperial citizens were offered new homes in the Empire. The farms remain, but enthusiasm to work them is understandably low.

===Cazar Straits===
'''Qualities:''' Abandoned, Coastal, Impoverished, Island, Underpopulated<br>
For most of the Brass Coast's history, the islands of the Cazar Straits were dominated by [[corsair]] families. The largest settlement remains the port town from which the islands take their name - high-cliffed '''Cazar''' - but in recent years it has changed hands several times and is a shadow of its former self. Built around a bustling dock, it served as a safe harbour and home port for many of the [[fleet|fleets]] that protected the Bay from barbarian ships. The holder of the [[Broken Shore Bounty]] used to have the use of a fortified villa in the hills near Cazar, and the civil service offices that oversaw the resource were based here. Both were lost to the Grendel, then to the [[Children of Wrecks]], and in the last months of 387YE, to the [[Iron Confederacy]].

Even before the Children of Wrecks arrived, several of the more southerly islands of the Straits had a reputation for peculiarity. The corsairs of [[#Shantarim|Shantarim]] for example were renowned both for their enthusiastic rivalry with all other corsair families, and the zeal with which they waged war on the Grendel. The [[#Isle of the Osseini|Isle of the Osseini]] is also found here, once home to a sect of strange priests, allegedly haunted by the ghosts of drowned pirates, then the site of an uneasy truce between orc magicians and Freeborn priests. Towards the end of the peace treaty with the Grendel, however, a fleet of warships from the [[Asavean Archipelago]] slaughtered the justicars of Osseini and ruined the town of Shantarim. When the Children of Wrecks claimed the region, there was precious little left for them to destroy.

Shortly after the Autumn Equinox 387YE, a naval force belonging to the Iron Confederacy [[Red_skies#Swords_of_the_South|assailed the Cazar Straits]]. They smashed the Children of Wrecks stronghold and claimed the islands for themselves. [[Poets_light_but_lamps#The_Iron_Confederacy|Initial diplomatic discussion]] of the fate of the islands was inconclusive.

Today, the waters around the Cazar Straits remain treacherous, in part this is due to the presence of dozens of immature kraken hatched in the waters by the Children of Wrecks.

===Fontargenta===
'''Qualities:''' Abandoned, Coastal, Impoverished<br>
The trading port of '''Bramar''' stands on the coast here. Surrounded by rich agricultural land, its bountiful cornfields once competed with [[the Marches|Marcher]] grain in markets across the southern nations of the Empire, and their vineyards were justly famous. Before the Grendel invasion it served as an important hub for the Imperial wine trade, with many excellent vintages passing through its docks - both from the Brass Coast to the rest of the world, and from the rest of the world to the Brass Coast (and thus the Empire). Two years of mismanagement by Lord Rahab coupled with raids by the Children of Wrecks [[Glass_and_flame#Fontargenta_and_Bramar_and_Afar|left the region devastated]], and it remains to be seen if the farms here will ever recover.

===Morajasse===
'''Qualities:''' Protectorate of Morajasse, Abandoned, Impoverished, Underpopulated<br>
Morajasse was once one of the richest parts of the Brass Coast, home to extensive spice gardens and renowned for its herbalists, [[surgical skills#apothecary|apothecaries]], and chefs. The largest town was '''Mora''', once simply a spice market, transformed the Lasambrian invasion of [[Segura]] in 363YE. The threat of the western barbarians prompted a burst of rapid militarisation in this previously peaceful settlement. Refugees streamed in from southern Segura: some supported by their families, others looking to work in the market. With the liberation of the western territory, a strange reversal took place - the pool of desperate labourers largely dried up with refugees returning to their homes.

Immediately following the [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Bravado|invasion of Feroz]] in 383YE, work was completed on a [[fortification]] at the town of Mora, [[#Mora's Rock|Mora's Rock]]. The fortification served the defenders well, but with the ratification of the peace treaty it was taken over, and expanded, by Grendel troops. It now serves as the base of operations of ''Wind Lord Saoirse'' and her partner ''Commander Fiersach'', as well as a sizable force of Grendel veterans, in what the Senate has recognised as the [[#Protectorate of Morajasse|Protectorate of Morajasse]].

Western Morajasse is the site of the great [[#The Spice Gardens of Feroz|Spice Gardens]] and the [[Vizier of the Incarnadine Satchel]] was often quite active here, dealing with agents of the Spice Gardens and traders from the Jewelled Isles. Following the Grendel treaty, the offices that supported the Vizier were abandoned, and while they are still notionally the owner of the miraculous satchel that gives them their name, their ability to support the nations' apothecaries and physicks has been greatly reduced.
{{CaptionedImage|file=Oran_by_the_Sea.jpg|caption=The Celesti Lighthouse sits high on the headland overlooking Oran.|align=right|width=400}}

===Oranseri===
'''Qualities:''' Abandoned, Coastal, Impoverished<br>
Across the bay from billowing [[Madruga#Siroc|Siroc]] stands the once-thriving port town of [[#Oran|Oran]]. It is the only place in Feroz that seems to have prospered under the Grendel occupation - for a given value of "prospered". The port grew in prominence and prosperity, serving as the seat of power for the Grendel governor Lord Rahab. Today the town is a mismatched mess of old Freeborn and new Grendel architectural styles, with the [[#Temple of Balo and the Black Bull|Temple of Balo and the Black Bull]] further complicating the matter by being resolutely Asavean in outline.

Just outside Oran lies the great [[Celesti_Lighthouse_Keeper#The_Celesti_Lighthouse|Celesti Lighthouse]], originally constructed during the reign of [[Emperor Barabbas]]. The lighthouse was looted under Rahab's governance, and nearly destroyed by the Children of Wrecks. In 387YE however, the beacon was repaired and restored to full functionality. Today its light shines brighter than ever - in large part thanks to the aid of the eternal [[Kimus]] who helped provide a unique lamp to shine brilliant beams across the dangerous waters of the Cazar Straits and the misty Bay of Oran.

West of Oran is the ''Scorrero Crossing''. The river Scorrero is wide and deep between Feroz and Madruga. During the Summer Solstice 383YE, the Grendel invaders attempted to take advantage of this by taking control of both bridges that connect the two Freeborn territories. Had they been successful, it would have been significantly harder for Imperial forces to move between Siroc and Oranseri. Their attempts were stymied, and ultimately became moot once the Scorrero [[Where_the_river_rises#Crossing|burst its banks]] and carried away all the existing bridges.

'''Joharra''' is a port south of Oran, considered much more stable than its northern cousin, and better known for its industry than its trade. Famous throughout the Empire for its cloth and dye-work, Joharra was called '' the Rainbow'' by coastal sailors who mark their progress round the coast with the first sight of the great billowing cloths hung out to dry on tall wooden frames along the low cliffs. As with the other settlements of Oranseri, the weavers and dyers here laboured for years under the yoke of the Grendel orcs. Many endured, however, and there is still [[Send_for_me#Inkworks_of_Joharra|potential to revive]] the industry here.

==Strategic Considerations==
* '''The damage to the bridges along the Scorrero prevents movement between Feroz and Madruga'''
* '''Cazar Straits have the Island quality which greatly complicates access by armies'''
The damage to almost all the bridges along the Scorrero means that it is effectively impossible for an [[Army|army]] to move between Feroz and [[Madruga]] (or vice versa). More information can be found in the '''[[Where_the_river_rises#Crossing|Where the river rises]]''' wind of fortune.

The islands of the Cazar Straits are separated from land by deep water, treacherous shoals, and the presence of juvenile kraken unleashed by the Children of Wrecks. Armies cannot move to, from, or through this region, nor can they attack it, unless transported by a [[navy]].
<div style="float:left; width: 450px; clear: right;">{{CaptionedImage|file=Garviel i Abrira i Erigo.jpg|caption='''Garviel i Abrira i Erigo''', Senator for Feroz|align=left|width=500}}</div>
{{Senate Elections|Senator_for_Feroz|Territory=Feroz|Season=Summer|Controlled=is}}

==OOC Notes==
* As of the start of the Winter Solstice 387YE, the Iron Confederacy control the Cazar Straits, the Grendel control Morajasse, and the Brass Coast controls Afarjasse, Fontargenta, and Oranseri. Feroz is an Imperial territory
* [[#Mora's Rock|Mora's Rock]] is a rank two fortification controlled by the Grendel.
* The status of various titles and resources located in Feroz is outlined in more detail in [[To_curb_those_raging_appetites#Lost_Opportunities|To curb those raging appetites]], a Winter 383YE wind of fortune.

==Further Reading==
* [[Red skies]] - 387YE Winter wind of war about the Iron Confederacy invasion of the Cazar Straits
* [[A circle sewn with fate]] - 387YE Spring wind of war detailing the Wrecker attack on Oran
* [[Send for me]] - 386YE Winter wind of fortune about the rebuilding of Feroz
* [[Glass and flame]] - 386YE Autumn wind of war about the liberation of Feroz
* [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Spindrift|Winds of War 383YE Spring]] - Detailing the Grendel invasion
* [[383YE_Summer_Solstice_winds_of_war#The_World_is_Not_Enough|Winds of War 383YE Summer]]
* [[383YE_Autumn_Equinox_winds_of_war#Bronze|Winds of War 383YE Autumn]]
* [[Ratify_treaty_with_the_Grendel_Autumn_383YE#Treaty|Treaty]] - the Autumn 383YE treaty with the Grendel
* [[To curb those raging appetites]] - a Winter 383YE wind of fortune that details the situation for Freeborn in Feroz
* [[Everything has a price]] - a Winter 383YE wind of fortune that details the general situation with the Grendel, and has several notes about their presence in Feroz
* [[Bones in the ocean]] - a Winter 383YE wind of fortune that specifically deals with the [[#Isle of the Osseini|Isle of the Osseini]] and the justicars

Feroz

2026-05-13T11:10:08Z

Rafferty: /* Oranseri */

{{CaptionedImage|file=RegionsofFeroz.png|title=Southernmost of the Freeborn territories, lush but threatened by barbarians over land and sea|caption=Regions of Feroz|align=left|width=500}}[[Category:Gazetteer]][[Category:Imperial Territory]][[category:The Brass Coast]]
{{stub}}
== Overview ==
Feroz is the southernmost territory of the Brass Coast, and like [[Madruga]] to the north has both isles and coastline. Here the climate is warm and humid, perfect for the cultivation of different plants. This is the home of the fabulous spice gardens of Feroz, a source of great revenue for the people of this territory. The seas are more treacherous here, and the south and the west are constantly threatened by barbarians by land. As a result, many armed merchants patrolled the seas, and groups of young warriors journeyed along the borders, fighting skirmishes against jealous foes.

There is a traditional rivalry between the families of Feroz and those of Madruga. The northern territory was the first settled when the Freeborn [[The_Brass_Coast_history#The_Conquest_of_the_Coast|left Highguard]], and there is a popular stereotype that the people who live there are "stuck up". This stereotype is more humorous than hateful - the Freeborn move around too much to allow such prejudice to root itself too firmly in their psyche. Still, if a citizen of Feroz wants to insult a citizen of Madruga, they will fall back on accusations of arrogance and an over-reliance on tradition.

Some of the finest [[Surgical skills#Apothecary|apothecaries]] on the Brass Coast once lived in Feroz - the art of [[potion]] making has been studied here for centuries and even after two years of occupation by the Grendel it is still home to a great many [[herb garden|herb gardens]]. The mainland is a criss-cross patchwork of [[farm|farms]] and small settlements. At the height of its prosperity, a great deal of the food and drink consumed on the Brass Coast was produced here and exported to other Freeborn territories.

Unfortunately, in recent years the territory has been hit by disaster after disaster. Repeated raids by the Grendel eventually gave way to a concerted invasion, and while it was pushed back, the barbarian of the Broken Shore did not abandon their ambition to conquer Feroz. In 383YE, a [[Ratify treaty with the Grendel Autumn 383YE|peace treaty]] ceded the territory to the invaders, and saw the vicious, greedy, and tyrannical ''Governor Rahab'' establish his dominion over Feroz. The Freeborn organised a [[The power behind our moves|grand evacuation]] that saw much of the population escape Rahab's hungry grasp and resettle elsewhere in the Coast, but the move came at a price. When the treaty ended, and the Grendel were (mostly) driven out, Feroz was left abandoned, wrecked, and heavily underpopulated, its former residents preferring to stay with the new lives they had built elsewhere rather than return. Worse, the [[#Cazar Straits|Cazar Straits]] were taken by the [[Children of Wrecks]], transformed into a stronghold for the servants of the eternal [[Siakha]]. They in turn were supplanted towards the end of 387YE by the [[Iron Confederacy]], who drove out the Wreckers and claimed the island for themselves.

On the mainland, the situation is a little better, but what was once one of the richest Freeborn territories still struggles with the weight of two years of exploitation by a money-hungry tyrant, and what many see as its abandonment by the Empire.

==Recent History==
Being on the [[Bay of Catazar]], Feroz has always been under threat from the [[Grendel]] [[orc|orcs]]. In Spring 383YE, the orcs [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Spindrift|launched a naval invasion]], capturing [[#Oranseri|Oranseri]] and the [[#Cazar Straits|Cazar Straits]] in short order and making significant inroads into [[#Fontargenta|Fontargenta]]. The Grendel installed a grizzled old orc named ''Lord Rahab'' as overseer of the conquered land; he took up residence in the offices of the [[Scorrero Nets]] and quickly set about attempting to bring the rest of Feroz under his control. Part of their plan appeared to involve the ghosts of the [[#Isle of the Osseini|Isle of the Osseini]], but the scheme was countered by Imperial heroes travelling through the [[Sentinel Gate]] to exorcise the spirits and defeat the Grendel seeking to make use of them.

Undaunted by the loss of their supernatural weapon, the orcs kept up their assault. By Summer 383YE, they [[383YE_Summer_Solstice_winds_of_war#The_World_is_Not_Enough|sought to consolidate their gains in Fontargenta]]; they were opposed by [[Navarr]] and [[the Marches|Marcher]] [[Army|armies]], who held the Grendel at the town of [[#Fontargenta|Bramar]] for two days before being forced to retreat. They were able to slow the Grendel advance, however, leaving the orcs bogged down in Fontargenta and unable to press inland.

Following the engagement in Fontargenta, and battling under a powerful supernatural storm, the Grendel [[383YE_Autumn_Equinox_winds_of_war#Bronze|brought even more force]] to bear in the territory. While the Imperial armies were reinforced by [[Highguard|Highborn]] troops, the orc navies disgorged a great host of their own warriors. The fighting was bitter, but in the end Fontargenta fell - and as Fontargenta falls, so falls Feroz. While [[#Morajasse|Morajasse]] and [[#Afarjasse|Afarjasse]] remained free, the Grendel forces continued to mass along the coast.

During the Autumn Equinox 383, the [[Senate]] [[Ratify_treaty_with_the_Grendel_Autumn_383YE#Treaty|ratified a peace treaty]] with the Grendel. Presented by the [[Imperial Fleet Master]], among other things it [[Powers_of_the_Imperial_Senate#Concedence|ceded]] the two remaining regions of Feroz to the Grendel, albeit with provisions allowing Imperial citizens still in Morajasse and Afarjasse to withdraw to safety. Following the Equinox, Lord Rahab's forces spread out quickly to bring the two western regions under his control; Feroz was now [[To_curb_those_raging_appetites|completely under Grendel control]].

Just before the Autumn Equinox 386YE, the Imperial forces reconquered [[Glass_and_flame| reconquered Feroz]]. Possession of the territory is complicated by [[Children_of_Wrecks|Children of Wrecks]] as well as the remnants of the Grendel. Feroz has been run into the ground by Lord Rahab, eager to extract every drop of profit from the place, and it requires significant investment to return the territory to even a fraction of its former wealth.

In 386YE, the [[Senate]] commissioned an [[appraisal]] of Feroz that laid out many of the challenges presented by the newly reclaimed territory, and some potential solutions. Details are contained in the '''[[Send_for_me#State_of_Feroz|Send for me]]''' wind of fortune.

== Major Features ==
===Oran===
The largest and most prestigious port was Feroz is Oran, on the northern coast of [[#Oranseri|Oranseri]]. Across the bay from billowing [[Madruga#Siroc_(Ruined)|Siroc]] this thriving port specialised in high-value products such as fine wines and spice mixes. Unsurprisingly, given its position, for most of its history it has engaged in low-key economic warfare with its larger cousin to the north - Oran notably has cheaper dock fees than Siroc, and a number of entrepreneurs prefer to operate here as a consequence. It is especially welcoming to those merchants who are just starting out, and has a reputation for being more energetic than its competitors to the north and south. This energy has been significantly boosted by construction of the only open [[#The Temple of Balo and the Black Bull|Asavean Temple]] in the entire Empire; the surge of [[Asavean Archipelago|Asavean]] ships visiting Oran saw the town expand significantly to become the largest trading port in Feroz.

In Spring 383YE, however, Oran was [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Spindrift|conquered by the Grendel]]. An orc governor, Lord Rahab, chose the town as the site for his court, converting the offices of the [[Scorrero Nets]] to his personal use. Among other things, this invasion saw the collapse of the [[Broken Shore Bounty]], the Scorrero Nets falling into orc hands, and the Temple of Balo and the Black Bull sealing its doors against the orcs while offering sanctuary to Freeborn families. Following the treaty signed during the Autumn Equinox, the Grendel opened Oran as a port [[Everything_has_a_price#A_New_Destination|available to Imperial captains]]. This situation persisted until the peace treaty ended, and war with the Grendel resumed.

After the Summer Solstice 386YE, Imperial forces swept into Oranseri to liberate the territory from the Grendel. They [[Glass_and_flame#The_Siege_of_Oran|laid siege]] to Oran, and were quickly victorious. The [[Below_the_thunders#Objective:_Eliminate_Governor_Rahab|recent death of Governor Rahab]] in battle with the Empire's heroes left the garrison demoralised and disorganised. It was a grievous victory, however. The fighting that raged through the town, the overwhelming assault, the barrage of catapult stones, all contributed to the fact that many of the buildings have been left in ruins, and many more damaged. A fire at the docks threatened to spread through the town and only the valiant actions of League soldiers managed bring it under control. Barely a year later the town again came under serious attack, this time by the Children of Wrecks. Without the [[A_circle_sewn_with_fate#The_Battle_of_Oran|prompt action]] of the [[orc|orcs]] from the [[#Protectorate of Morajasse|Protectorate of Morajasse]], Oran again might have been destroyed. As it is, the town remains intact but in a sadly impoverished state.

Proposals have been put forward to [[Send_for_me#Wharfage_of_Oran|rebuild Oran]], but it remains to be seen what the future holds for the port town.

{{Anchor|The Temple of Balo and the Black Bull}}
===Temple of Balo and the Black Bull===
During the Spring Equinox 380YE, permission was granted to the people of the [[Asavean Archipelago]] to construct a major temple to their gods in [[#Oranseri|Oran]]. Initially, construction was expected to be completed shortly before the Autumn Equinox 380YE, but the temple did not actually open its doors until shortly before the Spring Equinox 381YE. The town is seeing an influx of Asavean shipping bringing white granite and architects to the Brass Coast, as well as throwing crowns around like water to secure local labour to complete their project. Relations between the people of the Empire and the priests of Asavea are monitored by ''[[El oficial de enlace imperial con los sacerdotes de Balo y el toro negro]]'' ("The Imperial intermediary to the priests of Balo and the Black Bull"), who among other things is able to [[ministry|buy Asavean goods]] at a reduced price. During the Summer Solstice 380YE, the Assembly of Nine supported Abaddon de Rondell in [[Temple_of_the_bull#Resolution|denouncing]] the temple as an idolatrous affront, making it significantly harder for the Asaveans to find labourers prepared to work on the construction and both delaying its completion and laying a significant economic burden on the foreign priests.

The temple remained extremely controversial among Imperial priests. When Oran fell to the Grendel, however, the priests at the temple [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Sand|offered sanctuary]] to a number of Freeborn families in spite of Governor Rahab's unhappiness. Several of those families were ultimately smuggled to safety in Madruga. Despite this, however, it was clear that the Asaveans were happy to work with the new owners of Oran - there were rumours that they quickly recognised a Grendel as the [[Imperial Delegate to the Temple in Feroz|Delegate to the Temple in Feroz]]. This situation was further exacerbated by the Summer 383YE [[Through_my_sails#Ruined_Buildings|attack]] on the "sister temple" to the Black Bull, the temple of the Way in Nemoria.

When Oran was [[Glass_and_flame#The_Siege_of_Oran|liberated from the Grendel]] in 386YE Autumn, the priests surrendered ''en masse'' and [[Glass_and_flame#Game_Information_:_Asavean_Diplomacy|asked to be repatriated]] back to the Archipelago. As of the winter of 387YE, the temple still stands but without tenants.

'''OOC Notes:''' More details on the construction of the Temple of Balo and the Black Bull can be found in the winds of fortune, specifically [[Seven_lords_of_virtue#Temple_of_Bahlo_and_the_Black_Bull|Seven lords of virtue]], [[Those who worship#The Black Bull|Those who worship]], and [[Distant deeps]].
{{Anchor|Protectorate of Morajasse}}
===Mora's Rock===
Built as part of the grand project to create [[fortification|fortifications]] across the southern Empire in response to the threat of the [[Grendel]], Mora's Rock in [[#Morajasse|Morajasse]] was completed in the months following the [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Bravado|invasion of 383YE]]. The fortification squats above the town of Mora, guarding against invasion from [[Segura]], and providing garrisons and scouts who can offer resistance to assaults from the sea.

When Morajasse was ceded to the Grendel in Autumn 383YE, they took control of the fortification and later expanded it significantly. The fortification resisted the [[Glass and flame|liberation]] of the territory, and as of the beginning of 387YE remains under the control of the Grendel. The garrison is led by ''[[Glass_and_flame#The_Shadow_of_Mora's_Rock|Commander Gallum Fiersach]]'', ably supported by his partner, the ''Wind Lord Saoirse''.

The garrison there includes a warband of veteran [[Elite_Grendel_troops#The_Stone_Born|Stone Born]], and the remainder appear to be very experienced soldiers. These Grendel are enemies of the Empire, obviously, but that did not prevent them acting to [[A_circle_sewn_with_fate#The_Battle_of_Oran|protect Oran]] from the Children of Wrecks in early 387YE. In the Summer of that year, the Senate [[387YE_Summer_Solstice_Senate_sessions#Recognise_Protectorate_of_Gallum_Fiersach|recognised the Protectorate of Morajasse]] as foreigners, as long as they reamined independent of the Grendel. While there is still tension between the Freeborn and the orcs many see as occupying Morajasse, for now at least Gallum Fiersach's forces seem content to keep to their castle, apart from regular patrols along the borders of Feroz aimed at protecting the territory from the Children of Wrecks - and the Iron Confederacy.
===The Spice Gardens of Feroz===
In western [[#Morajasse|Morajasse]] stand the legendary Spice Gardens of Feroz - a set of heavily-walled enclosures covering several acres where the finest spices in the Empire are grown. A rich source of trade for whoever controls the gardens, the [[Imperial title]] of [[Keeper of the Spice Gardens]] has changed hands between families only a handful of times in the last few centuries, and the bargaining leading up to a new appointment has regularly involved the whole nation.

The peace treaty of Autumn 383YE that ceded control of Morajasse to the Grendel saw the Spice Gardens fall into the hands of the orcs. The Grendel appreciate fine spices as much as any Freeborn so the evidence is that they did not harm the legendary Gardens - but for many Freeborn the idea of their beautiful spice gardens being operated by Grendel slaves was particularly heinous. With Governor Rahab dead and Feroz liberated, the Spice Gardens remain out of Imperial hands as part of the [[#Protectorate of Morjasse|Protectorate of Morajasse]].
==Lost and Ruined==
{{anchor|Shantarim}}
===Shantarim (ruined)===
In the southern islands of the [[#Cazar Straits|Cazar Straits]] the town of Shantarim was one a [[corsair]] stronghold. The families were are known to engage in fierce competition with their northern rivals, not only in Madruga but also in [[#Oranseri|Oranseri]] and even the other islands of the Straits. Smaller than the town of Cazar, Shantarim had a reputation for being somewhat less cosmopolitan than the other towns of Feroz - visitors from mainland families sometimes encounter prejudice and suspicion. The families of Shantarim more than made up for their relatively small size with the enthusiasm with which they opposed the orcs of the Broken Shore.

Prior to the [[Ratify treaty with the Grendel Autumn 383YE|peace treaty]] of 383YE, they were loud supporters of the [[Freeborn Storm]], and the various raids against the Grendel. The signing of the peace treaty with the southern orcs tied their hands, making it illegal to fight the Grendel, which became been a major source of dissension in Shantarim.

Towards the end of the ceasefire secured by the treaty, in 385YE, Shatarim was attacked and wrecked. Warships of the [[Asavean Archipelago]], allies of the Grendel occupation, engaged in a campaign of destruction across the Cazar Straits, and along with the Isle of the Osseini, Shantarim bore the brunt. Many corsairs who had endured the occupation of the Grendel were slain, and the town was looted and left in ruins. When the Children of Wrecks arrived, there was precious little left for the to wreck.
<div style="float:right; width: 450px; clear: right;"><box>'''Justicars'''<br>The priests who previously lived on the Isle of the Osseini called themselves ''justicars''. Specialist exorcists and inquisitors in the pre-Imperial history of the Brass Coast, they specialised in driving out malign spirits or cleansing unpleasant auras from people, places and objects. Never particularly populous, their sanctuary on the Isle of the Osseini was all but wiped out by the Grendel. A handful remained elsewhere, and during the Autumn Equinox 383YE the Freeborn assembly [[383YE_Autumn_Equinox_Synod_judgements#Judgement_22|called on them to come together to preserve their traditions]]. A small enclave of justicars was established on the Isle of Osseini at the sufferance of the Grendel. Unfortunately, when Asavean warships went on a rampage in 385YE, the first place they attacked was this enclave, putting the priests to the sword and burning the enclave. When the Children of Wrecks arrived, the Grendel magicians still left on the island fled back to the Broken Shore. As far as anyone knows today, the island is abandoned.</box></div>

{{Anchor|Isle of the Osseini}}
===Isle of the Osseini (Ruined)===
At the southern tip of the [[#Cazar Straits|Cazar Straits]], the island was known for its heavy sea fog, its ghosts, and for a small sect of Freeborn priests famed for their knowledge of the arts of [[exorcism]]. Stories claimed the Isle was haunted by those who had died at sea, but most Freeborn had no truck with such foolishness. In 383YE, however, it became clear these tales of ghosts were more than just idle gossip. During the Spring Equinox of that year, a [[Grendel]] shaman attempted to unleash a ghostly legion of drowned orcs bound in some fashion to white granite pillars on the island against the defenders of Feroz. Before they could do so they were [[383YE_Summer_Solstice_winds_of_war#The_World_is_Not_Enough|thwarted by Imperial heroes]] who reached the isle via the [[Sentinel Gate]]. Once the heroes retreated, the status of the island, the pillars, and the remaining priests was unknown.

Then in Autumn 383YE, as part of the negotiations that led to the peace treaty with the Grendel, a contract was negotiated with the orc diplomat regarding the Isle of the Osseini. In the wake of that agreement, a small group of priests were allowed to visit the Isle with a Grendel escort. There they discovered the remaining priests were dead, the ghost-binding pillars had been destroyed, and the island was in the hands of a coven of Grendel magicians. The orcs had already constructed a permanent residence there built around a particular Winter regio, and were less than welcoming to the Freeborn. Further negotiations followed; in the end the Freeborn were allowed to establish a small enclave here, under the careful watch of the Grendel.

The return of the justicars was short-lived. In 385YE, a fleet of warships from the Asavean Archipelago went on a murderous rampage in the southern Cazar Straits. Allies of the Grendel, they slaughtered the priests and burned the enclave before sailing north to Shantarim. When the Children of Wrecks arrived, the remaining Grendel magicians fled back to the Broken Shore. By the close of 387YE, the island appears to be abandoned, although it remains to be seen what the Iron Confederacy plan to do with it.

'''OOC Note:''' You can learn more about the historic Isle of the Osseini in the [[Bones in the ocean]] wind of fortune.
{{Anchor|The Scorrero Nets}}
===Scorrero Nets (Defunct)===
The Scorrero Nets were a [[Bourse]] resource located in [[#Oranseri|Oranseri]], seized by the Grendel in Spring 383YE as part of their conquest of Feroz. Custodianship of the Nets was an [[Imperial Title]] that brought with it a Seat on the [[Bourse]]. In Winter 384YE, a [[Drums_beat_in_my_head#The_Scorrero_Nets|daring plan]] was proposed to "steal" the nets by establishing the [[Cerevado Nets]] upriver in [[Segura]]. As a consequence, this Bourse resource ceased to exist, much to the chagrin of the Grendel governor Rahab.
{{Anchor|The Broken Shore Bounty}}
===The Broken Shore Bounty (Defunct)===
The [[Broken Shore Bounty]] was a Bourse resource that was technically located in the [[#Cazar Straits|Cazar Straits]] inasmuch as the holder of the [[Bourse]] seat has the use of a fortified villa in the hills near Cazar. The actual [[ilium]] that the seat provided was sourced throughout the Bay of Catazar; a portion of all ilium claimed from the nets of Freeborn, [[the League|League]], [[Highguard|Highborn]], and [[Urizen|Urizeni]] nets is claimed as part of the Bounty. It produced 7 rings of ilium each season and was allocated during the Spring Equinox.

When the Cazar Straits fell to the Grendel, they also seized the offices of the Broken Shore Bounty. Despite a [[Four_strong_winds#Broken_Shore_Bounty|proposal to move the offices]], the resource fell into disarray, the ilium ending up split between the Imperial Fleet Master and the Bourse Auction. With the ratification of the Grendel peace treaty, this title and resource effectively ceased to exist.
==Regions==
===Afarjasse===
'''Qualities:''' [[Region_qualities#Abandoned|Abandoned]], [[Region_qualities#Underpopulated|Underpopulated]]<br>
The wide open spaces of Afarjasse were sparsely populated even at the height of Feroz's prosperity. "Sweet afar" was a phrase sometimes used to describe being in the middle of nowhere, or an area where there was nothing but grass as far as the eye could see. The only major settlement was the quiet town of '''Afar''', established by [[hakima]] with close ties to the [[Guerra]] [[tribe]], near a potent [[regio]] tied to the [[Realms#Night|realm of Night]]. The town was not hard to reach, but it stood alone in a sea of sprawling grassland, and never encouraged casual visitors. On nights when powerful magics were performed, Afar was often visible for miles around - great bonfires blazing and massive drums pounding out powerful rhythms to help raise (or draw down, or both) the passionate energy for powerful workings.

As with the rest of Feroz, Afarjasse spent two years in the hands of the Grendel. The governor, Lord Rahab, made it clear that the hakima here would not be permitted access to their potent regio - they were after all an important strategic resource. Many of the people who once called the town home went into exile in [[Segura]] and [[Kahraman]] rather than endure Rahab's oppression. When the plains of Afarjasse were [[Glass_and_flame#Fontargenta_and_Bramar_and_Afar|liberated from the Grendel]] it was discovered that Rahab had established massive farms around Afar. The crops were tended by slaves, several hundred of whome were held at Afar in great dormitories, forced to work the fields until they fell, with the same heedless cruelty the Grendel apparently show to those who toil in their salt mines. These people were liberated by the [[Narwhal's Spear]] and the [[Fist of the Mountains]], who executed everyone responsible for their durance. Most were Imperial citizens, but maybe a hundred came from further afield, bought by Rahab from the slave markets of the Broken Shore. Those who are not already Imperial citizens were offered new homes in the Empire. The farms remain, but enthusiasm to work them is understandably low.

===Cazar Straits===
'''Qualities:''' Abandoned, Coastal, Impoverished, Island, Underpopulated<br>
For most of the Brass Coast's history, the islands of the Cazar Straits were dominated by [[corsair]] families. The largest settlement remains the port town from which the islands take their name - high-cliffed '''Cazar''' - but in recent years it has changed hands several times and is a shadow of its former self. Built around a bustling dock, it served as a safe harbour and home port for many of the [[fleet|fleets]] that protected the Bay from barbarian ships. The holder of the [[Broken Shore Bounty]] used to have the use of a fortified villa in the hills near Cazar, and the civil service offices that oversaw the resource were based here. Both were lost to the Grendel, then to the [[Children of Wrecks]], and in the last months of 387YE, to the [[Iron Confederacy]].

Even before the Children of Wrecks arrived, several of the more southerly islands of the Straits had a reputation for peculiarity. The corsairs of [[#Shantarim|Shantarim]] for example were renowned both for their enthusiastic rivalry with all other corsair families, and the zeal with which they waged war on the Grendel. The [[#Isle of the Osseini|Isle of the Osseini]] is also found here, once home to a sect of strange priests, allegedly haunted by the ghosts of drowned pirates, then the site of an uneasy truce between orc magicians and Freeborn priests. Towards the end of the peace treaty with the Grendel, however, a fleet of warships from the [[Asavean Archipelago]] slaughtered the justicars of Osseini and ruined the town of Shantarim. When the Children of Wrecks claimed the region, there was precious little left for them to destroy.

Shortly after the Autumn Equinox 387YE, a naval force belonging to the Iron Confederacy [[Red_skies#Swords_of_the_South|assailed the Cazar Straits]]. They smashed the Children of Wrecks stronghold and claimed the islands for themselves. [[Poets_light_but_lamps#The_Iron_Confederacy|Initial diplomatic discussion]] of the fate of the islands was inconclusive.

Today, the waters around the Cazar Straits remain treacherous, in part this is due to the presence of dozens of immature kraken hatched in the waters by the Children of Wrecks.

===Fontargenta===
'''Qualities:''' Abandoned, Coastal, Impoverished<br>
The trading port of '''Bramar''' stands on the coast here. Surrounded by rich agricultural land, its bountiful cornfields once competed with [[the Marches|Marcher]] grain in markets across the southern nations of the Empire, and their vineyards were justly famous. Before the Grendel invasion it served as an important hub for the Imperial wine trade, with many excellent vintages passing through its docks - both from the Brass Coast to the rest of the world, and from the rest of the world to the Brass Coast (and thus the Empire). Two years of mismanagement by Lord Rahab coupled with raids by the Children of Wrecks [[Glass_and_flame#Fontargenta_and_Bramar_and_Afar|left the region devastated]], and it remains to be seen if the farms here will ever recover.

===Morajasse===
'''Qualities:''' Protectorate of Morajasse, Abandoned, Impoverished, Underpopulated<br>
Morajasse was once one of the richest parts of the Brass Coast, home to extensive spice gardens and renowned for its herbalists, [[surgical skills#apothecary|apothecaries]], and chefs. The largest town was '''Mora''', once simply a spice market, transformed the Lasambrian invasion of [[Segura]] in 363YE. The threat of the western barbarians prompted a burst of rapid militarisation in this previously peaceful settlement. Refugees streamed in from southern Segura: some supported by their families, others looking to work in the market. With the liberation of the western territory, a strange reversal took place - the pool of desperate labourers largely dried up with refugees returning to their homes.

Immediately following the [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Bravado|invasion of Feroz]] in 383YE, work was completed on a [[fortification]] at the town of Mora, [[#Mora's Rock|Mora's Rock]]. The fortification served the defenders well, but with the ratification of the peace treaty it was taken over, and expanded, by Grendel troops. It now serves as the base of operations of ''Wind Lord Saoirse'' and her partner ''Commander Fiersach'', as well as a sizable force of Grendel veterans, in what the Senate has recognised as the [[#Protectorate of Morajasse|Protectorate of Morajasse]].

Western Morajasse is the site of the great [[#The Spice Gardens of Feroz|Spice Gardens]] and the [[Vizier of the Incarnadine Satchel]] was often quite active here, dealing with agents of the Spice Gardens and traders from the Jewelled Isles. Following the Grendel treaty, the offices that supported the Vizier were abandoned, and while they are still notionally the owner of the miraculous satchel that gives them their name, their ability to support the nations' apothecaries and physicks has been greatly reduced.
{{CaptionedImage|file=Oran_by_the_Sea.jpg|caption=The Celesti Lighthouse sits high on the headland overlooking Oran.|align=right|width=400}}

===Oranseri===
'''Qualities:''' Abandoned, Coastal, Impoverished<br>
Across the bay from billowing [[Madruga#Siroc|Siroc]] stands the once-thriving port town of [[#Oran|Oran]]. It is the only place in Feroz that seems to have prospered under the Grendel occupation - for a given value of "prospered". The port grew in prominence and prosperity, serving as the seat of power for the Grendel governor Lord Rahab. Today the town is a mismatched mess of old Freeborn and new Grendel architectural styles, with the [[#Temple of Balo and the Black Bull|Temple of Balo and the Black Bull]] further complicating the matter by being resolutely Asavean in outline.

Just outside Oran lies the great [[Celesti_Lighthouse_Keeper#The_Celesti_Lighthouse|Celesti Lighthouse]], originally constructed during the reign of [[Emperor Barabbas]]. The lighthouse was looted under Rahab's governance, and nearly destroyed by the Children of Wrecks. In 387YE however, the beacon was repaired and restored to full functionality. Today its light shines brighter than ever - in large part thanks to the aid of the eternal [[Kimus]] who helped provide a unique lamp to shine brilliant beams across the dangerous waters of the Cazar Straits and the misty Bay of Oran.

West of Oran is the ''Scorrero Crossing''. The river Scorrero is wide and deep between Feroz and Madruga. During the Summer Solstice 383YE, the Grendel invaders attempted to take advantage of this by taking control of both bridges that connect the two Freeborn territories. Had they been successful, it would have been significantly harder for Imperial forces to move between Siroc and Oranseri. Their attempts were stymied, and ultimately became moot once the Scorrero [[Where_the_river_rises#Crossing|burst its banks]] and carried away all the existing bridges.

'''Joharra''' is a port south of Oran, considered much more stable than its northern cousin, and better known for its industry than its trade. Famous throughout the Empire for its cloth and dye-work, Joharra was called '' the Rainbow'' by coastal sailors who mark their progress round the coast with the first sight of the great billowing cloths hung out to dry on tall wooden frames along the low cliffs. As with the other settlements of Oranseri, the weavers and dyers here laboured for years under the yoke of the Grendel orcs. Many endured, however, and there is still [[Send_for_me#Inkworks_of_Joharra|potential to revive]] the industry here.

==Strategic Considerations==
* '''The damage to the bridges along the Scorrero prevents movement between Feroz and Madruga'''
The damage to almost all the bridges along the Scorrero means that it is effectively impossible for an [[Army|army]] to move between Feroz and [[Madruga]] (or vice versa). More information can be found in the '''[[Where_the_river_rises#Crossing|Where the river rises]]''' wind of fortune.
<div style="float:left; width: 450px; clear: right;">{{CaptionedImage|file=Garviel i Abrira i Erigo.jpg|caption='''Garviel i Abrira i Erigo''', Senator for Feroz|align=left|width=500}}</div>
{{Senate Elections|Senator_for_Feroz|Territory=Feroz|Season=Summer|Controlled=is}}

==OOC Notes==
* As of the start of the Winter Solstice 387YE, the Iron Confederacy control the Cazar Straits, the Grendel control Morajasse, and the Brass Coast controls Afarjasse, Fontargenta, and Oranseri. Feroz is an Imperial territory
* [[#Mora's Rock|Mora's Rock]] is a rank two fortification controlled by the Grendel.
* The status of various titles and resources located in Feroz is outlined in more detail in [[To_curb_those_raging_appetites#Lost_Opportunities|To curb those raging appetites]], a Winter 383YE wind of fortune.

==Further Reading==
* [[Red skies]] - 387YE Winter wind of war about the Iron Confederacy invasion of the Cazar Straits
* [[A circle sewn with fate]] - 387YE Spring wind of war detailing the Wrecker attack on Oran
* [[Send for me]] - 386YE Winter wind of fortune about the rebuilding of Feroz
* [[Glass and flame]] - 386YE Autumn wind of war about the liberation of Feroz
* [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Spindrift|Winds of War 383YE Spring]] - Detailing the Grendel invasion
* [[383YE_Summer_Solstice_winds_of_war#The_World_is_Not_Enough|Winds of War 383YE Summer]]
* [[383YE_Autumn_Equinox_winds_of_war#Bronze|Winds of War 383YE Autumn]]
* [[Ratify_treaty_with_the_Grendel_Autumn_383YE#Treaty|Treaty]] - the Autumn 383YE treaty with the Grendel
* [[To curb those raging appetites]] - a Winter 383YE wind of fortune that details the situation for Freeborn in Feroz
* [[Everything has a price]] - a Winter 383YE wind of fortune that details the general situation with the Grendel, and has several notes about their presence in Feroz
* [[Bones in the ocean]] - a Winter 383YE wind of fortune that specifically deals with the [[#Isle of the Osseini|Isle of the Osseini]] and the justicars

Feroz

2026-05-13T11:03:24Z

Rafferty: /* Morajasse */

{{CaptionedImage|file=RegionsofFeroz.png|title=Southernmost of the Freeborn territories, lush but threatened by barbarians over land and sea|caption=Regions of Feroz|align=left|width=500}}[[Category:Gazetteer]][[Category:Imperial Territory]][[category:The Brass Coast]]
{{stub}}
== Overview ==
Feroz is the southernmost territory of the Brass Coast, and like [[Madruga]] to the north has both isles and coastline. Here the climate is warm and humid, perfect for the cultivation of different plants. This is the home of the fabulous spice gardens of Feroz, a source of great revenue for the people of this territory. The seas are more treacherous here, and the south and the west are constantly threatened by barbarians by land. As a result, many armed merchants patrolled the seas, and groups of young warriors journeyed along the borders, fighting skirmishes against jealous foes.

There is a traditional rivalry between the families of Feroz and those of Madruga. The northern territory was the first settled when the Freeborn [[The_Brass_Coast_history#The_Conquest_of_the_Coast|left Highguard]], and there is a popular stereotype that the people who live there are "stuck up". This stereotype is more humorous than hateful - the Freeborn move around too much to allow such prejudice to root itself too firmly in their psyche. Still, if a citizen of Feroz wants to insult a citizen of Madruga, they will fall back on accusations of arrogance and an over-reliance on tradition.

Some of the finest [[Surgical skills#Apothecary|apothecaries]] on the Brass Coast once lived in Feroz - the art of [[potion]] making has been studied here for centuries and even after two years of occupation by the Grendel it is still home to a great many [[herb garden|herb gardens]]. The mainland is a criss-cross patchwork of [[farm|farms]] and small settlements. At the height of its prosperity, a great deal of the food and drink consumed on the Brass Coast was produced here and exported to other Freeborn territories.

Unfortunately, in recent years the territory has been hit by disaster after disaster. Repeated raids by the Grendel eventually gave way to a concerted invasion, and while it was pushed back, the barbarian of the Broken Shore did not abandon their ambition to conquer Feroz. In 383YE, a [[Ratify treaty with the Grendel Autumn 383YE|peace treaty]] ceded the territory to the invaders, and saw the vicious, greedy, and tyrannical ''Governor Rahab'' establish his dominion over Feroz. The Freeborn organised a [[The power behind our moves|grand evacuation]] that saw much of the population escape Rahab's hungry grasp and resettle elsewhere in the Coast, but the move came at a price. When the treaty ended, and the Grendel were (mostly) driven out, Feroz was left abandoned, wrecked, and heavily underpopulated, its former residents preferring to stay with the new lives they had built elsewhere rather than return. Worse, the [[#Cazar Straits|Cazar Straits]] were taken by the [[Children of Wrecks]], transformed into a stronghold for the servants of the eternal [[Siakha]]. They in turn were supplanted towards the end of 387YE by the [[Iron Confederacy]], who drove out the Wreckers and claimed the island for themselves.

On the mainland, the situation is a little better, but what was once one of the richest Freeborn territories still struggles with the weight of two years of exploitation by a money-hungry tyrant, and what many see as its abandonment by the Empire.

==Recent History==
Being on the [[Bay of Catazar]], Feroz has always been under threat from the [[Grendel]] [[orc|orcs]]. In Spring 383YE, the orcs [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Spindrift|launched a naval invasion]], capturing [[#Oranseri|Oranseri]] and the [[#Cazar Straits|Cazar Straits]] in short order and making significant inroads into [[#Fontargenta|Fontargenta]]. The Grendel installed a grizzled old orc named ''Lord Rahab'' as overseer of the conquered land; he took up residence in the offices of the [[Scorrero Nets]] and quickly set about attempting to bring the rest of Feroz under his control. Part of their plan appeared to involve the ghosts of the [[#Isle of the Osseini|Isle of the Osseini]], but the scheme was countered by Imperial heroes travelling through the [[Sentinel Gate]] to exorcise the spirits and defeat the Grendel seeking to make use of them.

Undaunted by the loss of their supernatural weapon, the orcs kept up their assault. By Summer 383YE, they [[383YE_Summer_Solstice_winds_of_war#The_World_is_Not_Enough|sought to consolidate their gains in Fontargenta]]; they were opposed by [[Navarr]] and [[the Marches|Marcher]] [[Army|armies]], who held the Grendel at the town of [[#Fontargenta|Bramar]] for two days before being forced to retreat. They were able to slow the Grendel advance, however, leaving the orcs bogged down in Fontargenta and unable to press inland.

Following the engagement in Fontargenta, and battling under a powerful supernatural storm, the Grendel [[383YE_Autumn_Equinox_winds_of_war#Bronze|brought even more force]] to bear in the territory. While the Imperial armies were reinforced by [[Highguard|Highborn]] troops, the orc navies disgorged a great host of their own warriors. The fighting was bitter, but in the end Fontargenta fell - and as Fontargenta falls, so falls Feroz. While [[#Morajasse|Morajasse]] and [[#Afarjasse|Afarjasse]] remained free, the Grendel forces continued to mass along the coast.

During the Autumn Equinox 383, the [[Senate]] [[Ratify_treaty_with_the_Grendel_Autumn_383YE#Treaty|ratified a peace treaty]] with the Grendel. Presented by the [[Imperial Fleet Master]], among other things it [[Powers_of_the_Imperial_Senate#Concedence|ceded]] the two remaining regions of Feroz to the Grendel, albeit with provisions allowing Imperial citizens still in Morajasse and Afarjasse to withdraw to safety. Following the Equinox, Lord Rahab's forces spread out quickly to bring the two western regions under his control; Feroz was now [[To_curb_those_raging_appetites|completely under Grendel control]].

Just before the Autumn Equinox 386YE, the Imperial forces reconquered [[Glass_and_flame| reconquered Feroz]]. Possession of the territory is complicated by [[Children_of_Wrecks|Children of Wrecks]] as well as the remnants of the Grendel. Feroz has been run into the ground by Lord Rahab, eager to extract every drop of profit from the place, and it requires significant investment to return the territory to even a fraction of its former wealth.

In 386YE, the [[Senate]] commissioned an [[appraisal]] of Feroz that laid out many of the challenges presented by the newly reclaimed territory, and some potential solutions. Details are contained in the '''[[Send_for_me#State_of_Feroz|Send for me]]''' wind of fortune.

== Major Features ==
===Oran===
The largest and most prestigious port was Feroz is Oran, on the northern coast of [[#Oranseri|Oranseri]]. Across the bay from billowing [[Madruga#Siroc_(Ruined)|Siroc]] this thriving port specialised in high-value products such as fine wines and spice mixes. Unsurprisingly, given its position, for most of its history it has engaged in low-key economic warfare with its larger cousin to the north - Oran notably has cheaper dock fees than Siroc, and a number of entrepreneurs prefer to operate here as a consequence. It is especially welcoming to those merchants who are just starting out, and has a reputation for being more energetic than its competitors to the north and south. This energy has been significantly boosted by construction of the only open [[#The Temple of Balo and the Black Bull|Asavean Temple]] in the entire Empire; the surge of [[Asavean Archipelago|Asavean]] ships visiting Oran saw the town expand significantly to become the largest trading port in Feroz.

In Spring 383YE, however, Oran was [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Spindrift|conquered by the Grendel]]. An orc governor, Lord Rahab, chose the town as the site for his court, converting the offices of the [[Scorrero Nets]] to his personal use. Among other things, this invasion saw the collapse of the [[Broken Shore Bounty]], the Scorrero Nets falling into orc hands, and the Temple of Balo and the Black Bull sealing its doors against the orcs while offering sanctuary to Freeborn families. Following the treaty signed during the Autumn Equinox, the Grendel opened Oran as a port [[Everything_has_a_price#A_New_Destination|available to Imperial captains]]. This situation persisted until the peace treaty ended, and war with the Grendel resumed.

After the Summer Solstice 386YE, Imperial forces swept into Oranseri to liberate the territory from the Grendel. They [[Glass_and_flame#The_Siege_of_Oran|laid siege]] to Oran, and were quickly victorious. The [[Below_the_thunders#Objective:_Eliminate_Governor_Rahab|recent death of Governor Rahab]] in battle with the Empire's heroes left the garrison demoralised and disorganised. It was a grievous victory, however. The fighting that raged through the town, the overwhelming assault, the barrage of catapult stones, all contributed to the fact that many of the buildings have been left in ruins, and many more damaged. A fire at the docks threatened to spread through the town and only the valiant actions of League soldiers managed bring it under control. Barely a year later the town again came under serious attack, this time by the Children of Wrecks. Without the [[A_circle_sewn_with_fate#The_Battle_of_Oran|prompt action]] of the [[orc|orcs]] from the [[#Protectorate of Morajasse|Protectorate of Morajasse]], Oran again might have been destroyed. As it is, the town remains intact but in a sadly impoverished state.

Proposals have been put forward to [[Send_for_me#Wharfage_of_Oran|rebuild Oran]], but it remains to be seen what the future holds for the port town.

{{Anchor|The Temple of Balo and the Black Bull}}
===Temple of Balo and the Black Bull===
During the Spring Equinox 380YE, permission was granted to the people of the [[Asavean Archipelago]] to construct a major temple to their gods in [[#Oranseri|Oran]]. Initially, construction was expected to be completed shortly before the Autumn Equinox 380YE, but the temple did not actually open its doors until shortly before the Spring Equinox 381YE. The town is seeing an influx of Asavean shipping bringing white granite and architects to the Brass Coast, as well as throwing crowns around like water to secure local labour to complete their project. Relations between the people of the Empire and the priests of Asavea are monitored by ''[[El oficial de enlace imperial con los sacerdotes de Balo y el toro negro]]'' ("The Imperial intermediary to the priests of Balo and the Black Bull"), who among other things is able to [[ministry|buy Asavean goods]] at a reduced price. During the Summer Solstice 380YE, the Assembly of Nine supported Abaddon de Rondell in [[Temple_of_the_bull#Resolution|denouncing]] the temple as an idolatrous affront, making it significantly harder for the Asaveans to find labourers prepared to work on the construction and both delaying its completion and laying a significant economic burden on the foreign priests.

The temple remained extremely controversial among Imperial priests. When Oran fell to the Grendel, however, the priests at the temple [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Sand|offered sanctuary]] to a number of Freeborn families in spite of Governor Rahab's unhappiness. Several of those families were ultimately smuggled to safety in Madruga. Despite this, however, it was clear that the Asaveans were happy to work with the new owners of Oran - there were rumours that they quickly recognised a Grendel as the [[Imperial Delegate to the Temple in Feroz|Delegate to the Temple in Feroz]]. This situation was further exacerbated by the Summer 383YE [[Through_my_sails#Ruined_Buildings|attack]] on the "sister temple" to the Black Bull, the temple of the Way in Nemoria.

When Oran was [[Glass_and_flame#The_Siege_of_Oran|liberated from the Grendel]] in 386YE Autumn, the priests surrendered ''en masse'' and [[Glass_and_flame#Game_Information_:_Asavean_Diplomacy|asked to be repatriated]] back to the Archipelago. As of the winter of 387YE, the temple still stands but without tenants.

'''OOC Notes:''' More details on the construction of the Temple of Balo and the Black Bull can be found in the winds of fortune, specifically [[Seven_lords_of_virtue#Temple_of_Bahlo_and_the_Black_Bull|Seven lords of virtue]], [[Those who worship#The Black Bull|Those who worship]], and [[Distant deeps]].
{{Anchor|Protectorate of Morajasse}}
===Mora's Rock===
Built as part of the grand project to create [[fortification|fortifications]] across the southern Empire in response to the threat of the [[Grendel]], Mora's Rock in [[#Morajasse|Morajasse]] was completed in the months following the [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Bravado|invasion of 383YE]]. The fortification squats above the town of Mora, guarding against invasion from [[Segura]], and providing garrisons and scouts who can offer resistance to assaults from the sea.

When Morajasse was ceded to the Grendel in Autumn 383YE, they took control of the fortification and later expanded it significantly. The fortification resisted the [[Glass and flame|liberation]] of the territory, and as of the beginning of 387YE remains under the control of the Grendel. The garrison is led by ''[[Glass_and_flame#The_Shadow_of_Mora's_Rock|Commander Gallum Fiersach]]'', ably supported by his partner, the ''Wind Lord Saoirse''.

The garrison there includes a warband of veteran [[Elite_Grendel_troops#The_Stone_Born|Stone Born]], and the remainder appear to be very experienced soldiers. These Grendel are enemies of the Empire, obviously, but that did not prevent them acting to [[A_circle_sewn_with_fate#The_Battle_of_Oran|protect Oran]] from the Children of Wrecks in early 387YE. In the Summer of that year, the Senate [[387YE_Summer_Solstice_Senate_sessions#Recognise_Protectorate_of_Gallum_Fiersach|recognised the Protectorate of Morajasse]] as foreigners, as long as they reamined independent of the Grendel. While there is still tension between the Freeborn and the orcs many see as occupying Morajasse, for now at least Gallum Fiersach's forces seem content to keep to their castle, apart from regular patrols along the borders of Feroz aimed at protecting the territory from the Children of Wrecks - and the Iron Confederacy.
===The Spice Gardens of Feroz===
In western [[#Morajasse|Morajasse]] stand the legendary Spice Gardens of Feroz - a set of heavily-walled enclosures covering several acres where the finest spices in the Empire are grown. A rich source of trade for whoever controls the gardens, the [[Imperial title]] of [[Keeper of the Spice Gardens]] has changed hands between families only a handful of times in the last few centuries, and the bargaining leading up to a new appointment has regularly involved the whole nation.

The peace treaty of Autumn 383YE that ceded control of Morajasse to the Grendel saw the Spice Gardens fall into the hands of the orcs. The Grendel appreciate fine spices as much as any Freeborn so the evidence is that they did not harm the legendary Gardens - but for many Freeborn the idea of their beautiful spice gardens being operated by Grendel slaves was particularly heinous. With Governor Rahab dead and Feroz liberated, the Spice Gardens remain out of Imperial hands as part of the [[#Protectorate of Morjasse|Protectorate of Morajasse]].
==Lost and Ruined==
{{anchor|Shantarim}}
===Shantarim (ruined)===
In the southern islands of the [[#Cazar Straits|Cazar Straits]] the town of Shantarim was one a [[corsair]] stronghold. The families were are known to engage in fierce competition with their northern rivals, not only in Madruga but also in [[#Oranseri|Oranseri]] and even the other islands of the Straits. Smaller than the town of Cazar, Shantarim had a reputation for being somewhat less cosmopolitan than the other towns of Feroz - visitors from mainland families sometimes encounter prejudice and suspicion. The families of Shantarim more than made up for their relatively small size with the enthusiasm with which they opposed the orcs of the Broken Shore.

Prior to the [[Ratify treaty with the Grendel Autumn 383YE|peace treaty]] of 383YE, they were loud supporters of the [[Freeborn Storm]], and the various raids against the Grendel. The signing of the peace treaty with the southern orcs tied their hands, making it illegal to fight the Grendel, which became been a major source of dissension in Shantarim.

Towards the end of the ceasefire secured by the treaty, in 385YE, Shatarim was attacked and wrecked. Warships of the [[Asavean Archipelago]], allies of the Grendel occupation, engaged in a campaign of destruction across the Cazar Straits, and along with the Isle of the Osseini, Shantarim bore the brunt. Many corsairs who had endured the occupation of the Grendel were slain, and the town was looted and left in ruins. When the Children of Wrecks arrived, there was precious little left for the to wreck.
<div style="float:right; width: 450px; clear: right;"><box>'''Justicars'''<br>The priests who previously lived on the Isle of the Osseini called themselves ''justicars''. Specialist exorcists and inquisitors in the pre-Imperial history of the Brass Coast, they specialised in driving out malign spirits or cleansing unpleasant auras from people, places and objects. Never particularly populous, their sanctuary on the Isle of the Osseini was all but wiped out by the Grendel. A handful remained elsewhere, and during the Autumn Equinox 383YE the Freeborn assembly [[383YE_Autumn_Equinox_Synod_judgements#Judgement_22|called on them to come together to preserve their traditions]]. A small enclave of justicars was established on the Isle of Osseini at the sufferance of the Grendel. Unfortunately, when Asavean warships went on a rampage in 385YE, the first place they attacked was this enclave, putting the priests to the sword and burning the enclave. When the Children of Wrecks arrived, the Grendel magicians still left on the island fled back to the Broken Shore. As far as anyone knows today, the island is abandoned.</box></div>

{{Anchor|Isle of the Osseini}}
===Isle of the Osseini (Ruined)===
At the southern tip of the [[#Cazar Straits|Cazar Straits]], the island was known for its heavy sea fog, its ghosts, and for a small sect of Freeborn priests famed for their knowledge of the arts of [[exorcism]]. Stories claimed the Isle was haunted by those who had died at sea, but most Freeborn had no truck with such foolishness. In 383YE, however, it became clear these tales of ghosts were more than just idle gossip. During the Spring Equinox of that year, a [[Grendel]] shaman attempted to unleash a ghostly legion of drowned orcs bound in some fashion to white granite pillars on the island against the defenders of Feroz. Before they could do so they were [[383YE_Summer_Solstice_winds_of_war#The_World_is_Not_Enough|thwarted by Imperial heroes]] who reached the isle via the [[Sentinel Gate]]. Once the heroes retreated, the status of the island, the pillars, and the remaining priests was unknown.

Then in Autumn 383YE, as part of the negotiations that led to the peace treaty with the Grendel, a contract was negotiated with the orc diplomat regarding the Isle of the Osseini. In the wake of that agreement, a small group of priests were allowed to visit the Isle with a Grendel escort. There they discovered the remaining priests were dead, the ghost-binding pillars had been destroyed, and the island was in the hands of a coven of Grendel magicians. The orcs had already constructed a permanent residence there built around a particular Winter regio, and were less than welcoming to the Freeborn. Further negotiations followed; in the end the Freeborn were allowed to establish a small enclave here, under the careful watch of the Grendel.

The return of the justicars was short-lived. In 385YE, a fleet of warships from the Asavean Archipelago went on a murderous rampage in the southern Cazar Straits. Allies of the Grendel, they slaughtered the priests and burned the enclave before sailing north to Shantarim. When the Children of Wrecks arrived, the remaining Grendel magicians fled back to the Broken Shore. By the close of 387YE, the island appears to be abandoned, although it remains to be seen what the Iron Confederacy plan to do with it.

'''OOC Note:''' You can learn more about the historic Isle of the Osseini in the [[Bones in the ocean]] wind of fortune.
{{Anchor|The Scorrero Nets}}
===Scorrero Nets (Defunct)===
The Scorrero Nets were a [[Bourse]] resource located in [[#Oranseri|Oranseri]], seized by the Grendel in Spring 383YE as part of their conquest of Feroz. Custodianship of the Nets was an [[Imperial Title]] that brought with it a Seat on the [[Bourse]]. In Winter 384YE, a [[Drums_beat_in_my_head#The_Scorrero_Nets|daring plan]] was proposed to "steal" the nets by establishing the [[Cerevado Nets]] upriver in [[Segura]]. As a consequence, this Bourse resource ceased to exist, much to the chagrin of the Grendel governor Rahab.
{{Anchor|The Broken Shore Bounty}}
===The Broken Shore Bounty (Defunct)===
The [[Broken Shore Bounty]] was a Bourse resource that was technically located in the [[#Cazar Straits|Cazar Straits]] inasmuch as the holder of the [[Bourse]] seat has the use of a fortified villa in the hills near Cazar. The actual [[ilium]] that the seat provided was sourced throughout the Bay of Catazar; a portion of all ilium claimed from the nets of Freeborn, [[the League|League]], [[Highguard|Highborn]], and [[Urizen|Urizeni]] nets is claimed as part of the Bounty. It produced 7 rings of ilium each season and was allocated during the Spring Equinox.

When the Cazar Straits fell to the Grendel, they also seized the offices of the Broken Shore Bounty. Despite a [[Four_strong_winds#Broken_Shore_Bounty|proposal to move the offices]], the resource fell into disarray, the ilium ending up split between the Imperial Fleet Master and the Bourse Auction. With the ratification of the Grendel peace treaty, this title and resource effectively ceased to exist.
==Regions==
===Afarjasse===
'''Qualities:''' [[Region_qualities#Abandoned|Abandoned]], [[Region_qualities#Underpopulated|Underpopulated]]<br>
The wide open spaces of Afarjasse were sparsely populated even at the height of Feroz's prosperity. "Sweet afar" was a phrase sometimes used to describe being in the middle of nowhere, or an area where there was nothing but grass as far as the eye could see. The only major settlement was the quiet town of '''Afar''', established by [[hakima]] with close ties to the [[Guerra]] [[tribe]], near a potent [[regio]] tied to the [[Realms#Night|realm of Night]]. The town was not hard to reach, but it stood alone in a sea of sprawling grassland, and never encouraged casual visitors. On nights when powerful magics were performed, Afar was often visible for miles around - great bonfires blazing and massive drums pounding out powerful rhythms to help raise (or draw down, or both) the passionate energy for powerful workings.

As with the rest of Feroz, Afarjasse spent two years in the hands of the Grendel. The governor, Lord Rahab, made it clear that the hakima here would not be permitted access to their potent regio - they were after all an important strategic resource. Many of the people who once called the town home went into exile in [[Segura]] and [[Kahraman]] rather than endure Rahab's oppression. When the plains of Afarjasse were [[Glass_and_flame#Fontargenta_and_Bramar_and_Afar|liberated from the Grendel]] it was discovered that Rahab had established massive farms around Afar. The crops were tended by slaves, several hundred of whome were held at Afar in great dormitories, forced to work the fields until they fell, with the same heedless cruelty the Grendel apparently show to those who toil in their salt mines. These people were liberated by the [[Narwhal's Spear]] and the [[Fist of the Mountains]], who executed everyone responsible for their durance. Most were Imperial citizens, but maybe a hundred came from further afield, bought by Rahab from the slave markets of the Broken Shore. Those who are not already Imperial citizens were offered new homes in the Empire. The farms remain, but enthusiasm to work them is understandably low.

===Cazar Straits===
'''Qualities:''' Abandoned, Coastal, Impoverished, Island, Underpopulated<br>
For most of the Brass Coast's history, the islands of the Cazar Straits were dominated by [[corsair]] families. The largest settlement remains the port town from which the islands take their name - high-cliffed '''Cazar''' - but in recent years it has changed hands several times and is a shadow of its former self. Built around a bustling dock, it served as a safe harbour and home port for many of the [[fleet|fleets]] that protected the Bay from barbarian ships. The holder of the [[Broken Shore Bounty]] used to have the use of a fortified villa in the hills near Cazar, and the civil service offices that oversaw the resource were based here. Both were lost to the Grendel, then to the [[Children of Wrecks]], and in the last months of 387YE, to the [[Iron Confederacy]].

Even before the Children of Wrecks arrived, several of the more southerly islands of the Straits had a reputation for peculiarity. The corsairs of [[#Shantarim|Shantarim]] for example were renowned both for their enthusiastic rivalry with all other corsair families, and the zeal with which they waged war on the Grendel. The [[#Isle of the Osseini|Isle of the Osseini]] is also found here, once home to a sect of strange priests, allegedly haunted by the ghosts of drowned pirates, then the site of an uneasy truce between orc magicians and Freeborn priests. Towards the end of the peace treaty with the Grendel, however, a fleet of warships from the [[Asavean Archipelago]] slaughtered the justicars of Osseini and ruined the town of Shantarim. When the Children of Wrecks claimed the region, there was precious little left for them to destroy.

Shortly after the Autumn Equinox 387YE, a naval force belonging to the Iron Confederacy [[Red_skies#Swords_of_the_South|assailed the Cazar Straits]]. They smashed the Children of Wrecks stronghold and claimed the islands for themselves. [[Poets_light_but_lamps#The_Iron_Confederacy|Initial diplomatic discussion]] of the fate of the islands was inconclusive.

Today, the waters around the Cazar Straits remain treacherous, in part this is due to the presence of dozens of immature kraken hatched in the waters by the Children of Wrecks.

===Fontargenta===
'''Qualities:''' Abandoned, Coastal, Impoverished<br>
The trading port of '''Bramar''' stands on the coast here. Surrounded by rich agricultural land, its bountiful cornfields once competed with [[the Marches|Marcher]] grain in markets across the southern nations of the Empire, and their vineyards were justly famous. Before the Grendel invasion it served as an important hub for the Imperial wine trade, with many excellent vintages passing through its docks - both from the Brass Coast to the rest of the world, and from the rest of the world to the Brass Coast (and thus the Empire). Two years of mismanagement by Lord Rahab coupled with raids by the Children of Wrecks [[Glass_and_flame#Fontargenta_and_Bramar_and_Afar|left the region devastated]], and it remains to be seen if the farms here will ever recover.

===Morajasse===
'''Qualities:''' Protectorate of Morajasse, Abandoned, Impoverished, Underpopulated<br>
Morajasse was once one of the richest parts of the Brass Coast, home to extensive spice gardens and renowned for its herbalists, [[surgical skills#apothecary|apothecaries]], and chefs. The largest town was '''Mora''', once simply a spice market, transformed the Lasambrian invasion of [[Segura]] in 363YE. The threat of the western barbarians prompted a burst of rapid militarisation in this previously peaceful settlement. Refugees streamed in from southern Segura: some supported by their families, others looking to work in the market. With the liberation of the western territory, a strange reversal took place - the pool of desperate labourers largely dried up with refugees returning to their homes.

Immediately following the [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Bravado|invasion of Feroz]] in 383YE, work was completed on a [[fortification]] at the town of Mora, [[#Mora's Rock|Mora's Rock]]. The fortification served the defenders well, but with the ratification of the peace treaty it was taken over, and expanded, by Grendel troops. It now serves as the base of operations of ''Wind Lord Saoirse'' and her partner ''Commander Fiersach'', as well as a sizable force of Grendel veterans, in what the Senate has recognised as the [[#Protectorate of Morajasse|Protectorate of Morajasse]].

Western Morajasse is the site of the great [[#The Spice Gardens of Feroz|Spice Gardens]] and the [[Vizier of the Incarnadine Satchel]] was often quite active here, dealing with agents of the Spice Gardens and traders from the Jewelled Isles. Following the Grendel treaty, the offices that supported the Vizier were abandoned, and while they are still notionally the owner of the miraculous satchel that gives them their name, their ability to support the nations' apothecaries and physicks has been greatly reduced.
{{CaptionedImage|file=Oran_by_the_Sea.jpg|caption=The Celesti Lighthouse sits high on the headland overlooking Oran.|align=right|width=400}}

===Oranseri===
'''Qualities:''' Abandoned, Coastal, Impoverished<br>
Across the bay from billowing [[Madruga#Siroc|Siroc]] stands the thriving port town of [[#Oran|Oran]]. In recent years, the port has grown in prominence and prosperity; it served as the seat of power for the Grendel governor Lord Rahab during the Grendel occupation of the territory. Just outside Oran lies the great [[Celesti_Lighthouse_Keeper#The_Celesti_Lighthouse|Celesti Lighthouse]], originally constructed during the reign of [[Emperor Barabbas]] and recently repaired and restored to full functionality. It, too, was in the hands of the Grendel for several years but has now been restored.

West of Oran is the ''Scorrero Crossing''. The river Scorrero is wide and deep between Feroz and Madruga. During the Summer Solstice 383YE, the Grendel invaders attempted to take advantage of this by taking control of both bridges that connect the two Freeborn territories. Had they been successful, it would have been significantly harder for Imperial forces to move between Siroc and Oranseri. Their attempts were stymied, and ultimately became moot once the Scorrero [[Where_the_river_rises#Crossing|burst its banks]] and carried away all the existing bridges.

'''Joharra''' is a port south of Oran, considered much more stable than its northern cousin, and better known for its industry than its trade. Famous throughout the Empire for its cloth and dye-work, Joharra is called '' the Rainbow'' by coastal sailors who mark their progress round the coast with the first sight of the great billowing cloths hung out to dry on tall wooden frames along the low cliffs. As with the other settlements of Oran, the weavers and dyers here now labour under the yoke of the Grendel orcs.

==Strategic Considerations==
* '''The damage to the bridges along the Scorrero prevents movement between Feroz and Madruga'''
The damage to almost all the bridges along the Scorrero means that it is effectively impossible for an [[Army|army]] to move between Feroz and [[Madruga]] (or vice versa). More information can be found in the '''[[Where_the_river_rises#Crossing|Where the river rises]]''' wind of fortune.
<div style="float:left; width: 450px; clear: right;">{{CaptionedImage|file=Garviel i Abrira i Erigo.jpg|caption='''Garviel i Abrira i Erigo''', Senator for Feroz|align=left|width=500}}</div>
{{Senate Elections|Senator_for_Feroz|Territory=Feroz|Season=Summer|Controlled=is}}

==OOC Notes==
* As of the start of the Winter Solstice 387YE, the Iron Confederacy control the Cazar Straits, the Grendel control Morajasse, and the Brass Coast controls Afarjasse, Fontargenta, and Oranseri. Feroz is an Imperial territory
* [[#Mora's Rock|Mora's Rock]] is a rank two fortification controlled by the Grendel.
* The status of various titles and resources located in Feroz is outlined in more detail in [[To_curb_those_raging_appetites#Lost_Opportunities|To curb those raging appetites]], a Winter 383YE wind of fortune.

==Further Reading==
* [[Red skies]] - 387YE Winter wind of war about the Iron Confederacy invasion of the Cazar Straits
* [[A circle sewn with fate]] - 387YE Spring wind of war detailing the Wrecker attack on Oran
* [[Send for me]] - 386YE Winter wind of fortune about the rebuilding of Feroz
* [[Glass and flame]] - 386YE Autumn wind of war about the liberation of Feroz
* [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Spindrift|Winds of War 383YE Spring]] - Detailing the Grendel invasion
* [[383YE_Summer_Solstice_winds_of_war#The_World_is_Not_Enough|Winds of War 383YE Summer]]
* [[383YE_Autumn_Equinox_winds_of_war#Bronze|Winds of War 383YE Autumn]]
* [[Ratify_treaty_with_the_Grendel_Autumn_383YE#Treaty|Treaty]] - the Autumn 383YE treaty with the Grendel
* [[To curb those raging appetites]] - a Winter 383YE wind of fortune that details the situation for Freeborn in Feroz
* [[Everything has a price]] - a Winter 383YE wind of fortune that details the general situation with the Grendel, and has several notes about their presence in Feroz
* [[Bones in the ocean]] - a Winter 383YE wind of fortune that specifically deals with the [[#Isle of the Osseini|Isle of the Osseini]] and the justicars

Feroz

2026-05-13T11:03:05Z

Rafferty: /* Morajasse */

{{CaptionedImage|file=RegionsofFeroz.png|title=Southernmost of the Freeborn territories, lush but threatened by barbarians over land and sea|caption=Regions of Feroz|align=left|width=500}}[[Category:Gazetteer]][[Category:Imperial Territory]][[category:The Brass Coast]]
{{stub}}
== Overview ==
Feroz is the southernmost territory of the Brass Coast, and like [[Madruga]] to the north has both isles and coastline. Here the climate is warm and humid, perfect for the cultivation of different plants. This is the home of the fabulous spice gardens of Feroz, a source of great revenue for the people of this territory. The seas are more treacherous here, and the south and the west are constantly threatened by barbarians by land. As a result, many armed merchants patrolled the seas, and groups of young warriors journeyed along the borders, fighting skirmishes against jealous foes.

There is a traditional rivalry between the families of Feroz and those of Madruga. The northern territory was the first settled when the Freeborn [[The_Brass_Coast_history#The_Conquest_of_the_Coast|left Highguard]], and there is a popular stereotype that the people who live there are "stuck up". This stereotype is more humorous than hateful - the Freeborn move around too much to allow such prejudice to root itself too firmly in their psyche. Still, if a citizen of Feroz wants to insult a citizen of Madruga, they will fall back on accusations of arrogance and an over-reliance on tradition.

Some of the finest [[Surgical skills#Apothecary|apothecaries]] on the Brass Coast once lived in Feroz - the art of [[potion]] making has been studied here for centuries and even after two years of occupation by the Grendel it is still home to a great many [[herb garden|herb gardens]]. The mainland is a criss-cross patchwork of [[farm|farms]] and small settlements. At the height of its prosperity, a great deal of the food and drink consumed on the Brass Coast was produced here and exported to other Freeborn territories.

Unfortunately, in recent years the territory has been hit by disaster after disaster. Repeated raids by the Grendel eventually gave way to a concerted invasion, and while it was pushed back, the barbarian of the Broken Shore did not abandon their ambition to conquer Feroz. In 383YE, a [[Ratify treaty with the Grendel Autumn 383YE|peace treaty]] ceded the territory to the invaders, and saw the vicious, greedy, and tyrannical ''Governor Rahab'' establish his dominion over Feroz. The Freeborn organised a [[The power behind our moves|grand evacuation]] that saw much of the population escape Rahab's hungry grasp and resettle elsewhere in the Coast, but the move came at a price. When the treaty ended, and the Grendel were (mostly) driven out, Feroz was left abandoned, wrecked, and heavily underpopulated, its former residents preferring to stay with the new lives they had built elsewhere rather than return. Worse, the [[#Cazar Straits|Cazar Straits]] were taken by the [[Children of Wrecks]], transformed into a stronghold for the servants of the eternal [[Siakha]]. They in turn were supplanted towards the end of 387YE by the [[Iron Confederacy]], who drove out the Wreckers and claimed the island for themselves.

On the mainland, the situation is a little better, but what was once one of the richest Freeborn territories still struggles with the weight of two years of exploitation by a money-hungry tyrant, and what many see as its abandonment by the Empire.

==Recent History==
Being on the [[Bay of Catazar]], Feroz has always been under threat from the [[Grendel]] [[orc|orcs]]. In Spring 383YE, the orcs [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Spindrift|launched a naval invasion]], capturing [[#Oranseri|Oranseri]] and the [[#Cazar Straits|Cazar Straits]] in short order and making significant inroads into [[#Fontargenta|Fontargenta]]. The Grendel installed a grizzled old orc named ''Lord Rahab'' as overseer of the conquered land; he took up residence in the offices of the [[Scorrero Nets]] and quickly set about attempting to bring the rest of Feroz under his control. Part of their plan appeared to involve the ghosts of the [[#Isle of the Osseini|Isle of the Osseini]], but the scheme was countered by Imperial heroes travelling through the [[Sentinel Gate]] to exorcise the spirits and defeat the Grendel seeking to make use of them.

Undaunted by the loss of their supernatural weapon, the orcs kept up their assault. By Summer 383YE, they [[383YE_Summer_Solstice_winds_of_war#The_World_is_Not_Enough|sought to consolidate their gains in Fontargenta]]; they were opposed by [[Navarr]] and [[the Marches|Marcher]] [[Army|armies]], who held the Grendel at the town of [[#Fontargenta|Bramar]] for two days before being forced to retreat. They were able to slow the Grendel advance, however, leaving the orcs bogged down in Fontargenta and unable to press inland.

Following the engagement in Fontargenta, and battling under a powerful supernatural storm, the Grendel [[383YE_Autumn_Equinox_winds_of_war#Bronze|brought even more force]] to bear in the territory. While the Imperial armies were reinforced by [[Highguard|Highborn]] troops, the orc navies disgorged a great host of their own warriors. The fighting was bitter, but in the end Fontargenta fell - and as Fontargenta falls, so falls Feroz. While [[#Morajasse|Morajasse]] and [[#Afarjasse|Afarjasse]] remained free, the Grendel forces continued to mass along the coast.

During the Autumn Equinox 383, the [[Senate]] [[Ratify_treaty_with_the_Grendel_Autumn_383YE#Treaty|ratified a peace treaty]] with the Grendel. Presented by the [[Imperial Fleet Master]], among other things it [[Powers_of_the_Imperial_Senate#Concedence|ceded]] the two remaining regions of Feroz to the Grendel, albeit with provisions allowing Imperial citizens still in Morajasse and Afarjasse to withdraw to safety. Following the Equinox, Lord Rahab's forces spread out quickly to bring the two western regions under his control; Feroz was now [[To_curb_those_raging_appetites|completely under Grendel control]].

Just before the Autumn Equinox 386YE, the Imperial forces reconquered [[Glass_and_flame| reconquered Feroz]]. Possession of the territory is complicated by [[Children_of_Wrecks|Children of Wrecks]] as well as the remnants of the Grendel. Feroz has been run into the ground by Lord Rahab, eager to extract every drop of profit from the place, and it requires significant investment to return the territory to even a fraction of its former wealth.

In 386YE, the [[Senate]] commissioned an [[appraisal]] of Feroz that laid out many of the challenges presented by the newly reclaimed territory, and some potential solutions. Details are contained in the '''[[Send_for_me#State_of_Feroz|Send for me]]''' wind of fortune.

== Major Features ==
===Oran===
The largest and most prestigious port was Feroz is Oran, on the northern coast of [[#Oranseri|Oranseri]]. Across the bay from billowing [[Madruga#Siroc_(Ruined)|Siroc]] this thriving port specialised in high-value products such as fine wines and spice mixes. Unsurprisingly, given its position, for most of its history it has engaged in low-key economic warfare with its larger cousin to the north - Oran notably has cheaper dock fees than Siroc, and a number of entrepreneurs prefer to operate here as a consequence. It is especially welcoming to those merchants who are just starting out, and has a reputation for being more energetic than its competitors to the north and south. This energy has been significantly boosted by construction of the only open [[#The Temple of Balo and the Black Bull|Asavean Temple]] in the entire Empire; the surge of [[Asavean Archipelago|Asavean]] ships visiting Oran saw the town expand significantly to become the largest trading port in Feroz.

In Spring 383YE, however, Oran was [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Spindrift|conquered by the Grendel]]. An orc governor, Lord Rahab, chose the town as the site for his court, converting the offices of the [[Scorrero Nets]] to his personal use. Among other things, this invasion saw the collapse of the [[Broken Shore Bounty]], the Scorrero Nets falling into orc hands, and the Temple of Balo and the Black Bull sealing its doors against the orcs while offering sanctuary to Freeborn families. Following the treaty signed during the Autumn Equinox, the Grendel opened Oran as a port [[Everything_has_a_price#A_New_Destination|available to Imperial captains]]. This situation persisted until the peace treaty ended, and war with the Grendel resumed.

After the Summer Solstice 386YE, Imperial forces swept into Oranseri to liberate the territory from the Grendel. They [[Glass_and_flame#The_Siege_of_Oran|laid siege]] to Oran, and were quickly victorious. The [[Below_the_thunders#Objective:_Eliminate_Governor_Rahab|recent death of Governor Rahab]] in battle with the Empire's heroes left the garrison demoralised and disorganised. It was a grievous victory, however. The fighting that raged through the town, the overwhelming assault, the barrage of catapult stones, all contributed to the fact that many of the buildings have been left in ruins, and many more damaged. A fire at the docks threatened to spread through the town and only the valiant actions of League soldiers managed bring it under control. Barely a year later the town again came under serious attack, this time by the Children of Wrecks. Without the [[A_circle_sewn_with_fate#The_Battle_of_Oran|prompt action]] of the [[orc|orcs]] from the [[#Protectorate of Morajasse|Protectorate of Morajasse]], Oran again might have been destroyed. As it is, the town remains intact but in a sadly impoverished state.

Proposals have been put forward to [[Send_for_me#Wharfage_of_Oran|rebuild Oran]], but it remains to be seen what the future holds for the port town.

{{Anchor|The Temple of Balo and the Black Bull}}
===Temple of Balo and the Black Bull===
During the Spring Equinox 380YE, permission was granted to the people of the [[Asavean Archipelago]] to construct a major temple to their gods in [[#Oranseri|Oran]]. Initially, construction was expected to be completed shortly before the Autumn Equinox 380YE, but the temple did not actually open its doors until shortly before the Spring Equinox 381YE. The town is seeing an influx of Asavean shipping bringing white granite and architects to the Brass Coast, as well as throwing crowns around like water to secure local labour to complete their project. Relations between the people of the Empire and the priests of Asavea are monitored by ''[[El oficial de enlace imperial con los sacerdotes de Balo y el toro negro]]'' ("The Imperial intermediary to the priests of Balo and the Black Bull"), who among other things is able to [[ministry|buy Asavean goods]] at a reduced price. During the Summer Solstice 380YE, the Assembly of Nine supported Abaddon de Rondell in [[Temple_of_the_bull#Resolution|denouncing]] the temple as an idolatrous affront, making it significantly harder for the Asaveans to find labourers prepared to work on the construction and both delaying its completion and laying a significant economic burden on the foreign priests.

The temple remained extremely controversial among Imperial priests. When Oran fell to the Grendel, however, the priests at the temple [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Sand|offered sanctuary]] to a number of Freeborn families in spite of Governor Rahab's unhappiness. Several of those families were ultimately smuggled to safety in Madruga. Despite this, however, it was clear that the Asaveans were happy to work with the new owners of Oran - there were rumours that they quickly recognised a Grendel as the [[Imperial Delegate to the Temple in Feroz|Delegate to the Temple in Feroz]]. This situation was further exacerbated by the Summer 383YE [[Through_my_sails#Ruined_Buildings|attack]] on the "sister temple" to the Black Bull, the temple of the Way in Nemoria.

When Oran was [[Glass_and_flame#The_Siege_of_Oran|liberated from the Grendel]] in 386YE Autumn, the priests surrendered ''en masse'' and [[Glass_and_flame#Game_Information_:_Asavean_Diplomacy|asked to be repatriated]] back to the Archipelago. As of the winter of 387YE, the temple still stands but without tenants.

'''OOC Notes:''' More details on the construction of the Temple of Balo and the Black Bull can be found in the winds of fortune, specifically [[Seven_lords_of_virtue#Temple_of_Bahlo_and_the_Black_Bull|Seven lords of virtue]], [[Those who worship#The Black Bull|Those who worship]], and [[Distant deeps]].
{{Anchor|Protectorate of Morajasse}}
===Mora's Rock===
Built as part of the grand project to create [[fortification|fortifications]] across the southern Empire in response to the threat of the [[Grendel]], Mora's Rock in [[#Morajasse|Morajasse]] was completed in the months following the [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Bravado|invasion of 383YE]]. The fortification squats above the town of Mora, guarding against invasion from [[Segura]], and providing garrisons and scouts who can offer resistance to assaults from the sea.

When Morajasse was ceded to the Grendel in Autumn 383YE, they took control of the fortification and later expanded it significantly. The fortification resisted the [[Glass and flame|liberation]] of the territory, and as of the beginning of 387YE remains under the control of the Grendel. The garrison is led by ''[[Glass_and_flame#The_Shadow_of_Mora's_Rock|Commander Gallum Fiersach]]'', ably supported by his partner, the ''Wind Lord Saoirse''.

The garrison there includes a warband of veteran [[Elite_Grendel_troops#The_Stone_Born|Stone Born]], and the remainder appear to be very experienced soldiers. These Grendel are enemies of the Empire, obviously, but that did not prevent them acting to [[A_circle_sewn_with_fate#The_Battle_of_Oran|protect Oran]] from the Children of Wrecks in early 387YE. In the Summer of that year, the Senate [[387YE_Summer_Solstice_Senate_sessions#Recognise_Protectorate_of_Gallum_Fiersach|recognised the Protectorate of Morajasse]] as foreigners, as long as they reamined independent of the Grendel. While there is still tension between the Freeborn and the orcs many see as occupying Morajasse, for now at least Gallum Fiersach's forces seem content to keep to their castle, apart from regular patrols along the borders of Feroz aimed at protecting the territory from the Children of Wrecks - and the Iron Confederacy.
===The Spice Gardens of Feroz===
In western [[#Morajasse|Morajasse]] stand the legendary Spice Gardens of Feroz - a set of heavily-walled enclosures covering several acres where the finest spices in the Empire are grown. A rich source of trade for whoever controls the gardens, the [[Imperial title]] of [[Keeper of the Spice Gardens]] has changed hands between families only a handful of times in the last few centuries, and the bargaining leading up to a new appointment has regularly involved the whole nation.

The peace treaty of Autumn 383YE that ceded control of Morajasse to the Grendel saw the Spice Gardens fall into the hands of the orcs. The Grendel appreciate fine spices as much as any Freeborn so the evidence is that they did not harm the legendary Gardens - but for many Freeborn the idea of their beautiful spice gardens being operated by Grendel slaves was particularly heinous. With Governor Rahab dead and Feroz liberated, the Spice Gardens remain out of Imperial hands as part of the [[#Protectorate of Morjasse|Protectorate of Morajasse]].
==Lost and Ruined==
{{anchor|Shantarim}}
===Shantarim (ruined)===
In the southern islands of the [[#Cazar Straits|Cazar Straits]] the town of Shantarim was one a [[corsair]] stronghold. The families were are known to engage in fierce competition with their northern rivals, not only in Madruga but also in [[#Oranseri|Oranseri]] and even the other islands of the Straits. Smaller than the town of Cazar, Shantarim had a reputation for being somewhat less cosmopolitan than the other towns of Feroz - visitors from mainland families sometimes encounter prejudice and suspicion. The families of Shantarim more than made up for their relatively small size with the enthusiasm with which they opposed the orcs of the Broken Shore.

Prior to the [[Ratify treaty with the Grendel Autumn 383YE|peace treaty]] of 383YE, they were loud supporters of the [[Freeborn Storm]], and the various raids against the Grendel. The signing of the peace treaty with the southern orcs tied their hands, making it illegal to fight the Grendel, which became been a major source of dissension in Shantarim.

Towards the end of the ceasefire secured by the treaty, in 385YE, Shatarim was attacked and wrecked. Warships of the [[Asavean Archipelago]], allies of the Grendel occupation, engaged in a campaign of destruction across the Cazar Straits, and along with the Isle of the Osseini, Shantarim bore the brunt. Many corsairs who had endured the occupation of the Grendel were slain, and the town was looted and left in ruins. When the Children of Wrecks arrived, there was precious little left for the to wreck.
<div style="float:right; width: 450px; clear: right;"><box>'''Justicars'''<br>The priests who previously lived on the Isle of the Osseini called themselves ''justicars''. Specialist exorcists and inquisitors in the pre-Imperial history of the Brass Coast, they specialised in driving out malign spirits or cleansing unpleasant auras from people, places and objects. Never particularly populous, their sanctuary on the Isle of the Osseini was all but wiped out by the Grendel. A handful remained elsewhere, and during the Autumn Equinox 383YE the Freeborn assembly [[383YE_Autumn_Equinox_Synod_judgements#Judgement_22|called on them to come together to preserve their traditions]]. A small enclave of justicars was established on the Isle of Osseini at the sufferance of the Grendel. Unfortunately, when Asavean warships went on a rampage in 385YE, the first place they attacked was this enclave, putting the priests to the sword and burning the enclave. When the Children of Wrecks arrived, the Grendel magicians still left on the island fled back to the Broken Shore. As far as anyone knows today, the island is abandoned.</box></div>

{{Anchor|Isle of the Osseini}}
===Isle of the Osseini (Ruined)===
At the southern tip of the [[#Cazar Straits|Cazar Straits]], the island was known for its heavy sea fog, its ghosts, and for a small sect of Freeborn priests famed for their knowledge of the arts of [[exorcism]]. Stories claimed the Isle was haunted by those who had died at sea, but most Freeborn had no truck with such foolishness. In 383YE, however, it became clear these tales of ghosts were more than just idle gossip. During the Spring Equinox of that year, a [[Grendel]] shaman attempted to unleash a ghostly legion of drowned orcs bound in some fashion to white granite pillars on the island against the defenders of Feroz. Before they could do so they were [[383YE_Summer_Solstice_winds_of_war#The_World_is_Not_Enough|thwarted by Imperial heroes]] who reached the isle via the [[Sentinel Gate]]. Once the heroes retreated, the status of the island, the pillars, and the remaining priests was unknown.

Then in Autumn 383YE, as part of the negotiations that led to the peace treaty with the Grendel, a contract was negotiated with the orc diplomat regarding the Isle of the Osseini. In the wake of that agreement, a small group of priests were allowed to visit the Isle with a Grendel escort. There they discovered the remaining priests were dead, the ghost-binding pillars had been destroyed, and the island was in the hands of a coven of Grendel magicians. The orcs had already constructed a permanent residence there built around a particular Winter regio, and were less than welcoming to the Freeborn. Further negotiations followed; in the end the Freeborn were allowed to establish a small enclave here, under the careful watch of the Grendel.

The return of the justicars was short-lived. In 385YE, a fleet of warships from the Asavean Archipelago went on a murderous rampage in the southern Cazar Straits. Allies of the Grendel, they slaughtered the priests and burned the enclave before sailing north to Shantarim. When the Children of Wrecks arrived, the remaining Grendel magicians fled back to the Broken Shore. By the close of 387YE, the island appears to be abandoned, although it remains to be seen what the Iron Confederacy plan to do with it.

'''OOC Note:''' You can learn more about the historic Isle of the Osseini in the [[Bones in the ocean]] wind of fortune.
{{Anchor|The Scorrero Nets}}
===Scorrero Nets (Defunct)===
The Scorrero Nets were a [[Bourse]] resource located in [[#Oranseri|Oranseri]], seized by the Grendel in Spring 383YE as part of their conquest of Feroz. Custodianship of the Nets was an [[Imperial Title]] that brought with it a Seat on the [[Bourse]]. In Winter 384YE, a [[Drums_beat_in_my_head#The_Scorrero_Nets|daring plan]] was proposed to "steal" the nets by establishing the [[Cerevado Nets]] upriver in [[Segura]]. As a consequence, this Bourse resource ceased to exist, much to the chagrin of the Grendel governor Rahab.
{{Anchor|The Broken Shore Bounty}}
===The Broken Shore Bounty (Defunct)===
The [[Broken Shore Bounty]] was a Bourse resource that was technically located in the [[#Cazar Straits|Cazar Straits]] inasmuch as the holder of the [[Bourse]] seat has the use of a fortified villa in the hills near Cazar. The actual [[ilium]] that the seat provided was sourced throughout the Bay of Catazar; a portion of all ilium claimed from the nets of Freeborn, [[the League|League]], [[Highguard|Highborn]], and [[Urizen|Urizeni]] nets is claimed as part of the Bounty. It produced 7 rings of ilium each season and was allocated during the Spring Equinox.

When the Cazar Straits fell to the Grendel, they also seized the offices of the Broken Shore Bounty. Despite a [[Four_strong_winds#Broken_Shore_Bounty|proposal to move the offices]], the resource fell into disarray, the ilium ending up split between the Imperial Fleet Master and the Bourse Auction. With the ratification of the Grendel peace treaty, this title and resource effectively ceased to exist.
==Regions==
===Afarjasse===
'''Qualities:''' [[Region_qualities#Abandoned|Abandoned]], [[Region_qualities#Underpopulated|Underpopulated]]<br>
The wide open spaces of Afarjasse were sparsely populated even at the height of Feroz's prosperity. "Sweet afar" was a phrase sometimes used to describe being in the middle of nowhere, or an area where there was nothing but grass as far as the eye could see. The only major settlement was the quiet town of '''Afar''', established by [[hakima]] with close ties to the [[Guerra]] [[tribe]], near a potent [[regio]] tied to the [[Realms#Night|realm of Night]]. The town was not hard to reach, but it stood alone in a sea of sprawling grassland, and never encouraged casual visitors. On nights when powerful magics were performed, Afar was often visible for miles around - great bonfires blazing and massive drums pounding out powerful rhythms to help raise (or draw down, or both) the passionate energy for powerful workings.

As with the rest of Feroz, Afarjasse spent two years in the hands of the Grendel. The governor, Lord Rahab, made it clear that the hakima here would not be permitted access to their potent regio - they were after all an important strategic resource. Many of the people who once called the town home went into exile in [[Segura]] and [[Kahraman]] rather than endure Rahab's oppression. When the plains of Afarjasse were [[Glass_and_flame#Fontargenta_and_Bramar_and_Afar|liberated from the Grendel]] it was discovered that Rahab had established massive farms around Afar. The crops were tended by slaves, several hundred of whome were held at Afar in great dormitories, forced to work the fields until they fell, with the same heedless cruelty the Grendel apparently show to those who toil in their salt mines. These people were liberated by the [[Narwhal's Spear]] and the [[Fist of the Mountains]], who executed everyone responsible for their durance. Most were Imperial citizens, but maybe a hundred came from further afield, bought by Rahab from the slave markets of the Broken Shore. Those who are not already Imperial citizens were offered new homes in the Empire. The farms remain, but enthusiasm to work them is understandably low.

===Cazar Straits===
'''Qualities:''' Abandoned, Coastal, Impoverished, Island, Underpopulated<br>
For most of the Brass Coast's history, the islands of the Cazar Straits were dominated by [[corsair]] families. The largest settlement remains the port town from which the islands take their name - high-cliffed '''Cazar''' - but in recent years it has changed hands several times and is a shadow of its former self. Built around a bustling dock, it served as a safe harbour and home port for many of the [[fleet|fleets]] that protected the Bay from barbarian ships. The holder of the [[Broken Shore Bounty]] used to have the use of a fortified villa in the hills near Cazar, and the civil service offices that oversaw the resource were based here. Both were lost to the Grendel, then to the [[Children of Wrecks]], and in the last months of 387YE, to the [[Iron Confederacy]].

Even before the Children of Wrecks arrived, several of the more southerly islands of the Straits had a reputation for peculiarity. The corsairs of [[#Shantarim|Shantarim]] for example were renowned both for their enthusiastic rivalry with all other corsair families, and the zeal with which they waged war on the Grendel. The [[#Isle of the Osseini|Isle of the Osseini]] is also found here, once home to a sect of strange priests, allegedly haunted by the ghosts of drowned pirates, then the site of an uneasy truce between orc magicians and Freeborn priests. Towards the end of the peace treaty with the Grendel, however, a fleet of warships from the [[Asavean Archipelago]] slaughtered the justicars of Osseini and ruined the town of Shantarim. When the Children of Wrecks claimed the region, there was precious little left for them to destroy.

Shortly after the Autumn Equinox 387YE, a naval force belonging to the Iron Confederacy [[Red_skies#Swords_of_the_South|assailed the Cazar Straits]]. They smashed the Children of Wrecks stronghold and claimed the islands for themselves. [[Poets_light_but_lamps#The_Iron_Confederacy|Initial diplomatic discussion]] of the fate of the islands was inconclusive.

Today, the waters around the Cazar Straits remain treacherous, in part this is due to the presence of dozens of immature kraken hatched in the waters by the Children of Wrecks.

===Fontargenta===
'''Qualities:''' Abandoned, Coastal, Impoverished<br>
The trading port of '''Bramar''' stands on the coast here. Surrounded by rich agricultural land, its bountiful cornfields once competed with [[the Marches|Marcher]] grain in markets across the southern nations of the Empire, and their vineyards were justly famous. Before the Grendel invasion it served as an important hub for the Imperial wine trade, with many excellent vintages passing through its docks - both from the Brass Coast to the rest of the world, and from the rest of the world to the Brass Coast (and thus the Empire). Two years of mismanagement by Lord Rahab coupled with raids by the Children of Wrecks [[Glass_and_flame#Fontargenta_and_Bramar_and_Afar|left the region devastated]], and it remains to be seen if the farms here will ever recover.

===Morajasse===
'''Qualities:''' Abandoned, Impoverished, Underpopulated<br>
Morajasse was once one of the richest parts of the Brass Coast, home to extensive spice gardens and renowned for its herbalists, [[surgical skills#apothecary|apothecaries]], and chefs. The largest town was '''Mora''', once simply a spice market, transformed the Lasambrian invasion of [[Segura]] in 363YE. The threat of the western barbarians prompted a burst of rapid militarisation in this previously peaceful settlement. Refugees streamed in from southern Segura: some supported by their families, others looking to work in the market. With the liberation of the western territory, a strange reversal took place - the pool of desperate labourers largely dried up with refugees returning to their homes.

Immediately following the [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Bravado|invasion of Feroz]] in 383YE, work was completed on a [[fortification]] at the town of Mora, [[#Mora's Rock|Mora's Rock]]. The fortification served the defenders well, but with the ratification of the peace treaty it was taken over, and expanded, by Grendel troops. It now serves as the base of operations of ''Wind Lord Saoirse'' and her partner ''Commander Fiersach'', as well as a sizable force of Grendel veterans, in what the Senate has recognised as the [[#Protectorate of Morajasse|Protectorate of Morajasse]].

Western Morajasse is the site of the great [[#The Spice Gardens of Feroz|Spice Gardens]] and the [[Vizier of the Incarnadine Satchel]] was often quite active here, dealing with agents of the Spice Gardens and traders from the Jewelled Isles. Following the Grendel treaty, the offices that supported the Vizier were abandoned, and while they are still notionally the owner of the miraculous satchel that gives them their name, their ability to support the nations' apothecaries and physicks has been greatly reduced.
{{CaptionedImage|file=Oran_by_the_Sea.jpg|caption=The Celesti Lighthouse sits high on the headland overlooking Oran.|align=right|width=400}}

===Oranseri===
'''Qualities:''' Abandoned, Coastal, Impoverished<br>
Across the bay from billowing [[Madruga#Siroc|Siroc]] stands the thriving port town of [[#Oran|Oran]]. In recent years, the port has grown in prominence and prosperity; it served as the seat of power for the Grendel governor Lord Rahab during the Grendel occupation of the territory. Just outside Oran lies the great [[Celesti_Lighthouse_Keeper#The_Celesti_Lighthouse|Celesti Lighthouse]], originally constructed during the reign of [[Emperor Barabbas]] and recently repaired and restored to full functionality. It, too, was in the hands of the Grendel for several years but has now been restored.

West of Oran is the ''Scorrero Crossing''. The river Scorrero is wide and deep between Feroz and Madruga. During the Summer Solstice 383YE, the Grendel invaders attempted to take advantage of this by taking control of both bridges that connect the two Freeborn territories. Had they been successful, it would have been significantly harder for Imperial forces to move between Siroc and Oranseri. Their attempts were stymied, and ultimately became moot once the Scorrero [[Where_the_river_rises#Crossing|burst its banks]] and carried away all the existing bridges.

'''Joharra''' is a port south of Oran, considered much more stable than its northern cousin, and better known for its industry than its trade. Famous throughout the Empire for its cloth and dye-work, Joharra is called '' the Rainbow'' by coastal sailors who mark their progress round the coast with the first sight of the great billowing cloths hung out to dry on tall wooden frames along the low cliffs. As with the other settlements of Oran, the weavers and dyers here now labour under the yoke of the Grendel orcs.

==Strategic Considerations==
* '''The damage to the bridges along the Scorrero prevents movement between Feroz and Madruga'''
The damage to almost all the bridges along the Scorrero means that it is effectively impossible for an [[Army|army]] to move between Feroz and [[Madruga]] (or vice versa). More information can be found in the '''[[Where_the_river_rises#Crossing|Where the river rises]]''' wind of fortune.
<div style="float:left; width: 450px; clear: right;">{{CaptionedImage|file=Garviel i Abrira i Erigo.jpg|caption='''Garviel i Abrira i Erigo''', Senator for Feroz|align=left|width=500}}</div>
{{Senate Elections|Senator_for_Feroz|Territory=Feroz|Season=Summer|Controlled=is}}

==OOC Notes==
* As of the start of the Winter Solstice 387YE, the Iron Confederacy control the Cazar Straits, the Grendel control Morajasse, and the Brass Coast controls Afarjasse, Fontargenta, and Oranseri. Feroz is an Imperial territory
* [[#Mora's Rock|Mora's Rock]] is a rank two fortification controlled by the Grendel.
* The status of various titles and resources located in Feroz is outlined in more detail in [[To_curb_those_raging_appetites#Lost_Opportunities|To curb those raging appetites]], a Winter 383YE wind of fortune.

==Further Reading==
* [[Red skies]] - 387YE Winter wind of war about the Iron Confederacy invasion of the Cazar Straits
* [[A circle sewn with fate]] - 387YE Spring wind of war detailing the Wrecker attack on Oran
* [[Send for me]] - 386YE Winter wind of fortune about the rebuilding of Feroz
* [[Glass and flame]] - 386YE Autumn wind of war about the liberation of Feroz
* [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Spindrift|Winds of War 383YE Spring]] - Detailing the Grendel invasion
* [[383YE_Summer_Solstice_winds_of_war#The_World_is_Not_Enough|Winds of War 383YE Summer]]
* [[383YE_Autumn_Equinox_winds_of_war#Bronze|Winds of War 383YE Autumn]]
* [[Ratify_treaty_with_the_Grendel_Autumn_383YE#Treaty|Treaty]] - the Autumn 383YE treaty with the Grendel
* [[To curb those raging appetites]] - a Winter 383YE wind of fortune that details the situation for Freeborn in Feroz
* [[Everything has a price]] - a Winter 383YE wind of fortune that details the general situation with the Grendel, and has several notes about their presence in Feroz
* [[Bones in the ocean]] - a Winter 383YE wind of fortune that specifically deals with the [[#Isle of the Osseini|Isle of the Osseini]] and the justicars

Feroz

2026-05-13T10:59:14Z

Rafferty: /* Fontargenta */

{{CaptionedImage|file=RegionsofFeroz.png|title=Southernmost of the Freeborn territories, lush but threatened by barbarians over land and sea|caption=Regions of Feroz|align=left|width=500}}[[Category:Gazetteer]][[Category:Imperial Territory]][[category:The Brass Coast]]
{{stub}}
== Overview ==
Feroz is the southernmost territory of the Brass Coast, and like [[Madruga]] to the north has both isles and coastline. Here the climate is warm and humid, perfect for the cultivation of different plants. This is the home of the fabulous spice gardens of Feroz, a source of great revenue for the people of this territory. The seas are more treacherous here, and the south and the west are constantly threatened by barbarians by land. As a result, many armed merchants patrolled the seas, and groups of young warriors journeyed along the borders, fighting skirmishes against jealous foes.

There is a traditional rivalry between the families of Feroz and those of Madruga. The northern territory was the first settled when the Freeborn [[The_Brass_Coast_history#The_Conquest_of_the_Coast|left Highguard]], and there is a popular stereotype that the people who live there are "stuck up". This stereotype is more humorous than hateful - the Freeborn move around too much to allow such prejudice to root itself too firmly in their psyche. Still, if a citizen of Feroz wants to insult a citizen of Madruga, they will fall back on accusations of arrogance and an over-reliance on tradition.

Some of the finest [[Surgical skills#Apothecary|apothecaries]] on the Brass Coast once lived in Feroz - the art of [[potion]] making has been studied here for centuries and even after two years of occupation by the Grendel it is still home to a great many [[herb garden|herb gardens]]. The mainland is a criss-cross patchwork of [[farm|farms]] and small settlements. At the height of its prosperity, a great deal of the food and drink consumed on the Brass Coast was produced here and exported to other Freeborn territories.

Unfortunately, in recent years the territory has been hit by disaster after disaster. Repeated raids by the Grendel eventually gave way to a concerted invasion, and while it was pushed back, the barbarian of the Broken Shore did not abandon their ambition to conquer Feroz. In 383YE, a [[Ratify treaty with the Grendel Autumn 383YE|peace treaty]] ceded the territory to the invaders, and saw the vicious, greedy, and tyrannical ''Governor Rahab'' establish his dominion over Feroz. The Freeborn organised a [[The power behind our moves|grand evacuation]] that saw much of the population escape Rahab's hungry grasp and resettle elsewhere in the Coast, but the move came at a price. When the treaty ended, and the Grendel were (mostly) driven out, Feroz was left abandoned, wrecked, and heavily underpopulated, its former residents preferring to stay with the new lives they had built elsewhere rather than return. Worse, the [[#Cazar Straits|Cazar Straits]] were taken by the [[Children of Wrecks]], transformed into a stronghold for the servants of the eternal [[Siakha]]. They in turn were supplanted towards the end of 387YE by the [[Iron Confederacy]], who drove out the Wreckers and claimed the island for themselves.

On the mainland, the situation is a little better, but what was once one of the richest Freeborn territories still struggles with the weight of two years of exploitation by a money-hungry tyrant, and what many see as its abandonment by the Empire.

==Recent History==
Being on the [[Bay of Catazar]], Feroz has always been under threat from the [[Grendel]] [[orc|orcs]]. In Spring 383YE, the orcs [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Spindrift|launched a naval invasion]], capturing [[#Oranseri|Oranseri]] and the [[#Cazar Straits|Cazar Straits]] in short order and making significant inroads into [[#Fontargenta|Fontargenta]]. The Grendel installed a grizzled old orc named ''Lord Rahab'' as overseer of the conquered land; he took up residence in the offices of the [[Scorrero Nets]] and quickly set about attempting to bring the rest of Feroz under his control. Part of their plan appeared to involve the ghosts of the [[#Isle of the Osseini|Isle of the Osseini]], but the scheme was countered by Imperial heroes travelling through the [[Sentinel Gate]] to exorcise the spirits and defeat the Grendel seeking to make use of them.

Undaunted by the loss of their supernatural weapon, the orcs kept up their assault. By Summer 383YE, they [[383YE_Summer_Solstice_winds_of_war#The_World_is_Not_Enough|sought to consolidate their gains in Fontargenta]]; they were opposed by [[Navarr]] and [[the Marches|Marcher]] [[Army|armies]], who held the Grendel at the town of [[#Fontargenta|Bramar]] for two days before being forced to retreat. They were able to slow the Grendel advance, however, leaving the orcs bogged down in Fontargenta and unable to press inland.

Following the engagement in Fontargenta, and battling under a powerful supernatural storm, the Grendel [[383YE_Autumn_Equinox_winds_of_war#Bronze|brought even more force]] to bear in the territory. While the Imperial armies were reinforced by [[Highguard|Highborn]] troops, the orc navies disgorged a great host of their own warriors. The fighting was bitter, but in the end Fontargenta fell - and as Fontargenta falls, so falls Feroz. While [[#Morajasse|Morajasse]] and [[#Afarjasse|Afarjasse]] remained free, the Grendel forces continued to mass along the coast.

During the Autumn Equinox 383, the [[Senate]] [[Ratify_treaty_with_the_Grendel_Autumn_383YE#Treaty|ratified a peace treaty]] with the Grendel. Presented by the [[Imperial Fleet Master]], among other things it [[Powers_of_the_Imperial_Senate#Concedence|ceded]] the two remaining regions of Feroz to the Grendel, albeit with provisions allowing Imperial citizens still in Morajasse and Afarjasse to withdraw to safety. Following the Equinox, Lord Rahab's forces spread out quickly to bring the two western regions under his control; Feroz was now [[To_curb_those_raging_appetites|completely under Grendel control]].

Just before the Autumn Equinox 386YE, the Imperial forces reconquered [[Glass_and_flame| reconquered Feroz]]. Possession of the territory is complicated by [[Children_of_Wrecks|Children of Wrecks]] as well as the remnants of the Grendel. Feroz has been run into the ground by Lord Rahab, eager to extract every drop of profit from the place, and it requires significant investment to return the territory to even a fraction of its former wealth.

In 386YE, the [[Senate]] commissioned an [[appraisal]] of Feroz that laid out many of the challenges presented by the newly reclaimed territory, and some potential solutions. Details are contained in the '''[[Send_for_me#State_of_Feroz|Send for me]]''' wind of fortune.

== Major Features ==
===Oran===
The largest and most prestigious port was Feroz is Oran, on the northern coast of [[#Oranseri|Oranseri]]. Across the bay from billowing [[Madruga#Siroc_(Ruined)|Siroc]] this thriving port specialised in high-value products such as fine wines and spice mixes. Unsurprisingly, given its position, for most of its history it has engaged in low-key economic warfare with its larger cousin to the north - Oran notably has cheaper dock fees than Siroc, and a number of entrepreneurs prefer to operate here as a consequence. It is especially welcoming to those merchants who are just starting out, and has a reputation for being more energetic than its competitors to the north and south. This energy has been significantly boosted by construction of the only open [[#The Temple of Balo and the Black Bull|Asavean Temple]] in the entire Empire; the surge of [[Asavean Archipelago|Asavean]] ships visiting Oran saw the town expand significantly to become the largest trading port in Feroz.

In Spring 383YE, however, Oran was [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Spindrift|conquered by the Grendel]]. An orc governor, Lord Rahab, chose the town as the site for his court, converting the offices of the [[Scorrero Nets]] to his personal use. Among other things, this invasion saw the collapse of the [[Broken Shore Bounty]], the Scorrero Nets falling into orc hands, and the Temple of Balo and the Black Bull sealing its doors against the orcs while offering sanctuary to Freeborn families. Following the treaty signed during the Autumn Equinox, the Grendel opened Oran as a port [[Everything_has_a_price#A_New_Destination|available to Imperial captains]]. This situation persisted until the peace treaty ended, and war with the Grendel resumed.

After the Summer Solstice 386YE, Imperial forces swept into Oranseri to liberate the territory from the Grendel. They [[Glass_and_flame#The_Siege_of_Oran|laid siege]] to Oran, and were quickly victorious. The [[Below_the_thunders#Objective:_Eliminate_Governor_Rahab|recent death of Governor Rahab]] in battle with the Empire's heroes left the garrison demoralised and disorganised. It was a grievous victory, however. The fighting that raged through the town, the overwhelming assault, the barrage of catapult stones, all contributed to the fact that many of the buildings have been left in ruins, and many more damaged. A fire at the docks threatened to spread through the town and only the valiant actions of League soldiers managed bring it under control. Barely a year later the town again came under serious attack, this time by the Children of Wrecks. Without the [[A_circle_sewn_with_fate#The_Battle_of_Oran|prompt action]] of the [[orc|orcs]] from the [[#Protectorate of Morajasse|Protectorate of Morajasse]], Oran again might have been destroyed. As it is, the town remains intact but in a sadly impoverished state.

Proposals have been put forward to [[Send_for_me#Wharfage_of_Oran|rebuild Oran]], but it remains to be seen what the future holds for the port town.

{{Anchor|The Temple of Balo and the Black Bull}}
===Temple of Balo and the Black Bull===
During the Spring Equinox 380YE, permission was granted to the people of the [[Asavean Archipelago]] to construct a major temple to their gods in [[#Oranseri|Oran]]. Initially, construction was expected to be completed shortly before the Autumn Equinox 380YE, but the temple did not actually open its doors until shortly before the Spring Equinox 381YE. The town is seeing an influx of Asavean shipping bringing white granite and architects to the Brass Coast, as well as throwing crowns around like water to secure local labour to complete their project. Relations between the people of the Empire and the priests of Asavea are monitored by ''[[El oficial de enlace imperial con los sacerdotes de Balo y el toro negro]]'' ("The Imperial intermediary to the priests of Balo and the Black Bull"), who among other things is able to [[ministry|buy Asavean goods]] at a reduced price. During the Summer Solstice 380YE, the Assembly of Nine supported Abaddon de Rondell in [[Temple_of_the_bull#Resolution|denouncing]] the temple as an idolatrous affront, making it significantly harder for the Asaveans to find labourers prepared to work on the construction and both delaying its completion and laying a significant economic burden on the foreign priests.

The temple remained extremely controversial among Imperial priests. When Oran fell to the Grendel, however, the priests at the temple [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Sand|offered sanctuary]] to a number of Freeborn families in spite of Governor Rahab's unhappiness. Several of those families were ultimately smuggled to safety in Madruga. Despite this, however, it was clear that the Asaveans were happy to work with the new owners of Oran - there were rumours that they quickly recognised a Grendel as the [[Imperial Delegate to the Temple in Feroz|Delegate to the Temple in Feroz]]. This situation was further exacerbated by the Summer 383YE [[Through_my_sails#Ruined_Buildings|attack]] on the "sister temple" to the Black Bull, the temple of the Way in Nemoria.

When Oran was [[Glass_and_flame#The_Siege_of_Oran|liberated from the Grendel]] in 386YE Autumn, the priests surrendered ''en masse'' and [[Glass_and_flame#Game_Information_:_Asavean_Diplomacy|asked to be repatriated]] back to the Archipelago. As of the winter of 387YE, the temple still stands but without tenants.

'''OOC Notes:''' More details on the construction of the Temple of Balo and the Black Bull can be found in the winds of fortune, specifically [[Seven_lords_of_virtue#Temple_of_Bahlo_and_the_Black_Bull|Seven lords of virtue]], [[Those who worship#The Black Bull|Those who worship]], and [[Distant deeps]].
{{Anchor|Protectorate of Morajasse}}
===Mora's Rock===
Built as part of the grand project to create [[fortification|fortifications]] across the southern Empire in response to the threat of the [[Grendel]], Mora's Rock in [[#Morajasse|Morajasse]] was completed in the months following the [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Bravado|invasion of 383YE]]. The fortification squats above the town of Mora, guarding against invasion from [[Segura]], and providing garrisons and scouts who can offer resistance to assaults from the sea.

When Morajasse was ceded to the Grendel in Autumn 383YE, they took control of the fortification and later expanded it significantly. The fortification resisted the [[Glass and flame|liberation]] of the territory, and as of the beginning of 387YE remains under the control of the Grendel. The garrison is led by ''[[Glass_and_flame#The_Shadow_of_Mora's_Rock|Commander Gallum Fiersach]]'', ably supported by his partner, the ''Wind Lord Saoirse''.

The garrison there includes a warband of veteran [[Elite_Grendel_troops#The_Stone_Born|Stone Born]], and the remainder appear to be very experienced soldiers. These Grendel are enemies of the Empire, obviously, but that did not prevent them acting to [[A_circle_sewn_with_fate#The_Battle_of_Oran|protect Oran]] from the Children of Wrecks in early 387YE. In the Summer of that year, the Senate [[387YE_Summer_Solstice_Senate_sessions#Recognise_Protectorate_of_Gallum_Fiersach|recognised the Protectorate of Morajasse]] as foreigners, as long as they reamined independent of the Grendel. While there is still tension between the Freeborn and the orcs many see as occupying Morajasse, for now at least Gallum Fiersach's forces seem content to keep to their castle, apart from regular patrols along the borders of Feroz aimed at protecting the territory from the Children of Wrecks - and the Iron Confederacy.
===The Spice Gardens of Feroz===
In western [[#Morajasse|Morajasse]] stand the legendary Spice Gardens of Feroz - a set of heavily-walled enclosures covering several acres where the finest spices in the Empire are grown. A rich source of trade for whoever controls the gardens, the [[Imperial title]] of [[Keeper of the Spice Gardens]] has changed hands between families only a handful of times in the last few centuries, and the bargaining leading up to a new appointment has regularly involved the whole nation.

The peace treaty of Autumn 383YE that ceded control of Morajasse to the Grendel saw the Spice Gardens fall into the hands of the orcs. The Grendel appreciate fine spices as much as any Freeborn so the evidence is that they did not harm the legendary Gardens - but for many Freeborn the idea of their beautiful spice gardens being operated by Grendel slaves was particularly heinous. With Governor Rahab dead and Feroz liberated, the Spice Gardens remain out of Imperial hands as part of the [[#Protectorate of Morjasse|Protectorate of Morajasse]].
==Lost and Ruined==
{{anchor|Shantarim}}
===Shantarim (ruined)===
In the southern islands of the [[#Cazar Straits|Cazar Straits]] the town of Shantarim was one a [[corsair]] stronghold. The families were are known to engage in fierce competition with their northern rivals, not only in Madruga but also in [[#Oranseri|Oranseri]] and even the other islands of the Straits. Smaller than the town of Cazar, Shantarim had a reputation for being somewhat less cosmopolitan than the other towns of Feroz - visitors from mainland families sometimes encounter prejudice and suspicion. The families of Shantarim more than made up for their relatively small size with the enthusiasm with which they opposed the orcs of the Broken Shore.

Prior to the [[Ratify treaty with the Grendel Autumn 383YE|peace treaty]] of 383YE, they were loud supporters of the [[Freeborn Storm]], and the various raids against the Grendel. The signing of the peace treaty with the southern orcs tied their hands, making it illegal to fight the Grendel, which became been a major source of dissension in Shantarim.

Towards the end of the ceasefire secured by the treaty, in 385YE, Shatarim was attacked and wrecked. Warships of the [[Asavean Archipelago]], allies of the Grendel occupation, engaged in a campaign of destruction across the Cazar Straits, and along with the Isle of the Osseini, Shantarim bore the brunt. Many corsairs who had endured the occupation of the Grendel were slain, and the town was looted and left in ruins. When the Children of Wrecks arrived, there was precious little left for the to wreck.
<div style="float:right; width: 450px; clear: right;"><box>'''Justicars'''<br>The priests who previously lived on the Isle of the Osseini called themselves ''justicars''. Specialist exorcists and inquisitors in the pre-Imperial history of the Brass Coast, they specialised in driving out malign spirits or cleansing unpleasant auras from people, places and objects. Never particularly populous, their sanctuary on the Isle of the Osseini was all but wiped out by the Grendel. A handful remained elsewhere, and during the Autumn Equinox 383YE the Freeborn assembly [[383YE_Autumn_Equinox_Synod_judgements#Judgement_22|called on them to come together to preserve their traditions]]. A small enclave of justicars was established on the Isle of Osseini at the sufferance of the Grendel. Unfortunately, when Asavean warships went on a rampage in 385YE, the first place they attacked was this enclave, putting the priests to the sword and burning the enclave. When the Children of Wrecks arrived, the Grendel magicians still left on the island fled back to the Broken Shore. As far as anyone knows today, the island is abandoned.</box></div>

{{Anchor|Isle of the Osseini}}
===Isle of the Osseini (Ruined)===
At the southern tip of the [[#Cazar Straits|Cazar Straits]], the island was known for its heavy sea fog, its ghosts, and for a small sect of Freeborn priests famed for their knowledge of the arts of [[exorcism]]. Stories claimed the Isle was haunted by those who had died at sea, but most Freeborn had no truck with such foolishness. In 383YE, however, it became clear these tales of ghosts were more than just idle gossip. During the Spring Equinox of that year, a [[Grendel]] shaman attempted to unleash a ghostly legion of drowned orcs bound in some fashion to white granite pillars on the island against the defenders of Feroz. Before they could do so they were [[383YE_Summer_Solstice_winds_of_war#The_World_is_Not_Enough|thwarted by Imperial heroes]] who reached the isle via the [[Sentinel Gate]]. Once the heroes retreated, the status of the island, the pillars, and the remaining priests was unknown.

Then in Autumn 383YE, as part of the negotiations that led to the peace treaty with the Grendel, a contract was negotiated with the orc diplomat regarding the Isle of the Osseini. In the wake of that agreement, a small group of priests were allowed to visit the Isle with a Grendel escort. There they discovered the remaining priests were dead, the ghost-binding pillars had been destroyed, and the island was in the hands of a coven of Grendel magicians. The orcs had already constructed a permanent residence there built around a particular Winter regio, and were less than welcoming to the Freeborn. Further negotiations followed; in the end the Freeborn were allowed to establish a small enclave here, under the careful watch of the Grendel.

The return of the justicars was short-lived. In 385YE, a fleet of warships from the Asavean Archipelago went on a murderous rampage in the southern Cazar Straits. Allies of the Grendel, they slaughtered the priests and burned the enclave before sailing north to Shantarim. When the Children of Wrecks arrived, the remaining Grendel magicians fled back to the Broken Shore. By the close of 387YE, the island appears to be abandoned, although it remains to be seen what the Iron Confederacy plan to do with it.

'''OOC Note:''' You can learn more about the historic Isle of the Osseini in the [[Bones in the ocean]] wind of fortune.
{{Anchor|The Scorrero Nets}}
===Scorrero Nets (Defunct)===
The Scorrero Nets were a [[Bourse]] resource located in [[#Oranseri|Oranseri]], seized by the Grendel in Spring 383YE as part of their conquest of Feroz. Custodianship of the Nets was an [[Imperial Title]] that brought with it a Seat on the [[Bourse]]. In Winter 384YE, a [[Drums_beat_in_my_head#The_Scorrero_Nets|daring plan]] was proposed to "steal" the nets by establishing the [[Cerevado Nets]] upriver in [[Segura]]. As a consequence, this Bourse resource ceased to exist, much to the chagrin of the Grendel governor Rahab.
{{Anchor|The Broken Shore Bounty}}
===The Broken Shore Bounty (Defunct)===
The [[Broken Shore Bounty]] was a Bourse resource that was technically located in the [[#Cazar Straits|Cazar Straits]] inasmuch as the holder of the [[Bourse]] seat has the use of a fortified villa in the hills near Cazar. The actual [[ilium]] that the seat provided was sourced throughout the Bay of Catazar; a portion of all ilium claimed from the nets of Freeborn, [[the League|League]], [[Highguard|Highborn]], and [[Urizen|Urizeni]] nets is claimed as part of the Bounty. It produced 7 rings of ilium each season and was allocated during the Spring Equinox.

When the Cazar Straits fell to the Grendel, they also seized the offices of the Broken Shore Bounty. Despite a [[Four_strong_winds#Broken_Shore_Bounty|proposal to move the offices]], the resource fell into disarray, the ilium ending up split between the Imperial Fleet Master and the Bourse Auction. With the ratification of the Grendel peace treaty, this title and resource effectively ceased to exist.
==Regions==
===Afarjasse===
'''Qualities:''' [[Region_qualities#Abandoned|Abandoned]], [[Region_qualities#Underpopulated|Underpopulated]]<br>
The wide open spaces of Afarjasse were sparsely populated even at the height of Feroz's prosperity. "Sweet afar" was a phrase sometimes used to describe being in the middle of nowhere, or an area where there was nothing but grass as far as the eye could see. The only major settlement was the quiet town of '''Afar''', established by [[hakima]] with close ties to the [[Guerra]] [[tribe]], near a potent [[regio]] tied to the [[Realms#Night|realm of Night]]. The town was not hard to reach, but it stood alone in a sea of sprawling grassland, and never encouraged casual visitors. On nights when powerful magics were performed, Afar was often visible for miles around - great bonfires blazing and massive drums pounding out powerful rhythms to help raise (or draw down, or both) the passionate energy for powerful workings.

As with the rest of Feroz, Afarjasse spent two years in the hands of the Grendel. The governor, Lord Rahab, made it clear that the hakima here would not be permitted access to their potent regio - they were after all an important strategic resource. Many of the people who once called the town home went into exile in [[Segura]] and [[Kahraman]] rather than endure Rahab's oppression. When the plains of Afarjasse were [[Glass_and_flame#Fontargenta_and_Bramar_and_Afar|liberated from the Grendel]] it was discovered that Rahab had established massive farms around Afar. The crops were tended by slaves, several hundred of whome were held at Afar in great dormitories, forced to work the fields until they fell, with the same heedless cruelty the Grendel apparently show to those who toil in their salt mines. These people were liberated by the [[Narwhal's Spear]] and the [[Fist of the Mountains]], who executed everyone responsible for their durance. Most were Imperial citizens, but maybe a hundred came from further afield, bought by Rahab from the slave markets of the Broken Shore. Those who are not already Imperial citizens were offered new homes in the Empire. The farms remain, but enthusiasm to work them is understandably low.

===Cazar Straits===
'''Qualities:''' Abandoned, Coastal, Impoverished, Island, Underpopulated<br>
For most of the Brass Coast's history, the islands of the Cazar Straits were dominated by [[corsair]] families. The largest settlement remains the port town from which the islands take their name - high-cliffed '''Cazar''' - but in recent years it has changed hands several times and is a shadow of its former self. Built around a bustling dock, it served as a safe harbour and home port for many of the [[fleet|fleets]] that protected the Bay from barbarian ships. The holder of the [[Broken Shore Bounty]] used to have the use of a fortified villa in the hills near Cazar, and the civil service offices that oversaw the resource were based here. Both were lost to the Grendel, then to the [[Children of Wrecks]], and in the last months of 387YE, to the [[Iron Confederacy]].

Even before the Children of Wrecks arrived, several of the more southerly islands of the Straits had a reputation for peculiarity. The corsairs of [[#Shantarim|Shantarim]] for example were renowned both for their enthusiastic rivalry with all other corsair families, and the zeal with which they waged war on the Grendel. The [[#Isle of the Osseini|Isle of the Osseini]] is also found here, once home to a sect of strange priests, allegedly haunted by the ghosts of drowned pirates, then the site of an uneasy truce between orc magicians and Freeborn priests. Towards the end of the peace treaty with the Grendel, however, a fleet of warships from the [[Asavean Archipelago]] slaughtered the justicars of Osseini and ruined the town of Shantarim. When the Children of Wrecks claimed the region, there was precious little left for them to destroy.

Shortly after the Autumn Equinox 387YE, a naval force belonging to the Iron Confederacy [[Red_skies#Swords_of_the_South|assailed the Cazar Straits]]. They smashed the Children of Wrecks stronghold and claimed the islands for themselves. [[Poets_light_but_lamps#The_Iron_Confederacy|Initial diplomatic discussion]] of the fate of the islands was inconclusive.

Today, the waters around the Cazar Straits remain treacherous, in part this is due to the presence of dozens of immature kraken hatched in the waters by the Children of Wrecks.

===Fontargenta===
'''Qualities:''' Abandoned, Coastal, Impoverished<br>
The trading port of '''Bramar''' stands on the coast here. Surrounded by rich agricultural land, its bountiful cornfields once competed with [[the Marches|Marcher]] grain in markets across the southern nations of the Empire, and their vineyards were justly famous. Before the Grendel invasion it served as an important hub for the Imperial wine trade, with many excellent vintages passing through its docks - both from the Brass Coast to the rest of the world, and from the rest of the world to the Brass Coast (and thus the Empire). Two years of mismanagement by Lord Rahab coupled with raids by the Children of Wrecks [[Glass_and_flame#Fontargenta_and_Bramar_and_Afar|left the region devastated]], and it remains to be seen if the farms here will ever recover.

===Morajasse===
'''Qualities:''' Abandoned, Impoverished, Underpopulated<br>
The largest town in prosperous Morajasse is '''Mora'''. Once simply a spice market, the barbarian invasion of [[Segura]] saw a burst of rapid militarisation of this peaceful settlement. Refugees are common here: some supported by their families, others looking to work in the market. With the liberation of the western territory, a strange reversal took place - the pool of desperate labourers has largely dried up with refugees returning to their homes.

Immediately following the [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Bravado|invasion of Feroz]] in 383YE, work was completed on a [[fortification]] at the town of Mora, [[#Mora's Rock|Mora's Rock]]. The fortification served the defenders well, but with the ratification of the peace treaty it was taken over, and expanded, by Grendel troops. It now serves as the base of operations of ''Wind Lord Saoirse'' and her partner ''Commander Fiersach'', as well as a sizable force of Grendel veterans.

Western Morajasse is the site of the great [[#The Spice Gardens of Feroz|Spice Gardens]]. The [[Vizier of the Incarnadine Satchel]] was often quite active in Feroz, occasionally dealing with agents of the Spice Gardens or traders from the Jewelled Isles. Following the Grendel treaty, the offices that supported the Vizier with easy access to reasonably priced herbs has dried up - while they are still notionally the owner of the miraculous satchel that gives them their name, their ability to support the nations' apothecaries and physicks has been greatly reduced.
{{CaptionedImage|file=Oran_by_the_Sea.jpg|caption=The Celesti Lighthouse sits high on the headland overlooking Oran.|align=right|width=400}}

===Oranseri===
'''Qualities:''' Abandoned, Coastal, Impoverished<br>
Across the bay from billowing [[Madruga#Siroc|Siroc]] stands the thriving port town of [[#Oran|Oran]]. In recent years, the port has grown in prominence and prosperity; it served as the seat of power for the Grendel governor Lord Rahab during the Grendel occupation of the territory. Just outside Oran lies the great [[Celesti_Lighthouse_Keeper#The_Celesti_Lighthouse|Celesti Lighthouse]], originally constructed during the reign of [[Emperor Barabbas]] and recently repaired and restored to full functionality. It, too, was in the hands of the Grendel for several years but has now been restored.

West of Oran is the ''Scorrero Crossing''. The river Scorrero is wide and deep between Feroz and Madruga. During the Summer Solstice 383YE, the Grendel invaders attempted to take advantage of this by taking control of both bridges that connect the two Freeborn territories. Had they been successful, it would have been significantly harder for Imperial forces to move between Siroc and Oranseri. Their attempts were stymied, and ultimately became moot once the Scorrero [[Where_the_river_rises#Crossing|burst its banks]] and carried away all the existing bridges.

'''Joharra''' is a port south of Oran, considered much more stable than its northern cousin, and better known for its industry than its trade. Famous throughout the Empire for its cloth and dye-work, Joharra is called '' the Rainbow'' by coastal sailors who mark their progress round the coast with the first sight of the great billowing cloths hung out to dry on tall wooden frames along the low cliffs. As with the other settlements of Oran, the weavers and dyers here now labour under the yoke of the Grendel orcs.

==Strategic Considerations==
* '''The damage to the bridges along the Scorrero prevents movement between Feroz and Madruga'''
The damage to almost all the bridges along the Scorrero means that it is effectively impossible for an [[Army|army]] to move between Feroz and [[Madruga]] (or vice versa). More information can be found in the '''[[Where_the_river_rises#Crossing|Where the river rises]]''' wind of fortune.
<div style="float:left; width: 450px; clear: right;">{{CaptionedImage|file=Garviel i Abrira i Erigo.jpg|caption='''Garviel i Abrira i Erigo''', Senator for Feroz|align=left|width=500}}</div>
{{Senate Elections|Senator_for_Feroz|Territory=Feroz|Season=Summer|Controlled=is}}

==OOC Notes==
* As of the start of the Winter Solstice 387YE, the Iron Confederacy control the Cazar Straits, the Grendel control Morajasse, and the Brass Coast controls Afarjasse, Fontargenta, and Oranseri. Feroz is an Imperial territory
* [[#Mora's Rock|Mora's Rock]] is a rank two fortification controlled by the Grendel.
* The status of various titles and resources located in Feroz is outlined in more detail in [[To_curb_those_raging_appetites#Lost_Opportunities|To curb those raging appetites]], a Winter 383YE wind of fortune.

==Further Reading==
* [[Red skies]] - 387YE Winter wind of war about the Iron Confederacy invasion of the Cazar Straits
* [[A circle sewn with fate]] - 387YE Spring wind of war detailing the Wrecker attack on Oran
* [[Send for me]] - 386YE Winter wind of fortune about the rebuilding of Feroz
* [[Glass and flame]] - 386YE Autumn wind of war about the liberation of Feroz
* [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Spindrift|Winds of War 383YE Spring]] - Detailing the Grendel invasion
* [[383YE_Summer_Solstice_winds_of_war#The_World_is_Not_Enough|Winds of War 383YE Summer]]
* [[383YE_Autumn_Equinox_winds_of_war#Bronze|Winds of War 383YE Autumn]]
* [[Ratify_treaty_with_the_Grendel_Autumn_383YE#Treaty|Treaty]] - the Autumn 383YE treaty with the Grendel
* [[To curb those raging appetites]] - a Winter 383YE wind of fortune that details the situation for Freeborn in Feroz
* [[Everything has a price]] - a Winter 383YE wind of fortune that details the general situation with the Grendel, and has several notes about their presence in Feroz
* [[Bones in the ocean]] - a Winter 383YE wind of fortune that specifically deals with the [[#Isle of the Osseini|Isle of the Osseini]] and the justicars

Feroz

2026-05-13T10:57:50Z

Rafferty: /* Cazar Straits */

{{CaptionedImage|file=RegionsofFeroz.png|title=Southernmost of the Freeborn territories, lush but threatened by barbarians over land and sea|caption=Regions of Feroz|align=left|width=500}}[[Category:Gazetteer]][[Category:Imperial Territory]][[category:The Brass Coast]]
{{stub}}
== Overview ==
Feroz is the southernmost territory of the Brass Coast, and like [[Madruga]] to the north has both isles and coastline. Here the climate is warm and humid, perfect for the cultivation of different plants. This is the home of the fabulous spice gardens of Feroz, a source of great revenue for the people of this territory. The seas are more treacherous here, and the south and the west are constantly threatened by barbarians by land. As a result, many armed merchants patrolled the seas, and groups of young warriors journeyed along the borders, fighting skirmishes against jealous foes.

There is a traditional rivalry between the families of Feroz and those of Madruga. The northern territory was the first settled when the Freeborn [[The_Brass_Coast_history#The_Conquest_of_the_Coast|left Highguard]], and there is a popular stereotype that the people who live there are "stuck up". This stereotype is more humorous than hateful - the Freeborn move around too much to allow such prejudice to root itself too firmly in their psyche. Still, if a citizen of Feroz wants to insult a citizen of Madruga, they will fall back on accusations of arrogance and an over-reliance on tradition.

Some of the finest [[Surgical skills#Apothecary|apothecaries]] on the Brass Coast once lived in Feroz - the art of [[potion]] making has been studied here for centuries and even after two years of occupation by the Grendel it is still home to a great many [[herb garden|herb gardens]]. The mainland is a criss-cross patchwork of [[farm|farms]] and small settlements. At the height of its prosperity, a great deal of the food and drink consumed on the Brass Coast was produced here and exported to other Freeborn territories.

Unfortunately, in recent years the territory has been hit by disaster after disaster. Repeated raids by the Grendel eventually gave way to a concerted invasion, and while it was pushed back, the barbarian of the Broken Shore did not abandon their ambition to conquer Feroz. In 383YE, a [[Ratify treaty with the Grendel Autumn 383YE|peace treaty]] ceded the territory to the invaders, and saw the vicious, greedy, and tyrannical ''Governor Rahab'' establish his dominion over Feroz. The Freeborn organised a [[The power behind our moves|grand evacuation]] that saw much of the population escape Rahab's hungry grasp and resettle elsewhere in the Coast, but the move came at a price. When the treaty ended, and the Grendel were (mostly) driven out, Feroz was left abandoned, wrecked, and heavily underpopulated, its former residents preferring to stay with the new lives they had built elsewhere rather than return. Worse, the [[#Cazar Straits|Cazar Straits]] were taken by the [[Children of Wrecks]], transformed into a stronghold for the servants of the eternal [[Siakha]]. They in turn were supplanted towards the end of 387YE by the [[Iron Confederacy]], who drove out the Wreckers and claimed the island for themselves.

On the mainland, the situation is a little better, but what was once one of the richest Freeborn territories still struggles with the weight of two years of exploitation by a money-hungry tyrant, and what many see as its abandonment by the Empire.

==Recent History==
Being on the [[Bay of Catazar]], Feroz has always been under threat from the [[Grendel]] [[orc|orcs]]. In Spring 383YE, the orcs [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Spindrift|launched a naval invasion]], capturing [[#Oranseri|Oranseri]] and the [[#Cazar Straits|Cazar Straits]] in short order and making significant inroads into [[#Fontargenta|Fontargenta]]. The Grendel installed a grizzled old orc named ''Lord Rahab'' as overseer of the conquered land; he took up residence in the offices of the [[Scorrero Nets]] and quickly set about attempting to bring the rest of Feroz under his control. Part of their plan appeared to involve the ghosts of the [[#Isle of the Osseini|Isle of the Osseini]], but the scheme was countered by Imperial heroes travelling through the [[Sentinel Gate]] to exorcise the spirits and defeat the Grendel seeking to make use of them.

Undaunted by the loss of their supernatural weapon, the orcs kept up their assault. By Summer 383YE, they [[383YE_Summer_Solstice_winds_of_war#The_World_is_Not_Enough|sought to consolidate their gains in Fontargenta]]; they were opposed by [[Navarr]] and [[the Marches|Marcher]] [[Army|armies]], who held the Grendel at the town of [[#Fontargenta|Bramar]] for two days before being forced to retreat. They were able to slow the Grendel advance, however, leaving the orcs bogged down in Fontargenta and unable to press inland.

Following the engagement in Fontargenta, and battling under a powerful supernatural storm, the Grendel [[383YE_Autumn_Equinox_winds_of_war#Bronze|brought even more force]] to bear in the territory. While the Imperial armies were reinforced by [[Highguard|Highborn]] troops, the orc navies disgorged a great host of their own warriors. The fighting was bitter, but in the end Fontargenta fell - and as Fontargenta falls, so falls Feroz. While [[#Morajasse|Morajasse]] and [[#Afarjasse|Afarjasse]] remained free, the Grendel forces continued to mass along the coast.

During the Autumn Equinox 383, the [[Senate]] [[Ratify_treaty_with_the_Grendel_Autumn_383YE#Treaty|ratified a peace treaty]] with the Grendel. Presented by the [[Imperial Fleet Master]], among other things it [[Powers_of_the_Imperial_Senate#Concedence|ceded]] the two remaining regions of Feroz to the Grendel, albeit with provisions allowing Imperial citizens still in Morajasse and Afarjasse to withdraw to safety. Following the Equinox, Lord Rahab's forces spread out quickly to bring the two western regions under his control; Feroz was now [[To_curb_those_raging_appetites|completely under Grendel control]].

Just before the Autumn Equinox 386YE, the Imperial forces reconquered [[Glass_and_flame| reconquered Feroz]]. Possession of the territory is complicated by [[Children_of_Wrecks|Children of Wrecks]] as well as the remnants of the Grendel. Feroz has been run into the ground by Lord Rahab, eager to extract every drop of profit from the place, and it requires significant investment to return the territory to even a fraction of its former wealth.

In 386YE, the [[Senate]] commissioned an [[appraisal]] of Feroz that laid out many of the challenges presented by the newly reclaimed territory, and some potential solutions. Details are contained in the '''[[Send_for_me#State_of_Feroz|Send for me]]''' wind of fortune.

== Major Features ==
===Oran===
The largest and most prestigious port was Feroz is Oran, on the northern coast of [[#Oranseri|Oranseri]]. Across the bay from billowing [[Madruga#Siroc_(Ruined)|Siroc]] this thriving port specialised in high-value products such as fine wines and spice mixes. Unsurprisingly, given its position, for most of its history it has engaged in low-key economic warfare with its larger cousin to the north - Oran notably has cheaper dock fees than Siroc, and a number of entrepreneurs prefer to operate here as a consequence. It is especially welcoming to those merchants who are just starting out, and has a reputation for being more energetic than its competitors to the north and south. This energy has been significantly boosted by construction of the only open [[#The Temple of Balo and the Black Bull|Asavean Temple]] in the entire Empire; the surge of [[Asavean Archipelago|Asavean]] ships visiting Oran saw the town expand significantly to become the largest trading port in Feroz.

In Spring 383YE, however, Oran was [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Spindrift|conquered by the Grendel]]. An orc governor, Lord Rahab, chose the town as the site for his court, converting the offices of the [[Scorrero Nets]] to his personal use. Among other things, this invasion saw the collapse of the [[Broken Shore Bounty]], the Scorrero Nets falling into orc hands, and the Temple of Balo and the Black Bull sealing its doors against the orcs while offering sanctuary to Freeborn families. Following the treaty signed during the Autumn Equinox, the Grendel opened Oran as a port [[Everything_has_a_price#A_New_Destination|available to Imperial captains]]. This situation persisted until the peace treaty ended, and war with the Grendel resumed.

After the Summer Solstice 386YE, Imperial forces swept into Oranseri to liberate the territory from the Grendel. They [[Glass_and_flame#The_Siege_of_Oran|laid siege]] to Oran, and were quickly victorious. The [[Below_the_thunders#Objective:_Eliminate_Governor_Rahab|recent death of Governor Rahab]] in battle with the Empire's heroes left the garrison demoralised and disorganised. It was a grievous victory, however. The fighting that raged through the town, the overwhelming assault, the barrage of catapult stones, all contributed to the fact that many of the buildings have been left in ruins, and many more damaged. A fire at the docks threatened to spread through the town and only the valiant actions of League soldiers managed bring it under control. Barely a year later the town again came under serious attack, this time by the Children of Wrecks. Without the [[A_circle_sewn_with_fate#The_Battle_of_Oran|prompt action]] of the [[orc|orcs]] from the [[#Protectorate of Morajasse|Protectorate of Morajasse]], Oran again might have been destroyed. As it is, the town remains intact but in a sadly impoverished state.

Proposals have been put forward to [[Send_for_me#Wharfage_of_Oran|rebuild Oran]], but it remains to be seen what the future holds for the port town.

{{Anchor|The Temple of Balo and the Black Bull}}
===Temple of Balo and the Black Bull===
During the Spring Equinox 380YE, permission was granted to the people of the [[Asavean Archipelago]] to construct a major temple to their gods in [[#Oranseri|Oran]]. Initially, construction was expected to be completed shortly before the Autumn Equinox 380YE, but the temple did not actually open its doors until shortly before the Spring Equinox 381YE. The town is seeing an influx of Asavean shipping bringing white granite and architects to the Brass Coast, as well as throwing crowns around like water to secure local labour to complete their project. Relations between the people of the Empire and the priests of Asavea are monitored by ''[[El oficial de enlace imperial con los sacerdotes de Balo y el toro negro]]'' ("The Imperial intermediary to the priests of Balo and the Black Bull"), who among other things is able to [[ministry|buy Asavean goods]] at a reduced price. During the Summer Solstice 380YE, the Assembly of Nine supported Abaddon de Rondell in [[Temple_of_the_bull#Resolution|denouncing]] the temple as an idolatrous affront, making it significantly harder for the Asaveans to find labourers prepared to work on the construction and both delaying its completion and laying a significant economic burden on the foreign priests.

The temple remained extremely controversial among Imperial priests. When Oran fell to the Grendel, however, the priests at the temple [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Sand|offered sanctuary]] to a number of Freeborn families in spite of Governor Rahab's unhappiness. Several of those families were ultimately smuggled to safety in Madruga. Despite this, however, it was clear that the Asaveans were happy to work with the new owners of Oran - there were rumours that they quickly recognised a Grendel as the [[Imperial Delegate to the Temple in Feroz|Delegate to the Temple in Feroz]]. This situation was further exacerbated by the Summer 383YE [[Through_my_sails#Ruined_Buildings|attack]] on the "sister temple" to the Black Bull, the temple of the Way in Nemoria.

When Oran was [[Glass_and_flame#The_Siege_of_Oran|liberated from the Grendel]] in 386YE Autumn, the priests surrendered ''en masse'' and [[Glass_and_flame#Game_Information_:_Asavean_Diplomacy|asked to be repatriated]] back to the Archipelago. As of the winter of 387YE, the temple still stands but without tenants.

'''OOC Notes:''' More details on the construction of the Temple of Balo and the Black Bull can be found in the winds of fortune, specifically [[Seven_lords_of_virtue#Temple_of_Bahlo_and_the_Black_Bull|Seven lords of virtue]], [[Those who worship#The Black Bull|Those who worship]], and [[Distant deeps]].
{{Anchor|Protectorate of Morajasse}}
===Mora's Rock===
Built as part of the grand project to create [[fortification|fortifications]] across the southern Empire in response to the threat of the [[Grendel]], Mora's Rock in [[#Morajasse|Morajasse]] was completed in the months following the [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Bravado|invasion of 383YE]]. The fortification squats above the town of Mora, guarding against invasion from [[Segura]], and providing garrisons and scouts who can offer resistance to assaults from the sea.

When Morajasse was ceded to the Grendel in Autumn 383YE, they took control of the fortification and later expanded it significantly. The fortification resisted the [[Glass and flame|liberation]] of the territory, and as of the beginning of 387YE remains under the control of the Grendel. The garrison is led by ''[[Glass_and_flame#The_Shadow_of_Mora's_Rock|Commander Gallum Fiersach]]'', ably supported by his partner, the ''Wind Lord Saoirse''.

The garrison there includes a warband of veteran [[Elite_Grendel_troops#The_Stone_Born|Stone Born]], and the remainder appear to be very experienced soldiers. These Grendel are enemies of the Empire, obviously, but that did not prevent them acting to [[A_circle_sewn_with_fate#The_Battle_of_Oran|protect Oran]] from the Children of Wrecks in early 387YE. In the Summer of that year, the Senate [[387YE_Summer_Solstice_Senate_sessions#Recognise_Protectorate_of_Gallum_Fiersach|recognised the Protectorate of Morajasse]] as foreigners, as long as they reamined independent of the Grendel. While there is still tension between the Freeborn and the orcs many see as occupying Morajasse, for now at least Gallum Fiersach's forces seem content to keep to their castle, apart from regular patrols along the borders of Feroz aimed at protecting the territory from the Children of Wrecks - and the Iron Confederacy.
===The Spice Gardens of Feroz===
In western [[#Morajasse|Morajasse]] stand the legendary Spice Gardens of Feroz - a set of heavily-walled enclosures covering several acres where the finest spices in the Empire are grown. A rich source of trade for whoever controls the gardens, the [[Imperial title]] of [[Keeper of the Spice Gardens]] has changed hands between families only a handful of times in the last few centuries, and the bargaining leading up to a new appointment has regularly involved the whole nation.

The peace treaty of Autumn 383YE that ceded control of Morajasse to the Grendel saw the Spice Gardens fall into the hands of the orcs. The Grendel appreciate fine spices as much as any Freeborn so the evidence is that they did not harm the legendary Gardens - but for many Freeborn the idea of their beautiful spice gardens being operated by Grendel slaves was particularly heinous. With Governor Rahab dead and Feroz liberated, the Spice Gardens remain out of Imperial hands as part of the [[#Protectorate of Morjasse|Protectorate of Morajasse]].
==Lost and Ruined==
{{anchor|Shantarim}}
===Shantarim (ruined)===
In the southern islands of the [[#Cazar Straits|Cazar Straits]] the town of Shantarim was one a [[corsair]] stronghold. The families were are known to engage in fierce competition with their northern rivals, not only in Madruga but also in [[#Oranseri|Oranseri]] and even the other islands of the Straits. Smaller than the town of Cazar, Shantarim had a reputation for being somewhat less cosmopolitan than the other towns of Feroz - visitors from mainland families sometimes encounter prejudice and suspicion. The families of Shantarim more than made up for their relatively small size with the enthusiasm with which they opposed the orcs of the Broken Shore.

Prior to the [[Ratify treaty with the Grendel Autumn 383YE|peace treaty]] of 383YE, they were loud supporters of the [[Freeborn Storm]], and the various raids against the Grendel. The signing of the peace treaty with the southern orcs tied their hands, making it illegal to fight the Grendel, which became been a major source of dissension in Shantarim.

Towards the end of the ceasefire secured by the treaty, in 385YE, Shatarim was attacked and wrecked. Warships of the [[Asavean Archipelago]], allies of the Grendel occupation, engaged in a campaign of destruction across the Cazar Straits, and along with the Isle of the Osseini, Shantarim bore the brunt. Many corsairs who had endured the occupation of the Grendel were slain, and the town was looted and left in ruins. When the Children of Wrecks arrived, there was precious little left for the to wreck.
<div style="float:right; width: 450px; clear: right;"><box>'''Justicars'''<br>The priests who previously lived on the Isle of the Osseini called themselves ''justicars''. Specialist exorcists and inquisitors in the pre-Imperial history of the Brass Coast, they specialised in driving out malign spirits or cleansing unpleasant auras from people, places and objects. Never particularly populous, their sanctuary on the Isle of the Osseini was all but wiped out by the Grendel. A handful remained elsewhere, and during the Autumn Equinox 383YE the Freeborn assembly [[383YE_Autumn_Equinox_Synod_judgements#Judgement_22|called on them to come together to preserve their traditions]]. A small enclave of justicars was established on the Isle of Osseini at the sufferance of the Grendel. Unfortunately, when Asavean warships went on a rampage in 385YE, the first place they attacked was this enclave, putting the priests to the sword and burning the enclave. When the Children of Wrecks arrived, the Grendel magicians still left on the island fled back to the Broken Shore. As far as anyone knows today, the island is abandoned.</box></div>

{{Anchor|Isle of the Osseini}}
===Isle of the Osseini (Ruined)===
At the southern tip of the [[#Cazar Straits|Cazar Straits]], the island was known for its heavy sea fog, its ghosts, and for a small sect of Freeborn priests famed for their knowledge of the arts of [[exorcism]]. Stories claimed the Isle was haunted by those who had died at sea, but most Freeborn had no truck with such foolishness. In 383YE, however, it became clear these tales of ghosts were more than just idle gossip. During the Spring Equinox of that year, a [[Grendel]] shaman attempted to unleash a ghostly legion of drowned orcs bound in some fashion to white granite pillars on the island against the defenders of Feroz. Before they could do so they were [[383YE_Summer_Solstice_winds_of_war#The_World_is_Not_Enough|thwarted by Imperial heroes]] who reached the isle via the [[Sentinel Gate]]. Once the heroes retreated, the status of the island, the pillars, and the remaining priests was unknown.

Then in Autumn 383YE, as part of the negotiations that led to the peace treaty with the Grendel, a contract was negotiated with the orc diplomat regarding the Isle of the Osseini. In the wake of that agreement, a small group of priests were allowed to visit the Isle with a Grendel escort. There they discovered the remaining priests were dead, the ghost-binding pillars had been destroyed, and the island was in the hands of a coven of Grendel magicians. The orcs had already constructed a permanent residence there built around a particular Winter regio, and were less than welcoming to the Freeborn. Further negotiations followed; in the end the Freeborn were allowed to establish a small enclave here, under the careful watch of the Grendel.

The return of the justicars was short-lived. In 385YE, a fleet of warships from the Asavean Archipelago went on a murderous rampage in the southern Cazar Straits. Allies of the Grendel, they slaughtered the priests and burned the enclave before sailing north to Shantarim. When the Children of Wrecks arrived, the remaining Grendel magicians fled back to the Broken Shore. By the close of 387YE, the island appears to be abandoned, although it remains to be seen what the Iron Confederacy plan to do with it.

'''OOC Note:''' You can learn more about the historic Isle of the Osseini in the [[Bones in the ocean]] wind of fortune.
{{Anchor|The Scorrero Nets}}
===Scorrero Nets (Defunct)===
The Scorrero Nets were a [[Bourse]] resource located in [[#Oranseri|Oranseri]], seized by the Grendel in Spring 383YE as part of their conquest of Feroz. Custodianship of the Nets was an [[Imperial Title]] that brought with it a Seat on the [[Bourse]]. In Winter 384YE, a [[Drums_beat_in_my_head#The_Scorrero_Nets|daring plan]] was proposed to "steal" the nets by establishing the [[Cerevado Nets]] upriver in [[Segura]]. As a consequence, this Bourse resource ceased to exist, much to the chagrin of the Grendel governor Rahab.
{{Anchor|The Broken Shore Bounty}}
===The Broken Shore Bounty (Defunct)===
The [[Broken Shore Bounty]] was a Bourse resource that was technically located in the [[#Cazar Straits|Cazar Straits]] inasmuch as the holder of the [[Bourse]] seat has the use of a fortified villa in the hills near Cazar. The actual [[ilium]] that the seat provided was sourced throughout the Bay of Catazar; a portion of all ilium claimed from the nets of Freeborn, [[the League|League]], [[Highguard|Highborn]], and [[Urizen|Urizeni]] nets is claimed as part of the Bounty. It produced 7 rings of ilium each season and was allocated during the Spring Equinox.

When the Cazar Straits fell to the Grendel, they also seized the offices of the Broken Shore Bounty. Despite a [[Four_strong_winds#Broken_Shore_Bounty|proposal to move the offices]], the resource fell into disarray, the ilium ending up split between the Imperial Fleet Master and the Bourse Auction. With the ratification of the Grendel peace treaty, this title and resource effectively ceased to exist.
==Regions==
===Afarjasse===
'''Qualities:''' [[Region_qualities#Abandoned|Abandoned]], [[Region_qualities#Underpopulated|Underpopulated]]<br>
The wide open spaces of Afarjasse were sparsely populated even at the height of Feroz's prosperity. "Sweet afar" was a phrase sometimes used to describe being in the middle of nowhere, or an area where there was nothing but grass as far as the eye could see. The only major settlement was the quiet town of '''Afar''', established by [[hakima]] with close ties to the [[Guerra]] [[tribe]], near a potent [[regio]] tied to the [[Realms#Night|realm of Night]]. The town was not hard to reach, but it stood alone in a sea of sprawling grassland, and never encouraged casual visitors. On nights when powerful magics were performed, Afar was often visible for miles around - great bonfires blazing and massive drums pounding out powerful rhythms to help raise (or draw down, or both) the passionate energy for powerful workings.

As with the rest of Feroz, Afarjasse spent two years in the hands of the Grendel. The governor, Lord Rahab, made it clear that the hakima here would not be permitted access to their potent regio - they were after all an important strategic resource. Many of the people who once called the town home went into exile in [[Segura]] and [[Kahraman]] rather than endure Rahab's oppression. When the plains of Afarjasse were [[Glass_and_flame#Fontargenta_and_Bramar_and_Afar|liberated from the Grendel]] it was discovered that Rahab had established massive farms around Afar. The crops were tended by slaves, several hundred of whome were held at Afar in great dormitories, forced to work the fields until they fell, with the same heedless cruelty the Grendel apparently show to those who toil in their salt mines. These people were liberated by the [[Narwhal's Spear]] and the [[Fist of the Mountains]], who executed everyone responsible for their durance. Most were Imperial citizens, but maybe a hundred came from further afield, bought by Rahab from the slave markets of the Broken Shore. Those who are not already Imperial citizens were offered new homes in the Empire. The farms remain, but enthusiasm to work them is understandably low.

===Cazar Straits===
'''Qualities:''' Abandoned, Coastal, Impoverished, Island, Underpopulated<br>
For most of the Brass Coast's history, the islands of the Cazar Straits were dominated by [[corsair]] families. The largest settlement remains the port town from which the islands take their name - high-cliffed '''Cazar''' - but in recent years it has changed hands several times and is a shadow of its former self. Built around a bustling dock, it served as a safe harbour and home port for many of the [[fleet|fleets]] that protected the Bay from barbarian ships. The holder of the [[Broken Shore Bounty]] used to have the use of a fortified villa in the hills near Cazar, and the civil service offices that oversaw the resource were based here. Both were lost to the Grendel, then to the [[Children of Wrecks]], and in the last months of 387YE, to the [[Iron Confederacy]].

Even before the Children of Wrecks arrived, several of the more southerly islands of the Straits had a reputation for peculiarity. The corsairs of [[#Shantarim|Shantarim]] for example were renowned both for their enthusiastic rivalry with all other corsair families, and the zeal with which they waged war on the Grendel. The [[#Isle of the Osseini|Isle of the Osseini]] is also found here, once home to a sect of strange priests, allegedly haunted by the ghosts of drowned pirates, then the site of an uneasy truce between orc magicians and Freeborn priests. Towards the end of the peace treaty with the Grendel, however, a fleet of warships from the [[Asavean Archipelago]] slaughtered the justicars of Osseini and ruined the town of Shantarim. When the Children of Wrecks claimed the region, there was precious little left for them to destroy.

Shortly after the Autumn Equinox 387YE, a naval force belonging to the Iron Confederacy [[Red_skies#Swords_of_the_South|assailed the Cazar Straits]]. They smashed the Children of Wrecks stronghold and claimed the islands for themselves. [[Poets_light_but_lamps#The_Iron_Confederacy|Initial diplomatic discussion]] of the fate of the islands was inconclusive.

Today, the waters around the Cazar Straits remain treacherous, in part this is due to the presence of dozens of immature kraken hatched in the waters by the Children of Wrecks.

===Fontargenta===
'''Qualities:''' Abandoned, Coastal, Impoverished<br>
The trading port of '''Bramar''' stands on the coast here. Surrounded by rich agricultural land, its bountiful cornfields once competed with [[the Marches|Marcher]] grain in markets across the southern nations of the Empire, and their vineyards were justly famous. Before the Grendel invasion it served as an important hub for the Imperial wine trade, with many excellent vintages passing through its docks - both from the Brass Coast to the rest of the world, and from the rest of the world to the Brass Coast (and thus the Empire). Lord Rahab has left the region devastated, and it remains to be seen if the farms here will ever recover.

===Morajasse===
'''Qualities:''' Abandoned, Impoverished, Underpopulated<br>
The largest town in prosperous Morajasse is '''Mora'''. Once simply a spice market, the barbarian invasion of [[Segura]] saw a burst of rapid militarisation of this peaceful settlement. Refugees are common here: some supported by their families, others looking to work in the market. With the liberation of the western territory, a strange reversal took place - the pool of desperate labourers has largely dried up with refugees returning to their homes.

Immediately following the [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Bravado|invasion of Feroz]] in 383YE, work was completed on a [[fortification]] at the town of Mora, [[#Mora's Rock|Mora's Rock]]. The fortification served the defenders well, but with the ratification of the peace treaty it was taken over, and expanded, by Grendel troops. It now serves as the base of operations of ''Wind Lord Saoirse'' and her partner ''Commander Fiersach'', as well as a sizable force of Grendel veterans.

Western Morajasse is the site of the great [[#The Spice Gardens of Feroz|Spice Gardens]]. The [[Vizier of the Incarnadine Satchel]] was often quite active in Feroz, occasionally dealing with agents of the Spice Gardens or traders from the Jewelled Isles. Following the Grendel treaty, the offices that supported the Vizier with easy access to reasonably priced herbs has dried up - while they are still notionally the owner of the miraculous satchel that gives them their name, their ability to support the nations' apothecaries and physicks has been greatly reduced.
{{CaptionedImage|file=Oran_by_the_Sea.jpg|caption=The Celesti Lighthouse sits high on the headland overlooking Oran.|align=right|width=400}}

===Oranseri===
'''Qualities:''' Abandoned, Coastal, Impoverished<br>
Across the bay from billowing [[Madruga#Siroc|Siroc]] stands the thriving port town of [[#Oran|Oran]]. In recent years, the port has grown in prominence and prosperity; it served as the seat of power for the Grendel governor Lord Rahab during the Grendel occupation of the territory. Just outside Oran lies the great [[Celesti_Lighthouse_Keeper#The_Celesti_Lighthouse|Celesti Lighthouse]], originally constructed during the reign of [[Emperor Barabbas]] and recently repaired and restored to full functionality. It, too, was in the hands of the Grendel for several years but has now been restored.

West of Oran is the ''Scorrero Crossing''. The river Scorrero is wide and deep between Feroz and Madruga. During the Summer Solstice 383YE, the Grendel invaders attempted to take advantage of this by taking control of both bridges that connect the two Freeborn territories. Had they been successful, it would have been significantly harder for Imperial forces to move between Siroc and Oranseri. Their attempts were stymied, and ultimately became moot once the Scorrero [[Where_the_river_rises#Crossing|burst its banks]] and carried away all the existing bridges.

'''Joharra''' is a port south of Oran, considered much more stable than its northern cousin, and better known for its industry than its trade. Famous throughout the Empire for its cloth and dye-work, Joharra is called '' the Rainbow'' by coastal sailors who mark their progress round the coast with the first sight of the great billowing cloths hung out to dry on tall wooden frames along the low cliffs. As with the other settlements of Oran, the weavers and dyers here now labour under the yoke of the Grendel orcs.

==Strategic Considerations==
* '''The damage to the bridges along the Scorrero prevents movement between Feroz and Madruga'''
The damage to almost all the bridges along the Scorrero means that it is effectively impossible for an [[Army|army]] to move between Feroz and [[Madruga]] (or vice versa). More information can be found in the '''[[Where_the_river_rises#Crossing|Where the river rises]]''' wind of fortune.
<div style="float:left; width: 450px; clear: right;">{{CaptionedImage|file=Garviel i Abrira i Erigo.jpg|caption='''Garviel i Abrira i Erigo''', Senator for Feroz|align=left|width=500}}</div>
{{Senate Elections|Senator_for_Feroz|Territory=Feroz|Season=Summer|Controlled=is}}

==OOC Notes==
* As of the start of the Winter Solstice 387YE, the Iron Confederacy control the Cazar Straits, the Grendel control Morajasse, and the Brass Coast controls Afarjasse, Fontargenta, and Oranseri. Feroz is an Imperial territory
* [[#Mora's Rock|Mora's Rock]] is a rank two fortification controlled by the Grendel.
* The status of various titles and resources located in Feroz is outlined in more detail in [[To_curb_those_raging_appetites#Lost_Opportunities|To curb those raging appetites]], a Winter 383YE wind of fortune.

==Further Reading==
* [[Red skies]] - 387YE Winter wind of war about the Iron Confederacy invasion of the Cazar Straits
* [[A circle sewn with fate]] - 387YE Spring wind of war detailing the Wrecker attack on Oran
* [[Send for me]] - 386YE Winter wind of fortune about the rebuilding of Feroz
* [[Glass and flame]] - 386YE Autumn wind of war about the liberation of Feroz
* [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Spindrift|Winds of War 383YE Spring]] - Detailing the Grendel invasion
* [[383YE_Summer_Solstice_winds_of_war#The_World_is_Not_Enough|Winds of War 383YE Summer]]
* [[383YE_Autumn_Equinox_winds_of_war#Bronze|Winds of War 383YE Autumn]]
* [[Ratify_treaty_with_the_Grendel_Autumn_383YE#Treaty|Treaty]] - the Autumn 383YE treaty with the Grendel
* [[To curb those raging appetites]] - a Winter 383YE wind of fortune that details the situation for Freeborn in Feroz
* [[Everything has a price]] - a Winter 383YE wind of fortune that details the general situation with the Grendel, and has several notes about their presence in Feroz
* [[Bones in the ocean]] - a Winter 383YE wind of fortune that specifically deals with the [[#Isle of the Osseini|Isle of the Osseini]] and the justicars

Feroz

2026-05-13T10:54:45Z

Rafferty: /* Afarjasse */

{{CaptionedImage|file=RegionsofFeroz.png|title=Southernmost of the Freeborn territories, lush but threatened by barbarians over land and sea|caption=Regions of Feroz|align=left|width=500}}[[Category:Gazetteer]][[Category:Imperial Territory]][[category:The Brass Coast]]
{{stub}}
== Overview ==
Feroz is the southernmost territory of the Brass Coast, and like [[Madruga]] to the north has both isles and coastline. Here the climate is warm and humid, perfect for the cultivation of different plants. This is the home of the fabulous spice gardens of Feroz, a source of great revenue for the people of this territory. The seas are more treacherous here, and the south and the west are constantly threatened by barbarians by land. As a result, many armed merchants patrolled the seas, and groups of young warriors journeyed along the borders, fighting skirmishes against jealous foes.

There is a traditional rivalry between the families of Feroz and those of Madruga. The northern territory was the first settled when the Freeborn [[The_Brass_Coast_history#The_Conquest_of_the_Coast|left Highguard]], and there is a popular stereotype that the people who live there are "stuck up". This stereotype is more humorous than hateful - the Freeborn move around too much to allow such prejudice to root itself too firmly in their psyche. Still, if a citizen of Feroz wants to insult a citizen of Madruga, they will fall back on accusations of arrogance and an over-reliance on tradition.

Some of the finest [[Surgical skills#Apothecary|apothecaries]] on the Brass Coast once lived in Feroz - the art of [[potion]] making has been studied here for centuries and even after two years of occupation by the Grendel it is still home to a great many [[herb garden|herb gardens]]. The mainland is a criss-cross patchwork of [[farm|farms]] and small settlements. At the height of its prosperity, a great deal of the food and drink consumed on the Brass Coast was produced here and exported to other Freeborn territories.

Unfortunately, in recent years the territory has been hit by disaster after disaster. Repeated raids by the Grendel eventually gave way to a concerted invasion, and while it was pushed back, the barbarian of the Broken Shore did not abandon their ambition to conquer Feroz. In 383YE, a [[Ratify treaty with the Grendel Autumn 383YE|peace treaty]] ceded the territory to the invaders, and saw the vicious, greedy, and tyrannical ''Governor Rahab'' establish his dominion over Feroz. The Freeborn organised a [[The power behind our moves|grand evacuation]] that saw much of the population escape Rahab's hungry grasp and resettle elsewhere in the Coast, but the move came at a price. When the treaty ended, and the Grendel were (mostly) driven out, Feroz was left abandoned, wrecked, and heavily underpopulated, its former residents preferring to stay with the new lives they had built elsewhere rather than return. Worse, the [[#Cazar Straits|Cazar Straits]] were taken by the [[Children of Wrecks]], transformed into a stronghold for the servants of the eternal [[Siakha]]. They in turn were supplanted towards the end of 387YE by the [[Iron Confederacy]], who drove out the Wreckers and claimed the island for themselves.

On the mainland, the situation is a little better, but what was once one of the richest Freeborn territories still struggles with the weight of two years of exploitation by a money-hungry tyrant, and what many see as its abandonment by the Empire.

==Recent History==
Being on the [[Bay of Catazar]], Feroz has always been under threat from the [[Grendel]] [[orc|orcs]]. In Spring 383YE, the orcs [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Spindrift|launched a naval invasion]], capturing [[#Oranseri|Oranseri]] and the [[#Cazar Straits|Cazar Straits]] in short order and making significant inroads into [[#Fontargenta|Fontargenta]]. The Grendel installed a grizzled old orc named ''Lord Rahab'' as overseer of the conquered land; he took up residence in the offices of the [[Scorrero Nets]] and quickly set about attempting to bring the rest of Feroz under his control. Part of their plan appeared to involve the ghosts of the [[#Isle of the Osseini|Isle of the Osseini]], but the scheme was countered by Imperial heroes travelling through the [[Sentinel Gate]] to exorcise the spirits and defeat the Grendel seeking to make use of them.

Undaunted by the loss of their supernatural weapon, the orcs kept up their assault. By Summer 383YE, they [[383YE_Summer_Solstice_winds_of_war#The_World_is_Not_Enough|sought to consolidate their gains in Fontargenta]]; they were opposed by [[Navarr]] and [[the Marches|Marcher]] [[Army|armies]], who held the Grendel at the town of [[#Fontargenta|Bramar]] for two days before being forced to retreat. They were able to slow the Grendel advance, however, leaving the orcs bogged down in Fontargenta and unable to press inland.

Following the engagement in Fontargenta, and battling under a powerful supernatural storm, the Grendel [[383YE_Autumn_Equinox_winds_of_war#Bronze|brought even more force]] to bear in the territory. While the Imperial armies were reinforced by [[Highguard|Highborn]] troops, the orc navies disgorged a great host of their own warriors. The fighting was bitter, but in the end Fontargenta fell - and as Fontargenta falls, so falls Feroz. While [[#Morajasse|Morajasse]] and [[#Afarjasse|Afarjasse]] remained free, the Grendel forces continued to mass along the coast.

During the Autumn Equinox 383, the [[Senate]] [[Ratify_treaty_with_the_Grendel_Autumn_383YE#Treaty|ratified a peace treaty]] with the Grendel. Presented by the [[Imperial Fleet Master]], among other things it [[Powers_of_the_Imperial_Senate#Concedence|ceded]] the two remaining regions of Feroz to the Grendel, albeit with provisions allowing Imperial citizens still in Morajasse and Afarjasse to withdraw to safety. Following the Equinox, Lord Rahab's forces spread out quickly to bring the two western regions under his control; Feroz was now [[To_curb_those_raging_appetites|completely under Grendel control]].

Just before the Autumn Equinox 386YE, the Imperial forces reconquered [[Glass_and_flame| reconquered Feroz]]. Possession of the territory is complicated by [[Children_of_Wrecks|Children of Wrecks]] as well as the remnants of the Grendel. Feroz has been run into the ground by Lord Rahab, eager to extract every drop of profit from the place, and it requires significant investment to return the territory to even a fraction of its former wealth.

In 386YE, the [[Senate]] commissioned an [[appraisal]] of Feroz that laid out many of the challenges presented by the newly reclaimed territory, and some potential solutions. Details are contained in the '''[[Send_for_me#State_of_Feroz|Send for me]]''' wind of fortune.

== Major Features ==
===Oran===
The largest and most prestigious port was Feroz is Oran, on the northern coast of [[#Oranseri|Oranseri]]. Across the bay from billowing [[Madruga#Siroc_(Ruined)|Siroc]] this thriving port specialised in high-value products such as fine wines and spice mixes. Unsurprisingly, given its position, for most of its history it has engaged in low-key economic warfare with its larger cousin to the north - Oran notably has cheaper dock fees than Siroc, and a number of entrepreneurs prefer to operate here as a consequence. It is especially welcoming to those merchants who are just starting out, and has a reputation for being more energetic than its competitors to the north and south. This energy has been significantly boosted by construction of the only open [[#The Temple of Balo and the Black Bull|Asavean Temple]] in the entire Empire; the surge of [[Asavean Archipelago|Asavean]] ships visiting Oran saw the town expand significantly to become the largest trading port in Feroz.

In Spring 383YE, however, Oran was [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Spindrift|conquered by the Grendel]]. An orc governor, Lord Rahab, chose the town as the site for his court, converting the offices of the [[Scorrero Nets]] to his personal use. Among other things, this invasion saw the collapse of the [[Broken Shore Bounty]], the Scorrero Nets falling into orc hands, and the Temple of Balo and the Black Bull sealing its doors against the orcs while offering sanctuary to Freeborn families. Following the treaty signed during the Autumn Equinox, the Grendel opened Oran as a port [[Everything_has_a_price#A_New_Destination|available to Imperial captains]]. This situation persisted until the peace treaty ended, and war with the Grendel resumed.

After the Summer Solstice 386YE, Imperial forces swept into Oranseri to liberate the territory from the Grendel. They [[Glass_and_flame#The_Siege_of_Oran|laid siege]] to Oran, and were quickly victorious. The [[Below_the_thunders#Objective:_Eliminate_Governor_Rahab|recent death of Governor Rahab]] in battle with the Empire's heroes left the garrison demoralised and disorganised. It was a grievous victory, however. The fighting that raged through the town, the overwhelming assault, the barrage of catapult stones, all contributed to the fact that many of the buildings have been left in ruins, and many more damaged. A fire at the docks threatened to spread through the town and only the valiant actions of League soldiers managed bring it under control. Barely a year later the town again came under serious attack, this time by the Children of Wrecks. Without the [[A_circle_sewn_with_fate#The_Battle_of_Oran|prompt action]] of the [[orc|orcs]] from the [[#Protectorate of Morajasse|Protectorate of Morajasse]], Oran again might have been destroyed. As it is, the town remains intact but in a sadly impoverished state.

Proposals have been put forward to [[Send_for_me#Wharfage_of_Oran|rebuild Oran]], but it remains to be seen what the future holds for the port town.

{{Anchor|The Temple of Balo and the Black Bull}}
===Temple of Balo and the Black Bull===
During the Spring Equinox 380YE, permission was granted to the people of the [[Asavean Archipelago]] to construct a major temple to their gods in [[#Oranseri|Oran]]. Initially, construction was expected to be completed shortly before the Autumn Equinox 380YE, but the temple did not actually open its doors until shortly before the Spring Equinox 381YE. The town is seeing an influx of Asavean shipping bringing white granite and architects to the Brass Coast, as well as throwing crowns around like water to secure local labour to complete their project. Relations between the people of the Empire and the priests of Asavea are monitored by ''[[El oficial de enlace imperial con los sacerdotes de Balo y el toro negro]]'' ("The Imperial intermediary to the priests of Balo and the Black Bull"), who among other things is able to [[ministry|buy Asavean goods]] at a reduced price. During the Summer Solstice 380YE, the Assembly of Nine supported Abaddon de Rondell in [[Temple_of_the_bull#Resolution|denouncing]] the temple as an idolatrous affront, making it significantly harder for the Asaveans to find labourers prepared to work on the construction and both delaying its completion and laying a significant economic burden on the foreign priests.

The temple remained extremely controversial among Imperial priests. When Oran fell to the Grendel, however, the priests at the temple [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Sand|offered sanctuary]] to a number of Freeborn families in spite of Governor Rahab's unhappiness. Several of those families were ultimately smuggled to safety in Madruga. Despite this, however, it was clear that the Asaveans were happy to work with the new owners of Oran - there were rumours that they quickly recognised a Grendel as the [[Imperial Delegate to the Temple in Feroz|Delegate to the Temple in Feroz]]. This situation was further exacerbated by the Summer 383YE [[Through_my_sails#Ruined_Buildings|attack]] on the "sister temple" to the Black Bull, the temple of the Way in Nemoria.

When Oran was [[Glass_and_flame#The_Siege_of_Oran|liberated from the Grendel]] in 386YE Autumn, the priests surrendered ''en masse'' and [[Glass_and_flame#Game_Information_:_Asavean_Diplomacy|asked to be repatriated]] back to the Archipelago. As of the winter of 387YE, the temple still stands but without tenants.

'''OOC Notes:''' More details on the construction of the Temple of Balo and the Black Bull can be found in the winds of fortune, specifically [[Seven_lords_of_virtue#Temple_of_Bahlo_and_the_Black_Bull|Seven lords of virtue]], [[Those who worship#The Black Bull|Those who worship]], and [[Distant deeps]].
{{Anchor|Protectorate of Morajasse}}
===Mora's Rock===
Built as part of the grand project to create [[fortification|fortifications]] across the southern Empire in response to the threat of the [[Grendel]], Mora's Rock in [[#Morajasse|Morajasse]] was completed in the months following the [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Bravado|invasion of 383YE]]. The fortification squats above the town of Mora, guarding against invasion from [[Segura]], and providing garrisons and scouts who can offer resistance to assaults from the sea.

When Morajasse was ceded to the Grendel in Autumn 383YE, they took control of the fortification and later expanded it significantly. The fortification resisted the [[Glass and flame|liberation]] of the territory, and as of the beginning of 387YE remains under the control of the Grendel. The garrison is led by ''[[Glass_and_flame#The_Shadow_of_Mora's_Rock|Commander Gallum Fiersach]]'', ably supported by his partner, the ''Wind Lord Saoirse''.

The garrison there includes a warband of veteran [[Elite_Grendel_troops#The_Stone_Born|Stone Born]], and the remainder appear to be very experienced soldiers. These Grendel are enemies of the Empire, obviously, but that did not prevent them acting to [[A_circle_sewn_with_fate#The_Battle_of_Oran|protect Oran]] from the Children of Wrecks in early 387YE. In the Summer of that year, the Senate [[387YE_Summer_Solstice_Senate_sessions#Recognise_Protectorate_of_Gallum_Fiersach|recognised the Protectorate of Morajasse]] as foreigners, as long as they reamined independent of the Grendel. While there is still tension between the Freeborn and the orcs many see as occupying Morajasse, for now at least Gallum Fiersach's forces seem content to keep to their castle, apart from regular patrols along the borders of Feroz aimed at protecting the territory from the Children of Wrecks - and the Iron Confederacy.
===The Spice Gardens of Feroz===
In western [[#Morajasse|Morajasse]] stand the legendary Spice Gardens of Feroz - a set of heavily-walled enclosures covering several acres where the finest spices in the Empire are grown. A rich source of trade for whoever controls the gardens, the [[Imperial title]] of [[Keeper of the Spice Gardens]] has changed hands between families only a handful of times in the last few centuries, and the bargaining leading up to a new appointment has regularly involved the whole nation.

The peace treaty of Autumn 383YE that ceded control of Morajasse to the Grendel saw the Spice Gardens fall into the hands of the orcs. The Grendel appreciate fine spices as much as any Freeborn so the evidence is that they did not harm the legendary Gardens - but for many Freeborn the idea of their beautiful spice gardens being operated by Grendel slaves was particularly heinous. With Governor Rahab dead and Feroz liberated, the Spice Gardens remain out of Imperial hands as part of the [[#Protectorate of Morjasse|Protectorate of Morajasse]].
==Lost and Ruined==
{{anchor|Shantarim}}
===Shantarim (ruined)===
In the southern islands of the [[#Cazar Straits|Cazar Straits]] the town of Shantarim was one a [[corsair]] stronghold. The families were are known to engage in fierce competition with their northern rivals, not only in Madruga but also in [[#Oranseri|Oranseri]] and even the other islands of the Straits. Smaller than the town of Cazar, Shantarim had a reputation for being somewhat less cosmopolitan than the other towns of Feroz - visitors from mainland families sometimes encounter prejudice and suspicion. The families of Shantarim more than made up for their relatively small size with the enthusiasm with which they opposed the orcs of the Broken Shore.

Prior to the [[Ratify treaty with the Grendel Autumn 383YE|peace treaty]] of 383YE, they were loud supporters of the [[Freeborn Storm]], and the various raids against the Grendel. The signing of the peace treaty with the southern orcs tied their hands, making it illegal to fight the Grendel, which became been a major source of dissension in Shantarim.

Towards the end of the ceasefire secured by the treaty, in 385YE, Shatarim was attacked and wrecked. Warships of the [[Asavean Archipelago]], allies of the Grendel occupation, engaged in a campaign of destruction across the Cazar Straits, and along with the Isle of the Osseini, Shantarim bore the brunt. Many corsairs who had endured the occupation of the Grendel were slain, and the town was looted and left in ruins. When the Children of Wrecks arrived, there was precious little left for the to wreck.
<div style="float:right; width: 450px; clear: right;"><box>'''Justicars'''<br>The priests who previously lived on the Isle of the Osseini called themselves ''justicars''. Specialist exorcists and inquisitors in the pre-Imperial history of the Brass Coast, they specialised in driving out malign spirits or cleansing unpleasant auras from people, places and objects. Never particularly populous, their sanctuary on the Isle of the Osseini was all but wiped out by the Grendel. A handful remained elsewhere, and during the Autumn Equinox 383YE the Freeborn assembly [[383YE_Autumn_Equinox_Synod_judgements#Judgement_22|called on them to come together to preserve their traditions]]. A small enclave of justicars was established on the Isle of Osseini at the sufferance of the Grendel. Unfortunately, when Asavean warships went on a rampage in 385YE, the first place they attacked was this enclave, putting the priests to the sword and burning the enclave. When the Children of Wrecks arrived, the Grendel magicians still left on the island fled back to the Broken Shore. As far as anyone knows today, the island is abandoned.</box></div>

{{Anchor|Isle of the Osseini}}
===Isle of the Osseini (Ruined)===
At the southern tip of the [[#Cazar Straits|Cazar Straits]], the island was known for its heavy sea fog, its ghosts, and for a small sect of Freeborn priests famed for their knowledge of the arts of [[exorcism]]. Stories claimed the Isle was haunted by those who had died at sea, but most Freeborn had no truck with such foolishness. In 383YE, however, it became clear these tales of ghosts were more than just idle gossip. During the Spring Equinox of that year, a [[Grendel]] shaman attempted to unleash a ghostly legion of drowned orcs bound in some fashion to white granite pillars on the island against the defenders of Feroz. Before they could do so they were [[383YE_Summer_Solstice_winds_of_war#The_World_is_Not_Enough|thwarted by Imperial heroes]] who reached the isle via the [[Sentinel Gate]]. Once the heroes retreated, the status of the island, the pillars, and the remaining priests was unknown.

Then in Autumn 383YE, as part of the negotiations that led to the peace treaty with the Grendel, a contract was negotiated with the orc diplomat regarding the Isle of the Osseini. In the wake of that agreement, a small group of priests were allowed to visit the Isle with a Grendel escort. There they discovered the remaining priests were dead, the ghost-binding pillars had been destroyed, and the island was in the hands of a coven of Grendel magicians. The orcs had already constructed a permanent residence there built around a particular Winter regio, and were less than welcoming to the Freeborn. Further negotiations followed; in the end the Freeborn were allowed to establish a small enclave here, under the careful watch of the Grendel.

The return of the justicars was short-lived. In 385YE, a fleet of warships from the Asavean Archipelago went on a murderous rampage in the southern Cazar Straits. Allies of the Grendel, they slaughtered the priests and burned the enclave before sailing north to Shantarim. When the Children of Wrecks arrived, the remaining Grendel magicians fled back to the Broken Shore. By the close of 387YE, the island appears to be abandoned, although it remains to be seen what the Iron Confederacy plan to do with it.

'''OOC Note:''' You can learn more about the historic Isle of the Osseini in the [[Bones in the ocean]] wind of fortune.
{{Anchor|The Scorrero Nets}}
===Scorrero Nets (Defunct)===
The Scorrero Nets were a [[Bourse]] resource located in [[#Oranseri|Oranseri]], seized by the Grendel in Spring 383YE as part of their conquest of Feroz. Custodianship of the Nets was an [[Imperial Title]] that brought with it a Seat on the [[Bourse]]. In Winter 384YE, a [[Drums_beat_in_my_head#The_Scorrero_Nets|daring plan]] was proposed to "steal" the nets by establishing the [[Cerevado Nets]] upriver in [[Segura]]. As a consequence, this Bourse resource ceased to exist, much to the chagrin of the Grendel governor Rahab.
{{Anchor|The Broken Shore Bounty}}
===The Broken Shore Bounty (Defunct)===
The [[Broken Shore Bounty]] was a Bourse resource that was technically located in the [[#Cazar Straits|Cazar Straits]] inasmuch as the holder of the [[Bourse]] seat has the use of a fortified villa in the hills near Cazar. The actual [[ilium]] that the seat provided was sourced throughout the Bay of Catazar; a portion of all ilium claimed from the nets of Freeborn, [[the League|League]], [[Highguard|Highborn]], and [[Urizen|Urizeni]] nets is claimed as part of the Bounty. It produced 7 rings of ilium each season and was allocated during the Spring Equinox.

When the Cazar Straits fell to the Grendel, they also seized the offices of the Broken Shore Bounty. Despite a [[Four_strong_winds#Broken_Shore_Bounty|proposal to move the offices]], the resource fell into disarray, the ilium ending up split between the Imperial Fleet Master and the Bourse Auction. With the ratification of the Grendel peace treaty, this title and resource effectively ceased to exist.
==Regions==
===Afarjasse===
'''Qualities:''' [[Region_qualities#Abandoned|Abandoned]], [[Region_qualities#Underpopulated|Underpopulated]]<br>
The wide open spaces of Afarjasse were sparsely populated even at the height of Feroz's prosperity. "Sweet afar" was a phrase sometimes used to describe being in the middle of nowhere, or an area where there was nothing but grass as far as the eye could see. The only major settlement was the quiet town of '''Afar''', established by [[hakima]] with close ties to the [[Guerra]] [[tribe]], near a potent [[regio]] tied to the [[Realms#Night|realm of Night]]. The town was not hard to reach, but it stood alone in a sea of sprawling grassland, and never encouraged casual visitors. On nights when powerful magics were performed, Afar was often visible for miles around - great bonfires blazing and massive drums pounding out powerful rhythms to help raise (or draw down, or both) the passionate energy for powerful workings.

As with the rest of Feroz, Afarjasse spent two years in the hands of the Grendel. The governor, Lord Rahab, made it clear that the hakima here would not be permitted access to their potent regio - they were after all an important strategic resource. Many of the people who once called the town home went into exile in [[Segura]] and [[Kahraman]] rather than endure Rahab's oppression. When the plains of Afarjasse were [[Glass_and_flame#Fontargenta_and_Bramar_and_Afar|liberated from the Grendel]] it was discovered that Rahab had established massive farms around Afar. The crops were tended by slaves, several hundred of whome were held at Afar in great dormitories, forced to work the fields until they fell, with the same heedless cruelty the Grendel apparently show to those who toil in their salt mines. These people were liberated by the [[Narwhal's Spear]] and the [[Fist of the Mountains]], who executed everyone responsible for their durance. Most were Imperial citizens, but maybe a hundred came from further afield, bought by Rahab from the slave markets of the Broken Shore. Those who are not already Imperial citizens were offered new homes in the Empire. The farms remain, but enthusiasm to work them is understandably low.

===Cazar Straits===
'''Qualities:''' Abandoned, Coastal, Impoverished, Island, Underpopulated<br>
For most of the Brass Coast's history, the islands of the Cazar Straits were dominated by [[corsair]] families. The largest settlement remains the port town from which the islands take their name - high-cliffed '''Cazar''' - but in recent years it has changed hands several times and is a shadow of its former self. Built around a bustling dock, it served as a safe harbour and home port for many of the [[fleet|fleets]] that protected the Bay from barbarian ships. The holder of the [[Broken Shore Bounty]] used to have the use of a fortified villa in the hills near Cazar, and the civil service offices that oversaw the resource were based here. Both were lost to the Grendel, then to the [[Children of Wrecks]], and in the last months of 387YE, to the [[Iron Confederacy]].

Even before the Children of Wrecks arrived, several of the more southerly islands of the Straits had a reputation for peculiarity. The corsairs of [[#Shantarim|Shantarim]] for example were renowned both for their enthusiastic rivalry with all other corsair families, and the zeal with which they waged war on the Grendel. The [[#Isle of the Osseini|Isle of the Osseini]] is also found here, once home to a sect of strange priests, allegedly haunted by the ghosts of drowned pirates, then the site of an uneasy truce between orc magicians and Freeborn priests. Towards the end of the peace treaty with the Grendel, however, a fleet of warships from the [[Asavean Archipelago]] slaughtered the justicars of Osseini and ruined the town of Shantarim. When the Children of Wrecks claimed the region, there was precious little left for them to destroy.

Today, the waters around the Cazar Straits remain treacherous. In part this is due to the presence of dozens of immature kraken hatched in the waters by the Children of Wrecks.

===Fontargenta===
'''Qualities:''' Abandoned, Coastal, Impoverished<br>
The trading port of '''Bramar''' stands on the coast here. Surrounded by rich agricultural land, its bountiful cornfields once competed with [[the Marches|Marcher]] grain in markets across the southern nations of the Empire, and their vineyards were justly famous. Before the Grendel invasion it served as an important hub for the Imperial wine trade, with many excellent vintages passing through its docks - both from the Brass Coast to the rest of the world, and from the rest of the world to the Brass Coast (and thus the Empire). Lord Rahab has left the region devastated, and it remains to be seen if the farms here will ever recover.

===Morajasse===
'''Qualities:''' Abandoned, Impoverished, Underpopulated<br>
The largest town in prosperous Morajasse is '''Mora'''. Once simply a spice market, the barbarian invasion of [[Segura]] saw a burst of rapid militarisation of this peaceful settlement. Refugees are common here: some supported by their families, others looking to work in the market. With the liberation of the western territory, a strange reversal took place - the pool of desperate labourers has largely dried up with refugees returning to their homes.

Immediately following the [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Bravado|invasion of Feroz]] in 383YE, work was completed on a [[fortification]] at the town of Mora, [[#Mora's Rock|Mora's Rock]]. The fortification served the defenders well, but with the ratification of the peace treaty it was taken over, and expanded, by Grendel troops. It now serves as the base of operations of ''Wind Lord Saoirse'' and her partner ''Commander Fiersach'', as well as a sizable force of Grendel veterans.

Western Morajasse is the site of the great [[#The Spice Gardens of Feroz|Spice Gardens]]. The [[Vizier of the Incarnadine Satchel]] was often quite active in Feroz, occasionally dealing with agents of the Spice Gardens or traders from the Jewelled Isles. Following the Grendel treaty, the offices that supported the Vizier with easy access to reasonably priced herbs has dried up - while they are still notionally the owner of the miraculous satchel that gives them their name, their ability to support the nations' apothecaries and physicks has been greatly reduced.
{{CaptionedImage|file=Oran_by_the_Sea.jpg|caption=The Celesti Lighthouse sits high on the headland overlooking Oran.|align=right|width=400}}

===Oranseri===
'''Qualities:''' Abandoned, Coastal, Impoverished<br>
Across the bay from billowing [[Madruga#Siroc|Siroc]] stands the thriving port town of [[#Oran|Oran]]. In recent years, the port has grown in prominence and prosperity; it served as the seat of power for the Grendel governor Lord Rahab during the Grendel occupation of the territory. Just outside Oran lies the great [[Celesti_Lighthouse_Keeper#The_Celesti_Lighthouse|Celesti Lighthouse]], originally constructed during the reign of [[Emperor Barabbas]] and recently repaired and restored to full functionality. It, too, was in the hands of the Grendel for several years but has now been restored.

West of Oran is the ''Scorrero Crossing''. The river Scorrero is wide and deep between Feroz and Madruga. During the Summer Solstice 383YE, the Grendel invaders attempted to take advantage of this by taking control of both bridges that connect the two Freeborn territories. Had they been successful, it would have been significantly harder for Imperial forces to move between Siroc and Oranseri. Their attempts were stymied, and ultimately became moot once the Scorrero [[Where_the_river_rises#Crossing|burst its banks]] and carried away all the existing bridges.

'''Joharra''' is a port south of Oran, considered much more stable than its northern cousin, and better known for its industry than its trade. Famous throughout the Empire for its cloth and dye-work, Joharra is called '' the Rainbow'' by coastal sailors who mark their progress round the coast with the first sight of the great billowing cloths hung out to dry on tall wooden frames along the low cliffs. As with the other settlements of Oran, the weavers and dyers here now labour under the yoke of the Grendel orcs.

==Strategic Considerations==
* '''The damage to the bridges along the Scorrero prevents movement between Feroz and Madruga'''
The damage to almost all the bridges along the Scorrero means that it is effectively impossible for an [[Army|army]] to move between Feroz and [[Madruga]] (or vice versa). More information can be found in the '''[[Where_the_river_rises#Crossing|Where the river rises]]''' wind of fortune.
<div style="float:left; width: 450px; clear: right;">{{CaptionedImage|file=Garviel i Abrira i Erigo.jpg|caption='''Garviel i Abrira i Erigo''', Senator for Feroz|align=left|width=500}}</div>
{{Senate Elections|Senator_for_Feroz|Territory=Feroz|Season=Summer|Controlled=is}}

==OOC Notes==
* As of the start of the Winter Solstice 387YE, the Iron Confederacy control the Cazar Straits, the Grendel control Morajasse, and the Brass Coast controls Afarjasse, Fontargenta, and Oranseri. Feroz is an Imperial territory
* [[#Mora's Rock|Mora's Rock]] is a rank two fortification controlled by the Grendel.
* The status of various titles and resources located in Feroz is outlined in more detail in [[To_curb_those_raging_appetites#Lost_Opportunities|To curb those raging appetites]], a Winter 383YE wind of fortune.

==Further Reading==
* [[Red skies]] - 387YE Winter wind of war about the Iron Confederacy invasion of the Cazar Straits
* [[A circle sewn with fate]] - 387YE Spring wind of war detailing the Wrecker attack on Oran
* [[Send for me]] - 386YE Winter wind of fortune about the rebuilding of Feroz
* [[Glass and flame]] - 386YE Autumn wind of war about the liberation of Feroz
* [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Spindrift|Winds of War 383YE Spring]] - Detailing the Grendel invasion
* [[383YE_Summer_Solstice_winds_of_war#The_World_is_Not_Enough|Winds of War 383YE Summer]]
* [[383YE_Autumn_Equinox_winds_of_war#Bronze|Winds of War 383YE Autumn]]
* [[Ratify_treaty_with_the_Grendel_Autumn_383YE#Treaty|Treaty]] - the Autumn 383YE treaty with the Grendel
* [[To curb those raging appetites]] - a Winter 383YE wind of fortune that details the situation for Freeborn in Feroz
* [[Everything has a price]] - a Winter 383YE wind of fortune that details the general situation with the Grendel, and has several notes about their presence in Feroz
* [[Bones in the ocean]] - a Winter 383YE wind of fortune that specifically deals with the [[#Isle of the Osseini|Isle of the Osseini]] and the justicars

Feroz

2026-05-13T10:54:29Z

Rafferty: /* Afarjasse */

{{CaptionedImage|file=RegionsofFeroz.png|title=Southernmost of the Freeborn territories, lush but threatened by barbarians over land and sea|caption=Regions of Feroz|align=left|width=500}}[[Category:Gazetteer]][[Category:Imperial Territory]][[category:The Brass Coast]]
{{stub}}
== Overview ==
Feroz is the southernmost territory of the Brass Coast, and like [[Madruga]] to the north has both isles and coastline. Here the climate is warm and humid, perfect for the cultivation of different plants. This is the home of the fabulous spice gardens of Feroz, a source of great revenue for the people of this territory. The seas are more treacherous here, and the south and the west are constantly threatened by barbarians by land. As a result, many armed merchants patrolled the seas, and groups of young warriors journeyed along the borders, fighting skirmishes against jealous foes.

There is a traditional rivalry between the families of Feroz and those of Madruga. The northern territory was the first settled when the Freeborn [[The_Brass_Coast_history#The_Conquest_of_the_Coast|left Highguard]], and there is a popular stereotype that the people who live there are "stuck up". This stereotype is more humorous than hateful - the Freeborn move around too much to allow such prejudice to root itself too firmly in their psyche. Still, if a citizen of Feroz wants to insult a citizen of Madruga, they will fall back on accusations of arrogance and an over-reliance on tradition.

Some of the finest [[Surgical skills#Apothecary|apothecaries]] on the Brass Coast once lived in Feroz - the art of [[potion]] making has been studied here for centuries and even after two years of occupation by the Grendel it is still home to a great many [[herb garden|herb gardens]]. The mainland is a criss-cross patchwork of [[farm|farms]] and small settlements. At the height of its prosperity, a great deal of the food and drink consumed on the Brass Coast was produced here and exported to other Freeborn territories.

Unfortunately, in recent years the territory has been hit by disaster after disaster. Repeated raids by the Grendel eventually gave way to a concerted invasion, and while it was pushed back, the barbarian of the Broken Shore did not abandon their ambition to conquer Feroz. In 383YE, a [[Ratify treaty with the Grendel Autumn 383YE|peace treaty]] ceded the territory to the invaders, and saw the vicious, greedy, and tyrannical ''Governor Rahab'' establish his dominion over Feroz. The Freeborn organised a [[The power behind our moves|grand evacuation]] that saw much of the population escape Rahab's hungry grasp and resettle elsewhere in the Coast, but the move came at a price. When the treaty ended, and the Grendel were (mostly) driven out, Feroz was left abandoned, wrecked, and heavily underpopulated, its former residents preferring to stay with the new lives they had built elsewhere rather than return. Worse, the [[#Cazar Straits|Cazar Straits]] were taken by the [[Children of Wrecks]], transformed into a stronghold for the servants of the eternal [[Siakha]]. They in turn were supplanted towards the end of 387YE by the [[Iron Confederacy]], who drove out the Wreckers and claimed the island for themselves.

On the mainland, the situation is a little better, but what was once one of the richest Freeborn territories still struggles with the weight of two years of exploitation by a money-hungry tyrant, and what many see as its abandonment by the Empire.

==Recent History==
Being on the [[Bay of Catazar]], Feroz has always been under threat from the [[Grendel]] [[orc|orcs]]. In Spring 383YE, the orcs [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Spindrift|launched a naval invasion]], capturing [[#Oranseri|Oranseri]] and the [[#Cazar Straits|Cazar Straits]] in short order and making significant inroads into [[#Fontargenta|Fontargenta]]. The Grendel installed a grizzled old orc named ''Lord Rahab'' as overseer of the conquered land; he took up residence in the offices of the [[Scorrero Nets]] and quickly set about attempting to bring the rest of Feroz under his control. Part of their plan appeared to involve the ghosts of the [[#Isle of the Osseini|Isle of the Osseini]], but the scheme was countered by Imperial heroes travelling through the [[Sentinel Gate]] to exorcise the spirits and defeat the Grendel seeking to make use of them.

Undaunted by the loss of their supernatural weapon, the orcs kept up their assault. By Summer 383YE, they [[383YE_Summer_Solstice_winds_of_war#The_World_is_Not_Enough|sought to consolidate their gains in Fontargenta]]; they were opposed by [[Navarr]] and [[the Marches|Marcher]] [[Army|armies]], who held the Grendel at the town of [[#Fontargenta|Bramar]] for two days before being forced to retreat. They were able to slow the Grendel advance, however, leaving the orcs bogged down in Fontargenta and unable to press inland.

Following the engagement in Fontargenta, and battling under a powerful supernatural storm, the Grendel [[383YE_Autumn_Equinox_winds_of_war#Bronze|brought even more force]] to bear in the territory. While the Imperial armies were reinforced by [[Highguard|Highborn]] troops, the orc navies disgorged a great host of their own warriors. The fighting was bitter, but in the end Fontargenta fell - and as Fontargenta falls, so falls Feroz. While [[#Morajasse|Morajasse]] and [[#Afarjasse|Afarjasse]] remained free, the Grendel forces continued to mass along the coast.

During the Autumn Equinox 383, the [[Senate]] [[Ratify_treaty_with_the_Grendel_Autumn_383YE#Treaty|ratified a peace treaty]] with the Grendel. Presented by the [[Imperial Fleet Master]], among other things it [[Powers_of_the_Imperial_Senate#Concedence|ceded]] the two remaining regions of Feroz to the Grendel, albeit with provisions allowing Imperial citizens still in Morajasse and Afarjasse to withdraw to safety. Following the Equinox, Lord Rahab's forces spread out quickly to bring the two western regions under his control; Feroz was now [[To_curb_those_raging_appetites|completely under Grendel control]].

Just before the Autumn Equinox 386YE, the Imperial forces reconquered [[Glass_and_flame| reconquered Feroz]]. Possession of the territory is complicated by [[Children_of_Wrecks|Children of Wrecks]] as well as the remnants of the Grendel. Feroz has been run into the ground by Lord Rahab, eager to extract every drop of profit from the place, and it requires significant investment to return the territory to even a fraction of its former wealth.

In 386YE, the [[Senate]] commissioned an [[appraisal]] of Feroz that laid out many of the challenges presented by the newly reclaimed territory, and some potential solutions. Details are contained in the '''[[Send_for_me#State_of_Feroz|Send for me]]''' wind of fortune.

== Major Features ==
===Oran===
The largest and most prestigious port was Feroz is Oran, on the northern coast of [[#Oranseri|Oranseri]]. Across the bay from billowing [[Madruga#Siroc_(Ruined)|Siroc]] this thriving port specialised in high-value products such as fine wines and spice mixes. Unsurprisingly, given its position, for most of its history it has engaged in low-key economic warfare with its larger cousin to the north - Oran notably has cheaper dock fees than Siroc, and a number of entrepreneurs prefer to operate here as a consequence. It is especially welcoming to those merchants who are just starting out, and has a reputation for being more energetic than its competitors to the north and south. This energy has been significantly boosted by construction of the only open [[#The Temple of Balo and the Black Bull|Asavean Temple]] in the entire Empire; the surge of [[Asavean Archipelago|Asavean]] ships visiting Oran saw the town expand significantly to become the largest trading port in Feroz.

In Spring 383YE, however, Oran was [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Spindrift|conquered by the Grendel]]. An orc governor, Lord Rahab, chose the town as the site for his court, converting the offices of the [[Scorrero Nets]] to his personal use. Among other things, this invasion saw the collapse of the [[Broken Shore Bounty]], the Scorrero Nets falling into orc hands, and the Temple of Balo and the Black Bull sealing its doors against the orcs while offering sanctuary to Freeborn families. Following the treaty signed during the Autumn Equinox, the Grendel opened Oran as a port [[Everything_has_a_price#A_New_Destination|available to Imperial captains]]. This situation persisted until the peace treaty ended, and war with the Grendel resumed.

After the Summer Solstice 386YE, Imperial forces swept into Oranseri to liberate the territory from the Grendel. They [[Glass_and_flame#The_Siege_of_Oran|laid siege]] to Oran, and were quickly victorious. The [[Below_the_thunders#Objective:_Eliminate_Governor_Rahab|recent death of Governor Rahab]] in battle with the Empire's heroes left the garrison demoralised and disorganised. It was a grievous victory, however. The fighting that raged through the town, the overwhelming assault, the barrage of catapult stones, all contributed to the fact that many of the buildings have been left in ruins, and many more damaged. A fire at the docks threatened to spread through the town and only the valiant actions of League soldiers managed bring it under control. Barely a year later the town again came under serious attack, this time by the Children of Wrecks. Without the [[A_circle_sewn_with_fate#The_Battle_of_Oran|prompt action]] of the [[orc|orcs]] from the [[#Protectorate of Morajasse|Protectorate of Morajasse]], Oran again might have been destroyed. As it is, the town remains intact but in a sadly impoverished state.

Proposals have been put forward to [[Send_for_me#Wharfage_of_Oran|rebuild Oran]], but it remains to be seen what the future holds for the port town.

{{Anchor|The Temple of Balo and the Black Bull}}
===Temple of Balo and the Black Bull===
During the Spring Equinox 380YE, permission was granted to the people of the [[Asavean Archipelago]] to construct a major temple to their gods in [[#Oranseri|Oran]]. Initially, construction was expected to be completed shortly before the Autumn Equinox 380YE, but the temple did not actually open its doors until shortly before the Spring Equinox 381YE. The town is seeing an influx of Asavean shipping bringing white granite and architects to the Brass Coast, as well as throwing crowns around like water to secure local labour to complete their project. Relations between the people of the Empire and the priests of Asavea are monitored by ''[[El oficial de enlace imperial con los sacerdotes de Balo y el toro negro]]'' ("The Imperial intermediary to the priests of Balo and the Black Bull"), who among other things is able to [[ministry|buy Asavean goods]] at a reduced price. During the Summer Solstice 380YE, the Assembly of Nine supported Abaddon de Rondell in [[Temple_of_the_bull#Resolution|denouncing]] the temple as an idolatrous affront, making it significantly harder for the Asaveans to find labourers prepared to work on the construction and both delaying its completion and laying a significant economic burden on the foreign priests.

The temple remained extremely controversial among Imperial priests. When Oran fell to the Grendel, however, the priests at the temple [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Sand|offered sanctuary]] to a number of Freeborn families in spite of Governor Rahab's unhappiness. Several of those families were ultimately smuggled to safety in Madruga. Despite this, however, it was clear that the Asaveans were happy to work with the new owners of Oran - there were rumours that they quickly recognised a Grendel as the [[Imperial Delegate to the Temple in Feroz|Delegate to the Temple in Feroz]]. This situation was further exacerbated by the Summer 383YE [[Through_my_sails#Ruined_Buildings|attack]] on the "sister temple" to the Black Bull, the temple of the Way in Nemoria.

When Oran was [[Glass_and_flame#The_Siege_of_Oran|liberated from the Grendel]] in 386YE Autumn, the priests surrendered ''en masse'' and [[Glass_and_flame#Game_Information_:_Asavean_Diplomacy|asked to be repatriated]] back to the Archipelago. As of the winter of 387YE, the temple still stands but without tenants.

'''OOC Notes:''' More details on the construction of the Temple of Balo and the Black Bull can be found in the winds of fortune, specifically [[Seven_lords_of_virtue#Temple_of_Bahlo_and_the_Black_Bull|Seven lords of virtue]], [[Those who worship#The Black Bull|Those who worship]], and [[Distant deeps]].
{{Anchor|Protectorate of Morajasse}}
===Mora's Rock===
Built as part of the grand project to create [[fortification|fortifications]] across the southern Empire in response to the threat of the [[Grendel]], Mora's Rock in [[#Morajasse|Morajasse]] was completed in the months following the [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Bravado|invasion of 383YE]]. The fortification squats above the town of Mora, guarding against invasion from [[Segura]], and providing garrisons and scouts who can offer resistance to assaults from the sea.

When Morajasse was ceded to the Grendel in Autumn 383YE, they took control of the fortification and later expanded it significantly. The fortification resisted the [[Glass and flame|liberation]] of the territory, and as of the beginning of 387YE remains under the control of the Grendel. The garrison is led by ''[[Glass_and_flame#The_Shadow_of_Mora's_Rock|Commander Gallum Fiersach]]'', ably supported by his partner, the ''Wind Lord Saoirse''.

The garrison there includes a warband of veteran [[Elite_Grendel_troops#The_Stone_Born|Stone Born]], and the remainder appear to be very experienced soldiers. These Grendel are enemies of the Empire, obviously, but that did not prevent them acting to [[A_circle_sewn_with_fate#The_Battle_of_Oran|protect Oran]] from the Children of Wrecks in early 387YE. In the Summer of that year, the Senate [[387YE_Summer_Solstice_Senate_sessions#Recognise_Protectorate_of_Gallum_Fiersach|recognised the Protectorate of Morajasse]] as foreigners, as long as they reamined independent of the Grendel. While there is still tension between the Freeborn and the orcs many see as occupying Morajasse, for now at least Gallum Fiersach's forces seem content to keep to their castle, apart from regular patrols along the borders of Feroz aimed at protecting the territory from the Children of Wrecks - and the Iron Confederacy.
===The Spice Gardens of Feroz===
In western [[#Morajasse|Morajasse]] stand the legendary Spice Gardens of Feroz - a set of heavily-walled enclosures covering several acres where the finest spices in the Empire are grown. A rich source of trade for whoever controls the gardens, the [[Imperial title]] of [[Keeper of the Spice Gardens]] has changed hands between families only a handful of times in the last few centuries, and the bargaining leading up to a new appointment has regularly involved the whole nation.

The peace treaty of Autumn 383YE that ceded control of Morajasse to the Grendel saw the Spice Gardens fall into the hands of the orcs. The Grendel appreciate fine spices as much as any Freeborn so the evidence is that they did not harm the legendary Gardens - but for many Freeborn the idea of their beautiful spice gardens being operated by Grendel slaves was particularly heinous. With Governor Rahab dead and Feroz liberated, the Spice Gardens remain out of Imperial hands as part of the [[#Protectorate of Morjasse|Protectorate of Morajasse]].
==Lost and Ruined==
{{anchor|Shantarim}}
===Shantarim (ruined)===
In the southern islands of the [[#Cazar Straits|Cazar Straits]] the town of Shantarim was one a [[corsair]] stronghold. The families were are known to engage in fierce competition with their northern rivals, not only in Madruga but also in [[#Oranseri|Oranseri]] and even the other islands of the Straits. Smaller than the town of Cazar, Shantarim had a reputation for being somewhat less cosmopolitan than the other towns of Feroz - visitors from mainland families sometimes encounter prejudice and suspicion. The families of Shantarim more than made up for their relatively small size with the enthusiasm with which they opposed the orcs of the Broken Shore.

Prior to the [[Ratify treaty with the Grendel Autumn 383YE|peace treaty]] of 383YE, they were loud supporters of the [[Freeborn Storm]], and the various raids against the Grendel. The signing of the peace treaty with the southern orcs tied their hands, making it illegal to fight the Grendel, which became been a major source of dissension in Shantarim.

Towards the end of the ceasefire secured by the treaty, in 385YE, Shatarim was attacked and wrecked. Warships of the [[Asavean Archipelago]], allies of the Grendel occupation, engaged in a campaign of destruction across the Cazar Straits, and along with the Isle of the Osseini, Shantarim bore the brunt. Many corsairs who had endured the occupation of the Grendel were slain, and the town was looted and left in ruins. When the Children of Wrecks arrived, there was precious little left for the to wreck.
<div style="float:right; width: 450px; clear: right;"><box>'''Justicars'''<br>The priests who previously lived on the Isle of the Osseini called themselves ''justicars''. Specialist exorcists and inquisitors in the pre-Imperial history of the Brass Coast, they specialised in driving out malign spirits or cleansing unpleasant auras from people, places and objects. Never particularly populous, their sanctuary on the Isle of the Osseini was all but wiped out by the Grendel. A handful remained elsewhere, and during the Autumn Equinox 383YE the Freeborn assembly [[383YE_Autumn_Equinox_Synod_judgements#Judgement_22|called on them to come together to preserve their traditions]]. A small enclave of justicars was established on the Isle of Osseini at the sufferance of the Grendel. Unfortunately, when Asavean warships went on a rampage in 385YE, the first place they attacked was this enclave, putting the priests to the sword and burning the enclave. When the Children of Wrecks arrived, the Grendel magicians still left on the island fled back to the Broken Shore. As far as anyone knows today, the island is abandoned.</box></div>

{{Anchor|Isle of the Osseini}}
===Isle of the Osseini (Ruined)===
At the southern tip of the [[#Cazar Straits|Cazar Straits]], the island was known for its heavy sea fog, its ghosts, and for a small sect of Freeborn priests famed for their knowledge of the arts of [[exorcism]]. Stories claimed the Isle was haunted by those who had died at sea, but most Freeborn had no truck with such foolishness. In 383YE, however, it became clear these tales of ghosts were more than just idle gossip. During the Spring Equinox of that year, a [[Grendel]] shaman attempted to unleash a ghostly legion of drowned orcs bound in some fashion to white granite pillars on the island against the defenders of Feroz. Before they could do so they were [[383YE_Summer_Solstice_winds_of_war#The_World_is_Not_Enough|thwarted by Imperial heroes]] who reached the isle via the [[Sentinel Gate]]. Once the heroes retreated, the status of the island, the pillars, and the remaining priests was unknown.

Then in Autumn 383YE, as part of the negotiations that led to the peace treaty with the Grendel, a contract was negotiated with the orc diplomat regarding the Isle of the Osseini. In the wake of that agreement, a small group of priests were allowed to visit the Isle with a Grendel escort. There they discovered the remaining priests were dead, the ghost-binding pillars had been destroyed, and the island was in the hands of a coven of Grendel magicians. The orcs had already constructed a permanent residence there built around a particular Winter regio, and were less than welcoming to the Freeborn. Further negotiations followed; in the end the Freeborn were allowed to establish a small enclave here, under the careful watch of the Grendel.

The return of the justicars was short-lived. In 385YE, a fleet of warships from the Asavean Archipelago went on a murderous rampage in the southern Cazar Straits. Allies of the Grendel, they slaughtered the priests and burned the enclave before sailing north to Shantarim. When the Children of Wrecks arrived, the remaining Grendel magicians fled back to the Broken Shore. By the close of 387YE, the island appears to be abandoned, although it remains to be seen what the Iron Confederacy plan to do with it.

'''OOC Note:''' You can learn more about the historic Isle of the Osseini in the [[Bones in the ocean]] wind of fortune.
{{Anchor|The Scorrero Nets}}
===Scorrero Nets (Defunct)===
The Scorrero Nets were a [[Bourse]] resource located in [[#Oranseri|Oranseri]], seized by the Grendel in Spring 383YE as part of their conquest of Feroz. Custodianship of the Nets was an [[Imperial Title]] that brought with it a Seat on the [[Bourse]]. In Winter 384YE, a [[Drums_beat_in_my_head#The_Scorrero_Nets|daring plan]] was proposed to "steal" the nets by establishing the [[Cerevado Nets]] upriver in [[Segura]]. As a consequence, this Bourse resource ceased to exist, much to the chagrin of the Grendel governor Rahab.
{{Anchor|The Broken Shore Bounty}}
===The Broken Shore Bounty (Defunct)===
The [[Broken Shore Bounty]] was a Bourse resource that was technically located in the [[#Cazar Straits|Cazar Straits]] inasmuch as the holder of the [[Bourse]] seat has the use of a fortified villa in the hills near Cazar. The actual [[ilium]] that the seat provided was sourced throughout the Bay of Catazar; a portion of all ilium claimed from the nets of Freeborn, [[the League|League]], [[Highguard|Highborn]], and [[Urizen|Urizeni]] nets is claimed as part of the Bounty. It produced 7 rings of ilium each season and was allocated during the Spring Equinox.

When the Cazar Straits fell to the Grendel, they also seized the offices of the Broken Shore Bounty. Despite a [[Four_strong_winds#Broken_Shore_Bounty|proposal to move the offices]], the resource fell into disarray, the ilium ending up split between the Imperial Fleet Master and the Bourse Auction. With the ratification of the Grendel peace treaty, this title and resource effectively ceased to exist.
==Regions==
===Afarjasse===
'''Qualities:''' [[Region_qualities#Abandoned|Abandoned]], [[Region_qualities#Underpopulated|Underpopulated]]<br>
The wide open spaces of Afarjasse were sparsely populated even at the height of Feroz's prosperity. "Sweet afar" was a phrase sometimes used to describe being in the middle of nowhere, or an area where there was nothing but grass as far as the eye could see. The only major settlement was the quiet town of '''Afar''', established by [[hakima]] with close ties to the [[Guerra]] [[tribe]], near a potent [[regio]] tied to the [[Realms#Night|realm of Night]]. The town was not hard to reach, but it stood alone in a sea of sprawling grassland, and never encouraged casual visitors. On nights when powerful magics were performed, Afar was often visible for miles around - great bonfires blazing and massive drums pounding out powerful rhythms to help raise (or draw down, or both) the passionate energy for powerful workings.

As with the rest of Feroz, Afarjasse spent two years in the hands of the Grendel. The governor, Lord Rahab, made it clear that the hakima here would not be permitted access to their potent regio - they were after all an important strategic resource. Many of the people who once called the town home went into exile in [[Segura]] and [[Kahraman]] rather than endure Rahab's oppression. When the plains of Afarjasse were [[Glass_and_flame#Fontargenta_and_Bramar_and_Afar|liberated from the Grendel]] it was discovered that Rahab had established massive farms around Afar. The crops were tended by slaves, several hundred of whome were held at Afar in great dormitories, forced to work the fields until they fell, with the same heedless cruelty the Grendel apparently show to those who toil in their salt mines. These people were liberated by the [[Narwhal's Spear]] and the [[Fist of the Mountain]], who executed everyone responsible for their durance. Most were Imperial citizens, but maybe a hundred came from further afield, bought by Rahab from the slave markets of the Broken Shore. Those who are not already Imperial citizens were offered new homes in the Empire. The farms remain, but enthusiasm to work them is understandably low.

===Cazar Straits===
'''Qualities:''' Abandoned, Coastal, Impoverished, Island, Underpopulated<br>
For most of the Brass Coast's history, the islands of the Cazar Straits were dominated by [[corsair]] families. The largest settlement remains the port town from which the islands take their name - high-cliffed '''Cazar''' - but in recent years it has changed hands several times and is a shadow of its former self. Built around a bustling dock, it served as a safe harbour and home port for many of the [[fleet|fleets]] that protected the Bay from barbarian ships. The holder of the [[Broken Shore Bounty]] used to have the use of a fortified villa in the hills near Cazar, and the civil service offices that oversaw the resource were based here. Both were lost to the Grendel, then to the [[Children of Wrecks]], and in the last months of 387YE, to the [[Iron Confederacy]].

Even before the Children of Wrecks arrived, several of the more southerly islands of the Straits had a reputation for peculiarity. The corsairs of [[#Shantarim|Shantarim]] for example were renowned both for their enthusiastic rivalry with all other corsair families, and the zeal with which they waged war on the Grendel. The [[#Isle of the Osseini|Isle of the Osseini]] is also found here, once home to a sect of strange priests, allegedly haunted by the ghosts of drowned pirates, then the site of an uneasy truce between orc magicians and Freeborn priests. Towards the end of the peace treaty with the Grendel, however, a fleet of warships from the [[Asavean Archipelago]] slaughtered the justicars of Osseini and ruined the town of Shantarim. When the Children of Wrecks claimed the region, there was precious little left for them to destroy.

Today, the waters around the Cazar Straits remain treacherous. In part this is due to the presence of dozens of immature kraken hatched in the waters by the Children of Wrecks.

===Fontargenta===
'''Qualities:''' Abandoned, Coastal, Impoverished<br>
The trading port of '''Bramar''' stands on the coast here. Surrounded by rich agricultural land, its bountiful cornfields once competed with [[the Marches|Marcher]] grain in markets across the southern nations of the Empire, and their vineyards were justly famous. Before the Grendel invasion it served as an important hub for the Imperial wine trade, with many excellent vintages passing through its docks - both from the Brass Coast to the rest of the world, and from the rest of the world to the Brass Coast (and thus the Empire). Lord Rahab has left the region devastated, and it remains to be seen if the farms here will ever recover.

===Morajasse===
'''Qualities:''' Abandoned, Impoverished, Underpopulated<br>
The largest town in prosperous Morajasse is '''Mora'''. Once simply a spice market, the barbarian invasion of [[Segura]] saw a burst of rapid militarisation of this peaceful settlement. Refugees are common here: some supported by their families, others looking to work in the market. With the liberation of the western territory, a strange reversal took place - the pool of desperate labourers has largely dried up with refugees returning to their homes.

Immediately following the [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Bravado|invasion of Feroz]] in 383YE, work was completed on a [[fortification]] at the town of Mora, [[#Mora's Rock|Mora's Rock]]. The fortification served the defenders well, but with the ratification of the peace treaty it was taken over, and expanded, by Grendel troops. It now serves as the base of operations of ''Wind Lord Saoirse'' and her partner ''Commander Fiersach'', as well as a sizable force of Grendel veterans.

Western Morajasse is the site of the great [[#The Spice Gardens of Feroz|Spice Gardens]]. The [[Vizier of the Incarnadine Satchel]] was often quite active in Feroz, occasionally dealing with agents of the Spice Gardens or traders from the Jewelled Isles. Following the Grendel treaty, the offices that supported the Vizier with easy access to reasonably priced herbs has dried up - while they are still notionally the owner of the miraculous satchel that gives them their name, their ability to support the nations' apothecaries and physicks has been greatly reduced.
{{CaptionedImage|file=Oran_by_the_Sea.jpg|caption=The Celesti Lighthouse sits high on the headland overlooking Oran.|align=right|width=400}}

===Oranseri===
'''Qualities:''' Abandoned, Coastal, Impoverished<br>
Across the bay from billowing [[Madruga#Siroc|Siroc]] stands the thriving port town of [[#Oran|Oran]]. In recent years, the port has grown in prominence and prosperity; it served as the seat of power for the Grendel governor Lord Rahab during the Grendel occupation of the territory. Just outside Oran lies the great [[Celesti_Lighthouse_Keeper#The_Celesti_Lighthouse|Celesti Lighthouse]], originally constructed during the reign of [[Emperor Barabbas]] and recently repaired and restored to full functionality. It, too, was in the hands of the Grendel for several years but has now been restored.

West of Oran is the ''Scorrero Crossing''. The river Scorrero is wide and deep between Feroz and Madruga. During the Summer Solstice 383YE, the Grendel invaders attempted to take advantage of this by taking control of both bridges that connect the two Freeborn territories. Had they been successful, it would have been significantly harder for Imperial forces to move between Siroc and Oranseri. Their attempts were stymied, and ultimately became moot once the Scorrero [[Where_the_river_rises#Crossing|burst its banks]] and carried away all the existing bridges.

'''Joharra''' is a port south of Oran, considered much more stable than its northern cousin, and better known for its industry than its trade. Famous throughout the Empire for its cloth and dye-work, Joharra is called '' the Rainbow'' by coastal sailors who mark their progress round the coast with the first sight of the great billowing cloths hung out to dry on tall wooden frames along the low cliffs. As with the other settlements of Oran, the weavers and dyers here now labour under the yoke of the Grendel orcs.

==Strategic Considerations==
* '''The damage to the bridges along the Scorrero prevents movement between Feroz and Madruga'''
The damage to almost all the bridges along the Scorrero means that it is effectively impossible for an [[Army|army]] to move between Feroz and [[Madruga]] (or vice versa). More information can be found in the '''[[Where_the_river_rises#Crossing|Where the river rises]]''' wind of fortune.
<div style="float:left; width: 450px; clear: right;">{{CaptionedImage|file=Garviel i Abrira i Erigo.jpg|caption='''Garviel i Abrira i Erigo''', Senator for Feroz|align=left|width=500}}</div>
{{Senate Elections|Senator_for_Feroz|Territory=Feroz|Season=Summer|Controlled=is}}

==OOC Notes==
* As of the start of the Winter Solstice 387YE, the Iron Confederacy control the Cazar Straits, the Grendel control Morajasse, and the Brass Coast controls Afarjasse, Fontargenta, and Oranseri. Feroz is an Imperial territory
* [[#Mora's Rock|Mora's Rock]] is a rank two fortification controlled by the Grendel.
* The status of various titles and resources located in Feroz is outlined in more detail in [[To_curb_those_raging_appetites#Lost_Opportunities|To curb those raging appetites]], a Winter 383YE wind of fortune.

==Further Reading==
* [[Red skies]] - 387YE Winter wind of war about the Iron Confederacy invasion of the Cazar Straits
* [[A circle sewn with fate]] - 387YE Spring wind of war detailing the Wrecker attack on Oran
* [[Send for me]] - 386YE Winter wind of fortune about the rebuilding of Feroz
* [[Glass and flame]] - 386YE Autumn wind of war about the liberation of Feroz
* [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Spindrift|Winds of War 383YE Spring]] - Detailing the Grendel invasion
* [[383YE_Summer_Solstice_winds_of_war#The_World_is_Not_Enough|Winds of War 383YE Summer]]
* [[383YE_Autumn_Equinox_winds_of_war#Bronze|Winds of War 383YE Autumn]]
* [[Ratify_treaty_with_the_Grendel_Autumn_383YE#Treaty|Treaty]] - the Autumn 383YE treaty with the Grendel
* [[To curb those raging appetites]] - a Winter 383YE wind of fortune that details the situation for Freeborn in Feroz
* [[Everything has a price]] - a Winter 383YE wind of fortune that details the general situation with the Grendel, and has several notes about their presence in Feroz
* [[Bones in the ocean]] - a Winter 383YE wind of fortune that specifically deals with the [[#Isle of the Osseini|Isle of the Osseini]] and the justicars

Feroz

2026-05-13T10:46:44Z

Rafferty:

{{CaptionedImage|file=RegionsofFeroz.png|title=Southernmost of the Freeborn territories, lush but threatened by barbarians over land and sea|caption=Regions of Feroz|align=left|width=500}}[[Category:Gazetteer]][[Category:Imperial Territory]][[category:The Brass Coast]]
{{stub}}
== Overview ==
Feroz is the southernmost territory of the Brass Coast, and like [[Madruga]] to the north has both isles and coastline. Here the climate is warm and humid, perfect for the cultivation of different plants. This is the home of the fabulous spice gardens of Feroz, a source of great revenue for the people of this territory. The seas are more treacherous here, and the south and the west are constantly threatened by barbarians by land. As a result, many armed merchants patrolled the seas, and groups of young warriors journeyed along the borders, fighting skirmishes against jealous foes.

There is a traditional rivalry between the families of Feroz and those of Madruga. The northern territory was the first settled when the Freeborn [[The_Brass_Coast_history#The_Conquest_of_the_Coast|left Highguard]], and there is a popular stereotype that the people who live there are "stuck up". This stereotype is more humorous than hateful - the Freeborn move around too much to allow such prejudice to root itself too firmly in their psyche. Still, if a citizen of Feroz wants to insult a citizen of Madruga, they will fall back on accusations of arrogance and an over-reliance on tradition.

Some of the finest [[Surgical skills#Apothecary|apothecaries]] on the Brass Coast once lived in Feroz - the art of [[potion]] making has been studied here for centuries and even after two years of occupation by the Grendel it is still home to a great many [[herb garden|herb gardens]]. The mainland is a criss-cross patchwork of [[farm|farms]] and small settlements. At the height of its prosperity, a great deal of the food and drink consumed on the Brass Coast was produced here and exported to other Freeborn territories.

Unfortunately, in recent years the territory has been hit by disaster after disaster. Repeated raids by the Grendel eventually gave way to a concerted invasion, and while it was pushed back, the barbarian of the Broken Shore did not abandon their ambition to conquer Feroz. In 383YE, a [[Ratify treaty with the Grendel Autumn 383YE|peace treaty]] ceded the territory to the invaders, and saw the vicious, greedy, and tyrannical ''Governor Rahab'' establish his dominion over Feroz. The Freeborn organised a [[The power behind our moves|grand evacuation]] that saw much of the population escape Rahab's hungry grasp and resettle elsewhere in the Coast, but the move came at a price. When the treaty ended, and the Grendel were (mostly) driven out, Feroz was left abandoned, wrecked, and heavily underpopulated, its former residents preferring to stay with the new lives they had built elsewhere rather than return. Worse, the [[#Cazar Straits|Cazar Straits]] were taken by the [[Children of Wrecks]], transformed into a stronghold for the servants of the eternal [[Siakha]]. They in turn were supplanted towards the end of 387YE by the [[Iron Confederacy]], who drove out the Wreckers and claimed the island for themselves.

On the mainland, the situation is a little better, but what was once one of the richest Freeborn territories still struggles with the weight of two years of exploitation by a money-hungry tyrant, and what many see as its abandonment by the Empire.

==Recent History==
Being on the [[Bay of Catazar]], Feroz has always been under threat from the [[Grendel]] [[orc|orcs]]. In Spring 383YE, the orcs [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Spindrift|launched a naval invasion]], capturing [[#Oranseri|Oranseri]] and the [[#Cazar Straits|Cazar Straits]] in short order and making significant inroads into [[#Fontargenta|Fontargenta]]. The Grendel installed a grizzled old orc named ''Lord Rahab'' as overseer of the conquered land; he took up residence in the offices of the [[Scorrero Nets]] and quickly set about attempting to bring the rest of Feroz under his control. Part of their plan appeared to involve the ghosts of the [[#Isle of the Osseini|Isle of the Osseini]], but the scheme was countered by Imperial heroes travelling through the [[Sentinel Gate]] to exorcise the spirits and defeat the Grendel seeking to make use of them.

Undaunted by the loss of their supernatural weapon, the orcs kept up their assault. By Summer 383YE, they [[383YE_Summer_Solstice_winds_of_war#The_World_is_Not_Enough|sought to consolidate their gains in Fontargenta]]; they were opposed by [[Navarr]] and [[the Marches|Marcher]] [[Army|armies]], who held the Grendel at the town of [[#Fontargenta|Bramar]] for two days before being forced to retreat. They were able to slow the Grendel advance, however, leaving the orcs bogged down in Fontargenta and unable to press inland.

Following the engagement in Fontargenta, and battling under a powerful supernatural storm, the Grendel [[383YE_Autumn_Equinox_winds_of_war#Bronze|brought even more force]] to bear in the territory. While the Imperial armies were reinforced by [[Highguard|Highborn]] troops, the orc navies disgorged a great host of their own warriors. The fighting was bitter, but in the end Fontargenta fell - and as Fontargenta falls, so falls Feroz. While [[#Morajasse|Morajasse]] and [[#Afarjasse|Afarjasse]] remained free, the Grendel forces continued to mass along the coast.

During the Autumn Equinox 383, the [[Senate]] [[Ratify_treaty_with_the_Grendel_Autumn_383YE#Treaty|ratified a peace treaty]] with the Grendel. Presented by the [[Imperial Fleet Master]], among other things it [[Powers_of_the_Imperial_Senate#Concedence|ceded]] the two remaining regions of Feroz to the Grendel, albeit with provisions allowing Imperial citizens still in Morajasse and Afarjasse to withdraw to safety. Following the Equinox, Lord Rahab's forces spread out quickly to bring the two western regions under his control; Feroz was now [[To_curb_those_raging_appetites|completely under Grendel control]].

Just before the Autumn Equinox 386YE, the Imperial forces reconquered [[Glass_and_flame| reconquered Feroz]]. Possession of the territory is complicated by [[Children_of_Wrecks|Children of Wrecks]] as well as the remnants of the Grendel. Feroz has been run into the ground by Lord Rahab, eager to extract every drop of profit from the place, and it requires significant investment to return the territory to even a fraction of its former wealth.

In 386YE, the [[Senate]] commissioned an [[appraisal]] of Feroz that laid out many of the challenges presented by the newly reclaimed territory, and some potential solutions. Details are contained in the '''[[Send_for_me#State_of_Feroz|Send for me]]''' wind of fortune.

== Major Features ==
===Oran===
The largest and most prestigious port was Feroz is Oran, on the northern coast of [[#Oranseri|Oranseri]]. Across the bay from billowing [[Madruga#Siroc_(Ruined)|Siroc]] this thriving port specialised in high-value products such as fine wines and spice mixes. Unsurprisingly, given its position, for most of its history it has engaged in low-key economic warfare with its larger cousin to the north - Oran notably has cheaper dock fees than Siroc, and a number of entrepreneurs prefer to operate here as a consequence. It is especially welcoming to those merchants who are just starting out, and has a reputation for being more energetic than its competitors to the north and south. This energy has been significantly boosted by construction of the only open [[#The Temple of Balo and the Black Bull|Asavean Temple]] in the entire Empire; the surge of [[Asavean Archipelago|Asavean]] ships visiting Oran saw the town expand significantly to become the largest trading port in Feroz.

In Spring 383YE, however, Oran was [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Spindrift|conquered by the Grendel]]. An orc governor, Lord Rahab, chose the town as the site for his court, converting the offices of the [[Scorrero Nets]] to his personal use. Among other things, this invasion saw the collapse of the [[Broken Shore Bounty]], the Scorrero Nets falling into orc hands, and the Temple of Balo and the Black Bull sealing its doors against the orcs while offering sanctuary to Freeborn families. Following the treaty signed during the Autumn Equinox, the Grendel opened Oran as a port [[Everything_has_a_price#A_New_Destination|available to Imperial captains]]. This situation persisted until the peace treaty ended, and war with the Grendel resumed.

After the Summer Solstice 386YE, Imperial forces swept into Oranseri to liberate the territory from the Grendel. They [[Glass_and_flame#The_Siege_of_Oran|laid siege]] to Oran, and were quickly victorious. The [[Below_the_thunders#Objective:_Eliminate_Governor_Rahab|recent death of Governor Rahab]] in battle with the Empire's heroes left the garrison demoralised and disorganised. It was a grievous victory, however. The fighting that raged through the town, the overwhelming assault, the barrage of catapult stones, all contributed to the fact that many of the buildings have been left in ruins, and many more damaged. A fire at the docks threatened to spread through the town and only the valiant actions of League soldiers managed bring it under control. Barely a year later the town again came under serious attack, this time by the Children of Wrecks. Without the [[A_circle_sewn_with_fate#The_Battle_of_Oran|prompt action]] of the [[orc|orcs]] from the [[#Protectorate of Morajasse|Protectorate of Morajasse]], Oran again might have been destroyed. As it is, the town remains intact but in a sadly impoverished state.

Proposals have been put forward to [[Send_for_me#Wharfage_of_Oran|rebuild Oran]], but it remains to be seen what the future holds for the port town.

{{Anchor|The Temple of Balo and the Black Bull}}
===Temple of Balo and the Black Bull===
During the Spring Equinox 380YE, permission was granted to the people of the [[Asavean Archipelago]] to construct a major temple to their gods in [[#Oranseri|Oran]]. Initially, construction was expected to be completed shortly before the Autumn Equinox 380YE, but the temple did not actually open its doors until shortly before the Spring Equinox 381YE. The town is seeing an influx of Asavean shipping bringing white granite and architects to the Brass Coast, as well as throwing crowns around like water to secure local labour to complete their project. Relations between the people of the Empire and the priests of Asavea are monitored by ''[[El oficial de enlace imperial con los sacerdotes de Balo y el toro negro]]'' ("The Imperial intermediary to the priests of Balo and the Black Bull"), who among other things is able to [[ministry|buy Asavean goods]] at a reduced price. During the Summer Solstice 380YE, the Assembly of Nine supported Abaddon de Rondell in [[Temple_of_the_bull#Resolution|denouncing]] the temple as an idolatrous affront, making it significantly harder for the Asaveans to find labourers prepared to work on the construction and both delaying its completion and laying a significant economic burden on the foreign priests.

The temple remained extremely controversial among Imperial priests. When Oran fell to the Grendel, however, the priests at the temple [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Sand|offered sanctuary]] to a number of Freeborn families in spite of Governor Rahab's unhappiness. Several of those families were ultimately smuggled to safety in Madruga. Despite this, however, it was clear that the Asaveans were happy to work with the new owners of Oran - there were rumours that they quickly recognised a Grendel as the [[Imperial Delegate to the Temple in Feroz|Delegate to the Temple in Feroz]]. This situation was further exacerbated by the Summer 383YE [[Through_my_sails#Ruined_Buildings|attack]] on the "sister temple" to the Black Bull, the temple of the Way in Nemoria.

When Oran was [[Glass_and_flame#The_Siege_of_Oran|liberated from the Grendel]] in 386YE Autumn, the priests surrendered ''en masse'' and [[Glass_and_flame#Game_Information_:_Asavean_Diplomacy|asked to be repatriated]] back to the Archipelago. As of the winter of 387YE, the temple still stands but without tenants.

'''OOC Notes:''' More details on the construction of the Temple of Balo and the Black Bull can be found in the winds of fortune, specifically [[Seven_lords_of_virtue#Temple_of_Bahlo_and_the_Black_Bull|Seven lords of virtue]], [[Those who worship#The Black Bull|Those who worship]], and [[Distant deeps]].
{{Anchor|Protectorate of Morajasse}}
===Mora's Rock===
Built as part of the grand project to create [[fortification|fortifications]] across the southern Empire in response to the threat of the [[Grendel]], Mora's Rock in [[#Morajasse|Morajasse]] was completed in the months following the [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Bravado|invasion of 383YE]]. The fortification squats above the town of Mora, guarding against invasion from [[Segura]], and providing garrisons and scouts who can offer resistance to assaults from the sea.

When Morajasse was ceded to the Grendel in Autumn 383YE, they took control of the fortification and later expanded it significantly. The fortification resisted the [[Glass and flame|liberation]] of the territory, and as of the beginning of 387YE remains under the control of the Grendel. The garrison is led by ''[[Glass_and_flame#The_Shadow_of_Mora's_Rock|Commander Gallum Fiersach]]'', ably supported by his partner, the ''Wind Lord Saoirse''.

The garrison there includes a warband of veteran [[Elite_Grendel_troops#The_Stone_Born|Stone Born]], and the remainder appear to be very experienced soldiers. These Grendel are enemies of the Empire, obviously, but that did not prevent them acting to [[A_circle_sewn_with_fate#The_Battle_of_Oran|protect Oran]] from the Children of Wrecks in early 387YE. In the Summer of that year, the Senate [[387YE_Summer_Solstice_Senate_sessions#Recognise_Protectorate_of_Gallum_Fiersach|recognised the Protectorate of Morajasse]] as foreigners, as long as they reamined independent of the Grendel. While there is still tension between the Freeborn and the orcs many see as occupying Morajasse, for now at least Gallum Fiersach's forces seem content to keep to their castle, apart from regular patrols along the borders of Feroz aimed at protecting the territory from the Children of Wrecks - and the Iron Confederacy.
===The Spice Gardens of Feroz===
In western [[#Morajasse|Morajasse]] stand the legendary Spice Gardens of Feroz - a set of heavily-walled enclosures covering several acres where the finest spices in the Empire are grown. A rich source of trade for whoever controls the gardens, the [[Imperial title]] of [[Keeper of the Spice Gardens]] has changed hands between families only a handful of times in the last few centuries, and the bargaining leading up to a new appointment has regularly involved the whole nation.

The peace treaty of Autumn 383YE that ceded control of Morajasse to the Grendel saw the Spice Gardens fall into the hands of the orcs. The Grendel appreciate fine spices as much as any Freeborn so the evidence is that they did not harm the legendary Gardens - but for many Freeborn the idea of their beautiful spice gardens being operated by Grendel slaves was particularly heinous. With Governor Rahab dead and Feroz liberated, the Spice Gardens remain out of Imperial hands as part of the [[#Protectorate of Morjasse|Protectorate of Morajasse]].
==Lost and Ruined==
{{anchor|Shantarim}}
===Shantarim (ruined)===
In the southern islands of the [[#Cazar Straits|Cazar Straits]] the town of Shantarim was one a [[corsair]] stronghold. The families were are known to engage in fierce competition with their northern rivals, not only in Madruga but also in [[#Oranseri|Oranseri]] and even the other islands of the Straits. Smaller than the town of Cazar, Shantarim had a reputation for being somewhat less cosmopolitan than the other towns of Feroz - visitors from mainland families sometimes encounter prejudice and suspicion. The families of Shantarim more than made up for their relatively small size with the enthusiasm with which they opposed the orcs of the Broken Shore.

Prior to the [[Ratify treaty with the Grendel Autumn 383YE|peace treaty]] of 383YE, they were loud supporters of the [[Freeborn Storm]], and the various raids against the Grendel. The signing of the peace treaty with the southern orcs tied their hands, making it illegal to fight the Grendel, which became been a major source of dissension in Shantarim.

Towards the end of the ceasefire secured by the treaty, in 385YE, Shatarim was attacked and wrecked. Warships of the [[Asavean Archipelago]], allies of the Grendel occupation, engaged in a campaign of destruction across the Cazar Straits, and along with the Isle of the Osseini, Shantarim bore the brunt. Many corsairs who had endured the occupation of the Grendel were slain, and the town was looted and left in ruins. When the Children of Wrecks arrived, there was precious little left for the to wreck.
<div style="float:right; width: 450px; clear: right;"><box>'''Justicars'''<br>The priests who previously lived on the Isle of the Osseini called themselves ''justicars''. Specialist exorcists and inquisitors in the pre-Imperial history of the Brass Coast, they specialised in driving out malign spirits or cleansing unpleasant auras from people, places and objects. Never particularly populous, their sanctuary on the Isle of the Osseini was all but wiped out by the Grendel. A handful remained elsewhere, and during the Autumn Equinox 383YE the Freeborn assembly [[383YE_Autumn_Equinox_Synod_judgements#Judgement_22|called on them to come together to preserve their traditions]]. A small enclave of justicars was established on the Isle of Osseini at the sufferance of the Grendel. Unfortunately, when Asavean warships went on a rampage in 385YE, the first place they attacked was this enclave, putting the priests to the sword and burning the enclave. When the Children of Wrecks arrived, the Grendel magicians still left on the island fled back to the Broken Shore. As far as anyone knows today, the island is abandoned.</box></div>

{{Anchor|Isle of the Osseini}}
===Isle of the Osseini (Ruined)===
At the southern tip of the [[#Cazar Straits|Cazar Straits]], the island was known for its heavy sea fog, its ghosts, and for a small sect of Freeborn priests famed for their knowledge of the arts of [[exorcism]]. Stories claimed the Isle was haunted by those who had died at sea, but most Freeborn had no truck with such foolishness. In 383YE, however, it became clear these tales of ghosts were more than just idle gossip. During the Spring Equinox of that year, a [[Grendel]] shaman attempted to unleash a ghostly legion of drowned orcs bound in some fashion to white granite pillars on the island against the defenders of Feroz. Before they could do so they were [[383YE_Summer_Solstice_winds_of_war#The_World_is_Not_Enough|thwarted by Imperial heroes]] who reached the isle via the [[Sentinel Gate]]. Once the heroes retreated, the status of the island, the pillars, and the remaining priests was unknown.

Then in Autumn 383YE, as part of the negotiations that led to the peace treaty with the Grendel, a contract was negotiated with the orc diplomat regarding the Isle of the Osseini. In the wake of that agreement, a small group of priests were allowed to visit the Isle with a Grendel escort. There they discovered the remaining priests were dead, the ghost-binding pillars had been destroyed, and the island was in the hands of a coven of Grendel magicians. The orcs had already constructed a permanent residence there built around a particular Winter regio, and were less than welcoming to the Freeborn. Further negotiations followed; in the end the Freeborn were allowed to establish a small enclave here, under the careful watch of the Grendel.

The return of the justicars was short-lived. In 385YE, a fleet of warships from the Asavean Archipelago went on a murderous rampage in the southern Cazar Straits. Allies of the Grendel, they slaughtered the priests and burned the enclave before sailing north to Shantarim. When the Children of Wrecks arrived, the remaining Grendel magicians fled back to the Broken Shore. By the close of 387YE, the island appears to be abandoned, although it remains to be seen what the Iron Confederacy plan to do with it.

'''OOC Note:''' You can learn more about the historic Isle of the Osseini in the [[Bones in the ocean]] wind of fortune.
{{Anchor|The Scorrero Nets}}
===Scorrero Nets (Defunct)===
The Scorrero Nets were a [[Bourse]] resource located in [[#Oranseri|Oranseri]], seized by the Grendel in Spring 383YE as part of their conquest of Feroz. Custodianship of the Nets was an [[Imperial Title]] that brought with it a Seat on the [[Bourse]]. In Winter 384YE, a [[Drums_beat_in_my_head#The_Scorrero_Nets|daring plan]] was proposed to "steal" the nets by establishing the [[Cerevado Nets]] upriver in [[Segura]]. As a consequence, this Bourse resource ceased to exist, much to the chagrin of the Grendel governor Rahab.
{{Anchor|The Broken Shore Bounty}}
===The Broken Shore Bounty (Defunct)===
The [[Broken Shore Bounty]] was a Bourse resource that was technically located in the [[#Cazar Straits|Cazar Straits]] inasmuch as the holder of the [[Bourse]] seat has the use of a fortified villa in the hills near Cazar. The actual [[ilium]] that the seat provided was sourced throughout the Bay of Catazar; a portion of all ilium claimed from the nets of Freeborn, [[the League|League]], [[Highguard|Highborn]], and [[Urizen|Urizeni]] nets is claimed as part of the Bounty. It produced 7 rings of ilium each season and was allocated during the Spring Equinox.

When the Cazar Straits fell to the Grendel, they also seized the offices of the Broken Shore Bounty. Despite a [[Four_strong_winds#Broken_Shore_Bounty|proposal to move the offices]], the resource fell into disarray, the ilium ending up split between the Imperial Fleet Master and the Bourse Auction. With the ratification of the Grendel peace treaty, this title and resource effectively ceased to exist.
==Regions==
===Afarjasse===
'''Qualities:''' [[Region_qualities#Abandoned|Abandoned]], [[Region_qualities#Underpopulated|Underpopulated]]<br>
In the middle of nowhere, on the plains of Afarjasse, is the quiet settlement of '''Afar'''. It was established by [[hakima]] with close ties to the [[Guerra]] tribe near a potent [[regio]] tied to the realm of Night. It is a faraway place dedicated to the practice of [[rituals|ritual magics]] that support the Freeborn. It is not hard to reach, but it stands alone in a sea of sprawling grasslands and does not encourage casual visitors. On nights when powerful magics are performed, Afar is visible for miles around - great bonfires are built and massive drums used to build powerful rhythms to help raise (or draw down, or both) the passionate energy for powerful workings.

As with the rest of Feroz, Afarjasse spent two years in the hands of the Grendel. The governor, Lord Rahab, made it clear that the hakima here would not be permitted access to their potent regio - they were after all an important strategic resource. The region has been liberated now, but is in the same dire straits as the rest of the territory.

===Cazar Straits===
'''Qualities:''' Abandoned, Coastal, Impoverished, Island, Underpopulated<br>
For most of the Brass Coast's history, the islands of the Cazar Straits were dominated by [[corsair]] families. The largest settlement remains the port town from which the islands take their name - high-cliffed '''Cazar''' - but in recent years it has changed hands several times and is a shadow of its former self. Built around a bustling dock, it served as a safe harbour and home port for many of the [[fleet|fleets]] that protected the Bay from barbarian ships. The holder of the [[Broken Shore Bounty]] used to have the use of a fortified villa in the hills near Cazar, and the civil service offices that oversaw the resource were based here. Both were lost to the Grendel, then to the [[Children of Wrecks]], and in the last months of 387YE, to the [[Iron Confederacy]].

Even before the Children of Wrecks arrived, several of the more southerly islands of the Straits had a reputation for peculiarity. The corsairs of [[#Shantarim|Shantarim]] for example were renowned both for their enthusiastic rivalry with all other corsair families, and the zeal with which they waged war on the Grendel. The [[#Isle of the Osseini|Isle of the Osseini]] is also found here, once home to a sect of strange priests, allegedly haunted by the ghosts of drowned pirates, then the site of an uneasy truce between orc magicians and Freeborn priests. Towards the end of the peace treaty with the Grendel, however, a fleet of warships from the [[Asavean Archipelago]] slaughtered the justicars of Osseini and ruined the town of Shantarim. When the Children of Wrecks claimed the region, there was precious little left for them to destroy.

Today, the waters around the Cazar Straits remain treacherous. In part this is due to the presence of dozens of immature kraken hatched in the waters by the Children of Wrecks.

===Fontargenta===
'''Qualities:''' Abandoned, Coastal, Impoverished<br>
The trading port of '''Bramar''' stands on the coast here. Surrounded by rich agricultural land, its bountiful cornfields once competed with [[the Marches|Marcher]] grain in markets across the southern nations of the Empire, and their vineyards were justly famous. Before the Grendel invasion it served as an important hub for the Imperial wine trade, with many excellent vintages passing through its docks - both from the Brass Coast to the rest of the world, and from the rest of the world to the Brass Coast (and thus the Empire). Lord Rahab has left the region devastated, and it remains to be seen if the farms here will ever recover.

===Morajasse===
'''Qualities:''' Abandoned, Impoverished, Underpopulated<br>
The largest town in prosperous Morajasse is '''Mora'''. Once simply a spice market, the barbarian invasion of [[Segura]] saw a burst of rapid militarisation of this peaceful settlement. Refugees are common here: some supported by their families, others looking to work in the market. With the liberation of the western territory, a strange reversal took place - the pool of desperate labourers has largely dried up with refugees returning to their homes.

Immediately following the [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Bravado|invasion of Feroz]] in 383YE, work was completed on a [[fortification]] at the town of Mora, [[#Mora's Rock|Mora's Rock]]. The fortification served the defenders well, but with the ratification of the peace treaty it was taken over, and expanded, by Grendel troops. It now serves as the base of operations of ''Wind Lord Saoirse'' and her partner ''Commander Fiersach'', as well as a sizable force of Grendel veterans.

Western Morajasse is the site of the great [[#The Spice Gardens of Feroz|Spice Gardens]]. The [[Vizier of the Incarnadine Satchel]] was often quite active in Feroz, occasionally dealing with agents of the Spice Gardens or traders from the Jewelled Isles. Following the Grendel treaty, the offices that supported the Vizier with easy access to reasonably priced herbs has dried up - while they are still notionally the owner of the miraculous satchel that gives them their name, their ability to support the nations' apothecaries and physicks has been greatly reduced.
{{CaptionedImage|file=Oran_by_the_Sea.jpg|caption=The Celesti Lighthouse sits high on the headland overlooking Oran.|align=right|width=400}}

===Oranseri===
'''Qualities:''' Abandoned, Coastal, Impoverished<br>
Across the bay from billowing [[Madruga#Siroc|Siroc]] stands the thriving port town of [[#Oran|Oran]]. In recent years, the port has grown in prominence and prosperity; it served as the seat of power for the Grendel governor Lord Rahab during the Grendel occupation of the territory. Just outside Oran lies the great [[Celesti_Lighthouse_Keeper#The_Celesti_Lighthouse|Celesti Lighthouse]], originally constructed during the reign of [[Emperor Barabbas]] and recently repaired and restored to full functionality. It, too, was in the hands of the Grendel for several years but has now been restored.

West of Oran is the ''Scorrero Crossing''. The river Scorrero is wide and deep between Feroz and Madruga. During the Summer Solstice 383YE, the Grendel invaders attempted to take advantage of this by taking control of both bridges that connect the two Freeborn territories. Had they been successful, it would have been significantly harder for Imperial forces to move between Siroc and Oranseri. Their attempts were stymied, and ultimately became moot once the Scorrero [[Where_the_river_rises#Crossing|burst its banks]] and carried away all the existing bridges.

'''Joharra''' is a port south of Oran, considered much more stable than its northern cousin, and better known for its industry than its trade. Famous throughout the Empire for its cloth and dye-work, Joharra is called '' the Rainbow'' by coastal sailors who mark their progress round the coast with the first sight of the great billowing cloths hung out to dry on tall wooden frames along the low cliffs. As with the other settlements of Oran, the weavers and dyers here now labour under the yoke of the Grendel orcs.

==Strategic Considerations==
* '''The damage to the bridges along the Scorrero prevents movement between Feroz and Madruga'''
The damage to almost all the bridges along the Scorrero means that it is effectively impossible for an [[Army|army]] to move between Feroz and [[Madruga]] (or vice versa). More information can be found in the '''[[Where_the_river_rises#Crossing|Where the river rises]]''' wind of fortune.
<div style="float:left; width: 450px; clear: right;">{{CaptionedImage|file=Garviel i Abrira i Erigo.jpg|caption='''Garviel i Abrira i Erigo''', Senator for Feroz|align=left|width=500}}</div>
{{Senate Elections|Senator_for_Feroz|Territory=Feroz|Season=Summer|Controlled=is}}

==OOC Notes==
* As of the start of the Winter Solstice 387YE, the Iron Confederacy control the Cazar Straits, the Grendel control Morajasse, and the Brass Coast controls Afarjasse, Fontargenta, and Oranseri. Feroz is an Imperial territory
* [[#Mora's Rock|Mora's Rock]] is a rank two fortification controlled by the Grendel.
* The status of various titles and resources located in Feroz is outlined in more detail in [[To_curb_those_raging_appetites#Lost_Opportunities|To curb those raging appetites]], a Winter 383YE wind of fortune.

==Further Reading==
* [[Red skies]] - 387YE Winter wind of war about the Iron Confederacy invasion of the Cazar Straits
* [[A circle sewn with fate]] - 387YE Spring wind of war detailing the Wrecker attack on Oran
* [[Send for me]] - 386YE Winter wind of fortune about the rebuilding of Feroz
* [[Glass and flame]] - 386YE Autumn wind of war about the liberation of Feroz
* [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Spindrift|Winds of War 383YE Spring]] - Detailing the Grendel invasion
* [[383YE_Summer_Solstice_winds_of_war#The_World_is_Not_Enough|Winds of War 383YE Summer]]
* [[383YE_Autumn_Equinox_winds_of_war#Bronze|Winds of War 383YE Autumn]]
* [[Ratify_treaty_with_the_Grendel_Autumn_383YE#Treaty|Treaty]] - the Autumn 383YE treaty with the Grendel
* [[To curb those raging appetites]] - a Winter 383YE wind of fortune that details the situation for Freeborn in Feroz
* [[Everything has a price]] - a Winter 383YE wind of fortune that details the general situation with the Grendel, and has several notes about their presence in Feroz
* [[Bones in the ocean]] - a Winter 383YE wind of fortune that specifically deals with the [[#Isle of the Osseini|Isle of the Osseini]] and the justicars

Feroz

2026-05-13T10:45:57Z

Rafferty: /* Major Features */

{{CaptionedImage|file=RegionsofFeroz.png|title=Southernmost of the Freeborn territories, lush but threatened by barbarians over land and sea|caption=Regions of Feroz|align=left|width=500}}[[Category:Gazetteer]][[Category:Imperial Territory]][[category:The Brass Coast]]
{{stub}}
== Overview ==
Feroz is the southernmost territory of the Brass Coast, and like [[Madruga]] to the north has both isles and coastline. Here the climate is warm and humid, perfect for the cultivation of different plants. This is the home of the fabulous spice gardens of Feroz, a source of great revenue for the people of this territory. The seas are more treacherous here, and the south and the west are constantly threatened by barbarians by land. As a result, many armed merchants patrolled the seas, and groups of young warriors journeyed along the borders, fighting skirmishes against jealous foes.

There is a traditional rivalry between the families of Feroz and those of Madruga. The northern territory was the first settled when the Freeborn [[The_Brass_Coast_history#The_Conquest_of_the_Coast|left Highguard]], and there is a popular stereotype that the people who live there are "stuck up". This stereotype is more humorous than hateful - the Freeborn move around too much to allow such prejudice to root itself too firmly in their psyche. Still, if a citizen of Feroz wants to insult a citizen of Madruga, they will fall back on accusations of arrogance and an over-reliance on tradition.

Some of the finest [[Surgical skills#Apothecary|apothecaries]] on the Brass Coast once lived in Feroz - the art of [[potion]] making has been studied here for centuries and even after two years of occupation by the Grendel it is still home to a great many [[herb garden|herb gardens]]. The mainland is a criss-cross patchwork of [[farm|farms]] and small settlements. At the height of its prosperity, a great deal of the food and drink consumed on the Brass Coast was produced here and exported to other Freeborn territories.

Unfortunately, in recent years the territory has been hit by disaster after disaster. Repeated raids by the Grendel eventually gave way to a concerted invasion, and while it was pushed back, the barbarian of the Broken Shore did not abandon their ambition to conquer Feroz. In 383YE, a [[Ratify treaty with the Grendel Autumn 383YE|peace treaty]] ceded the territory to the invaders, and saw the vicious, greedy, and tyrannical ''Governor Rahab'' establish his dominion over Feroz. The Freeborn organised a [[The power behind our moves|grand evacuation]] that saw much of the population escape Rahab's hungry grasp and resettle elsewhere in the Coast, but the move came at a price. When the treaty ended, and the Grendel were (mostly) driven out, Feroz was left abandoned, wrecked, and heavily underpopulated, its former residents preferring to stay with the new lives they had built elsewhere rather than return. Worse, the [[#Cazar Straits|Cazar Straits]] were taken by the [[Children of Wrecks]], transformed into a stronghold for the servants of the eternal [[Siakha]]. They in turn were supplanted towards the end of 387YE by the [[Iron Confederacy]], who drove out the Wreckers and claimed the island for themselves.

On the mainland, the situation is a little better, but what was once one of the richest Freeborn territories still struggles with the weight of two years of exploitation by a money-hungry tyrant, and what many see as its abandonment by the Empire.

==Recent History==
Being on the [[Bay of Catazar]], Feroz has always been under threat from the [[Grendel]] [[orc|orcs]]. In Spring 383YE, the orcs [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Spindrift|launched a naval invasion]], capturing [[#Oranseri|Oranseri]] and the [[#Cazar Straits|Cazar Straits]] in short order and making significant inroads into [[#Fontargenta|Fontargenta]]. The Grendel installed a grizzled old orc named ''Lord Rahab'' as overseer of the conquered land; he took up residence in the offices of the [[Scorrero Nets]] and quickly set about attempting to bring the rest of Feroz under his control. Part of their plan appeared to involve the ghosts of the [[#Isle of the Osseini|Isle of the Osseini]], but the scheme was countered by Imperial heroes travelling through the [[Sentinel Gate]] to exorcise the spirits and defeat the Grendel seeking to make use of them.

Undaunted by the loss of their supernatural weapon, the orcs kept up their assault. By Summer 383YE, they [[383YE_Summer_Solstice_winds_of_war#The_World_is_Not_Enough|sought to consolidate their gains in Fontargenta]]; they were opposed by [[Navarr]] and [[the Marches|Marcher]] [[Army|armies]], who held the Grendel at the town of [[#Fontargenta|Bramar]] for two days before being forced to retreat. They were able to slow the Grendel advance, however, leaving the orcs bogged down in Fontargenta and unable to press inland.

Following the engagement in Fontargenta, and battling under a powerful supernatural storm, the Grendel [[383YE_Autumn_Equinox_winds_of_war#Bronze|brought even more force]] to bear in the territory. While the Imperial armies were reinforced by [[Highguard|Highborn]] troops, the orc navies disgorged a great host of their own warriors. The fighting was bitter, but in the end Fontargenta fell - and as Fontargenta falls, so falls Feroz. While [[#Morajasse|Morajasse]] and [[#Afarjasse|Afarjasse]] remained free, the Grendel forces continued to mass along the coast.

During the Autumn Equinox 383, the [[Senate]] [[Ratify_treaty_with_the_Grendel_Autumn_383YE#Treaty|ratified a peace treaty]] with the Grendel. Presented by the [[Imperial Fleet Master]], among other things it [[Powers_of_the_Imperial_Senate#Concedence|ceded]] the two remaining regions of Feroz to the Grendel, albeit with provisions allowing Imperial citizens still in Morajasse and Afarjasse to withdraw to safety. Following the Equinox, Lord Rahab's forces spread out quickly to bring the two western regions under his control; Feroz was now [[To_curb_those_raging_appetites|completely under Grendel control]].

Just before the Autumn Equinox 386YE, the Imperial forces reconquered [[Glass_and_flame| reconquered Feroz]]. Possession of the territory is complicated by [[Children_of_Wrecks|Children of Wrecks]] as well as the remnants of the Grendel. Feroz has been run into the ground by Lord Rahab, eager to extract every drop of profit from the place, and it requires significant investment to return the territory to even a fraction of its former wealth.

In 386YE, the [[Senate]] commissioned an [[appraisal]] of Feroz that laid out many of the challenges presented by the newly reclaimed territory, and some potential solutions. Details are contained in the '''[[Send_for_me#State_of_Feroz|Send for me]]''' wind of fortune.

== Major Features ==
===Oran===
The largest and most prestigious port was Feroz is Oran, on the northern coast of [[#Oranseri|Oranseri]]. Across the bay from billowing [[Madruga#Siroc_(Ruined)|Siroc]] this thriving port specialised in high-value products such as fine wines and spice mixes. Unsurprisingly, given its position, for most of its history it has engaged in low-key economic warfare with its larger cousin to the north - Oran notably has cheaper dock fees than Siroc, and a number of entrepreneurs prefer to operate here as a consequence. It is especially welcoming to those merchants who are just starting out, and has a reputation for being more energetic than its competitors to the north and south. This energy has been significantly boosted by construction of the only open [[#The Temple of Balo and the Black Bull|Asavean Temple]] in the entire Empire; the surge of [[Asavean Archipelago|Asavean]] ships visiting Oran saw the town expand significantly to become the largest trading port in Feroz.

In Spring 383YE, however, Oran was [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Spindrift|conquered by the Grendel]]. An orc governor, Lord Rahab, chose the town as the site for his court, converting the offices of the [[Scorrero Nets]] to his personal use. Among other things, this invasion saw the collapse of the [[Broken Shore Bounty]], the Scorrero Nets falling into orc hands, and the Temple of Balo and the Black Bull sealing its doors against the orcs while offering sanctuary to Freeborn families. Following the treaty signed during the Autumn Equinox, the Grendel opened Oran as a port [[Everything_has_a_price#A_New_Destination|available to Imperial captains]]. This situation persisted until the peace treaty ended, and war with the Grendel resumed.

After the Summer Solstice 386YE, Imperial forces swept into Oranseri to liberate the territory from the Grendel. They [[Glass_and_flame#The_Siege_of_Oran|laid siege]] to Oran, and were quickly victorious. The [[Below_the_thunders#Objective:_Eliminate_Governor_Rahab|recent death of Governor Rahab]] in battle with the Empire's heroes left the garrison demoralised and disorganised. It was a grievous victory, however. The fighting that raged through the town, the overwhelming assault, the barrage of catapult stones, all contributed to the fact that many of the buildings have been left in ruins, and many more damaged. A fire at the docks threatened to spread through the town and only the valiant actions of League soldiers managed bring it under control. Barely a year later the town again came under serious attack, this time by the Children of Wrecks. Without the [[A_circle_sewn_with_fate#The_Battle_of_Oran|prompt action]] of the [[orc|orcs]] from the [[#Protectorate of Morajasse|Protectorate of Morajasse]], Oran again might have been destroyed. As it is, the town remains intact but in a sadly impoverished state.

Proposals have been put forward to [[Send_for_me#Wharfage_of_Oran|rebuild Oran]], but it remains to be seen what the future holds for the port town.

{{Anchor|The Temple of Balo and the Black Bull}}
===Temple of Balo and the Black Bull===
During the Spring Equinox 380YE, permission was granted to the people of the [[Asavean Archipelago]] to construct a major temple to their gods in [[#Oranseri|Oran]]. Initially, construction was expected to be completed shortly before the Autumn Equinox 380YE, but the temple did not actually open its doors until shortly before the Spring Equinox 381YE. The town is seeing an influx of Asavean shipping bringing white granite and architects to the Brass Coast, as well as throwing crowns around like water to secure local labour to complete their project. Relations between the people of the Empire and the priests of Asavea are monitored by ''[[El oficial de enlace imperial con los sacerdotes de Balo y el toro negro]]'' ("The Imperial intermediary to the priests of Balo and the Black Bull"), who among other things is able to [[ministry|buy Asavean goods]] at a reduced price. During the Summer Solstice 380YE, the Assembly of Nine supported Abaddon de Rondell in [[Temple_of_the_bull#Resolution|denouncing]] the temple as an idolatrous affront, making it significantly harder for the Asaveans to find labourers prepared to work on the construction and both delaying its completion and laying a significant economic burden on the foreign priests.

The temple remained extremely controversial among Imperial priests. When Oran fell to the Grendel, however, the priests at the temple [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Sand|offered sanctuary]] to a number of Freeborn families in spite of Governor Rahab's unhappiness. Several of those families were ultimately smuggled to safety in Madruga. Despite this, however, it was clear that the Asaveans were happy to work with the new owners of Oran - there were rumours that they quickly recognised a Grendel as the [[Imperial Delegate to the Temple in Feroz|Delegate to the Temple in Feroz]]. This situation was further exacerbated by the Summer 383YE [[Through_my_sails#Ruined_Buildings|attack]] on the "sister temple" to the Black Bull, the temple of the Way in Nemoria.

When Oran was [[Glass_and_flame#The_Siege_of_Oran|liberated from the Grendel]] in 386YE Autumn, the priests surrendered ''en masse'' and [[Glass_and_flame#Game_Information_:_Asavean_Diplomacy|asked to be repatriated]] back to the Archipelago. As of the winter of 387YE, the temple still stands but without tenants.

'''OOC Notes:''' More details on the construction of the Temple of Balo and the Black Bull can be found in the winds of fortune, specifically [[Seven_lords_of_virtue#Temple_of_Bahlo_and_the_Black_Bull|Seven lords of virtue]], [[Those who worship#The Black Bull|Those who worship]], and [[Distant deeps]].
{{Anchor|Protectorate of Morajasse}}
===Mora's Rock===
Built as part of the grand project to create [[fortification|fortifications]] across the southern Empire in response to the threat of the [[Grendel]], Mora's Rock in [[#Morajasse|Morajasse]] was completed in the months following the [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Bravado|invasion of 383YE]]. The fortification squats above the town of Mora, guarding against invasion from [[Segura]], and providing garrisons and scouts who can offer resistance to assaults from the sea.

When Morajasse was ceded to the Grendel in Autumn 383YE, they took control of the fortification and later expanded it significantly. The fortification resisted the [[Glass and flame|liberation]] of the territory, and as of the beginning of 387YE remains under the control of the Grendel. The garrison is led by ''[[Glass_and_flame#The_Shadow_of_Mora's_Rock|Commander Gallum Fiersach]]'', ably supported by his partner, the ''Wind Lord Saoirse''.

The garrison there includes a warband of veteran [[Elite_Grendel_troops#The_Stone_Born|Stone Born]], and the remainder appear to be very experienced soldiers. These Grendel are enemies of the Empire, obviously, but that did not prevent them acting to [[A_circle_sewn_with_fate#The_Battle_of_Oran|protect Oran]] from the Children of Wrecks in early 387YE. In the Summer of that year, the Senate [[387YE_Summer_Solstice_Senate_sessions#Recognise_Protectorate_of_Gallum_Fiersach|recognised the Protectorate of Morajasse]] as foreigners, as long as they reamined independent of the Grendel. While there is still tension between the Freeborn and the orcs many see as occupying Morajasse, for now at least Gallum Fiersach's forces seem content to keep to their castle, apart from regular patrols along the borders of Feroz aimed at protecting the territory from the Children of Wrecks - and the Iron Confederacy.
===The Spice Gardens of Feroz===
In western [[#Morajasse|Morajasse]] stand the legendary Spice Gardens of Feroz - a set of heavily-walled enclosures covering several acres where the finest spices in the Empire are grown. A rich source of trade for whoever controls the gardens, the [[Imperial title]] of [[Keeper of the Spice Gardens]] has changed hands between families only a handful of times in the last few centuries, and the bargaining leading up to a new appointment has regularly involved the whole nation.

The peace treaty of Autumn 383YE that ceded control of Morajasse to the Grendel saw the Spice Gardens fall into the hands of the orcs. The Grendel appreciate fine spices as much as any Freeborn so the evidence is that they did not harm the legendary Gardens - but for many Freeborn the idea of their beautiful spice gardens being operated by Grendel slaves was particularly heinous. With Governor Rahab dead and Feroz liberated, the Spice Gardens remain out of Imperial hands as part of the [[#Protectorate of Morjasse|Protectorate of Morajasse]].

{{Anchor|The Scorrero Nets}}
===Scorrero Nets (Ruined)===
The Scorrero Nets were a [[Bourse]] resource located in [[#Oranseri|Oranseri]], seized by the Grendel in Spring 383YE as part of their conquest of Feroz. Custodianship of the Nets was an [[Imperial Title]] that brought with it a Seat on the [[Bourse]]. In Winter 384YE, a [[Drums_beat_in_my_head#The_Scorrero_Nets|daring plan]] was proposed to "steal" the nets by establishing the [[Cerevado Nets]] upriver in [[Segura]]. As a consequence, this Bourse resource ceased to exist, much to the chagrin of the Grendel governor Rahab.
{{Anchor|The Broken Shore Bounty}}
===The Broken Shore Bounty (Defunct)===
The [[Broken Shore Bounty]] was a Bourse resource that was technically located in the [[#Cazar Straits|Cazar Straits]] inasmuch as the holder of the [[Bourse]] seat has the use of a fortified villa in the hills near Cazar. The actual [[ilium]] that the seat provided was sourced throughout the Bay of Catazar; a portion of all ilium claimed from the nets of Freeborn, [[the League|League]], [[Highguard|Highborn]], and [[Urizen|Urizeni]] nets is claimed as part of the Bounty. It produced 7 rings of ilium each season and was allocated during the Spring Equinox.

When the Cazar Straits fell to the Grendel, they also seized the offices of the Broken Shore Bounty. Despite a [[Four_strong_winds#Broken_Shore_Bounty|proposal to move the offices]], the resource fell into disarray, the ilium ending up split between the Imperial Fleet Master and the Bourse Auction. With the ratification of the Grendel peace treaty, this title and resource effectively ceased to exist.

==Lost and Ruined==

{{anchor|Shantarim}}
===Shantarim (ruined)===
In the southern islands of the [[#Cazar Straits|Cazar Straits]] the town of Shantarim was one a [[corsair]] stronghold. The families were are known to engage in fierce competition with their northern rivals, not only in Madruga but also in [[#Oranseri|Oranseri]] and even the other islands of the Straits. Smaller than the town of Cazar, Shantarim had a reputation for being somewhat less cosmopolitan than the other towns of Feroz - visitors from mainland families sometimes encounter prejudice and suspicion. The families of Shantarim more than made up for their relatively small size with the enthusiasm with which they opposed the orcs of the Broken Shore.

Prior to the [[Ratify treaty with the Grendel Autumn 383YE|peace treaty]] of 383YE, they were loud supporters of the [[Freeborn Storm]], and the various raids against the Grendel. The signing of the peace treaty with the southern orcs tied their hands, making it illegal to fight the Grendel, which became been a major source of dissension in Shantarim.

Towards the end of the ceasefire secured by the treaty, in 385YE, Shatarim was attacked and wrecked. Warships of the [[Asavean Archipelago]], allies of the Grendel occupation, engaged in a campaign of destruction across the Cazar Straits, and along with the Isle of the Osseini, Shantarim bore the brunt. Many corsairs who had endured the occupation of the Grendel were slain, and the town was looted and left in ruins. When the Children of Wrecks arrived, there was precious little left for the to wreck.
<div style="float:right; width: 450px; clear: right;"><box>'''Justicars'''<br>The priests who previously lived on the Isle of the Osseini called themselves ''justicars''. Specialist exorcists and inquisitors in the pre-Imperial history of the Brass Coast, they specialised in driving out malign spirits or cleansing unpleasant auras from people, places and objects. Never particularly populous, their sanctuary on the Isle of the Osseini was all but wiped out by the Grendel. A handful remained elsewhere, and during the Autumn Equinox 383YE the Freeborn assembly [[383YE_Autumn_Equinox_Synod_judgements#Judgement_22|called on them to come together to preserve their traditions]]. A small enclave of justicars was established on the Isle of Osseini at the sufferance of the Grendel. Unfortunately, when Asavean warships went on a rampage in 385YE, the first place they attacked was this enclave, putting the priests to the sword and burning the enclave. When the Children of Wrecks arrived, the Grendel magicians still left on the island fled back to the Broken Shore. As far as anyone knows today, the island is abandoned.</box></div>

{{Anchor|Isle of the Osseini}}
===Isle of the Osseini (Ruined)===
At the southern tip of the [[#Cazar Straits|Cazar Straits]], the island was known for its heavy sea fog, its ghosts, and for a small sect of Freeborn priests famed for their knowledge of the arts of [[exorcism]]. Stories claimed the Isle was haunted by those who had died at sea, but most Freeborn had no truck with such foolishness. In 383YE, however, it became clear these tales of ghosts were more than just idle gossip. During the Spring Equinox of that year, a [[Grendel]] shaman attempted to unleash a ghostly legion of drowned orcs bound in some fashion to white granite pillars on the island against the defenders of Feroz. Before they could do so they were [[383YE_Summer_Solstice_winds_of_war#The_World_is_Not_Enough|thwarted by Imperial heroes]] who reached the isle via the [[Sentinel Gate]]. Once the heroes retreated, the status of the island, the pillars, and the remaining priests was unknown.

Then in Autumn 383YE, as part of the negotiations that led to the peace treaty with the Grendel, a contract was negotiated with the orc diplomat regarding the Isle of the Osseini. In the wake of that agreement, a small group of priests were allowed to visit the Isle with a Grendel escort. There they discovered the remaining priests were dead, the ghost-binding pillars had been destroyed, and the island was in the hands of a coven of Grendel magicians. The orcs had already constructed a permanent residence there built around a particular Winter regio, and were less than welcoming to the Freeborn. Further negotiations followed; in the end the Freeborn were allowed to establish a small enclave here, under the careful watch of the Grendel.

The return of the justicars was short-lived. In 385YE, a fleet of warships from the Asavean Archipelago went on a murderous rampage in the southern Cazar Straits. Allies of the Grendel, they slaughtered the priests and burned the enclave before sailing north to Shantarim. When the Children of Wrecks arrived, the remaining Grendel magicians fled back to the Broken Shore. By the close of 387YE, the island appears to be abandoned, although it remains to be seen what the Iron Confederacy plan to do with it.

'''OOC Note:''' You can learn more about the historic Isle of the Osseini in the [[Bones in the ocean]] wind of fortune.

==Regions==
===Afarjasse===
'''Qualities:''' [[Region_qualities#Abandoned|Abandoned]], [[Region_qualities#Underpopulated|Underpopulated]]<br>
In the middle of nowhere, on the plains of Afarjasse, is the quiet settlement of '''Afar'''. It was established by [[hakima]] with close ties to the [[Guerra]] tribe near a potent [[regio]] tied to the realm of Night. It is a faraway place dedicated to the practice of [[rituals|ritual magics]] that support the Freeborn. It is not hard to reach, but it stands alone in a sea of sprawling grasslands and does not encourage casual visitors. On nights when powerful magics are performed, Afar is visible for miles around - great bonfires are built and massive drums used to build powerful rhythms to help raise (or draw down, or both) the passionate energy for powerful workings.

As with the rest of Feroz, Afarjasse spent two years in the hands of the Grendel. The governor, Lord Rahab, made it clear that the hakima here would not be permitted access to their potent regio - they were after all an important strategic resource. The region has been liberated now, but is in the same dire straits as the rest of the territory.

===Cazar Straits===
'''Qualities:''' Abandoned, Coastal, Impoverished, Island, Underpopulated<br>
For most of the Brass Coast's history, the islands of the Cazar Straits were dominated by [[corsair]] families. The largest settlement remains the port town from which the islands take their name - high-cliffed '''Cazar''' - but in recent years it has changed hands several times and is a shadow of its former self. Built around a bustling dock, it served as a safe harbour and home port for many of the [[fleet|fleets]] that protected the Bay from barbarian ships. The holder of the [[Broken Shore Bounty]] used to have the use of a fortified villa in the hills near Cazar, and the civil service offices that oversaw the resource were based here. Both were lost to the Grendel, then to the [[Children of Wrecks]], and in the last months of 387YE, to the [[Iron Confederacy]].

Even before the Children of Wrecks arrived, several of the more southerly islands of the Straits had a reputation for peculiarity. The corsairs of [[#Shantarim|Shantarim]] for example were renowned both for their enthusiastic rivalry with all other corsair families, and the zeal with which they waged war on the Grendel. The [[#Isle of the Osseini|Isle of the Osseini]] is also found here, once home to a sect of strange priests, allegedly haunted by the ghosts of drowned pirates, then the site of an uneasy truce between orc magicians and Freeborn priests. Towards the end of the peace treaty with the Grendel, however, a fleet of warships from the [[Asavean Archipelago]] slaughtered the justicars of Osseini and ruined the town of Shantarim. When the Children of Wrecks claimed the region, there was precious little left for them to destroy.

Today, the waters around the Cazar Straits remain treacherous. In part this is due to the presence of dozens of immature kraken hatched in the waters by the Children of Wrecks.

===Fontargenta===
'''Qualities:''' Abandoned, Coastal, Impoverished<br>
The trading port of '''Bramar''' stands on the coast here. Surrounded by rich agricultural land, its bountiful cornfields once competed with [[the Marches|Marcher]] grain in markets across the southern nations of the Empire, and their vineyards were justly famous. Before the Grendel invasion it served as an important hub for the Imperial wine trade, with many excellent vintages passing through its docks - both from the Brass Coast to the rest of the world, and from the rest of the world to the Brass Coast (and thus the Empire). Lord Rahab has left the region devastated, and it remains to be seen if the farms here will ever recover.

===Morajasse===
'''Qualities:''' Abandoned, Impoverished, Underpopulated<br>
The largest town in prosperous Morajasse is '''Mora'''. Once simply a spice market, the barbarian invasion of [[Segura]] saw a burst of rapid militarisation of this peaceful settlement. Refugees are common here: some supported by their families, others looking to work in the market. With the liberation of the western territory, a strange reversal took place - the pool of desperate labourers has largely dried up with refugees returning to their homes.

Immediately following the [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Bravado|invasion of Feroz]] in 383YE, work was completed on a [[fortification]] at the town of Mora, [[#Mora's Rock|Mora's Rock]]. The fortification served the defenders well, but with the ratification of the peace treaty it was taken over, and expanded, by Grendel troops. It now serves as the base of operations of ''Wind Lord Saoirse'' and her partner ''Commander Fiersach'', as well as a sizable force of Grendel veterans.

Western Morajasse is the site of the great [[#The Spice Gardens of Feroz|Spice Gardens]]. The [[Vizier of the Incarnadine Satchel]] was often quite active in Feroz, occasionally dealing with agents of the Spice Gardens or traders from the Jewelled Isles. Following the Grendel treaty, the offices that supported the Vizier with easy access to reasonably priced herbs has dried up - while they are still notionally the owner of the miraculous satchel that gives them their name, their ability to support the nations' apothecaries and physicks has been greatly reduced.
{{CaptionedImage|file=Oran_by_the_Sea.jpg|caption=The Celesti Lighthouse sits high on the headland overlooking Oran.|align=right|width=400}}

===Oranseri===
'''Qualities:''' Abandoned, Coastal, Impoverished<br>
Across the bay from billowing [[Madruga#Siroc|Siroc]] stands the thriving port town of [[#Oran|Oran]]. In recent years, the port has grown in prominence and prosperity; it served as the seat of power for the Grendel governor Lord Rahab during the Grendel occupation of the territory. Just outside Oran lies the great [[Celesti_Lighthouse_Keeper#The_Celesti_Lighthouse|Celesti Lighthouse]], originally constructed during the reign of [[Emperor Barabbas]] and recently repaired and restored to full functionality. It, too, was in the hands of the Grendel for several years but has now been restored.

West of Oran is the ''Scorrero Crossing''. The river Scorrero is wide and deep between Feroz and Madruga. During the Summer Solstice 383YE, the Grendel invaders attempted to take advantage of this by taking control of both bridges that connect the two Freeborn territories. Had they been successful, it would have been significantly harder for Imperial forces to move between Siroc and Oranseri. Their attempts were stymied, and ultimately became moot once the Scorrero [[Where_the_river_rises#Crossing|burst its banks]] and carried away all the existing bridges.

'''Joharra''' is a port south of Oran, considered much more stable than its northern cousin, and better known for its industry than its trade. Famous throughout the Empire for its cloth and dye-work, Joharra is called '' the Rainbow'' by coastal sailors who mark their progress round the coast with the first sight of the great billowing cloths hung out to dry on tall wooden frames along the low cliffs. As with the other settlements of Oran, the weavers and dyers here now labour under the yoke of the Grendel orcs.

==Strategic Considerations==
* '''The damage to the bridges along the Scorrero prevents movement between Feroz and Madruga'''
The damage to almost all the bridges along the Scorrero means that it is effectively impossible for an [[Army|army]] to move between Feroz and [[Madruga]] (or vice versa). More information can be found in the '''[[Where_the_river_rises#Crossing|Where the river rises]]''' wind of fortune.
<div style="float:left; width: 450px; clear: right;">{{CaptionedImage|file=Garviel i Abrira i Erigo.jpg|caption='''Garviel i Abrira i Erigo''', Senator for Feroz|align=left|width=500}}</div>
{{Senate Elections|Senator_for_Feroz|Territory=Feroz|Season=Summer|Controlled=is}}

==OOC Notes==
* As of the start of the Winter Solstice 387YE, the Iron Confederacy control the Cazar Straits, the Grendel control Morajasse, and the Brass Coast controls Afarjasse, Fontargenta, and Oranseri. Feroz is an Imperial territory
* [[#Mora's Rock|Mora's Rock]] is a rank two fortification controlled by the Grendel.
* The status of various titles and resources located in Feroz is outlined in more detail in [[To_curb_those_raging_appetites#Lost_Opportunities|To curb those raging appetites]], a Winter 383YE wind of fortune.

==Further Reading==
* [[Red skies]] - 387YE Winter wind of war about the Iron Confederacy invasion of the Cazar Straits
* [[A circle sewn with fate]] - 387YE Spring wind of war detailing the Wrecker attack on Oran
* [[Send for me]] - 386YE Winter wind of fortune about the rebuilding of Feroz
* [[Glass and flame]] - 386YE Autumn wind of war about the liberation of Feroz
* [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Spindrift|Winds of War 383YE Spring]] - Detailing the Grendel invasion
* [[383YE_Summer_Solstice_winds_of_war#The_World_is_Not_Enough|Winds of War 383YE Summer]]
* [[383YE_Autumn_Equinox_winds_of_war#Bronze|Winds of War 383YE Autumn]]
* [[Ratify_treaty_with_the_Grendel_Autumn_383YE#Treaty|Treaty]] - the Autumn 383YE treaty with the Grendel
* [[To curb those raging appetites]] - a Winter 383YE wind of fortune that details the situation for Freeborn in Feroz
* [[Everything has a price]] - a Winter 383YE wind of fortune that details the general situation with the Grendel, and has several notes about their presence in Feroz
* [[Bones in the ocean]] - a Winter 383YE wind of fortune that specifically deals with the [[#Isle of the Osseini|Isle of the Osseini]] and the justicars

Feroz

2026-05-13T10:44:58Z

Rafferty:

{{CaptionedImage|file=RegionsofFeroz.png|title=Southernmost of the Freeborn territories, lush but threatened by barbarians over land and sea|caption=Regions of Feroz|align=left|width=500}}[[Category:Gazetteer]][[Category:Imperial Territory]][[category:The Brass Coast]]
{{stub}}
== Overview ==
Feroz is the southernmost territory of the Brass Coast, and like [[Madruga]] to the north has both isles and coastline. Here the climate is warm and humid, perfect for the cultivation of different plants. This is the home of the fabulous spice gardens of Feroz, a source of great revenue for the people of this territory. The seas are more treacherous here, and the south and the west are constantly threatened by barbarians by land. As a result, many armed merchants patrolled the seas, and groups of young warriors journeyed along the borders, fighting skirmishes against jealous foes.

There is a traditional rivalry between the families of Feroz and those of Madruga. The northern territory was the first settled when the Freeborn [[The_Brass_Coast_history#The_Conquest_of_the_Coast|left Highguard]], and there is a popular stereotype that the people who live there are "stuck up". This stereotype is more humorous than hateful - the Freeborn move around too much to allow such prejudice to root itself too firmly in their psyche. Still, if a citizen of Feroz wants to insult a citizen of Madruga, they will fall back on accusations of arrogance and an over-reliance on tradition.

Some of the finest [[Surgical skills#Apothecary|apothecaries]] on the Brass Coast once lived in Feroz - the art of [[potion]] making has been studied here for centuries and even after two years of occupation by the Grendel it is still home to a great many [[herb garden|herb gardens]]. The mainland is a criss-cross patchwork of [[farm|farms]] and small settlements. At the height of its prosperity, a great deal of the food and drink consumed on the Brass Coast was produced here and exported to other Freeborn territories.

Unfortunately, in recent years the territory has been hit by disaster after disaster. Repeated raids by the Grendel eventually gave way to a concerted invasion, and while it was pushed back, the barbarian of the Broken Shore did not abandon their ambition to conquer Feroz. In 383YE, a [[Ratify treaty with the Grendel Autumn 383YE|peace treaty]] ceded the territory to the invaders, and saw the vicious, greedy, and tyrannical ''Governor Rahab'' establish his dominion over Feroz. The Freeborn organised a [[The power behind our moves|grand evacuation]] that saw much of the population escape Rahab's hungry grasp and resettle elsewhere in the Coast, but the move came at a price. When the treaty ended, and the Grendel were (mostly) driven out, Feroz was left abandoned, wrecked, and heavily underpopulated, its former residents preferring to stay with the new lives they had built elsewhere rather than return. Worse, the [[#Cazar Straits|Cazar Straits]] were taken by the [[Children of Wrecks]], transformed into a stronghold for the servants of the eternal [[Siakha]]. They in turn were supplanted towards the end of 387YE by the [[Iron Confederacy]], who drove out the Wreckers and claimed the island for themselves.

On the mainland, the situation is a little better, but what was once one of the richest Freeborn territories still struggles with the weight of two years of exploitation by a money-hungry tyrant, and what many see as its abandonment by the Empire.

==Recent History==
Being on the [[Bay of Catazar]], Feroz has always been under threat from the [[Grendel]] [[orc|orcs]]. In Spring 383YE, the orcs [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Spindrift|launched a naval invasion]], capturing [[#Oranseri|Oranseri]] and the [[#Cazar Straits|Cazar Straits]] in short order and making significant inroads into [[#Fontargenta|Fontargenta]]. The Grendel installed a grizzled old orc named ''Lord Rahab'' as overseer of the conquered land; he took up residence in the offices of the [[Scorrero Nets]] and quickly set about attempting to bring the rest of Feroz under his control. Part of their plan appeared to involve the ghosts of the [[#Isle of the Osseini|Isle of the Osseini]], but the scheme was countered by Imperial heroes travelling through the [[Sentinel Gate]] to exorcise the spirits and defeat the Grendel seeking to make use of them.

Undaunted by the loss of their supernatural weapon, the orcs kept up their assault. By Summer 383YE, they [[383YE_Summer_Solstice_winds_of_war#The_World_is_Not_Enough|sought to consolidate their gains in Fontargenta]]; they were opposed by [[Navarr]] and [[the Marches|Marcher]] [[Army|armies]], who held the Grendel at the town of [[#Fontargenta|Bramar]] for two days before being forced to retreat. They were able to slow the Grendel advance, however, leaving the orcs bogged down in Fontargenta and unable to press inland.

Following the engagement in Fontargenta, and battling under a powerful supernatural storm, the Grendel [[383YE_Autumn_Equinox_winds_of_war#Bronze|brought even more force]] to bear in the territory. While the Imperial armies were reinforced by [[Highguard|Highborn]] troops, the orc navies disgorged a great host of their own warriors. The fighting was bitter, but in the end Fontargenta fell - and as Fontargenta falls, so falls Feroz. While [[#Morajasse|Morajasse]] and [[#Afarjasse|Afarjasse]] remained free, the Grendel forces continued to mass along the coast.

During the Autumn Equinox 383, the [[Senate]] [[Ratify_treaty_with_the_Grendel_Autumn_383YE#Treaty|ratified a peace treaty]] with the Grendel. Presented by the [[Imperial Fleet Master]], among other things it [[Powers_of_the_Imperial_Senate#Concedence|ceded]] the two remaining regions of Feroz to the Grendel, albeit with provisions allowing Imperial citizens still in Morajasse and Afarjasse to withdraw to safety. Following the Equinox, Lord Rahab's forces spread out quickly to bring the two western regions under his control; Feroz was now [[To_curb_those_raging_appetites|completely under Grendel control]].

Just before the Autumn Equinox 386YE, the Imperial forces reconquered [[Glass_and_flame| reconquered Feroz]]. Possession of the territory is complicated by [[Children_of_Wrecks|Children of Wrecks]] as well as the remnants of the Grendel. Feroz has been run into the ground by Lord Rahab, eager to extract every drop of profit from the place, and it requires significant investment to return the territory to even a fraction of its former wealth.

In 386YE, the [[Senate]] commissioned an [[appraisal]] of Feroz that laid out many of the challenges presented by the newly reclaimed territory, and some potential solutions. Details are contained in the '''[[Send_for_me#State_of_Feroz|Send for me]]''' wind of fortune.

== Major Features ==
===Oran===
The largest and most prestigious port was Feroz is Oran, on the northern coast of [[#Oranseri|Oranseri]]. Across the bay from billowing [[Madruga#Siroc_(Ruined)|Siroc]] this thriving port specialised in high-value products such as fine wines and spice mixes. Unsurprisingly, given its position, for most of its history it has engaged in low-key economic warfare with its larger cousin to the north - Oran notably has cheaper dock fees than Siroc, and a number of entrepreneurs prefer to operate here as a consequence. It is especially welcoming to those merchants who are just starting out, and has a reputation for being more energetic than its competitors to the north and south. This energy has been significantly boosted by construction of the only open [[#The Temple of Balo and the Black Bull|Asavean Temple]] in the entire Empire; the surge of [[Asavean Archipelago|Asavean]] ships visiting Oran saw the town expand significantly to become the largest trading port in Feroz.

In Spring 383YE, however, Oran was [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Spindrift|conquered by the Grendel]]. An orc governor, Lord Rahab, chose the town as the site for his court, converting the offices of the [[Scorrero Nets]] to his personal use. Among other things, this invasion saw the collapse of the [[Broken Shore Bounty]], the Scorrero Nets falling into orc hands, and the Temple of Balo and the Black Bull sealing its doors against the orcs while offering sanctuary to Freeborn families. Following the treaty signed during the Autumn Equinox, the Grendel opened Oran as a port [[Everything_has_a_price#A_New_Destination|available to Imperial captains]]. This situation persisted until the peace treaty ended, and war with the Grendel resumed.

After the Summer Solstice 386YE, Imperial forces swept into Oranseri to liberate the territory from the Grendel. They [[Glass_and_flame#The_Siege_of_Oran|laid siege]] to Oran, and were quickly victorious. The [[Below_the_thunders#Objective:_Eliminate_Governor_Rahab|recent death of Governor Rahab]] in battle with the Empire's heroes left the garrison demoralised and disorganised. It was a grievous victory, however. The fighting that raged through the town, the overwhelming assault, the barrage of catapult stones, all contributed to the fact that many of the buildings have been left in ruins, and many more damaged. A fire at the docks threatened to spread through the town and only the valiant actions of League soldiers managed bring it under control. Barely a year later the town again came under serious attack, this time by the Children of Wrecks. Without the [[A_circle_sewn_with_fate#The_Battle_of_Oran|prompt action]] of the [[orc|orcs]] from the [[#Protectorate of Morajasse|Protectorate of Morajasse]], Oran again might have been destroyed. As it is, the town remains intact but in a sadly impoverished state.

Proposals have been put forward to [[Send_for_me#Wharfage_of_Oran|rebuild Oran]], but it remains to be seen what the future holds for the port town.

{{Anchor|The Temple of Balo and the Black Bull}}
===Temple of Balo and the Black Bull===
During the Spring Equinox 380YE, permission was granted to the people of the [[Asavean Archipelago]] to construct a major temple to their gods in [[#Oranseri|Oran]]. Initially, construction was expected to be completed shortly before the Autumn Equinox 380YE, but the temple did not actually open its doors until shortly before the Spring Equinox 381YE. The town is seeing an influx of Asavean shipping bringing white granite and architects to the Brass Coast, as well as throwing crowns around like water to secure local labour to complete their project. Relations between the people of the Empire and the priests of Asavea are monitored by ''[[El oficial de enlace imperial con los sacerdotes de Balo y el toro negro]]'' ("The Imperial intermediary to the priests of Balo and the Black Bull"), who among other things is able to [[ministry|buy Asavean goods]] at a reduced price. During the Summer Solstice 380YE, the Assembly of Nine supported Abaddon de Rondell in [[Temple_of_the_bull#Resolution|denouncing]] the temple as an idolatrous affront, making it significantly harder for the Asaveans to find labourers prepared to work on the construction and both delaying its completion and laying a significant economic burden on the foreign priests.

The temple remained extremely controversial among Imperial priests. When Oran fell to the Grendel, however, the priests at the temple [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Sand|offered sanctuary]] to a number of Freeborn families in spite of Governor Rahab's unhappiness. Several of those families were ultimately smuggled to safety in Madruga. Despite this, however, it was clear that the Asaveans were happy to work with the new owners of Oran - there were rumours that they quickly recognised a Grendel as the [[Imperial Delegate to the Temple in Feroz|Delegate to the Temple in Feroz]]. This situation was further exacerbated by the Summer 383YE [[Through_my_sails#Ruined_Buildings|attack]] on the "sister temple" to the Black Bull, the temple of the Way in Nemoria.

When Oran was [[Glass_and_flame#The_Siege_of_Oran|liberated from the Grendel]] in 386YE Autumn, the priests surrendered ''en masse'' and [[Glass_and_flame#Game_Information_:_Asavean_Diplomacy|asked to be repatriated]] back to the Archipelago. As of the winter of 387YE, the temple still stands but without tenants.

'''OOC Notes:''' More details on the construction of the Temple of Balo and the Black Bull can be found in the winds of fortune, specifically [[Seven_lords_of_virtue#Temple_of_Bahlo_and_the_Black_Bull|Seven lords of virtue]], [[Those who worship#The Black Bull|Those who worship]], and [[Distant deeps]].

===The Spice Gardens of Feroz===
In western [[#Morajasse|Morajasse]] stand the legendary Spice Gardens of Feroz - a set of heavily-walled enclosures covering several acres where the finest spices in the Empire are grown. A rich source of trade for whoever controls the gardens, the [[Imperial title]] of [[Keeper of the Spice Gardens]] has changed hands between families only a handful of times in the last few centuries, and the bargaining leading up to a new appointment has regularly involved the whole nation.

The peace treaty of Autumn 383YE that ceded control of Morajasse to the Grendel saw the Spice Gardens fall into the hands of the orcs. The Grendel appreciate fine spices as much as any Freeborn so the evidence is that they did not harm the legendary Gardens - but for many Freeborn the idea of their beautiful spice gardens being operated by Grendel slaves was particularly heinous. With Governor Rahab dead and Feroz liberated, the Spice Gardens remain out of Imperial hands as part of the [[#Protectorate of Morjasse|Protectorate of Morajasse]].

{{Anchor|The Scorrero Nets}}
===Scorrero Nets (Ruined)===
The Scorrero Nets were a [[Bourse]] resource located in [[#Oranseri|Oranseri]], seized by the Grendel in Spring 383YE as part of their conquest of Feroz. Custodianship of the Nets was an [[Imperial Title]] that brought with it a Seat on the [[Bourse]]. In Winter 384YE, a [[Drums_beat_in_my_head#The_Scorrero_Nets|daring plan]] was proposed to "steal" the nets by establishing the [[Cerevado Nets]] upriver in [[Segura]]. As a consequence, this Bourse resource ceased to exist, much to the chagrin of the Grendel governor Rahab.

===The Broken Shore Bounty===
The [[Broken Shore Bounty]] was a Bourse resource that was technically located in the [[#Cazar Straits|Cazar Straits]] inasmuch as the holder of the [[Bourse]] seat has the use of a fortified villa in the hills near Cazar. The actual [[ilium]] that the seat provided was sourced throughout the Bay of Catazar; a portion of all ilium claimed from the nets of Freeborn, [[the League|League]], [[Highguard|Highborn]], and [[Urizen|Urizeni]] nets is claimed as part of the Bounty. It produced 7 rings of ilium each season and was allocated during the Spring Equinox.

When the Cazar Straits fell to the Grendel, they also seized the offices of the Broken Shore Bounty. Despite a [[Four_strong_winds#Broken_Shore_Bounty|proposal to move the offices]], the resource fell into disarray, the ilium ending up split between the Imperial Fleet Master and the Bourse Auction. With the ratification of the Grendel peace treaty, this title and resource effectively ceased to exist.

===Mora's Rock===
Built as part of the grand project to create [[fortification|fortifications]] across the southern Empire in response to the threat of the [[Grendel]], Mora's Rock in [[#Morajasse|Morajasse]] was completed in the months following the [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Bravado|invasion of 383YE]]. The fortification squats above the town of Mora, guarding against invasion from [[Segura]], and providing garrisons and scouts who can offer resistance to assaults from the sea.

When Morajasse was ceded to the Grendel in Autumn 383YE, they took control of the fortification and later expanded it significantly. The fortification resisted the [[Glass and flame|liberation]] of the territory, and as of the beginning of 387YE remains under the control of the Grendel. The garrison is led by ''[[Glass_and_flame#The_Shadow_of_Mora's_Rock|Commander Gallum Fiersach]]'', ably supported by his partner, the ''Wind Lord Saoirse''.

The garrison there includes a warband of veteran [[Elite_Grendel_troops#The_Stone_Born|Stone Born]], and the remainder appear to be very experienced soldiers. These Grendel are enemies of the Empire, obviously, but that did not prevent them acting to [[A_circle_sewn_with_fate#The_Battle_of_Oran|protect Oran]] from the Children of Wrecks in early 387YE. In the Summer of that year, the Senate [[387YE_Summer_Solstice_Senate_sessions#Recognise_Protectorate_of_Gallum_Fiersach|recognised the Protectorate of Morajasse]] as foreigners, as long as they reamined independent of the Grendel. While there is still tension between the Freeborn and the orcs many see as occupying Morajasse, for now at least Gallum Fiersach's forces seem content to keep to their castle, apart from regular patrols along the borders of Feroz aimed at protecting the territory from the Children of Wrecks - and the Iron Confederacy.

==Lost and Ruined==

{{anchor|Shantarim}}
===Shantarim (ruined)===
In the southern islands of the [[#Cazar Straits|Cazar Straits]] the town of Shantarim was one a [[corsair]] stronghold. The families were are known to engage in fierce competition with their northern rivals, not only in Madruga but also in [[#Oranseri|Oranseri]] and even the other islands of the Straits. Smaller than the town of Cazar, Shantarim had a reputation for being somewhat less cosmopolitan than the other towns of Feroz - visitors from mainland families sometimes encounter prejudice and suspicion. The families of Shantarim more than made up for their relatively small size with the enthusiasm with which they opposed the orcs of the Broken Shore.

Prior to the [[Ratify treaty with the Grendel Autumn 383YE|peace treaty]] of 383YE, they were loud supporters of the [[Freeborn Storm]], and the various raids against the Grendel. The signing of the peace treaty with the southern orcs tied their hands, making it illegal to fight the Grendel, which became been a major source of dissension in Shantarim.

Towards the end of the ceasefire secured by the treaty, in 385YE, Shatarim was attacked and wrecked. Warships of the [[Asavean Archipelago]], allies of the Grendel occupation, engaged in a campaign of destruction across the Cazar Straits, and along with the Isle of the Osseini, Shantarim bore the brunt. Many corsairs who had endured the occupation of the Grendel were slain, and the town was looted and left in ruins. When the Children of Wrecks arrived, there was precious little left for the to wreck.
<div style="float:right; width: 450px; clear: right;"><box>'''Justicars'''<br>The priests who previously lived on the Isle of the Osseini called themselves ''justicars''. Specialist exorcists and inquisitors in the pre-Imperial history of the Brass Coast, they specialised in driving out malign spirits or cleansing unpleasant auras from people, places and objects. Never particularly populous, their sanctuary on the Isle of the Osseini was all but wiped out by the Grendel. A handful remained elsewhere, and during the Autumn Equinox 383YE the Freeborn assembly [[383YE_Autumn_Equinox_Synod_judgements#Judgement_22|called on them to come together to preserve their traditions]]. A small enclave of justicars was established on the Isle of Osseini at the sufferance of the Grendel. Unfortunately, when Asavean warships went on a rampage in 385YE, the first place they attacked was this enclave, putting the priests to the sword and burning the enclave. When the Children of Wrecks arrived, the Grendel magicians still left on the island fled back to the Broken Shore. As far as anyone knows today, the island is abandoned.</box></div>

{{Anchor|Isle of the Osseini}}
===Isle of the Osseini (Ruined)===
At the southern tip of the [[#Cazar Straits|Cazar Straits]], the island was known for its heavy sea fog, its ghosts, and for a small sect of Freeborn priests famed for their knowledge of the arts of [[exorcism]]. Stories claimed the Isle was haunted by those who had died at sea, but most Freeborn had no truck with such foolishness. In 383YE, however, it became clear these tales of ghosts were more than just idle gossip. During the Spring Equinox of that year, a [[Grendel]] shaman attempted to unleash a ghostly legion of drowned orcs bound in some fashion to white granite pillars on the island against the defenders of Feroz. Before they could do so they were [[383YE_Summer_Solstice_winds_of_war#The_World_is_Not_Enough|thwarted by Imperial heroes]] who reached the isle via the [[Sentinel Gate]]. Once the heroes retreated, the status of the island, the pillars, and the remaining priests was unknown.

Then in Autumn 383YE, as part of the negotiations that led to the peace treaty with the Grendel, a contract was negotiated with the orc diplomat regarding the Isle of the Osseini. In the wake of that agreement, a small group of priests were allowed to visit the Isle with a Grendel escort. There they discovered the remaining priests were dead, the ghost-binding pillars had been destroyed, and the island was in the hands of a coven of Grendel magicians. The orcs had already constructed a permanent residence there built around a particular Winter regio, and were less than welcoming to the Freeborn. Further negotiations followed; in the end the Freeborn were allowed to establish a small enclave here, under the careful watch of the Grendel.

The return of the justicars was short-lived. In 385YE, a fleet of warships from the Asavean Archipelago went on a murderous rampage in the southern Cazar Straits. Allies of the Grendel, they slaughtered the priests and burned the enclave before sailing north to Shantarim. When the Children of Wrecks arrived, the remaining Grendel magicians fled back to the Broken Shore. By the close of 387YE, the island appears to be abandoned, although it remains to be seen what the Iron Confederacy plan to do with it.

'''OOC Note:''' You can learn more about the historic Isle of the Osseini in the [[Bones in the ocean]] wind of fortune.

==Regions==
===Afarjasse===
'''Qualities:''' [[Region_qualities#Abandoned|Abandoned]], [[Region_qualities#Underpopulated|Underpopulated]]<br>
In the middle of nowhere, on the plains of Afarjasse, is the quiet settlement of '''Afar'''. It was established by [[hakima]] with close ties to the [[Guerra]] tribe near a potent [[regio]] tied to the realm of Night. It is a faraway place dedicated to the practice of [[rituals|ritual magics]] that support the Freeborn. It is not hard to reach, but it stands alone in a sea of sprawling grasslands and does not encourage casual visitors. On nights when powerful magics are performed, Afar is visible for miles around - great bonfires are built and massive drums used to build powerful rhythms to help raise (or draw down, or both) the passionate energy for powerful workings.

As with the rest of Feroz, Afarjasse spent two years in the hands of the Grendel. The governor, Lord Rahab, made it clear that the hakima here would not be permitted access to their potent regio - they were after all an important strategic resource. The region has been liberated now, but is in the same dire straits as the rest of the territory.

===Cazar Straits===
'''Qualities:''' Abandoned, Coastal, Impoverished, Island, Underpopulated<br>
For most of the Brass Coast's history, the islands of the Cazar Straits were dominated by [[corsair]] families. The largest settlement remains the port town from which the islands take their name - high-cliffed '''Cazar''' - but in recent years it has changed hands several times and is a shadow of its former self. Built around a bustling dock, it served as a safe harbour and home port for many of the [[fleet|fleets]] that protected the Bay from barbarian ships. The holder of the [[Broken Shore Bounty]] used to have the use of a fortified villa in the hills near Cazar, and the civil service offices that oversaw the resource were based here. Both were lost to the Grendel, then to the [[Children of Wrecks]], and in the last months of 387YE, to the [[Iron Confederacy]].

Even before the Children of Wrecks arrived, several of the more southerly islands of the Straits had a reputation for peculiarity. The corsairs of [[#Shantarim|Shantarim]] for example were renowned both for their enthusiastic rivalry with all other corsair families, and the zeal with which they waged war on the Grendel. The [[#Isle of the Osseini|Isle of the Osseini]] is also found here, once home to a sect of strange priests, allegedly haunted by the ghosts of drowned pirates, then the site of an uneasy truce between orc magicians and Freeborn priests. Towards the end of the peace treaty with the Grendel, however, a fleet of warships from the [[Asavean Archipelago]] slaughtered the justicars of Osseini and ruined the town of Shantarim. When the Children of Wrecks claimed the region, there was precious little left for them to destroy.

Today, the waters around the Cazar Straits remain treacherous. In part this is due to the presence of dozens of immature kraken hatched in the waters by the Children of Wrecks.

===Fontargenta===
'''Qualities:''' Abandoned, Coastal, Impoverished<br>
The trading port of '''Bramar''' stands on the coast here. Surrounded by rich agricultural land, its bountiful cornfields once competed with [[the Marches|Marcher]] grain in markets across the southern nations of the Empire, and their vineyards were justly famous. Before the Grendel invasion it served as an important hub for the Imperial wine trade, with many excellent vintages passing through its docks - both from the Brass Coast to the rest of the world, and from the rest of the world to the Brass Coast (and thus the Empire). Lord Rahab has left the region devastated, and it remains to be seen if the farms here will ever recover.

===Morajasse===
'''Qualities:''' Abandoned, Impoverished, Underpopulated<br>
The largest town in prosperous Morajasse is '''Mora'''. Once simply a spice market, the barbarian invasion of [[Segura]] saw a burst of rapid militarisation of this peaceful settlement. Refugees are common here: some supported by their families, others looking to work in the market. With the liberation of the western territory, a strange reversal took place - the pool of desperate labourers has largely dried up with refugees returning to their homes.

Immediately following the [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Bravado|invasion of Feroz]] in 383YE, work was completed on a [[fortification]] at the town of Mora, [[#Mora's Rock|Mora's Rock]]. The fortification served the defenders well, but with the ratification of the peace treaty it was taken over, and expanded, by Grendel troops. It now serves as the base of operations of ''Wind Lord Saoirse'' and her partner ''Commander Fiersach'', as well as a sizable force of Grendel veterans.

Western Morajasse is the site of the great [[#The Spice Gardens of Feroz|Spice Gardens]]. The [[Vizier of the Incarnadine Satchel]] was often quite active in Feroz, occasionally dealing with agents of the Spice Gardens or traders from the Jewelled Isles. Following the Grendel treaty, the offices that supported the Vizier with easy access to reasonably priced herbs has dried up - while they are still notionally the owner of the miraculous satchel that gives them their name, their ability to support the nations' apothecaries and physicks has been greatly reduced.
{{CaptionedImage|file=Oran_by_the_Sea.jpg|caption=The Celesti Lighthouse sits high on the headland overlooking Oran.|align=right|width=400}}

===Oranseri===
'''Qualities:''' Abandoned, Coastal, Impoverished<br>
Across the bay from billowing [[Madruga#Siroc|Siroc]] stands the thriving port town of [[#Oran|Oran]]. In recent years, the port has grown in prominence and prosperity; it served as the seat of power for the Grendel governor Lord Rahab during the Grendel occupation of the territory. Just outside Oran lies the great [[Celesti_Lighthouse_Keeper#The_Celesti_Lighthouse|Celesti Lighthouse]], originally constructed during the reign of [[Emperor Barabbas]] and recently repaired and restored to full functionality. It, too, was in the hands of the Grendel for several years but has now been restored.

West of Oran is the ''Scorrero Crossing''. The river Scorrero is wide and deep between Feroz and Madruga. During the Summer Solstice 383YE, the Grendel invaders attempted to take advantage of this by taking control of both bridges that connect the two Freeborn territories. Had they been successful, it would have been significantly harder for Imperial forces to move between Siroc and Oranseri. Their attempts were stymied, and ultimately became moot once the Scorrero [[Where_the_river_rises#Crossing|burst its banks]] and carried away all the existing bridges.

'''Joharra''' is a port south of Oran, considered much more stable than its northern cousin, and better known for its industry than its trade. Famous throughout the Empire for its cloth and dye-work, Joharra is called '' the Rainbow'' by coastal sailors who mark their progress round the coast with the first sight of the great billowing cloths hung out to dry on tall wooden frames along the low cliffs. As with the other settlements of Oran, the weavers and dyers here now labour under the yoke of the Grendel orcs.

==Strategic Considerations==
* '''The damage to the bridges along the Scorrero prevents movement between Feroz and Madruga'''
The damage to almost all the bridges along the Scorrero means that it is effectively impossible for an [[Army|army]] to move between Feroz and [[Madruga]] (or vice versa). More information can be found in the '''[[Where_the_river_rises#Crossing|Where the river rises]]''' wind of fortune.
<div style="float:left; width: 450px; clear: right;">{{CaptionedImage|file=Garviel i Abrira i Erigo.jpg|caption='''Garviel i Abrira i Erigo''', Senator for Feroz|align=left|width=500}}</div>
{{Senate Elections|Senator_for_Feroz|Territory=Feroz|Season=Summer|Controlled=is}}

==OOC Notes==
* As of the start of the Winter Solstice 387YE, the Iron Confederacy control the Cazar Straits, the Grendel control Morajasse, and the Brass Coast controls Afarjasse, Fontargenta, and Oranseri. Feroz is an Imperial territory
* [[#Mora's Rock|Mora's Rock]] is a rank two fortification controlled by the Grendel.
* The status of various titles and resources located in Feroz is outlined in more detail in [[To_curb_those_raging_appetites#Lost_Opportunities|To curb those raging appetites]], a Winter 383YE wind of fortune.

==Further Reading==
* [[Red skies]] - 387YE Winter wind of war about the Iron Confederacy invasion of the Cazar Straits
* [[A circle sewn with fate]] - 387YE Spring wind of war detailing the Wrecker attack on Oran
* [[Send for me]] - 386YE Winter wind of fortune about the rebuilding of Feroz
* [[Glass and flame]] - 386YE Autumn wind of war about the liberation of Feroz
* [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Spindrift|Winds of War 383YE Spring]] - Detailing the Grendel invasion
* [[383YE_Summer_Solstice_winds_of_war#The_World_is_Not_Enough|Winds of War 383YE Summer]]
* [[383YE_Autumn_Equinox_winds_of_war#Bronze|Winds of War 383YE Autumn]]
* [[Ratify_treaty_with_the_Grendel_Autumn_383YE#Treaty|Treaty]] - the Autumn 383YE treaty with the Grendel
* [[To curb those raging appetites]] - a Winter 383YE wind of fortune that details the situation for Freeborn in Feroz
* [[Everything has a price]] - a Winter 383YE wind of fortune that details the general situation with the Grendel, and has several notes about their presence in Feroz
* [[Bones in the ocean]] - a Winter 383YE wind of fortune that specifically deals with the [[#Isle of the Osseini|Isle of the Osseini]] and the justicars

Feroz

2026-05-13T10:44:01Z

Rafferty: /* Mora's Rock */

{{CaptionedImage|file=RegionsofFeroz.png|title=Southernmost of the Freeborn territories, lush but threatened by barbarians over land and sea|caption=Regions of Feroz|align=left|width=500}}[[Category:Gazetteer]][[Category:Grendel]][[Category:Imperial Territory]][[category:The Brass Coast]]
{{stub}}
== Overview ==
Feroz is the southernmost territory of the Brass Coast, and like [[Madruga]] to the north has both isles and coastline. Here the climate is warm and humid, perfect for the cultivation of different plants. This is the home of the fabulous spice gardens of Feroz, a source of great revenue for the people of this territory. The seas are more treacherous here, and the south and the west are constantly threatened by barbarians by land. As a result, many armed merchants patrolled the seas, and groups of young warriors journeyed along the borders, fighting skirmishes against jealous foes.

There is a traditional rivalry between the families of Feroz and those of Madruga. The northern territory was the first settled when the Freeborn [[The_Brass_Coast_history#The_Conquest_of_the_Coast|left Highguard]], and there is a popular stereotype that the people who live there are "stuck up". This stereotype is more humorous than hateful - the Freeborn move around too much to allow such prejudice to root itself too firmly in their psyche. Still, if a citizen of Feroz wants to insult a citizen of Madruga, they will fall back on accusations of arrogance and an over-reliance on tradition.

Some of the finest [[Surgical skills#Apothecary|apothecaries]] on the Brass Coast once lived in Feroz - the art of [[potion]] making has been studied here for centuries and even after two years of occupation by the Grendel it is still home to a great many [[herb garden|herb gardens]]. The mainland is a criss-cross patchwork of [[farm|farms]] and small settlements. At the height of its prosperity, a great deal of the food and drink consumed on the Brass Coast was produced here and exported to other Freeborn territories.

Unfortunately, in recent years the territory has been hit by disaster after disaster. Repeated raids by the Grendel eventually gave way to a concerted invasion, and while it was pushed back, the barbarian of the Broken Shore did not abandon their ambition to conquer Feroz. In 383YE, a [[Ratify treaty with the Grendel Autumn 383YE|peace treaty]] ceded the territory to the invaders, and saw the vicious, greedy, and tyrannical ''Governor Rahab'' establish his dominion over Feroz. The Freeborn organised a [[The power behind our moves|grand evacuation]] that saw much of the population escape Rahab's hungry grasp and resettle elsewhere in the Coast, but the move came at a price. When the treaty ended, and the Grendel were (mostly) driven out, Feroz was left abandoned, wrecked, and heavily underpopulated, its former residents preferring to stay with the new lives they had built elsewhere rather than return. Worse, the [[#Cazar Straits|Cazar Straits]] were taken by the [[Children of Wrecks]], transformed into a stronghold for the servants of the eternal [[Siakha]]. They in turn were supplanted towards the end of 387YE by the [[Iron Confederacy]], who drove out the Wreckers and claimed the island for themselves.

On the mainland, the situation is a little better, but what was once one of the richest Freeborn territories still struggles with the weight of two years of exploitation by a money-hungry tyrant, and what many see as its abandonment by the Empire.

==Recent History==
Being on the [[Bay of Catazar]], Feroz has always been under threat from the [[Grendel]] [[orc|orcs]]. In Spring 383YE, the orcs [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Spindrift|launched a naval invasion]], capturing [[#Oranseri|Oranseri]] and the [[#Cazar Straits|Cazar Straits]] in short order and making significant inroads into [[#Fontargenta|Fontargenta]]. The Grendel installed a grizzled old orc named ''Lord Rahab'' as overseer of the conquered land; he took up residence in the offices of the [[Scorrero Nets]] and quickly set about attempting to bring the rest of Feroz under his control. Part of their plan appeared to involve the ghosts of the [[#Isle of the Osseini|Isle of the Osseini]], but the scheme was countered by Imperial heroes travelling through the [[Sentinel Gate]] to exorcise the spirits and defeat the Grendel seeking to make use of them.

Undaunted by the loss of their supernatural weapon, the orcs kept up their assault. By Summer 383YE, they [[383YE_Summer_Solstice_winds_of_war#The_World_is_Not_Enough|sought to consolidate their gains in Fontargenta]]; they were opposed by [[Navarr]] and [[the Marches|Marcher]] [[Army|armies]], who held the Grendel at the town of [[#Fontargenta|Bramar]] for two days before being forced to retreat. They were able to slow the Grendel advance, however, leaving the orcs bogged down in Fontargenta and unable to press inland.

Following the engagement in Fontargenta, and battling under a powerful supernatural storm, the Grendel [[383YE_Autumn_Equinox_winds_of_war#Bronze|brought even more force]] to bear in the territory. While the Imperial armies were reinforced by [[Highguard|Highborn]] troops, the orc navies disgorged a great host of their own warriors. The fighting was bitter, but in the end Fontargenta fell - and as Fontargenta falls, so falls Feroz. While [[#Morajasse|Morajasse]] and [[#Afarjasse|Afarjasse]] remained free, the Grendel forces continued to mass along the coast.

During the Autumn Equinox 383, the [[Senate]] [[Ratify_treaty_with_the_Grendel_Autumn_383YE#Treaty|ratified a peace treaty]] with the Grendel. Presented by the [[Imperial Fleet Master]], among other things it [[Powers_of_the_Imperial_Senate#Concedence|ceded]] the two remaining regions of Feroz to the Grendel, albeit with provisions allowing Imperial citizens still in Morajasse and Afarjasse to withdraw to safety. Following the Equinox, Lord Rahab's forces spread out quickly to bring the two western regions under his control; Feroz was now [[To_curb_those_raging_appetites|completely under Grendel control]].

Just before the Autumn Equinox 386YE, the Imperial forces reconquered [[Glass_and_flame| reconquered Feroz]]. Possession of the territory is complicated by [[Children_of_Wrecks|Children of Wrecks]] as well as the remnants of the Grendel. Feroz has been run into the ground by Lord Rahab, eager to extract every drop of profit from the place, and it requires significant investment to return the territory to even a fraction of its former wealth.

In 386YE, the [[Senate]] commissioned an [[appraisal]] of Feroz that laid out many of the challenges presented by the newly reclaimed territory, and some potential solutions. Details are contained in the '''[[Send_for_me#State_of_Feroz|Send for me]]''' wind of fortune.

== Major Features ==
===Oran===
The largest and most prestigious port was Feroz is Oran, on the northern coast of [[#Oranseri|Oranseri]]. Across the bay from billowing [[Madruga#Siroc_(Ruined)|Siroc]] this thriving port specialised in high-value products such as fine wines and spice mixes. Unsurprisingly, given its position, for most of its history it has engaged in low-key economic warfare with its larger cousin to the north - Oran notably has cheaper dock fees than Siroc, and a number of entrepreneurs prefer to operate here as a consequence. It is especially welcoming to those merchants who are just starting out, and has a reputation for being more energetic than its competitors to the north and south. This energy has been significantly boosted by construction of the only open [[#The Temple of Balo and the Black Bull|Asavean Temple]] in the entire Empire; the surge of [[Asavean Archipelago|Asavean]] ships visiting Oran saw the town expand significantly to become the largest trading port in Feroz.

In Spring 383YE, however, Oran was [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Spindrift|conquered by the Grendel]]. An orc governor, Lord Rahab, chose the town as the site for his court, converting the offices of the [[Scorrero Nets]] to his personal use. Among other things, this invasion saw the collapse of the [[Broken Shore Bounty]], the Scorrero Nets falling into orc hands, and the Temple of Balo and the Black Bull sealing its doors against the orcs while offering sanctuary to Freeborn families. Following the treaty signed during the Autumn Equinox, the Grendel opened Oran as a port [[Everything_has_a_price#A_New_Destination|available to Imperial captains]]. This situation persisted until the peace treaty ended, and war with the Grendel resumed.

After the Summer Solstice 386YE, Imperial forces swept into Oranseri to liberate the territory from the Grendel. They [[Glass_and_flame#The_Siege_of_Oran|laid siege]] to Oran, and were quickly victorious. The [[Below_the_thunders#Objective:_Eliminate_Governor_Rahab|recent death of Governor Rahab]] in battle with the Empire's heroes left the garrison demoralised and disorganised. It was a grievous victory, however. The fighting that raged through the town, the overwhelming assault, the barrage of catapult stones, all contributed to the fact that many of the buildings have been left in ruins, and many more damaged. A fire at the docks threatened to spread through the town and only the valiant actions of League soldiers managed bring it under control. Barely a year later the town again came under serious attack, this time by the Children of Wrecks. Without the [[A_circle_sewn_with_fate#The_Battle_of_Oran|prompt action]] of the [[orc|orcs]] from the [[#Protectorate of Morajasse|Protectorate of Morajasse]], Oran again might have been destroyed. As it is, the town remains intact but in a sadly impoverished state.

Proposals have been put forward to [[Send_for_me#Wharfage_of_Oran|rebuild Oran]], but it remains to be seen what the future holds for the port town.

{{Anchor|The Temple of Balo and the Black Bull}}
===Temple of Balo and the Black Bull===
During the Spring Equinox 380YE, permission was granted to the people of the [[Asavean Archipelago]] to construct a major temple to their gods in [[#Oranseri|Oran]]. Initially, construction was expected to be completed shortly before the Autumn Equinox 380YE, but the temple did not actually open its doors until shortly before the Spring Equinox 381YE. The town is seeing an influx of Asavean shipping bringing white granite and architects to the Brass Coast, as well as throwing crowns around like water to secure local labour to complete their project. Relations between the people of the Empire and the priests of Asavea are monitored by ''[[El oficial de enlace imperial con los sacerdotes de Balo y el toro negro]]'' ("The Imperial intermediary to the priests of Balo and the Black Bull"), who among other things is able to [[ministry|buy Asavean goods]] at a reduced price. During the Summer Solstice 380YE, the Assembly of Nine supported Abaddon de Rondell in [[Temple_of_the_bull#Resolution|denouncing]] the temple as an idolatrous affront, making it significantly harder for the Asaveans to find labourers prepared to work on the construction and both delaying its completion and laying a significant economic burden on the foreign priests.

The temple remained extremely controversial among Imperial priests. When Oran fell to the Grendel, however, the priests at the temple [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Sand|offered sanctuary]] to a number of Freeborn families in spite of Governor Rahab's unhappiness. Several of those families were ultimately smuggled to safety in Madruga. Despite this, however, it was clear that the Asaveans were happy to work with the new owners of Oran - there were rumours that they quickly recognised a Grendel as the [[Imperial Delegate to the Temple in Feroz|Delegate to the Temple in Feroz]]. This situation was further exacerbated by the Summer 383YE [[Through_my_sails#Ruined_Buildings|attack]] on the "sister temple" to the Black Bull, the temple of the Way in Nemoria.

When Oran was [[Glass_and_flame#The_Siege_of_Oran|liberated from the Grendel]] in 386YE Autumn, the priests surrendered ''en masse'' and [[Glass_and_flame#Game_Information_:_Asavean_Diplomacy|asked to be repatriated]] back to the Archipelago. As of the winter of 387YE, the temple still stands but without tenants.

'''OOC Notes:''' More details on the construction of the Temple of Balo and the Black Bull can be found in the winds of fortune, specifically [[Seven_lords_of_virtue#Temple_of_Bahlo_and_the_Black_Bull|Seven lords of virtue]], [[Those who worship#The Black Bull|Those who worship]], and [[Distant deeps]].

===The Spice Gardens of Feroz===
In western [[#Morajasse|Morajasse]] stand the legendary Spice Gardens of Feroz - a set of heavily-walled enclosures covering several acres where the finest spices in the Empire are grown. A rich source of trade for whoever controls the gardens, the [[Imperial title]] of [[Keeper of the Spice Gardens]] has changed hands between families only a handful of times in the last few centuries, and the bargaining leading up to a new appointment has regularly involved the whole nation.

The peace treaty of Autumn 383YE that ceded control of Morajasse to the Grendel saw the Spice Gardens fall into the hands of the orcs. The Grendel appreciate fine spices as much as any Freeborn so the evidence is that they did not harm the legendary Gardens - but for many Freeborn the idea of their beautiful spice gardens being operated by Grendel slaves was particularly heinous. With Governor Rahab dead and Feroz liberated, the Spice Gardens remain out of Imperial hands as part of the [[#Protectorate of Morjasse|Protectorate of Morajasse]].

{{Anchor|The Scorrero Nets}}
===Scorrero Nets (Ruined)===
The Scorrero Nets were a [[Bourse]] resource located in [[#Oranseri|Oranseri]], seized by the Grendel in Spring 383YE as part of their conquest of Feroz. Custodianship of the Nets was an [[Imperial Title]] that brought with it a Seat on the [[Bourse]]. In Winter 384YE, a [[Drums_beat_in_my_head#The_Scorrero_Nets|daring plan]] was proposed to "steal" the nets by establishing the [[Cerevado Nets]] upriver in [[Segura]]. As a consequence, this Bourse resource ceased to exist, much to the chagrin of the Grendel governor Rahab.

===The Broken Shore Bounty===
The [[Broken Shore Bounty]] was a Bourse resource that was technically located in the [[#Cazar Straits|Cazar Straits]] inasmuch as the holder of the [[Bourse]] seat has the use of a fortified villa in the hills near Cazar. The actual [[ilium]] that the seat provided was sourced throughout the Bay of Catazar; a portion of all ilium claimed from the nets of Freeborn, [[the League|League]], [[Highguard|Highborn]], and [[Urizen|Urizeni]] nets is claimed as part of the Bounty. It produced 7 rings of ilium each season and was allocated during the Spring Equinox.

When the Cazar Straits fell to the Grendel, they also seized the offices of the Broken Shore Bounty. Despite a [[Four_strong_winds#Broken_Shore_Bounty|proposal to move the offices]], the resource fell into disarray, the ilium ending up split between the Imperial Fleet Master and the Bourse Auction. With the ratification of the Grendel peace treaty, this title and resource effectively ceased to exist.

===Mora's Rock===
Built as part of the grand project to create [[fortification|fortifications]] across the southern Empire in response to the threat of the [[Grendel]], Mora's Rock in [[#Morajasse|Morajasse]] was completed in the months following the [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Bravado|invasion of 383YE]]. The fortification squats above the town of Mora, guarding against invasion from [[Segura]], and providing garrisons and scouts who can offer resistance to assaults from the sea.

When Morajasse was ceded to the Grendel in Autumn 383YE, they took control of the fortification and later expanded it significantly. The fortification resisted the [[Glass and flame|liberation]] of the territory, and as of the beginning of 387YE remains under the control of the Grendel. The garrison is led by ''[[Glass_and_flame#The_Shadow_of_Mora's_Rock|Commander Gallum Fiersach]]'', ably supported by his partner, the ''Wind Lord Saoirse''.

The garrison there includes a warband of veteran [[Elite_Grendel_troops#The_Stone_Born|Stone Born]], and the remainder appear to be very experienced soldiers. These Grendel are enemies of the Empire, obviously, but that did not prevent them acting to [[A_circle_sewn_with_fate#The_Battle_of_Oran|protect Oran]] from the Children of Wrecks in early 387YE. In the Summer of that year, the Senate [[387YE_Summer_Solstice_Senate_sessions#Recognise_Protectorate_of_Gallum_Fiersach|recognised the Protectorate of Morajasse]] as foreigners, as long as they reamined independent of the Grendel. While there is still tension between the Freeborn and the orcs many see as occupying Morajasse, for now at least Gallum Fiersach's forces seem content to keep to their castle, apart from regular patrols along the borders of Feroz aimed at protecting the territory from the Children of Wrecks - and the Iron Confederacy.

==Lost and Ruined==

{{anchor|Shantarim}}
===Shantarim (ruined)===
In the southern islands of the [[#Cazar Straits|Cazar Straits]] the town of Shantarim was one a [[corsair]] stronghold. The families were are known to engage in fierce competition with their northern rivals, not only in Madruga but also in [[#Oranseri|Oranseri]] and even the other islands of the Straits. Smaller than the town of Cazar, Shantarim had a reputation for being somewhat less cosmopolitan than the other towns of Feroz - visitors from mainland families sometimes encounter prejudice and suspicion. The families of Shantarim more than made up for their relatively small size with the enthusiasm with which they opposed the orcs of the Broken Shore.

Prior to the [[Ratify treaty with the Grendel Autumn 383YE|peace treaty]] of 383YE, they were loud supporters of the [[Freeborn Storm]], and the various raids against the Grendel. The signing of the peace treaty with the southern orcs tied their hands, making it illegal to fight the Grendel, which became been a major source of dissension in Shantarim.

Towards the end of the ceasefire secured by the treaty, in 385YE, Shatarim was attacked and wrecked. Warships of the [[Asavean Archipelago]], allies of the Grendel occupation, engaged in a campaign of destruction across the Cazar Straits, and along with the Isle of the Osseini, Shantarim bore the brunt. Many corsairs who had endured the occupation of the Grendel were slain, and the town was looted and left in ruins. When the Children of Wrecks arrived, there was precious little left for the to wreck.
<div style="float:right; width: 450px; clear: right;"><box>'''Justicars'''<br>The priests who previously lived on the Isle of the Osseini called themselves ''justicars''. Specialist exorcists and inquisitors in the pre-Imperial history of the Brass Coast, they specialised in driving out malign spirits or cleansing unpleasant auras from people, places and objects. Never particularly populous, their sanctuary on the Isle of the Osseini was all but wiped out by the Grendel. A handful remained elsewhere, and during the Autumn Equinox 383YE the Freeborn assembly [[383YE_Autumn_Equinox_Synod_judgements#Judgement_22|called on them to come together to preserve their traditions]]. A small enclave of justicars was established on the Isle of Osseini at the sufferance of the Grendel. Unfortunately, when Asavean warships went on a rampage in 385YE, the first place they attacked was this enclave, putting the priests to the sword and burning the enclave. When the Children of Wrecks arrived, the Grendel magicians still left on the island fled back to the Broken Shore. As far as anyone knows today, the island is abandoned.</box></div>

{{Anchor|Isle of the Osseini}}
===Isle of the Osseini (Ruined)===
At the southern tip of the [[#Cazar Straits|Cazar Straits]], the island was known for its heavy sea fog, its ghosts, and for a small sect of Freeborn priests famed for their knowledge of the arts of [[exorcism]]. Stories claimed the Isle was haunted by those who had died at sea, but most Freeborn had no truck with such foolishness. In 383YE, however, it became clear these tales of ghosts were more than just idle gossip. During the Spring Equinox of that year, a [[Grendel]] shaman attempted to unleash a ghostly legion of drowned orcs bound in some fashion to white granite pillars on the island against the defenders of Feroz. Before they could do so they were [[383YE_Summer_Solstice_winds_of_war#The_World_is_Not_Enough|thwarted by Imperial heroes]] who reached the isle via the [[Sentinel Gate]]. Once the heroes retreated, the status of the island, the pillars, and the remaining priests was unknown.

Then in Autumn 383YE, as part of the negotiations that led to the peace treaty with the Grendel, a contract was negotiated with the orc diplomat regarding the Isle of the Osseini. In the wake of that agreement, a small group of priests were allowed to visit the Isle with a Grendel escort. There they discovered the remaining priests were dead, the ghost-binding pillars had been destroyed, and the island was in the hands of a coven of Grendel magicians. The orcs had already constructed a permanent residence there built around a particular Winter regio, and were less than welcoming to the Freeborn. Further negotiations followed; in the end the Freeborn were allowed to establish a small enclave here, under the careful watch of the Grendel.

The return of the justicars was short-lived. In 385YE, a fleet of warships from the Asavean Archipelago went on a murderous rampage in the southern Cazar Straits. Allies of the Grendel, they slaughtered the priests and burned the enclave before sailing north to Shantarim. When the Children of Wrecks arrived, the remaining Grendel magicians fled back to the Broken Shore. By the close of 387YE, the island appears to be abandoned, although it remains to be seen what the Iron Confederacy plan to do with it.

'''OOC Note:''' You can learn more about the historic Isle of the Osseini in the [[Bones in the ocean]] wind of fortune.

==Regions==
===Afarjasse===
'''Qualities:''' [[Region_qualities#Abandoned|Abandoned]], [[Region_qualities#Underpopulated|Underpopulated]]<br>
In the middle of nowhere, on the plains of Afarjasse, is the quiet settlement of '''Afar'''. It was established by [[hakima]] with close ties to the [[Guerra]] tribe near a potent [[regio]] tied to the realm of Night. It is a faraway place dedicated to the practice of [[rituals|ritual magics]] that support the Freeborn. It is not hard to reach, but it stands alone in a sea of sprawling grasslands and does not encourage casual visitors. On nights when powerful magics are performed, Afar is visible for miles around - great bonfires are built and massive drums used to build powerful rhythms to help raise (or draw down, or both) the passionate energy for powerful workings.

As with the rest of Feroz, Afarjasse spent two years in the hands of the Grendel. The governor, Lord Rahab, made it clear that the hakima here would not be permitted access to their potent regio - they were after all an important strategic resource. The region has been liberated now, but is in the same dire straits as the rest of the territory.

===Cazar Straits===
'''Qualities:''' Abandoned, Coastal, Impoverished, Island, Underpopulated<br>
For most of the Brass Coast's history, the islands of the Cazar Straits were dominated by [[corsair]] families. The largest settlement remains the port town from which the islands take their name - high-cliffed '''Cazar''' - but in recent years it has changed hands several times and is a shadow of its former self. Built around a bustling dock, it served as a safe harbour and home port for many of the [[fleet|fleets]] that protected the Bay from barbarian ships. The holder of the [[Broken Shore Bounty]] used to have the use of a fortified villa in the hills near Cazar, and the civil service offices that oversaw the resource were based here. Both were lost to the Grendel, then to the [[Children of Wrecks]], and in the last months of 387YE, to the [[Iron Confederacy]].

Even before the Children of Wrecks arrived, several of the more southerly islands of the Straits had a reputation for peculiarity. The corsairs of [[#Shantarim|Shantarim]] for example were renowned both for their enthusiastic rivalry with all other corsair families, and the zeal with which they waged war on the Grendel. The [[#Isle of the Osseini|Isle of the Osseini]] is also found here, once home to a sect of strange priests, allegedly haunted by the ghosts of drowned pirates, then the site of an uneasy truce between orc magicians and Freeborn priests. Towards the end of the peace treaty with the Grendel, however, a fleet of warships from the [[Asavean Archipelago]] slaughtered the justicars of Osseini and ruined the town of Shantarim. When the Children of Wrecks claimed the region, there was precious little left for them to destroy.

Today, the waters around the Cazar Straits remain treacherous. In part this is due to the presence of dozens of immature kraken hatched in the waters by the Children of Wrecks.

===Fontargenta===
'''Qualities:''' Abandoned, Coastal, Impoverished<br>
The trading port of '''Bramar''' stands on the coast here. Surrounded by rich agricultural land, its bountiful cornfields once competed with [[the Marches|Marcher]] grain in markets across the southern nations of the Empire, and their vineyards were justly famous. Before the Grendel invasion it served as an important hub for the Imperial wine trade, with many excellent vintages passing through its docks - both from the Brass Coast to the rest of the world, and from the rest of the world to the Brass Coast (and thus the Empire). Lord Rahab has left the region devastated, and it remains to be seen if the farms here will ever recover.

===Morajasse===
'''Qualities:''' Abandoned, Impoverished, Underpopulated<br>
The largest town in prosperous Morajasse is '''Mora'''. Once simply a spice market, the barbarian invasion of [[Segura]] saw a burst of rapid militarisation of this peaceful settlement. Refugees are common here: some supported by their families, others looking to work in the market. With the liberation of the western territory, a strange reversal took place - the pool of desperate labourers has largely dried up with refugees returning to their homes.

Immediately following the [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Bravado|invasion of Feroz]] in 383YE, work was completed on a [[fortification]] at the town of Mora, [[#Mora's Rock|Mora's Rock]]. The fortification served the defenders well, but with the ratification of the peace treaty it was taken over, and expanded, by Grendel troops. It now serves as the base of operations of ''Wind Lord Saoirse'' and her partner ''Commander Fiersach'', as well as a sizable force of Grendel veterans.

Western Morajasse is the site of the great [[#The Spice Gardens of Feroz|Spice Gardens]]. The [[Vizier of the Incarnadine Satchel]] was often quite active in Feroz, occasionally dealing with agents of the Spice Gardens or traders from the Jewelled Isles. Following the Grendel treaty, the offices that supported the Vizier with easy access to reasonably priced herbs has dried up - while they are still notionally the owner of the miraculous satchel that gives them their name, their ability to support the nations' apothecaries and physicks has been greatly reduced.
{{CaptionedImage|file=Oran_by_the_Sea.jpg|caption=The Celesti Lighthouse sits high on the headland overlooking Oran.|align=right|width=400}}

===Oranseri===
'''Qualities:''' Abandoned, Coastal, Impoverished<br>
Across the bay from billowing [[Madruga#Siroc|Siroc]] stands the thriving port town of [[#Oran|Oran]]. In recent years, the port has grown in prominence and prosperity; it served as the seat of power for the Grendel governor Lord Rahab during the Grendel occupation of the territory. Just outside Oran lies the great [[Celesti_Lighthouse_Keeper#The_Celesti_Lighthouse|Celesti Lighthouse]], originally constructed during the reign of [[Emperor Barabbas]] and recently repaired and restored to full functionality. It, too, was in the hands of the Grendel for several years but has now been restored.

West of Oran is the ''Scorrero Crossing''. The river Scorrero is wide and deep between Feroz and Madruga. During the Summer Solstice 383YE, the Grendel invaders attempted to take advantage of this by taking control of both bridges that connect the two Freeborn territories. Had they been successful, it would have been significantly harder for Imperial forces to move between Siroc and Oranseri. Their attempts were stymied, and ultimately became moot once the Scorrero [[Where_the_river_rises#Crossing|burst its banks]] and carried away all the existing bridges.

'''Joharra''' is a port south of Oran, considered much more stable than its northern cousin, and better known for its industry than its trade. Famous throughout the Empire for its cloth and dye-work, Joharra is called '' the Rainbow'' by coastal sailors who mark their progress round the coast with the first sight of the great billowing cloths hung out to dry on tall wooden frames along the low cliffs. As with the other settlements of Oran, the weavers and dyers here now labour under the yoke of the Grendel orcs.

==Strategic Considerations==
* '''The damage to the bridges along the Scorrero prevents movement between Feroz and Madruga'''
The damage to almost all the bridges along the Scorrero means that it is effectively impossible for an [[Army|army]] to move between Feroz and [[Madruga]] (or vice versa). More information can be found in the '''[[Where_the_river_rises#Crossing|Where the river rises]]''' wind of fortune.
<div style="float:left; width: 450px; clear: right;">{{CaptionedImage|file=Garviel i Abrira i Erigo.jpg|caption='''Garviel i Abrira i Erigo''', Senator for Feroz|align=left|width=500}}</div>
{{Senate Elections|Senator_for_Feroz|Territory=Feroz|Season=Summer|Controlled=is}}

==OOC Notes==
* As of the start of the Winter Solstice 387YE, the Iron Confederacy control the Cazar Straits, the Grendel control Morajasse, and the Brass Coast controls Afarjasse, Fontargenta, and Oranseri. Feroz is an Imperial territory
* [[#Mora's Rock|Mora's Rock]] is a rank two fortification controlled by the Grendel.
* The status of various titles and resources located in Feroz is outlined in more detail in [[To_curb_those_raging_appetites#Lost_Opportunities|To curb those raging appetites]], a Winter 383YE wind of fortune.

==Further Reading==
* [[Red skies]] - 387YE Winter wind of war about the Iron Confederacy invasion of the Cazar Straits
* [[A circle sewn with fate]] - 387YE Spring wind of war detailing the Wrecker attack on Oran
* [[Send for me]] - 386YE Winter wind of fortune about the rebuilding of Feroz
* [[Glass and flame]] - 386YE Autumn wind of war about the liberation of Feroz
* [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Spindrift|Winds of War 383YE Spring]] - Detailing the Grendel invasion
* [[383YE_Summer_Solstice_winds_of_war#The_World_is_Not_Enough|Winds of War 383YE Summer]]
* [[383YE_Autumn_Equinox_winds_of_war#Bronze|Winds of War 383YE Autumn]]
* [[Ratify_treaty_with_the_Grendel_Autumn_383YE#Treaty|Treaty]] - the Autumn 383YE treaty with the Grendel
* [[To curb those raging appetites]] - a Winter 383YE wind of fortune that details the situation for Freeborn in Feroz
* [[Everything has a price]] - a Winter 383YE wind of fortune that details the general situation with the Grendel, and has several notes about their presence in Feroz
* [[Bones in the ocean]] - a Winter 383YE wind of fortune that specifically deals with the [[#Isle of the Osseini|Isle of the Osseini]] and the justicars

Feroz

2026-05-13T10:41:14Z

Rafferty: /* The Scorrero Nets */

{{CaptionedImage|file=RegionsofFeroz.png|title=Southernmost of the Freeborn territories, lush but threatened by barbarians over land and sea|caption=Regions of Feroz|align=left|width=500}}[[Category:Gazetteer]][[Category:Grendel]][[Category:Imperial Territory]][[category:The Brass Coast]]
{{stub}}
== Overview ==
Feroz is the southernmost territory of the Brass Coast, and like [[Madruga]] to the north has both isles and coastline. Here the climate is warm and humid, perfect for the cultivation of different plants. This is the home of the fabulous spice gardens of Feroz, a source of great revenue for the people of this territory. The seas are more treacherous here, and the south and the west are constantly threatened by barbarians by land. As a result, many armed merchants patrolled the seas, and groups of young warriors journeyed along the borders, fighting skirmishes against jealous foes.

There is a traditional rivalry between the families of Feroz and those of Madruga. The northern territory was the first settled when the Freeborn [[The_Brass_Coast_history#The_Conquest_of_the_Coast|left Highguard]], and there is a popular stereotype that the people who live there are "stuck up". This stereotype is more humorous than hateful - the Freeborn move around too much to allow such prejudice to root itself too firmly in their psyche. Still, if a citizen of Feroz wants to insult a citizen of Madruga, they will fall back on accusations of arrogance and an over-reliance on tradition.

Some of the finest [[Surgical skills#Apothecary|apothecaries]] on the Brass Coast once lived in Feroz - the art of [[potion]] making has been studied here for centuries and even after two years of occupation by the Grendel it is still home to a great many [[herb garden|herb gardens]]. The mainland is a criss-cross patchwork of [[farm|farms]] and small settlements. At the height of its prosperity, a great deal of the food and drink consumed on the BRass Coast was produced here and exported to other Freeborn territories.

Unfortunately, in recent years the territory has been hit by disaster after disaster. Repeated raids by the Grendel eventually gave way to a concerted invasion, and while it was pushed back, the barbarian of the Broken Shore did not abandon their ambition to conquer Feroz. In 383YE, a [[Ratify treaty with the Grendel Autumn 383YE|peace treaty]] ceded the territory to the invaders, and saw the vicious, greedy, and tyrannical ''Governor Rahab'' establish his dominion over Feroz. The Freeborn organised a [[The power behind our moves|grand evacuation]] that saw much of the population escape Rahab's hungry grasp and resettle elsewhere in the Coast, but the move came at a price. When the treaty ended, and the Grendel were (mostly) driven out, Feroz was left abandoned, wrecked, and heavily underpopulated, it's former residents preferring to stay with the new lives they had built elsewhere rather than return. Worse, the [[#Cazar Straits|Cazar Straits]] were taken by the [[Children of Wrecks]], transformed into a stronghold for the servants of the eternal [[Siakha]]. They in turn were supplanted towards the end of 387YE by the [[Iron Confederacy]], who drove out the Wreckers and claimed the island for themselves.

On the mainland, the situation is a little better, but what was once one of the richest Freeborn territories still struggles with the weight of two years of exploitation by a money-hungry tyrant, and what many see as its abandonment by the Empire.

==Recent History==
Being on the [[Bay of Catazar]], Feroz has always been under threat from the [[Grendel]] [[orc|orcs]]. In Spring 383YE, the orcs [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Spindrift|launched a naval invasion]], capturing [[#Oranseri|Oranseri]] and the [[#Cazar Straits|Cazar Straits]] in short order and making significant inroads into [[#Fontargenta|Fontargenta]]. The Grendel installed a grizzled old orc named ''Lord Rahab'' as overseer of the conquered land; he took up residence in the offices of the [[Scorrero Nets]] and quickly set about attempting to bring the rest of Feroz under his control. Part of their plan appeared to involve the ghosts of the [[#Isle of the Osseini|Isle of the Osseini]], but the scheme was countered by Imperial heroes travelling through the [[Sentinel Gate]] to exorcise the spirits and defeat the Grendel seeking to make use of them.

Undaunted by the loss of their supernatural weapon, the orcs kept up their assault. By Summer 383YE, they [[383YE_Summer_Solstice_winds_of_war#The_World_is_Not_Enough|sought to consolidate their gains in Fontargenta]]; they were opposed by [[Navarr]] and [[the Marches|Marcher]] [[Army|armies]], who held the Grendel at the town of [[#Fontargenta|Bramar]] for two days before being forced to retreat. They were able to slow the Grendel advance, however, leaving the orcs bogged down in Fontargenta and unable to press inland.

Following the engagement in Fontargenta, and battling under a powerful supernatural storm, the Grendel [[383YE_Autumn_Equinox_winds_of_war#Bronze|brought even more force]] to bear in the territory. While the Imperial armies were reinforced by [[Highguard|Highborn]] troops, the orc navies disgorged a great host of their own warriors. The fighting was bitter, but in the end Fontargenta fell - and as Fontargenta falls, so falls Feroz. While [[#Morajasse|Morajasse]] and [[#Afarjasse|Afarjasse]] remained free, the Grendel forces continued to mass along the coast.

During the Autumn Equinox 383, the [[Senate]] [[Ratify_treaty_with_the_Grendel_Autumn_383YE#Treaty|ratified a peace treaty]] with the Grendel. Presented by the [[Imperial Fleet Master]], among other things it [[Powers_of_the_Imperial_Senate#Concedence|ceded]] the two remaining regions of Feroz to the Grendel, albeit with provisions allowing Imperial citizens still in Morajasse and Afarjasse to withdraw to safety. Following the Equinox, Lord Rahab's forces spread out quickly to bring the two western regions under his control; Feroz was now [[To_curb_those_raging_appetites|completely under Grendel control]].

Just before the Autumn Equinox 386YE, the Imperial forces reconquered [[Glass_and_flame| reconquered Feroz]]. Possession of the territory is complicated by [[Children_of_Wrecks|Children of Wrecks]] as well as the remnants of the Grendel. Feroz has been run into the ground by Lord Rahab, eager to extract every drop of profit from the place, and it requires significant investment to return the territory to even a fraction of its former wealth.

In 386YE, the [[Senate]] commissioned an [[appraisal]] of Feroz that laid out many of the challenges presented by the newly reclaimed territory, and some potential solutions. Details are contained in the '''[[Send_for_me#State_of_Feroz|Send for me]]''' wind of fortune.

== Major Features ==
===Oran===
The largest and most prestigious port was Feroz is Oran, on the northern coast of [[#Oranseri|Oranseri]]. Across the bay from billowing [[Madruga#Siroc_(Ruined)|Siroc]] this thriving port specialised in high-value products such as fine wines and spice mixes. Unsurprisingly, given its position, for most of its history it has engaged in low-key economic warfare with its larger cousin to the north - Oran notably has cheaper dock fees than Siroc, and a number of entrepreneurs prefer to operate here as a consequence. It is especially welcoming to those merchants who are just starting out, and has a reputation for being more energetic than its competitors to the north and south. This energy has been significantly boosted by construction of the only open [[#The Temple of Balo and the Black Bull|Asavean Temple]] in the entire Empire; the surge of [[Asavean Archipelago|Asavean]] ships visiting Oran saw the town expand significantly to become the largest trading port in Feroz.

In Spring 383YE, however, Oran was [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Spindrift|conquered by the Grendel]]. An orc governor, Lord Rahab, chose the town as the site for his court, converting the offices of the [[Scorrero Nets]] to his personal use. Among other things, this invasion saw the collapse of the [[Broken Shore Bounty]], the Scorrero Nets falling into orc hands, and the Temple of Balo and the Black Bull sealing its doors against the orcs while offering sanctuary to Freeborn families. Following the treaty signed during the Autumn Equinox, the Grendel opened Oran as a port [[Everything_has_a_price#A_New_Destination|available to Imperial captains]]. This situation persisted until the peace treaty ended, and war with the Grendel resumed.

After the Summer Solstice 386YE, Imperial forces swept into Oranseri to liberate the territory from the Grendel. They [[Glass_and_flame#The_Siege_of_Oran|laid siege]] to Oran, and were quickly victorious. The [[Below_the_thunders#Objective:_Eliminate_Governor_Rahab|recent death of Governor Rahab]] in battle with the Empire's heroes left the garrison demoralised and disorganised. It was a grievous victory, however. The fighting that raged through the town, the overwhelming assault, the barrage of catapult stones, all contributed to the fact that many of the buildings have been left in ruins, and many more damaged. A fire at the docks threatened to spread through the town and only the valiant actions of League soldiers managed bring it under control. Barely a year later the town again came under serious attack, this time by the Children of Wrecks. Without the [[A_circle_sewn_with_fate#The_Battle_of_Oran|prompt action]] of the [[orc|orcs]] from the [[#Protectorate of Morajasse|Protectorate of Morajasse]], Oran again might have been destroyed. As it is, the town remains intact but in a sadly impoverished stae.

Proposals have been put forward to [[Send_for_me#Wharfage_of_Oran|rebuild Oran]], but it remains to be seen what the future holds for the port town.

{{Anchor|The Temple of Balo and the Black Bull}}
===Temple of Balo and the Black Bull===
During the Spring Equinox 380YE, permission was granted to the people of the [[Asavean Archipelago]] to construct a major temple to their gods in [[#Oranseri|Oran]]. Initially, construction was expected to be completed shortly before the Autumn Equinox 380YE, but the temple did not actually open its doors until shortly before the Spring Equinox 381YE. The town is seeing an influx of Asavean shipping bringing white granite and architects to the Brass Coast, as well as throwing crowns around like water to secure local labour to complete their project. Relations between the people of the Empire and the priests of Asavea are monitored by ''[[El oficial de enlace imperial con los sacerdotes de Balo y el toro negro]]'' ("The Imperial intermediary to the priests of Balo and the Black Bull"), who among other things is able to [[ministry|buy Asavean goods]] at a reduced price. During the Summer Solstice 380YE, the Assembly of Nine supported Abaddon de Rondell in [[Temple_of_the_bull#Resolution|denouncing]] the temple as an idolatrous affront, making it significantly harder for the Asaveans to find labourers prepared to work on the construction and both delaying its completion and laying a significant economic burden on the foreign priests.

The temple remained extremely controversial among Imperial priests. When Oran fell to the Grendel, however, the priests at the temple [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Sand|offered sanctuary]] to a number of Freeborn families in spite of Governor Rahab's unhappiness. Several of those families were ultimately smuggled to safety in Madruga. Despite this, however, it was clear that the Asaveans were happy to work with the new owners of Oran - there were rumours that they quickly recognised a Grendel as the [[Imperial Delegate to the Temple in Feroz|Delegate to the Temple in Feroz]]. This situation was further exacerbated by the Summer 383YE [[Through_my_sails#Ruined_Buildings|attack]] on the "sister temple" to the Black Bull, the temple of the Way in Nemoria.

When Oran was [[Glass_and_flame#The_Siege_of_Oran|liberated from the Grendel]] in 386YE Autumn, the priests surrendered ''en masse'' and [[Glass_and_flame#Game_Information_:_Asavean_Diplomacy|asked to be repatriated]] back to the Archipelago. As of the winter of 387YE, the temple still stands but without tenants.

'''OOC Notes:''' More details on the construction of the Temple of Balo and the Black Bull can be found in the winds of fortune, specifically [[Seven_lords_of_virtue#Temple_of_Bahlo_and_the_Black_Bull|Seven lords of virtue]], [[Those who worship#The Black Bull|Those who worship]], and [[Distant deeps]].

===The Spice Gardens of Feroz===
In western [[#Morajasse|Morajasse]] stand the legendary Spice Gardens of Feroz - a set of heavily-walled enclosures covering several acres where the finest spices in the Empire are grown. A rich source of trade for whoever controls the gardens, the [[Imperial title]] of [[Keeper of the Spice Gardens]] has changed hands between families only a handful of times in the last few centuries, and the bargaining leading up to a new appointment has regularly involved the whole nation.

The peace treaty of Autumn 383YE that ceded control of Morajasse to the Grendel saw the Spice Gardens fall into the hands of the orcs. The Grendel appreciate fine spices as much as any Freeborn so the evidence is that they did not harm the legendary Gardens - but for many Freeborn the idea of their beautiful spice gardens being operated by Grendel slaves was particularly heinous. With Governor Rahab dead and Feroz liberated, the Spice Gardens remain out of Imperial hands as part of the [[#Protectorate of Morjasse|Protectorate of Morajasse]].

{{Anchor|The Scorrero Nets}}
===Scorrero Nets (Ruined)===
The Scorrero Nets were a [[Bourse]] resource located in [[#Oranseri|Oranseri]], seized by the Grendel in Spring 383YE as part of their conquest of Feroz. Custodianship of the Nets was an [[Imperial Title]] that brought with it a Seat on the [[Bourse]]. In Winter 384YE, a [[Drums_beat_in_my_head#The_Scorrero_Nets|daring plan]] was proposed to "steal" the nets by establishing the [[Cerevado Nets]] upriver in [[Segura]]. As a consequence, this Bourse resource ceased to exist, much to the chagrin of the Grendel governor Rahab.

===The Broken Shore Bounty===
The [[Broken Shore Bounty]] was a Bourse resource that was technically located in the [[#Cazar Straits|Cazar Straits]] inasmuch as the holder of the [[Bourse]] seat has the use of a fortified villa in the hills near Cazar. The actual [[ilium]] that the seat provided was sourced throughout the Bay of Catazar; a portion of all ilium claimed from the nets of Freeborn, [[the League|League]], [[Highguard|Highborn]], and [[Urizen|Urizeni]] nets is claimed as part of the Bounty. It produced 7 rings of ilium each season and was allocated during the Spring Equinox.

When the Cazar Straits fell to the Grendel, they also seized the offices of the Broken Shore Bounty. Despite a [[Four_strong_winds#Broken_Shore_Bounty|proposal to move the offices]], the resource fell into disarray, the ilium ending up split between the Imperial Fleet Master and the Bourse Auction. With the ratification of the Grendel peace treaty, this title and resource effectively ceased to exist.

===Mora's Rock===
Built as part of the grand project to create [[fortification|fortifications]] across the southern Empire in response to the threat of the [[Grendel]], Mora's Rock in [[#Morajasse|Morajasse]] was completed in the months following the [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Bravado|invasion of 383YE]]. The fortification squats above the town of Mora, guarding against invasion from [[Segura]], and providing garrisons and scouts who can offer resistance to assaults from the sea.

When Morajasse was ceded to the Grendel in Autumn 383YE, they took control of the fortification and later expanded it significantly. The fortification resisted the [[Glass and flame|liberation]] of the territory, and as of the beginning of 387YE remains under the control of the Grendel. The garrison is led by ''[[Glass_and_flame#The_Shadow_of_Mora's_Rock|Commander Gallum Fiersach]]'', ably supported by his partner, the ''Wind Lord Saoirse''. The garrison there includes a warband of veteran [[Elite_Grendel_troops#The_Stone_Born|Stone Born]], and the remainder appear to be very experienced soldiers. These Grendel are enemies of the Empire, obviously, but that did not prevent them acting to [[A_circle_sewn_with_fate#The_Battle_of_Oran|protect Oran]] from the Children of Wrecks in early 387YE. There has been some talk of encouraging the Grendel to continue to protect the beleaguered Feroz from raiders. Whatever else is true about the orc garrison, they appear to be a very disciplined group of soldiers with little love for the servants of [[Siakha]].
==Lost and Ruined==

{{anchor|Shantarim}}
===Shantarim (ruined)===
In the southern islands of the [[#Cazar Straits|Cazar Straits]] the town of Shantarim was one a [[corsair]] stronghold. The families were are known to engage in fierce competition with their northern rivals, not only in Madruga but also in [[#Oranseri|Oranseri]] and even the other islands of the Straits. Smaller than the town of Cazar, Shantarim had a reputation for being somewhat less cosmopolitan than the other towns of Feroz - visitors from mainland families sometimes encounter prejudice and suspicion. The families of Shantarim more than made up for their relatively small size with the enthusiasm with which they opposed the orcs of the Broken Shore.

Prior to the [[Ratify treaty with the Grendel Autumn 383YE|peace treaty]] of 383YE, they were loud supporters of the [[Freeborn Storm]], and the various raids against the Grendel. The signing of the peace treaty with the southern orcs tied their hands, making it illegal to fight the Grendel, which became been a major source of dissension in Shantarim.

Towards the end of the ceasefire secured by the treaty, in 385YE, Shatarim was attacked and wrecked. Warships of the [[Asavean Archipelago]], allies of the Grendel occupation, engaged in a campaign of destruction across the Cazar Straits, and along with the Isle of the Osseini, Shantarim bore the brunt. Many corsairs who had endured the occupation of the Grendel were slain, and the town was looted and left in ruins. When the Children of Wrecks arrived, there was precious little left for the to wreck.
<div style="float:right; width: 450px; clear: right;"><box>'''Justicars'''<br>The priests who previously lived on the Isle of the Osseini called themselves ''justicars''. Specialist exorcists and inquisitors in the pre-Imperial history of the Brass Coast, they specialised in driving out malign spirits or cleansing unpleasant auras from people, places and objects. Never particularly populous, their sanctuary on the Isle of the Osseini was all but wiped out by the Grendel. A handful remained elsewhere, and during the Autumn Equinox 383YE the Freeborn assembly [[383YE_Autumn_Equinox_Synod_judgements#Judgement_22|called on them to come together to preserve their traditions]]. A small enclave of justicars was established on the Isle of Osseini at the sufferance of the Grendel. Unfortunately, when Asavean warships went on a rampage in 385YE, the first place they attacked was this enclave, putting the priests to the sword and burning the enclave. When the Children of Wrecks arrived, the Grendel magicians still left on the island fled back to the Broken Shore. As far as anyone knows today, the island is abandoned.</box></div>

{{Anchor|Isle of the Osseini}}
===Isle of the Osseini (Ruined)===
At the southern tip of the [[#Cazar Straits|Cazar Straits]], the island was known for its heavy sea fog, its ghosts, and for a small sect of Freeborn priests famed for their knowledge of the arts of [[exorcism]]. Stories claimed the Isle was haunted by those who had died at sea, but most Freeborn had no truck with such foolishness. In 383YE, however, it became clear these tales of ghosts were more than just idle gossip. During the Spring Equinox of that year, a [[Grendel]] shaman attempted to unleash a ghostly legion of drowned orcs bound in some fashion to white granite pillars on the island against the defenders of Feroz. Before they could do so they were [[383YE_Summer_Solstice_winds_of_war#The_World_is_Not_Enough|thwarted by Imperial heroes]] who reached the isle via the [[Sentinel Gate]]. Once the heroes retreated, the status of the island, the pillars, and the remaining priests was unknown.

Then in Autumn 383YE, as part of the negotiations that led to the peace treaty with the Grendel, a contract was negotiated with the orc diplomat regarding the Isle of the Osseini. In the wake of that agreement, a small group of priests were allowed to visit the Isle with a Grendel escort. There they discovered the remaining priests were dead, the ghost-binding pillars had been destroyed, and the island was in the hands of a coven of Grendel magicians. The orcs had already constructed a permanent residence there built around a particular Winter regio, and were less than welcoming to the Freeborn. Further negotiations followed; in the end the Freeborn were allowed to establish a small enclave here, under the careful watch of the Grendel.

The return of the justicars was short-lived. In 385YE, a fleet of warships from the Asavean Archipelago went on a murderous rampage in the southern Cazar Straits. Allies of the Grendel, they slaughtered the priests and burned the enclave before sailing north to Shantarim. When the Children of Wrecks arrived, the remaining Grendel magicians fled back to the Broken Shore. By the close of 387YE, the island appears to be abandoned, although it remains to be seen what the Iron COnfederacy plan to do with it.

'''OOC Note:''' You can learn more about the historic Isle of the Osseini in the [[Bones in the ocean]] wind of fortune.

==Regions==
===Afarjasse===
'''Qualities:''' [[Region_qualities#Abandoned|Abandoned]], [[Region_qualities#Underpopulated|Underpopulated]]<br>
In the middle of nowhere, on the plains of Afarjasse, is the quiet settlement of '''Afar'''. It was established by [[hakima]] with close ties to the [[Guerra]] tribe near a potent [[regio]] tied to the realm of Night. It is a faraway place dedicated to the practice of [[rituals|ritual magics]] that support the Freeborn. It is not hard to reach, but it stands alone in a sea of sprawling grasslands and does not encourage casual visitors. On nights when powerful magics are performed, Afar is visible for miles around - great bonfires are built and massive drums used to build powerful rhythms to help raise (or draw down, or both) the passionate energy for powerful workings.

As with the rest of Feroz, Afarjasse spent two years in the hands of the Grendel. The governor, Lord Rahab, made it clear that the hakima here would not be permitted access to their potent regio - they were after all an important strategic resource. The region has been liberated now, but is in the same dire straits as the rest of the territory.

===Cazar Straits===
'''Qualities:''' Abandoned, Coastal, Impoverished, Island, Underpopulated<br>
For most of the Brass Coast's history, the islands of the Cazar Straits were dominated by [[corsair]] families. The largest settlement remains the port town from which the islands take their name - high-cliffed '''Cazar''' - but in recent years it has changed hands several times and is a shadow of its former self. Built around a bustling dock, it served as a safe harbour and home port for many of the [[fleet|fleets]] that protected the Bay from barbarian ships. The holder of the [[Broken Shore Bounty]] used to have the use of a fortified villa in the hills near Cazar, and the civil service offices that oversaw the resource were based here. Both were lost to the Grendel, then to the [[Children of Wrecks]], and in the last months of 387YE, to the [[Iron Confederacy]].

Even before the Children of Wrecks arrived, several of the more southerly islands of the Straits had a reputation for peculiarity. The corsairs of [[#Shantarim|Shantarim]] for example were renowned both for their enthusiastic rivalry with all other corsair families, and the zeal with which they waged war on the Grendel. The [[#Isle of the Osseini|Isle of the Osseini]] is also found here, once home to a sect of strange priests, allegedly haunted by the ghosts of drowned pirates, then the site of an uneasy truce between orc magicians and Freeborn priests. Towards the end of the peace treaty with the Grendel, however, a fleet of warships from the [[Asavean Archipelago]] slaughtered the justicars of Osseini and ruined the town of Shantarim. When the Children of Wrecks claimed the region, there was precious little left for them to destroy.

Today, the waters around the Cazar Straits remain treacherous. In part this is due to the presence of dozens of immature kraken hatched in the waters by the Children of Wrecks.

===Fontargenta===
'''Qualities:''' Abandoned, Coastal, Impoverished<br>
The trading port of '''Bramar''' stands on the coast here. Surrounded by rich agricultural land, its bountiful cornfields once competed with [[the Marches|Marcher]] grain in markets across the southern nations of the Empire, and their vineyards were justly famous. Before the Grendel invasion it served as an important hub for the Imperial wine trade, with many excellent vintages passing through its docks - both from the Brass Coast to the rest of the world, and from the rest of the world to the Brass Coast (and thus the Empire). Lord Rahab has left the region devastated, and it remains to be seen if the farms here will ever recover.

===Morajasse===
'''Qualities:''' Abandoned, Impoverished, Underpopulated<br>
The largest town in prosperous Morajasse is '''Mora'''. Once simply a spice market, the barbarian invasion of [[Segura]] saw a burst of rapid militarisation of this peaceful settlement. Refugees are common here: some supported by their families, others looking to work in the market. With the liberation of the western territory, a strange reversal took place - the pool of desperate labourers has largely dried up with refugees returning to their homes.

Immediately following the [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Bravado|invasion of Feroz]] in 383YE, work was completed on a [[fortification]] at the town of Mora, [[#Mora's Rock|Mora's Rock]]. The fortification served the defenders well, but with the ratification of the peace treaty it was taken over, and expanded, by Grendel troops. It now serves as the base of operations of ''Wind Lord Saoirse'' and her partner ''Commander Fiersach'', as well as a sizable force of Grendel veterans.

Western Morajasse is the site of the great [[#The Spice Gardens of Feroz|Spice Gardens]]. The [[Vizier of the Incarnadine Satchel]] was often quite active in Feroz, occasionally dealing with agents of the Spice Gardens or traders from the Jewelled Isles. Following the Grendel treaty, the offices that supported the Vizier with easy access to reasonably priced herbs has dried up - while they are still notionally the owner of the miraculous satchel that gives them their name, their ability to support the nations' apothecaries and physicks has been greatly reduced.
{{CaptionedImage|file=Oran_by_the_Sea.jpg|caption=The Celesti Lighthouse sits high on the headland overlooking Oran.|align=right|width=400}}

===Oranseri===
'''Qualities:''' Abandoned, Coastal, Impoverished<br>
Across the bay from billowing [[Madruga#Siroc|Siroc]] stands the thriving port town of [[#Oran|Oran]]. In recent years, the port has grown in prominence and prosperity; it served as the seat of power for the Grendel governor Lord Rahab during the Grendel occupation of the territory. Just outside Oran lies the great [[Celesti_Lighthouse_Keeper#The_Celesti_Lighthouse|Celesti Lighthouse]], originally constructed during the reign of [[Emperor Barabbas]] and recently repaired and restored to full functionality. It, too, was in the hands of the Grendel for several years but has now been restored.

West of Oran is the ''Scorrero Crossing''. The river Scorrero is wide and deep between Feroz and Madruga. During the Summer Solstice 383YE, the Grendel invaders attempted to take advantage of this by taking control of both bridges that connect the two Freeborn territories. Had they been successful, it would have been significantly harder for Imperial forces to move between Siroc and Oranseri. Their attempts were stymied, and ultimately became moot once the Scorrero [[Where_the_river_rises#Crossing|burst its banks]] and carried away all the existing bridges.

'''Joharra''' is a port south of Oran, considered much more stable than its northern cousin, and better known for its industry than its trade. Famous throughout the Empire for its cloth and dye-work, Joharra is called '' the Rainbow'' by coastal sailors who mark their progress round the coast with the first sight of the great billowing cloths hung out to dry on tall wooden frames along the low cliffs. As with the other settlements of Oran, the weavers and dyers here now labour under the yoke of the Grendel orcs.

==Strategic Considerations==
* '''The damage to the bridges along the Scorrero prevents movement between Feroz and Madruga'''
The damage to almost all the bridges along the Scorrero means that it is effectively impossible for an [[Army|army]] to move between Feroz and [[Madruga]] (or vice versa). More information can be found in the '''[[Where_the_river_rises#Crossing|Where the river rises]]''' wind of fortune.
<div style="float:left; width: 450px; clear: right;">{{CaptionedImage|file=Garviel i Abrira i Erigo.jpg|caption='''Garviel i Abrira i Erigo''', Senator for Feroz|align=left|width=500}}</div>
{{Senate Elections|Senator_for_Feroz|Territory=Feroz|Season=Summer|Controlled=is}}

==OOC Notes==
* As of the start of the Winter Solstice 387YE, the Iron Confederacy control the Cazar Straits, the Grendel control Morajasse, and the Brass Coast controls Afarjasse, Fontargenta, and Oranseri. Feroz is an Imperial territory
* [[#Mora's Rock|Mora's Rock]] is a rank two fortification controlled by the Grendel.
* The status of various titles and resources located in Feroz is outlined in more detail in [[To_curb_those_raging_appetites#Lost_Opportunities|To curb those raging appetites]], a Winter 383YE wind of fortune.

==Further Reading==
* [[Red skies]] - 387YE Winter wind of war about the Iron Confederacy invasion of the Cazar Straits
* [[A circle sewn with fate]] - 387YE Spring wind of war detailing the Wrecker attack on Oran
* [[Send for me]] - 386YE Winter wind of fortune about the rebuilding of Feroz
* [[Glass and flame]] - 386YE Autumn wind of war about the liberation of Feroz
* [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Spindrift|Winds of War 383YE Spring]] - Detailing the Grendel invasion
* [[383YE_Summer_Solstice_winds_of_war#The_World_is_Not_Enough|Winds of War 383YE Summer]]
* [[383YE_Autumn_Equinox_winds_of_war#Bronze|Winds of War 383YE Autumn]]
* [[Ratify_treaty_with_the_Grendel_Autumn_383YE#Treaty|Treaty]] - the Autumn 383YE treaty with the Grendel
* [[To curb those raging appetites]] - a Winter 383YE wind of fortune that details the situation for Freeborn in Feroz
* [[Everything has a price]] - a Winter 383YE wind of fortune that details the general situation with the Grendel, and has several notes about their presence in Feroz
* [[Bones in the ocean]] - a Winter 383YE wind of fortune that specifically deals with the [[#Isle of the Osseini|Isle of the Osseini]] and the justicars

Feroz

2026-05-13T10:40:33Z

Rafferty: /* The Spice Gardens of Feroz */

{{CaptionedImage|file=RegionsofFeroz.png|title=Southernmost of the Freeborn territories, lush but threatened by barbarians over land and sea|caption=Regions of Feroz|align=left|width=500}}[[Category:Gazetteer]][[Category:Grendel]][[Category:Imperial Territory]][[category:The Brass Coast]]
{{stub}}
== Overview ==
Feroz is the southernmost territory of the Brass Coast, and like [[Madruga]] to the north has both isles and coastline. Here the climate is warm and humid, perfect for the cultivation of different plants. This is the home of the fabulous spice gardens of Feroz, a source of great revenue for the people of this territory. The seas are more treacherous here, and the south and the west are constantly threatened by barbarians by land. As a result, many armed merchants patrolled the seas, and groups of young warriors journeyed along the borders, fighting skirmishes against jealous foes.

There is a traditional rivalry between the families of Feroz and those of Madruga. The northern territory was the first settled when the Freeborn [[The_Brass_Coast_history#The_Conquest_of_the_Coast|left Highguard]], and there is a popular stereotype that the people who live there are "stuck up". This stereotype is more humorous than hateful - the Freeborn move around too much to allow such prejudice to root itself too firmly in their psyche. Still, if a citizen of Feroz wants to insult a citizen of Madruga, they will fall back on accusations of arrogance and an over-reliance on tradition.

Some of the finest [[Surgical skills#Apothecary|apothecaries]] on the Brass Coast once lived in Feroz - the art of [[potion]] making has been studied here for centuries and even after two years of occupation by the Grendel it is still home to a great many [[herb garden|herb gardens]]. The mainland is a criss-cross patchwork of [[farm|farms]] and small settlements. At the height of its prosperity, a great deal of the food and drink consumed on the BRass Coast was produced here and exported to other Freeborn territories.

Unfortunately, in recent years the territory has been hit by disaster after disaster. Repeated raids by the Grendel eventually gave way to a concerted invasion, and while it was pushed back, the barbarian of the Broken Shore did not abandon their ambition to conquer Feroz. In 383YE, a [[Ratify treaty with the Grendel Autumn 383YE|peace treaty]] ceded the territory to the invaders, and saw the vicious, greedy, and tyrannical ''Governor Rahab'' establish his dominion over Feroz. The Freeborn organised a [[The power behind our moves|grand evacuation]] that saw much of the population escape Rahab's hungry grasp and resettle elsewhere in the Coast, but the move came at a price. When the treaty ended, and the Grendel were (mostly) driven out, Feroz was left abandoned, wrecked, and heavily underpopulated, it's former residents preferring to stay with the new lives they had built elsewhere rather than return. Worse, the [[#Cazar Straits|Cazar Straits]] were taken by the [[Children of Wrecks]], transformed into a stronghold for the servants of the eternal [[Siakha]]. They in turn were supplanted towards the end of 387YE by the [[Iron Confederacy]], who drove out the Wreckers and claimed the island for themselves.

On the mainland, the situation is a little better, but what was once one of the richest Freeborn territories still struggles with the weight of two years of exploitation by a money-hungry tyrant, and what many see as its abandonment by the Empire.

==Recent History==
Being on the [[Bay of Catazar]], Feroz has always been under threat from the [[Grendel]] [[orc|orcs]]. In Spring 383YE, the orcs [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Spindrift|launched a naval invasion]], capturing [[#Oranseri|Oranseri]] and the [[#Cazar Straits|Cazar Straits]] in short order and making significant inroads into [[#Fontargenta|Fontargenta]]. The Grendel installed a grizzled old orc named ''Lord Rahab'' as overseer of the conquered land; he took up residence in the offices of the [[Scorrero Nets]] and quickly set about attempting to bring the rest of Feroz under his control. Part of their plan appeared to involve the ghosts of the [[#Isle of the Osseini|Isle of the Osseini]], but the scheme was countered by Imperial heroes travelling through the [[Sentinel Gate]] to exorcise the spirits and defeat the Grendel seeking to make use of them.

Undaunted by the loss of their supernatural weapon, the orcs kept up their assault. By Summer 383YE, they [[383YE_Summer_Solstice_winds_of_war#The_World_is_Not_Enough|sought to consolidate their gains in Fontargenta]]; they were opposed by [[Navarr]] and [[the Marches|Marcher]] [[Army|armies]], who held the Grendel at the town of [[#Fontargenta|Bramar]] for two days before being forced to retreat. They were able to slow the Grendel advance, however, leaving the orcs bogged down in Fontargenta and unable to press inland.

Following the engagement in Fontargenta, and battling under a powerful supernatural storm, the Grendel [[383YE_Autumn_Equinox_winds_of_war#Bronze|brought even more force]] to bear in the territory. While the Imperial armies were reinforced by [[Highguard|Highborn]] troops, the orc navies disgorged a great host of their own warriors. The fighting was bitter, but in the end Fontargenta fell - and as Fontargenta falls, so falls Feroz. While [[#Morajasse|Morajasse]] and [[#Afarjasse|Afarjasse]] remained free, the Grendel forces continued to mass along the coast.

During the Autumn Equinox 383, the [[Senate]] [[Ratify_treaty_with_the_Grendel_Autumn_383YE#Treaty|ratified a peace treaty]] with the Grendel. Presented by the [[Imperial Fleet Master]], among other things it [[Powers_of_the_Imperial_Senate#Concedence|ceded]] the two remaining regions of Feroz to the Grendel, albeit with provisions allowing Imperial citizens still in Morajasse and Afarjasse to withdraw to safety. Following the Equinox, Lord Rahab's forces spread out quickly to bring the two western regions under his control; Feroz was now [[To_curb_those_raging_appetites|completely under Grendel control]].

Just before the Autumn Equinox 386YE, the Imperial forces reconquered [[Glass_and_flame| reconquered Feroz]]. Possession of the territory is complicated by [[Children_of_Wrecks|Children of Wrecks]] as well as the remnants of the Grendel. Feroz has been run into the ground by Lord Rahab, eager to extract every drop of profit from the place, and it requires significant investment to return the territory to even a fraction of its former wealth.

In 386YE, the [[Senate]] commissioned an [[appraisal]] of Feroz that laid out many of the challenges presented by the newly reclaimed territory, and some potential solutions. Details are contained in the '''[[Send_for_me#State_of_Feroz|Send for me]]''' wind of fortune.

== Major Features ==
===Oran===
The largest and most prestigious port was Feroz is Oran, on the northern coast of [[#Oranseri|Oranseri]]. Across the bay from billowing [[Madruga#Siroc_(Ruined)|Siroc]] this thriving port specialised in high-value products such as fine wines and spice mixes. Unsurprisingly, given its position, for most of its history it has engaged in low-key economic warfare with its larger cousin to the north - Oran notably has cheaper dock fees than Siroc, and a number of entrepreneurs prefer to operate here as a consequence. It is especially welcoming to those merchants who are just starting out, and has a reputation for being more energetic than its competitors to the north and south. This energy has been significantly boosted by construction of the only open [[#The Temple of Balo and the Black Bull|Asavean Temple]] in the entire Empire; the surge of [[Asavean Archipelago|Asavean]] ships visiting Oran saw the town expand significantly to become the largest trading port in Feroz.

In Spring 383YE, however, Oran was [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Spindrift|conquered by the Grendel]]. An orc governor, Lord Rahab, chose the town as the site for his court, converting the offices of the [[Scorrero Nets]] to his personal use. Among other things, this invasion saw the collapse of the [[Broken Shore Bounty]], the Scorrero Nets falling into orc hands, and the Temple of Balo and the Black Bull sealing its doors against the orcs while offering sanctuary to Freeborn families. Following the treaty signed during the Autumn Equinox, the Grendel opened Oran as a port [[Everything_has_a_price#A_New_Destination|available to Imperial captains]]. This situation persisted until the peace treaty ended, and war with the Grendel resumed.

After the Summer Solstice 386YE, Imperial forces swept into Oranseri to liberate the territory from the Grendel. They [[Glass_and_flame#The_Siege_of_Oran|laid siege]] to Oran, and were quickly victorious. The [[Below_the_thunders#Objective:_Eliminate_Governor_Rahab|recent death of Governor Rahab]] in battle with the Empire's heroes left the garrison demoralised and disorganised. It was a grievous victory, however. The fighting that raged through the town, the overwhelming assault, the barrage of catapult stones, all contributed to the fact that many of the buildings have been left in ruins, and many more damaged. A fire at the docks threatened to spread through the town and only the valiant actions of League soldiers managed bring it under control. Barely a year later the town again came under serious attack, this time by the Children of Wrecks. Without the [[A_circle_sewn_with_fate#The_Battle_of_Oran|prompt action]] of the [[orc|orcs]] from the [[#Protectorate of Morajasse|Protectorate of Morajasse]], Oran again might have been destroyed. As it is, the town remains intact but in a sadly impoverished stae.

Proposals have been put forward to [[Send_for_me#Wharfage_of_Oran|rebuild Oran]], but it remains to be seen what the future holds for the port town.

{{Anchor|The Temple of Balo and the Black Bull}}
===Temple of Balo and the Black Bull===
During the Spring Equinox 380YE, permission was granted to the people of the [[Asavean Archipelago]] to construct a major temple to their gods in [[#Oranseri|Oran]]. Initially, construction was expected to be completed shortly before the Autumn Equinox 380YE, but the temple did not actually open its doors until shortly before the Spring Equinox 381YE. The town is seeing an influx of Asavean shipping bringing white granite and architects to the Brass Coast, as well as throwing crowns around like water to secure local labour to complete their project. Relations between the people of the Empire and the priests of Asavea are monitored by ''[[El oficial de enlace imperial con los sacerdotes de Balo y el toro negro]]'' ("The Imperial intermediary to the priests of Balo and the Black Bull"), who among other things is able to [[ministry|buy Asavean goods]] at a reduced price. During the Summer Solstice 380YE, the Assembly of Nine supported Abaddon de Rondell in [[Temple_of_the_bull#Resolution|denouncing]] the temple as an idolatrous affront, making it significantly harder for the Asaveans to find labourers prepared to work on the construction and both delaying its completion and laying a significant economic burden on the foreign priests.

The temple remained extremely controversial among Imperial priests. When Oran fell to the Grendel, however, the priests at the temple [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Sand|offered sanctuary]] to a number of Freeborn families in spite of Governor Rahab's unhappiness. Several of those families were ultimately smuggled to safety in Madruga. Despite this, however, it was clear that the Asaveans were happy to work with the new owners of Oran - there were rumours that they quickly recognised a Grendel as the [[Imperial Delegate to the Temple in Feroz|Delegate to the Temple in Feroz]]. This situation was further exacerbated by the Summer 383YE [[Through_my_sails#Ruined_Buildings|attack]] on the "sister temple" to the Black Bull, the temple of the Way in Nemoria.

When Oran was [[Glass_and_flame#The_Siege_of_Oran|liberated from the Grendel]] in 386YE Autumn, the priests surrendered ''en masse'' and [[Glass_and_flame#Game_Information_:_Asavean_Diplomacy|asked to be repatriated]] back to the Archipelago. As of the winter of 387YE, the temple still stands but without tenants.

'''OOC Notes:''' More details on the construction of the Temple of Balo and the Black Bull can be found in the winds of fortune, specifically [[Seven_lords_of_virtue#Temple_of_Bahlo_and_the_Black_Bull|Seven lords of virtue]], [[Those who worship#The Black Bull|Those who worship]], and [[Distant deeps]].

===The Spice Gardens of Feroz===
In western [[#Morajasse|Morajasse]] stand the legendary Spice Gardens of Feroz - a set of heavily-walled enclosures covering several acres where the finest spices in the Empire are grown. A rich source of trade for whoever controls the gardens, the [[Imperial title]] of [[Keeper of the Spice Gardens]] has changed hands between families only a handful of times in the last few centuries, and the bargaining leading up to a new appointment has regularly involved the whole nation.

The peace treaty of Autumn 383YE that ceded control of Morajasse to the Grendel saw the Spice Gardens fall into the hands of the orcs. The Grendel appreciate fine spices as much as any Freeborn so the evidence is that they did not harm the legendary Gardens - but for many Freeborn the idea of their beautiful spice gardens being operated by Grendel slaves was particularly heinous. With Governor Rahab dead and Feroz liberated, the Spice Gardens remain out of Imperial hands as part of the [[#Protectorate of Morjasse|Protectorate of Morajasse]].

===The [[Scorrero Nets]]===
The Scorrero Nets were a Bourse resource located in [[#Oranseri|Oranseri]], seized by the Grendel in Spring 383YE as part of their conquest of Feroz. Custodianship of the Nets was an [[Imperial Title]] that brought with it a Seat on the [[Bourse]]. In Winter 384YE, a [[Drums_beat_in_my_head#The_Scorrero_Nets|daring plan]] was proposed to "steal" the nets by establishing the [[Cerevado Nets]] upriver in [[Segura]]. As a consequence, this Bourse resource ceased to exist, much to the chagrin of the Grendel governor Rahab.

===The Broken Shore Bounty===
The [[Broken Shore Bounty]] was a Bourse resource that was technically located in the [[#Cazar Straits|Cazar Straits]] inasmuch as the holder of the [[Bourse]] seat has the use of a fortified villa in the hills near Cazar. The actual [[ilium]] that the seat provided was sourced throughout the Bay of Catazar; a portion of all ilium claimed from the nets of Freeborn, [[the League|League]], [[Highguard|Highborn]], and [[Urizen|Urizeni]] nets is claimed as part of the Bounty. It produced 7 rings of ilium each season and was allocated during the Spring Equinox.

When the Cazar Straits fell to the Grendel, they also seized the offices of the Broken Shore Bounty. Despite a [[Four_strong_winds#Broken_Shore_Bounty|proposal to move the offices]], the resource fell into disarray, the ilium ending up split between the Imperial Fleet Master and the Bourse Auction. With the ratification of the Grendel peace treaty, this title and resource effectively ceased to exist.

===Mora's Rock===
Built as part of the grand project to create [[fortification|fortifications]] across the southern Empire in response to the threat of the [[Grendel]], Mora's Rock in [[#Morajasse|Morajasse]] was completed in the months following the [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Bravado|invasion of 383YE]]. The fortification squats above the town of Mora, guarding against invasion from [[Segura]], and providing garrisons and scouts who can offer resistance to assaults from the sea.

When Morajasse was ceded to the Grendel in Autumn 383YE, they took control of the fortification and later expanded it significantly. The fortification resisted the [[Glass and flame|liberation]] of the territory, and as of the beginning of 387YE remains under the control of the Grendel. The garrison is led by ''[[Glass_and_flame#The_Shadow_of_Mora's_Rock|Commander Gallum Fiersach]]'', ably supported by his partner, the ''Wind Lord Saoirse''. The garrison there includes a warband of veteran [[Elite_Grendel_troops#The_Stone_Born|Stone Born]], and the remainder appear to be very experienced soldiers. These Grendel are enemies of the Empire, obviously, but that did not prevent them acting to [[A_circle_sewn_with_fate#The_Battle_of_Oran|protect Oran]] from the Children of Wrecks in early 387YE. There has been some talk of encouraging the Grendel to continue to protect the beleaguered Feroz from raiders. Whatever else is true about the orc garrison, they appear to be a very disciplined group of soldiers with little love for the servants of [[Siakha]].
==Lost and Ruined==

{{anchor|Shantarim}}
===Shantarim (ruined)===
In the southern islands of the [[#Cazar Straits|Cazar Straits]] the town of Shantarim was one a [[corsair]] stronghold. The families were are known to engage in fierce competition with their northern rivals, not only in Madruga but also in [[#Oranseri|Oranseri]] and even the other islands of the Straits. Smaller than the town of Cazar, Shantarim had a reputation for being somewhat less cosmopolitan than the other towns of Feroz - visitors from mainland families sometimes encounter prejudice and suspicion. The families of Shantarim more than made up for their relatively small size with the enthusiasm with which they opposed the orcs of the Broken Shore.

Prior to the [[Ratify treaty with the Grendel Autumn 383YE|peace treaty]] of 383YE, they were loud supporters of the [[Freeborn Storm]], and the various raids against the Grendel. The signing of the peace treaty with the southern orcs tied their hands, making it illegal to fight the Grendel, which became been a major source of dissension in Shantarim.

Towards the end of the ceasefire secured by the treaty, in 385YE, Shatarim was attacked and wrecked. Warships of the [[Asavean Archipelago]], allies of the Grendel occupation, engaged in a campaign of destruction across the Cazar Straits, and along with the Isle of the Osseini, Shantarim bore the brunt. Many corsairs who had endured the occupation of the Grendel were slain, and the town was looted and left in ruins. When the Children of Wrecks arrived, there was precious little left for the to wreck.
<div style="float:right; width: 450px; clear: right;"><box>'''Justicars'''<br>The priests who previously lived on the Isle of the Osseini called themselves ''justicars''. Specialist exorcists and inquisitors in the pre-Imperial history of the Brass Coast, they specialised in driving out malign spirits or cleansing unpleasant auras from people, places and objects. Never particularly populous, their sanctuary on the Isle of the Osseini was all but wiped out by the Grendel. A handful remained elsewhere, and during the Autumn Equinox 383YE the Freeborn assembly [[383YE_Autumn_Equinox_Synod_judgements#Judgement_22|called on them to come together to preserve their traditions]]. A small enclave of justicars was established on the Isle of Osseini at the sufferance of the Grendel. Unfortunately, when Asavean warships went on a rampage in 385YE, the first place they attacked was this enclave, putting the priests to the sword and burning the enclave. When the Children of Wrecks arrived, the Grendel magicians still left on the island fled back to the Broken Shore. As far as anyone knows today, the island is abandoned.</box></div>

{{Anchor|Isle of the Osseini}}
===Isle of the Osseini (Ruined)===
At the southern tip of the [[#Cazar Straits|Cazar Straits]], the island was known for its heavy sea fog, its ghosts, and for a small sect of Freeborn priests famed for their knowledge of the arts of [[exorcism]]. Stories claimed the Isle was haunted by those who had died at sea, but most Freeborn had no truck with such foolishness. In 383YE, however, it became clear these tales of ghosts were more than just idle gossip. During the Spring Equinox of that year, a [[Grendel]] shaman attempted to unleash a ghostly legion of drowned orcs bound in some fashion to white granite pillars on the island against the defenders of Feroz. Before they could do so they were [[383YE_Summer_Solstice_winds_of_war#The_World_is_Not_Enough|thwarted by Imperial heroes]] who reached the isle via the [[Sentinel Gate]]. Once the heroes retreated, the status of the island, the pillars, and the remaining priests was unknown.

Then in Autumn 383YE, as part of the negotiations that led to the peace treaty with the Grendel, a contract was negotiated with the orc diplomat regarding the Isle of the Osseini. In the wake of that agreement, a small group of priests were allowed to visit the Isle with a Grendel escort. There they discovered the remaining priests were dead, the ghost-binding pillars had been destroyed, and the island was in the hands of a coven of Grendel magicians. The orcs had already constructed a permanent residence there built around a particular Winter regio, and were less than welcoming to the Freeborn. Further negotiations followed; in the end the Freeborn were allowed to establish a small enclave here, under the careful watch of the Grendel.

The return of the justicars was short-lived. In 385YE, a fleet of warships from the Asavean Archipelago went on a murderous rampage in the southern Cazar Straits. Allies of the Grendel, they slaughtered the priests and burned the enclave before sailing north to Shantarim. When the Children of Wrecks arrived, the remaining Grendel magicians fled back to the Broken Shore. By the close of 387YE, the island appears to be abandoned, although it remains to be seen what the Iron COnfederacy plan to do with it.

'''OOC Note:''' You can learn more about the historic Isle of the Osseini in the [[Bones in the ocean]] wind of fortune.

==Regions==
===Afarjasse===
'''Qualities:''' [[Region_qualities#Abandoned|Abandoned]], [[Region_qualities#Underpopulated|Underpopulated]]<br>
In the middle of nowhere, on the plains of Afarjasse, is the quiet settlement of '''Afar'''. It was established by [[hakima]] with close ties to the [[Guerra]] tribe near a potent [[regio]] tied to the realm of Night. It is a faraway place dedicated to the practice of [[rituals|ritual magics]] that support the Freeborn. It is not hard to reach, but it stands alone in a sea of sprawling grasslands and does not encourage casual visitors. On nights when powerful magics are performed, Afar is visible for miles around - great bonfires are built and massive drums used to build powerful rhythms to help raise (or draw down, or both) the passionate energy for powerful workings.

As with the rest of Feroz, Afarjasse spent two years in the hands of the Grendel. The governor, Lord Rahab, made it clear that the hakima here would not be permitted access to their potent regio - they were after all an important strategic resource. The region has been liberated now, but is in the same dire straits as the rest of the territory.

===Cazar Straits===
'''Qualities:''' Abandoned, Coastal, Impoverished, Island, Underpopulated<br>
For most of the Brass Coast's history, the islands of the Cazar Straits were dominated by [[corsair]] families. The largest settlement remains the port town from which the islands take their name - high-cliffed '''Cazar''' - but in recent years it has changed hands several times and is a shadow of its former self. Built around a bustling dock, it served as a safe harbour and home port for many of the [[fleet|fleets]] that protected the Bay from barbarian ships. The holder of the [[Broken Shore Bounty]] used to have the use of a fortified villa in the hills near Cazar, and the civil service offices that oversaw the resource were based here. Both were lost to the Grendel, then to the [[Children of Wrecks]], and in the last months of 387YE, to the [[Iron Confederacy]].

Even before the Children of Wrecks arrived, several of the more southerly islands of the Straits had a reputation for peculiarity. The corsairs of [[#Shantarim|Shantarim]] for example were renowned both for their enthusiastic rivalry with all other corsair families, and the zeal with which they waged war on the Grendel. The [[#Isle of the Osseini|Isle of the Osseini]] is also found here, once home to a sect of strange priests, allegedly haunted by the ghosts of drowned pirates, then the site of an uneasy truce between orc magicians and Freeborn priests. Towards the end of the peace treaty with the Grendel, however, a fleet of warships from the [[Asavean Archipelago]] slaughtered the justicars of Osseini and ruined the town of Shantarim. When the Children of Wrecks claimed the region, there was precious little left for them to destroy.

Today, the waters around the Cazar Straits remain treacherous. In part this is due to the presence of dozens of immature kraken hatched in the waters by the Children of Wrecks.

===Fontargenta===
'''Qualities:''' Abandoned, Coastal, Impoverished<br>
The trading port of '''Bramar''' stands on the coast here. Surrounded by rich agricultural land, its bountiful cornfields once competed with [[the Marches|Marcher]] grain in markets across the southern nations of the Empire, and their vineyards were justly famous. Before the Grendel invasion it served as an important hub for the Imperial wine trade, with many excellent vintages passing through its docks - both from the Brass Coast to the rest of the world, and from the rest of the world to the Brass Coast (and thus the Empire). Lord Rahab has left the region devastated, and it remains to be seen if the farms here will ever recover.

===Morajasse===
'''Qualities:''' Abandoned, Impoverished, Underpopulated<br>
The largest town in prosperous Morajasse is '''Mora'''. Once simply a spice market, the barbarian invasion of [[Segura]] saw a burst of rapid militarisation of this peaceful settlement. Refugees are common here: some supported by their families, others looking to work in the market. With the liberation of the western territory, a strange reversal took place - the pool of desperate labourers has largely dried up with refugees returning to their homes.

Immediately following the [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Bravado|invasion of Feroz]] in 383YE, work was completed on a [[fortification]] at the town of Mora, [[#Mora's Rock|Mora's Rock]]. The fortification served the defenders well, but with the ratification of the peace treaty it was taken over, and expanded, by Grendel troops. It now serves as the base of operations of ''Wind Lord Saoirse'' and her partner ''Commander Fiersach'', as well as a sizable force of Grendel veterans.

Western Morajasse is the site of the great [[#The Spice Gardens of Feroz|Spice Gardens]]. The [[Vizier of the Incarnadine Satchel]] was often quite active in Feroz, occasionally dealing with agents of the Spice Gardens or traders from the Jewelled Isles. Following the Grendel treaty, the offices that supported the Vizier with easy access to reasonably priced herbs has dried up - while they are still notionally the owner of the miraculous satchel that gives them their name, their ability to support the nations' apothecaries and physicks has been greatly reduced.
{{CaptionedImage|file=Oran_by_the_Sea.jpg|caption=The Celesti Lighthouse sits high on the headland overlooking Oran.|align=right|width=400}}

===Oranseri===
'''Qualities:''' Abandoned, Coastal, Impoverished<br>
Across the bay from billowing [[Madruga#Siroc|Siroc]] stands the thriving port town of [[#Oran|Oran]]. In recent years, the port has grown in prominence and prosperity; it served as the seat of power for the Grendel governor Lord Rahab during the Grendel occupation of the territory. Just outside Oran lies the great [[Celesti_Lighthouse_Keeper#The_Celesti_Lighthouse|Celesti Lighthouse]], originally constructed during the reign of [[Emperor Barabbas]] and recently repaired and restored to full functionality. It, too, was in the hands of the Grendel for several years but has now been restored.

West of Oran is the ''Scorrero Crossing''. The river Scorrero is wide and deep between Feroz and Madruga. During the Summer Solstice 383YE, the Grendel invaders attempted to take advantage of this by taking control of both bridges that connect the two Freeborn territories. Had they been successful, it would have been significantly harder for Imperial forces to move between Siroc and Oranseri. Their attempts were stymied, and ultimately became moot once the Scorrero [[Where_the_river_rises#Crossing|burst its banks]] and carried away all the existing bridges.

'''Joharra''' is a port south of Oran, considered much more stable than its northern cousin, and better known for its industry than its trade. Famous throughout the Empire for its cloth and dye-work, Joharra is called '' the Rainbow'' by coastal sailors who mark their progress round the coast with the first sight of the great billowing cloths hung out to dry on tall wooden frames along the low cliffs. As with the other settlements of Oran, the weavers and dyers here now labour under the yoke of the Grendel orcs.

==Strategic Considerations==
* '''The damage to the bridges along the Scorrero prevents movement between Feroz and Madruga'''
The damage to almost all the bridges along the Scorrero means that it is effectively impossible for an [[Army|army]] to move between Feroz and [[Madruga]] (or vice versa). More information can be found in the '''[[Where_the_river_rises#Crossing|Where the river rises]]''' wind of fortune.
<div style="float:left; width: 450px; clear: right;">{{CaptionedImage|file=Garviel i Abrira i Erigo.jpg|caption='''Garviel i Abrira i Erigo''', Senator for Feroz|align=left|width=500}}</div>
{{Senate Elections|Senator_for_Feroz|Territory=Feroz|Season=Summer|Controlled=is}}

==OOC Notes==
* As of the start of the Winter Solstice 387YE, the Iron Confederacy control the Cazar Straits, the Grendel control Morajasse, and the Brass Coast controls Afarjasse, Fontargenta, and Oranseri. Feroz is an Imperial territory
* [[#Mora's Rock|Mora's Rock]] is a rank two fortification controlled by the Grendel.
* The status of various titles and resources located in Feroz is outlined in more detail in [[To_curb_those_raging_appetites#Lost_Opportunities|To curb those raging appetites]], a Winter 383YE wind of fortune.

==Further Reading==
* [[Red skies]] - 387YE Winter wind of war about the Iron Confederacy invasion of the Cazar Straits
* [[A circle sewn with fate]] - 387YE Spring wind of war detailing the Wrecker attack on Oran
* [[Send for me]] - 386YE Winter wind of fortune about the rebuilding of Feroz
* [[Glass and flame]] - 386YE Autumn wind of war about the liberation of Feroz
* [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Spindrift|Winds of War 383YE Spring]] - Detailing the Grendel invasion
* [[383YE_Summer_Solstice_winds_of_war#The_World_is_Not_Enough|Winds of War 383YE Summer]]
* [[383YE_Autumn_Equinox_winds_of_war#Bronze|Winds of War 383YE Autumn]]
* [[Ratify_treaty_with_the_Grendel_Autumn_383YE#Treaty|Treaty]] - the Autumn 383YE treaty with the Grendel
* [[To curb those raging appetites]] - a Winter 383YE wind of fortune that details the situation for Freeborn in Feroz
* [[Everything has a price]] - a Winter 383YE wind of fortune that details the general situation with the Grendel, and has several notes about their presence in Feroz
* [[Bones in the ocean]] - a Winter 383YE wind of fortune that specifically deals with the [[#Isle of the Osseini|Isle of the Osseini]] and the justicars

Madruga

2026-05-13T10:36:43Z

Rafferty:

[[Category:Imperial_Territory]][[category:The Brass Coast]]
{{stub}}
<div style="float:left; width: 600px; clear: left;">{{CaptionedImage|file=Madruga_Made_Anew.png|align=left|caption=Artist's Impression of Madruga|width=600}}</div>[[Category:Gazetteer]]
== Overview ==
Madruga of the Jewelled Isles is the easternmost territory of the Brass Coast, running from the [[Kahraman]] mountains down to the Bay of Catazar. Down the coast of Madruga and [[Feroz]] the [[corsair|corsairs]] and merchants raise their sails, running goods to [[Bastion]] and [[Sarvos]], trading with foreign powers, and fighting off barbarian incursions.

It is the most densely settled of the Freeborn territories; the nation began here, with the landing of the three sisters and their families at old [[#Atalaya|Atalaya]]. Over generations, their descendants spread across the mainland building and cultivating, until Madruga was tamed. Today, it is scattered with villages and small towns - the sprawling city [[#Siroc (Ruined)|Siroc]] at its height rivalled the cities of [[the League]] in size and wealth.

It is the spiritual home of the [[Corsair|corsairs]]; many maritime families have lived on the islands of [[#Free Landing|Free Landing]] and [[#Calvos Sound|Calvos Sound]] since the earliest days of the Freeborn nation.

The history of Madruga is one of change, however. The [[Grendel]] have attacked the islands and towns here for centuries; usually their fleets are intercepted at sea before they can do too much damage, but there have been times when their raiders have sacked coastal settlements. For a few harrowing months in the years before the foundation of the Empire, the Grendel swept inland here conquering [[#Lightsea|Lightsea]] and the islands, and threatening to burn Siroc. They were turned back after months of vicious fighting, but the memory of their attack is sometimes credited by historians as being a factor in the decision of the Freeborn to join the Empire. Since the disappearance of [[Empress Lisabetta|Imperatrix Lisabetta]], life in the territory has become even more tumultuous, with regular Grendel attacks compounded with deadly magical chaos.
==Recent History==
After the Autumn Equinox 381YE, the [[Grendel]] armada invaded Madruga. They [[381YE Winter Solstice winds of war#To_Fool_The_Crowd|destroyed the Freeborn Storm]], burnt the [[Madruga#The_Atalaya_Shipyards_.28Ruined.29|Atalaya shipyards]], and brought the [[Black Thorns]] to the brink of annihilation. Their forces then moved against [[Madruga#Lightsea|Lightsea]], raided the port of Quzar, and within short order half the coast of Madruga was in their hands. The Empire responded quickly, driving the Grendel out, but it was only a matter of time before they returned.

Shortly before the Winter Solstice 381YE, the [[Lorenzo%27s_Legacy#Blood_Red_Roads|Blood Red Roads]] were completed, providing merchants and traders easy access to Freeborn luxuries and allowing the caravans of the Brass Coast to travel much more easily to some of the wealthiest cities across the Empire. For more than half a decade the roads provided a major boon to the [[farm|farms]] and [[business|businesses]] of the territory. In the Winter of 386YE, however, the Imperial Senate determined to [[386YE_Winter_Solstice_Senate_sessions#Levy_Tolls_on_Blood_Red_Roads|levy tolls]] on traffic using the road, meaning they no longer increase the income of individual citizens but provide a significant boost to the Imperial Treasury, in part to pay for the war against the [[vallorn]].

In the Winter of 385YE, the Grendel returned to Madruga in force, accompanied by warships from the [[Asavean Archipelago]]. In a surprise attack, they [[A beacon of smoke|burnt the city of Siroc]], and established a beachhead in what was then Siroc Plains. In the coming months, war and powerful [[Spring magic]] battered the region, culminating in the [[A_beacon_of_smoke#Save_the_Shining_Pillar_(Battle)|destruction of the Silent Pillar]] and the formation of the [[Children of Wrecks]]. The [[Siakha]]-inspired pirates began a rampage of their own, even going so far as to use Spring magic to isolate the islands of Free Landing, turning them into a stronghold of their own that Imperial armies cannot approach.

As if this were not bad enough, a [[Colourblind|peculiar blight]] began to spread across the [[#Quiet Grasses|Great Grasses]] in the north-east. The grasslands were quickly turned to ash and dust, and the desiccating [[Winter magic]] threatened to spill over into [[Kahraman]] and [[Segura]]. The cause of the spreading desert was discovered to be a generations-old conspiracy of the ''Aldea di Tutamen'' family who had become awful harbingers of destruction called the Dry Patricians. Their awful threat was stopped by Imperial heroes, but the blight remained.

Then in Autumn 386YE, ritual magicians from every Freeborn [[tribe]] raised the wrath of the Scorrero river, causing it to [[Where the river rises|break its banks]] in a cataclysmic expression of [[Spring magic#Ruin|ruin]] and [[Spring magic#Chaos|chaos]]. A cleansing tide swept across the Great Grasses, washing away the remnants of the blight. In the process, however, the magical floods also transformed the southern reaches of the territory, leaving three new regions that, as the Winter Solstice 386YE approaches, are still being carefully explored.

== Major Features ==
===Trajadoz===
The town of Trajadoz in north-western [[#Torres|Torres]] was founded roughly three hundred years ago by the Trajaduz family of traders who were intent on fostering trade between the mines of newly conquered [[Kahraman]] and the wealth of [[Sarvos]]. The most recent influx of townsfolk was during the invasion of [[Segura]] in 363YE. Since the reclamation of Segura in 378YE it stood mostly empty, save for a few bandits, as the Freeborn returned to their homes. Following the end of the rebellion in Marracoss and Emphedor Imperial fleet captains had an opportunity to [[Through_my_sails#Evacuation|evacuate some of the defeated rebels]]. Roughly a third of the refugees, offered sanctuary in the Empire, have [[Large_but_far_away#Asavea|taken up residence]] in the mostly abandoned town, and created a community.

The Marracossans (never Nemorians, and rarely accepting Asavean) are a disparate group; made up of priests and soldiers, crafters and traders. One of their number Leonorada Rousseau, [[Asavean_Archipelago#Religion|priest of Aseus]], has spent some time in the paradors of nearby [[#Calvos Sound|Calvos]]. They have made clear that they, and their community, like the Empire, and they like the town of Tradajoz. They wish to remain in the town, but Leonorada understands that the community's intent to continue following and worshipping their gods could lead to some unfortunate accusations. In Winter 384YE, the Imperial Senate [[Cede Trajadoz|ceded control of Trajadoz]] to the Nemorians. This has raised a few concerns among their neighbours as it frees them to build temples to their gods if they wish - and indeed to do anything else they want to do. You can read more about the Marracossans in the '''[[Large_but_far_away#Asavea|Large but far away]]''' wind of fortune.
===Calvos===
The bustling town of Calvos lies on the shores of [[#Calvos Sound|Calvos Sound]]. The slopes outside the town are rich with grapes, and the fine wines produced here travel all over the Empire. Even the sommeliers of the [[The League|League]] pay well for a Calvos vintage. The [[Paragons and Exemplars|exemplar]] [[Zemress|Zemress i Ezmara i Erigo]] was born here towards the end of the second century YE, and her ship ''The Kraken's Bane'' is housed at a special dry dock here. The ship is a destination for many pilgrims of [[Prosperity]] from as far afield as the [[Sumaah Republic]], as was the nearby [[Zemress#The_Seminary_of_Zemress|Seminary]] before it was destroyed in a [[Below_the_thunders#In_Roaring,_Rise|cataclysmic storm]]. Near the seminary ruins stands the [[Hand of Guerra#House of Guerra|House of Guerra]], a place dedicated to supporting refugees to the Empire, especially those who seek a new family among the Freeborn, and the [[#Zemress Naval Academy|Zemress Naval Academy]] (also known as the School of Blood and Brass) where the Freeborn study maritime warfare and the construction of warships.
===Zemress Naval Academy===
[[#Calvos|Calvos]] is the final resting place of the Kraken's Bane, the legendary vessel captained by the exemplar [[Zemress]]. When people fled [[Feroz]] following the Grendel occupation, many of those who looked to Zemress chose to settle in Calvos, drawn by the [[Zemress#The_Seminary_of_Zemress|Seminary of Zemress]] (before it was destroyed). They swelled the ranks of the faithful and created a unique opportunity to build a ''School of Naval Warfare'' on the Coast. Similar to the ambitious [[Focused_and_methodical#The_School_of_Shipbuilding|School of Shipbuilding]] originally [[Focused_and_methodical#The_School_of_Shipbuilding|proposed for Siroc by Frederick di Sarvos]], it is more limited in its scope and focussed purely on teaching and research.

The school allows the Freeborn to delve deep into the practice and theory of [[navy|naval warfare]], allowing them to disseminate newly developed techniques across the Brass Coast and the Empire. Each year the researchers at the school present three possible [[Army qualities|qualities]] that new Imperial navies might be built with. The [[fleet|fleet owners]] of the Brass Coast are then able to vote on which quality they felt was most important - whichever quality wins becomes the focus on their research. Such research often takes a year or more, but once work is complete the Freeborn can again vote on what project to being next (researchers present a new quality to consider, usually alongside the two previously rejected options).

It's notable that several of visiting [[Sumaah]] präster pointed out that if the Empire were prepared to share any new naval techniques they learned with the Republic, then that would be very well received by their fellow adherents of the Way. The Sumaah apparently have two navies of their own, but they are outclassed by the Asaveans, in much the same way that the Empire struggle to compete with the Grendel navies. Redressing that balance would be a huge boost to diplomatic relations with the Sumaah.
{{Anchor|The Lyceum}}

=== The Lyceum (Hidden)===
The Lyceum was established during the reign of [[Empress Aenea]] on an island east of Siroc. It is a centre of arcane learning in the Empire, and the [[Dean of the Lyceum]] maintains sumptuous apartments here. Approach to the island is carefully controlled by the magicians and professors, and the most promising magicians are invited to study or teach there.

During the Winter Solstice 385YE, Imperial heroes [[A_beacon_of_smoke#Intercede_at_the_Lyceum_(Battle)|travelled to the Lyceum]] to protect its secrets from the Grendel who sought to claim them. In the process, they activated powerful wards that hid the island behind a wall of fog preventing barbarian or Imperial ships from reaching it. The walls were expected to remain until shortly before the Winter Solstice 386YE, but with both the Grendel and the Children of Wrecks threatening the college, the [[Conclave]] accepted an offer from [[Sadogua]] to help [[386YE_Autumn_Equinox_Conclave_sessions#Alignment:_Sadogua,_Amity|keep the wards up for the time being]] with an eye towards finding a way to get people in and out, and perhaps make the misty wards permanent.

===Atalaya===
The town of Atalaya in [[#Free Landing|Free Landing]] marks the place where the Brass Coast was born; the first landing of the three sisters and their families. Built around the side of a secluded cove, the seas around the island that share its name are a navigational nightmare. Before the [[#The Shining Pillar (Destroyed)|Shining Pillar]] was built, reaching the hidden docks of Atalaya was a feat to tax the most skilled ship's crews. Today, the landwards channel has been widened but is protected by hidden obstructions that only the Freeborn pilots know well. Atalaya is also known for its deep natural harbour - many ships of the Freeborn fleet count Atalaya as their home port.

Atalaya is the oldest Freeborn settlement in the Brass Coast, but its prominence was eclipsed centuries ago by [[#Lightsea|Quzar]]. Today, it is a place of pilgrimage for many Freeborn followers of [[the Way]] - there are a number of shrines and temples dedicated to [[Pride]] and [[Vigilance]] here. The [[Vizier_of_the_Incarnadine_Satchel#School of the Sanguine Bloom|School of the Sanguine Bloom]], one of the most prestigious schools dedicated to herb-lore in the Brass Coast also stands here, founded long ago by Sameen i Riqueza, youngest daughter of [[Riqueza]] herself.

With the rise of the [[Children of Wrecks]], the oldest settlement of the Freeborn has been lost to the nation. The museums have been looted, and the once beautiful town transformed into a den of pirates.

===Freeborn Flame Marina===
Work began on the [[Construct_Atalaya_Harbour|reconstruction]] of Atalaya harbour following an opportunity [[The_power_behind_our_moves#Atalaya|presented]] after the National Assembly of the Brass Coast called on the people of Feroz to flee the territory rather than suffer under the hands of the Grendel. Work was completed shortly before the Spring Equinox 385YE and the abundance of willing, talented shipwrights meant [[fleet|fleets]] were more easily upgradeable, at least until the Brass Coast reclaim Feroz. Unfortunately, along with Atalaya, the Freeborn Flame Marina is currently in the hands of the Children of Wrecks.

On the harbour, looking out to sea, are a number of statues each one different but reminiscent of contemporary Freeborn.

===Sunset Roads===
{{Anchor|South-West Roads}}With encouragement from the notoriously sea-averse Faraden, a grand highway connects Siroc with Calvos, cutting across the territory rather than following the coast. A shorter road runs along the northern banks of the Scorrero, crossing just north of [[Segura#Cerevado|Cerevado]] in [[Segura]] via a beautiful arched bridge of white granite. While the road is used extensively by the Faraden, it also serves to cut the journey time from the northern borders of Madruga to the trading city of Siroc, making it a popular route for Freeborn and League merchants as well.

The Sunset Roads are a [[great work]] that complement the already existing [[Lorenzo's Legacy#Blood Red Roads|Blood Red Roads]], bringing increased prosperity to the owners of [[farm|farms]] and [[business|businesses]] in Madruga.

=== The Spider's Dream ===
An elegant bridge spans the river Vassa, connecting [[#Torres|Torres]] to the town of [[Sarvos#Bocche|Trivento]] in Sarvos. It is a marvellous piece of engineering that resembles a spider's web. The [[Spider%27s_Tollkeep#The_Spider%27s_Dream|Spider's Dream]] has significant strategic importance - without it armies cannot cross the Vassa between Sarvos and Madruga without going north and passing through Tassato and the Mournwold. It is overseen by the [[Spider%27s_Tollkeep|Spider's Tollkeep]], an [[Imperial title]] uniquely appointed by both the [[senator|senators]] of the League and the Brass Coast together.

The Spider's Dream was once severely damaged by the [[Jotun]], but has since been extensively rebuilt and fortified.

==Regions==
<div style="float:right; width: 600px; clear: right;">{{CaptionedImage|file=MadrugaBorders.png|caption=A very rough region map of pre-transformation Madruga|align=right|width=600}}</div>
===Calvos Sound===
'''Quality:''' Coastal<br>
The town of [[#Calvos|Calvos]] stands on the shores of Calvos Sound; the entire [[territory#regions|region]] is named for the great shallow bay that cuts into the eastern shores of the Brass Coast. The waters of the Sound are prime fishing grounds, and the surrounding slopes are known for their rich agriculture, especially grapes, grapefruits, and pomegranates. At the end of the [[Imperial_history#.28281_YE_-_300_YE.29_The_Second_Interregnum|second interregnum]], Calvos Sound was the site of a vicious engagement between [[Grendel]] raiders and the forces of the [[Red_Wind_Corsairs#History|Red Wind Corsairs]]. Despite catastrophic losses, the Freeborn army held. Close to breaking they were forced to retreat, but the campaign achieved its purpose by convincing the nations of the south that the threat from the Grendel was real, events that would eventually lead to the elevation of [[Empress Deanne]]. To this day, many of the people of Calvos Sound have a notable antipathy for the orcs of the Broken Shore.
===Lightsea===
'''Quality:''' Coastal<br>
A well-settled region known for the friendliness of its [[The_Brass_Coast_economic_interests#Paradors|paradors]]. The largest settlement here is '''Quzar''', a bustling port town of white towers and stained glass that is sometimes described as the soul of the Brass Coast. The Towers of Quzar are known as a gathering place for [[hakima]] from all across the nation - an annual "council" meets here every midsummer to share knowledge and gossip. Since the completion of the [[Hakima_of_Salt_and_Sand#Parador_of_Salt_and_Sand|Parador of Salt and Sand]], a large community of hakima, including a significant number of refugees from Feroz, have taken up permanent residence here. The town is now best known for its community of magicians, especially those versed in [[Autumn magic]].

Many of the coastal settlements here were plundered by the Grendel during their incursion toward the end of 381YE. Quzar in particular was hard hit by the orc raiders, with some damage to the town and significant damage to the wealth of the citizens. A year later toward the end of 382YE potent magic [[The_mystic,_the_willful#Miracles_in_Lightsea|restored the town]], wiping away any sign the Grendel were ever there.
===Torres===
The northernmost region of Madruga, and one end of the [[#The Spider's Dream|Spider's Dream]]. The land here is a little more rugged than in the southern regions, and the climate is generally cooler. The people who dwell here share some of the reputation of the miners of [[Kahraman]]; as being suspicious and quarrelsome. Partly this reputation might be a result of regular clashes between Freeborn traders and [[the League|League]] merchants out of [[Sarvos]]. A regular 'problem' for the inhabitants is that League merchants would prefer to travel south to the more prosperous towns of the eastern coast to sell their wares, bypassing the markets of Torres. It is shameful to admit, but there are more incidents of brigandry against League caravans in Torres than in almost any other area around the Bay of Catazar. When such incidents get out of hand, the [[Spider's Tollkeep]] is often prevailed upon to sort them out.

The town of [[#Trajadoz|Trajadoz]] is found in the north-west of Torres. Formerly a home to Freeborn displaced from Kahraman and Segura, it is now home to a very different group of refugees - Marracossan exiles from the [[Asavean Archipelago]].
===Free Landing===
'''Quality:''' Coastal, Island<br>
The sprawling islands that form the region of Free Landing are diverse and well-settled. The islands here were the first home of the Freeborn - the town of [[#Atalaya|Atalaya]] marks the spot where the Brass Coast proper began. When the Grendel invaded Madruga in Winter 381YE, they looted many precious relics from the town of Atalaya and burnt the shipyard there to the ground. In the process, they destroyed the Freeborn [[navy|navy]], the Freeborn Storm.

The waters between the islands have a reputation for being treacherous and difficult for foreign captains; during the reign of [[Empress Aenea]] the Empire built a great lighthouse here called '''[[#The Shining Pillar (Destroyed)|the Shining Pillar]]''', which was [[The_cry_of_gulls#The_Darkened_Beacon|destroyed]] by forces loyal to the eternal [[Siakha]] during the Winter Solstice 385YE. In its place, a perpetual churning maelstrom serves as a way for servants of the eternal to enter the mortal world and functions as an effective [[fortification]] defending the Children of Wrecks.

The waters around Free Landing have become treacherous due to the presence of dozens of immature kraken hatched in the waters by the Children of Wrecks. As a result, the region has gained the '''island''' quality, it cannot be attacked by armies unless each army is accompanied by a navy capable of conveying the soldiers across.{{Anchor|Great Grasses}}

===Quiet Grasses===
* '''Qualities:''' Quiet
The Great Grasses were consumed by the Blight, but have now been restored thanks to the surging Spring waters. They are marked not only from the flooding of the Scorrero, but from a year or more of gentle rain conjured with [[Regrow the Land's Heart]]. Where once there was a sea of jade and emerald grasses, and then a lifeless desert of ash and dust, there is now a profusion of plants and flowers. The grass is different to that which grew before, standing easily taller than the tallest soldier and remarkably resistant to damage. Where the thickets of grass are densest, it is slow going trying to make headway and all too easy to get lost. In addition to the grasses, there are large numbers of broad, open meadows covered in ''flameblooms'' - a mass of previously unseen flowers that grow in a profusion of shapes and a riot of reds, oranges, yellows, and an extremely rare white petalled variety.

There is an odd silence to the Grasses now. The grasses seem to eat sounds, causing the cries of circling hawks to fall flat, and even the blaring of horns sounds tinny and can be heard over comparatively short distances. Even the wind whispers as it flows across the plains. Some scouts tagged the place as the "Quiet Grasses," and while the name may have begun as a wry commentary, it has quickly spread. Magicians say that this silence is partly due to a lingering touch of Winter magic - not the harsher resonances [[Winter_magic#Death|death]] or [[Winter_magic#Survival|survival]] but something less tangible - a sense of sadness, loss, or perhaps the [[Winter_magic#Wisdom|wisdom]] that comes from an awareness of [[Winter magic#Ending|ending]], tinged with the wistfulness for the [[Winter_magic#Preservation|way things were before]].
{{Anchor|Siroc Plains}}

===Siroc Bayou===
* '''Qualities:''' Marsh, Coastal, Ruins, Wild, Underpopulated, Enigmatic
The region that was once Siroc Plains is now the [[Madruga#Siroc Bayou|Siroc Bayou]]. Slow moving streams and lakes of brackish water characterise the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bayou bayou]. The river itself, and the gulf between Madruga and Feroz, teem with fish and other creatures. The fury of the Scorrero, already mitigated by the Crucible, loses itself in meandering, shifting streams as it makes its way to the [[Bay of Catazar]]. Here and there, ruined Freeborn settlements and structures emerge from the marshes, or stand surrounded by still pools of water. Even though the flooding that transformed the region are quite recent, many of these ruins look as if they have stood in the marshes for decades, heavily overgrown with odd plant growths. Others are more intact, often serving as lairs for the transformed creatures of the marsh. When the river rose, this region was under control of the Grendel, and [[Below_the_thunders#The_Latter_Fire|battle raged]] between the orcs and Imperial forces. The Grendel have since withdrawn almost all their forces, but there are still signs of abandoned encampments here. Some of the Broken Shore troops were left behind as well, and it seems that in the absence of any easy means of escape they have taken up banditry.

The City of Sails, poor ruined [[Madruga#Siroc (Ruined)|Siroc]], is now lost beneath the waters of the Bay, or consumed by the marsh. There is no chance of rebuilding - there is little left to rebuild on. There is apparently some interest in the [[Sarcophan Delves]] in [[Hyenas_and_herbs#Hyenas_Under_Sail|purchasing salvage rights]] to the ruins, but only once the [[Children of Wrecks]] problem is resolved.

===Crucible===
* '''Qualities:''' Marsh, Wild, Underpopulated, Enigmatic
The new region of Madruga, north of the Scorrero, was once the southern Great Grasses and the western Siroc Plains. This place has been most obviously transfigured by the unleashed magic, and the odd haze reported by scouts is most pronounced here. Even the least magical explorer can sense that there is magic here; a mixture of Spring magic from the flood and the influence of [[Ossegrahn]], or Night magic tinged by the gifts of [[Azoth]], and even a hint of lingering [[Winter magic]] from the Dry Patricians and their Blight. There are reports of a few Grendel camps here as well, scouts trapped behind enemy lines when the flood rushed in.

Scouts report that this area is where the peculiar ''marsh flowers'', some of which possess magical properties, are most abundant. There also seem to be spontaneously occurring sources of [[vis]] here - [[Vis#Warm Honey|warm honey]], [[Vis#Heart's Blood|heart's blood]], and [[Vis#Crystal_Fire|crystal fire]]. In addition, there are a number of oddities - things that either were not here before of have been changed so much as to be effectively new. There is apparently a tower that rises out of the river itself and changes subtly over a course of several days, which puts viewers in mind of a lighthouse despite being miles from the Bay of Catazar. There is a standing pool of ebony water that does not reflect humans or orcs; anything staring into it sees only a monstrous image of themselves. A fountain in the courtyard of an old parador that once stood by the road along the banks of the Scorrero that now flows with rainbow waters; drinking from them by moonlight can prompt a transformation in unlineaged humans such that they unpredictably gain [[briar]], [[naga]] or [[draughir]] [[lineage]].

==Strategic Considerations==
* '''The damage to the bridges along the Scorrero prevents movement between Madruga and both Feroz and Segura'''
The damage to almost all the bridges along the Scorrero means that it is effectively impossible for an [[Army|army]] to move between Madruga and both [[Feroz]] and [[Segura]] (or vice versa). More information can be found in the '''[[Where_the_river_rises#Crossing|Where the river rises]]''' wind of fortune.
==Special Qualities==
===Enigmatic===
* '''Rituals and curses cast on enigmatic regions will be unpredictable and may have more powerful effects'''
* '''Rituals and curses cast on territories with an enigmatic region may be unpredictable or have more powerful effects'''
* '''Such rituals can be made permanent using 2 rings of ilium per magnitude rather than 3'''
* '''Any commission in an enigmatic region can substitute wains of mithril for weirwood or white granite on a one-for-one basis'''
Two of the new regions are marked with a unique quality - ''Enigmatic''. This means the areas are infused with magic of Spring, Winter, and Night. As a consequence, any magic from those realms that operates on the territory level (or the Empire level), or targets the region with this quality, may have unexpected effects. This is not guaranteed - sometimes the ritual will have no noticeable extra impact. Sometimes, however, the impact of the magic will be enhanced in some way - more powerful or more extreme than expected. Even the wisest Unfettered Mind can't say more than that. ('''OOC Note:''' A ritual enchantment or curse will always at least equal or exceed its normal mechanical effect. The magic might be altered but it would never simply be the same effect but ''less'' powerful.)

Any Spring, Winter, or Night ritual that targets a region with a specific quality can target Crucible or Siroc Bayou. For example, even though neither region has the [[forest]] quality, both can be targeted with [[Forge the Wooden Fastness]] or [[Thunderous Tread of the Trees]]. The form the magic takes may be transformed or altered in unpredictable ways (for example, [[Mountain Remembers Its Youth]] cast on one of these regions is likely to cause a cloud of toxic marsh fog rather than volcanic gas).

If [[Dripping Echoes of the Fen]] is cast on a region with the enigmatic quality, the victory points necessary to claim the region are increased by fifteen, up from ten.

If [[The Basalt Citadel]] or [[Forge the Wooden Fastness]] are cast on a region with the enigmatic quality, the resulting battalion or wards will be enhanced such that they provide an additional one thousand effective strength, to four thousand or five thousand strength, respectively.

If the [[Drawing the Penumbral Veil|Penumbral Veil]] is drawn over a territory where at least one region has the enigmatic quality, its effective magnitude is increased by 10 - the same would apply to any [[Vale of Shadows]] created anywhere in Madruga.

Any territory-wide enchantment or curse, or enchantment or curse targeting one of the two regions is easier to [[Ilium#Using_ilium_in_rituals|make permanent]]. Rather than requiring three rings of [[ilium]] for each magnitude of the effect, it only requires ''two'' rings of ilium per magnitude. The Unfettered Mind scholars warn that this should be approached with some caution - enchantments and curses are rarely meant to be made permanent and experimentation should be done on the understanding that there will be unlooked for side effects. In particular they warn against assuming that a ritual that works one way when cast on Madruga will have the same effect if made permanent with ilium. It might... but it is impossible to be sure given the wildness of the magic coalescing here. Also, if recent events have shown nothing else, this warning is even more significant when dealing with an effect that draws on the power of an eternal.

Any commission built in an enigmatic region can take advantage of the strange magical qualities of the region to substitute mithril for white granite or weirwood on a one-for-one basis. The amount of mithril used must be specified in the details of the commission; it cannot be substituted later. The necessary details should include a description of how mithril, and Freeborn glass, replace traditional building materials. All such structures will have elements of the weird and uncanny about them. Construction that arises from an [[opportunity]] may or may not be possible in an ''enigmatic'' region - the best thing to do is to email [mailto:plot@profounddecisions.co.uk plot@profounddecisions.co.uk] to confirm it is possible.

Finally, during any trip through the [[Sentinel Gate]] that involves an encounter in Madruga, any participating character with the [[Magical skills#Magician|magician]] skill finds that they have two additional personal mana available. These mana points are the first used when spellcasting, and cannot be replenished. They last until used, or until the next sunrise. The bonus mana is gained only once in the rare situation where the same magician visits Siroc Bayou or Crucible more than once during a summit.

===Quiet===
* '''It is not possible to create a commission that produces liao in a region with the quiet quality or any commission that has a musical basis'''
* '''It is not possible to create an inspirational location in this region'''
* '''Any conjunctions in this region will experience the "quiet" roleplaying effect'''
* '''Appraisal could be used to find ways to exploit the benefits of the quiet region'''
The Quiet Grasses have the ''quiet'' quality. Sounds are a little muted here, and even loud noises fall off more swiftly. Passions and emotions are also muted in a similar fashion, causing travellers and settlers to feel a little more restrained. It's easy and satisfying to embrace emotions such as sadness, sorrow, or regret. These effects are not especially overt - only sensitive individuals are really aware of them. It is, however, impossible to create a [[commission]] that produces [[liao]] in a region with the quiet quality, or any commission that has a musical basis. Inspirational locations cannot be created in such a region, and conjunctions here will experience the "quiet" roleplaying effect. This means that during a skirmish or encounter in a region with the Quiet quality, a character with [[Heroic skills#Hero|hero points]] must have a [[Roleplaying_effects#Overcoming_Roleplaying_Effects|source of spiritual strength]] (or spend a hero point) to overcome the roleplaying effect, or they cannot spend hero points to power their abilities or magic items.

An [[appraisal]] could be used to find ways to exploit the benefits of a quiet region.

===Wild===
* '''A wild region is harder for armies to conquer, requiring 15 rather than 10 victory points to take the region'''
* '''Wild regions never count as undefended for purposes of generating victory points'''
Crucible and Siroc Bayou have the ''Wild'' quality. Even if there are no other forces present in the territory, attacks against either of the two regions will not benefit from the undefended bonus. Furthermore, the land itself defies easy conquest - so much so that each region will require a total of 15 victory points, rather than the more usual 10, to conquer. The good news is that this difficulty will persist - anyone attempting to conquer these regions in the future will face additional challenges.
===Underpopulated ===
* '''These regions will not contribute to army supply unless the quality is removed'''
The two southern regions of the new marsh also have the [[Send_for_me#Underpopulated|underpopulated]] quality, and it is tricky to see how that might be removed. The regions are rich, but they defy easy habitation. The people who once lived here have fled Grendel occupation, dire thirst, and the raging river - most have found new homes in northern Madruga. The marshes are also an environment alien to most Freeborn people. Exploring the marshes and claiming the odd wonders there is certainly possible, but it will be a significant undertaking to encourage people to permanently settle in these regions. Siroc Bayou is the best bet for removing this quality, perhaps finding a way to merge traditional Freeborn architecture with such innovations as Kallavesi stilt-dwellings, or establishing a settlement built on pontoons. Even so, there's no chance of such a settlement reaching the size of a city such as Siroc. Trying to populate Crucible will be even harder, if it is even possible.
<div style="float:left; width: 450px; clear: right;">{{CaptionedImage|file=Eulàlia i Phovas i Riqueza.jpg|caption='''Eulàlia i Phovas i Riqueza''', Senator for Madruga|align=left|width=500}}</div>
{{Senate Elections|Senator_for_Madruga|Territory=Madruga|Season=Winter}}
==OOC Notes==
* As of the start of the Summer Solstice 387YE, the Children of Wrecks control Free Landing, the Brass Coast controls Calvos Sound, Lightsea, Torres, and Quiet Grasses. Crucible and Siroc Bayou are uncontrolled. Madruga is an Imperial territory.
* The territory has regions with several odd qualities, most significantly the [[#Enigmatic|enigmatic]] quality that affects commissions and ritual effects across the whole of Madruga. The '''[[Made_anew#Sing_of_Tides|Made Anew]]''' wind of fortune contains more detail of the peculiar inhabitants of the southern marshes
* The maelstrom that now occupies the site of the [[#The Shining Pillar (Destroyed)|Shining Pillar]] serves as defensive wards controlled by [[Siakha]]. These wards provide 4,000 strength towards determining victory and inflicting casualties, but only if Free Landing is directly attacked. The wards do not suffer casualties - there are always more Siakhan heralds and monsters to contend with - and it is not possible to enchant them, nor support them with military units.

==Lost and Ruined==
{{Anchor|Siroc}}
=== Siroc (Ruined) ===
The Sapphire, the City of a Thousand Sails, was acknowledged as the pre-eminent city of the Freeborn. The city was said to have been founded by the [[Guerra]] family shortly after the Freeborn came to the Brass Coast. It lay in Madruga close by the border with [[Feroz]]. Brightly coloured tents extended Siroc out far beyond the small cluster of stone buildings that made up the heart of the city. Sails of all shapes and sizes filled the sheltered bay, which was guarded by a series of iron woven nets and chains bought at great expense from the forges of Wintermark.

Siroc was the site of the '''Glass Parador''', where the [[Mistress of the Glass Parador]] held court. It was also the location of the ''Parador of the Kindled Flame'', an [[folly|orphanage]] whose [[Construct Parador of the Kindled Flame|construction]] was overseen by '''Laughlan Vi Temeschwar''', the first [[Master of Rings]]. One of only a small number of permanent stone structures of any size in the City of a Thousand Sails, it was surprisingly understated and utilitarian with the only notable decoration being a small plaque at the entrance bearing the legend “''In Virtue we remember those who watch over others''", and a list of names of those who helped construct the sanctuary.
{{CaptionedImage|file=Parador.jpg|caption=The City of A Thousand Sails was home to many fine paradors.|title=Art by Beth Dooner|align=right|width=500}}
It was also the site of the [[#Commonwealth Embassy (Ruined)|Commonwealth Embassy]], a severe structure that represented the Commonwealth's diplomatic relationship with the Empire.

The city prospered for centuries, but following the Autumn Equinox 385YE it was [[A beacon of smoke|burned to the ground]] by the Grendel and their [[Asavean Archipelago|Asavean]] allies, apparently in retaliation for the Empire's role in the [[Mosaic|destruction of the city of Chalonsio]] in Asavea. While some of the stone buildings survived, the majority of the structures were wood and canvas, and were destroyed by fire. The transforming flood that swept through the territory towards the end of 386YE sealed Siroc's fate - those ruins not sinking into marsh mud are lost beneath the waters of the Bay, and any hope of restoring the city to its former glory is gone.
===Commonwealth Embassy (Ruined)===
The [[Ambassador to the Commonwealth|Commonwealth Embassy]] was located in [[#Siroc (Ruined)|Siroc]]. It consisted of several buildings built after the severe Commonwealth style, which stood in beautifully laid out and maintained gardens, surrounded by a low white granite wall. Despite the severity of the architecture, the embassy was surprisingly welcoming - the gates stood permanently open, albeit under the watchful gaze of a cadre of Commonwealth soldiers attached to the staff of ambassador Mila Eisenfalke. The majority of the staff were human, although there were apparently half a dozen orcs whose role on the ambassadorial staff is not clear. There were no daeva citizens working at the embassy as far as Imperial observers can make out. When the city of Siroc was attacked by the Grendel and their Asavean allies, almost all the soldiers garrisoned here perished while fighting bravely alongside the Freeborn defenders of the Salt Guard.
===The Salt Guard (Ruined)===
{{CaptionedImage|file=Destruction of the Shining Pillar.jpg|caption=The destruction of the Shining Pillar was heartbreaking for many Freeborn.|title=Art by Juniper Orton|align=right|width=450}}
A grand [[fortification]] [[The_same_bed#The_Salt_Guard|designed]] by Menno van Ritsjhof comprised of two stout fortifications on either side of the bay along the approach to Siroc. Each fort is equipped with powerful trebuchet and catapults. A garrison of skilled mariners and corsairs ensures the towers are always ready to respond to any threat, and with the significant reinforcement of the existing iron chains and nets that guard the harbour they are extremely effective against shore offensives. He believes that not only will a sea assault against Siroc be made nigh impossible, but that the garrisons of the two towers would also be in a position to protect the Lyceum which lies to the south-east of Siroc proper.
{{anchor|The Atalaya Shipyards}}

===The Atalaya Shipyards (Ruined)===
Following a [[Construct_Madruga_shipyard|motion]] at the first [[Senate]] session in Winter 376YE, work began to expand the docks of Atalaya. Under the guidance of Miroslav, Senator for the [[The League|League]] city of [[Sarvos]], many wains of white granite and weirwood were committed to building both a massive seawall, and a great Imperial shipyard equipped with drydocks, powerful cranes for loading and unloading, and expanded warehouses and work spaces. Completed shortly before Autumn 377YE, the shipyard provided significant benefits to the Freeborn [[fleet|ships]] based in Madruga. In addition, the facilities here proved sufficient to allow the construction of the first [[navy]] since the days of [[Emperor Barabbas]]; [[Raise_Freeborn_navy|work]] began on constructing Freeborn vessels in Winter 378YE.

It is perhaps fitting that when the [[Grendel]] invaded Madruga after the Autumn Equinox 381YE, and [[381YE_Winter_Solstice_winds_of_war#To_Fool_The_Crowd|destroyed the shipyard]] the Freeborn Storm was [[Navy_orders#Put_to_Port|put to port]] and shared the same fiery fate as the docks where it was created.
===The Shining Pillar (Destroyed)===
Built in [[#Free Landing|Free Landing]], this massive white-and-gold tower was one of the most prominent landmarks in the Empire. It was often adopted by Freeborn sailors as a symbol of the Brass Coast as a whole; when they can see the beacon of the Shining Pillar, they knew they were home. The grand lighthouse echoed the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lighthouse_of_Alexandria Lighthouse of Alexandria] in design, rather than more modern tall cylindrical towers, and was constructed of white granite. Mithril mirrors captured and amplified the light of the fire burning atop it, which was kept burning by a cadre of attendants who lived in the tower.

During the Grendel [[A beacon of smoke|invasion of Madruga]] in Winter 385YE, the Shining Pillar was [[A_beacon_of_smoke#Save_the_Shining_Pillar_(Battle)|annihilated]] by the servants of [[Siakha]], and the [[A_beacon_of_smoke#Objective:_Rescue_the_Beacon_Watch|Beacon Watch]] were slaughtered. The terrible rites performed there not only destroyed the lighthouse and drowned the rocky island on which it was built, but they [[The_cry_of_gulls#The_Darkened_Beacon|apparently tore open]] a terrible maelstrom, something akin to a [[fane]] for Siakha allowing the eternal to send their servants to the [[Bay of Catazar]]. Where once a shining beacon stood, a terrible maw now gapes.

==Further Reading==

Madruga

2026-05-13T10:36:13Z

Rafferty:

[[Category:Imperial_Territory]][[category:The Brass Coast]]
<div style="float:left; width: 600px; clear: left;">{{CaptionedImage|file=Madruga_Made_Anew.png|align=left|caption=Artist's Impression of Madruga|width=600}}</div>[[Category:Gazetteer]]
== Overview ==
Madruga of the Jewelled Isles is the easternmost territory of the Brass Coast, running from the [[Kahraman]] mountains down to the Bay of Catazar. Down the coast of Madruga and [[Feroz]] the [[corsair|corsairs]] and merchants raise their sails, running goods to [[Bastion]] and [[Sarvos]], trading with foreign powers, and fighting off barbarian incursions.

It is the most densely settled of the Freeborn territories; the nation began here, with the landing of the three sisters and their families at old [[#Atalaya|Atalaya]]. Over generations, their descendants spread across the mainland building and cultivating, until Madruga was tamed. Today, it is scattered with villages and small towns - the sprawling city [[#Siroc (Ruined)|Siroc]] at its height rivalled the cities of [[the League]] in size and wealth.

It is the spiritual home of the [[Corsair|corsairs]]; many maritime families have lived on the islands of [[#Free Landing|Free Landing]] and [[#Calvos Sound|Calvos Sound]] since the earliest days of the Freeborn nation.

The history of Madruga is one of change, however. The [[Grendel]] have attacked the islands and towns here for centuries; usually their fleets are intercepted at sea before they can do too much damage, but there have been times when their raiders have sacked coastal settlements. For a few harrowing months in the years before the foundation of the Empire, the Grendel swept inland here conquering [[#Lightsea|Lightsea]] and the islands, and threatening to burn Siroc. They were turned back after months of vicious fighting, but the memory of their attack is sometimes credited by historians as being a factor in the decision of the Freeborn to join the Empire. Since the disappearance of [[Empress Lisabetta|Imperatrix Lisabetta]], life in the territory has become even more tumultuous, with regular Grendel attacks compounded with deadly magical chaos.
==Recent History==
After the Autumn Equinox 381YE, the [[Grendel]] armada invaded Madruga. They [[381YE Winter Solstice winds of war#To_Fool_The_Crowd|destroyed the Freeborn Storm]], burnt the [[Madruga#The_Atalaya_Shipyards_.28Ruined.29|Atalaya shipyards]], and brought the [[Black Thorns]] to the brink of annihilation. Their forces then moved against [[Madruga#Lightsea|Lightsea]], raided the port of Quzar, and within short order half the coast of Madruga was in their hands. The Empire responded quickly, driving the Grendel out, but it was only a matter of time before they returned.

Shortly before the Winter Solstice 381YE, the [[Lorenzo%27s_Legacy#Blood_Red_Roads|Blood Red Roads]] were completed, providing merchants and traders easy access to Freeborn luxuries and allowing the caravans of the Brass Coast to travel much more easily to some of the wealthiest cities across the Empire. For more than half a decade the roads provided a major boon to the [[farm|farms]] and [[business|businesses]] of the territory. In the Winter of 386YE, however, the Imperial Senate determined to [[386YE_Winter_Solstice_Senate_sessions#Levy_Tolls_on_Blood_Red_Roads|levy tolls]] on traffic using the road, meaning they no longer increase the income of individual citizens but provide a significant boost to the Imperial Treasury, in part to pay for the war against the [[vallorn]].

In the Winter of 385YE, the Grendel returned to Madruga in force, accompanied by warships from the [[Asavean Archipelago]]. In a surprise attack, they [[A beacon of smoke|burnt the city of Siroc]], and established a beachhead in what was then Siroc Plains. In the coming months, war and powerful [[Spring magic]] battered the region, culminating in the [[A_beacon_of_smoke#Save_the_Shining_Pillar_(Battle)|destruction of the Silent Pillar]] and the formation of the [[Children of Wrecks]]. The [[Siakha]]-inspired pirates began a rampage of their own, even going so far as to use Spring magic to isolate the islands of Free Landing, turning them into a stronghold of their own that Imperial armies cannot approach.

As if this were not bad enough, a [[Colourblind|peculiar blight]] began to spread across the [[#Quiet Grasses|Great Grasses]] in the north-east. The grasslands were quickly turned to ash and dust, and the desiccating [[Winter magic]] threatened to spill over into [[Kahraman]] and [[Segura]]. The cause of the spreading desert was discovered to be a generations-old conspiracy of the ''Aldea di Tutamen'' family who had become awful harbingers of destruction called the Dry Patricians. Their awful threat was stopped by Imperial heroes, but the blight remained.

Then in Autumn 386YE, ritual magicians from every Freeborn [[tribe]] raised the wrath of the Scorrero river, causing it to [[Where the river rises|break its banks]] in a cataclysmic expression of [[Spring magic#Ruin|ruin]] and [[Spring magic#Chaos|chaos]]. A cleansing tide swept across the Great Grasses, washing away the remnants of the blight. In the process, however, the magical floods also transformed the southern reaches of the territory, leaving three new regions that, as the Winter Solstice 386YE approaches, are still being carefully explored.

== Major Features ==
===Trajadoz===
The town of Trajadoz in north-western [[#Torres|Torres]] was founded roughly three hundred years ago by the Trajaduz family of traders who were intent on fostering trade between the mines of newly conquered [[Kahraman]] and the wealth of [[Sarvos]]. The most recent influx of townsfolk was during the invasion of [[Segura]] in 363YE. Since the reclamation of Segura in 378YE it stood mostly empty, save for a few bandits, as the Freeborn returned to their homes. Following the end of the rebellion in Marracoss and Emphedor Imperial fleet captains had an opportunity to [[Through_my_sails#Evacuation|evacuate some of the defeated rebels]]. Roughly a third of the refugees, offered sanctuary in the Empire, have [[Large_but_far_away#Asavea|taken up residence]] in the mostly abandoned town, and created a community.

The Marracossans (never Nemorians, and rarely accepting Asavean) are a disparate group; made up of priests and soldiers, crafters and traders. One of their number Leonorada Rousseau, [[Asavean_Archipelago#Religion|priest of Aseus]], has spent some time in the paradors of nearby [[#Calvos Sound|Calvos]]. They have made clear that they, and their community, like the Empire, and they like the town of Tradajoz. They wish to remain in the town, but Leonorada understands that the community's intent to continue following and worshipping their gods could lead to some unfortunate accusations. In Winter 384YE, the Imperial Senate [[Cede Trajadoz|ceded control of Trajadoz]] to the Nemorians. This has raised a few concerns among their neighbours as it frees them to build temples to their gods if they wish - and indeed to do anything else they want to do. You can read more about the Marracossans in the '''[[Large_but_far_away#Asavea|Large but far away]]''' wind of fortune.
===Calvos===
The bustling town of Calvos lies on the shores of [[#Calvos Sound|Calvos Sound]]. The slopes outside the town are rich with grapes, and the fine wines produced here travel all over the Empire. Even the sommeliers of the [[The League|League]] pay well for a Calvos vintage. The [[Paragons and Exemplars|exemplar]] [[Zemress|Zemress i Ezmara i Erigo]] was born here towards the end of the second century YE, and her ship ''The Kraken's Bane'' is housed at a special dry dock here. The ship is a destination for many pilgrims of [[Prosperity]] from as far afield as the [[Sumaah Republic]], as was the nearby [[Zemress#The_Seminary_of_Zemress|Seminary]] before it was destroyed in a [[Below_the_thunders#In_Roaring,_Rise|cataclysmic storm]]. Near the seminary ruins stands the [[Hand of Guerra#House of Guerra|House of Guerra]], a place dedicated to supporting refugees to the Empire, especially those who seek a new family among the Freeborn, and the [[#Zemress Naval Academy|Zemress Naval Academy]] (also known as the School of Blood and Brass) where the Freeborn study maritime warfare and the construction of warships.
===Zemress Naval Academy===
[[#Calvos|Calvos]] is the final resting place of the Kraken's Bane, the legendary vessel captained by the exemplar [[Zemress]]. When people fled [[Feroz]] following the Grendel occupation, many of those who looked to Zemress chose to settle in Calvos, drawn by the [[Zemress#The_Seminary_of_Zemress|Seminary of Zemress]] (before it was destroyed). They swelled the ranks of the faithful and created a unique opportunity to build a ''School of Naval Warfare'' on the Coast. Similar to the ambitious [[Focused_and_methodical#The_School_of_Shipbuilding|School of Shipbuilding]] originally [[Focused_and_methodical#The_School_of_Shipbuilding|proposed for Siroc by Frederick di Sarvos]], it is more limited in its scope and focussed purely on teaching and research.

The school allows the Freeborn to delve deep into the practice and theory of [[navy|naval warfare]], allowing them to disseminate newly developed techniques across the Brass Coast and the Empire. Each year the researchers at the school present three possible [[Army qualities|qualities]] that new Imperial navies might be built with. The [[fleet|fleet owners]] of the Brass Coast are then able to vote on which quality they felt was most important - whichever quality wins becomes the focus on their research. Such research often takes a year or more, but once work is complete the Freeborn can again vote on what project to being next (researchers present a new quality to consider, usually alongside the two previously rejected options).

It's notable that several of visiting [[Sumaah]] präster pointed out that if the Empire were prepared to share any new naval techniques they learned with the Republic, then that would be very well received by their fellow adherents of the Way. The Sumaah apparently have two navies of their own, but they are outclassed by the Asaveans, in much the same way that the Empire struggle to compete with the Grendel navies. Redressing that balance would be a huge boost to diplomatic relations with the Sumaah.
{{Anchor|The Lyceum}}

=== The Lyceum (Hidden)===
The Lyceum was established during the reign of [[Empress Aenea]] on an island east of Siroc. It is a centre of arcane learning in the Empire, and the [[Dean of the Lyceum]] maintains sumptuous apartments here. Approach to the island is carefully controlled by the magicians and professors, and the most promising magicians are invited to study or teach there.

During the Winter Solstice 385YE, Imperial heroes [[A_beacon_of_smoke#Intercede_at_the_Lyceum_(Battle)|travelled to the Lyceum]] to protect its secrets from the Grendel who sought to claim them. In the process, they activated powerful wards that hid the island behind a wall of fog preventing barbarian or Imperial ships from reaching it. The walls were expected to remain until shortly before the Winter Solstice 386YE, but with both the Grendel and the Children of Wrecks threatening the college, the [[Conclave]] accepted an offer from [[Sadogua]] to help [[386YE_Autumn_Equinox_Conclave_sessions#Alignment:_Sadogua,_Amity|keep the wards up for the time being]] with an eye towards finding a way to get people in and out, and perhaps make the misty wards permanent.

===Atalaya===
The town of Atalaya in [[#Free Landing|Free Landing]] marks the place where the Brass Coast was born; the first landing of the three sisters and their families. Built around the side of a secluded cove, the seas around the island that share its name are a navigational nightmare. Before the [[#The Shining Pillar (Destroyed)|Shining Pillar]] was built, reaching the hidden docks of Atalaya was a feat to tax the most skilled ship's crews. Today, the landwards channel has been widened but is protected by hidden obstructions that only the Freeborn pilots know well. Atalaya is also known for its deep natural harbour - many ships of the Freeborn fleet count Atalaya as their home port.

Atalaya is the oldest Freeborn settlement in the Brass Coast, but its prominence was eclipsed centuries ago by [[#Lightsea|Quzar]]. Today, it is a place of pilgrimage for many Freeborn followers of [[the Way]] - there are a number of shrines and temples dedicated to [[Pride]] and [[Vigilance]] here. The [[Vizier_of_the_Incarnadine_Satchel#School of the Sanguine Bloom|School of the Sanguine Bloom]], one of the most prestigious schools dedicated to herb-lore in the Brass Coast also stands here, founded long ago by Sameen i Riqueza, youngest daughter of [[Riqueza]] herself.

With the rise of the [[Children of Wrecks]], the oldest settlement of the Freeborn has been lost to the nation. The museums have been looted, and the once beautiful town transformed into a den of pirates.

===Freeborn Flame Marina===
Work began on the [[Construct_Atalaya_Harbour|reconstruction]] of Atalaya harbour following an opportunity [[The_power_behind_our_moves#Atalaya|presented]] after the National Assembly of the Brass Coast called on the people of Feroz to flee the territory rather than suffer under the hands of the Grendel. Work was completed shortly before the Spring Equinox 385YE and the abundance of willing, talented shipwrights meant [[fleet|fleets]] were more easily upgradeable, at least until the Brass Coast reclaim Feroz. Unfortunately, along with Atalaya, the Freeborn Flame Marina is currently in the hands of the Children of Wrecks.

On the harbour, looking out to sea, are a number of statues each one different but reminiscent of contemporary Freeborn.

===Sunset Roads===
{{Anchor|South-West Roads}}With encouragement from the notoriously sea-averse Faraden, a grand highway connects Siroc with Calvos, cutting across the territory rather than following the coast. A shorter road runs along the northern banks of the Scorrero, crossing just north of [[Segura#Cerevado|Cerevado]] in [[Segura]] via a beautiful arched bridge of white granite. While the road is used extensively by the Faraden, it also serves to cut the journey time from the northern borders of Madruga to the trading city of Siroc, making it a popular route for Freeborn and League merchants as well.

The Sunset Roads are a [[great work]] that complement the already existing [[Lorenzo's Legacy#Blood Red Roads|Blood Red Roads]], bringing increased prosperity to the owners of [[farm|farms]] and [[business|businesses]] in Madruga.

=== The Spider's Dream ===
An elegant bridge spans the river Vassa, connecting [[#Torres|Torres]] to the town of [[Sarvos#Bocche|Trivento]] in Sarvos. It is a marvellous piece of engineering that resembles a spider's web. The [[Spider%27s_Tollkeep#The_Spider%27s_Dream|Spider's Dream]] has significant strategic importance - without it armies cannot cross the Vassa between Sarvos and Madruga without going north and passing through Tassato and the Mournwold. It is overseen by the [[Spider%27s_Tollkeep|Spider's Tollkeep]], an [[Imperial title]] uniquely appointed by both the [[senator|senators]] of the League and the Brass Coast together.

The Spider's Dream was once severely damaged by the [[Jotun]], but has since been extensively rebuilt and fortified.

==Regions==
<div style="float:right; width: 600px; clear: right;">{{CaptionedImage|file=MadrugaBorders.png|caption=A very rough region map of pre-transformation Madruga|align=right|width=600}}</div>
===Calvos Sound===
'''Quality:''' Coastal<br>
The town of [[#Calvos|Calvos]] stands on the shores of Calvos Sound; the entire [[territory#regions|region]] is named for the great shallow bay that cuts into the eastern shores of the Brass Coast. The waters of the Sound are prime fishing grounds, and the surrounding slopes are known for their rich agriculture, especially grapes, grapefruits, and pomegranates. At the end of the [[Imperial_history#.28281_YE_-_300_YE.29_The_Second_Interregnum|second interregnum]], Calvos Sound was the site of a vicious engagement between [[Grendel]] raiders and the forces of the [[Red_Wind_Corsairs#History|Red Wind Corsairs]]. Despite catastrophic losses, the Freeborn army held. Close to breaking they were forced to retreat, but the campaign achieved its purpose by convincing the nations of the south that the threat from the Grendel was real, events that would eventually lead to the elevation of [[Empress Deanne]]. To this day, many of the people of Calvos Sound have a notable antipathy for the orcs of the Broken Shore.
===Lightsea===
'''Quality:''' Coastal<br>
A well-settled region known for the friendliness of its [[The_Brass_Coast_economic_interests#Paradors|paradors]]. The largest settlement here is '''Quzar''', a bustling port town of white towers and stained glass that is sometimes described as the soul of the Brass Coast. The Towers of Quzar are known as a gathering place for [[hakima]] from all across the nation - an annual "council" meets here every midsummer to share knowledge and gossip. Since the completion of the [[Hakima_of_Salt_and_Sand#Parador_of_Salt_and_Sand|Parador of Salt and Sand]], a large community of hakima, including a significant number of refugees from Feroz, have taken up permanent residence here. The town is now best known for its community of magicians, especially those versed in [[Autumn magic]].

Many of the coastal settlements here were plundered by the Grendel during their incursion toward the end of 381YE. Quzar in particular was hard hit by the orc raiders, with some damage to the town and significant damage to the wealth of the citizens. A year later toward the end of 382YE potent magic [[The_mystic,_the_willful#Miracles_in_Lightsea|restored the town]], wiping away any sign the Grendel were ever there.
===Torres===
The northernmost region of Madruga, and one end of the [[#The Spider's Dream|Spider's Dream]]. The land here is a little more rugged than in the southern regions, and the climate is generally cooler. The people who dwell here share some of the reputation of the miners of [[Kahraman]]; as being suspicious and quarrelsome. Partly this reputation might be a result of regular clashes between Freeborn traders and [[the League|League]] merchants out of [[Sarvos]]. A regular 'problem' for the inhabitants is that League merchants would prefer to travel south to the more prosperous towns of the eastern coast to sell their wares, bypassing the markets of Torres. It is shameful to admit, but there are more incidents of brigandry against League caravans in Torres than in almost any other area around the Bay of Catazar. When such incidents get out of hand, the [[Spider's Tollkeep]] is often prevailed upon to sort them out.

The town of [[#Trajadoz|Trajadoz]] is found in the north-west of Torres. Formerly a home to Freeborn displaced from Kahraman and Segura, it is now home to a very different group of refugees - Marracossan exiles from the [[Asavean Archipelago]].
===Free Landing===
'''Quality:''' Coastal, Island<br>
The sprawling islands that form the region of Free Landing are diverse and well-settled. The islands here were the first home of the Freeborn - the town of [[#Atalaya|Atalaya]] marks the spot where the Brass Coast proper began. When the Grendel invaded Madruga in Winter 381YE, they looted many precious relics from the town of Atalaya and burnt the shipyard there to the ground. In the process, they destroyed the Freeborn [[navy|navy]], the Freeborn Storm.

The waters between the islands have a reputation for being treacherous and difficult for foreign captains; during the reign of [[Empress Aenea]] the Empire built a great lighthouse here called '''[[#The Shining Pillar (Destroyed)|the Shining Pillar]]''', which was [[The_cry_of_gulls#The_Darkened_Beacon|destroyed]] by forces loyal to the eternal [[Siakha]] during the Winter Solstice 385YE. In its place, a perpetual churning maelstrom serves as a way for servants of the eternal to enter the mortal world and functions as an effective [[fortification]] defending the Children of Wrecks.

The waters around Free Landing have become treacherous due to the presence of dozens of immature kraken hatched in the waters by the Children of Wrecks. As a result, the region has gained the '''island''' quality, it cannot be attacked by armies unless each army is accompanied by a navy capable of conveying the soldiers across.{{Anchor|Great Grasses}}

===Quiet Grasses===
* '''Qualities:''' Quiet
The Great Grasses were consumed by the Blight, but have now been restored thanks to the surging Spring waters. They are marked not only from the flooding of the Scorrero, but from a year or more of gentle rain conjured with [[Regrow the Land's Heart]]. Where once there was a sea of jade and emerald grasses, and then a lifeless desert of ash and dust, there is now a profusion of plants and flowers. The grass is different to that which grew before, standing easily taller than the tallest soldier and remarkably resistant to damage. Where the thickets of grass are densest, it is slow going trying to make headway and all too easy to get lost. In addition to the grasses, there are large numbers of broad, open meadows covered in ''flameblooms'' - a mass of previously unseen flowers that grow in a profusion of shapes and a riot of reds, oranges, yellows, and an extremely rare white petalled variety.

There is an odd silence to the Grasses now. The grasses seem to eat sounds, causing the cries of circling hawks to fall flat, and even the blaring of horns sounds tinny and can be heard over comparatively short distances. Even the wind whispers as it flows across the plains. Some scouts tagged the place as the "Quiet Grasses," and while the name may have begun as a wry commentary, it has quickly spread. Magicians say that this silence is partly due to a lingering touch of Winter magic - not the harsher resonances [[Winter_magic#Death|death]] or [[Winter_magic#Survival|survival]] but something less tangible - a sense of sadness, loss, or perhaps the [[Winter_magic#Wisdom|wisdom]] that comes from an awareness of [[Winter magic#Ending|ending]], tinged with the wistfulness for the [[Winter_magic#Preservation|way things were before]].
{{Anchor|Siroc Plains}}

===Siroc Bayou===
* '''Qualities:''' Marsh, Coastal, Ruins, Wild, Underpopulated, Enigmatic
The region that was once Siroc Plains is now the [[Madruga#Siroc Bayou|Siroc Bayou]]. Slow moving streams and lakes of brackish water characterise the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bayou bayou]. The river itself, and the gulf between Madruga and Feroz, teem with fish and other creatures. The fury of the Scorrero, already mitigated by the Crucible, loses itself in meandering, shifting streams as it makes its way to the [[Bay of Catazar]]. Here and there, ruined Freeborn settlements and structures emerge from the marshes, or stand surrounded by still pools of water. Even though the flooding that transformed the region are quite recent, many of these ruins look as if they have stood in the marshes for decades, heavily overgrown with odd plant growths. Others are more intact, often serving as lairs for the transformed creatures of the marsh. When the river rose, this region was under control of the Grendel, and [[Below_the_thunders#The_Latter_Fire|battle raged]] between the orcs and Imperial forces. The Grendel have since withdrawn almost all their forces, but there are still signs of abandoned encampments here. Some of the Broken Shore troops were left behind as well, and it seems that in the absence of any easy means of escape they have taken up banditry.

The City of Sails, poor ruined [[Madruga#Siroc (Ruined)|Siroc]], is now lost beneath the waters of the Bay, or consumed by the marsh. There is no chance of rebuilding - there is little left to rebuild on. There is apparently some interest in the [[Sarcophan Delves]] in [[Hyenas_and_herbs#Hyenas_Under_Sail|purchasing salvage rights]] to the ruins, but only once the [[Children of Wrecks]] problem is resolved.

===Crucible===
* '''Qualities:''' Marsh, Wild, Underpopulated, Enigmatic
The new region of Madruga, north of the Scorrero, was once the southern Great Grasses and the western Siroc Plains. This place has been most obviously transfigured by the unleashed magic, and the odd haze reported by scouts is most pronounced here. Even the least magical explorer can sense that there is magic here; a mixture of Spring magic from the flood and the influence of [[Ossegrahn]], or Night magic tinged by the gifts of [[Azoth]], and even a hint of lingering [[Winter magic]] from the Dry Patricians and their Blight. There are reports of a few Grendel camps here as well, scouts trapped behind enemy lines when the flood rushed in.

Scouts report that this area is where the peculiar ''marsh flowers'', some of which possess magical properties, are most abundant. There also seem to be spontaneously occurring sources of [[vis]] here - [[Vis#Warm Honey|warm honey]], [[Vis#Heart's Blood|heart's blood]], and [[Vis#Crystal_Fire|crystal fire]]. In addition, there are a number of oddities - things that either were not here before of have been changed so much as to be effectively new. There is apparently a tower that rises out of the river itself and changes subtly over a course of several days, which puts viewers in mind of a lighthouse despite being miles from the Bay of Catazar. There is a standing pool of ebony water that does not reflect humans or orcs; anything staring into it sees only a monstrous image of themselves. A fountain in the courtyard of an old parador that once stood by the road along the banks of the Scorrero that now flows with rainbow waters; drinking from them by moonlight can prompt a transformation in unlineaged humans such that they unpredictably gain [[briar]], [[naga]] or [[draughir]] [[lineage]].

==Strategic Considerations==
* '''The damage to the bridges along the Scorrero prevents movement between Madruga and both Feroz and Segura'''
The damage to almost all the bridges along the Scorrero means that it is effectively impossible for an [[Army|army]] to move between Madruga and both [[Feroz]] and [[Segura]] (or vice versa). More information can be found in the '''[[Where_the_river_rises#Crossing|Where the river rises]]''' wind of fortune.
==Special Qualities==
===Enigmatic===
* '''Rituals and curses cast on enigmatic regions will be unpredictable and may have more powerful effects'''
* '''Rituals and curses cast on territories with an enigmatic region may be unpredictable or have more powerful effects'''
* '''Such rituals can be made permanent using 2 rings of ilium per magnitude rather than 3'''
* '''Any commission in an enigmatic region can substitute wains of mithril for weirwood or white granite on a one-for-one basis'''
Two of the new regions are marked with a unique quality - ''Enigmatic''. This means the areas are infused with magic of Spring, Winter, and Night. As a consequence, any magic from those realms that operates on the territory level (or the Empire level), or targets the region with this quality, may have unexpected effects. This is not guaranteed - sometimes the ritual will have no noticeable extra impact. Sometimes, however, the impact of the magic will be enhanced in some way - more powerful or more extreme than expected. Even the wisest Unfettered Mind can't say more than that. ('''OOC Note:''' A ritual enchantment or curse will always at least equal or exceed its normal mechanical effect. The magic might be altered but it would never simply be the same effect but ''less'' powerful.)

Any Spring, Winter, or Night ritual that targets a region with a specific quality can target Crucible or Siroc Bayou. For example, even though neither region has the [[forest]] quality, both can be targeted with [[Forge the Wooden Fastness]] or [[Thunderous Tread of the Trees]]. The form the magic takes may be transformed or altered in unpredictable ways (for example, [[Mountain Remembers Its Youth]] cast on one of these regions is likely to cause a cloud of toxic marsh fog rather than volcanic gas).

If [[Dripping Echoes of the Fen]] is cast on a region with the enigmatic quality, the victory points necessary to claim the region are increased by fifteen, up from ten.

If [[The Basalt Citadel]] or [[Forge the Wooden Fastness]] are cast on a region with the enigmatic quality, the resulting battalion or wards will be enhanced such that they provide an additional one thousand effective strength, to four thousand or five thousand strength, respectively.

If the [[Drawing the Penumbral Veil|Penumbral Veil]] is drawn over a territory where at least one region has the enigmatic quality, its effective magnitude is increased by 10 - the same would apply to any [[Vale of Shadows]] created anywhere in Madruga.

Any territory-wide enchantment or curse, or enchantment or curse targeting one of the two regions is easier to [[Ilium#Using_ilium_in_rituals|make permanent]]. Rather than requiring three rings of [[ilium]] for each magnitude of the effect, it only requires ''two'' rings of ilium per magnitude. The Unfettered Mind scholars warn that this should be approached with some caution - enchantments and curses are rarely meant to be made permanent and experimentation should be done on the understanding that there will be unlooked for side effects. In particular they warn against assuming that a ritual that works one way when cast on Madruga will have the same effect if made permanent with ilium. It might... but it is impossible to be sure given the wildness of the magic coalescing here. Also, if recent events have shown nothing else, this warning is even more significant when dealing with an effect that draws on the power of an eternal.

Any commission built in an enigmatic region can take advantage of the strange magical qualities of the region to substitute mithril for white granite or weirwood on a one-for-one basis. The amount of mithril used must be specified in the details of the commission; it cannot be substituted later. The necessary details should include a description of how mithril, and Freeborn glass, replace traditional building materials. All such structures will have elements of the weird and uncanny about them. Construction that arises from an [[opportunity]] may or may not be possible in an ''enigmatic'' region - the best thing to do is to email [mailto:plot@profounddecisions.co.uk plot@profounddecisions.co.uk] to confirm it is possible.

Finally, during any trip through the [[Sentinel Gate]] that involves an encounter in Madruga, any participating character with the [[Magical skills#Magician|magician]] skill finds that they have two additional personal mana available. These mana points are the first used when spellcasting, and cannot be replenished. They last until used, or until the next sunrise. The bonus mana is gained only once in the rare situation where the same magician visits Siroc Bayou or Crucible more than once during a summit.

===Quiet===
* '''It is not possible to create a commission that produces liao in a region with the quiet quality or any commission that has a musical basis'''
* '''It is not possible to create an inspirational location in this region'''
* '''Any conjunctions in this region will experience the "quiet" roleplaying effect'''
* '''Appraisal could be used to find ways to exploit the benefits of the quiet region'''
The Quiet Grasses have the ''quiet'' quality. Sounds are a little muted here, and even loud noises fall off more swiftly. Passions and emotions are also muted in a similar fashion, causing travellers and settlers to feel a little more restrained. It's easy and satisfying to embrace emotions such as sadness, sorrow, or regret. These effects are not especially overt - only sensitive individuals are really aware of them. It is, however, impossible to create a [[commission]] that produces [[liao]] in a region with the quiet quality, or any commission that has a musical basis. Inspirational locations cannot be created in such a region, and conjunctions here will experience the "quiet" roleplaying effect. This means that during a skirmish or encounter in a region with the Quiet quality, a character with [[Heroic skills#Hero|hero points]] must have a [[Roleplaying_effects#Overcoming_Roleplaying_Effects|source of spiritual strength]] (or spend a hero point) to overcome the roleplaying effect, or they cannot spend hero points to power their abilities or magic items.

An [[appraisal]] could be used to find ways to exploit the benefits of a quiet region.

===Wild===
* '''A wild region is harder for armies to conquer, requiring 15 rather than 10 victory points to take the region'''
* '''Wild regions never count as undefended for purposes of generating victory points'''
Crucible and Siroc Bayou have the ''Wild'' quality. Even if there are no other forces present in the territory, attacks against either of the two regions will not benefit from the undefended bonus. Furthermore, the land itself defies easy conquest - so much so that each region will require a total of 15 victory points, rather than the more usual 10, to conquer. The good news is that this difficulty will persist - anyone attempting to conquer these regions in the future will face additional challenges.
===Underpopulated ===
* '''These regions will not contribute to army supply unless the quality is removed'''
The two southern regions of the new marsh also have the [[Send_for_me#Underpopulated|underpopulated]] quality, and it is tricky to see how that might be removed. The regions are rich, but they defy easy habitation. The people who once lived here have fled Grendel occupation, dire thirst, and the raging river - most have found new homes in northern Madruga. The marshes are also an environment alien to most Freeborn people. Exploring the marshes and claiming the odd wonders there is certainly possible, but it will be a significant undertaking to encourage people to permanently settle in these regions. Siroc Bayou is the best bet for removing this quality, perhaps finding a way to merge traditional Freeborn architecture with such innovations as Kallavesi stilt-dwellings, or establishing a settlement built on pontoons. Even so, there's no chance of such a settlement reaching the size of a city such as Siroc. Trying to populate Crucible will be even harder, if it is even possible.
<div style="float:left; width: 450px; clear: right;">{{CaptionedImage|file=Eulàlia i Phovas i Riqueza.jpg|caption='''Eulàlia i Phovas i Riqueza''', Senator for Madruga|align=left|width=500}}</div>
{{Senate Elections|Senator_for_Madruga|Territory=Madruga|Season=Winter}}
==OOC Notes==
* As of the start of the Summer Solstice 387YE, the Children of Wrecks control Free Landing, the Brass Coast controls Calvos Sound, Lightsea, Torres, and Quiet Grasses. Crucible and Siroc Bayou are uncontrolled. Madruga is an Imperial territory.
* The territory has regions with several odd qualities, most significantly the [[#Enigmatic|enigmatic]] quality that affects commissions and ritual effects across the whole of Madruga. The '''[[Made_anew#Sing_of_Tides|Made Anew]]''' wind of fortune contains more detail of the peculiar inhabitants of the southern marshes
* The maelstrom that now occupies the site of the [[#The Shining Pillar (Destroyed)|Shining Pillar]] serves as defensive wards controlled by [[Siakha]]. These wards provide 4,000 strength towards determining victory and inflicting casualties, but only if Free Landing is directly attacked. The wards do not suffer casualties - there are always more Siakhan heralds and monsters to contend with - and it is not possible to enchant them, nor support them with military units.

==Lost and Ruined==
{{Anchor|Siroc}}
=== Siroc (Ruined) ===
The Sapphire, the City of a Thousand Sails, was acknowledged as the pre-eminent city of the Freeborn. The city was said to have been founded by the [[Guerra]] family shortly after the Freeborn came to the Brass Coast. It lay in Madruga close by the border with [[Feroz]]. Brightly coloured tents extended Siroc out far beyond the small cluster of stone buildings that made up the heart of the city. Sails of all shapes and sizes filled the sheltered bay, which was guarded by a series of iron woven nets and chains bought at great expense from the forges of Wintermark.

Siroc was the site of the '''Glass Parador''', where the [[Mistress of the Glass Parador]] held court. It was also the location of the ''Parador of the Kindled Flame'', an [[folly|orphanage]] whose [[Construct Parador of the Kindled Flame|construction]] was overseen by '''Laughlan Vi Temeschwar''', the first [[Master of Rings]]. One of only a small number of permanent stone structures of any size in the City of a Thousand Sails, it was surprisingly understated and utilitarian with the only notable decoration being a small plaque at the entrance bearing the legend “''In Virtue we remember those who watch over others''", and a list of names of those who helped construct the sanctuary.
{{CaptionedImage|file=Parador.jpg|caption=The City of A Thousand Sails was home to many fine paradors.|title=Art by Beth Dooner|align=right|width=500}}
It was also the site of the [[#Commonwealth Embassy (Ruined)|Commonwealth Embassy]], a severe structure that represented the Commonwealth's diplomatic relationship with the Empire.

The city prospered for centuries, but following the Autumn Equinox 385YE it was [[A beacon of smoke|burned to the ground]] by the Grendel and their [[Asavean Archipelago|Asavean]] allies, apparently in retaliation for the Empire's role in the [[Mosaic|destruction of the city of Chalonsio]] in Asavea. While some of the stone buildings survived, the majority of the structures were wood and canvas, and were destroyed by fire. The transforming flood that swept through the territory towards the end of 386YE sealed Siroc's fate - those ruins not sinking into marsh mud are lost beneath the waters of the Bay, and any hope of restoring the city to its former glory is gone.
===Commonwealth Embassy (Ruined)===
The [[Ambassador to the Commonwealth|Commonwealth Embassy]] was located in [[#Siroc (Ruined)|Siroc]]. It consisted of several buildings built after the severe Commonwealth style, which stood in beautifully laid out and maintained gardens, surrounded by a low white granite wall. Despite the severity of the architecture, the embassy was surprisingly welcoming - the gates stood permanently open, albeit under the watchful gaze of a cadre of Commonwealth soldiers attached to the staff of ambassador Mila Eisenfalke. The majority of the staff were human, although there were apparently half a dozen orcs whose role on the ambassadorial staff is not clear. There were no daeva citizens working at the embassy as far as Imperial observers can make out. When the city of Siroc was attacked by the Grendel and their Asavean allies, almost all the soldiers garrisoned here perished while fighting bravely alongside the Freeborn defenders of the Salt Guard.
===The Salt Guard (Ruined)===
{{CaptionedImage|file=Destruction of the Shining Pillar.jpg|caption=The destruction of the Shining Pillar was heartbreaking for many Freeborn.|title=Art by Juniper Orton|align=right|width=450}}
A grand [[fortification]] [[The_same_bed#The_Salt_Guard|designed]] by Menno van Ritsjhof comprised of two stout fortifications on either side of the bay along the approach to Siroc. Each fort is equipped with powerful trebuchet and catapults. A garrison of skilled mariners and corsairs ensures the towers are always ready to respond to any threat, and with the significant reinforcement of the existing iron chains and nets that guard the harbour they are extremely effective against shore offensives. He believes that not only will a sea assault against Siroc be made nigh impossible, but that the garrisons of the two towers would also be in a position to protect the Lyceum which lies to the south-east of Siroc proper.
{{anchor|The Atalaya Shipyards}}

===The Atalaya Shipyards (Ruined)===
Following a [[Construct_Madruga_shipyard|motion]] at the first [[Senate]] session in Winter 376YE, work began to expand the docks of Atalaya. Under the guidance of Miroslav, Senator for the [[The League|League]] city of [[Sarvos]], many wains of white granite and weirwood were committed to building both a massive seawall, and a great Imperial shipyard equipped with drydocks, powerful cranes for loading and unloading, and expanded warehouses and work spaces. Completed shortly before Autumn 377YE, the shipyard provided significant benefits to the Freeborn [[fleet|ships]] based in Madruga. In addition, the facilities here proved sufficient to allow the construction of the first [[navy]] since the days of [[Emperor Barabbas]]; [[Raise_Freeborn_navy|work]] began on constructing Freeborn vessels in Winter 378YE.

It is perhaps fitting that when the [[Grendel]] invaded Madruga after the Autumn Equinox 381YE, and [[381YE_Winter_Solstice_winds_of_war#To_Fool_The_Crowd|destroyed the shipyard]] the Freeborn Storm was [[Navy_orders#Put_to_Port|put to port]] and shared the same fiery fate as the docks where it was created.
===The Shining Pillar (Destroyed)===
Built in [[#Free Landing|Free Landing]], this massive white-and-gold tower was one of the most prominent landmarks in the Empire. It was often adopted by Freeborn sailors as a symbol of the Brass Coast as a whole; when they can see the beacon of the Shining Pillar, they knew they were home. The grand lighthouse echoed the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lighthouse_of_Alexandria Lighthouse of Alexandria] in design, rather than more modern tall cylindrical towers, and was constructed of white granite. Mithril mirrors captured and amplified the light of the fire burning atop it, which was kept burning by a cadre of attendants who lived in the tower.

During the Grendel [[A beacon of smoke|invasion of Madruga]] in Winter 385YE, the Shining Pillar was [[A_beacon_of_smoke#Save_the_Shining_Pillar_(Battle)|annihilated]] by the servants of [[Siakha]], and the [[A_beacon_of_smoke#Objective:_Rescue_the_Beacon_Watch|Beacon Watch]] were slaughtered. The terrible rites performed there not only destroyed the lighthouse and drowned the rocky island on which it was built, but they [[The_cry_of_gulls#The_Darkened_Beacon|apparently tore open]] a terrible maelstrom, something akin to a [[fane]] for Siakha allowing the eternal to send their servants to the [[Bay of Catazar]]. Where once a shining beacon stood, a terrible maw now gapes.

==Further Reading==

Feroz

2026-05-13T10:19:30Z

Rafferty: /* The Temple of Balo and the Black Bull */

{{CaptionedImage|file=RegionsofFeroz.png|title=Southernmost of the Freeborn territories, lush but threatened by barbarians over land and sea|caption=Regions of Feroz|align=left|width=500}}[[Category:Gazetteer]][[Category:Grendel]][[Category:Imperial Territory]][[category:The Brass Coast]]
{{stub}}
== Overview ==
Feroz is the southernmost territory of the Brass Coast, and like [[Madruga]] to the north has both isles and coastline. Here the climate is warm and humid, perfect for the cultivation of different plants. This is the home of the fabulous spice gardens of Feroz, a source of great revenue for the people of this territory. The seas are more treacherous here, and the south and the west are constantly threatened by barbarians by land. As a result, many armed merchants patrolled the seas, and groups of young warriors journeyed along the borders, fighting skirmishes against jealous foes.

There is a traditional rivalry between the families of Feroz and those of Madruga. The northern territory was the first settled when the Freeborn [[The_Brass_Coast_history#The_Conquest_of_the_Coast|left Highguard]], and there is a popular stereotype that the people who live there are "stuck up". This stereotype is more humorous than hateful - the Freeborn move around too much to allow such prejudice to root itself too firmly in their psyche. Still, if a citizen of Feroz wants to insult a citizen of Madruga, they will fall back on accusations of arrogance and an over-reliance on tradition.

Some of the finest [[Surgical skills#Apothecary|apothecaries]] on the Brass Coast once lived in Feroz - the art of [[potion]] making has been studied here for centuries and even after two years of occupation by the Grendel it is still home to a great many [[herb garden|herb gardens]]. The mainland is a criss-cross patchwork of [[farm|farms]] and small settlements. At the height of its prosperity, a great deal of the food and drink consumed on the BRass Coast was produced here and exported to other Freeborn territories.

Unfortunately, in recent years the territory has been hit by disaster after disaster. Repeated raids by the Grendel eventually gave way to a concerted invasion, and while it was pushed back, the barbarian of the Broken Shore did not abandon their ambition to conquer Feroz. In 383YE, a [[Ratify treaty with the Grendel Autumn 383YE|peace treaty]] ceded the territory to the invaders, and saw the vicious, greedy, and tyrannical ''Governor Rahab'' establish his dominion over Feroz. The Freeborn organised a [[The power behind our moves|grand evacuation]] that saw much of the population escape Rahab's hungry grasp and resettle elsewhere in the Coast, but the move came at a price. When the treaty ended, and the Grendel were (mostly) driven out, Feroz was left abandoned, wrecked, and heavily underpopulated, it's former residents preferring to stay with the new lives they had built elsewhere rather than return. Worse, the [[#Cazar Straits|Cazar Straits]] were taken by the [[Children of Wrecks]], transformed into a stronghold for the servants of the eternal [[Siakha]]. They in turn were supplanted towards the end of 387YE by the [[Iron Confederacy]], who drove out the Wreckers and claimed the island for themselves.

On the mainland, the situation is a little better, but what was once one of the richest Freeborn territories still struggles with the weight of two years of exploitation by a money-hungry tyrant, and what many see as its abandonment by the Empire.

==Recent History==
Being on the [[Bay of Catazar]], Feroz has always been under threat from the [[Grendel]] [[orc|orcs]]. In Spring 383YE, the orcs [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Spindrift|launched a naval invasion]], capturing [[#Oranseri|Oranseri]] and the [[#Cazar Straits|Cazar Straits]] in short order and making significant inroads into [[#Fontargenta|Fontargenta]]. The Grendel installed a grizzled old orc named ''Lord Rahab'' as overseer of the conquered land; he took up residence in the offices of the [[Scorrero Nets]] and quickly set about attempting to bring the rest of Feroz under his control. Part of their plan appeared to involve the ghosts of the [[#Isle of the Osseini|Isle of the Osseini]], but the scheme was countered by Imperial heroes travelling through the [[Sentinel Gate]] to exorcise the spirits and defeat the Grendel seeking to make use of them.

Undaunted by the loss of their supernatural weapon, the orcs kept up their assault. By Summer 383YE, they [[383YE_Summer_Solstice_winds_of_war#The_World_is_Not_Enough|sought to consolidate their gains in Fontargenta]]; they were opposed by [[Navarr]] and [[the Marches|Marcher]] [[Army|armies]], who held the Grendel at the town of [[#Fontargenta|Bramar]] for two days before being forced to retreat. They were able to slow the Grendel advance, however, leaving the orcs bogged down in Fontargenta and unable to press inland.

Following the engagement in Fontargenta, and battling under a powerful supernatural storm, the Grendel [[383YE_Autumn_Equinox_winds_of_war#Bronze|brought even more force]] to bear in the territory. While the Imperial armies were reinforced by [[Highguard|Highborn]] troops, the orc navies disgorged a great host of their own warriors. The fighting was bitter, but in the end Fontargenta fell - and as Fontargenta falls, so falls Feroz. While [[#Morajasse|Morajasse]] and [[#Afarjasse|Afarjasse]] remained free, the Grendel forces continued to mass along the coast.

During the Autumn Equinox 383, the [[Senate]] [[Ratify_treaty_with_the_Grendel_Autumn_383YE#Treaty|ratified a peace treaty]] with the Grendel. Presented by the [[Imperial Fleet Master]], among other things it [[Powers_of_the_Imperial_Senate#Concedence|ceded]] the two remaining regions of Feroz to the Grendel, albeit with provisions allowing Imperial citizens still in Morajasse and Afarjasse to withdraw to safety. Following the Equinox, Lord Rahab's forces spread out quickly to bring the two western regions under his control; Feroz was now [[To_curb_those_raging_appetites|completely under Grendel control]].

Just before the Autumn Equinox 386YE, the Imperial forces reconquered [[Glass_and_flame| reconquered Feroz]]. Possession of the territory is complicated by [[Children_of_Wrecks|Children of Wrecks]] as well as the remnants of the Grendel. Feroz has been run into the ground by Lord Rahab, eager to extract every drop of profit from the place, and it requires significant investment to return the territory to even a fraction of its former wealth.

In 386YE, the [[Senate]] commissioned an [[appraisal]] of Feroz that laid out many of the challenges presented by the newly reclaimed territory, and some potential solutions. Details are contained in the '''[[Send_for_me#State_of_Feroz|Send for me]]''' wind of fortune.

== Major Features ==
===Oran===
The largest and most prestigious port was Feroz is Oran, on the northern coast of [[#Oranseri|Oranseri]]. Across the bay from billowing [[Madruga#Siroc_(Ruined)|Siroc]] this thriving port specialised in high-value products such as fine wines and spice mixes. Unsurprisingly, given its position, for most of its history it has engaged in low-key economic warfare with its larger cousin to the north - Oran notably has cheaper dock fees than Siroc, and a number of entrepreneurs prefer to operate here as a consequence. It is especially welcoming to those merchants who are just starting out, and has a reputation for being more energetic than its competitors to the north and south. This energy has been significantly boosted by construction of the only open [[#The Temple of Balo and the Black Bull|Asavean Temple]] in the entire Empire; the surge of [[Asavean Archipelago|Asavean]] ships visiting Oran saw the town expand significantly to become the largest trading port in Feroz.

In Spring 383YE, however, Oran was [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Spindrift|conquered by the Grendel]]. An orc governor, Lord Rahab, chose the town as the site for his court, converting the offices of the [[Scorrero Nets]] to his personal use. Among other things, this invasion saw the collapse of the [[Broken Shore Bounty]], the Scorrero Nets falling into orc hands, and the Temple of Balo and the Black Bull sealing its doors against the orcs while offering sanctuary to Freeborn families. Following the treaty signed during the Autumn Equinox, the Grendel opened Oran as a port [[Everything_has_a_price#A_New_Destination|available to Imperial captains]]. This situation persisted until the peace treaty ended, and war with the Grendel resumed.

After the Summer Solstice 386YE, Imperial forces swept into Oranseri to liberate the territory from the Grendel. They [[Glass_and_flame#The_Siege_of_Oran|laid siege]] to Oran, and were quickly victorious. The [[Below_the_thunders#Objective:_Eliminate_Governor_Rahab|recent death of Governor Rahab]] in battle with the Empire's heroes left the garrison demoralised and disorganised. It was a grievous victory, however. The fighting that raged through the town, the overwhelming assault, the barrage of catapult stones, all contributed to the fact that many of the buildings have been left in ruins, and many more damaged. A fire at the docks threatened to spread through the town and only the valiant actions of League soldiers managed bring it under control. Barely a year later the town again came under serious attack, this time by the Children of Wrecks. Without the [[A_circle_sewn_with_fate#The_Battle_of_Oran|prompt action]] of the [[orc|orcs]] from the [[#Protectorate of Morajasse|Protectorate of Morajasse]], Oran again might have been destroyed. As it is, the town remains intact but in a sadly impoverished stae.

Proposals have been put forward to [[Send_for_me#Wharfage_of_Oran|rebuild Oran]], but it remains to be seen what the future holds for the port town.

{{Anchor|The Temple of Balo and the Black Bull}}
===Temple of Balo and the Black Bull===
During the Spring Equinox 380YE, permission was granted to the people of the [[Asavean Archipelago]] to construct a major temple to their gods in [[#Oranseri|Oran]]. Initially, construction was expected to be completed shortly before the Autumn Equinox 380YE, but the temple did not actually open its doors until shortly before the Spring Equinox 381YE. The town is seeing an influx of Asavean shipping bringing white granite and architects to the Brass Coast, as well as throwing crowns around like water to secure local labour to complete their project. Relations between the people of the Empire and the priests of Asavea are monitored by ''[[El oficial de enlace imperial con los sacerdotes de Balo y el toro negro]]'' ("The Imperial intermediary to the priests of Balo and the Black Bull"), who among other things is able to [[ministry|buy Asavean goods]] at a reduced price. During the Summer Solstice 380YE, the Assembly of Nine supported Abaddon de Rondell in [[Temple_of_the_bull#Resolution|denouncing]] the temple as an idolatrous affront, making it significantly harder for the Asaveans to find labourers prepared to work on the construction and both delaying its completion and laying a significant economic burden on the foreign priests.

The temple remained extremely controversial among Imperial priests. When Oran fell to the Grendel, however, the priests at the temple [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Sand|offered sanctuary]] to a number of Freeborn families in spite of Governor Rahab's unhappiness. Several of those families were ultimately smuggled to safety in Madruga. Despite this, however, it was clear that the Asaveans were happy to work with the new owners of Oran - there were rumours that they quickly recognised a Grendel as the [[Imperial Delegate to the Temple in Feroz|Delegate to the Temple in Feroz]]. This situation was further exacerbated by the Summer 383YE [[Through_my_sails#Ruined_Buildings|attack]] on the "sister temple" to the Black Bull, the temple of the Way in Nemoria.

When Oran was [[Glass_and_flame#The_Siege_of_Oran|liberated from the Grendel]] in 386YE Autumn, the priests surrendered ''en masse'' and [[Glass_and_flame#Game_Information_:_Asavean_Diplomacy|asked to be repatriated]] back to the Archipelago. As of the winter of 387YE, the temple still stands but without tenants.

'''OOC Notes:''' More details on the construction of the Temple of Balo and the Black Bull can be found in the winds of fortune, specifically [[Seven_lords_of_virtue#Temple_of_Bahlo_and_the_Black_Bull|Seven lords of virtue]], [[Those who worship#The Black Bull|Those who worship]], and [[Distant deeps]].

=== The Spice Gardens of Feroz ===
In western [[#Morajasse|Morajasse]] stand the legendary Spice Gardens of Feroz - a set of heavily-walled enclosures covering several acres where the finest spices in the Empire are grown. A rich source of trade for whoever controls the gardens, the [[Imperial title]] of [[Keeper of the Spice Gardens]] has changed hands between families only a handful of times in the last few centuries, and the bargaining leading up to a new appointment has regularly involved the whole nation.

The peace treaty of Autumn 383YE that ceded control of Morajasse to the Grendel saw the Spice Gardens fall into the hands of the orcs. If there is any solace to be taken from this development, it is that the Grendel appreciate fine spices as much as any Freeborn so it is unlikely that they will want to harm these legendary Gardens. On the other hand, some Freeborn find the idea of their beautiful spice gardens being operated by Grendel slaves particularly heinous.

===The [[Scorrero Nets]]===
The Scorrero Nets were a Bourse resource located in [[#Oranseri|Oranseri]], seized by the Grendel in Spring 383YE as part of their conquest of Feroz. Custodianship of the Nets was an [[Imperial Title]] that brought with it a Seat on the [[Bourse]]. In Winter 384YE, a [[Drums_beat_in_my_head#The_Scorrero_Nets|daring plan]] was proposed to "steal" the nets by establishing the [[Cerevado Nets]] upriver in [[Segura]]. As a consequence, this Bourse resource ceased to exist, much to the chagrin of the Grendel governor Rahab.

===The Broken Shore Bounty===
The [[Broken Shore Bounty]] was a Bourse resource that was technically located in the [[#Cazar Straits|Cazar Straits]] inasmuch as the holder of the [[Bourse]] seat has the use of a fortified villa in the hills near Cazar. The actual [[ilium]] that the seat provided was sourced throughout the Bay of Catazar; a portion of all ilium claimed from the nets of Freeborn, [[the League|League]], [[Highguard|Highborn]], and [[Urizen|Urizeni]] nets is claimed as part of the Bounty. It produced 7 rings of ilium each season and was allocated during the Spring Equinox.

When the Cazar Straits fell to the Grendel, they also seized the offices of the Broken Shore Bounty. Despite a [[Four_strong_winds#Broken_Shore_Bounty|proposal to move the offices]], the resource fell into disarray, the ilium ending up split between the Imperial Fleet Master and the Bourse Auction. With the ratification of the Grendel peace treaty, this title and resource effectively ceased to exist.

===Mora's Rock===
Built as part of the grand project to create [[fortification|fortifications]] across the southern Empire in response to the threat of the [[Grendel]], Mora's Rock in [[#Morajasse|Morajasse]] was completed in the months following the [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Bravado|invasion of 383YE]]. The fortification squats above the town of Mora, guarding against invasion from [[Segura]], and providing garrisons and scouts who can offer resistance to assaults from the sea.

When Morajasse was ceded to the Grendel in Autumn 383YE, they took control of the fortification and later expanded it significantly. The fortification resisted the [[Glass and flame|liberation]] of the territory, and as of the beginning of 387YE remains under the control of the Grendel. The garrison is led by ''[[Glass_and_flame#The_Shadow_of_Mora's_Rock|Commander Gallum Fiersach]]'', ably supported by his partner, the ''Wind Lord Saoirse''. The garrison there includes a warband of veteran [[Elite_Grendel_troops#The_Stone_Born|Stone Born]], and the remainder appear to be very experienced soldiers. These Grendel are enemies of the Empire, obviously, but that did not prevent them acting to [[A_circle_sewn_with_fate#The_Battle_of_Oran|protect Oran]] from the Children of Wrecks in early 387YE. There has been some talk of encouraging the Grendel to continue to protect the beleaguered Feroz from raiders. Whatever else is true about the orc garrison, they appear to be a very disciplined group of soldiers with little love for the servants of [[Siakha]].
==Lost and Ruined==

{{anchor|Shantarim}}
===Shantarim (ruined)===
In the southern islands of the [[#Cazar Straits|Cazar Straits]] the town of Shantarim was one a [[corsair]] stronghold. The families were are known to engage in fierce competition with their northern rivals, not only in Madruga but also in [[#Oranseri|Oranseri]] and even the other islands of the Straits. Smaller than the town of Cazar, Shantarim had a reputation for being somewhat less cosmopolitan than the other towns of Feroz - visitors from mainland families sometimes encounter prejudice and suspicion. The families of Shantarim more than made up for their relatively small size with the enthusiasm with which they opposed the orcs of the Broken Shore.

Prior to the [[Ratify treaty with the Grendel Autumn 383YE|peace treaty]] of 383YE, they were loud supporters of the [[Freeborn Storm]], and the various raids against the Grendel. The signing of the peace treaty with the southern orcs tied their hands, making it illegal to fight the Grendel, which became been a major source of dissension in Shantarim.

Towards the end of the ceasefire secured by the treaty, in 385YE, Shatarim was attacked and wrecked. Warships of the [[Asavean Archipelago]], allies of the Grendel occupation, engaged in a campaign of destruction across the Cazar Straits, and along with the Isle of the Osseini, Shantarim bore the brunt. Many corsairs who had endured the occupation of the Grendel were slain, and the town was looted and left in ruins. When the Children of Wrecks arrived, there was precious little left for the to wreck.
<div style="float:right; width: 450px; clear: right;"><box>'''Justicars'''<br>The priests who previously lived on the Isle of the Osseini called themselves ''justicars''. Specialist exorcists and inquisitors in the pre-Imperial history of the Brass Coast, they specialised in driving out malign spirits or cleansing unpleasant auras from people, places and objects. Never particularly populous, their sanctuary on the Isle of the Osseini was all but wiped out by the Grendel. A handful remained elsewhere, and during the Autumn Equinox 383YE the Freeborn assembly [[383YE_Autumn_Equinox_Synod_judgements#Judgement_22|called on them to come together to preserve their traditions]]. A small enclave of justicars was established on the Isle of Osseini at the sufferance of the Grendel. Unfortunately, when Asavean warships went on a rampage in 385YE, the first place they attacked was this enclave, putting the priests to the sword and burning the enclave. When the Children of Wrecks arrived, the Grendel magicians still left on the island fled back to the Broken Shore. As far as anyone knows today, the island is abandoned.</box></div>

{{Anchor|Isle of the Osseini}}
===Isle of the Osseini (Ruined)===
At the southern tip of the [[#Cazar Straits|Cazar Straits]], the island was known for its heavy sea fog, its ghosts, and for a small sect of Freeborn priests famed for their knowledge of the arts of [[exorcism]]. Stories claimed the Isle was haunted by those who had died at sea, but most Freeborn had no truck with such foolishness. In 383YE, however, it became clear these tales of ghosts were more than just idle gossip. During the Spring Equinox of that year, a [[Grendel]] shaman attempted to unleash a ghostly legion of drowned orcs bound in some fashion to white granite pillars on the island against the defenders of Feroz. Before they could do so they were [[383YE_Summer_Solstice_winds_of_war#The_World_is_Not_Enough|thwarted by Imperial heroes]] who reached the isle via the [[Sentinel Gate]]. Once the heroes retreated, the status of the island, the pillars, and the remaining priests was unknown.

Then in Autumn 383YE, as part of the negotiations that led to the peace treaty with the Grendel, a contract was negotiated with the orc diplomat regarding the Isle of the Osseini. In the wake of that agreement, a small group of priests were allowed to visit the Isle with a Grendel escort. There they discovered the remaining priests were dead, the ghost-binding pillars had been destroyed, and the island was in the hands of a coven of Grendel magicians. The orcs had already constructed a permanent residence there built around a particular Winter regio, and were less than welcoming to the Freeborn. Further negotiations followed; in the end the Freeborn were allowed to establish a small enclave here, under the careful watch of the Grendel.

The return of the justicars was short-lived. In 385YE, a fleet of warships from the Asavean Archipelago went on a murderous rampage in the southern Cazar Straits. Allies of the Grendel, they slaughtered the priests and burned the enclave before sailing north to Shantarim. When the Children of Wrecks arrived, the remaining Grendel magicians fled back to the Broken Shore. By the close of 387YE, the island appears to be abandoned, although it remains to be seen what the Iron COnfederacy plan to do with it.

'''OOC Note:''' You can learn more about the historic Isle of the Osseini in the [[Bones in the ocean]] wind of fortune.

==Regions==
===Afarjasse===
'''Qualities:''' [[Region_qualities#Abandoned|Abandoned]], [[Region_qualities#Underpopulated|Underpopulated]]<br>
In the middle of nowhere, on the plains of Afarjasse, is the quiet settlement of '''Afar'''. It was established by [[hakima]] with close ties to the [[Guerra]] tribe near a potent [[regio]] tied to the realm of Night. It is a faraway place dedicated to the practice of [[rituals|ritual magics]] that support the Freeborn. It is not hard to reach, but it stands alone in a sea of sprawling grasslands and does not encourage casual visitors. On nights when powerful magics are performed, Afar is visible for miles around - great bonfires are built and massive drums used to build powerful rhythms to help raise (or draw down, or both) the passionate energy for powerful workings.

As with the rest of Feroz, Afarjasse spent two years in the hands of the Grendel. The governor, Lord Rahab, made it clear that the hakima here would not be permitted access to their potent regio - they were after all an important strategic resource. The region has been liberated now, but is in the same dire straits as the rest of the territory.

===Cazar Straits===
'''Qualities:''' Abandoned, Coastal, Impoverished, Island, Underpopulated<br>
For most of the Brass Coast's history, the islands of the Cazar Straits were dominated by [[corsair]] families. The largest settlement remains the port town from which the islands take their name - high-cliffed '''Cazar''' - but in recent years it has changed hands several times and is a shadow of its former self. Built around a bustling dock, it served as a safe harbour and home port for many of the [[fleet|fleets]] that protected the Bay from barbarian ships. The holder of the [[Broken Shore Bounty]] used to have the use of a fortified villa in the hills near Cazar, and the civil service offices that oversaw the resource were based here. Both were lost to the Grendel, then to the [[Children of Wrecks]], and in the last months of 387YE, to the [[Iron Confederacy]].

Even before the Children of Wrecks arrived, several of the more southerly islands of the Straits had a reputation for peculiarity. The corsairs of [[#Shantarim|Shantarim]] for example were renowned both for their enthusiastic rivalry with all other corsair families, and the zeal with which they waged war on the Grendel. The [[#Isle of the Osseini|Isle of the Osseini]] is also found here, once home to a sect of strange priests, allegedly haunted by the ghosts of drowned pirates, then the site of an uneasy truce between orc magicians and Freeborn priests. Towards the end of the peace treaty with the Grendel, however, a fleet of warships from the [[Asavean Archipelago]] slaughtered the justicars of Osseini and ruined the town of Shantarim. When the Children of Wrecks claimed the region, there was precious little left for them to destroy.

Today, the waters around the Cazar Straits remain treacherous. In part this is due to the presence of dozens of immature kraken hatched in the waters by the Children of Wrecks.

===Fontargenta===
'''Qualities:''' Abandoned, Coastal, Impoverished<br>
The trading port of '''Bramar''' stands on the coast here. Surrounded by rich agricultural land, its bountiful cornfields once competed with [[the Marches|Marcher]] grain in markets across the southern nations of the Empire, and their vineyards were justly famous. Before the Grendel invasion it served as an important hub for the Imperial wine trade, with many excellent vintages passing through its docks - both from the Brass Coast to the rest of the world, and from the rest of the world to the Brass Coast (and thus the Empire). Lord Rahab has left the region devastated, and it remains to be seen if the farms here will ever recover.

===Morajasse===
'''Qualities:''' Abandoned, Impoverished, Underpopulated<br>
The largest town in prosperous Morajasse is '''Mora'''. Once simply a spice market, the barbarian invasion of [[Segura]] saw a burst of rapid militarisation of this peaceful settlement. Refugees are common here: some supported by their families, others looking to work in the market. With the liberation of the western territory, a strange reversal took place - the pool of desperate labourers has largely dried up with refugees returning to their homes.

Immediately following the [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Bravado|invasion of Feroz]] in 383YE, work was completed on a [[fortification]] at the town of Mora, [[#Mora's Rock|Mora's Rock]]. The fortification served the defenders well, but with the ratification of the peace treaty it was taken over, and expanded, by Grendel troops. It now serves as the base of operations of ''Wind Lord Saoirse'' and her partner ''Commander Fiersach'', as well as a sizable force of Grendel veterans.

Western Morajasse is the site of the great [[#The Spice Gardens of Feroz|Spice Gardens]]. The [[Vizier of the Incarnadine Satchel]] was often quite active in Feroz, occasionally dealing with agents of the Spice Gardens or traders from the Jewelled Isles. Following the Grendel treaty, the offices that supported the Vizier with easy access to reasonably priced herbs has dried up - while they are still notionally the owner of the miraculous satchel that gives them their name, their ability to support the nations' apothecaries and physicks has been greatly reduced.
{{CaptionedImage|file=Oran_by_the_Sea.jpg|caption=The Celesti Lighthouse sits high on the headland overlooking Oran.|align=right|width=400}}

===Oranseri===
'''Qualities:''' Abandoned, Coastal, Impoverished<br>
Across the bay from billowing [[Madruga#Siroc|Siroc]] stands the thriving port town of [[#Oran|Oran]]. In recent years, the port has grown in prominence and prosperity; it served as the seat of power for the Grendel governor Lord Rahab during the Grendel occupation of the territory. Just outside Oran lies the great [[Celesti_Lighthouse_Keeper#The_Celesti_Lighthouse|Celesti Lighthouse]], originally constructed during the reign of [[Emperor Barabbas]] and recently repaired and restored to full functionality. It, too, was in the hands of the Grendel for several years but has now been restored.

West of Oran is the ''Scorrero Crossing''. The river Scorrero is wide and deep between Feroz and Madruga. During the Summer Solstice 383YE, the Grendel invaders attempted to take advantage of this by taking control of both bridges that connect the two Freeborn territories. Had they been successful, it would have been significantly harder for Imperial forces to move between Siroc and Oranseri. Their attempts were stymied, and ultimately became moot once the Scorrero [[Where_the_river_rises#Crossing|burst its banks]] and carried away all the existing bridges.

'''Joharra''' is a port south of Oran, considered much more stable than its northern cousin, and better known for its industry than its trade. Famous throughout the Empire for its cloth and dye-work, Joharra is called '' the Rainbow'' by coastal sailors who mark their progress round the coast with the first sight of the great billowing cloths hung out to dry on tall wooden frames along the low cliffs. As with the other settlements of Oran, the weavers and dyers here now labour under the yoke of the Grendel orcs.

==Strategic Considerations==
* '''The damage to the bridges along the Scorrero prevents movement between Feroz and Madruga'''
The damage to almost all the bridges along the Scorrero means that it is effectively impossible for an [[Army|army]] to move between Feroz and [[Madruga]] (or vice versa). More information can be found in the '''[[Where_the_river_rises#Crossing|Where the river rises]]''' wind of fortune.
<div style="float:left; width: 450px; clear: right;">{{CaptionedImage|file=Garviel i Abrira i Erigo.jpg|caption='''Garviel i Abrira i Erigo''', Senator for Feroz|align=left|width=500}}</div>
{{Senate Elections|Senator_for_Feroz|Territory=Feroz|Season=Summer|Controlled=is}}

==OOC Notes==
* As of the start of the Winter Solstice 387YE, the Iron Confederacy control the Cazar Straits, the Grendel control Morajasse, and the Brass Coast controls Afarjasse, Fontargenta, and Oranseri. Feroz is an Imperial territory
* [[#Mora's Rock|Mora's Rock]] is a rank two fortification controlled by the Grendel.
* The status of various titles and resources located in Feroz is outlined in more detail in [[To_curb_those_raging_appetites#Lost_Opportunities|To curb those raging appetites]], a Winter 383YE wind of fortune.

==Further Reading==
* [[Red skies]] - 387YE Winter wind of war about the Iron Confederacy invasion of the Cazar Straits
* [[A circle sewn with fate]] - 387YE Spring wind of war detailing the Wrecker attack on Oran
* [[Send for me]] - 386YE Winter wind of fortune about the rebuilding of Feroz
* [[Glass and flame]] - 386YE Autumn wind of war about the liberation of Feroz
* [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Spindrift|Winds of War 383YE Spring]] - Detailing the Grendel invasion
* [[383YE_Summer_Solstice_winds_of_war#The_World_is_Not_Enough|Winds of War 383YE Summer]]
* [[383YE_Autumn_Equinox_winds_of_war#Bronze|Winds of War 383YE Autumn]]
* [[Ratify_treaty_with_the_Grendel_Autumn_383YE#Treaty|Treaty]] - the Autumn 383YE treaty with the Grendel
* [[To curb those raging appetites]] - a Winter 383YE wind of fortune that details the situation for Freeborn in Feroz
* [[Everything has a price]] - a Winter 383YE wind of fortune that details the general situation with the Grendel, and has several notes about their presence in Feroz
* [[Bones in the ocean]] - a Winter 383YE wind of fortune that specifically deals with the [[#Isle of the Osseini|Isle of the Osseini]] and the justicars

Imperial Delegate to the Temple in Feroz

2026-05-13T10:18:23Z

Rafferty:

Imperial Delegate to the Temple in Feroz is ''not'' an [[Imperial title]]. Following war with Asavea, and the destruction of the Temple of the Way in Nemoria, this title is defunct.
{{CaptionedImage|file=The Black Bull.png|align=right|caption=One of the [[https://www.profounddecisions.co.uk/empire-wiki/Asavean_Archipelago#Religion|"gods"]] honoured at the [[Feroz#The_Temple_of_Balo_and_the_Black_Bull|temple]] in [[Feroz]] is<br>the Black Bull, patron of guards, bodyguards, and soldiers.|width=250}}
==Overview==
''El oficial de enlace imperial con los sacerdotes de Balo y el Toro Negro'' or ''Delegato Imperiale presso i sacerdoti di Balo e del Toro Nero'' (depending who one asks - it translates roughly as Imperial intermediary/delegate to the priests of Balo and the Black Bull) is charged with maintaining good relations between Imperial citizens and the [[Asavean Archipelago|Asavean]] priests at the [[Feroz#The_Temple_of_Balo_and_the_Black_Bull|Temple of Balo and the Black Bull]]. As part of their work, they are able to purchase Asavean good at a set price.

The Temple of Balo and the Black Bull was completed shortly before the Spring Equinox 381YE. Construction was significantly over budget, and took half a year longer than expected, due to opposition from the Imperial Synod.

The position of Delegate is ''not'' an [[Imperial title]]; rather it represents access to a [[Resource#Campaign_Resource|Campaign resource]].

==Responsibilities==
The Delegate is responsible for maintaining the relationship between the [[Synod]], the people of [[Feroz#Oran|Oran]], and the priests and worshippers at the Temple of Balo and the Black Bull. For the most part, this is likely to involve smoothing over any conflicts, and dealing with any problems of [[opportunity|opportunities]] related to the Temple.
__TOC__
==Powers==
===Point of Contact===
The Asavean priesthood, both that local to Feroz and the temples of Asavea, will look to the Delegate to resolve any issues between the Asaveans and Imperial citizens, in conjunction with the [[Ambassador to Asavea]].

===Ministry===
<div style="float: right; max-width: 450px; margin-left: 10px; clear: right;">
<table><tr><th style="background-color: LightBlue;">Total Money Spent</th><th style="background-color: LightBlue;">Production</th></tr>
<tr><td>168 Rings</td><td>5 Cerulean Mazzarine, 4 Orichalcum, 3 Iridescent Gloaming, 2 Tempest Jade</td></tr>
<tr><td>408 Rings</td><td>9 Cerulean Mazzarine, 8 Orichalcum, 6 Iridescent Gloaming, 4 Tempest Jade</td></tr>
<tr><td>840 Rings</td><td>13 Cerulean Mazzarine, 12 Orichalcum, 9 Iridescent Gloaming, 6 Tempest Jade</td></tr>
<tr><td>1152 Rings</td><td>17 Cerulean Mazzarine, 16 Orichalcum, 12 Iridescent Gloaming, 8 Tempest Jade</td></tr>
</table>
</div>

As a [[ministry]], the title Imperial Delegate is able to purchase quantities of special materials at a set price. The Delegate spends their money and makes their choices during downtime from their character page. Money is removed from, and resources are placed into, the character's inventory when the downtime is processed.

Following the [[Ratify Liberty Pact|imposition]] of [[Tariffs#Sanctions|sanctions]] on trade with the [[Asavean Archipelago]] during the Winter Solstice 382YE, the cost to purchase goods via the ministry has increased by roughly a fifth.

==Appointment==
The decision as to who will serve as Delegate is in the hands of the Asavean priesthood. The speaker for the Asavean priests involved in this project, Hueva Joãon, has indicated that he would like the temporal power in the land where the temple is being built - specifically the Senator for Feroz - to guide the selection by presenting a candidate or candidates who would be open-minded and interested in cementing closer ties between the Archipelago and the Empire.

Anyone may hold the position of Delegate; as this is not an Imperial title, there is no requirement for the holder to be an Imperial citizen.

The Delegate can be removed at any time by the Asavean priesthood. The Imperial senate could close down the Temple of Balo and the Black Bull, making the title meaningless.

As this is not an Imperial title, the holder cannot be [[revocation|revoked]], and would not lose access to the benefits of their position even if they were the subject of a [[Writ of Excommunication]].

==OOC Note==
This position is not an Imperial title. A character could hold this position and still have an Imperial title. The Empire has little control over the position; in theory possession of the title and how it works is at the mercy of non-player characters. The Senate can effectively abrogate the title by shutting down the Temple of Balo and the Black Bull, but cannot amend its powers or responsibilities.

{{Responsibilities Expectation}}

[[Category:Foreign Nations]]
[[Category:Title]]

Feroz

2026-05-13T10:10:37Z

Rafferty: /* Oran */

{{CaptionedImage|file=RegionsofFeroz.png|title=Southernmost of the Freeborn territories, lush but threatened by barbarians over land and sea|caption=Regions of Feroz|align=left|width=500}}[[Category:Gazetteer]][[Category:Grendel]][[Category:Imperial Territory]][[category:The Brass Coast]]
{{stub}}
== Overview ==
Feroz is the southernmost territory of the Brass Coast, and like [[Madruga]] to the north has both isles and coastline. Here the climate is warm and humid, perfect for the cultivation of different plants. This is the home of the fabulous spice gardens of Feroz, a source of great revenue for the people of this territory. The seas are more treacherous here, and the south and the west are constantly threatened by barbarians by land. As a result, many armed merchants patrolled the seas, and groups of young warriors journeyed along the borders, fighting skirmishes against jealous foes.

There is a traditional rivalry between the families of Feroz and those of Madruga. The northern territory was the first settled when the Freeborn [[The_Brass_Coast_history#The_Conquest_of_the_Coast|left Highguard]], and there is a popular stereotype that the people who live there are "stuck up". This stereotype is more humorous than hateful - the Freeborn move around too much to allow such prejudice to root itself too firmly in their psyche. Still, if a citizen of Feroz wants to insult a citizen of Madruga, they will fall back on accusations of arrogance and an over-reliance on tradition.

Some of the finest [[Surgical skills#Apothecary|apothecaries]] on the Brass Coast once lived in Feroz - the art of [[potion]] making has been studied here for centuries and even after two years of occupation by the Grendel it is still home to a great many [[herb garden|herb gardens]]. The mainland is a criss-cross patchwork of [[farm|farms]] and small settlements. At the height of its prosperity, a great deal of the food and drink consumed on the BRass Coast was produced here and exported to other Freeborn territories.

Unfortunately, in recent years the territory has been hit by disaster after disaster. Repeated raids by the Grendel eventually gave way to a concerted invasion, and while it was pushed back, the barbarian of the Broken Shore did not abandon their ambition to conquer Feroz. In 383YE, a [[Ratify treaty with the Grendel Autumn 383YE|peace treaty]] ceded the territory to the invaders, and saw the vicious, greedy, and tyrannical ''Governor Rahab'' establish his dominion over Feroz. The Freeborn organised a [[The power behind our moves|grand evacuation]] that saw much of the population escape Rahab's hungry grasp and resettle elsewhere in the Coast, but the move came at a price. When the treaty ended, and the Grendel were (mostly) driven out, Feroz was left abandoned, wrecked, and heavily underpopulated, it's former residents preferring to stay with the new lives they had built elsewhere rather than return. Worse, the [[#Cazar Straits|Cazar Straits]] were taken by the [[Children of Wrecks]], transformed into a stronghold for the servants of the eternal [[Siakha]]. They in turn were supplanted towards the end of 387YE by the [[Iron Confederacy]], who drove out the Wreckers and claimed the island for themselves.

On the mainland, the situation is a little better, but what was once one of the richest Freeborn territories still struggles with the weight of two years of exploitation by a money-hungry tyrant, and what many see as its abandonment by the Empire.

==Recent History==
Being on the [[Bay of Catazar]], Feroz has always been under threat from the [[Grendel]] [[orc|orcs]]. In Spring 383YE, the orcs [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Spindrift|launched a naval invasion]], capturing [[#Oranseri|Oranseri]] and the [[#Cazar Straits|Cazar Straits]] in short order and making significant inroads into [[#Fontargenta|Fontargenta]]. The Grendel installed a grizzled old orc named ''Lord Rahab'' as overseer of the conquered land; he took up residence in the offices of the [[Scorrero Nets]] and quickly set about attempting to bring the rest of Feroz under his control. Part of their plan appeared to involve the ghosts of the [[#Isle of the Osseini|Isle of the Osseini]], but the scheme was countered by Imperial heroes travelling through the [[Sentinel Gate]] to exorcise the spirits and defeat the Grendel seeking to make use of them.

Undaunted by the loss of their supernatural weapon, the orcs kept up their assault. By Summer 383YE, they [[383YE_Summer_Solstice_winds_of_war#The_World_is_Not_Enough|sought to consolidate their gains in Fontargenta]]; they were opposed by [[Navarr]] and [[the Marches|Marcher]] [[Army|armies]], who held the Grendel at the town of [[#Fontargenta|Bramar]] for two days before being forced to retreat. They were able to slow the Grendel advance, however, leaving the orcs bogged down in Fontargenta and unable to press inland.

Following the engagement in Fontargenta, and battling under a powerful supernatural storm, the Grendel [[383YE_Autumn_Equinox_winds_of_war#Bronze|brought even more force]] to bear in the territory. While the Imperial armies were reinforced by [[Highguard|Highborn]] troops, the orc navies disgorged a great host of their own warriors. The fighting was bitter, but in the end Fontargenta fell - and as Fontargenta falls, so falls Feroz. While [[#Morajasse|Morajasse]] and [[#Afarjasse|Afarjasse]] remained free, the Grendel forces continued to mass along the coast.

During the Autumn Equinox 383, the [[Senate]] [[Ratify_treaty_with_the_Grendel_Autumn_383YE#Treaty|ratified a peace treaty]] with the Grendel. Presented by the [[Imperial Fleet Master]], among other things it [[Powers_of_the_Imperial_Senate#Concedence|ceded]] the two remaining regions of Feroz to the Grendel, albeit with provisions allowing Imperial citizens still in Morajasse and Afarjasse to withdraw to safety. Following the Equinox, Lord Rahab's forces spread out quickly to bring the two western regions under his control; Feroz was now [[To_curb_those_raging_appetites|completely under Grendel control]].

Just before the Autumn Equinox 386YE, the Imperial forces reconquered [[Glass_and_flame| reconquered Feroz]]. Possession of the territory is complicated by [[Children_of_Wrecks|Children of Wrecks]] as well as the remnants of the Grendel. Feroz has been run into the ground by Lord Rahab, eager to extract every drop of profit from the place, and it requires significant investment to return the territory to even a fraction of its former wealth.

In 386YE, the [[Senate]] commissioned an [[appraisal]] of Feroz that laid out many of the challenges presented by the newly reclaimed territory, and some potential solutions. Details are contained in the '''[[Send_for_me#State_of_Feroz|Send for me]]''' wind of fortune.

== Major Features ==
===Oran===
The largest and most prestigious port was Feroz is Oran, on the northern coast of [[#Oranseri|Oranseri]]. Across the bay from billowing [[Madruga#Siroc_(Ruined)|Siroc]] this thriving port specialised in high-value products such as fine wines and spice mixes. Unsurprisingly, given its position, for most of its history it has engaged in low-key economic warfare with its larger cousin to the north - Oran notably has cheaper dock fees than Siroc, and a number of entrepreneurs prefer to operate here as a consequence. It is especially welcoming to those merchants who are just starting out, and has a reputation for being more energetic than its competitors to the north and south. This energy has been significantly boosted by construction of the only open [[#The Temple of Balo and the Black Bull|Asavean Temple]] in the entire Empire; the surge of [[Asavean Archipelago|Asavean]] ships visiting Oran saw the town expand significantly to become the largest trading port in Feroz.

In Spring 383YE, however, Oran was [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Spindrift|conquered by the Grendel]]. An orc governor, Lord Rahab, chose the town as the site for his court, converting the offices of the [[Scorrero Nets]] to his personal use. Among other things, this invasion saw the collapse of the [[Broken Shore Bounty]], the Scorrero Nets falling into orc hands, and the Temple of Balo and the Black Bull sealing its doors against the orcs while offering sanctuary to Freeborn families. Following the treaty signed during the Autumn Equinox, the Grendel opened Oran as a port [[Everything_has_a_price#A_New_Destination|available to Imperial captains]]. This situation persisted until the peace treaty ended, and war with the Grendel resumed.

After the Summer Solstice 386YE, Imperial forces swept into Oranseri to liberate the territory from the Grendel. They [[Glass_and_flame#The_Siege_of_Oran|laid siege]] to Oran, and were quickly victorious. The [[Below_the_thunders#Objective:_Eliminate_Governor_Rahab|recent death of Governor Rahab]] in battle with the Empire's heroes left the garrison demoralised and disorganised. It was a grievous victory, however. The fighting that raged through the town, the overwhelming assault, the barrage of catapult stones, all contributed to the fact that many of the buildings have been left in ruins, and many more damaged. A fire at the docks threatened to spread through the town and only the valiant actions of League soldiers managed bring it under control. Barely a year later the town again came under serious attack, this time by the Children of Wrecks. Without the [[A_circle_sewn_with_fate#The_Battle_of_Oran|prompt action]] of the [[orc|orcs]] from the [[#Protectorate of Morajasse|Protectorate of Morajasse]], Oran again might have been destroyed. As it is, the town remains intact but in a sadly impoverished stae.

Proposals have been put forward to [[Send_for_me#Wharfage_of_Oran|rebuild Oran]], but it remains to be seen what the future holds for the port town.

===The Temple of Balo and the Black Bull===
During the Spring Equinox 380YE, permission was granted to the people of the [[Asavean Archipelago]] to construct a major temple to their gods in [[#Oranseri|Oran]]. Initially, construction was expected to be completed shortly before the Autumn Equinox 380YE, but the temple did not actually open its doors until shortly before the Spring Equinox 381YE. The town is seeing an influx of Asavean shipping bringing white granite and architects to the Brass Coast, as well as throwing crowns around like water to secure local labour to complete their project. Relations between the people of the Empire and the priests of Asavea are monitored by ''[[El oficial de enlace imperial con los sacerdotes de Balo y el toro negro]]'' ("The Imperial intermediary to the priests of Balo and the Black Bull"), who among other things is able to [[ministry|buy Asavean goods]] at a reduced price. During the Summer Solstice 380YE, the Assembly of Nine supported Abaddon de Rondell in [[Temple_of_the_bull#Resolution|denouncing]] the temple as an idolatrous affront, making it significantly harder for the Asaveans to find labourers prepared to work on the construction and both delaying its completion and laying a significant economic burden on the foreign priests.

The temple remained extremely controversial among Imperial priests. When Oran fell, however, the priests at the temple [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Sand|offered sanctuary]] to a number of Freeborn families in spite of Grendel unhappiness. In the following months, several of those families were smuggled to safety in Madruga, although an unknown number remain as guests at the temple. Despite this, however, it is clear that the Asaveans are more than happy to work with the new owners of Oran - indeed there are rumours that they have already recognised a Grendel as the [[Imperial Delegate to the Temple in Feroz|Delegate to the Temple in Feroz]]. This situation is no doubt being exacerbated by the Summer 383YE [[Through_my_sails#Ruined_Buildings|attack]] on the "sister temple" to the Black Bull, the temple of the Way in Nemoria.

'''OOC Notes:''' More details on the construction of the Temple of Balo and the Black Bull can be found in the winds of fortune, specifically [[Seven_lords_of_virtue#Temple_of_Bahlo_and_the_Black_Bull|Seven lords of virtue]], [[Those who worship#The Black Bull|Those who worship]], and [[Distant deeps]].
=== The Spice Gardens of Feroz ===
In western [[#Morajasse|Morajasse]] stand the legendary Spice Gardens of Feroz - a set of heavily-walled enclosures covering several acres where the finest spices in the Empire are grown. A rich source of trade for whoever controls the gardens, the [[Imperial title]] of [[Keeper of the Spice Gardens]] has changed hands between families only a handful of times in the last few centuries, and the bargaining leading up to a new appointment has regularly involved the whole nation.

The peace treaty of Autumn 383YE that ceded control of Morajasse to the Grendel saw the Spice Gardens fall into the hands of the orcs. If there is any solace to be taken from this development, it is that the Grendel appreciate fine spices as much as any Freeborn so it is unlikely that they will want to harm these legendary Gardens. On the other hand, some Freeborn find the idea of their beautiful spice gardens being operated by Grendel slaves particularly heinous.

===The [[Scorrero Nets]]===
The Scorrero Nets were a Bourse resource located in [[#Oranseri|Oranseri]], seized by the Grendel in Spring 383YE as part of their conquest of Feroz. Custodianship of the Nets was an [[Imperial Title]] that brought with it a Seat on the [[Bourse]]. In Winter 384YE, a [[Drums_beat_in_my_head#The_Scorrero_Nets|daring plan]] was proposed to "steal" the nets by establishing the [[Cerevado Nets]] upriver in [[Segura]]. As a consequence, this Bourse resource ceased to exist, much to the chagrin of the Grendel governor Rahab.

===The Broken Shore Bounty===
The [[Broken Shore Bounty]] was a Bourse resource that was technically located in the [[#Cazar Straits|Cazar Straits]] inasmuch as the holder of the [[Bourse]] seat has the use of a fortified villa in the hills near Cazar. The actual [[ilium]] that the seat provided was sourced throughout the Bay of Catazar; a portion of all ilium claimed from the nets of Freeborn, [[the League|League]], [[Highguard|Highborn]], and [[Urizen|Urizeni]] nets is claimed as part of the Bounty. It produced 7 rings of ilium each season and was allocated during the Spring Equinox.

When the Cazar Straits fell to the Grendel, they also seized the offices of the Broken Shore Bounty. Despite a [[Four_strong_winds#Broken_Shore_Bounty|proposal to move the offices]], the resource fell into disarray, the ilium ending up split between the Imperial Fleet Master and the Bourse Auction. With the ratification of the Grendel peace treaty, this title and resource effectively ceased to exist.

===Mora's Rock===
Built as part of the grand project to create [[fortification|fortifications]] across the southern Empire in response to the threat of the [[Grendel]], Mora's Rock in [[#Morajasse|Morajasse]] was completed in the months following the [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Bravado|invasion of 383YE]]. The fortification squats above the town of Mora, guarding against invasion from [[Segura]], and providing garrisons and scouts who can offer resistance to assaults from the sea.

When Morajasse was ceded to the Grendel in Autumn 383YE, they took control of the fortification and later expanded it significantly. The fortification resisted the [[Glass and flame|liberation]] of the territory, and as of the beginning of 387YE remains under the control of the Grendel. The garrison is led by ''[[Glass_and_flame#The_Shadow_of_Mora's_Rock|Commander Gallum Fiersach]]'', ably supported by his partner, the ''Wind Lord Saoirse''. The garrison there includes a warband of veteran [[Elite_Grendel_troops#The_Stone_Born|Stone Born]], and the remainder appear to be very experienced soldiers. These Grendel are enemies of the Empire, obviously, but that did not prevent them acting to [[A_circle_sewn_with_fate#The_Battle_of_Oran|protect Oran]] from the Children of Wrecks in early 387YE. There has been some talk of encouraging the Grendel to continue to protect the beleaguered Feroz from raiders. Whatever else is true about the orc garrison, they appear to be a very disciplined group of soldiers with little love for the servants of [[Siakha]].
==Lost and Ruined==

{{anchor|Shantarim}}
===Shantarim (ruined)===
In the southern islands of the [[#Cazar Straits|Cazar Straits]] the town of Shantarim was one a [[corsair]] stronghold. The families were are known to engage in fierce competition with their northern rivals, not only in Madruga but also in [[#Oranseri|Oranseri]] and even the other islands of the Straits. Smaller than the town of Cazar, Shantarim had a reputation for being somewhat less cosmopolitan than the other towns of Feroz - visitors from mainland families sometimes encounter prejudice and suspicion. The families of Shantarim more than made up for their relatively small size with the enthusiasm with which they opposed the orcs of the Broken Shore.

Prior to the [[Ratify treaty with the Grendel Autumn 383YE|peace treaty]] of 383YE, they were loud supporters of the [[Freeborn Storm]], and the various raids against the Grendel. The signing of the peace treaty with the southern orcs tied their hands, making it illegal to fight the Grendel, which became been a major source of dissension in Shantarim.

Towards the end of the ceasefire secured by the treaty, in 385YE, Shatarim was attacked and wrecked. Warships of the [[Asavean Archipelago]], allies of the Grendel occupation, engaged in a campaign of destruction across the Cazar Straits, and along with the Isle of the Osseini, Shantarim bore the brunt. Many corsairs who had endured the occupation of the Grendel were slain, and the town was looted and left in ruins. When the Children of Wrecks arrived, there was precious little left for the to wreck.
<div style="float:right; width: 450px; clear: right;"><box>'''Justicars'''<br>The priests who previously lived on the Isle of the Osseini called themselves ''justicars''. Specialist exorcists and inquisitors in the pre-Imperial history of the Brass Coast, they specialised in driving out malign spirits or cleansing unpleasant auras from people, places and objects. Never particularly populous, their sanctuary on the Isle of the Osseini was all but wiped out by the Grendel. A handful remained elsewhere, and during the Autumn Equinox 383YE the Freeborn assembly [[383YE_Autumn_Equinox_Synod_judgements#Judgement_22|called on them to come together to preserve their traditions]]. A small enclave of justicars was established on the Isle of Osseini at the sufferance of the Grendel. Unfortunately, when Asavean warships went on a rampage in 385YE, the first place they attacked was this enclave, putting the priests to the sword and burning the enclave. When the Children of Wrecks arrived, the Grendel magicians still left on the island fled back to the Broken Shore. As far as anyone knows today, the island is abandoned.</box></div>

{{Anchor|Isle of the Osseini}}
===Isle of the Osseini (Ruined)===
At the southern tip of the [[#Cazar Straits|Cazar Straits]], the island was known for its heavy sea fog, its ghosts, and for a small sect of Freeborn priests famed for their knowledge of the arts of [[exorcism]]. Stories claimed the Isle was haunted by those who had died at sea, but most Freeborn had no truck with such foolishness. In 383YE, however, it became clear these tales of ghosts were more than just idle gossip. During the Spring Equinox of that year, a [[Grendel]] shaman attempted to unleash a ghostly legion of drowned orcs bound in some fashion to white granite pillars on the island against the defenders of Feroz. Before they could do so they were [[383YE_Summer_Solstice_winds_of_war#The_World_is_Not_Enough|thwarted by Imperial heroes]] who reached the isle via the [[Sentinel Gate]]. Once the heroes retreated, the status of the island, the pillars, and the remaining priests was unknown.

Then in Autumn 383YE, as part of the negotiations that led to the peace treaty with the Grendel, a contract was negotiated with the orc diplomat regarding the Isle of the Osseini. In the wake of that agreement, a small group of priests were allowed to visit the Isle with a Grendel escort. There they discovered the remaining priests were dead, the ghost-binding pillars had been destroyed, and the island was in the hands of a coven of Grendel magicians. The orcs had already constructed a permanent residence there built around a particular Winter regio, and were less than welcoming to the Freeborn. Further negotiations followed; in the end the Freeborn were allowed to establish a small enclave here, under the careful watch of the Grendel.

The return of the justicars was short-lived. In 385YE, a fleet of warships from the Asavean Archipelago went on a murderous rampage in the southern Cazar Straits. Allies of the Grendel, they slaughtered the priests and burned the enclave before sailing north to Shantarim. When the Children of Wrecks arrived, the remaining Grendel magicians fled back to the Broken Shore. By the close of 387YE, the island appears to be abandoned, although it remains to be seen what the Iron COnfederacy plan to do with it.

'''OOC Note:''' You can learn more about the historic Isle of the Osseini in the [[Bones in the ocean]] wind of fortune.

==Regions==
===Afarjasse===
'''Qualities:''' [[Region_qualities#Abandoned|Abandoned]], [[Region_qualities#Underpopulated|Underpopulated]]<br>
In the middle of nowhere, on the plains of Afarjasse, is the quiet settlement of '''Afar'''. It was established by [[hakima]] with close ties to the [[Guerra]] tribe near a potent [[regio]] tied to the realm of Night. It is a faraway place dedicated to the practice of [[rituals|ritual magics]] that support the Freeborn. It is not hard to reach, but it stands alone in a sea of sprawling grasslands and does not encourage casual visitors. On nights when powerful magics are performed, Afar is visible for miles around - great bonfires are built and massive drums used to build powerful rhythms to help raise (or draw down, or both) the passionate energy for powerful workings.

As with the rest of Feroz, Afarjasse spent two years in the hands of the Grendel. The governor, Lord Rahab, made it clear that the hakima here would not be permitted access to their potent regio - they were after all an important strategic resource. The region has been liberated now, but is in the same dire straits as the rest of the territory.

===Cazar Straits===
'''Qualities:''' Abandoned, Coastal, Impoverished, Island, Underpopulated<br>
For most of the Brass Coast's history, the islands of the Cazar Straits were dominated by [[corsair]] families. The largest settlement remains the port town from which the islands take their name - high-cliffed '''Cazar''' - but in recent years it has changed hands several times and is a shadow of its former self. Built around a bustling dock, it served as a safe harbour and home port for many of the [[fleet|fleets]] that protected the Bay from barbarian ships. The holder of the [[Broken Shore Bounty]] used to have the use of a fortified villa in the hills near Cazar, and the civil service offices that oversaw the resource were based here. Both were lost to the Grendel, then to the [[Children of Wrecks]], and in the last months of 387YE, to the [[Iron Confederacy]].

Even before the Children of Wrecks arrived, several of the more southerly islands of the Straits had a reputation for peculiarity. The corsairs of [[#Shantarim|Shantarim]] for example were renowned both for their enthusiastic rivalry with all other corsair families, and the zeal with which they waged war on the Grendel. The [[#Isle of the Osseini|Isle of the Osseini]] is also found here, once home to a sect of strange priests, allegedly haunted by the ghosts of drowned pirates, then the site of an uneasy truce between orc magicians and Freeborn priests. Towards the end of the peace treaty with the Grendel, however, a fleet of warships from the [[Asavean Archipelago]] slaughtered the justicars of Osseini and ruined the town of Shantarim. When the Children of Wrecks claimed the region, there was precious little left for them to destroy.

Today, the waters around the Cazar Straits remain treacherous. In part this is due to the presence of dozens of immature kraken hatched in the waters by the Children of Wrecks.

===Fontargenta===
'''Qualities:''' Abandoned, Coastal, Impoverished<br>
The trading port of '''Bramar''' stands on the coast here. Surrounded by rich agricultural land, its bountiful cornfields once competed with [[the Marches|Marcher]] grain in markets across the southern nations of the Empire, and their vineyards were justly famous. Before the Grendel invasion it served as an important hub for the Imperial wine trade, with many excellent vintages passing through its docks - both from the Brass Coast to the rest of the world, and from the rest of the world to the Brass Coast (and thus the Empire). Lord Rahab has left the region devastated, and it remains to be seen if the farms here will ever recover.

===Morajasse===
'''Qualities:''' Abandoned, Impoverished, Underpopulated<br>
The largest town in prosperous Morajasse is '''Mora'''. Once simply a spice market, the barbarian invasion of [[Segura]] saw a burst of rapid militarisation of this peaceful settlement. Refugees are common here: some supported by their families, others looking to work in the market. With the liberation of the western territory, a strange reversal took place - the pool of desperate labourers has largely dried up with refugees returning to their homes.

Immediately following the [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Bravado|invasion of Feroz]] in 383YE, work was completed on a [[fortification]] at the town of Mora, [[#Mora's Rock|Mora's Rock]]. The fortification served the defenders well, but with the ratification of the peace treaty it was taken over, and expanded, by Grendel troops. It now serves as the base of operations of ''Wind Lord Saoirse'' and her partner ''Commander Fiersach'', as well as a sizable force of Grendel veterans.

Western Morajasse is the site of the great [[#The Spice Gardens of Feroz|Spice Gardens]]. The [[Vizier of the Incarnadine Satchel]] was often quite active in Feroz, occasionally dealing with agents of the Spice Gardens or traders from the Jewelled Isles. Following the Grendel treaty, the offices that supported the Vizier with easy access to reasonably priced herbs has dried up - while they are still notionally the owner of the miraculous satchel that gives them their name, their ability to support the nations' apothecaries and physicks has been greatly reduced.
{{CaptionedImage|file=Oran_by_the_Sea.jpg|caption=The Celesti Lighthouse sits high on the headland overlooking Oran.|align=right|width=400}}

===Oranseri===
'''Qualities:''' Abandoned, Coastal, Impoverished<br>
Across the bay from billowing [[Madruga#Siroc|Siroc]] stands the thriving port town of [[#Oran|Oran]]. In recent years, the port has grown in prominence and prosperity; it served as the seat of power for the Grendel governor Lord Rahab during the Grendel occupation of the territory. Just outside Oran lies the great [[Celesti_Lighthouse_Keeper#The_Celesti_Lighthouse|Celesti Lighthouse]], originally constructed during the reign of [[Emperor Barabbas]] and recently repaired and restored to full functionality. It, too, was in the hands of the Grendel for several years but has now been restored.

West of Oran is the ''Scorrero Crossing''. The river Scorrero is wide and deep between Feroz and Madruga. During the Summer Solstice 383YE, the Grendel invaders attempted to take advantage of this by taking control of both bridges that connect the two Freeborn territories. Had they been successful, it would have been significantly harder for Imperial forces to move between Siroc and Oranseri. Their attempts were stymied, and ultimately became moot once the Scorrero [[Where_the_river_rises#Crossing|burst its banks]] and carried away all the existing bridges.

'''Joharra''' is a port south of Oran, considered much more stable than its northern cousin, and better known for its industry than its trade. Famous throughout the Empire for its cloth and dye-work, Joharra is called '' the Rainbow'' by coastal sailors who mark their progress round the coast with the first sight of the great billowing cloths hung out to dry on tall wooden frames along the low cliffs. As with the other settlements of Oran, the weavers and dyers here now labour under the yoke of the Grendel orcs.

==Strategic Considerations==
* '''The damage to the bridges along the Scorrero prevents movement between Feroz and Madruga'''
The damage to almost all the bridges along the Scorrero means that it is effectively impossible for an [[Army|army]] to move between Feroz and [[Madruga]] (or vice versa). More information can be found in the '''[[Where_the_river_rises#Crossing|Where the river rises]]''' wind of fortune.
<div style="float:left; width: 450px; clear: right;">{{CaptionedImage|file=Garviel i Abrira i Erigo.jpg|caption='''Garviel i Abrira i Erigo''', Senator for Feroz|align=left|width=500}}</div>
{{Senate Elections|Senator_for_Feroz|Territory=Feroz|Season=Summer|Controlled=is}}

==OOC Notes==
* As of the start of the Winter Solstice 387YE, the Iron Confederacy control the Cazar Straits, the Grendel control Morajasse, and the Brass Coast controls Afarjasse, Fontargenta, and Oranseri. Feroz is an Imperial territory
* [[#Mora's Rock|Mora's Rock]] is a rank two fortification controlled by the Grendel.
* The status of various titles and resources located in Feroz is outlined in more detail in [[To_curb_those_raging_appetites#Lost_Opportunities|To curb those raging appetites]], a Winter 383YE wind of fortune.

==Further Reading==
* [[Red skies]] - 387YE Winter wind of war about the Iron Confederacy invasion of the Cazar Straits
* [[A circle sewn with fate]] - 387YE Spring wind of war detailing the Wrecker attack on Oran
* [[Send for me]] - 386YE Winter wind of fortune about the rebuilding of Feroz
* [[Glass and flame]] - 386YE Autumn wind of war about the liberation of Feroz
* [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Spindrift|Winds of War 383YE Spring]] - Detailing the Grendel invasion
* [[383YE_Summer_Solstice_winds_of_war#The_World_is_Not_Enough|Winds of War 383YE Summer]]
* [[383YE_Autumn_Equinox_winds_of_war#Bronze|Winds of War 383YE Autumn]]
* [[Ratify_treaty_with_the_Grendel_Autumn_383YE#Treaty|Treaty]] - the Autumn 383YE treaty with the Grendel
* [[To curb those raging appetites]] - a Winter 383YE wind of fortune that details the situation for Freeborn in Feroz
* [[Everything has a price]] - a Winter 383YE wind of fortune that details the general situation with the Grendel, and has several notes about their presence in Feroz
* [[Bones in the ocean]] - a Winter 383YE wind of fortune that specifically deals with the [[#Isle of the Osseini|Isle of the Osseini]] and the justicars

Feroz

2026-05-13T10:10:16Z

Rafferty: /* Further Reading */

{{CaptionedImage|file=RegionsofFeroz.png|title=Southernmost of the Freeborn territories, lush but threatened by barbarians over land and sea|caption=Regions of Feroz|align=left|width=500}}[[Category:Gazetteer]][[Category:Grendel]][[Category:Imperial Territory]][[category:The Brass Coast]]
{{stub}}
== Overview ==
Feroz is the southernmost territory of the Brass Coast, and like [[Madruga]] to the north has both isles and coastline. Here the climate is warm and humid, perfect for the cultivation of different plants. This is the home of the fabulous spice gardens of Feroz, a source of great revenue for the people of this territory. The seas are more treacherous here, and the south and the west are constantly threatened by barbarians by land. As a result, many armed merchants patrolled the seas, and groups of young warriors journeyed along the borders, fighting skirmishes against jealous foes.

There is a traditional rivalry between the families of Feroz and those of Madruga. The northern territory was the first settled when the Freeborn [[The_Brass_Coast_history#The_Conquest_of_the_Coast|left Highguard]], and there is a popular stereotype that the people who live there are "stuck up". This stereotype is more humorous than hateful - the Freeborn move around too much to allow such prejudice to root itself too firmly in their psyche. Still, if a citizen of Feroz wants to insult a citizen of Madruga, they will fall back on accusations of arrogance and an over-reliance on tradition.

Some of the finest [[Surgical skills#Apothecary|apothecaries]] on the Brass Coast once lived in Feroz - the art of [[potion]] making has been studied here for centuries and even after two years of occupation by the Grendel it is still home to a great many [[herb garden|herb gardens]]. The mainland is a criss-cross patchwork of [[farm|farms]] and small settlements. At the height of its prosperity, a great deal of the food and drink consumed on the BRass Coast was produced here and exported to other Freeborn territories.

Unfortunately, in recent years the territory has been hit by disaster after disaster. Repeated raids by the Grendel eventually gave way to a concerted invasion, and while it was pushed back, the barbarian of the Broken Shore did not abandon their ambition to conquer Feroz. In 383YE, a [[Ratify treaty with the Grendel Autumn 383YE|peace treaty]] ceded the territory to the invaders, and saw the vicious, greedy, and tyrannical ''Governor Rahab'' establish his dominion over Feroz. The Freeborn organised a [[The power behind our moves|grand evacuation]] that saw much of the population escape Rahab's hungry grasp and resettle elsewhere in the Coast, but the move came at a price. When the treaty ended, and the Grendel were (mostly) driven out, Feroz was left abandoned, wrecked, and heavily underpopulated, it's former residents preferring to stay with the new lives they had built elsewhere rather than return. Worse, the [[#Cazar Straits|Cazar Straits]] were taken by the [[Children of Wrecks]], transformed into a stronghold for the servants of the eternal [[Siakha]]. They in turn were supplanted towards the end of 387YE by the [[Iron Confederacy]], who drove out the Wreckers and claimed the island for themselves.

On the mainland, the situation is a little better, but what was once one of the richest Freeborn territories still struggles with the weight of two years of exploitation by a money-hungry tyrant, and what many see as its abandonment by the Empire.

==Recent History==
Being on the [[Bay of Catazar]], Feroz has always been under threat from the [[Grendel]] [[orc|orcs]]. In Spring 383YE, the orcs [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Spindrift|launched a naval invasion]], capturing [[#Oranseri|Oranseri]] and the [[#Cazar Straits|Cazar Straits]] in short order and making significant inroads into [[#Fontargenta|Fontargenta]]. The Grendel installed a grizzled old orc named ''Lord Rahab'' as overseer of the conquered land; he took up residence in the offices of the [[Scorrero Nets]] and quickly set about attempting to bring the rest of Feroz under his control. Part of their plan appeared to involve the ghosts of the [[#Isle of the Osseini|Isle of the Osseini]], but the scheme was countered by Imperial heroes travelling through the [[Sentinel Gate]] to exorcise the spirits and defeat the Grendel seeking to make use of them.

Undaunted by the loss of their supernatural weapon, the orcs kept up their assault. By Summer 383YE, they [[383YE_Summer_Solstice_winds_of_war#The_World_is_Not_Enough|sought to consolidate their gains in Fontargenta]]; they were opposed by [[Navarr]] and [[the Marches|Marcher]] [[Army|armies]], who held the Grendel at the town of [[#Fontargenta|Bramar]] for two days before being forced to retreat. They were able to slow the Grendel advance, however, leaving the orcs bogged down in Fontargenta and unable to press inland.

Following the engagement in Fontargenta, and battling under a powerful supernatural storm, the Grendel [[383YE_Autumn_Equinox_winds_of_war#Bronze|brought even more force]] to bear in the territory. While the Imperial armies were reinforced by [[Highguard|Highborn]] troops, the orc navies disgorged a great host of their own warriors. The fighting was bitter, but in the end Fontargenta fell - and as Fontargenta falls, so falls Feroz. While [[#Morajasse|Morajasse]] and [[#Afarjasse|Afarjasse]] remained free, the Grendel forces continued to mass along the coast.

During the Autumn Equinox 383, the [[Senate]] [[Ratify_treaty_with_the_Grendel_Autumn_383YE#Treaty|ratified a peace treaty]] with the Grendel. Presented by the [[Imperial Fleet Master]], among other things it [[Powers_of_the_Imperial_Senate#Concedence|ceded]] the two remaining regions of Feroz to the Grendel, albeit with provisions allowing Imperial citizens still in Morajasse and Afarjasse to withdraw to safety. Following the Equinox, Lord Rahab's forces spread out quickly to bring the two western regions under his control; Feroz was now [[To_curb_those_raging_appetites|completely under Grendel control]].

Just before the Autumn Equinox 386YE, the Imperial forces reconquered [[Glass_and_flame| reconquered Feroz]]. Possession of the territory is complicated by [[Children_of_Wrecks|Children of Wrecks]] as well as the remnants of the Grendel. Feroz has been run into the ground by Lord Rahab, eager to extract every drop of profit from the place, and it requires significant investment to return the territory to even a fraction of its former wealth.

In 386YE, the [[Senate]] commissioned an [[appraisal]] of Feroz that laid out many of the challenges presented by the newly reclaimed territory, and some potential solutions. Details are contained in the '''[[Send_for_me#State_of_Feroz|Send for me]]''' wind of fortune.

== Major Features ==
===Oran===
The largest and most prestigious port was Feroz is Oran, on the northern coast of [[#Oranseri|Oranseri]]. Across the bay from billowing [[Madruga#Siroc_(Ruined)|Siroc]] this thriving port specialised in high-value products such as fine wines and spice mixes. Unsurprisingly, given its position, for most of its history it has engaged in low-key economic warfare with its larger cousin to the north - Oran notably has cheaper dock fees than Siroc, and a number of entrepreneurs prefer to operate here as a consequence. It is especially welcoming to those merchants who are just starting out, and has a reputation for being more energetic than its competitors to the north and south. This energy has been significantly boosted by construction of the only open [[#The Temple of Balo and the Black Bull|Asavean Temple]] in the entire Empire; the surge of [[Asavean Archipelago|Asavean]] ships visiting Oran saw the town expand significantly to become the largest trading port in Feroz.

In Spring 383YE, however, Oran was [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Spindrift|conquered by the Grendel]]. An orc governor, Lord Rahab, chose the town as the site for his court, converting the offices of the [[Scorrero Nets]] to his personal use. Among other things, this invasion saw the collapse of the [[Broken Shore Bounty]], the Scorrero Nets falling into orc hands, and the Temple of Balo and the Black Bull sealing its doors against the orcs while offering sanctuary to Freeborn families. Following the treaty signed during the Autumn Equinox, the Grendel opened Oran as a port [[Everything_has_a_price#A_New_Destination|available to Imperial captains]]. This situation persisted until the peace treaty ended, and war with the Grendel resumed.

After the Summer Solstice 386YE, Imperial forces swept into Oranseri to liberate the territory from the Grendel. They [[Glass_and_flame#The_Siege_of_Oran|laid siege]] to Oran, and were quickly victorious. The [[Below_the_thunders#Objective:_Eliminate_Governor_Rahab|recent death of Governor Rahab]] in battle with the Empire's heroes left the garrison demoralised and disorganised. It was a grievous victory, however. The fighting that raged through the town, the overwhelming assault, the barrage of catapult stones, all contributed to the fact that many of the buildings have been left in ruins, and many more damaged. A fire at the docks threatened to spread through the town and only the valiant actions of League soldiers managed bring it under control. Barely a year later the town again came under serious attack, this time by the Children of Wrecks. Without the prompt action of the [[orc|orcs]] from the [[#Protectorate of Morajasse|Protectorate of Morajasse]], Oran again might have been destroyed. As it is, the town remains intact but in a sadly impoverished stae.

Proposals have been put forward to [[Send_for_me#Wharfage_of_Oran|rebuild Oran]], but it remains to be seen what the future holds for the port town.

===The Temple of Balo and the Black Bull===
During the Spring Equinox 380YE, permission was granted to the people of the [[Asavean Archipelago]] to construct a major temple to their gods in [[#Oranseri|Oran]]. Initially, construction was expected to be completed shortly before the Autumn Equinox 380YE, but the temple did not actually open its doors until shortly before the Spring Equinox 381YE. The town is seeing an influx of Asavean shipping bringing white granite and architects to the Brass Coast, as well as throwing crowns around like water to secure local labour to complete their project. Relations between the people of the Empire and the priests of Asavea are monitored by ''[[El oficial de enlace imperial con los sacerdotes de Balo y el toro negro]]'' ("The Imperial intermediary to the priests of Balo and the Black Bull"), who among other things is able to [[ministry|buy Asavean goods]] at a reduced price. During the Summer Solstice 380YE, the Assembly of Nine supported Abaddon de Rondell in [[Temple_of_the_bull#Resolution|denouncing]] the temple as an idolatrous affront, making it significantly harder for the Asaveans to find labourers prepared to work on the construction and both delaying its completion and laying a significant economic burden on the foreign priests.

The temple remained extremely controversial among Imperial priests. When Oran fell, however, the priests at the temple [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Sand|offered sanctuary]] to a number of Freeborn families in spite of Grendel unhappiness. In the following months, several of those families were smuggled to safety in Madruga, although an unknown number remain as guests at the temple. Despite this, however, it is clear that the Asaveans are more than happy to work with the new owners of Oran - indeed there are rumours that they have already recognised a Grendel as the [[Imperial Delegate to the Temple in Feroz|Delegate to the Temple in Feroz]]. This situation is no doubt being exacerbated by the Summer 383YE [[Through_my_sails#Ruined_Buildings|attack]] on the "sister temple" to the Black Bull, the temple of the Way in Nemoria.

'''OOC Notes:''' More details on the construction of the Temple of Balo and the Black Bull can be found in the winds of fortune, specifically [[Seven_lords_of_virtue#Temple_of_Bahlo_and_the_Black_Bull|Seven lords of virtue]], [[Those who worship#The Black Bull|Those who worship]], and [[Distant deeps]].
=== The Spice Gardens of Feroz ===
In western [[#Morajasse|Morajasse]] stand the legendary Spice Gardens of Feroz - a set of heavily-walled enclosures covering several acres where the finest spices in the Empire are grown. A rich source of trade for whoever controls the gardens, the [[Imperial title]] of [[Keeper of the Spice Gardens]] has changed hands between families only a handful of times in the last few centuries, and the bargaining leading up to a new appointment has regularly involved the whole nation.

The peace treaty of Autumn 383YE that ceded control of Morajasse to the Grendel saw the Spice Gardens fall into the hands of the orcs. If there is any solace to be taken from this development, it is that the Grendel appreciate fine spices as much as any Freeborn so it is unlikely that they will want to harm these legendary Gardens. On the other hand, some Freeborn find the idea of their beautiful spice gardens being operated by Grendel slaves particularly heinous.

===The [[Scorrero Nets]]===
The Scorrero Nets were a Bourse resource located in [[#Oranseri|Oranseri]], seized by the Grendel in Spring 383YE as part of their conquest of Feroz. Custodianship of the Nets was an [[Imperial Title]] that brought with it a Seat on the [[Bourse]]. In Winter 384YE, a [[Drums_beat_in_my_head#The_Scorrero_Nets|daring plan]] was proposed to "steal" the nets by establishing the [[Cerevado Nets]] upriver in [[Segura]]. As a consequence, this Bourse resource ceased to exist, much to the chagrin of the Grendel governor Rahab.

===The Broken Shore Bounty===
The [[Broken Shore Bounty]] was a Bourse resource that was technically located in the [[#Cazar Straits|Cazar Straits]] inasmuch as the holder of the [[Bourse]] seat has the use of a fortified villa in the hills near Cazar. The actual [[ilium]] that the seat provided was sourced throughout the Bay of Catazar; a portion of all ilium claimed from the nets of Freeborn, [[the League|League]], [[Highguard|Highborn]], and [[Urizen|Urizeni]] nets is claimed as part of the Bounty. It produced 7 rings of ilium each season and was allocated during the Spring Equinox.

When the Cazar Straits fell to the Grendel, they also seized the offices of the Broken Shore Bounty. Despite a [[Four_strong_winds#Broken_Shore_Bounty|proposal to move the offices]], the resource fell into disarray, the ilium ending up split between the Imperial Fleet Master and the Bourse Auction. With the ratification of the Grendel peace treaty, this title and resource effectively ceased to exist.

===Mora's Rock===
Built as part of the grand project to create [[fortification|fortifications]] across the southern Empire in response to the threat of the [[Grendel]], Mora's Rock in [[#Morajasse|Morajasse]] was completed in the months following the [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Bravado|invasion of 383YE]]. The fortification squats above the town of Mora, guarding against invasion from [[Segura]], and providing garrisons and scouts who can offer resistance to assaults from the sea.

When Morajasse was ceded to the Grendel in Autumn 383YE, they took control of the fortification and later expanded it significantly. The fortification resisted the [[Glass and flame|liberation]] of the territory, and as of the beginning of 387YE remains under the control of the Grendel. The garrison is led by ''[[Glass_and_flame#The_Shadow_of_Mora's_Rock|Commander Gallum Fiersach]]'', ably supported by his partner, the ''Wind Lord Saoirse''. The garrison there includes a warband of veteran [[Elite_Grendel_troops#The_Stone_Born|Stone Born]], and the remainder appear to be very experienced soldiers. These Grendel are enemies of the Empire, obviously, but that did not prevent them acting to [[A_circle_sewn_with_fate#The_Battle_of_Oran|protect Oran]] from the Children of Wrecks in early 387YE. There has been some talk of encouraging the Grendel to continue to protect the beleaguered Feroz from raiders. Whatever else is true about the orc garrison, they appear to be a very disciplined group of soldiers with little love for the servants of [[Siakha]].
==Lost and Ruined==

{{anchor|Shantarim}}
===Shantarim (ruined)===
In the southern islands of the [[#Cazar Straits|Cazar Straits]] the town of Shantarim was one a [[corsair]] stronghold. The families were are known to engage in fierce competition with their northern rivals, not only in Madruga but also in [[#Oranseri|Oranseri]] and even the other islands of the Straits. Smaller than the town of Cazar, Shantarim had a reputation for being somewhat less cosmopolitan than the other towns of Feroz - visitors from mainland families sometimes encounter prejudice and suspicion. The families of Shantarim more than made up for their relatively small size with the enthusiasm with which they opposed the orcs of the Broken Shore.

Prior to the [[Ratify treaty with the Grendel Autumn 383YE|peace treaty]] of 383YE, they were loud supporters of the [[Freeborn Storm]], and the various raids against the Grendel. The signing of the peace treaty with the southern orcs tied their hands, making it illegal to fight the Grendel, which became been a major source of dissension in Shantarim.

Towards the end of the ceasefire secured by the treaty, in 385YE, Shatarim was attacked and wrecked. Warships of the [[Asavean Archipelago]], allies of the Grendel occupation, engaged in a campaign of destruction across the Cazar Straits, and along with the Isle of the Osseini, Shantarim bore the brunt. Many corsairs who had endured the occupation of the Grendel were slain, and the town was looted and left in ruins. When the Children of Wrecks arrived, there was precious little left for the to wreck.
<div style="float:right; width: 450px; clear: right;"><box>'''Justicars'''<br>The priests who previously lived on the Isle of the Osseini called themselves ''justicars''. Specialist exorcists and inquisitors in the pre-Imperial history of the Brass Coast, they specialised in driving out malign spirits or cleansing unpleasant auras from people, places and objects. Never particularly populous, their sanctuary on the Isle of the Osseini was all but wiped out by the Grendel. A handful remained elsewhere, and during the Autumn Equinox 383YE the Freeborn assembly [[383YE_Autumn_Equinox_Synod_judgements#Judgement_22|called on them to come together to preserve their traditions]]. A small enclave of justicars was established on the Isle of Osseini at the sufferance of the Grendel. Unfortunately, when Asavean warships went on a rampage in 385YE, the first place they attacked was this enclave, putting the priests to the sword and burning the enclave. When the Children of Wrecks arrived, the Grendel magicians still left on the island fled back to the Broken Shore. As far as anyone knows today, the island is abandoned.</box></div>

{{Anchor|Isle of the Osseini}}
===Isle of the Osseini (Ruined)===
At the southern tip of the [[#Cazar Straits|Cazar Straits]], the island was known for its heavy sea fog, its ghosts, and for a small sect of Freeborn priests famed for their knowledge of the arts of [[exorcism]]. Stories claimed the Isle was haunted by those who had died at sea, but most Freeborn had no truck with such foolishness. In 383YE, however, it became clear these tales of ghosts were more than just idle gossip. During the Spring Equinox of that year, a [[Grendel]] shaman attempted to unleash a ghostly legion of drowned orcs bound in some fashion to white granite pillars on the island against the defenders of Feroz. Before they could do so they were [[383YE_Summer_Solstice_winds_of_war#The_World_is_Not_Enough|thwarted by Imperial heroes]] who reached the isle via the [[Sentinel Gate]]. Once the heroes retreated, the status of the island, the pillars, and the remaining priests was unknown.

Then in Autumn 383YE, as part of the negotiations that led to the peace treaty with the Grendel, a contract was negotiated with the orc diplomat regarding the Isle of the Osseini. In the wake of that agreement, a small group of priests were allowed to visit the Isle with a Grendel escort. There they discovered the remaining priests were dead, the ghost-binding pillars had been destroyed, and the island was in the hands of a coven of Grendel magicians. The orcs had already constructed a permanent residence there built around a particular Winter regio, and were less than welcoming to the Freeborn. Further negotiations followed; in the end the Freeborn were allowed to establish a small enclave here, under the careful watch of the Grendel.

The return of the justicars was short-lived. In 385YE, a fleet of warships from the Asavean Archipelago went on a murderous rampage in the southern Cazar Straits. Allies of the Grendel, they slaughtered the priests and burned the enclave before sailing north to Shantarim. When the Children of Wrecks arrived, the remaining Grendel magicians fled back to the Broken Shore. By the close of 387YE, the island appears to be abandoned, although it remains to be seen what the Iron COnfederacy plan to do with it.

'''OOC Note:''' You can learn more about the historic Isle of the Osseini in the [[Bones in the ocean]] wind of fortune.

==Regions==
===Afarjasse===
'''Qualities:''' [[Region_qualities#Abandoned|Abandoned]], [[Region_qualities#Underpopulated|Underpopulated]]<br>
In the middle of nowhere, on the plains of Afarjasse, is the quiet settlement of '''Afar'''. It was established by [[hakima]] with close ties to the [[Guerra]] tribe near a potent [[regio]] tied to the realm of Night. It is a faraway place dedicated to the practice of [[rituals|ritual magics]] that support the Freeborn. It is not hard to reach, but it stands alone in a sea of sprawling grasslands and does not encourage casual visitors. On nights when powerful magics are performed, Afar is visible for miles around - great bonfires are built and massive drums used to build powerful rhythms to help raise (or draw down, or both) the passionate energy for powerful workings.

As with the rest of Feroz, Afarjasse spent two years in the hands of the Grendel. The governor, Lord Rahab, made it clear that the hakima here would not be permitted access to their potent regio - they were after all an important strategic resource. The region has been liberated now, but is in the same dire straits as the rest of the territory.

===Cazar Straits===
'''Qualities:''' Abandoned, Coastal, Impoverished, Island, Underpopulated<br>
For most of the Brass Coast's history, the islands of the Cazar Straits were dominated by [[corsair]] families. The largest settlement remains the port town from which the islands take their name - high-cliffed '''Cazar''' - but in recent years it has changed hands several times and is a shadow of its former self. Built around a bustling dock, it served as a safe harbour and home port for many of the [[fleet|fleets]] that protected the Bay from barbarian ships. The holder of the [[Broken Shore Bounty]] used to have the use of a fortified villa in the hills near Cazar, and the civil service offices that oversaw the resource were based here. Both were lost to the Grendel, then to the [[Children of Wrecks]], and in the last months of 387YE, to the [[Iron Confederacy]].

Even before the Children of Wrecks arrived, several of the more southerly islands of the Straits had a reputation for peculiarity. The corsairs of [[#Shantarim|Shantarim]] for example were renowned both for their enthusiastic rivalry with all other corsair families, and the zeal with which they waged war on the Grendel. The [[#Isle of the Osseini|Isle of the Osseini]] is also found here, once home to a sect of strange priests, allegedly haunted by the ghosts of drowned pirates, then the site of an uneasy truce between orc magicians and Freeborn priests. Towards the end of the peace treaty with the Grendel, however, a fleet of warships from the [[Asavean Archipelago]] slaughtered the justicars of Osseini and ruined the town of Shantarim. When the Children of Wrecks claimed the region, there was precious little left for them to destroy.

Today, the waters around the Cazar Straits remain treacherous. In part this is due to the presence of dozens of immature kraken hatched in the waters by the Children of Wrecks.

===Fontargenta===
'''Qualities:''' Abandoned, Coastal, Impoverished<br>
The trading port of '''Bramar''' stands on the coast here. Surrounded by rich agricultural land, its bountiful cornfields once competed with [[the Marches|Marcher]] grain in markets across the southern nations of the Empire, and their vineyards were justly famous. Before the Grendel invasion it served as an important hub for the Imperial wine trade, with many excellent vintages passing through its docks - both from the Brass Coast to the rest of the world, and from the rest of the world to the Brass Coast (and thus the Empire). Lord Rahab has left the region devastated, and it remains to be seen if the farms here will ever recover.

===Morajasse===
'''Qualities:''' Abandoned, Impoverished, Underpopulated<br>
The largest town in prosperous Morajasse is '''Mora'''. Once simply a spice market, the barbarian invasion of [[Segura]] saw a burst of rapid militarisation of this peaceful settlement. Refugees are common here: some supported by their families, others looking to work in the market. With the liberation of the western territory, a strange reversal took place - the pool of desperate labourers has largely dried up with refugees returning to their homes.

Immediately following the [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Bravado|invasion of Feroz]] in 383YE, work was completed on a [[fortification]] at the town of Mora, [[#Mora's Rock|Mora's Rock]]. The fortification served the defenders well, but with the ratification of the peace treaty it was taken over, and expanded, by Grendel troops. It now serves as the base of operations of ''Wind Lord Saoirse'' and her partner ''Commander Fiersach'', as well as a sizable force of Grendel veterans.

Western Morajasse is the site of the great [[#The Spice Gardens of Feroz|Spice Gardens]]. The [[Vizier of the Incarnadine Satchel]] was often quite active in Feroz, occasionally dealing with agents of the Spice Gardens or traders from the Jewelled Isles. Following the Grendel treaty, the offices that supported the Vizier with easy access to reasonably priced herbs has dried up - while they are still notionally the owner of the miraculous satchel that gives them their name, their ability to support the nations' apothecaries and physicks has been greatly reduced.
{{CaptionedImage|file=Oran_by_the_Sea.jpg|caption=The Celesti Lighthouse sits high on the headland overlooking Oran.|align=right|width=400}}

===Oranseri===
'''Qualities:''' Abandoned, Coastal, Impoverished<br>
Across the bay from billowing [[Madruga#Siroc|Siroc]] stands the thriving port town of [[#Oran|Oran]]. In recent years, the port has grown in prominence and prosperity; it served as the seat of power for the Grendel governor Lord Rahab during the Grendel occupation of the territory. Just outside Oran lies the great [[Celesti_Lighthouse_Keeper#The_Celesti_Lighthouse|Celesti Lighthouse]], originally constructed during the reign of [[Emperor Barabbas]] and recently repaired and restored to full functionality. It, too, was in the hands of the Grendel for several years but has now been restored.

West of Oran is the ''Scorrero Crossing''. The river Scorrero is wide and deep between Feroz and Madruga. During the Summer Solstice 383YE, the Grendel invaders attempted to take advantage of this by taking control of both bridges that connect the two Freeborn territories. Had they been successful, it would have been significantly harder for Imperial forces to move between Siroc and Oranseri. Their attempts were stymied, and ultimately became moot once the Scorrero [[Where_the_river_rises#Crossing|burst its banks]] and carried away all the existing bridges.

'''Joharra''' is a port south of Oran, considered much more stable than its northern cousin, and better known for its industry than its trade. Famous throughout the Empire for its cloth and dye-work, Joharra is called '' the Rainbow'' by coastal sailors who mark their progress round the coast with the first sight of the great billowing cloths hung out to dry on tall wooden frames along the low cliffs. As with the other settlements of Oran, the weavers and dyers here now labour under the yoke of the Grendel orcs.

==Strategic Considerations==
* '''The damage to the bridges along the Scorrero prevents movement between Feroz and Madruga'''
The damage to almost all the bridges along the Scorrero means that it is effectively impossible for an [[Army|army]] to move between Feroz and [[Madruga]] (or vice versa). More information can be found in the '''[[Where_the_river_rises#Crossing|Where the river rises]]''' wind of fortune.
<div style="float:left; width: 450px; clear: right;">{{CaptionedImage|file=Garviel i Abrira i Erigo.jpg|caption='''Garviel i Abrira i Erigo''', Senator for Feroz|align=left|width=500}}</div>
{{Senate Elections|Senator_for_Feroz|Territory=Feroz|Season=Summer|Controlled=is}}

==OOC Notes==
* As of the start of the Winter Solstice 387YE, the Iron Confederacy control the Cazar Straits, the Grendel control Morajasse, and the Brass Coast controls Afarjasse, Fontargenta, and Oranseri. Feroz is an Imperial territory
* [[#Mora's Rock|Mora's Rock]] is a rank two fortification controlled by the Grendel.
* The status of various titles and resources located in Feroz is outlined in more detail in [[To_curb_those_raging_appetites#Lost_Opportunities|To curb those raging appetites]], a Winter 383YE wind of fortune.

==Further Reading==
* [[Red skies]] - 387YE Winter wind of war about the Iron Confederacy invasion of the Cazar Straits
* [[A circle sewn with fate]] - 387YE Spring wind of war detailing the Wrecker attack on Oran
* [[Send for me]] - 386YE Winter wind of fortune about the rebuilding of Feroz
* [[Glass and flame]] - 386YE Autumn wind of war about the liberation of Feroz
* [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Spindrift|Winds of War 383YE Spring]] - Detailing the Grendel invasion
* [[383YE_Summer_Solstice_winds_of_war#The_World_is_Not_Enough|Winds of War 383YE Summer]]
* [[383YE_Autumn_Equinox_winds_of_war#Bronze|Winds of War 383YE Autumn]]
* [[Ratify_treaty_with_the_Grendel_Autumn_383YE#Treaty|Treaty]] - the Autumn 383YE treaty with the Grendel
* [[To curb those raging appetites]] - a Winter 383YE wind of fortune that details the situation for Freeborn in Feroz
* [[Everything has a price]] - a Winter 383YE wind of fortune that details the general situation with the Grendel, and has several notes about their presence in Feroz
* [[Bones in the ocean]] - a Winter 383YE wind of fortune that specifically deals with the [[#Isle of the Osseini|Isle of the Osseini]] and the justicars

Feroz

2026-05-13T10:08:37Z

Rafferty: /* Oran */

{{CaptionedImage|file=RegionsofFeroz.png|title=Southernmost of the Freeborn territories, lush but threatened by barbarians over land and sea|caption=Regions of Feroz|align=left|width=500}}[[Category:Gazetteer]][[Category:Grendel]][[Category:Imperial Territory]][[category:The Brass Coast]]
{{stub}}
== Overview ==
Feroz is the southernmost territory of the Brass Coast, and like [[Madruga]] to the north has both isles and coastline. Here the climate is warm and humid, perfect for the cultivation of different plants. This is the home of the fabulous spice gardens of Feroz, a source of great revenue for the people of this territory. The seas are more treacherous here, and the south and the west are constantly threatened by barbarians by land. As a result, many armed merchants patrolled the seas, and groups of young warriors journeyed along the borders, fighting skirmishes against jealous foes.

There is a traditional rivalry between the families of Feroz and those of Madruga. The northern territory was the first settled when the Freeborn [[The_Brass_Coast_history#The_Conquest_of_the_Coast|left Highguard]], and there is a popular stereotype that the people who live there are "stuck up". This stereotype is more humorous than hateful - the Freeborn move around too much to allow such prejudice to root itself too firmly in their psyche. Still, if a citizen of Feroz wants to insult a citizen of Madruga, they will fall back on accusations of arrogance and an over-reliance on tradition.

Some of the finest [[Surgical skills#Apothecary|apothecaries]] on the Brass Coast once lived in Feroz - the art of [[potion]] making has been studied here for centuries and even after two years of occupation by the Grendel it is still home to a great many [[herb garden|herb gardens]]. The mainland is a criss-cross patchwork of [[farm|farms]] and small settlements. At the height of its prosperity, a great deal of the food and drink consumed on the BRass Coast was produced here and exported to other Freeborn territories.

Unfortunately, in recent years the territory has been hit by disaster after disaster. Repeated raids by the Grendel eventually gave way to a concerted invasion, and while it was pushed back, the barbarian of the Broken Shore did not abandon their ambition to conquer Feroz. In 383YE, a [[Ratify treaty with the Grendel Autumn 383YE|peace treaty]] ceded the territory to the invaders, and saw the vicious, greedy, and tyrannical ''Governor Rahab'' establish his dominion over Feroz. The Freeborn organised a [[The power behind our moves|grand evacuation]] that saw much of the population escape Rahab's hungry grasp and resettle elsewhere in the Coast, but the move came at a price. When the treaty ended, and the Grendel were (mostly) driven out, Feroz was left abandoned, wrecked, and heavily underpopulated, it's former residents preferring to stay with the new lives they had built elsewhere rather than return. Worse, the [[#Cazar Straits|Cazar Straits]] were taken by the [[Children of Wrecks]], transformed into a stronghold for the servants of the eternal [[Siakha]]. They in turn were supplanted towards the end of 387YE by the [[Iron Confederacy]], who drove out the Wreckers and claimed the island for themselves.

On the mainland, the situation is a little better, but what was once one of the richest Freeborn territories still struggles with the weight of two years of exploitation by a money-hungry tyrant, and what many see as its abandonment by the Empire.

==Recent History==
Being on the [[Bay of Catazar]], Feroz has always been under threat from the [[Grendel]] [[orc|orcs]]. In Spring 383YE, the orcs [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Spindrift|launched a naval invasion]], capturing [[#Oranseri|Oranseri]] and the [[#Cazar Straits|Cazar Straits]] in short order and making significant inroads into [[#Fontargenta|Fontargenta]]. The Grendel installed a grizzled old orc named ''Lord Rahab'' as overseer of the conquered land; he took up residence in the offices of the [[Scorrero Nets]] and quickly set about attempting to bring the rest of Feroz under his control. Part of their plan appeared to involve the ghosts of the [[#Isle of the Osseini|Isle of the Osseini]], but the scheme was countered by Imperial heroes travelling through the [[Sentinel Gate]] to exorcise the spirits and defeat the Grendel seeking to make use of them.

Undaunted by the loss of their supernatural weapon, the orcs kept up their assault. By Summer 383YE, they [[383YE_Summer_Solstice_winds_of_war#The_World_is_Not_Enough|sought to consolidate their gains in Fontargenta]]; they were opposed by [[Navarr]] and [[the Marches|Marcher]] [[Army|armies]], who held the Grendel at the town of [[#Fontargenta|Bramar]] for two days before being forced to retreat. They were able to slow the Grendel advance, however, leaving the orcs bogged down in Fontargenta and unable to press inland.

Following the engagement in Fontargenta, and battling under a powerful supernatural storm, the Grendel [[383YE_Autumn_Equinox_winds_of_war#Bronze|brought even more force]] to bear in the territory. While the Imperial armies were reinforced by [[Highguard|Highborn]] troops, the orc navies disgorged a great host of their own warriors. The fighting was bitter, but in the end Fontargenta fell - and as Fontargenta falls, so falls Feroz. While [[#Morajasse|Morajasse]] and [[#Afarjasse|Afarjasse]] remained free, the Grendel forces continued to mass along the coast.

During the Autumn Equinox 383, the [[Senate]] [[Ratify_treaty_with_the_Grendel_Autumn_383YE#Treaty|ratified a peace treaty]] with the Grendel. Presented by the [[Imperial Fleet Master]], among other things it [[Powers_of_the_Imperial_Senate#Concedence|ceded]] the two remaining regions of Feroz to the Grendel, albeit with provisions allowing Imperial citizens still in Morajasse and Afarjasse to withdraw to safety. Following the Equinox, Lord Rahab's forces spread out quickly to bring the two western regions under his control; Feroz was now [[To_curb_those_raging_appetites|completely under Grendel control]].

Just before the Autumn Equinox 386YE, the Imperial forces reconquered [[Glass_and_flame| reconquered Feroz]]. Possession of the territory is complicated by [[Children_of_Wrecks|Children of Wrecks]] as well as the remnants of the Grendel. Feroz has been run into the ground by Lord Rahab, eager to extract every drop of profit from the place, and it requires significant investment to return the territory to even a fraction of its former wealth.

In 386YE, the [[Senate]] commissioned an [[appraisal]] of Feroz that laid out many of the challenges presented by the newly reclaimed territory, and some potential solutions. Details are contained in the '''[[Send_for_me#State_of_Feroz|Send for me]]''' wind of fortune.

== Major Features ==
===Oran===
The largest and most prestigious port was Feroz is Oran, on the northern coast of [[#Oranseri|Oranseri]]. Across the bay from billowing [[Madruga#Siroc_(Ruined)|Siroc]] this thriving port specialised in high-value products such as fine wines and spice mixes. Unsurprisingly, given its position, for most of its history it has engaged in low-key economic warfare with its larger cousin to the north - Oran notably has cheaper dock fees than Siroc, and a number of entrepreneurs prefer to operate here as a consequence. It is especially welcoming to those merchants who are just starting out, and has a reputation for being more energetic than its competitors to the north and south. This energy has been significantly boosted by construction of the only open [[#The Temple of Balo and the Black Bull|Asavean Temple]] in the entire Empire; the surge of [[Asavean Archipelago|Asavean]] ships visiting Oran saw the town expand significantly to become the largest trading port in Feroz.

In Spring 383YE, however, Oran was [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Spindrift|conquered by the Grendel]]. An orc governor, Lord Rahab, chose the town as the site for his court, converting the offices of the [[Scorrero Nets]] to his personal use. Among other things, this invasion saw the collapse of the [[Broken Shore Bounty]], the Scorrero Nets falling into orc hands, and the Temple of Balo and the Black Bull sealing its doors against the orcs while offering sanctuary to Freeborn families. Following the treaty signed during the Autumn Equinox, the Grendel opened Oran as a port [[Everything_has_a_price#A_New_Destination|available to Imperial captains]]. This situation persisted until the peace treaty ended, and war with the Grendel resumed.

After the Summer Solstice 386YE, Imperial forces swept into Oranseri to liberate the territory from the Grendel. They [[Glass_and_flame#The_Siege_of_Oran|laid siege]] to Oran, and were quickly victorious. The [[Below_the_thunders#Objective:_Eliminate_Governor_Rahab|recent death of Governor Rahab]] in battle with the Empire's heroes left the garrison demoralised and disorganised. It was a grievous victory, however. The fighting that raged through the town, the overwhelming assault, the barrage of catapult stones, all contributed to the fact that many of the buildings have been left in ruins, and many more damaged. A fire at the docks threatened to spread through the town and only the valiant actions of League soldiers managed bring it under control. Barely a year later the town again came under serious attack, this time by the Children of Wrecks. Without the prompt action of the [[orc|orcs]] from the [[#Protectorate of Morajasse|Protectorate of Morajasse]], Oran again might have been destroyed. As it is, the town remains intact but in a sadly impoverished stae.

Proposals have been put forward to [[Send_for_me#Wharfage_of_Oran|rebuild Oran]], but it remains to be seen what the future holds for the port town.

===The Temple of Balo and the Black Bull===
During the Spring Equinox 380YE, permission was granted to the people of the [[Asavean Archipelago]] to construct a major temple to their gods in [[#Oranseri|Oran]]. Initially, construction was expected to be completed shortly before the Autumn Equinox 380YE, but the temple did not actually open its doors until shortly before the Spring Equinox 381YE. The town is seeing an influx of Asavean shipping bringing white granite and architects to the Brass Coast, as well as throwing crowns around like water to secure local labour to complete their project. Relations between the people of the Empire and the priests of Asavea are monitored by ''[[El oficial de enlace imperial con los sacerdotes de Balo y el toro negro]]'' ("The Imperial intermediary to the priests of Balo and the Black Bull"), who among other things is able to [[ministry|buy Asavean goods]] at a reduced price. During the Summer Solstice 380YE, the Assembly of Nine supported Abaddon de Rondell in [[Temple_of_the_bull#Resolution|denouncing]] the temple as an idolatrous affront, making it significantly harder for the Asaveans to find labourers prepared to work on the construction and both delaying its completion and laying a significant economic burden on the foreign priests.

The temple remained extremely controversial among Imperial priests. When Oran fell, however, the priests at the temple [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Sand|offered sanctuary]] to a number of Freeborn families in spite of Grendel unhappiness. In the following months, several of those families were smuggled to safety in Madruga, although an unknown number remain as guests at the temple. Despite this, however, it is clear that the Asaveans are more than happy to work with the new owners of Oran - indeed there are rumours that they have already recognised a Grendel as the [[Imperial Delegate to the Temple in Feroz|Delegate to the Temple in Feroz]]. This situation is no doubt being exacerbated by the Summer 383YE [[Through_my_sails#Ruined_Buildings|attack]] on the "sister temple" to the Black Bull, the temple of the Way in Nemoria.

'''OOC Notes:''' More details on the construction of the Temple of Balo and the Black Bull can be found in the winds of fortune, specifically [[Seven_lords_of_virtue#Temple_of_Bahlo_and_the_Black_Bull|Seven lords of virtue]], [[Those who worship#The Black Bull|Those who worship]], and [[Distant deeps]].
=== The Spice Gardens of Feroz ===
In western [[#Morajasse|Morajasse]] stand the legendary Spice Gardens of Feroz - a set of heavily-walled enclosures covering several acres where the finest spices in the Empire are grown. A rich source of trade for whoever controls the gardens, the [[Imperial title]] of [[Keeper of the Spice Gardens]] has changed hands between families only a handful of times in the last few centuries, and the bargaining leading up to a new appointment has regularly involved the whole nation.

The peace treaty of Autumn 383YE that ceded control of Morajasse to the Grendel saw the Spice Gardens fall into the hands of the orcs. If there is any solace to be taken from this development, it is that the Grendel appreciate fine spices as much as any Freeborn so it is unlikely that they will want to harm these legendary Gardens. On the other hand, some Freeborn find the idea of their beautiful spice gardens being operated by Grendel slaves particularly heinous.

===The [[Scorrero Nets]]===
The Scorrero Nets were a Bourse resource located in [[#Oranseri|Oranseri]], seized by the Grendel in Spring 383YE as part of their conquest of Feroz. Custodianship of the Nets was an [[Imperial Title]] that brought with it a Seat on the [[Bourse]]. In Winter 384YE, a [[Drums_beat_in_my_head#The_Scorrero_Nets|daring plan]] was proposed to "steal" the nets by establishing the [[Cerevado Nets]] upriver in [[Segura]]. As a consequence, this Bourse resource ceased to exist, much to the chagrin of the Grendel governor Rahab.

===The Broken Shore Bounty===
The [[Broken Shore Bounty]] was a Bourse resource that was technically located in the [[#Cazar Straits|Cazar Straits]] inasmuch as the holder of the [[Bourse]] seat has the use of a fortified villa in the hills near Cazar. The actual [[ilium]] that the seat provided was sourced throughout the Bay of Catazar; a portion of all ilium claimed from the nets of Freeborn, [[the League|League]], [[Highguard|Highborn]], and [[Urizen|Urizeni]] nets is claimed as part of the Bounty. It produced 7 rings of ilium each season and was allocated during the Spring Equinox.

When the Cazar Straits fell to the Grendel, they also seized the offices of the Broken Shore Bounty. Despite a [[Four_strong_winds#Broken_Shore_Bounty|proposal to move the offices]], the resource fell into disarray, the ilium ending up split between the Imperial Fleet Master and the Bourse Auction. With the ratification of the Grendel peace treaty, this title and resource effectively ceased to exist.

===Mora's Rock===
Built as part of the grand project to create [[fortification|fortifications]] across the southern Empire in response to the threat of the [[Grendel]], Mora's Rock in [[#Morajasse|Morajasse]] was completed in the months following the [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Bravado|invasion of 383YE]]. The fortification squats above the town of Mora, guarding against invasion from [[Segura]], and providing garrisons and scouts who can offer resistance to assaults from the sea.

When Morajasse was ceded to the Grendel in Autumn 383YE, they took control of the fortification and later expanded it significantly. The fortification resisted the [[Glass and flame|liberation]] of the territory, and as of the beginning of 387YE remains under the control of the Grendel. The garrison is led by ''[[Glass_and_flame#The_Shadow_of_Mora's_Rock|Commander Gallum Fiersach]]'', ably supported by his partner, the ''Wind Lord Saoirse''. The garrison there includes a warband of veteran [[Elite_Grendel_troops#The_Stone_Born|Stone Born]], and the remainder appear to be very experienced soldiers. These Grendel are enemies of the Empire, obviously, but that did not prevent them acting to [[A_circle_sewn_with_fate#The_Battle_of_Oran|protect Oran]] from the Children of Wrecks in early 387YE. There has been some talk of encouraging the Grendel to continue to protect the beleaguered Feroz from raiders. Whatever else is true about the orc garrison, they appear to be a very disciplined group of soldiers with little love for the servants of [[Siakha]].
==Lost and Ruined==

{{anchor|Shantarim}}
===Shantarim (ruined)===
In the southern islands of the [[#Cazar Straits|Cazar Straits]] the town of Shantarim was one a [[corsair]] stronghold. The families were are known to engage in fierce competition with their northern rivals, not only in Madruga but also in [[#Oranseri|Oranseri]] and even the other islands of the Straits. Smaller than the town of Cazar, Shantarim had a reputation for being somewhat less cosmopolitan than the other towns of Feroz - visitors from mainland families sometimes encounter prejudice and suspicion. The families of Shantarim more than made up for their relatively small size with the enthusiasm with which they opposed the orcs of the Broken Shore.

Prior to the [[Ratify treaty with the Grendel Autumn 383YE|peace treaty]] of 383YE, they were loud supporters of the [[Freeborn Storm]], and the various raids against the Grendel. The signing of the peace treaty with the southern orcs tied their hands, making it illegal to fight the Grendel, which became been a major source of dissension in Shantarim.

Towards the end of the ceasefire secured by the treaty, in 385YE, Shatarim was attacked and wrecked. Warships of the [[Asavean Archipelago]], allies of the Grendel occupation, engaged in a campaign of destruction across the Cazar Straits, and along with the Isle of the Osseini, Shantarim bore the brunt. Many corsairs who had endured the occupation of the Grendel were slain, and the town was looted and left in ruins. When the Children of Wrecks arrived, there was precious little left for the to wreck.
<div style="float:right; width: 450px; clear: right;"><box>'''Justicars'''<br>The priests who previously lived on the Isle of the Osseini called themselves ''justicars''. Specialist exorcists and inquisitors in the pre-Imperial history of the Brass Coast, they specialised in driving out malign spirits or cleansing unpleasant auras from people, places and objects. Never particularly populous, their sanctuary on the Isle of the Osseini was all but wiped out by the Grendel. A handful remained elsewhere, and during the Autumn Equinox 383YE the Freeborn assembly [[383YE_Autumn_Equinox_Synod_judgements#Judgement_22|called on them to come together to preserve their traditions]]. A small enclave of justicars was established on the Isle of Osseini at the sufferance of the Grendel. Unfortunately, when Asavean warships went on a rampage in 385YE, the first place they attacked was this enclave, putting the priests to the sword and burning the enclave. When the Children of Wrecks arrived, the Grendel magicians still left on the island fled back to the Broken Shore. As far as anyone knows today, the island is abandoned.</box></div>

{{Anchor|Isle of the Osseini}}
===Isle of the Osseini (Ruined)===
At the southern tip of the [[#Cazar Straits|Cazar Straits]], the island was known for its heavy sea fog, its ghosts, and for a small sect of Freeborn priests famed for their knowledge of the arts of [[exorcism]]. Stories claimed the Isle was haunted by those who had died at sea, but most Freeborn had no truck with such foolishness. In 383YE, however, it became clear these tales of ghosts were more than just idle gossip. During the Spring Equinox of that year, a [[Grendel]] shaman attempted to unleash a ghostly legion of drowned orcs bound in some fashion to white granite pillars on the island against the defenders of Feroz. Before they could do so they were [[383YE_Summer_Solstice_winds_of_war#The_World_is_Not_Enough|thwarted by Imperial heroes]] who reached the isle via the [[Sentinel Gate]]. Once the heroes retreated, the status of the island, the pillars, and the remaining priests was unknown.

Then in Autumn 383YE, as part of the negotiations that led to the peace treaty with the Grendel, a contract was negotiated with the orc diplomat regarding the Isle of the Osseini. In the wake of that agreement, a small group of priests were allowed to visit the Isle with a Grendel escort. There they discovered the remaining priests were dead, the ghost-binding pillars had been destroyed, and the island was in the hands of a coven of Grendel magicians. The orcs had already constructed a permanent residence there built around a particular Winter regio, and were less than welcoming to the Freeborn. Further negotiations followed; in the end the Freeborn were allowed to establish a small enclave here, under the careful watch of the Grendel.

The return of the justicars was short-lived. In 385YE, a fleet of warships from the Asavean Archipelago went on a murderous rampage in the southern Cazar Straits. Allies of the Grendel, they slaughtered the priests and burned the enclave before sailing north to Shantarim. When the Children of Wrecks arrived, the remaining Grendel magicians fled back to the Broken Shore. By the close of 387YE, the island appears to be abandoned, although it remains to be seen what the Iron COnfederacy plan to do with it.

'''OOC Note:''' You can learn more about the historic Isle of the Osseini in the [[Bones in the ocean]] wind of fortune.

==Regions==
===Afarjasse===
'''Qualities:''' [[Region_qualities#Abandoned|Abandoned]], [[Region_qualities#Underpopulated|Underpopulated]]<br>
In the middle of nowhere, on the plains of Afarjasse, is the quiet settlement of '''Afar'''. It was established by [[hakima]] with close ties to the [[Guerra]] tribe near a potent [[regio]] tied to the realm of Night. It is a faraway place dedicated to the practice of [[rituals|ritual magics]] that support the Freeborn. It is not hard to reach, but it stands alone in a sea of sprawling grasslands and does not encourage casual visitors. On nights when powerful magics are performed, Afar is visible for miles around - great bonfires are built and massive drums used to build powerful rhythms to help raise (or draw down, or both) the passionate energy for powerful workings.

As with the rest of Feroz, Afarjasse spent two years in the hands of the Grendel. The governor, Lord Rahab, made it clear that the hakima here would not be permitted access to their potent regio - they were after all an important strategic resource. The region has been liberated now, but is in the same dire straits as the rest of the territory.

===Cazar Straits===
'''Qualities:''' Abandoned, Coastal, Impoverished, Island, Underpopulated<br>
For most of the Brass Coast's history, the islands of the Cazar Straits were dominated by [[corsair]] families. The largest settlement remains the port town from which the islands take their name - high-cliffed '''Cazar''' - but in recent years it has changed hands several times and is a shadow of its former self. Built around a bustling dock, it served as a safe harbour and home port for many of the [[fleet|fleets]] that protected the Bay from barbarian ships. The holder of the [[Broken Shore Bounty]] used to have the use of a fortified villa in the hills near Cazar, and the civil service offices that oversaw the resource were based here. Both were lost to the Grendel, then to the [[Children of Wrecks]], and in the last months of 387YE, to the [[Iron Confederacy]].

Even before the Children of Wrecks arrived, several of the more southerly islands of the Straits had a reputation for peculiarity. The corsairs of [[#Shantarim|Shantarim]] for example were renowned both for their enthusiastic rivalry with all other corsair families, and the zeal with which they waged war on the Grendel. The [[#Isle of the Osseini|Isle of the Osseini]] is also found here, once home to a sect of strange priests, allegedly haunted by the ghosts of drowned pirates, then the site of an uneasy truce between orc magicians and Freeborn priests. Towards the end of the peace treaty with the Grendel, however, a fleet of warships from the [[Asavean Archipelago]] slaughtered the justicars of Osseini and ruined the town of Shantarim. When the Children of Wrecks claimed the region, there was precious little left for them to destroy.

Today, the waters around the Cazar Straits remain treacherous. In part this is due to the presence of dozens of immature kraken hatched in the waters by the Children of Wrecks.

===Fontargenta===
'''Qualities:''' Abandoned, Coastal, Impoverished<br>
The trading port of '''Bramar''' stands on the coast here. Surrounded by rich agricultural land, its bountiful cornfields once competed with [[the Marches|Marcher]] grain in markets across the southern nations of the Empire, and their vineyards were justly famous. Before the Grendel invasion it served as an important hub for the Imperial wine trade, with many excellent vintages passing through its docks - both from the Brass Coast to the rest of the world, and from the rest of the world to the Brass Coast (and thus the Empire). Lord Rahab has left the region devastated, and it remains to be seen if the farms here will ever recover.

===Morajasse===
'''Qualities:''' Abandoned, Impoverished, Underpopulated<br>
The largest town in prosperous Morajasse is '''Mora'''. Once simply a spice market, the barbarian invasion of [[Segura]] saw a burst of rapid militarisation of this peaceful settlement. Refugees are common here: some supported by their families, others looking to work in the market. With the liberation of the western territory, a strange reversal took place - the pool of desperate labourers has largely dried up with refugees returning to their homes.

Immediately following the [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Bravado|invasion of Feroz]] in 383YE, work was completed on a [[fortification]] at the town of Mora, [[#Mora's Rock|Mora's Rock]]. The fortification served the defenders well, but with the ratification of the peace treaty it was taken over, and expanded, by Grendel troops. It now serves as the base of operations of ''Wind Lord Saoirse'' and her partner ''Commander Fiersach'', as well as a sizable force of Grendel veterans.

Western Morajasse is the site of the great [[#The Spice Gardens of Feroz|Spice Gardens]]. The [[Vizier of the Incarnadine Satchel]] was often quite active in Feroz, occasionally dealing with agents of the Spice Gardens or traders from the Jewelled Isles. Following the Grendel treaty, the offices that supported the Vizier with easy access to reasonably priced herbs has dried up - while they are still notionally the owner of the miraculous satchel that gives them their name, their ability to support the nations' apothecaries and physicks has been greatly reduced.
{{CaptionedImage|file=Oran_by_the_Sea.jpg|caption=The Celesti Lighthouse sits high on the headland overlooking Oran.|align=right|width=400}}

===Oranseri===
'''Qualities:''' Abandoned, Coastal, Impoverished<br>
Across the bay from billowing [[Madruga#Siroc|Siroc]] stands the thriving port town of [[#Oran|Oran]]. In recent years, the port has grown in prominence and prosperity; it served as the seat of power for the Grendel governor Lord Rahab during the Grendel occupation of the territory. Just outside Oran lies the great [[Celesti_Lighthouse_Keeper#The_Celesti_Lighthouse|Celesti Lighthouse]], originally constructed during the reign of [[Emperor Barabbas]] and recently repaired and restored to full functionality. It, too, was in the hands of the Grendel for several years but has now been restored.

West of Oran is the ''Scorrero Crossing''. The river Scorrero is wide and deep between Feroz and Madruga. During the Summer Solstice 383YE, the Grendel invaders attempted to take advantage of this by taking control of both bridges that connect the two Freeborn territories. Had they been successful, it would have been significantly harder for Imperial forces to move between Siroc and Oranseri. Their attempts were stymied, and ultimately became moot once the Scorrero [[Where_the_river_rises#Crossing|burst its banks]] and carried away all the existing bridges.

'''Joharra''' is a port south of Oran, considered much more stable than its northern cousin, and better known for its industry than its trade. Famous throughout the Empire for its cloth and dye-work, Joharra is called '' the Rainbow'' by coastal sailors who mark their progress round the coast with the first sight of the great billowing cloths hung out to dry on tall wooden frames along the low cliffs. As with the other settlements of Oran, the weavers and dyers here now labour under the yoke of the Grendel orcs.

==Strategic Considerations==
* '''The damage to the bridges along the Scorrero prevents movement between Feroz and Madruga'''
The damage to almost all the bridges along the Scorrero means that it is effectively impossible for an [[Army|army]] to move between Feroz and [[Madruga]] (or vice versa). More information can be found in the '''[[Where_the_river_rises#Crossing|Where the river rises]]''' wind of fortune.
<div style="float:left; width: 450px; clear: right;">{{CaptionedImage|file=Garviel i Abrira i Erigo.jpg|caption='''Garviel i Abrira i Erigo''', Senator for Feroz|align=left|width=500}}</div>
{{Senate Elections|Senator_for_Feroz|Territory=Feroz|Season=Summer|Controlled=is}}

==OOC Notes==
* As of the start of the Winter Solstice 387YE, the Iron Confederacy control the Cazar Straits, the Grendel control Morajasse, and the Brass Coast controls Afarjasse, Fontargenta, and Oranseri. Feroz is an Imperial territory
* [[#Mora's Rock|Mora's Rock]] is a rank two fortification controlled by the Grendel.
* The status of various titles and resources located in Feroz is outlined in more detail in [[To_curb_those_raging_appetites#Lost_Opportunities|To curb those raging appetites]], a Winter 383YE wind of fortune.

==Further Reading==
* [[Red skies]] - 387YE Winter wind of war about the Iron Confederacy invasion of the Cazar Straits
* [[Send for me]] - 386YE Winter wind of fortune about the rebuilding of Feroz
* [[Glass and flame]] - 386YE Autumn wind of war about the liberation of Feroz
* [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Spindrift|Winds of War 383YE Spring]] - Detailing the Grendel invasion
* [[383YE_Summer_Solstice_winds_of_war#The_World_is_Not_Enough|Winds of War 383YE Summer]]
* [[383YE_Autumn_Equinox_winds_of_war#Bronze|Winds of War 383YE Autumn]]
* [[Ratify_treaty_with_the_Grendel_Autumn_383YE#Treaty|Treaty]] - the Autumn 383YE treaty with the Grendel
* [[To curb those raging appetites]] - a Winter 383YE wind of fortune that details the situation for Freeborn in Feroz
* [[Everything has a price]] - a Winter 383YE wind of fortune that details the general situation with the Grendel, and has several notes about their presence in Feroz
* [[Bones in the ocean]] - a Winter 383YE wind of fortune that specifically deals with the [[#Isle of the Osseini|Isle of the Osseini]] and the justicars

Feroz

2026-05-13T10:07:03Z

Rafferty: /* Recent History */

{{CaptionedImage|file=RegionsofFeroz.png|title=Southernmost of the Freeborn territories, lush but threatened by barbarians over land and sea|caption=Regions of Feroz|align=left|width=500}}[[Category:Gazetteer]][[Category:Grendel]][[Category:Imperial Territory]][[category:The Brass Coast]]
{{stub}}
== Overview ==
Feroz is the southernmost territory of the Brass Coast, and like [[Madruga]] to the north has both isles and coastline. Here the climate is warm and humid, perfect for the cultivation of different plants. This is the home of the fabulous spice gardens of Feroz, a source of great revenue for the people of this territory. The seas are more treacherous here, and the south and the west are constantly threatened by barbarians by land. As a result, many armed merchants patrolled the seas, and groups of young warriors journeyed along the borders, fighting skirmishes against jealous foes.

There is a traditional rivalry between the families of Feroz and those of Madruga. The northern territory was the first settled when the Freeborn [[The_Brass_Coast_history#The_Conquest_of_the_Coast|left Highguard]], and there is a popular stereotype that the people who live there are "stuck up". This stereotype is more humorous than hateful - the Freeborn move around too much to allow such prejudice to root itself too firmly in their psyche. Still, if a citizen of Feroz wants to insult a citizen of Madruga, they will fall back on accusations of arrogance and an over-reliance on tradition.

Some of the finest [[Surgical skills#Apothecary|apothecaries]] on the Brass Coast once lived in Feroz - the art of [[potion]] making has been studied here for centuries and even after two years of occupation by the Grendel it is still home to a great many [[herb garden|herb gardens]]. The mainland is a criss-cross patchwork of [[farm|farms]] and small settlements. At the height of its prosperity, a great deal of the food and drink consumed on the BRass Coast was produced here and exported to other Freeborn territories.

Unfortunately, in recent years the territory has been hit by disaster after disaster. Repeated raids by the Grendel eventually gave way to a concerted invasion, and while it was pushed back, the barbarian of the Broken Shore did not abandon their ambition to conquer Feroz. In 383YE, a [[Ratify treaty with the Grendel Autumn 383YE|peace treaty]] ceded the territory to the invaders, and saw the vicious, greedy, and tyrannical ''Governor Rahab'' establish his dominion over Feroz. The Freeborn organised a [[The power behind our moves|grand evacuation]] that saw much of the population escape Rahab's hungry grasp and resettle elsewhere in the Coast, but the move came at a price. When the treaty ended, and the Grendel were (mostly) driven out, Feroz was left abandoned, wrecked, and heavily underpopulated, it's former residents preferring to stay with the new lives they had built elsewhere rather than return. Worse, the [[#Cazar Straits|Cazar Straits]] were taken by the [[Children of Wrecks]], transformed into a stronghold for the servants of the eternal [[Siakha]]. They in turn were supplanted towards the end of 387YE by the [[Iron Confederacy]], who drove out the Wreckers and claimed the island for themselves.

On the mainland, the situation is a little better, but what was once one of the richest Freeborn territories still struggles with the weight of two years of exploitation by a money-hungry tyrant, and what many see as its abandonment by the Empire.

==Recent History==
Being on the [[Bay of Catazar]], Feroz has always been under threat from the [[Grendel]] [[orc|orcs]]. In Spring 383YE, the orcs [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Spindrift|launched a naval invasion]], capturing [[#Oranseri|Oranseri]] and the [[#Cazar Straits|Cazar Straits]] in short order and making significant inroads into [[#Fontargenta|Fontargenta]]. The Grendel installed a grizzled old orc named ''Lord Rahab'' as overseer of the conquered land; he took up residence in the offices of the [[Scorrero Nets]] and quickly set about attempting to bring the rest of Feroz under his control. Part of their plan appeared to involve the ghosts of the [[#Isle of the Osseini|Isle of the Osseini]], but the scheme was countered by Imperial heroes travelling through the [[Sentinel Gate]] to exorcise the spirits and defeat the Grendel seeking to make use of them.

Undaunted by the loss of their supernatural weapon, the orcs kept up their assault. By Summer 383YE, they [[383YE_Summer_Solstice_winds_of_war#The_World_is_Not_Enough|sought to consolidate their gains in Fontargenta]]; they were opposed by [[Navarr]] and [[the Marches|Marcher]] [[Army|armies]], who held the Grendel at the town of [[#Fontargenta|Bramar]] for two days before being forced to retreat. They were able to slow the Grendel advance, however, leaving the orcs bogged down in Fontargenta and unable to press inland.

Following the engagement in Fontargenta, and battling under a powerful supernatural storm, the Grendel [[383YE_Autumn_Equinox_winds_of_war#Bronze|brought even more force]] to bear in the territory. While the Imperial armies were reinforced by [[Highguard|Highborn]] troops, the orc navies disgorged a great host of their own warriors. The fighting was bitter, but in the end Fontargenta fell - and as Fontargenta falls, so falls Feroz. While [[#Morajasse|Morajasse]] and [[#Afarjasse|Afarjasse]] remained free, the Grendel forces continued to mass along the coast.

During the Autumn Equinox 383, the [[Senate]] [[Ratify_treaty_with_the_Grendel_Autumn_383YE#Treaty|ratified a peace treaty]] with the Grendel. Presented by the [[Imperial Fleet Master]], among other things it [[Powers_of_the_Imperial_Senate#Concedence|ceded]] the two remaining regions of Feroz to the Grendel, albeit with provisions allowing Imperial citizens still in Morajasse and Afarjasse to withdraw to safety. Following the Equinox, Lord Rahab's forces spread out quickly to bring the two western regions under his control; Feroz was now [[To_curb_those_raging_appetites|completely under Grendel control]].

Just before the Autumn Equinox 386YE, the Imperial forces reconquered [[Glass_and_flame| reconquered Feroz]]. Possession of the territory is complicated by [[Children_of_Wrecks|Children of Wrecks]] as well as the remnants of the Grendel. Feroz has been run into the ground by Lord Rahab, eager to extract every drop of profit from the place, and it requires significant investment to return the territory to even a fraction of its former wealth.

In 386YE, the [[Senate]] commissioned an [[appraisal]] of Feroz that laid out many of the challenges presented by the newly reclaimed territory, and some potential solutions. Details are contained in the '''[[Send_for_me#State_of_Feroz|Send for me]]''' wind of fortune.

== Major Features ==
===Oran===
The largest and most prestigious port was Feroz is Oran, on the northern coast of [[#Oranseri|Oranseri]]. Across the bay from billowing [[Madruga#Siroc_(Ruined)|Siroc]] this thriving port specialised in high-value products such as fine wines and spice mixes. Unsurprisingly, given its position, for most of its history it has engaged in low-key economic warfare with its larger cousin to the north - Oran notably has cheaper dock fees than Siroc, and a number of entrepreneurs prefer to operate here as a consequence. It is especially welcoming to those merchants who are just starting out, and has a reputation for being more energetic than its competitors to the north and south. This energy has been significantly boosted by construction of the only open [[#The Temple of Balo and the Black Bull|Asavean Temple]] in the entire Empire; the surge of [[Asavean Archipelago|Asavean]] ships visiting Oran saw the town expand significantly to become the largest trading port in Feroz.

In Spring 383YE, however, Oran was [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Spindrift|conquered by the Grendel]]. An orc governor, Lord Rahab, chose the town as the site for his court, converting the offices of the [[Scorrero Nets]] to his personal use. Among other things, this invasion saw the collapse of the [[Broken Shore Bounty]], the Scorrero Nets falling into orc hands, and the Temple of Balo and the Black Bull sealing its doors against the orcs while offering sanctuary to Freeborn families. Following the treaty signed during the Autumn Equinox, the Grendel opened Oran as a port [[Everything_has_a_price#A_New_Destination|available to Imperial captains]]. This situation persisted until the peace treaty ended, and war with the Grendel resumed.

After the Summer Solstice 386YE, Imperial forces swept into Oranseri to liberate the territory from the Grendel. They [[Glass_and_flame#The_Siege_of_Oran|laid siege]] to Oran, and were quickly victorious. The [[Below_the_thunders#Objective:_Eliminate_Governor_Rahab|recent death of Governor Rahab]] in battle with the Empire's heroes left the garrison demoralised and disorganised. It was a grievous victory, however. The fighting that raged through the town, the overwhelming assault, the barrage of catapult stones, all contributed to the fact that many of the buildings have been left in ruins, and many more damaged. A fire at the docks threatened to spread through the town and only the valiant actions of League soldiers managed bring it under control.

Proposals have been put forward to [[Send_for_me#Wharfage_of_Oran|rebuild Oran]], but it remains to be seen what the future holds for the port town.

===The Temple of Balo and the Black Bull===
During the Spring Equinox 380YE, permission was granted to the people of the [[Asavean Archipelago]] to construct a major temple to their gods in [[#Oranseri|Oran]]. Initially, construction was expected to be completed shortly before the Autumn Equinox 380YE, but the temple did not actually open its doors until shortly before the Spring Equinox 381YE. The town is seeing an influx of Asavean shipping bringing white granite and architects to the Brass Coast, as well as throwing crowns around like water to secure local labour to complete their project. Relations between the people of the Empire and the priests of Asavea are monitored by ''[[El oficial de enlace imperial con los sacerdotes de Balo y el toro negro]]'' ("The Imperial intermediary to the priests of Balo and the Black Bull"), who among other things is able to [[ministry|buy Asavean goods]] at a reduced price. During the Summer Solstice 380YE, the Assembly of Nine supported Abaddon de Rondell in [[Temple_of_the_bull#Resolution|denouncing]] the temple as an idolatrous affront, making it significantly harder for the Asaveans to find labourers prepared to work on the construction and both delaying its completion and laying a significant economic burden on the foreign priests.

The temple remained extremely controversial among Imperial priests. When Oran fell, however, the priests at the temple [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Sand|offered sanctuary]] to a number of Freeborn families in spite of Grendel unhappiness. In the following months, several of those families were smuggled to safety in Madruga, although an unknown number remain as guests at the temple. Despite this, however, it is clear that the Asaveans are more than happy to work with the new owners of Oran - indeed there are rumours that they have already recognised a Grendel as the [[Imperial Delegate to the Temple in Feroz|Delegate to the Temple in Feroz]]. This situation is no doubt being exacerbated by the Summer 383YE [[Through_my_sails#Ruined_Buildings|attack]] on the "sister temple" to the Black Bull, the temple of the Way in Nemoria.

'''OOC Notes:''' More details on the construction of the Temple of Balo and the Black Bull can be found in the winds of fortune, specifically [[Seven_lords_of_virtue#Temple_of_Bahlo_and_the_Black_Bull|Seven lords of virtue]], [[Those who worship#The Black Bull|Those who worship]], and [[Distant deeps]].
=== The Spice Gardens of Feroz ===
In western [[#Morajasse|Morajasse]] stand the legendary Spice Gardens of Feroz - a set of heavily-walled enclosures covering several acres where the finest spices in the Empire are grown. A rich source of trade for whoever controls the gardens, the [[Imperial title]] of [[Keeper of the Spice Gardens]] has changed hands between families only a handful of times in the last few centuries, and the bargaining leading up to a new appointment has regularly involved the whole nation.

The peace treaty of Autumn 383YE that ceded control of Morajasse to the Grendel saw the Spice Gardens fall into the hands of the orcs. If there is any solace to be taken from this development, it is that the Grendel appreciate fine spices as much as any Freeborn so it is unlikely that they will want to harm these legendary Gardens. On the other hand, some Freeborn find the idea of their beautiful spice gardens being operated by Grendel slaves particularly heinous.

===The [[Scorrero Nets]]===
The Scorrero Nets were a Bourse resource located in [[#Oranseri|Oranseri]], seized by the Grendel in Spring 383YE as part of their conquest of Feroz. Custodianship of the Nets was an [[Imperial Title]] that brought with it a Seat on the [[Bourse]]. In Winter 384YE, a [[Drums_beat_in_my_head#The_Scorrero_Nets|daring plan]] was proposed to "steal" the nets by establishing the [[Cerevado Nets]] upriver in [[Segura]]. As a consequence, this Bourse resource ceased to exist, much to the chagrin of the Grendel governor Rahab.

===The Broken Shore Bounty===
The [[Broken Shore Bounty]] was a Bourse resource that was technically located in the [[#Cazar Straits|Cazar Straits]] inasmuch as the holder of the [[Bourse]] seat has the use of a fortified villa in the hills near Cazar. The actual [[ilium]] that the seat provided was sourced throughout the Bay of Catazar; a portion of all ilium claimed from the nets of Freeborn, [[the League|League]], [[Highguard|Highborn]], and [[Urizen|Urizeni]] nets is claimed as part of the Bounty. It produced 7 rings of ilium each season and was allocated during the Spring Equinox.

When the Cazar Straits fell to the Grendel, they also seized the offices of the Broken Shore Bounty. Despite a [[Four_strong_winds#Broken_Shore_Bounty|proposal to move the offices]], the resource fell into disarray, the ilium ending up split between the Imperial Fleet Master and the Bourse Auction. With the ratification of the Grendel peace treaty, this title and resource effectively ceased to exist.

===Mora's Rock===
Built as part of the grand project to create [[fortification|fortifications]] across the southern Empire in response to the threat of the [[Grendel]], Mora's Rock in [[#Morajasse|Morajasse]] was completed in the months following the [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Bravado|invasion of 383YE]]. The fortification squats above the town of Mora, guarding against invasion from [[Segura]], and providing garrisons and scouts who can offer resistance to assaults from the sea.

When Morajasse was ceded to the Grendel in Autumn 383YE, they took control of the fortification and later expanded it significantly. The fortification resisted the [[Glass and flame|liberation]] of the territory, and as of the beginning of 387YE remains under the control of the Grendel. The garrison is led by ''[[Glass_and_flame#The_Shadow_of_Mora's_Rock|Commander Gallum Fiersach]]'', ably supported by his partner, the ''Wind Lord Saoirse''. The garrison there includes a warband of veteran [[Elite_Grendel_troops#The_Stone_Born|Stone Born]], and the remainder appear to be very experienced soldiers. These Grendel are enemies of the Empire, obviously, but that did not prevent them acting to [[A_circle_sewn_with_fate#The_Battle_of_Oran|protect Oran]] from the Children of Wrecks in early 387YE. There has been some talk of encouraging the Grendel to continue to protect the beleaguered Feroz from raiders. Whatever else is true about the orc garrison, they appear to be a very disciplined group of soldiers with little love for the servants of [[Siakha]].
==Lost and Ruined==

{{anchor|Shantarim}}
===Shantarim (ruined)===
In the southern islands of the [[#Cazar Straits|Cazar Straits]] the town of Shantarim was one a [[corsair]] stronghold. The families were are known to engage in fierce competition with their northern rivals, not only in Madruga but also in [[#Oranseri|Oranseri]] and even the other islands of the Straits. Smaller than the town of Cazar, Shantarim had a reputation for being somewhat less cosmopolitan than the other towns of Feroz - visitors from mainland families sometimes encounter prejudice and suspicion. The families of Shantarim more than made up for their relatively small size with the enthusiasm with which they opposed the orcs of the Broken Shore.

Prior to the [[Ratify treaty with the Grendel Autumn 383YE|peace treaty]] of 383YE, they were loud supporters of the [[Freeborn Storm]], and the various raids against the Grendel. The signing of the peace treaty with the southern orcs tied their hands, making it illegal to fight the Grendel, which became been a major source of dissension in Shantarim.

Towards the end of the ceasefire secured by the treaty, in 385YE, Shatarim was attacked and wrecked. Warships of the [[Asavean Archipelago]], allies of the Grendel occupation, engaged in a campaign of destruction across the Cazar Straits, and along with the Isle of the Osseini, Shantarim bore the brunt. Many corsairs who had endured the occupation of the Grendel were slain, and the town was looted and left in ruins. When the Children of Wrecks arrived, there was precious little left for the to wreck.
<div style="float:right; width: 450px; clear: right;"><box>'''Justicars'''<br>The priests who previously lived on the Isle of the Osseini called themselves ''justicars''. Specialist exorcists and inquisitors in the pre-Imperial history of the Brass Coast, they specialised in driving out malign spirits or cleansing unpleasant auras from people, places and objects. Never particularly populous, their sanctuary on the Isle of the Osseini was all but wiped out by the Grendel. A handful remained elsewhere, and during the Autumn Equinox 383YE the Freeborn assembly [[383YE_Autumn_Equinox_Synod_judgements#Judgement_22|called on them to come together to preserve their traditions]]. A small enclave of justicars was established on the Isle of Osseini at the sufferance of the Grendel. Unfortunately, when Asavean warships went on a rampage in 385YE, the first place they attacked was this enclave, putting the priests to the sword and burning the enclave. When the Children of Wrecks arrived, the Grendel magicians still left on the island fled back to the Broken Shore. As far as anyone knows today, the island is abandoned.</box></div>

{{Anchor|Isle of the Osseini}}
===Isle of the Osseini (Ruined)===
At the southern tip of the [[#Cazar Straits|Cazar Straits]], the island was known for its heavy sea fog, its ghosts, and for a small sect of Freeborn priests famed for their knowledge of the arts of [[exorcism]]. Stories claimed the Isle was haunted by those who had died at sea, but most Freeborn had no truck with such foolishness. In 383YE, however, it became clear these tales of ghosts were more than just idle gossip. During the Spring Equinox of that year, a [[Grendel]] shaman attempted to unleash a ghostly legion of drowned orcs bound in some fashion to white granite pillars on the island against the defenders of Feroz. Before they could do so they were [[383YE_Summer_Solstice_winds_of_war#The_World_is_Not_Enough|thwarted by Imperial heroes]] who reached the isle via the [[Sentinel Gate]]. Once the heroes retreated, the status of the island, the pillars, and the remaining priests was unknown.

Then in Autumn 383YE, as part of the negotiations that led to the peace treaty with the Grendel, a contract was negotiated with the orc diplomat regarding the Isle of the Osseini. In the wake of that agreement, a small group of priests were allowed to visit the Isle with a Grendel escort. There they discovered the remaining priests were dead, the ghost-binding pillars had been destroyed, and the island was in the hands of a coven of Grendel magicians. The orcs had already constructed a permanent residence there built around a particular Winter regio, and were less than welcoming to the Freeborn. Further negotiations followed; in the end the Freeborn were allowed to establish a small enclave here, under the careful watch of the Grendel.

The return of the justicars was short-lived. In 385YE, a fleet of warships from the Asavean Archipelago went on a murderous rampage in the southern Cazar Straits. Allies of the Grendel, they slaughtered the priests and burned the enclave before sailing north to Shantarim. When the Children of Wrecks arrived, the remaining Grendel magicians fled back to the Broken Shore. By the close of 387YE, the island appears to be abandoned, although it remains to be seen what the Iron COnfederacy plan to do with it.

'''OOC Note:''' You can learn more about the historic Isle of the Osseini in the [[Bones in the ocean]] wind of fortune.

==Regions==
===Afarjasse===
'''Qualities:''' [[Region_qualities#Abandoned|Abandoned]], [[Region_qualities#Underpopulated|Underpopulated]]<br>
In the middle of nowhere, on the plains of Afarjasse, is the quiet settlement of '''Afar'''. It was established by [[hakima]] with close ties to the [[Guerra]] tribe near a potent [[regio]] tied to the realm of Night. It is a faraway place dedicated to the practice of [[rituals|ritual magics]] that support the Freeborn. It is not hard to reach, but it stands alone in a sea of sprawling grasslands and does not encourage casual visitors. On nights when powerful magics are performed, Afar is visible for miles around - great bonfires are built and massive drums used to build powerful rhythms to help raise (or draw down, or both) the passionate energy for powerful workings.

As with the rest of Feroz, Afarjasse spent two years in the hands of the Grendel. The governor, Lord Rahab, made it clear that the hakima here would not be permitted access to their potent regio - they were after all an important strategic resource. The region has been liberated now, but is in the same dire straits as the rest of the territory.

===Cazar Straits===
'''Qualities:''' Abandoned, Coastal, Impoverished, Island, Underpopulated<br>
For most of the Brass Coast's history, the islands of the Cazar Straits were dominated by [[corsair]] families. The largest settlement remains the port town from which the islands take their name - high-cliffed '''Cazar''' - but in recent years it has changed hands several times and is a shadow of its former self. Built around a bustling dock, it served as a safe harbour and home port for many of the [[fleet|fleets]] that protected the Bay from barbarian ships. The holder of the [[Broken Shore Bounty]] used to have the use of a fortified villa in the hills near Cazar, and the civil service offices that oversaw the resource were based here. Both were lost to the Grendel, then to the [[Children of Wrecks]], and in the last months of 387YE, to the [[Iron Confederacy]].

Even before the Children of Wrecks arrived, several of the more southerly islands of the Straits had a reputation for peculiarity. The corsairs of [[#Shantarim|Shantarim]] for example were renowned both for their enthusiastic rivalry with all other corsair families, and the zeal with which they waged war on the Grendel. The [[#Isle of the Osseini|Isle of the Osseini]] is also found here, once home to a sect of strange priests, allegedly haunted by the ghosts of drowned pirates, then the site of an uneasy truce between orc magicians and Freeborn priests. Towards the end of the peace treaty with the Grendel, however, a fleet of warships from the [[Asavean Archipelago]] slaughtered the justicars of Osseini and ruined the town of Shantarim. When the Children of Wrecks claimed the region, there was precious little left for them to destroy.

Today, the waters around the Cazar Straits remain treacherous. In part this is due to the presence of dozens of immature kraken hatched in the waters by the Children of Wrecks.

===Fontargenta===
'''Qualities:''' Abandoned, Coastal, Impoverished<br>
The trading port of '''Bramar''' stands on the coast here. Surrounded by rich agricultural land, its bountiful cornfields once competed with [[the Marches|Marcher]] grain in markets across the southern nations of the Empire, and their vineyards were justly famous. Before the Grendel invasion it served as an important hub for the Imperial wine trade, with many excellent vintages passing through its docks - both from the Brass Coast to the rest of the world, and from the rest of the world to the Brass Coast (and thus the Empire). Lord Rahab has left the region devastated, and it remains to be seen if the farms here will ever recover.

===Morajasse===
'''Qualities:''' Abandoned, Impoverished, Underpopulated<br>
The largest town in prosperous Morajasse is '''Mora'''. Once simply a spice market, the barbarian invasion of [[Segura]] saw a burst of rapid militarisation of this peaceful settlement. Refugees are common here: some supported by their families, others looking to work in the market. With the liberation of the western territory, a strange reversal took place - the pool of desperate labourers has largely dried up with refugees returning to their homes.

Immediately following the [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Bravado|invasion of Feroz]] in 383YE, work was completed on a [[fortification]] at the town of Mora, [[#Mora's Rock|Mora's Rock]]. The fortification served the defenders well, but with the ratification of the peace treaty it was taken over, and expanded, by Grendel troops. It now serves as the base of operations of ''Wind Lord Saoirse'' and her partner ''Commander Fiersach'', as well as a sizable force of Grendel veterans.

Western Morajasse is the site of the great [[#The Spice Gardens of Feroz|Spice Gardens]]. The [[Vizier of the Incarnadine Satchel]] was often quite active in Feroz, occasionally dealing with agents of the Spice Gardens or traders from the Jewelled Isles. Following the Grendel treaty, the offices that supported the Vizier with easy access to reasonably priced herbs has dried up - while they are still notionally the owner of the miraculous satchel that gives them their name, their ability to support the nations' apothecaries and physicks has been greatly reduced.
{{CaptionedImage|file=Oran_by_the_Sea.jpg|caption=The Celesti Lighthouse sits high on the headland overlooking Oran.|align=right|width=400}}

===Oranseri===
'''Qualities:''' Abandoned, Coastal, Impoverished<br>
Across the bay from billowing [[Madruga#Siroc|Siroc]] stands the thriving port town of [[#Oran|Oran]]. In recent years, the port has grown in prominence and prosperity; it served as the seat of power for the Grendel governor Lord Rahab during the Grendel occupation of the territory. Just outside Oran lies the great [[Celesti_Lighthouse_Keeper#The_Celesti_Lighthouse|Celesti Lighthouse]], originally constructed during the reign of [[Emperor Barabbas]] and recently repaired and restored to full functionality. It, too, was in the hands of the Grendel for several years but has now been restored.

West of Oran is the ''Scorrero Crossing''. The river Scorrero is wide and deep between Feroz and Madruga. During the Summer Solstice 383YE, the Grendel invaders attempted to take advantage of this by taking control of both bridges that connect the two Freeborn territories. Had they been successful, it would have been significantly harder for Imperial forces to move between Siroc and Oranseri. Their attempts were stymied, and ultimately became moot once the Scorrero [[Where_the_river_rises#Crossing|burst its banks]] and carried away all the existing bridges.

'''Joharra''' is a port south of Oran, considered much more stable than its northern cousin, and better known for its industry than its trade. Famous throughout the Empire for its cloth and dye-work, Joharra is called '' the Rainbow'' by coastal sailors who mark their progress round the coast with the first sight of the great billowing cloths hung out to dry on tall wooden frames along the low cliffs. As with the other settlements of Oran, the weavers and dyers here now labour under the yoke of the Grendel orcs.

==Strategic Considerations==
* '''The damage to the bridges along the Scorrero prevents movement between Feroz and Madruga'''
The damage to almost all the bridges along the Scorrero means that it is effectively impossible for an [[Army|army]] to move between Feroz and [[Madruga]] (or vice versa). More information can be found in the '''[[Where_the_river_rises#Crossing|Where the river rises]]''' wind of fortune.
<div style="float:left; width: 450px; clear: right;">{{CaptionedImage|file=Garviel i Abrira i Erigo.jpg|caption='''Garviel i Abrira i Erigo''', Senator for Feroz|align=left|width=500}}</div>
{{Senate Elections|Senator_for_Feroz|Territory=Feroz|Season=Summer|Controlled=is}}

==OOC Notes==
* As of the start of the Winter Solstice 387YE, the Iron Confederacy control the Cazar Straits, the Grendel control Morajasse, and the Brass Coast controls Afarjasse, Fontargenta, and Oranseri. Feroz is an Imperial territory
* [[#Mora's Rock|Mora's Rock]] is a rank two fortification controlled by the Grendel.
* The status of various titles and resources located in Feroz is outlined in more detail in [[To_curb_those_raging_appetites#Lost_Opportunities|To curb those raging appetites]], a Winter 383YE wind of fortune.

==Further Reading==
* [[Red skies]] - 387YE Winter wind of war about the Iron Confederacy invasion of the Cazar Straits
* [[Send for me]] - 386YE Winter wind of fortune about the rebuilding of Feroz
* [[Glass and flame]] - 386YE Autumn wind of war about the liberation of Feroz
* [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Spindrift|Winds of War 383YE Spring]] - Detailing the Grendel invasion
* [[383YE_Summer_Solstice_winds_of_war#The_World_is_Not_Enough|Winds of War 383YE Summer]]
* [[383YE_Autumn_Equinox_winds_of_war#Bronze|Winds of War 383YE Autumn]]
* [[Ratify_treaty_with_the_Grendel_Autumn_383YE#Treaty|Treaty]] - the Autumn 383YE treaty with the Grendel
* [[To curb those raging appetites]] - a Winter 383YE wind of fortune that details the situation for Freeborn in Feroz
* [[Everything has a price]] - a Winter 383YE wind of fortune that details the general situation with the Grendel, and has several notes about their presence in Feroz
* [[Bones in the ocean]] - a Winter 383YE wind of fortune that specifically deals with the [[#Isle of the Osseini|Isle of the Osseini]] and the justicars

Feroz

2026-05-13T10:05:07Z

Rafferty:

{{CaptionedImage|file=RegionsofFeroz.png|title=Southernmost of the Freeborn territories, lush but threatened by barbarians over land and sea|caption=Regions of Feroz|align=left|width=500}}[[Category:Gazetteer]][[Category:Grendel]][[Category:Imperial Territory]][[category:The Brass Coast]]
{{stub}}
== Overview ==
Feroz is the southernmost territory of the Brass Coast, and like [[Madruga]] to the north has both isles and coastline. Here the climate is warm and humid, perfect for the cultivation of different plants. This is the home of the fabulous spice gardens of Feroz, a source of great revenue for the people of this territory. The seas are more treacherous here, and the south and the west are constantly threatened by barbarians by land. As a result, many armed merchants patrolled the seas, and groups of young warriors journeyed along the borders, fighting skirmishes against jealous foes.

There is a traditional rivalry between the families of Feroz and those of Madruga. The northern territory was the first settled when the Freeborn [[The_Brass_Coast_history#The_Conquest_of_the_Coast|left Highguard]], and there is a popular stereotype that the people who live there are "stuck up". This stereotype is more humorous than hateful - the Freeborn move around too much to allow such prejudice to root itself too firmly in their psyche. Still, if a citizen of Feroz wants to insult a citizen of Madruga, they will fall back on accusations of arrogance and an over-reliance on tradition.

Some of the finest [[Surgical skills#Apothecary|apothecaries]] on the Brass Coast once lived in Feroz - the art of [[potion]] making has been studied here for centuries and even after two years of occupation by the Grendel it is still home to a great many [[herb garden|herb gardens]]. The mainland is a criss-cross patchwork of [[farm|farms]] and small settlements. At the height of its prosperity, a great deal of the food and drink consumed on the BRass Coast was produced here and exported to other Freeborn territories.

Unfortunately, in recent years the territory has been hit by disaster after disaster. Repeated raids by the Grendel eventually gave way to a concerted invasion, and while it was pushed back, the barbarian of the Broken Shore did not abandon their ambition to conquer Feroz. In 383YE, a [[Ratify treaty with the Grendel Autumn 383YE|peace treaty]] ceded the territory to the invaders, and saw the vicious, greedy, and tyrannical ''Governor Rahab'' establish his dominion over Feroz. The Freeborn organised a [[The power behind our moves|grand evacuation]] that saw much of the population escape Rahab's hungry grasp and resettle elsewhere in the Coast, but the move came at a price. When the treaty ended, and the Grendel were (mostly) driven out, Feroz was left abandoned, wrecked, and heavily underpopulated, it's former residents preferring to stay with the new lives they had built elsewhere rather than return. Worse, the [[#Cazar Straits|Cazar Straits]] were taken by the [[Children of Wrecks]], transformed into a stronghold for the servants of the eternal [[Siakha]]. They in turn were supplanted towards the end of 387YE by the [[Iron Confederacy]], who drove out the Wreckers and claimed the island for themselves.

On the mainland, the situation is a little better, but what was once one of the richest Freeborn territories still struggles with the weight of two years of exploitation by a money-hungry tyrant, and what many see as its abandonment by the Empire.

==Recent History==
Being on the [[Bay of Catazar]], Feroz has always been under threat from the [[Grendel]] [[orc|orcs]]. In Spring 383YE, the orcs [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Spindrift|launched a naval invasion]], capturing [[#Oranseri|Oranseri]] and the [[#Cazar Straits|Cazar Straits]] in short order and making significant inroads into [[#Fontargenta|Fontargenta]]. The Grendel installed a grizzled old orc named ''Lord Rahab'' as overseer of the conquered land; he took up residence in the offices of the [[Scorrero Nets]] and quickly set about attempting to bring the rest of Feroz under his control. Part of their plan appeared to involve the ghosts of the [[#Isle of the Osseini|Isle of the Osseini]], but the scheme was countered by Imperial heroes travelling through the [[Sentinel Gate]] to exorcise the spirits and defeat the Grendel seeking to make use of them.

Undaunted by the loss of their supernatural weapon, the orcs kept up their assault. By Summer 383YE, they [[383YE_Summer_Solstice_winds_of_war#The_World_is_Not_Enough|sought to consolidate their gains in Fontargenta]]; they were opposed by [[Navarr]] and [[the Marches|Marcher]] [[Army|armies]], who held the Grendel at the town of [[#Fontargenta|Bramar]] for two days before being forced to retreat. They were able to slow the Grendel advance, however, leaving the orcs bogged down in Fontargenta and unable to press inland.

Following the engagement in Fontargenta, and battling under a powerful supernatural storm, the Grendel [[383YE_Autumn_Equinox_winds_of_war#Bronze|brought even more force]] to bear in the territory. While the Imperial armies were reinforced by [[Highguard|Highborn]] troops, the orc navies disgorged a great host of their own warriors. The fighting was bitter, but in the end Fontargenta fell - and as Fontargenta falls, so falls Feroz. While [[#Morajasse|Morajasse]] and [[#Afarjasse|Afarjasse]] remained free, the Grendel forces continued to mass along the coast.

During the Autumn Equinox 383, the [[Senate]] [[Ratify_treaty_with_the_Grendel_Autumn_383YE#Treaty|ratified a peace treaty]] with the Grendel. Presented by the [[Imperial Fleet Master]], among other things it [[Powers_of_the_Imperial_Senate#Concedence|ceded]] the two remaining regions of Feroz to the Grendel, albeit with provisions allowing Imperial citizens still in Morajasse and Afarjasse to withdraw to safety. Following the Equinox, Lord Rahab's forces spread out quickly to bring the two western regions under his control; Feroz was now [[To_curb_those_raging_appetites|completely under Grendel control]].

Just before the Autumn Equinox 386YE, the Imperial forces reconquered [[Glass_and_flame| reconquered Feroz]]. Possession of the territory is complicated by [[Children_of_Wrecks|Children of Wrecks]] as well as the remnants of the Grendel. Feroz has been run into the ground by Lord Rahab, eager to extract every drop of profit from the place, and it requires significant investment to return the territory to even a fraction of its former wealth.

== Major Features ==
===Oran===
The largest and most prestigious port was Feroz is Oran, on the northern coast of [[#Oranseri|Oranseri]]. Across the bay from billowing [[Madruga#Siroc_(Ruined)|Siroc]] this thriving port specialised in high-value products such as fine wines and spice mixes. Unsurprisingly, given its position, for most of its history it has engaged in low-key economic warfare with its larger cousin to the north - Oran notably has cheaper dock fees than Siroc, and a number of entrepreneurs prefer to operate here as a consequence. It is especially welcoming to those merchants who are just starting out, and has a reputation for being more energetic than its competitors to the north and south. This energy has been significantly boosted by construction of the only open [[#The Temple of Balo and the Black Bull|Asavean Temple]] in the entire Empire; the surge of [[Asavean Archipelago|Asavean]] ships visiting Oran saw the town expand significantly to become the largest trading port in Feroz.

In Spring 383YE, however, Oran was [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Spindrift|conquered by the Grendel]]. An orc governor, Lord Rahab, chose the town as the site for his court, converting the offices of the [[Scorrero Nets]] to his personal use. Among other things, this invasion saw the collapse of the [[Broken Shore Bounty]], the Scorrero Nets falling into orc hands, and the Temple of Balo and the Black Bull sealing its doors against the orcs while offering sanctuary to Freeborn families. Following the treaty signed during the Autumn Equinox, the Grendel opened Oran as a port [[Everything_has_a_price#A_New_Destination|available to Imperial captains]]. This situation persisted until the peace treaty ended, and war with the Grendel resumed.

After the Summer Solstice 386YE, Imperial forces swept into Oranseri to liberate the territory from the Grendel. They [[Glass_and_flame#The_Siege_of_Oran|laid siege]] to Oran, and were quickly victorious. The [[Below_the_thunders#Objective:_Eliminate_Governor_Rahab|recent death of Governor Rahab]] in battle with the Empire's heroes left the garrison demoralised and disorganised. It was a grievous victory, however. The fighting that raged through the town, the overwhelming assault, the barrage of catapult stones, all contributed to the fact that many of the buildings have been left in ruins, and many more damaged. A fire at the docks threatened to spread through the town and only the valiant actions of League soldiers managed bring it under control.

Proposals have been put forward to [[Send_for_me#Wharfage_of_Oran|rebuild Oran]], but it remains to be seen what the future holds for the port town.

===The Temple of Balo and the Black Bull===
During the Spring Equinox 380YE, permission was granted to the people of the [[Asavean Archipelago]] to construct a major temple to their gods in [[#Oranseri|Oran]]. Initially, construction was expected to be completed shortly before the Autumn Equinox 380YE, but the temple did not actually open its doors until shortly before the Spring Equinox 381YE. The town is seeing an influx of Asavean shipping bringing white granite and architects to the Brass Coast, as well as throwing crowns around like water to secure local labour to complete their project. Relations between the people of the Empire and the priests of Asavea are monitored by ''[[El oficial de enlace imperial con los sacerdotes de Balo y el toro negro]]'' ("The Imperial intermediary to the priests of Balo and the Black Bull"), who among other things is able to [[ministry|buy Asavean goods]] at a reduced price. During the Summer Solstice 380YE, the Assembly of Nine supported Abaddon de Rondell in [[Temple_of_the_bull#Resolution|denouncing]] the temple as an idolatrous affront, making it significantly harder for the Asaveans to find labourers prepared to work on the construction and both delaying its completion and laying a significant economic burden on the foreign priests.

The temple remained extremely controversial among Imperial priests. When Oran fell, however, the priests at the temple [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Sand|offered sanctuary]] to a number of Freeborn families in spite of Grendel unhappiness. In the following months, several of those families were smuggled to safety in Madruga, although an unknown number remain as guests at the temple. Despite this, however, it is clear that the Asaveans are more than happy to work with the new owners of Oran - indeed there are rumours that they have already recognised a Grendel as the [[Imperial Delegate to the Temple in Feroz|Delegate to the Temple in Feroz]]. This situation is no doubt being exacerbated by the Summer 383YE [[Through_my_sails#Ruined_Buildings|attack]] on the "sister temple" to the Black Bull, the temple of the Way in Nemoria.

'''OOC Notes:''' More details on the construction of the Temple of Balo and the Black Bull can be found in the winds of fortune, specifically [[Seven_lords_of_virtue#Temple_of_Bahlo_and_the_Black_Bull|Seven lords of virtue]], [[Those who worship#The Black Bull|Those who worship]], and [[Distant deeps]].
=== The Spice Gardens of Feroz ===
In western [[#Morajasse|Morajasse]] stand the legendary Spice Gardens of Feroz - a set of heavily-walled enclosures covering several acres where the finest spices in the Empire are grown. A rich source of trade for whoever controls the gardens, the [[Imperial title]] of [[Keeper of the Spice Gardens]] has changed hands between families only a handful of times in the last few centuries, and the bargaining leading up to a new appointment has regularly involved the whole nation.

The peace treaty of Autumn 383YE that ceded control of Morajasse to the Grendel saw the Spice Gardens fall into the hands of the orcs. If there is any solace to be taken from this development, it is that the Grendel appreciate fine spices as much as any Freeborn so it is unlikely that they will want to harm these legendary Gardens. On the other hand, some Freeborn find the idea of their beautiful spice gardens being operated by Grendel slaves particularly heinous.

===The [[Scorrero Nets]]===
The Scorrero Nets were a Bourse resource located in [[#Oranseri|Oranseri]], seized by the Grendel in Spring 383YE as part of their conquest of Feroz. Custodianship of the Nets was an [[Imperial Title]] that brought with it a Seat on the [[Bourse]]. In Winter 384YE, a [[Drums_beat_in_my_head#The_Scorrero_Nets|daring plan]] was proposed to "steal" the nets by establishing the [[Cerevado Nets]] upriver in [[Segura]]. As a consequence, this Bourse resource ceased to exist, much to the chagrin of the Grendel governor Rahab.

===The Broken Shore Bounty===
The [[Broken Shore Bounty]] was a Bourse resource that was technically located in the [[#Cazar Straits|Cazar Straits]] inasmuch as the holder of the [[Bourse]] seat has the use of a fortified villa in the hills near Cazar. The actual [[ilium]] that the seat provided was sourced throughout the Bay of Catazar; a portion of all ilium claimed from the nets of Freeborn, [[the League|League]], [[Highguard|Highborn]], and [[Urizen|Urizeni]] nets is claimed as part of the Bounty. It produced 7 rings of ilium each season and was allocated during the Spring Equinox.

When the Cazar Straits fell to the Grendel, they also seized the offices of the Broken Shore Bounty. Despite a [[Four_strong_winds#Broken_Shore_Bounty|proposal to move the offices]], the resource fell into disarray, the ilium ending up split between the Imperial Fleet Master and the Bourse Auction. With the ratification of the Grendel peace treaty, this title and resource effectively ceased to exist.

===Mora's Rock===
Built as part of the grand project to create [[fortification|fortifications]] across the southern Empire in response to the threat of the [[Grendel]], Mora's Rock in [[#Morajasse|Morajasse]] was completed in the months following the [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Bravado|invasion of 383YE]]. The fortification squats above the town of Mora, guarding against invasion from [[Segura]], and providing garrisons and scouts who can offer resistance to assaults from the sea.

When Morajasse was ceded to the Grendel in Autumn 383YE, they took control of the fortification and later expanded it significantly. The fortification resisted the [[Glass and flame|liberation]] of the territory, and as of the beginning of 387YE remains under the control of the Grendel. The garrison is led by ''[[Glass_and_flame#The_Shadow_of_Mora's_Rock|Commander Gallum Fiersach]]'', ably supported by his partner, the ''Wind Lord Saoirse''. The garrison there includes a warband of veteran [[Elite_Grendel_troops#The_Stone_Born|Stone Born]], and the remainder appear to be very experienced soldiers. These Grendel are enemies of the Empire, obviously, but that did not prevent them acting to [[A_circle_sewn_with_fate#The_Battle_of_Oran|protect Oran]] from the Children of Wrecks in early 387YE. There has been some talk of encouraging the Grendel to continue to protect the beleaguered Feroz from raiders. Whatever else is true about the orc garrison, they appear to be a very disciplined group of soldiers with little love for the servants of [[Siakha]].
==Lost and Ruined==

{{anchor|Shantarim}}
===Shantarim (ruined)===
In the southern islands of the [[#Cazar Straits|Cazar Straits]] the town of Shantarim was one a [[corsair]] stronghold. The families were are known to engage in fierce competition with their northern rivals, not only in Madruga but also in [[#Oranseri|Oranseri]] and even the other islands of the Straits. Smaller than the town of Cazar, Shantarim had a reputation for being somewhat less cosmopolitan than the other towns of Feroz - visitors from mainland families sometimes encounter prejudice and suspicion. The families of Shantarim more than made up for their relatively small size with the enthusiasm with which they opposed the orcs of the Broken Shore.

Prior to the [[Ratify treaty with the Grendel Autumn 383YE|peace treaty]] of 383YE, they were loud supporters of the [[Freeborn Storm]], and the various raids against the Grendel. The signing of the peace treaty with the southern orcs tied their hands, making it illegal to fight the Grendel, which became been a major source of dissension in Shantarim.

Towards the end of the ceasefire secured by the treaty, in 385YE, Shatarim was attacked and wrecked. Warships of the [[Asavean Archipelago]], allies of the Grendel occupation, engaged in a campaign of destruction across the Cazar Straits, and along with the Isle of the Osseini, Shantarim bore the brunt. Many corsairs who had endured the occupation of the Grendel were slain, and the town was looted and left in ruins. When the Children of Wrecks arrived, there was precious little left for the to wreck.
<div style="float:right; width: 450px; clear: right;"><box>'''Justicars'''<br>The priests who previously lived on the Isle of the Osseini called themselves ''justicars''. Specialist exorcists and inquisitors in the pre-Imperial history of the Brass Coast, they specialised in driving out malign spirits or cleansing unpleasant auras from people, places and objects. Never particularly populous, their sanctuary on the Isle of the Osseini was all but wiped out by the Grendel. A handful remained elsewhere, and during the Autumn Equinox 383YE the Freeborn assembly [[383YE_Autumn_Equinox_Synod_judgements#Judgement_22|called on them to come together to preserve their traditions]]. A small enclave of justicars was established on the Isle of Osseini at the sufferance of the Grendel. Unfortunately, when Asavean warships went on a rampage in 385YE, the first place they attacked was this enclave, putting the priests to the sword and burning the enclave. When the Children of Wrecks arrived, the Grendel magicians still left on the island fled back to the Broken Shore. As far as anyone knows today, the island is abandoned.</box></div>

{{Anchor|Isle of the Osseini}}
===Isle of the Osseini (Ruined)===
At the southern tip of the [[#Cazar Straits|Cazar Straits]], the island was known for its heavy sea fog, its ghosts, and for a small sect of Freeborn priests famed for their knowledge of the arts of [[exorcism]]. Stories claimed the Isle was haunted by those who had died at sea, but most Freeborn had no truck with such foolishness. In 383YE, however, it became clear these tales of ghosts were more than just idle gossip. During the Spring Equinox of that year, a [[Grendel]] shaman attempted to unleash a ghostly legion of drowned orcs bound in some fashion to white granite pillars on the island against the defenders of Feroz. Before they could do so they were [[383YE_Summer_Solstice_winds_of_war#The_World_is_Not_Enough|thwarted by Imperial heroes]] who reached the isle via the [[Sentinel Gate]]. Once the heroes retreated, the status of the island, the pillars, and the remaining priests was unknown.

Then in Autumn 383YE, as part of the negotiations that led to the peace treaty with the Grendel, a contract was negotiated with the orc diplomat regarding the Isle of the Osseini. In the wake of that agreement, a small group of priests were allowed to visit the Isle with a Grendel escort. There they discovered the remaining priests were dead, the ghost-binding pillars had been destroyed, and the island was in the hands of a coven of Grendel magicians. The orcs had already constructed a permanent residence there built around a particular Winter regio, and were less than welcoming to the Freeborn. Further negotiations followed; in the end the Freeborn were allowed to establish a small enclave here, under the careful watch of the Grendel.

The return of the justicars was short-lived. In 385YE, a fleet of warships from the Asavean Archipelago went on a murderous rampage in the southern Cazar Straits. Allies of the Grendel, they slaughtered the priests and burned the enclave before sailing north to Shantarim. When the Children of Wrecks arrived, the remaining Grendel magicians fled back to the Broken Shore. By the close of 387YE, the island appears to be abandoned, although it remains to be seen what the Iron COnfederacy plan to do with it.

'''OOC Note:''' You can learn more about the historic Isle of the Osseini in the [[Bones in the ocean]] wind of fortune.

==Regions==
===Afarjasse===
'''Qualities:''' [[Region_qualities#Abandoned|Abandoned]], [[Region_qualities#Underpopulated|Underpopulated]]<br>
In the middle of nowhere, on the plains of Afarjasse, is the quiet settlement of '''Afar'''. It was established by [[hakima]] with close ties to the [[Guerra]] tribe near a potent [[regio]] tied to the realm of Night. It is a faraway place dedicated to the practice of [[rituals|ritual magics]] that support the Freeborn. It is not hard to reach, but it stands alone in a sea of sprawling grasslands and does not encourage casual visitors. On nights when powerful magics are performed, Afar is visible for miles around - great bonfires are built and massive drums used to build powerful rhythms to help raise (or draw down, or both) the passionate energy for powerful workings.

As with the rest of Feroz, Afarjasse spent two years in the hands of the Grendel. The governor, Lord Rahab, made it clear that the hakima here would not be permitted access to their potent regio - they were after all an important strategic resource. The region has been liberated now, but is in the same dire straits as the rest of the territory.

===Cazar Straits===
'''Qualities:''' Abandoned, Coastal, Impoverished, Island, Underpopulated<br>
For most of the Brass Coast's history, the islands of the Cazar Straits were dominated by [[corsair]] families. The largest settlement remains the port town from which the islands take their name - high-cliffed '''Cazar''' - but in recent years it has changed hands several times and is a shadow of its former self. Built around a bustling dock, it served as a safe harbour and home port for many of the [[fleet|fleets]] that protected the Bay from barbarian ships. The holder of the [[Broken Shore Bounty]] used to have the use of a fortified villa in the hills near Cazar, and the civil service offices that oversaw the resource were based here. Both were lost to the Grendel, then to the [[Children of Wrecks]], and in the last months of 387YE, to the [[Iron Confederacy]].

Even before the Children of Wrecks arrived, several of the more southerly islands of the Straits had a reputation for peculiarity. The corsairs of [[#Shantarim|Shantarim]] for example were renowned both for their enthusiastic rivalry with all other corsair families, and the zeal with which they waged war on the Grendel. The [[#Isle of the Osseini|Isle of the Osseini]] is also found here, once home to a sect of strange priests, allegedly haunted by the ghosts of drowned pirates, then the site of an uneasy truce between orc magicians and Freeborn priests. Towards the end of the peace treaty with the Grendel, however, a fleet of warships from the [[Asavean Archipelago]] slaughtered the justicars of Osseini and ruined the town of Shantarim. When the Children of Wrecks claimed the region, there was precious little left for them to destroy.

Today, the waters around the Cazar Straits remain treacherous. In part this is due to the presence of dozens of immature kraken hatched in the waters by the Children of Wrecks.

===Fontargenta===
'''Qualities:''' Abandoned, Coastal, Impoverished<br>
The trading port of '''Bramar''' stands on the coast here. Surrounded by rich agricultural land, its bountiful cornfields once competed with [[the Marches|Marcher]] grain in markets across the southern nations of the Empire, and their vineyards were justly famous. Before the Grendel invasion it served as an important hub for the Imperial wine trade, with many excellent vintages passing through its docks - both from the Brass Coast to the rest of the world, and from the rest of the world to the Brass Coast (and thus the Empire). Lord Rahab has left the region devastated, and it remains to be seen if the farms here will ever recover.

===Morajasse===
'''Qualities:''' Abandoned, Impoverished, Underpopulated<br>
The largest town in prosperous Morajasse is '''Mora'''. Once simply a spice market, the barbarian invasion of [[Segura]] saw a burst of rapid militarisation of this peaceful settlement. Refugees are common here: some supported by their families, others looking to work in the market. With the liberation of the western territory, a strange reversal took place - the pool of desperate labourers has largely dried up with refugees returning to their homes.

Immediately following the [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Bravado|invasion of Feroz]] in 383YE, work was completed on a [[fortification]] at the town of Mora, [[#Mora's Rock|Mora's Rock]]. The fortification served the defenders well, but with the ratification of the peace treaty it was taken over, and expanded, by Grendel troops. It now serves as the base of operations of ''Wind Lord Saoirse'' and her partner ''Commander Fiersach'', as well as a sizable force of Grendel veterans.

Western Morajasse is the site of the great [[#The Spice Gardens of Feroz|Spice Gardens]]. The [[Vizier of the Incarnadine Satchel]] was often quite active in Feroz, occasionally dealing with agents of the Spice Gardens or traders from the Jewelled Isles. Following the Grendel treaty, the offices that supported the Vizier with easy access to reasonably priced herbs has dried up - while they are still notionally the owner of the miraculous satchel that gives them their name, their ability to support the nations' apothecaries and physicks has been greatly reduced.
{{CaptionedImage|file=Oran_by_the_Sea.jpg|caption=The Celesti Lighthouse sits high on the headland overlooking Oran.|align=right|width=400}}

===Oranseri===
'''Qualities:''' Abandoned, Coastal, Impoverished<br>
Across the bay from billowing [[Madruga#Siroc|Siroc]] stands the thriving port town of [[#Oran|Oran]]. In recent years, the port has grown in prominence and prosperity; it served as the seat of power for the Grendel governor Lord Rahab during the Grendel occupation of the territory. Just outside Oran lies the great [[Celesti_Lighthouse_Keeper#The_Celesti_Lighthouse|Celesti Lighthouse]], originally constructed during the reign of [[Emperor Barabbas]] and recently repaired and restored to full functionality. It, too, was in the hands of the Grendel for several years but has now been restored.

West of Oran is the ''Scorrero Crossing''. The river Scorrero is wide and deep between Feroz and Madruga. During the Summer Solstice 383YE, the Grendel invaders attempted to take advantage of this by taking control of both bridges that connect the two Freeborn territories. Had they been successful, it would have been significantly harder for Imperial forces to move between Siroc and Oranseri. Their attempts were stymied, and ultimately became moot once the Scorrero [[Where_the_river_rises#Crossing|burst its banks]] and carried away all the existing bridges.

'''Joharra''' is a port south of Oran, considered much more stable than its northern cousin, and better known for its industry than its trade. Famous throughout the Empire for its cloth and dye-work, Joharra is called '' the Rainbow'' by coastal sailors who mark their progress round the coast with the first sight of the great billowing cloths hung out to dry on tall wooden frames along the low cliffs. As with the other settlements of Oran, the weavers and dyers here now labour under the yoke of the Grendel orcs.

==Strategic Considerations==
* '''The damage to the bridges along the Scorrero prevents movement between Feroz and Madruga'''
The damage to almost all the bridges along the Scorrero means that it is effectively impossible for an [[Army|army]] to move between Feroz and [[Madruga]] (or vice versa). More information can be found in the '''[[Where_the_river_rises#Crossing|Where the river rises]]''' wind of fortune.
<div style="float:left; width: 450px; clear: right;">{{CaptionedImage|file=Garviel i Abrira i Erigo.jpg|caption='''Garviel i Abrira i Erigo''', Senator for Feroz|align=left|width=500}}</div>
{{Senate Elections|Senator_for_Feroz|Territory=Feroz|Season=Summer|Controlled=is}}

==OOC Notes==
* As of the start of the Winter Solstice 387YE, the Iron Confederacy control the Cazar Straits, the Grendel control Morajasse, and the Brass Coast controls Afarjasse, Fontargenta, and Oranseri. Feroz is an Imperial territory
* [[#Mora's Rock|Mora's Rock]] is a rank two fortification controlled by the Grendel.
* The status of various titles and resources located in Feroz is outlined in more detail in [[To_curb_those_raging_appetites#Lost_Opportunities|To curb those raging appetites]], a Winter 383YE wind of fortune.

==Further Reading==
* [[Red skies]] - 387YE Winter wind of war about the Iron Confederacy invasion of the Cazar Straits
* [[Send for me]] - 386YE Winter wind of fortune about the rebuilding of Feroz
* [[Glass and flame]] - 386YE Autumn wind of war about the liberation of Feroz
* [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Spindrift|Winds of War 383YE Spring]] - Detailing the Grendel invasion
* [[383YE_Summer_Solstice_winds_of_war#The_World_is_Not_Enough|Winds of War 383YE Summer]]
* [[383YE_Autumn_Equinox_winds_of_war#Bronze|Winds of War 383YE Autumn]]
* [[Ratify_treaty_with_the_Grendel_Autumn_383YE#Treaty|Treaty]] - the Autumn 383YE treaty with the Grendel
* [[To curb those raging appetites]] - a Winter 383YE wind of fortune that details the situation for Freeborn in Feroz
* [[Everything has a price]] - a Winter 383YE wind of fortune that details the general situation with the Grendel, and has several notes about their presence in Feroz
* [[Bones in the ocean]] - a Winter 383YE wind of fortune that specifically deals with the [[#Isle of the Osseini|Isle of the Osseini]] and the justicars

Feroz

2026-05-13T09:56:39Z

Rafferty: /* Major Features */

{{CaptionedImage|file=RegionsofFeroz.png|title=Southernmost of the Freeborn territories, lush but threatened by barbarians over land and sea|caption=Regions of Feroz|align=left|width=500}}[[Category:Gazetteer]][[Category:Grendel]][[Category:Imperial Territory]][[category:The Brass Coast]]
{{stub}}
== Overview ==
Feroz is the southernmost territory of the Brass Coast, and like Madruga has both isles and coastline. Here the climate is warm and humid, perfect for the cultivation of different plants. This is the home of the fabulous spice gardens of Feroz, a source of great revenue for the people of this territory. The seas are more treacherous here, and until recently the south and the west were constantly threatened by barbarians by land. As a result, many armed merchants patrol the seas, and groups of young warriors journeyed along the borders, fighting skirmishes against jealous foes.

There is a traditional rivalry between the families of Feroz and those of [[Madruga]] to the north. Madruga was the first settled territory of the Freeborn, and there is a popular stereotype that the people who live there are "stuck up". This stereotype is more humorous than hateful - the Freeborn move around too much to allow such prejudice to root itself too firmly in their psyche. Still, if a citizen of Feroz wants to insult a citizen of Madruga, they will fall back on accusations of arrogance and an over-reliance on tradition.

Some of the finest [[Surgical skills#Apothecary|apothecaries]] on the Brass Coast live in Feroz - the art of [[potion]] making has been studied here for centuries and there are a great many [[herb garden|herb gardens]]. The mainland is a criss-cross patchwork of [[farm|farms]] and small settlements - a great deal of food and drink is produced here and exported to other Freeborn territories.

==Recent History==
Being on the [[Bay of Catazar]], Feroz has always been under threat from the [[Grendel]] [[orc|orcs]]. In Spring 383YE, the orcs [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Spindrift|launched a naval invasion]], capturing [[#Oranseri|Oranseri]] and the [[#Cazar Straits|Cazar Straits]] in short order and making significant inroads into [[#Fontargenta|Fontargenta]]. The Grendel installed a grizzled old orc named ''Lord Rahab'' as overseer of the conquered land; he took up residence in the offices of the [[Scorrero Nets]] and quickly set about attempting to bring the rest of Feroz under his control. Part of their plan appeared to involve the ghosts of the [[#Isle of the Osseini|Isle of the Osseini]], but the scheme was countered by Imperial heroes travelling through the [[Sentinel Gate]] to exorcise the spirits and defeat the Grendel seeking to make use of them.

Undaunted by the loss of their supernatural weapon, the orcs kept up their assault. By Summer 383YE, they [[383YE_Summer_Solstice_winds_of_war#The_World_is_Not_Enough|sought to consolidate their gains in Fontargenta]]; they were opposed by [[Navarr]] and [[the Marches|Marcher]] [[Army|armies]], who held the Grendel at the town of [[#Fontargenta|Bramar]] for two days before being forced to retreat. They were able to slow the Grendel advance, however, leaving the orcs bogged down in Fontargenta and unable to press inland.

Following the engagement in Fontargenta, and battling under a powerful supernatural storm, the Grendel [[383YE_Autumn_Equinox_winds_of_war#Bronze|brought even more force]] to bear in the territory. While the Imperial armies were reinforced by [[Highguard|Highborn]] troops, the orc navies disgorged a great host of their own warriors. The fighting was bitter, but in the end Fontargenta fell - and as Fontargenta falls, so falls Feroz. While [[#Morajasse|Morajasse]] and [[#Afarjasse|Afarjasse]] remained free, the Grendel forces continued to mass along the coast.

During the Autumn Equinox 383, the [[Senate]] [[Ratify_treaty_with_the_Grendel_Autumn_383YE#Treaty|ratified a peace treaty]] with the Grendel. Presented by the [[Imperial Fleet Master]], among other things it [[Powers_of_the_Imperial_Senate#Concedence|ceded]] the two remaining regions of Feroz to the Grendel, albeit with provisions allowing Imperial citizens still in Morajasse and Afarjasse to withdraw to safety. Following the Equinox, Lord Rahab's forces spread out quickly to bring the two western regions under his control; Feroz was now [[To_curb_those_raging_appetites|completely under Grendel control]].

Just before the Autumn Equinox 386YE, the Imperial forces reconquered [[Glass_and_flame| reconquered Feroz]]. Possession of the territory is complicated by [[Children_of_Wrecks|Children of Wrecks]] as well as the remnants of the Grendel. Feroz has been run into the ground by Lord Rahab, eager to extract every drop of profit from the place, and it requires significant investment to return the territory to even a fraction of its former wealth.

== Major Features ==
===Oran===
The largest and most prestigious port was Feroz is Oran, on the northern coast of [[#Oranseri|Oranseri]]. Across the bay from billowing [[Madruga#Siroc_(Ruined)|Siroc]] this thriving port specialised in high-value products such as fine wines and spice mixes. Unsurprisingly, given its position, for most of its history it has engaged in low-key economic warfare with its larger cousin to the north - Oran notably has cheaper dock fees than Siroc, and a number of entrepreneurs prefer to operate here as a consequence. It is especially welcoming to those merchants who are just starting out, and has a reputation for being more energetic than its competitors to the north and south. This energy has been significantly boosted by construction of the only open [[#The Temple of Balo and the Black Bull|Asavean Temple]] in the entire Empire; the surge of [[Asavean Archipelago|Asavean]] ships visiting Oran saw the town expand significantly to become the largest trading port in Feroz.

In Spring 383YE, however, Oran was [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Spindrift|conquered by the Grendel]]. An orc governor, Lord Rahab, chose the town as the site for his court, converting the offices of the [[Scorrero Nets]] to his personal use. Among other things, this invasion saw the collapse of the [[Broken Shore Bounty]], the Scorrero Nets falling into orc hands, and the Temple of Balo and the Black Bull sealing its doors against the orcs while offering sanctuary to Freeborn families. Following the treaty signed during the Autumn Equinox, the Grendel opened Oran as a port [[Everything_has_a_price#A_New_Destination|available to Imperial captains]]. This situation persisted until the peace treaty ended, and war with the Grendel resumed.

After the Summer Solstice 386YE, Imperial forces swept into Oranseri to liberate the territory from the Grendel. They [[Glass_and_flame#The_Siege_of_Oran|laid siege]] to Oran, and were quickly victorious. The [[Below_the_thunders#Objective:_Eliminate_Governor_Rahab|recent death of Governor Rahab]] in battle with the Empire's heroes left the garrison demoralised and disorganised. It was a grievous victory, however. The fighting that raged through the town, the overwhelming assault, the barrage of catapult stones, all contributed to the fact that many of the buildings have been left in ruins, and many more damaged. A fire at the docks threatened to spread through the town and only the valiant actions of League soldiers managed bring it under control.

Proposals have been put forward to [[Send_for_me#Wharfage_of_Oran|rebuild Oran]], but it remains to be seen what the future holds for the port town.

===The Temple of Balo and the Black Bull===
During the Spring Equinox 380YE, permission was granted to the people of the [[Asavean Archipelago]] to construct a major temple to their gods in [[#Oranseri|Oran]]. Initially, construction was expected to be completed shortly before the Autumn Equinox 380YE, but the temple did not actually open its doors until shortly before the Spring Equinox 381YE. The town is seeing an influx of Asavean shipping bringing white granite and architects to the Brass Coast, as well as throwing crowns around like water to secure local labour to complete their project. Relations between the people of the Empire and the priests of Asavea are monitored by ''[[El oficial de enlace imperial con los sacerdotes de Balo y el toro negro]]'' ("The Imperial intermediary to the priests of Balo and the Black Bull"), who among other things is able to [[ministry|buy Asavean goods]] at a reduced price. During the Summer Solstice 380YE, the Assembly of Nine supported Abaddon de Rondell in [[Temple_of_the_bull#Resolution|denouncing]] the temple as an idolatrous affront, making it significantly harder for the Asaveans to find labourers prepared to work on the construction and both delaying its completion and laying a significant economic burden on the foreign priests.

The temple remained extremely controversial among Imperial priests. When Oran fell, however, the priests at the temple [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Sand|offered sanctuary]] to a number of Freeborn families in spite of Grendel unhappiness. In the following months, several of those families were smuggled to safety in Madruga, although an unknown number remain as guests at the temple. Despite this, however, it is clear that the Asaveans are more than happy to work with the new owners of Oran - indeed there are rumours that they have already recognised a Grendel as the [[Imperial Delegate to the Temple in Feroz|Delegate to the Temple in Feroz]]. This situation is no doubt being exacerbated by the Summer 383YE [[Through_my_sails#Ruined_Buildings|attack]] on the "sister temple" to the Black Bull, the temple of the Way in Nemoria.

'''OOC Notes:''' More details on the construction of the Temple of Balo and the Black Bull can be found in the winds of fortune, specifically [[Seven_lords_of_virtue#Temple_of_Bahlo_and_the_Black_Bull|Seven lords of virtue]], [[Those who worship#The Black Bull|Those who worship]], and [[Distant deeps]].
=== The Spice Gardens of Feroz ===
In western [[#Morajasse|Morajasse]] stand the legendary Spice Gardens of Feroz - a set of heavily-walled enclosures covering several acres where the finest spices in the Empire are grown. A rich source of trade for whoever controls the gardens, the [[Imperial title]] of [[Keeper of the Spice Gardens]] has changed hands between families only a handful of times in the last few centuries, and the bargaining leading up to a new appointment has regularly involved the whole nation.

The peace treaty of Autumn 383YE that ceded control of Morajasse to the Grendel saw the Spice Gardens fall into the hands of the orcs. If there is any solace to be taken from this development, it is that the Grendel appreciate fine spices as much as any Freeborn so it is unlikely that they will want to harm these legendary Gardens. On the other hand, some Freeborn find the idea of their beautiful spice gardens being operated by Grendel slaves particularly heinous.

===The [[Scorrero Nets]]===
The Scorrero Nets were a Bourse resource located in [[#Oranseri|Oranseri]], seized by the Grendel in Spring 383YE as part of their conquest of Feroz. Custodianship of the Nets was an [[Imperial Title]] that brought with it a Seat on the [[Bourse]]. In Winter 384YE, a [[Drums_beat_in_my_head#The_Scorrero_Nets|daring plan]] was proposed to "steal" the nets by establishing the [[Cerevado Nets]] upriver in [[Segura]]. As a consequence, this Bourse resource ceased to exist, much to the chagrin of the Grendel governor Rahab.

===The Broken Shore Bounty===
The [[Broken Shore Bounty]] was a Bourse resource that was technically located in the [[#Cazar Straits|Cazar Straits]] inasmuch as the holder of the [[Bourse]] seat has the use of a fortified villa in the hills near Cazar. The actual [[ilium]] that the seat provided was sourced throughout the Bay of Catazar; a portion of all ilium claimed from the nets of Freeborn, [[the League|League]], [[Highguard|Highborn]], and [[Urizen|Urizeni]] nets is claimed as part of the Bounty. It produced 7 rings of ilium each season and was allocated during the Spring Equinox.

When the Cazar Straits fell to the Grendel, they also seized the offices of the Broken Shore Bounty. Despite a [[Four_strong_winds#Broken_Shore_Bounty|proposal to move the offices]], the resource fell into disarray, the ilium ending up split between the Imperial Fleet Master and the Bourse Auction. With the ratification of the Grendel peace treaty, this title and resource effectively ceased to exist.

===Mora's Rock===
Built as part of the grand project to create [[fortification|fortifications]] across the southern Empire in response to the threat of the [[Grendel]], Mora's Rock in [[#Morajasse|Morajasse]] was completed in the months following the [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Bravado|invasion of 383YE]]. The fortification squats above the town of Mora, guarding against invasion from [[Segura]], and providing garrisons and scouts who can offer resistance to assaults from the sea.

When Morajasse was ceded to the Grendel in Autumn 383YE, they took control of the fortification and later expanded it significantly. The fortification resisted the [[Glass and flame|liberation]] of the territory, and as of the beginning of 387YE remains under the control of the Grendel. The garrison is led by ''[[Glass_and_flame#The_Shadow_of_Mora's_Rock|Commander Gallum Fiersach]]'', ably supported by his partner, the ''Wind Lord Saoirse''. The garrison there includes a warband of veteran [[Elite_Grendel_troops#The_Stone_Born|Stone Born]], and the remainder appear to be very experienced soldiers. These Grendel are enemies of the Empire, obviously, but that did not prevent them acting to [[A_circle_sewn_with_fate#The_Battle_of_Oran|protect Oran]] from the Children of Wrecks in early 387YE. There has been some talk of encouraging the Grendel to continue to protect the beleaguered Feroz from raiders. Whatever else is true about the orc garrison, they appear to be a very disciplined group of soldiers with little love for the servants of [[Siakha]].
==Lost and Ruined==

{{anchor|Shantarim}}
===Shantarim (ruined)===
In the southern islands of the [[#Cazar Straits|Cazar Straits]] the town of Shantarim was one a [[corsair]] stronghold. The families were are known to engage in fierce competition with their northern rivals, not only in Madruga but also in [[#Oranseri|Oranseri]] and even the other islands of the Straits. Smaller than the town of Cazar, Shantarim had a reputation for being somewhat less cosmopolitan than the other towns of Feroz - visitors from mainland families sometimes encounter prejudice and suspicion. The families of Shantarim more than made up for their relatively small size with the enthusiasm with which they opposed the orcs of the Broken Shore.

Prior to the [[Ratify treaty with the Grendel Autumn 383YE|peace treaty]] of 383YE, they were loud supporters of the [[Freeborn Storm]], and the various raids against the Grendel. The signing of the peace treaty with the southern orcs tied their hands, making it illegal to fight the Grendel, which became been a major source of dissension in Shantarim.

Towards the end of the ceasefire secured by the treaty, in 385YE, Shatarim was attacked and wrecked. Warships of the [[Asavean Archipelago]], allies of the Grendel occupation, engaged in a campaign of destruction across the Cazar Straits, and along with the Isle of the Osseini, Shantarim bore the brunt. Many corsairs who had endured the occupation of the Grendel were slain, and the town was looted and left in ruins. When the Children of Wrecks arrived, there was precious little left for the to wreck.
<div style="float:right; width: 450px; clear: right;"><box>'''Justicars'''<br>The priests who previously lived on the Isle of the Osseini called themselves ''justicars''. Specialist exorcists and inquisitors in the pre-Imperial history of the Brass Coast, they specialised in driving out malign spirits or cleansing unpleasant auras from people, places and objects. Never particularly populous, their sanctuary on the Isle of the Osseini was all but wiped out by the Grendel. A handful remained elsewhere, and during the Autumn Equinox 383YE the Freeborn assembly [[383YE_Autumn_Equinox_Synod_judgements#Judgement_22|called on them to come together to preserve their traditions]]. A small enclave of justicars was established on the Isle of Osseini at the sufferance of the Grendel. Unfortunately, when Asavean warships went on a rampage in 385YE, the first place they attacked was this enclave, putting the priests to the sword and burning the enclave. When the Children of Wrecks arrived, the Grendel magicians still left on the island fled back to the Broken Shore. As far as anyone knows today, the island is abandoned.</box></div>

{{Anchor|Isle of the Osseini}}
===Isle of the Osseini (Ruined)===
At the southern tip of the [[#Cazar Straits|Cazar Straits]], the island was known for its heavy sea fog, its ghosts, and for a small sect of Freeborn priests famed for their knowledge of the arts of [[exorcism]]. Stories claimed the Isle was haunted by those who had died at sea, but most Freeborn had no truck with such foolishness. In 383YE, however, it became clear these tales of ghosts were more than just idle gossip. During the Spring Equinox of that year, a [[Grendel]] shaman attempted to unleash a ghostly legion of drowned orcs bound in some fashion to white granite pillars on the island against the defenders of Feroz. Before they could do so they were [[383YE_Summer_Solstice_winds_of_war#The_World_is_Not_Enough|thwarted by Imperial heroes]] who reached the isle via the [[Sentinel Gate]]. Once the heroes retreated, the status of the island, the pillars, and the remaining priests was unknown.

Then in Autumn 383YE, as part of the negotiations that led to the peace treaty with the Grendel, a contract was negotiated with the orc diplomat regarding the Isle of the Osseini. In the wake of that agreement, a small group of priests were allowed to visit the Isle with a Grendel escort. There they discovered the remaining priests were dead, the ghost-binding pillars had been destroyed, and the island was in the hands of a coven of Grendel magicians. The orcs had already constructed a permanent residence there built around a particular Winter regio, and were less than welcoming to the Freeborn. Further negotiations followed; in the end the Freeborn were allowed to establish a small enclave here, under the careful watch of the Grendel.

The return of the justicars was short-lived. In 385YE, a fleet of warships from the Asavean Archipelago went on a murderous rampage in the southern Cazar Straits. Allies of the Grendel, they slaughtered the priests and burned the enclave before sailing north to Shantarim. When the Children of Wrecks arrived, the remaining Grendel magicians fled back to the Broken Shore. By the close of 387YE, the island appears to be abandoned, although it remains to be seen what the Iron COnfederacy plan to do with it.

'''OOC Note:''' You can learn more about the historic Isle of the Osseini in the [[Bones in the ocean]] wind of fortune.

==Regions==
===Afarjasse===
'''Qualities:''' [[Region_qualities#Abandoned|Abandoned]], [[Region_qualities#Underpopulated|Underpopulated]]<br>
In the middle of nowhere, on the plains of Afarjasse, is the quiet settlement of '''Afar'''. It was established by [[hakima]] with close ties to the [[Guerra]] tribe near a potent [[regio]] tied to the realm of Night. It is a faraway place dedicated to the practice of [[rituals|ritual magics]] that support the Freeborn. It is not hard to reach, but it stands alone in a sea of sprawling grasslands and does not encourage casual visitors. On nights when powerful magics are performed, Afar is visible for miles around - great bonfires are built and massive drums used to build powerful rhythms to help raise (or draw down, or both) the passionate energy for powerful workings.

As with the rest of Feroz, Afarjasse spent two years in the hands of the Grendel. The governor, Lord Rahab, made it clear that the hakima here would not be permitted access to their potent regio - they were after all an important strategic resource. The region has been liberated now, but is in the same dire straits as the rest of the territory.

===Cazar Straits===
'''Qualities:''' Abandoned, Coastal, Impoverished, Island, Underpopulated<br>
For most of the Brass Coast's history, the islands of the Cazar Straits were dominated by [[corsair]] families. The largest settlement remains the port town from which the islands take their name - high-cliffed '''Cazar''' - but in recent years it has changed hands several times and is a shadow of its former self. Built around a bustling dock, it served as a safe harbour and home port for many of the [[fleet|fleets]] that protected the Bay from barbarian ships. The holder of the [[Broken Shore Bounty]] used to have the use of a fortified villa in the hills near Cazar, and the civil service offices that oversaw the resource were based here. Both were lost to the Grendel, then to the [[Children of Wrecks]], and in the last months of 387YE, to the [[Iron Confederacy]].

Even before the Children of Wrecks arrived, several of the more southerly islands of the Straits had a reputation for peculiarity. The corsairs of [[#Shantarim|Shantarim]] for example were renowned both for their enthusiastic rivalry with all other corsair families, and the zeal with which they waged war on the Grendel. The [[#Isle of the Osseini|Isle of the Osseini]] is also found here, once home to a sect of strange priests, allegedly haunted by the ghosts of drowned pirates, then the site of an uneasy truce between orc magicians and Freeborn priests. Towards the end of the peace treaty with the Grendel, however, a fleet of warships from the [[Asavean Archipelago]] slaughtered the justicars of Osseini and ruined the town of Shantarim. When the Children of Wrecks claimed the region, there was precious little left for them to destroy.

Today, the waters around the Cazar Straits remain treacherous. In part this is due to the presence of dozens of immature kraken hatched in the waters by the Children of Wrecks.

===Fontargenta===
'''Qualities:''' Abandoned, Coastal, Impoverished<br>
The trading port of '''Bramar''' stands on the coast here. Surrounded by rich agricultural land, its bountiful cornfields once competed with [[the Marches|Marcher]] grain in markets across the southern nations of the Empire, and their vineyards were justly famous. Before the Grendel invasion it served as an important hub for the Imperial wine trade, with many excellent vintages passing through its docks - both from the Brass Coast to the rest of the world, and from the rest of the world to the Brass Coast (and thus the Empire). Lord Rahab has left the region devastated, and it remains to be seen if the farms here will ever recover.

===Morajasse===
'''Qualities:''' Abandoned, Impoverished, Underpopulated<br>
The largest town in prosperous Morajasse is '''Mora'''. Once simply a spice market, the barbarian invasion of [[Segura]] saw a burst of rapid militarisation of this peaceful settlement. Refugees are common here: some supported by their families, others looking to work in the market. With the liberation of the western territory, a strange reversal took place - the pool of desperate labourers has largely dried up with refugees returning to their homes.

Immediately following the [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Bravado|invasion of Feroz]] in 383YE, work was completed on a [[fortification]] at the town of Mora, [[#Mora's Rock|Mora's Rock]]. The fortification served the defenders well, but with the ratification of the peace treaty it was taken over, and expanded, by Grendel troops. It now serves as the base of operations of ''Wind Lord Saoirse'' and her partner ''Commander Fiersach'', as well as a sizable force of Grendel veterans.

Western Morajasse is the site of the great [[#The Spice Gardens of Feroz|Spice Gardens]]. The [[Vizier of the Incarnadine Satchel]] was often quite active in Feroz, occasionally dealing with agents of the Spice Gardens or traders from the Jewelled Isles. Following the Grendel treaty, the offices that supported the Vizier with easy access to reasonably priced herbs has dried up - while they are still notionally the owner of the miraculous satchel that gives them their name, their ability to support the nations' apothecaries and physicks has been greatly reduced.
{{CaptionedImage|file=Oran_by_the_Sea.jpg|caption=The Celesti Lighthouse sits high on the headland overlooking Oran.|align=right|width=400}}

===Oranseri===
'''Qualities:''' Abandoned, Coastal, Impoverished<br>
Across the bay from billowing [[Madruga#Siroc|Siroc]] stands the thriving port town of [[#Oran|Oran]]. In recent years, the port has grown in prominence and prosperity; it served as the seat of power for the Grendel governor Lord Rahab during the Grendel occupation of the territory. Just outside Oran lies the great [[Celesti_Lighthouse_Keeper#The_Celesti_Lighthouse|Celesti Lighthouse]], originally constructed during the reign of [[Emperor Barabbas]] and recently repaired and restored to full functionality. It, too, was in the hands of the Grendel for several years but has now been restored.

West of Oran is the ''Scorrero Crossing''. The river Scorrero is wide and deep between Feroz and Madruga. During the Summer Solstice 383YE, the Grendel invaders attempted to take advantage of this by taking control of both bridges that connect the two Freeborn territories. Had they been successful, it would have been significantly harder for Imperial forces to move between Siroc and Oranseri. Their attempts were stymied, and ultimately became moot once the Scorrero [[Where_the_river_rises#Crossing|burst its banks]] and carried away all the existing bridges.

'''Joharra''' is a port south of Oran, considered much more stable than its northern cousin, and better known for its industry than its trade. Famous throughout the Empire for its cloth and dye-work, Joharra is called '' the Rainbow'' by coastal sailors who mark their progress round the coast with the first sight of the great billowing cloths hung out to dry on tall wooden frames along the low cliffs. As with the other settlements of Oran, the weavers and dyers here now labour under the yoke of the Grendel orcs.

==Strategic Considerations==
* '''The damage to the bridges along the Scorrero prevents movement between Feroz and Madruga'''
The damage to almost all the bridges along the Scorrero means that it is effectively impossible for an [[Army|army]] to move between Feroz and [[Madruga]] (or vice versa). More information can be found in the '''[[Where_the_river_rises#Crossing|Where the river rises]]''' wind of fortune.
<div style="float:left; width: 450px; clear: right;">{{CaptionedImage|file=Garviel i Abrira i Erigo.jpg|caption='''Garviel i Abrira i Erigo''', Senator for Feroz|align=left|width=500}}</div>
{{Senate Elections|Senator_for_Feroz|Territory=Feroz|Season=Summer|Controlled=is}}

==OOC Notes==
* As of the start of the Winter Solstice 387YE, the Iron Confederacy control the Cazar Straits, the Grendel control Morajasse, and the Brass Coast controls Afarjasse, Fontargenta, and Oranseri. Feroz is an Imperial territory
* [[#Mora's Rock|Mora's Rock]] is a rank two fortification controlled by the Grendel.
* The status of various titles and resources located in Feroz is outlined in more detail in [[To_curb_those_raging_appetites#Lost_Opportunities|To curb those raging appetites]], a Winter 383YE wind of fortune.

==Further Reading==
* [[Red skies]] - 387YE Winter wind of war about the Iron Confederacy invasion of the Cazar Straits
* [[Send for me]] - 386YE Winter wind of fortune about the rebuilding of Feroz
* [[Glass and flame]] - 386YE Autumn wind of war about the liberation of Feroz
* [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Spindrift|Winds of War 383YE Spring]] - Detailing the Grendel invasion
* [[383YE_Summer_Solstice_winds_of_war#The_World_is_Not_Enough|Winds of War 383YE Summer]]
* [[383YE_Autumn_Equinox_winds_of_war#Bronze|Winds of War 383YE Autumn]]
* [[Ratify_treaty_with_the_Grendel_Autumn_383YE#Treaty|Treaty]] - the Autumn 383YE treaty with the Grendel
* [[To curb those raging appetites]] - a Winter 383YE wind of fortune that details the situation for Freeborn in Feroz
* [[Everything has a price]] - a Winter 383YE wind of fortune that details the general situation with the Grendel, and has several notes about their presence in Feroz
* [[Bones in the ocean]] - a Winter 383YE wind of fortune that specifically deals with the [[#Isle of the Osseini|Isle of the Osseini]] and the justicars

Feroz

2026-05-13T09:56:05Z

Rafferty: /* Isle of the Osseini */

{{CaptionedImage|file=RegionsofFeroz.png|title=Southernmost of the Freeborn territories, lush but threatened by barbarians over land and sea|caption=Regions of Feroz|align=left|width=500}}[[Category:Gazetteer]][[Category:Grendel]][[Category:Imperial Territory]][[category:The Brass Coast]]
{{stub}}
== Overview ==
Feroz is the southernmost territory of the Brass Coast, and like Madruga has both isles and coastline. Here the climate is warm and humid, perfect for the cultivation of different plants. This is the home of the fabulous spice gardens of Feroz, a source of great revenue for the people of this territory. The seas are more treacherous here, and until recently the south and the west were constantly threatened by barbarians by land. As a result, many armed merchants patrol the seas, and groups of young warriors journeyed along the borders, fighting skirmishes against jealous foes.

There is a traditional rivalry between the families of Feroz and those of [[Madruga]] to the north. Madruga was the first settled territory of the Freeborn, and there is a popular stereotype that the people who live there are "stuck up". This stereotype is more humorous than hateful - the Freeborn move around too much to allow such prejudice to root itself too firmly in their psyche. Still, if a citizen of Feroz wants to insult a citizen of Madruga, they will fall back on accusations of arrogance and an over-reliance on tradition.

Some of the finest [[Surgical skills#Apothecary|apothecaries]] on the Brass Coast live in Feroz - the art of [[potion]] making has been studied here for centuries and there are a great many [[herb garden|herb gardens]]. The mainland is a criss-cross patchwork of [[farm|farms]] and small settlements - a great deal of food and drink is produced here and exported to other Freeborn territories.

==Recent History==
Being on the [[Bay of Catazar]], Feroz has always been under threat from the [[Grendel]] [[orc|orcs]]. In Spring 383YE, the orcs [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Spindrift|launched a naval invasion]], capturing [[#Oranseri|Oranseri]] and the [[#Cazar Straits|Cazar Straits]] in short order and making significant inroads into [[#Fontargenta|Fontargenta]]. The Grendel installed a grizzled old orc named ''Lord Rahab'' as overseer of the conquered land; he took up residence in the offices of the [[Scorrero Nets]] and quickly set about attempting to bring the rest of Feroz under his control. Part of their plan appeared to involve the ghosts of the [[#Isle of the Osseini|Isle of the Osseini]], but the scheme was countered by Imperial heroes travelling through the [[Sentinel Gate]] to exorcise the spirits and defeat the Grendel seeking to make use of them.

Undaunted by the loss of their supernatural weapon, the orcs kept up their assault. By Summer 383YE, they [[383YE_Summer_Solstice_winds_of_war#The_World_is_Not_Enough|sought to consolidate their gains in Fontargenta]]; they were opposed by [[Navarr]] and [[the Marches|Marcher]] [[Army|armies]], who held the Grendel at the town of [[#Fontargenta|Bramar]] for two days before being forced to retreat. They were able to slow the Grendel advance, however, leaving the orcs bogged down in Fontargenta and unable to press inland.

Following the engagement in Fontargenta, and battling under a powerful supernatural storm, the Grendel [[383YE_Autumn_Equinox_winds_of_war#Bronze|brought even more force]] to bear in the territory. While the Imperial armies were reinforced by [[Highguard|Highborn]] troops, the orc navies disgorged a great host of their own warriors. The fighting was bitter, but in the end Fontargenta fell - and as Fontargenta falls, so falls Feroz. While [[#Morajasse|Morajasse]] and [[#Afarjasse|Afarjasse]] remained free, the Grendel forces continued to mass along the coast.

During the Autumn Equinox 383, the [[Senate]] [[Ratify_treaty_with_the_Grendel_Autumn_383YE#Treaty|ratified a peace treaty]] with the Grendel. Presented by the [[Imperial Fleet Master]], among other things it [[Powers_of_the_Imperial_Senate#Concedence|ceded]] the two remaining regions of Feroz to the Grendel, albeit with provisions allowing Imperial citizens still in Morajasse and Afarjasse to withdraw to safety. Following the Equinox, Lord Rahab's forces spread out quickly to bring the two western regions under his control; Feroz was now [[To_curb_those_raging_appetites|completely under Grendel control]].

Just before the Autumn Equinox 386YE, the Imperial forces reconquered [[Glass_and_flame| reconquered Feroz]]. Possession of the territory is complicated by [[Children_of_Wrecks|Children of Wrecks]] as well as the remnants of the Grendel. Feroz has been run into the ground by Lord Rahab, eager to extract every drop of profit from the place, and it requires significant investment to return the territory to even a fraction of its former wealth.

== Major Features ==
===Oran===
The largest and most prestigious port was Feroz is Oran, on the northern coast of [[#Oranseri|Oranseri]]. Across the bay from billowing [[Madruga#Siroc_(Ruined)|Siroc]] this thriving port specialised in high-value products such as fine wines and spice mixes. Unsurprisingly, given its position, for most of its history it has engaged in low-key economic warfare with its larger cousin to the north - Oran notably has cheaper dock fees than Siroc, and a number of entrepreneurs prefer to operate here as a consequence. It is especially welcoming to those merchants who are just starting out, and has a reputation for being more energetic than its competitors to the north and south. This energy has been significantly boosted by construction of the only open [[#The Temple of Balo and the Black Bull|Asavean Temple]] in the entire Empire; the surge of [[Asavean Archipelago|Asavean]] ships visiting Oran saw the town expand significantly to become the largest trading port in Feroz.

In Spring 383YE, however, Oran was [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Spindrift|conquered by the Grendel]]. An orc governor, Lord Rahab, chose the town as the site for his court, converting the offices of the [[Scorrero Nets]] to his personal use. Among other things, this invasion saw the collapse of the [[Broken Shore Bounty]], the Scorrero Nets falling into orc hands, and the Temple of Balo and the Black Bull sealing its doors against the orcs while offering sanctuary to Freeborn families. Following the treaty signed during the Autumn Equinox, the Grendel opened Oran as a port [[Everything_has_a_price#A_New_Destination|available to Imperial captains]]. This situation persisted until the peace treaty ended, and war with the Grendel resumed.

After the Summer Solstice 386YE, Imperial forces swept into Oranseri to liberate the territory from the Grendel. They [[Glass_and_flame#The_Siege_of_Oran|laid siege]] to Oran, and were quickly victorious. The [[Below_the_thunders#Objective:_Eliminate_Governor_Rahab|recent death of Governor Rahab]] in battle with the Empire's heroes left the garrison demoralised and disorganised. It was a grievous victory, however. The fighting that raged through the town, the overwhelming assault, the barrage of catapult stones, all contributed to the fact that many of the buildings have been left in ruins, and many more damaged. A fire at the docks threatened to spread through the town and only the valiant actions of League soldiers managed bring it under control.

Proposals have been put forward to [[Send_for_me#Wharfage_of_Oran|rebuild Oran]], but it remains to be seen what the future holds for the port town.

===The Temple of Balo and the Black Bull===
During the Spring Equinox 380YE, permission was granted to the people of the [[Asavean Archipelago]] to construct a major temple to their gods in [[#Oranseri|Oran]]. Initially, construction was expected to be completed shortly before the Autumn Equinox 380YE, but the temple did not actually open its doors until shortly before the Spring Equinox 381YE. The town is seeing an influx of Asavean shipping bringing white granite and architects to the Brass Coast, as well as throwing crowns around like water to secure local labour to complete their project. Relations between the people of the Empire and the priests of Asavea are monitored by ''[[El oficial de enlace imperial con los sacerdotes de Balo y el toro negro]]'' ("The Imperial intermediary to the priests of Balo and the Black Bull"), who among other things is able to [[ministry|buy Asavean goods]] at a reduced price. During the Summer Solstice 380YE, the Assembly of Nine supported Abaddon de Rondell in [[Temple_of_the_bull#Resolution|denouncing]] the temple as an idolatrous affront, making it significantly harder for the Asaveans to find labourers prepared to work on the construction and both delaying its completion and laying a significant economic burden on the foreign priests.

The temple remained extremely controversial among Imperial priests. When Oran fell, however, the priests at the temple [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Sand|offered sanctuary]] to a number of Freeborn families in spite of Grendel unhappiness. In the following months, several of those families were smuggled to safety in Madruga, although an unknown number remain as guests at the temple. Despite this, however, it is clear that the Asaveans are more than happy to work with the new owners of Oran - indeed there are rumours that they have already recognised a Grendel as the [[Imperial Delegate to the Temple in Feroz|Delegate to the Temple in Feroz]]. This situation is no doubt being exacerbated by the Summer 383YE [[Through_my_sails#Ruined_Buildings|attack]] on the "sister temple" to the Black Bull, the temple of the Way in Nemoria.

'''OOC Notes:''' More details on the construction of the Temple of Balo and the Black Bull can be found in the winds of fortune, specifically [[Seven_lords_of_virtue#Temple_of_Bahlo_and_the_Black_Bull|Seven lords of virtue]], [[Those who worship#The Black Bull|Those who worship]], and [[Distant deeps]].

{{anchor|Shantarim}}
===Shantarim (ruined)===
In the southern islands of the [[#Cazar Straits|Cazar Straits]] the town of Shantarim was one a [[corsair]] stronghold. The families were are known to engage in fierce competition with their northern rivals, not only in Madruga but also in [[#Oranseri|Oranseri]] and even the other islands of the Straits. Smaller than the town of Cazar, Shantarim had a reputation for being somewhat less cosmopolitan than the other towns of Feroz - visitors from mainland families sometimes encounter prejudice and suspicion. The families of Shantarim more than made up for their relatively small size with the enthusiasm with which they opposed the orcs of the Broken Shore.

Prior to the [[Ratify treaty with the Grendel Autumn 383YE|peace treaty]] of 383YE, they were loud supporters of the [[Freeborn Storm]], and the various raids against the Grendel. The signing of the peace treaty with the southern orcs tied their hands, making it illegal to fight the Grendel, which became been a major source of dissension in Shantarim.

Towards the end of the ceasefire secured by the treaty, in 385YE, Shatarim was attacked and wrecked. Warships of the [[Asavean Archipelago]], allies of the Grendel occupation, engaged in a campaign of destruction across the Cazar Straits, and along with the Isle of the Osseini, Shantarim bore the brunt. Many corsairs who had endured the occupation of the Grendel were slain, and the town was looted and left in ruins. When the Children of Wrecks arrived, there was precious little left for the to wreck.
<div style="float:right; width: 450px; clear: right;"><box>'''Justicars'''<br>The priests who previously lived on the Isle of the Osseini called themselves ''justicars''. Specialist exorcists and inquisitors in the pre-Imperial history of the Brass Coast, they specialised in driving out malign spirits or cleansing unpleasant auras from people, places and objects. Never particularly populous, their sanctuary on the Isle of the Osseini was all but wiped out by the Grendel. A handful remained elsewhere, and during the Autumn Equinox 383YE the Freeborn assembly [[383YE_Autumn_Equinox_Synod_judgements#Judgement_22|called on them to come together to preserve their traditions]]. A small enclave of justicars was established on the Isle of Osseini at the sufferance of the Grendel. Unfortunately, when Asavean warships went on a rampage in 385YE, the first place they attacked was this enclave, putting the priests to the sword and burning the enclave. When the Children of Wrecks arrived, the Grendel magicians still left on the island fled back to the Broken Shore. As far as anyone knows today, the island is abandoned.</box></div>

{{Anchor|Isle of the Osseini}}
===Isle of the Osseini (Ruined)===
At the southern tip of the [[#Cazar Straits|Cazar Straits]], the island was known for its heavy sea fog, its ghosts, and for a small sect of Freeborn priests famed for their knowledge of the arts of [[exorcism]]. Stories claimed the Isle was haunted by those who had died at sea, but most Freeborn had no truck with such foolishness. In 383YE, however, it became clear these tales of ghosts were more than just idle gossip. During the Spring Equinox of that year, a [[Grendel]] shaman attempted to unleash a ghostly legion of drowned orcs bound in some fashion to white granite pillars on the island against the defenders of Feroz. Before they could do so they were [[383YE_Summer_Solstice_winds_of_war#The_World_is_Not_Enough|thwarted by Imperial heroes]] who reached the isle via the [[Sentinel Gate]]. Once the heroes retreated, the status of the island, the pillars, and the remaining priests was unknown.

Then in Autumn 383YE, as part of the negotiations that led to the peace treaty with the Grendel, a contract was negotiated with the orc diplomat regarding the Isle of the Osseini. In the wake of that agreement, a small group of priests were allowed to visit the Isle with a Grendel escort. There they discovered the remaining priests were dead, the ghost-binding pillars had been destroyed, and the island was in the hands of a coven of Grendel magicians. The orcs had already constructed a permanent residence there built around a particular Winter regio, and were less than welcoming to the Freeborn. Further negotiations followed; in the end the Freeborn were allowed to establish a small enclave here, under the careful watch of the Grendel.

The return of the justicars was short-lived. In 385YE, a fleet of warships from the Asavean Archipelago went on a murderous rampage in the southern Cazar Straits. Allies of the Grendel, they slaughtered the priests and burned the enclave before sailing north to Shantarim. When the Children of Wrecks arrived, the remaining Grendel magicians fled back to the Broken Shore. By the close of 387YE, the island appears to be abandoned, although it remains to be seen what the Iron COnfederacy plan to do with it.

'''OOC Note:''' You can learn more about the Isle of the Osseini in the [[Bones in the ocean]] wind of fortune.

=== The Spice Gardens of Feroz ===
In western [[#Morajasse|Morajasse]] stand the legendary Spice Gardens of Feroz - a set of heavily-walled enclosures covering several acres where the finest spices in the Empire are grown. A rich source of trade for whoever controls the gardens, the [[Imperial title]] of [[Keeper of the Spice Gardens]] has changed hands between families only a handful of times in the last few centuries, and the bargaining leading up to a new appointment has regularly involved the whole nation.

The peace treaty of Autumn 383YE that ceded control of Morajasse to the Grendel saw the Spice Gardens fall into the hands of the orcs. If there is any solace to be taken from this development, it is that the Grendel appreciate fine spices as much as any Freeborn so it is unlikely that they will want to harm these legendary Gardens. On the other hand, some Freeborn find the idea of their beautiful spice gardens being operated by Grendel slaves particularly heinous.

===The [[Scorrero Nets]]===
The Scorrero Nets were a Bourse resource located in [[#Oranseri|Oranseri]], seized by the Grendel in Spring 383YE as part of their conquest of Feroz. Custodianship of the Nets was an [[Imperial Title]] that brought with it a Seat on the [[Bourse]]. In Winter 384YE, a [[Drums_beat_in_my_head#The_Scorrero_Nets|daring plan]] was proposed to "steal" the nets by establishing the [[Cerevado Nets]] upriver in [[Segura]]. As a consequence, this Bourse resource ceased to exist, much to the chagrin of the Grendel governor Rahab.

===The Broken Shore Bounty===
The [[Broken Shore Bounty]] was a Bourse resource that was technically located in the [[#Cazar Straits|Cazar Straits]] inasmuch as the holder of the [[Bourse]] seat has the use of a fortified villa in the hills near Cazar. The actual [[ilium]] that the seat provided was sourced throughout the Bay of Catazar; a portion of all ilium claimed from the nets of Freeborn, [[the League|League]], [[Highguard|Highborn]], and [[Urizen|Urizeni]] nets is claimed as part of the Bounty. It produced 7 rings of ilium each season and was allocated during the Spring Equinox.

When the Cazar Straits fell to the Grendel, they also seized the offices of the Broken Shore Bounty. Despite a [[Four_strong_winds#Broken_Shore_Bounty|proposal to move the offices]], the resource fell into disarray, the ilium ending up split between the Imperial Fleet Master and the Bourse Auction. With the ratification of the Grendel peace treaty, this title and resource effectively ceased to exist.

===Mora's Rock===
Built as part of the grand project to create [[fortification|fortifications]] across the southern Empire in response to the threat of the [[Grendel]], Mora's Rock in [[#Morajasse|Morajasse]] was completed in the months following the [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Bravado|invasion of 383YE]]. The fortification squats above the town of Mora, guarding against invasion from [[Segura]], and providing garrisons and scouts who can offer resistance to assaults from the sea.

When Morajasse was ceded to the Grendel in Autumn 383YE, they took control of the fortification and later expanded it significantly. The fortification resisted the [[Glass and flame|liberation]] of the territory, and as of the beginning of 387YE remains under the control of the Grendel. The garrison is led by ''[[Glass_and_flame#The_Shadow_of_Mora's_Rock|Commander Gallum Fiersach]]'', ably supported by his partner, the ''Wind Lord Saoirse''. The garrison there includes a warband of veteran [[Elite_Grendel_troops#The_Stone_Born|Stone Born]], and the remainder appear to be very experienced soldiers. These Grendel are enemies of the Empire, obviously, but that did not prevent them acting to [[A_circle_sewn_with_fate#The_Battle_of_Oran|protect Oran]] from the Children of Wrecks in early 387YE. There has been some talk of encouraging the Grendel to continue to protect the beleaguered Feroz from raiders. Whatever else is true about the orc garrison, they appear to be a very disciplined group of soldiers with little love for the servants of [[Siakha]].

==Regions==
===Afarjasse===
'''Qualities:''' [[Region_qualities#Abandoned|Abandoned]], [[Region_qualities#Underpopulated|Underpopulated]]<br>
In the middle of nowhere, on the plains of Afarjasse, is the quiet settlement of '''Afar'''. It was established by [[hakima]] with close ties to the [[Guerra]] tribe near a potent [[regio]] tied to the realm of Night. It is a faraway place dedicated to the practice of [[rituals|ritual magics]] that support the Freeborn. It is not hard to reach, but it stands alone in a sea of sprawling grasslands and does not encourage casual visitors. On nights when powerful magics are performed, Afar is visible for miles around - great bonfires are built and massive drums used to build powerful rhythms to help raise (or draw down, or both) the passionate energy for powerful workings.

As with the rest of Feroz, Afarjasse spent two years in the hands of the Grendel. The governor, Lord Rahab, made it clear that the hakima here would not be permitted access to their potent regio - they were after all an important strategic resource. The region has been liberated now, but is in the same dire straits as the rest of the territory.

===Cazar Straits===
'''Qualities:''' Abandoned, Coastal, Impoverished, Island, Underpopulated<br>
For most of the Brass Coast's history, the islands of the Cazar Straits were dominated by [[corsair]] families. The largest settlement remains the port town from which the islands take their name - high-cliffed '''Cazar''' - but in recent years it has changed hands several times and is a shadow of its former self. Built around a bustling dock, it served as a safe harbour and home port for many of the [[fleet|fleets]] that protected the Bay from barbarian ships. The holder of the [[Broken Shore Bounty]] used to have the use of a fortified villa in the hills near Cazar, and the civil service offices that oversaw the resource were based here. Both were lost to the Grendel, then to the [[Children of Wrecks]], and in the last months of 387YE, to the [[Iron Confederacy]].

Even before the Children of Wrecks arrived, several of the more southerly islands of the Straits had a reputation for peculiarity. The corsairs of [[#Shantarim|Shantarim]] for example were renowned both for their enthusiastic rivalry with all other corsair families, and the zeal with which they waged war on the Grendel. The [[#Isle of the Osseini|Isle of the Osseini]] is also found here, once home to a sect of strange priests, allegedly haunted by the ghosts of drowned pirates, then the site of an uneasy truce between orc magicians and Freeborn priests. Towards the end of the peace treaty with the Grendel, however, a fleet of warships from the [[Asavean Archipelago]] slaughtered the justicars of Osseini and ruined the town of Shantarim. When the Children of Wrecks claimed the region, there was precious little left for them to destroy.

Today, the waters around the Cazar Straits remain treacherous. In part this is due to the presence of dozens of immature kraken hatched in the waters by the Children of Wrecks.

===Fontargenta===
'''Qualities:''' Abandoned, Coastal, Impoverished<br>
The trading port of '''Bramar''' stands on the coast here. Surrounded by rich agricultural land, its bountiful cornfields once competed with [[the Marches|Marcher]] grain in markets across the southern nations of the Empire, and their vineyards were justly famous. Before the Grendel invasion it served as an important hub for the Imperial wine trade, with many excellent vintages passing through its docks - both from the Brass Coast to the rest of the world, and from the rest of the world to the Brass Coast (and thus the Empire). Lord Rahab has left the region devastated, and it remains to be seen if the farms here will ever recover.

===Morajasse===
'''Qualities:''' Abandoned, Impoverished, Underpopulated<br>
The largest town in prosperous Morajasse is '''Mora'''. Once simply a spice market, the barbarian invasion of [[Segura]] saw a burst of rapid militarisation of this peaceful settlement. Refugees are common here: some supported by their families, others looking to work in the market. With the liberation of the western territory, a strange reversal took place - the pool of desperate labourers has largely dried up with refugees returning to their homes.

Immediately following the [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Bravado|invasion of Feroz]] in 383YE, work was completed on a [[fortification]] at the town of Mora, [[#Mora's Rock|Mora's Rock]]. The fortification served the defenders well, but with the ratification of the peace treaty it was taken over, and expanded, by Grendel troops. It now serves as the base of operations of ''Wind Lord Saoirse'' and her partner ''Commander Fiersach'', as well as a sizable force of Grendel veterans.

Western Morajasse is the site of the great [[#The Spice Gardens of Feroz|Spice Gardens]]. The [[Vizier of the Incarnadine Satchel]] was often quite active in Feroz, occasionally dealing with agents of the Spice Gardens or traders from the Jewelled Isles. Following the Grendel treaty, the offices that supported the Vizier with easy access to reasonably priced herbs has dried up - while they are still notionally the owner of the miraculous satchel that gives them their name, their ability to support the nations' apothecaries and physicks has been greatly reduced.
{{CaptionedImage|file=Oran_by_the_Sea.jpg|caption=The Celesti Lighthouse sits high on the headland overlooking Oran.|align=right|width=400}}

===Oranseri===
'''Qualities:''' Abandoned, Coastal, Impoverished<br>
Across the bay from billowing [[Madruga#Siroc|Siroc]] stands the thriving port town of [[#Oran|Oran]]. In recent years, the port has grown in prominence and prosperity; it served as the seat of power for the Grendel governor Lord Rahab during the Grendel occupation of the territory. Just outside Oran lies the great [[Celesti_Lighthouse_Keeper#The_Celesti_Lighthouse|Celesti Lighthouse]], originally constructed during the reign of [[Emperor Barabbas]] and recently repaired and restored to full functionality. It, too, was in the hands of the Grendel for several years but has now been restored.

West of Oran is the ''Scorrero Crossing''. The river Scorrero is wide and deep between Feroz and Madruga. During the Summer Solstice 383YE, the Grendel invaders attempted to take advantage of this by taking control of both bridges that connect the two Freeborn territories. Had they been successful, it would have been significantly harder for Imperial forces to move between Siroc and Oranseri. Their attempts were stymied, and ultimately became moot once the Scorrero [[Where_the_river_rises#Crossing|burst its banks]] and carried away all the existing bridges.

'''Joharra''' is a port south of Oran, considered much more stable than its northern cousin, and better known for its industry than its trade. Famous throughout the Empire for its cloth and dye-work, Joharra is called '' the Rainbow'' by coastal sailors who mark their progress round the coast with the first sight of the great billowing cloths hung out to dry on tall wooden frames along the low cliffs. As with the other settlements of Oran, the weavers and dyers here now labour under the yoke of the Grendel orcs.

==Strategic Considerations==
* '''The damage to the bridges along the Scorrero prevents movement between Feroz and Madruga'''
The damage to almost all the bridges along the Scorrero means that it is effectively impossible for an [[Army|army]] to move between Feroz and [[Madruga]] (or vice versa). More information can be found in the '''[[Where_the_river_rises#Crossing|Where the river rises]]''' wind of fortune.
<div style="float:left; width: 450px; clear: right;">{{CaptionedImage|file=Garviel i Abrira i Erigo.jpg|caption='''Garviel i Abrira i Erigo''', Senator for Feroz|align=left|width=500}}</div>
{{Senate Elections|Senator_for_Feroz|Territory=Feroz|Season=Summer|Controlled=is}}

==OOC Notes==
* As of the start of the Winter Solstice 387YE, the Iron Confederacy control the Cazar Straits, the Grendel control Morajasse, and the Brass Coast controls Afarjasse, Fontargenta, and Oranseri. Feroz is an Imperial territory
* [[#Mora's Rock|Mora's Rock]] is a rank two fortification controlled by the Grendel.
* The status of various titles and resources located in Feroz is outlined in more detail in [[To_curb_those_raging_appetites#Lost_Opportunities|To curb those raging appetites]], a Winter 383YE wind of fortune.

==Further Reading==
* [[Red skies]] - 387YE Winter wind of war about the Iron Confederacy invasion of the Cazar Straits
* [[Send for me]] - 386YE Winter wind of fortune about the rebuilding of Feroz
* [[Glass and flame]] - 386YE Autumn wind of war about the liberation of Feroz
* [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Spindrift|Winds of War 383YE Spring]] - Detailing the Grendel invasion
* [[383YE_Summer_Solstice_winds_of_war#The_World_is_Not_Enough|Winds of War 383YE Summer]]
* [[383YE_Autumn_Equinox_winds_of_war#Bronze|Winds of War 383YE Autumn]]
* [[Ratify_treaty_with_the_Grendel_Autumn_383YE#Treaty|Treaty]] - the Autumn 383YE treaty with the Grendel
* [[To curb those raging appetites]] - a Winter 383YE wind of fortune that details the situation for Freeborn in Feroz
* [[Everything has a price]] - a Winter 383YE wind of fortune that details the general situation with the Grendel, and has several notes about their presence in Feroz
* [[Bones in the ocean]] - a Winter 383YE wind of fortune that specifically deals with the [[#Isle of the Osseini|Isle of the Osseini]] and the justicars

Feroz

2026-05-13T09:52:53Z

Rafferty: /* Shantarim */

{{CaptionedImage|file=RegionsofFeroz.png|title=Southernmost of the Freeborn territories, lush but threatened by barbarians over land and sea|caption=Regions of Feroz|align=left|width=500}}[[Category:Gazetteer]][[Category:Grendel]][[Category:Imperial Territory]][[category:The Brass Coast]]
{{stub}}
== Overview ==
Feroz is the southernmost territory of the Brass Coast, and like Madruga has both isles and coastline. Here the climate is warm and humid, perfect for the cultivation of different plants. This is the home of the fabulous spice gardens of Feroz, a source of great revenue for the people of this territory. The seas are more treacherous here, and until recently the south and the west were constantly threatened by barbarians by land. As a result, many armed merchants patrol the seas, and groups of young warriors journeyed along the borders, fighting skirmishes against jealous foes.

There is a traditional rivalry between the families of Feroz and those of [[Madruga]] to the north. Madruga was the first settled territory of the Freeborn, and there is a popular stereotype that the people who live there are "stuck up". This stereotype is more humorous than hateful - the Freeborn move around too much to allow such prejudice to root itself too firmly in their psyche. Still, if a citizen of Feroz wants to insult a citizen of Madruga, they will fall back on accusations of arrogance and an over-reliance on tradition.

Some of the finest [[Surgical skills#Apothecary|apothecaries]] on the Brass Coast live in Feroz - the art of [[potion]] making has been studied here for centuries and there are a great many [[herb garden|herb gardens]]. The mainland is a criss-cross patchwork of [[farm|farms]] and small settlements - a great deal of food and drink is produced here and exported to other Freeborn territories.

==Recent History==
Being on the [[Bay of Catazar]], Feroz has always been under threat from the [[Grendel]] [[orc|orcs]]. In Spring 383YE, the orcs [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Spindrift|launched a naval invasion]], capturing [[#Oranseri|Oranseri]] and the [[#Cazar Straits|Cazar Straits]] in short order and making significant inroads into [[#Fontargenta|Fontargenta]]. The Grendel installed a grizzled old orc named ''Lord Rahab'' as overseer of the conquered land; he took up residence in the offices of the [[Scorrero Nets]] and quickly set about attempting to bring the rest of Feroz under his control. Part of their plan appeared to involve the ghosts of the [[#Isle of the Osseini|Isle of the Osseini]], but the scheme was countered by Imperial heroes travelling through the [[Sentinel Gate]] to exorcise the spirits and defeat the Grendel seeking to make use of them.

Undaunted by the loss of their supernatural weapon, the orcs kept up their assault. By Summer 383YE, they [[383YE_Summer_Solstice_winds_of_war#The_World_is_Not_Enough|sought to consolidate their gains in Fontargenta]]; they were opposed by [[Navarr]] and [[the Marches|Marcher]] [[Army|armies]], who held the Grendel at the town of [[#Fontargenta|Bramar]] for two days before being forced to retreat. They were able to slow the Grendel advance, however, leaving the orcs bogged down in Fontargenta and unable to press inland.

Following the engagement in Fontargenta, and battling under a powerful supernatural storm, the Grendel [[383YE_Autumn_Equinox_winds_of_war#Bronze|brought even more force]] to bear in the territory. While the Imperial armies were reinforced by [[Highguard|Highborn]] troops, the orc navies disgorged a great host of their own warriors. The fighting was bitter, but in the end Fontargenta fell - and as Fontargenta falls, so falls Feroz. While [[#Morajasse|Morajasse]] and [[#Afarjasse|Afarjasse]] remained free, the Grendel forces continued to mass along the coast.

During the Autumn Equinox 383, the [[Senate]] [[Ratify_treaty_with_the_Grendel_Autumn_383YE#Treaty|ratified a peace treaty]] with the Grendel. Presented by the [[Imperial Fleet Master]], among other things it [[Powers_of_the_Imperial_Senate#Concedence|ceded]] the two remaining regions of Feroz to the Grendel, albeit with provisions allowing Imperial citizens still in Morajasse and Afarjasse to withdraw to safety. Following the Equinox, Lord Rahab's forces spread out quickly to bring the two western regions under his control; Feroz was now [[To_curb_those_raging_appetites|completely under Grendel control]].

Just before the Autumn Equinox 386YE, the Imperial forces reconquered [[Glass_and_flame| reconquered Feroz]]. Possession of the territory is complicated by [[Children_of_Wrecks|Children of Wrecks]] as well as the remnants of the Grendel. Feroz has been run into the ground by Lord Rahab, eager to extract every drop of profit from the place, and it requires significant investment to return the territory to even a fraction of its former wealth.

== Major Features ==
===Oran===
The largest and most prestigious port was Feroz is Oran, on the northern coast of [[#Oranseri|Oranseri]]. Across the bay from billowing [[Madruga#Siroc_(Ruined)|Siroc]] this thriving port specialised in high-value products such as fine wines and spice mixes. Unsurprisingly, given its position, for most of its history it has engaged in low-key economic warfare with its larger cousin to the north - Oran notably has cheaper dock fees than Siroc, and a number of entrepreneurs prefer to operate here as a consequence. It is especially welcoming to those merchants who are just starting out, and has a reputation for being more energetic than its competitors to the north and south. This energy has been significantly boosted by construction of the only open [[#The Temple of Balo and the Black Bull|Asavean Temple]] in the entire Empire; the surge of [[Asavean Archipelago|Asavean]] ships visiting Oran saw the town expand significantly to become the largest trading port in Feroz.

In Spring 383YE, however, Oran was [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Spindrift|conquered by the Grendel]]. An orc governor, Lord Rahab, chose the town as the site for his court, converting the offices of the [[Scorrero Nets]] to his personal use. Among other things, this invasion saw the collapse of the [[Broken Shore Bounty]], the Scorrero Nets falling into orc hands, and the Temple of Balo and the Black Bull sealing its doors against the orcs while offering sanctuary to Freeborn families. Following the treaty signed during the Autumn Equinox, the Grendel opened Oran as a port [[Everything_has_a_price#A_New_Destination|available to Imperial captains]]. This situation persisted until the peace treaty ended, and war with the Grendel resumed.

After the Summer Solstice 386YE, Imperial forces swept into Oranseri to liberate the territory from the Grendel. They [[Glass_and_flame#The_Siege_of_Oran|laid siege]] to Oran, and were quickly victorious. The [[Below_the_thunders#Objective:_Eliminate_Governor_Rahab|recent death of Governor Rahab]] in battle with the Empire's heroes left the garrison demoralised and disorganised. It was a grievous victory, however. The fighting that raged through the town, the overwhelming assault, the barrage of catapult stones, all contributed to the fact that many of the buildings have been left in ruins, and many more damaged. A fire at the docks threatened to spread through the town and only the valiant actions of League soldiers managed bring it under control.

Proposals have been put forward to [[Send_for_me#Wharfage_of_Oran|rebuild Oran]], but it remains to be seen what the future holds for the port town.

===The Temple of Balo and the Black Bull===
During the Spring Equinox 380YE, permission was granted to the people of the [[Asavean Archipelago]] to construct a major temple to their gods in [[#Oranseri|Oran]]. Initially, construction was expected to be completed shortly before the Autumn Equinox 380YE, but the temple did not actually open its doors until shortly before the Spring Equinox 381YE. The town is seeing an influx of Asavean shipping bringing white granite and architects to the Brass Coast, as well as throwing crowns around like water to secure local labour to complete their project. Relations between the people of the Empire and the priests of Asavea are monitored by ''[[El oficial de enlace imperial con los sacerdotes de Balo y el toro negro]]'' ("The Imperial intermediary to the priests of Balo and the Black Bull"), who among other things is able to [[ministry|buy Asavean goods]] at a reduced price. During the Summer Solstice 380YE, the Assembly of Nine supported Abaddon de Rondell in [[Temple_of_the_bull#Resolution|denouncing]] the temple as an idolatrous affront, making it significantly harder for the Asaveans to find labourers prepared to work on the construction and both delaying its completion and laying a significant economic burden on the foreign priests.

The temple remained extremely controversial among Imperial priests. When Oran fell, however, the priests at the temple [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Sand|offered sanctuary]] to a number of Freeborn families in spite of Grendel unhappiness. In the following months, several of those families were smuggled to safety in Madruga, although an unknown number remain as guests at the temple. Despite this, however, it is clear that the Asaveans are more than happy to work with the new owners of Oran - indeed there are rumours that they have already recognised a Grendel as the [[Imperial Delegate to the Temple in Feroz|Delegate to the Temple in Feroz]]. This situation is no doubt being exacerbated by the Summer 383YE [[Through_my_sails#Ruined_Buildings|attack]] on the "sister temple" to the Black Bull, the temple of the Way in Nemoria.

'''OOC Notes:''' More details on the construction of the Temple of Balo and the Black Bull can be found in the winds of fortune, specifically [[Seven_lords_of_virtue#Temple_of_Bahlo_and_the_Black_Bull|Seven lords of virtue]], [[Those who worship#The Black Bull|Those who worship]], and [[Distant deeps]].

{{anchor|Shantarim}}
===Shantarim (ruined)===
In the southern islands of the [[#Cazar Straits|Cazar Straits]] the town of Shantarim was one a [[corsair]] stronghold. The families were are known to engage in fierce competition with their northern rivals, not only in Madruga but also in [[#Oranseri|Oranseri]] and even the other islands of the Straits. Smaller than the town of Cazar, Shantarim had a reputation for being somewhat less cosmopolitan than the other towns of Feroz - visitors from mainland families sometimes encounter prejudice and suspicion. The families of Shantarim more than made up for their relatively small size with the enthusiasm with which they opposed the orcs of the Broken Shore.

Prior to the [[Ratify treaty with the Grendel Autumn 383YE|peace treaty]] of 383YE, they were loud supporters of the [[Freeborn Storm]], and the various raids against the Grendel. The signing of the peace treaty with the southern orcs tied their hands, making it illegal to fight the Grendel, which became been a major source of dissension in Shantarim.

Towards the end of the ceasefire secured by the treaty, in 385YE, Shatarim was attacked and wrecked. Warships of the [[Asavean Archipelago]], allies of the Grendel occupation, engaged in a campaign of destruction across the Cazar Straits, and along with the Isle of the Osseini, Shantarim bore the brunt. Many corsairs who had endured the occupation of the Grendel were slain, and the town was looted and left in ruins. When the Children of Wrecks arrived, there was precious little left for the to wreck.
<div style="float:right; width: 450px; clear: right;"><box>'''Justicars'''<br>The priests who previously lived on the Isle of the Osseini called themselves ''justicars''. Specialist exorcists and inquisitors in the pre-Imperial history of the Brass Coast, they specialised in driving out malign spirits or cleansing unpleasant auras from people, places and objects. Never particularly populous, their sanctuary on the Isle of the Osseini was all but wiped out by the Grendel. A handful remained elsewhere, and during the Autumn Equinox 383YE the Freeborn assembly [[383YE_Autumn_Equinox_Synod_judgements#Judgement_22|called on them to come together to preserve their traditions]]. A small enclave of justicars was established on the Isle of Osseini at the sufferance of the Grendel. Unfortunately, when Asavean warships went on a rampage in 385YE, the first place they attacked was this enclave, putting the priests to the sword and burning the enclave. When the Children of Wrecks arrived, the Grendel magicians still left on the island fled back to the Broken Shore. As far as anyone knows today, the island is abandoned.</box></div>

=== Isle of the Osseini ===
{{stub}}
At the southern tip of the [[#Cazar Straits|Cazar Straits]], the island was known for its heavy sea fog, its ghosts, and for a small sect of priests famed for their knowledge of the arts of exorcism. Foreigners claimed the Isle was haunted by those who had died at sea at the hands of the corsairs of Shantarim, but most Freeborn had no truck with such foolishness. In 383YE, however, it became clear these tales of ghosts were more than just idle gossip. During the Spring Equinox of that year, a [[Grendel]] shaman attempted to unleash a ghostly legion of drowned orcs bound in some fashion to white granite pillars on the island against the defenders of Feroz. Before they could do so they were [[383YE_Summer_Solstice_winds_of_war#The_World_is_Not_Enough|thwarted by Imperial heroes]] who reached the isle via the [[Sentinel Gate]]. Once the heroes retreated, the status of the island, the pillars, and the remaining priests was unknown.

Then in Autumn 383YE, as part of the negotiations that led to the peace treaty with the Grendel, a contract was negotiated with the orc diplomat regarding the Isle of the Osseini. In the wake of that agreement, a small group of priests were allowed to visit the Isle with a Grendel escort. There they discovered the remaining priests were dead, the ghost-binding pillars had been destroyed, and the island was in the hands of a coven of Grendel magicians. The orcs had already constructed a permanent residence there built around a particular Winter regio, and were less than welcoming to the Freeborn. Further negotiations followed; in the end the Freeborn were allowed to establish a small enclave here, under the careful watch of the Grendel.

'''OOC Note:''' You can learn more about the Isle of the Osseini in the [[Bones in the ocean]] wind of fortune.

=== The Spice Gardens of Feroz ===
In western [[#Morajasse|Morajasse]] stand the legendary Spice Gardens of Feroz - a set of heavily-walled enclosures covering several acres where the finest spices in the Empire are grown. A rich source of trade for whoever controls the gardens, the [[Imperial title]] of [[Keeper of the Spice Gardens]] has changed hands between families only a handful of times in the last few centuries, and the bargaining leading up to a new appointment has regularly involved the whole nation.

The peace treaty of Autumn 383YE that ceded control of Morajasse to the Grendel saw the Spice Gardens fall into the hands of the orcs. If there is any solace to be taken from this development, it is that the Grendel appreciate fine spices as much as any Freeborn so it is unlikely that they will want to harm these legendary Gardens. On the other hand, some Freeborn find the idea of their beautiful spice gardens being operated by Grendel slaves particularly heinous.

===The [[Scorrero Nets]]===
The Scorrero Nets were a Bourse resource located in [[#Oranseri|Oranseri]], seized by the Grendel in Spring 383YE as part of their conquest of Feroz. Custodianship of the Nets was an [[Imperial Title]] that brought with it a Seat on the [[Bourse]]. In Winter 384YE, a [[Drums_beat_in_my_head#The_Scorrero_Nets|daring plan]] was proposed to "steal" the nets by establishing the [[Cerevado Nets]] upriver in [[Segura]]. As a consequence, this Bourse resource ceased to exist, much to the chagrin of the Grendel governor Rahab.

===The Broken Shore Bounty===
The [[Broken Shore Bounty]] was a Bourse resource that was technically located in the [[#Cazar Straits|Cazar Straits]] inasmuch as the holder of the [[Bourse]] seat has the use of a fortified villa in the hills near Cazar. The actual [[ilium]] that the seat provided was sourced throughout the Bay of Catazar; a portion of all ilium claimed from the nets of Freeborn, [[the League|League]], [[Highguard|Highborn]], and [[Urizen|Urizeni]] nets is claimed as part of the Bounty. It produced 7 rings of ilium each season and was allocated during the Spring Equinox.

When the Cazar Straits fell to the Grendel, they also seized the offices of the Broken Shore Bounty. Despite a [[Four_strong_winds#Broken_Shore_Bounty|proposal to move the offices]], the resource fell into disarray, the ilium ending up split between the Imperial Fleet Master and the Bourse Auction. With the ratification of the Grendel peace treaty, this title and resource effectively ceased to exist.

===Mora's Rock===
Built as part of the grand project to create [[fortification|fortifications]] across the southern Empire in response to the threat of the [[Grendel]], Mora's Rock in [[#Morajasse|Morajasse]] was completed in the months following the [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Bravado|invasion of 383YE]]. The fortification squats above the town of Mora, guarding against invasion from [[Segura]], and providing garrisons and scouts who can offer resistance to assaults from the sea.

When Morajasse was ceded to the Grendel in Autumn 383YE, they took control of the fortification and later expanded it significantly. The fortification resisted the [[Glass and flame|liberation]] of the territory, and as of the beginning of 387YE remains under the control of the Grendel. The garrison is led by ''[[Glass_and_flame#The_Shadow_of_Mora's_Rock|Commander Gallum Fiersach]]'', ably supported by his partner, the ''Wind Lord Saoirse''. The garrison there includes a warband of veteran [[Elite_Grendel_troops#The_Stone_Born|Stone Born]], and the remainder appear to be very experienced soldiers. These Grendel are enemies of the Empire, obviously, but that did not prevent them acting to [[A_circle_sewn_with_fate#The_Battle_of_Oran|protect Oran]] from the Children of Wrecks in early 387YE. There has been some talk of encouraging the Grendel to continue to protect the beleaguered Feroz from raiders. Whatever else is true about the orc garrison, they appear to be a very disciplined group of soldiers with little love for the servants of [[Siakha]].

==Regions==
===Afarjasse===
'''Qualities:''' [[Region_qualities#Abandoned|Abandoned]], [[Region_qualities#Underpopulated|Underpopulated]]<br>
In the middle of nowhere, on the plains of Afarjasse, is the quiet settlement of '''Afar'''. It was established by [[hakima]] with close ties to the [[Guerra]] tribe near a potent [[regio]] tied to the realm of Night. It is a faraway place dedicated to the practice of [[rituals|ritual magics]] that support the Freeborn. It is not hard to reach, but it stands alone in a sea of sprawling grasslands and does not encourage casual visitors. On nights when powerful magics are performed, Afar is visible for miles around - great bonfires are built and massive drums used to build powerful rhythms to help raise (or draw down, or both) the passionate energy for powerful workings.

As with the rest of Feroz, Afarjasse spent two years in the hands of the Grendel. The governor, Lord Rahab, made it clear that the hakima here would not be permitted access to their potent regio - they were after all an important strategic resource. The region has been liberated now, but is in the same dire straits as the rest of the territory.

===Cazar Straits===
'''Qualities:''' Abandoned, Coastal, Impoverished, Island, Underpopulated<br>
For most of the Brass Coast's history, the islands of the Cazar Straits were dominated by [[corsair]] families. The largest settlement remains the port town from which the islands take their name - high-cliffed '''Cazar''' - but in recent years it has changed hands several times and is a shadow of its former self. Built around a bustling dock, it served as a safe harbour and home port for many of the [[fleet|fleets]] that protected the Bay from barbarian ships. The holder of the [[Broken Shore Bounty]] used to have the use of a fortified villa in the hills near Cazar, and the civil service offices that oversaw the resource were based here. Both were lost to the Grendel, then to the [[Children of Wrecks]], and in the last months of 387YE, to the [[Iron Confederacy]].

Even before the Children of Wrecks arrived, several of the more southerly islands of the Straits had a reputation for peculiarity. The corsairs of [[#Shantarim|Shantarim]] for example were renowned both for their enthusiastic rivalry with all other corsair families, and the zeal with which they waged war on the Grendel. The [[#Isle of the Osseini|Isle of the Osseini]] is also found here, once home to a sect of strange priests, allegedly haunted by the ghosts of drowned pirates, then the site of an uneasy truce between orc magicians and Freeborn priests. Towards the end of the peace treaty with the Grendel, however, a fleet of warships from the [[Asavean Archipelago]] slaughtered the justicars of Osseini and ruined the town of Shantarim. When the Children of Wrecks claimed the region, there was precious little left for them to destroy.

Today, the waters around the Cazar Straits remain treacherous. In part this is due to the presence of dozens of immature kraken hatched in the waters by the Children of Wrecks.

===Fontargenta===
'''Qualities:''' Abandoned, Coastal, Impoverished<br>
The trading port of '''Bramar''' stands on the coast here. Surrounded by rich agricultural land, its bountiful cornfields once competed with [[the Marches|Marcher]] grain in markets across the southern nations of the Empire, and their vineyards were justly famous. Before the Grendel invasion it served as an important hub for the Imperial wine trade, with many excellent vintages passing through its docks - both from the Brass Coast to the rest of the world, and from the rest of the world to the Brass Coast (and thus the Empire). Lord Rahab has left the region devastated, and it remains to be seen if the farms here will ever recover.

===Morajasse===
'''Qualities:''' Abandoned, Impoverished, Underpopulated<br>
The largest town in prosperous Morajasse is '''Mora'''. Once simply a spice market, the barbarian invasion of [[Segura]] saw a burst of rapid militarisation of this peaceful settlement. Refugees are common here: some supported by their families, others looking to work in the market. With the liberation of the western territory, a strange reversal took place - the pool of desperate labourers has largely dried up with refugees returning to their homes.

Immediately following the [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Bravado|invasion of Feroz]] in 383YE, work was completed on a [[fortification]] at the town of Mora, [[#Mora's Rock|Mora's Rock]]. The fortification served the defenders well, but with the ratification of the peace treaty it was taken over, and expanded, by Grendel troops. It now serves as the base of operations of ''Wind Lord Saoirse'' and her partner ''Commander Fiersach'', as well as a sizable force of Grendel veterans.

Western Morajasse is the site of the great [[#The Spice Gardens of Feroz|Spice Gardens]]. The [[Vizier of the Incarnadine Satchel]] was often quite active in Feroz, occasionally dealing with agents of the Spice Gardens or traders from the Jewelled Isles. Following the Grendel treaty, the offices that supported the Vizier with easy access to reasonably priced herbs has dried up - while they are still notionally the owner of the miraculous satchel that gives them their name, their ability to support the nations' apothecaries and physicks has been greatly reduced.
{{CaptionedImage|file=Oran_by_the_Sea.jpg|caption=The Celesti Lighthouse sits high on the headland overlooking Oran.|align=right|width=400}}

===Oranseri===
'''Qualities:''' Abandoned, Coastal, Impoverished<br>
Across the bay from billowing [[Madruga#Siroc|Siroc]] stands the thriving port town of [[#Oran|Oran]]. In recent years, the port has grown in prominence and prosperity; it served as the seat of power for the Grendel governor Lord Rahab during the Grendel occupation of the territory. Just outside Oran lies the great [[Celesti_Lighthouse_Keeper#The_Celesti_Lighthouse|Celesti Lighthouse]], originally constructed during the reign of [[Emperor Barabbas]] and recently repaired and restored to full functionality. It, too, was in the hands of the Grendel for several years but has now been restored.

West of Oran is the ''Scorrero Crossing''. The river Scorrero is wide and deep between Feroz and Madruga. During the Summer Solstice 383YE, the Grendel invaders attempted to take advantage of this by taking control of both bridges that connect the two Freeborn territories. Had they been successful, it would have been significantly harder for Imperial forces to move between Siroc and Oranseri. Their attempts were stymied, and ultimately became moot once the Scorrero [[Where_the_river_rises#Crossing|burst its banks]] and carried away all the existing bridges.

'''Joharra''' is a port south of Oran, considered much more stable than its northern cousin, and better known for its industry than its trade. Famous throughout the Empire for its cloth and dye-work, Joharra is called '' the Rainbow'' by coastal sailors who mark their progress round the coast with the first sight of the great billowing cloths hung out to dry on tall wooden frames along the low cliffs. As with the other settlements of Oran, the weavers and dyers here now labour under the yoke of the Grendel orcs.

==Strategic Considerations==
* '''The damage to the bridges along the Scorrero prevents movement between Feroz and Madruga'''
The damage to almost all the bridges along the Scorrero means that it is effectively impossible for an [[Army|army]] to move between Feroz and [[Madruga]] (or vice versa). More information can be found in the '''[[Where_the_river_rises#Crossing|Where the river rises]]''' wind of fortune.
<div style="float:left; width: 450px; clear: right;">{{CaptionedImage|file=Garviel i Abrira i Erigo.jpg|caption='''Garviel i Abrira i Erigo''', Senator for Feroz|align=left|width=500}}</div>
{{Senate Elections|Senator_for_Feroz|Territory=Feroz|Season=Summer|Controlled=is}}

==OOC Notes==
* As of the start of the Winter Solstice 387YE, the Iron Confederacy control the Cazar Straits, the Grendel control Morajasse, and the Brass Coast controls Afarjasse, Fontargenta, and Oranseri. Feroz is an Imperial territory
* [[#Mora's Rock|Mora's Rock]] is a rank two fortification controlled by the Grendel.
* The status of various titles and resources located in Feroz is outlined in more detail in [[To_curb_those_raging_appetites#Lost_Opportunities|To curb those raging appetites]], a Winter 383YE wind of fortune.

==Further Reading==
* [[Red skies]] - 387YE Winter wind of war about the Iron Confederacy invasion of the Cazar Straits
* [[Send for me]] - 386YE Winter wind of fortune about the rebuilding of Feroz
* [[Glass and flame]] - 386YE Autumn wind of war about the liberation of Feroz
* [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Spindrift|Winds of War 383YE Spring]] - Detailing the Grendel invasion
* [[383YE_Summer_Solstice_winds_of_war#The_World_is_Not_Enough|Winds of War 383YE Summer]]
* [[383YE_Autumn_Equinox_winds_of_war#Bronze|Winds of War 383YE Autumn]]
* [[Ratify_treaty_with_the_Grendel_Autumn_383YE#Treaty|Treaty]] - the Autumn 383YE treaty with the Grendel
* [[To curb those raging appetites]] - a Winter 383YE wind of fortune that details the situation for Freeborn in Feroz
* [[Everything has a price]] - a Winter 383YE wind of fortune that details the general situation with the Grendel, and has several notes about their presence in Feroz
* [[Bones in the ocean]] - a Winter 383YE wind of fortune that specifically deals with the [[#Isle of the Osseini|Isle of the Osseini]] and the justicars

Region qualities

2026-05-13T09:46:13Z

Rafferty: /* Islands */

==Overview==
Each region in a [[territory]] may have one or more qualities that describe key aspects or features, which may have important economic, strategic or magical considerations.

Some negative qualities have specific methods that the Empire can use to remove them. Without that, it is not possible to create, remove or change the quality of a region without an [[opportunity]] or an [[appraisal]] - they reflect the essential nature of the land.

==Geographic Qualities==
These qualities occur frequently and represent simple aspects of physical geography.

===Arid===
This region has little in the way of fresh water, with wells being valuable commodities. They are often also sparsely settled. Building permanent settlements in these regions is a challenge, as is establishing fortifications. All farms in a territory with at least one region that has the arid quality suffer a 1 rank penalty. The curses [[Rivers Run Red]] and [[Rivers of Life]] are ineffective in a territory whilst any region is arid. At present, no Imperial regions have this quality

===Coastal===
A ''coastal'' region does not simply border the sea or other large body of water, but has a sufficiently accessible shoreline to allow the construction of a [[shipyard]]. Such regions are also, by consequence, vulnerable to attacks by [[navy|navies]]. Coastal regions can be found in places such as the sprawling islands of [[Madruga#Free_Landing|Free Landing]], the smooth and fertile foothills of [[Redoubt#Naris|Naris]], and the storm-riddled clay slurries of [[Bregasland#North_Fens|North Fens]].

===Forest===
A ''forested'' region features large amounts of distinctive, often dense woodland. Whether the great stands of ancient oaks in [[Miaren#Goldglades|Goldglades]], the dense pine forests of [[Skarsind#Solvihill|Solvihill]] or the once-tainted vegetation of [[Liathaven#Westwood|Westwood]], the presence of large forests allows for casting of rituals such as [[Forge the Wooden Fastness]] and enables an Imperial [[Army_qualities#Guerrilla|guerrilla]] army to execute a ''hit and run'' order if the Empire controls the region.

===Hills===
A ''hills'' region is mountainous, home to sharp inclines, rough escarpments or similar forms of difficult terrain. Although this does not limit the ability of armies to traverse the territory, it has important implications for strategic magic such as [[Frozen Citadel of Cathan Canae]], and enables an Imperial [[Army_qualities#Guerrilla|guerrilla]] army to execute a ''hit and run'' order if the Empire controls the region. Examples include the cave-filled slopes of [[Morrow#Altis|Altis]], the magnificent peaks of [[Hahnmark#Kalpamark|Kalpamark]], and the rugged valleys of [[Kahraman#Braydon.27s_Jasse|Braydon's Jasse]].
===Islands===
An ''islands'' region is made up of large amounts of water and a number of discrete landmasses. It is commonly also coastal, for obvious reasons. A region of islands cannot be entered, left, moved through, or attacked by an [[army]], unless it is being transported by a [[navy]]. The most prominent examples are the coastal islands of [[the Brass Coast]] - the [[Feroz#Cazar Straits|Cazar Straits]] and [[Madruga#Free Landing|Free Landing]].

===Marsh===
A ''marshy'' region might contain swamps, bogs, fens, or similar wetland, sufficient for the casting of rituals such as [[Dripping Echoes of the Fen]], or for an Imperial [[Army_qualities#Guerrilla|guerrilla]] army to execute a ''hit and run'' order if the Empire controls it. These marshes can have tremendous diversity - compare the murky mangrove swamps of [[Therunin#East_Ashes|East Ashes]] to the misty bogs of [[Kallavesa#Rundhal_Marsh|Rundhal Marsh]] or the eerie grey meres of [[Bregasland#Grey_Fens|Grey Fens]].

Following the [[Light upon the water|supernatural storms]] of 384YE which turned [[Light_upon_the_water#Price_of_the_Marshes|large sections of the Empire's marshes into boggy swamps]], the labour costs of any commission built in a region with the ''marsh'' quality increase by one fifth.

==Historical Qualities==
These qualities reflect the history of a region; they are the by-product of human, orc or other creatures enacting their will upon the area.

===Abandoned===
The region has been abandoned by those who once lived there. As a result of the lack of people and the stubborn spirit amongst those who do still reside here, no mandate enacted by the Imperial Synod will affect a territory with an abandoned region. There are still people living in the region, but there are far fewer inhabitants remaining than once called this bustling territory their home. The one positive is that there are countless abandoned farms, mines, businesses and likewise scattered across the territory. As a result, any character of the correct nation who chooses to move their personal resource to a territory with a region that is abandoned does not have to pay the standard fee of two crowns. At present, Afarjasse, Cazar Straits, Fontargenta, Morajasse, and Oranseri of [[Feroz]] have this quality.

===Burnt===
Through a boon provided by the eternal [[Surut]], the forests of [[Liathaven#West_Ranging|West Ranging]] in [[Liathaven]] were consumed by an irresistible fire that left naught but grey ash in its wake.

===City===
The city quality denotes a large, established settlement, but it is more than just having a built-up population area or a large town. [[Necropolis#Coursmouth|Coursmouth]] has the city quality due to the dead city of [[Necropolis#The_Necropolis|the Necropolis]].

===Foreigners===
Some Imperial regions have large populations of foreigners living there.

===Haunted===
The sites of massacres and the sacred resting places of myriad heroes can develop a ''haunted'' atmosphere, where unquiet spirits restlessly stalk the land. These ghosts are not necessarily malign, but they often require specially trained individuals - such as the [[Highguard_religious_beliefs#Stewards_of_the_dead|stewards of the dead]] in Highguard - to safely keep them restful.

===Ruined===
The cruel reality of war can leave a once-prosperous region with little but ''ruins''. Such regions often bear a melancholy air, with the echoes of past glories fading with the further passage of time. Despite this devastation, such regions can be crucial for the casting of rituals such as [[The Basalt Citadel]].

==Political Qualities==
These qualities reflect current political events in a region; the result of social and economic events in the area over time. They are less durable than other qualities, more likely to come and go as a result of the most recent actions in the area.

===Impoverished===
An impoverished region has seen much of its wealth and assets stripped and sold; the plundered wealth gone. Being impoverished does make it cheaper to build new civilian commissions here. People are desperate for paid work, anything that might earn them enough to feed themselves and their families. Any [[Commission#Civilian_Commissions|civilian commission]] that is built solely in a region or regions that have the impoverished quality cost only one crown per wain, rather than the usual three. At present, Cazar Straits, Fontargenta, Morajasse, and Oranseri of [[Feroz]] have this quality.

===Lawless===
Bandits are a ubiquitous problem across the Empire, but the magistrates deal with them where they can. As a result, they rarely grow to the point where they threaten an entire region. A lawless region is infested with large bandit groups. Lawlessness is a problem for everyone - the threat of banditry is a terrible danger for any law-abiding citizen in the territory who cannot defend themselves from the bandits' depredations. It also impacts the [[Imperial treasury]] - the taxation provided by a territory does not increase naturally while any region remains lawless. That reflects the impact thieves, bandits, and pirates have on local businesses and resources, as well as the tendency of more established criminal groups to attack tax collectors directly. At present, only Morajasse of [[Feroz]] has this quality.

===Uncooperative===
An ''uncooperative'' region has some reason to make life difficult for Imperial armies stationed in the territory. Any Imperial army stationed in a territory has its upkeep increased by a tenth for every region that has the quality, and as long as any region has that quality the territory cannot support an Imperial army. At present, Eoradal, and Fleisardh of [[Mareave]] have this quality.

===Under-developed===
''Under-developed'' regions lack critical infrastructure. There are few roads or bridges over important rivers, and those that do exist are in poor condition or completely ruined. While the area may have natural resources, little has been done to develop them and there are few prosperous farms or businesses in the region. The presence of each under-developed region adds one-fifth to the labour costs of any commission in the territory. At present, no Imperial region has this quality.

===Under Threat===
Regions that are ''under threat'' are threatened by insurgent forces that are hostile to the controlling power. These partisans engage in acts of sabotage or carry out attacks designed to undermine whoever rules the area. If the region is attacked by a force aligned with the partisans, then the attackers are considered to have a beachhead - that is they do not suffer the usual penalties for [[War#Supply_Lines|supply lines]]. 

===Underpopulated===
There are relatively few inhabitants in an ''underpopulated'' region. While hostile geography may limit the number of people who dwell in a mountainous or barren region, this quality reflects a history of depopulation in an area that means it sustains far fewer people than it otherwise might. Any region that is under-populated contributes '''nothing''' to support the armies of whichever nation controls the territory. At present, Afarjasse, the Cazar Straits, and Morajasse of [[Feroz]] have this quality

==Magic Qualities==
These qualities are the result of unique magical effects afflicting a region. They may be the result of some ongoing curse or enchantment, or else the lingering effects that remain after powerful has run its course somewhere.

===Accursèd===
The presence of [[Spiral#The_Black_Plateau|{{Black Plateau}}]] in [[Spiral#Screed|Screed]], [[Spiral]] has left the region ''accursèd''. The {{Black Plateau}} appears to feed on negative emotions and amplify them, burgeoning the mind with hallucinations and oppressive, malign thoughts causing people to dwell on past failures, insults, and suspicions. Since the {{Black Plateau}} was [[382YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Leviathan_Wakes_.28Spiral.29|fully awakened]] shortly before the Spring Equinox 382YE, this quality has the following effects on Spiral:
* Every army fighting in the territory takes 25% additional casualties
* It is impossible to receive natural resupply in the territory
* Any army that spends the season in the territory will lose 5% of its maximum fighting strength over the course of that season even if it is not engaged
* Fleets, military units, businesses, and farms have their production reduced by a quarter
* The upkeep of Bourse resources is doubled

===Nightwoven===
The Druj have tainted the marshes of [[Zenith#Proceris|Proceris]] in [[Zenith]] with Night magic. As a result, any casting of [[Dripping Echoes of the Fen]] will increase the victory points necessary to claim the region by fifteen, up from ten.

===Poisoned===
A region might become ''poisoned'' through the working of foul magics, tainting the land with venomous creatures, treacherous foliage and the like. Each Imperial campaign army that moves through, or fights in, such a region suffers 250 casualties during that season of campaigning. The ritual [[Why Sulemaine Walked Away From The Baker]] protects an army from this effect, but orders have no effect to reduce these casualties.

Historically, the Druj have inflicted this quality on regions of [[Holberg]] and [[Carnival_of_rust#Ghostlight_.28Battle_Opportunity.29|attempted]] to do the same to [[Zenith#Proceris|Proceris]] in [[Zenith]]. The Druj managed to use the [[Ashes#Poison_and_Ashes_(Battle_Opportunity)|Sephals Cauldron]] in [[Therunin]] and as of the start of the [[Blood_and_mire#Game_Information:_Therunin|Autumn Equinox 386YE]] Lower Tarn Valley is poisoned. Druj armies are not entirely untouched by this quality, but suffer half the expected casualties.

===Vallorn===
The Spring-fuelled ''[[vallorn]]'', spawned from the disaster that ended the empire of Terunael, can infest regions with its rampant fecundity. Any such region falls out of Imperial control - it is not possible for civilisation as the Empire understands it to coexist with the overgrowth, miasma and strange monsters that the vallorn exudes.

===Watchful===
The [[The_Barrens#Heart_of_Peytaht|Heart of Peytaht]] in [[The Barrens]] has the ''watchful'' quality. Anyone who presses into the dense woodland feels uneasy, and reports the sense of being unwelcome and watched by an unseen force. Rumours abound that the forest is possessed by some sort of dark spirit, perhaps akin to the sovereigns of Varushka.

Attempts to explore the inside of the Heart of Peytaht have been met with failure. Any army moving through the region can expect to take significant casualties in doing so - it has been some time since a great force of Druj marched through it in 376YE, but corpses from it are still found hung by their entrails or huddled by the boles of massive trees, having died in great agony and terror.

Region qualities

2026-05-13T09:45:30Z

Rafferty: /* Hills */

==Overview==
Each region in a [[territory]] may have one or more qualities that describe key aspects or features, which may have important economic, strategic or magical considerations.

Some negative qualities have specific methods that the Empire can use to remove them. Without that, it is not possible to create, remove or change the quality of a region without an [[opportunity]] or an [[appraisal]] - they reflect the essential nature of the land.

==Geographic Qualities==
These qualities occur frequently and represent simple aspects of physical geography.

===Arid===
This region has little in the way of fresh water, with wells being valuable commodities. They are often also sparsely settled. Building permanent settlements in these regions is a challenge, as is establishing fortifications. All farms in a territory with at least one region that has the arid quality suffer a 1 rank penalty. The curses [[Rivers Run Red]] and [[Rivers of Life]] are ineffective in a territory whilst any region is arid. At present, no Imperial regions have this quality

===Coastal===
A ''coastal'' region does not simply border the sea or other large body of water, but has a sufficiently accessible shoreline to allow the construction of a [[shipyard]]. Such regions are also, by consequence, vulnerable to attacks by [[navy|navies]]. Coastal regions can be found in places such as the sprawling islands of [[Madruga#Free_Landing|Free Landing]], the smooth and fertile foothills of [[Redoubt#Naris|Naris]], and the storm-riddled clay slurries of [[Bregasland#North_Fens|North Fens]].

===Forest===
A ''forested'' region features large amounts of distinctive, often dense woodland. Whether the great stands of ancient oaks in [[Miaren#Goldglades|Goldglades]], the dense pine forests of [[Skarsind#Solvihill|Solvihill]] or the once-tainted vegetation of [[Liathaven#Westwood|Westwood]], the presence of large forests allows for casting of rituals such as [[Forge the Wooden Fastness]] and enables an Imperial [[Army_qualities#Guerrilla|guerrilla]] army to execute a ''hit and run'' order if the Empire controls the region.

===Hills===
A ''hills'' region is mountainous, home to sharp inclines, rough escarpments or similar forms of difficult terrain. Although this does not limit the ability of armies to traverse the territory, it has important implications for strategic magic such as [[Frozen Citadel of Cathan Canae]], and enables an Imperial [[Army_qualities#Guerrilla|guerrilla]] army to execute a ''hit and run'' order if the Empire controls the region. Examples include the cave-filled slopes of [[Morrow#Altis|Altis]], the magnificent peaks of [[Hahnmark#Kalpamark|Kalpamark]], and the rugged valleys of [[Kahraman#Braydon.27s_Jasse|Braydon's Jasse]].
===Islands===
An ''islands'' region is made up of large amounts of water and a number of discrete landmasses. It is commonly also coastal, for obvious reasons. A region of islands cannot be entered, left, or moved through by an [[army]], unless it is being transported by a [[navy]]. The most prominent examples are the coastal islands of [[the Brass Coast]] - the [[Feroz#Cazar Straits|Cazar Straits]] and [[Madruga#Free Landing|Free Landing]].

===Marsh===
A ''marshy'' region might contain swamps, bogs, fens, or similar wetland, sufficient for the casting of rituals such as [[Dripping Echoes of the Fen]], or for an Imperial [[Army_qualities#Guerrilla|guerrilla]] army to execute a ''hit and run'' order if the Empire controls it. These marshes can have tremendous diversity - compare the murky mangrove swamps of [[Therunin#East_Ashes|East Ashes]] to the misty bogs of [[Kallavesa#Rundhal_Marsh|Rundhal Marsh]] or the eerie grey meres of [[Bregasland#Grey_Fens|Grey Fens]].

Following the [[Light upon the water|supernatural storms]] of 384YE which turned [[Light_upon_the_water#Price_of_the_Marshes|large sections of the Empire's marshes into boggy swamps]], the labour costs of any commission built in a region with the ''marsh'' quality increase by one fifth.

==Historical Qualities==
These qualities reflect the history of a region; they are the by-product of human, orc or other creatures enacting their will upon the area.

===Abandoned===
The region has been abandoned by those who once lived there. As a result of the lack of people and the stubborn spirit amongst those who do still reside here, no mandate enacted by the Imperial Synod will affect a territory with an abandoned region. There are still people living in the region, but there are far fewer inhabitants remaining than once called this bustling territory their home. The one positive is that there are countless abandoned farms, mines, businesses and likewise scattered across the territory. As a result, any character of the correct nation who chooses to move their personal resource to a territory with a region that is abandoned does not have to pay the standard fee of two crowns. At present, Afarjasse, Cazar Straits, Fontargenta, Morajasse, and Oranseri of [[Feroz]] have this quality.

===Burnt===
Through a boon provided by the eternal [[Surut]], the forests of [[Liathaven#West_Ranging|West Ranging]] in [[Liathaven]] were consumed by an irresistible fire that left naught but grey ash in its wake.

===City===
The city quality denotes a large, established settlement, but it is more than just having a built-up population area or a large town. [[Necropolis#Coursmouth|Coursmouth]] has the city quality due to the dead city of [[Necropolis#The_Necropolis|the Necropolis]].

===Foreigners===
Some Imperial regions have large populations of foreigners living there.

===Haunted===
The sites of massacres and the sacred resting places of myriad heroes can develop a ''haunted'' atmosphere, where unquiet spirits restlessly stalk the land. These ghosts are not necessarily malign, but they often require specially trained individuals - such as the [[Highguard_religious_beliefs#Stewards_of_the_dead|stewards of the dead]] in Highguard - to safely keep them restful.

===Ruined===
The cruel reality of war can leave a once-prosperous region with little but ''ruins''. Such regions often bear a melancholy air, with the echoes of past glories fading with the further passage of time. Despite this devastation, such regions can be crucial for the casting of rituals such as [[The Basalt Citadel]].

==Political Qualities==
These qualities reflect current political events in a region; the result of social and economic events in the area over time. They are less durable than other qualities, more likely to come and go as a result of the most recent actions in the area.

===Impoverished===
An impoverished region has seen much of its wealth and assets stripped and sold; the plundered wealth gone. Being impoverished does make it cheaper to build new civilian commissions here. People are desperate for paid work, anything that might earn them enough to feed themselves and their families. Any [[Commission#Civilian_Commissions|civilian commission]] that is built solely in a region or regions that have the impoverished quality cost only one crown per wain, rather than the usual three. At present, Cazar Straits, Fontargenta, Morajasse, and Oranseri of [[Feroz]] have this quality.

===Lawless===
Bandits are a ubiquitous problem across the Empire, but the magistrates deal with them where they can. As a result, they rarely grow to the point where they threaten an entire region. A lawless region is infested with large bandit groups. Lawlessness is a problem for everyone - the threat of banditry is a terrible danger for any law-abiding citizen in the territory who cannot defend themselves from the bandits' depredations. It also impacts the [[Imperial treasury]] - the taxation provided by a territory does not increase naturally while any region remains lawless. That reflects the impact thieves, bandits, and pirates have on local businesses and resources, as well as the tendency of more established criminal groups to attack tax collectors directly. At present, only Morajasse of [[Feroz]] has this quality.

===Uncooperative===
An ''uncooperative'' region has some reason to make life difficult for Imperial armies stationed in the territory. Any Imperial army stationed in a territory has its upkeep increased by a tenth for every region that has the quality, and as long as any region has that quality the territory cannot support an Imperial army. At present, Eoradal, and Fleisardh of [[Mareave]] have this quality.

===Under-developed===
''Under-developed'' regions lack critical infrastructure. There are few roads or bridges over important rivers, and those that do exist are in poor condition or completely ruined. While the area may have natural resources, little has been done to develop them and there are few prosperous farms or businesses in the region. The presence of each under-developed region adds one-fifth to the labour costs of any commission in the territory. At present, no Imperial region has this quality.

===Under Threat===
Regions that are ''under threat'' are threatened by insurgent forces that are hostile to the controlling power. These partisans engage in acts of sabotage or carry out attacks designed to undermine whoever rules the area. If the region is attacked by a force aligned with the partisans, then the attackers are considered to have a beachhead - that is they do not suffer the usual penalties for [[War#Supply_Lines|supply lines]]. 

===Underpopulated===
There are relatively few inhabitants in an ''underpopulated'' region. While hostile geography may limit the number of people who dwell in a mountainous or barren region, this quality reflects a history of depopulation in an area that means it sustains far fewer people than it otherwise might. Any region that is under-populated contributes '''nothing''' to support the armies of whichever nation controls the territory. At present, Afarjasse, the Cazar Straits, and Morajasse of [[Feroz]] have this quality

==Magic Qualities==
These qualities are the result of unique magical effects afflicting a region. They may be the result of some ongoing curse or enchantment, or else the lingering effects that remain after powerful has run its course somewhere.

===Accursèd===
The presence of [[Spiral#The_Black_Plateau|{{Black Plateau}}]] in [[Spiral#Screed|Screed]], [[Spiral]] has left the region ''accursèd''. The {{Black Plateau}} appears to feed on negative emotions and amplify them, burgeoning the mind with hallucinations and oppressive, malign thoughts causing people to dwell on past failures, insults, and suspicions. Since the {{Black Plateau}} was [[382YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Leviathan_Wakes_.28Spiral.29|fully awakened]] shortly before the Spring Equinox 382YE, this quality has the following effects on Spiral:
* Every army fighting in the territory takes 25% additional casualties
* It is impossible to receive natural resupply in the territory
* Any army that spends the season in the territory will lose 5% of its maximum fighting strength over the course of that season even if it is not engaged
* Fleets, military units, businesses, and farms have their production reduced by a quarter
* The upkeep of Bourse resources is doubled

===Nightwoven===
The Druj have tainted the marshes of [[Zenith#Proceris|Proceris]] in [[Zenith]] with Night magic. As a result, any casting of [[Dripping Echoes of the Fen]] will increase the victory points necessary to claim the region by fifteen, up from ten.

===Poisoned===
A region might become ''poisoned'' through the working of foul magics, tainting the land with venomous creatures, treacherous foliage and the like. Each Imperial campaign army that moves through, or fights in, such a region suffers 250 casualties during that season of campaigning. The ritual [[Why Sulemaine Walked Away From The Baker]] protects an army from this effect, but orders have no effect to reduce these casualties.

Historically, the Druj have inflicted this quality on regions of [[Holberg]] and [[Carnival_of_rust#Ghostlight_.28Battle_Opportunity.29|attempted]] to do the same to [[Zenith#Proceris|Proceris]] in [[Zenith]]. The Druj managed to use the [[Ashes#Poison_and_Ashes_(Battle_Opportunity)|Sephals Cauldron]] in [[Therunin]] and as of the start of the [[Blood_and_mire#Game_Information:_Therunin|Autumn Equinox 386YE]] Lower Tarn Valley is poisoned. Druj armies are not entirely untouched by this quality, but suffer half the expected casualties.

===Vallorn===
The Spring-fuelled ''[[vallorn]]'', spawned from the disaster that ended the empire of Terunael, can infest regions with its rampant fecundity. Any such region falls out of Imperial control - it is not possible for civilisation as the Empire understands it to coexist with the overgrowth, miasma and strange monsters that the vallorn exudes.

===Watchful===
The [[The_Barrens#Heart_of_Peytaht|Heart of Peytaht]] in [[The Barrens]] has the ''watchful'' quality. Anyone who presses into the dense woodland feels uneasy, and reports the sense of being unwelcome and watched by an unseen force. Rumours abound that the forest is possessed by some sort of dark spirit, perhaps akin to the sovereigns of Varushka.

Attempts to explore the inside of the Heart of Peytaht have been met with failure. Any army moving through the region can expect to take significant casualties in doing so - it has been some time since a great force of Druj marched through it in 376YE, but corpses from it are still found hung by their entrails or huddled by the boles of massive trees, having died in great agony and terror.

Feroz

2026-05-13T09:42:10Z

Rafferty: /* Cazar Straits */

{{CaptionedImage|file=RegionsofFeroz.png|title=Southernmost of the Freeborn territories, lush but threatened by barbarians over land and sea|caption=Regions of Feroz|align=left|width=500}}[[Category:Gazetteer]][[Category:Grendel]][[Category:Imperial Territory]][[category:The Brass Coast]]
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== Overview ==
Feroz is the southernmost territory of the Brass Coast, and like Madruga has both isles and coastline. Here the climate is warm and humid, perfect for the cultivation of different plants. This is the home of the fabulous spice gardens of Feroz, a source of great revenue for the people of this territory. The seas are more treacherous here, and until recently the south and the west were constantly threatened by barbarians by land. As a result, many armed merchants patrol the seas, and groups of young warriors journeyed along the borders, fighting skirmishes against jealous foes.

There is a traditional rivalry between the families of Feroz and those of [[Madruga]] to the north. Madruga was the first settled territory of the Freeborn, and there is a popular stereotype that the people who live there are "stuck up". This stereotype is more humorous than hateful - the Freeborn move around too much to allow such prejudice to root itself too firmly in their psyche. Still, if a citizen of Feroz wants to insult a citizen of Madruga, they will fall back on accusations of arrogance and an over-reliance on tradition.

Some of the finest [[Surgical skills#Apothecary|apothecaries]] on the Brass Coast live in Feroz - the art of [[potion]] making has been studied here for centuries and there are a great many [[herb garden|herb gardens]]. The mainland is a criss-cross patchwork of [[farm|farms]] and small settlements - a great deal of food and drink is produced here and exported to other Freeborn territories.

==Recent History==
Being on the [[Bay of Catazar]], Feroz has always been under threat from the [[Grendel]] [[orc|orcs]]. In Spring 383YE, the orcs [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Spindrift|launched a naval invasion]], capturing [[#Oranseri|Oranseri]] and the [[#Cazar Straits|Cazar Straits]] in short order and making significant inroads into [[#Fontargenta|Fontargenta]]. The Grendel installed a grizzled old orc named ''Lord Rahab'' as overseer of the conquered land; he took up residence in the offices of the [[Scorrero Nets]] and quickly set about attempting to bring the rest of Feroz under his control. Part of their plan appeared to involve the ghosts of the [[#Isle of the Osseini|Isle of the Osseini]], but the scheme was countered by Imperial heroes travelling through the [[Sentinel Gate]] to exorcise the spirits and defeat the Grendel seeking to make use of them.

Undaunted by the loss of their supernatural weapon, the orcs kept up their assault. By Summer 383YE, they [[383YE_Summer_Solstice_winds_of_war#The_World_is_Not_Enough|sought to consolidate their gains in Fontargenta]]; they were opposed by [[Navarr]] and [[the Marches|Marcher]] [[Army|armies]], who held the Grendel at the town of [[#Fontargenta|Bramar]] for two days before being forced to retreat. They were able to slow the Grendel advance, however, leaving the orcs bogged down in Fontargenta and unable to press inland.

Following the engagement in Fontargenta, and battling under a powerful supernatural storm, the Grendel [[383YE_Autumn_Equinox_winds_of_war#Bronze|brought even more force]] to bear in the territory. While the Imperial armies were reinforced by [[Highguard|Highborn]] troops, the orc navies disgorged a great host of their own warriors. The fighting was bitter, but in the end Fontargenta fell - and as Fontargenta falls, so falls Feroz. While [[#Morajasse|Morajasse]] and [[#Afarjasse|Afarjasse]] remained free, the Grendel forces continued to mass along the coast.

During the Autumn Equinox 383, the [[Senate]] [[Ratify_treaty_with_the_Grendel_Autumn_383YE#Treaty|ratified a peace treaty]] with the Grendel. Presented by the [[Imperial Fleet Master]], among other things it [[Powers_of_the_Imperial_Senate#Concedence|ceded]] the two remaining regions of Feroz to the Grendel, albeit with provisions allowing Imperial citizens still in Morajasse and Afarjasse to withdraw to safety. Following the Equinox, Lord Rahab's forces spread out quickly to bring the two western regions under his control; Feroz was now [[To_curb_those_raging_appetites|completely under Grendel control]].

Just before the Autumn Equinox 386YE, the Imperial forces reconquered [[Glass_and_flame| reconquered Feroz]]. Possession of the territory is complicated by [[Children_of_Wrecks|Children of Wrecks]] as well as the remnants of the Grendel. Feroz has been run into the ground by Lord Rahab, eager to extract every drop of profit from the place, and it requires significant investment to return the territory to even a fraction of its former wealth.

== Major Features ==
===Oran===
The largest and most prestigious port was Feroz is Oran, on the northern coast of [[#Oranseri|Oranseri]]. Across the bay from billowing [[Madruga#Siroc_(Ruined)|Siroc]] this thriving port specialised in high-value products such as fine wines and spice mixes. Unsurprisingly, given its position, for most of its history it has engaged in low-key economic warfare with its larger cousin to the north - Oran notably has cheaper dock fees than Siroc, and a number of entrepreneurs prefer to operate here as a consequence. It is especially welcoming to those merchants who are just starting out, and has a reputation for being more energetic than its competitors to the north and south. This energy has been significantly boosted by construction of the only open [[#The Temple of Balo and the Black Bull|Asavean Temple]] in the entire Empire; the surge of [[Asavean Archipelago|Asavean]] ships visiting Oran saw the town expand significantly to become the largest trading port in Feroz.

In Spring 383YE, however, Oran was [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Spindrift|conquered by the Grendel]]. An orc governor, Lord Rahab, chose the town as the site for his court, converting the offices of the [[Scorrero Nets]] to his personal use. Among other things, this invasion saw the collapse of the [[Broken Shore Bounty]], the Scorrero Nets falling into orc hands, and the Temple of Balo and the Black Bull sealing its doors against the orcs while offering sanctuary to Freeborn families. Following the treaty signed during the Autumn Equinox, the Grendel opened Oran as a port [[Everything_has_a_price#A_New_Destination|available to Imperial captains]]. This situation persisted until the peace treaty ended, and war with the Grendel resumed.

After the Summer Solstice 386YE, Imperial forces swept into Oranseri to liberate the territory from the Grendel. They [[Glass_and_flame#The_Siege_of_Oran|laid siege]] to Oran, and were quickly victorious. The [[Below_the_thunders#Objective:_Eliminate_Governor_Rahab|recent death of Governor Rahab]] in battle with the Empire's heroes left the garrison demoralised and disorganised. It was a grievous victory, however. The fighting that raged through the town, the overwhelming assault, the barrage of catapult stones, all contributed to the fact that many of the buildings have been left in ruins, and many more damaged. A fire at the docks threatened to spread through the town and only the valiant actions of League soldiers managed bring it under control.

Proposals have been put forward to [[Send_for_me#Wharfage_of_Oran|rebuild Oran]], but it remains to be seen what the future holds for the port town.

===The Temple of Balo and the Black Bull===
During the Spring Equinox 380YE, permission was granted to the people of the [[Asavean Archipelago]] to construct a major temple to their gods in [[#Oranseri|Oran]]. Initially, construction was expected to be completed shortly before the Autumn Equinox 380YE, but the temple did not actually open its doors until shortly before the Spring Equinox 381YE. The town is seeing an influx of Asavean shipping bringing white granite and architects to the Brass Coast, as well as throwing crowns around like water to secure local labour to complete their project. Relations between the people of the Empire and the priests of Asavea are monitored by ''[[El oficial de enlace imperial con los sacerdotes de Balo y el toro negro]]'' ("The Imperial intermediary to the priests of Balo and the Black Bull"), who among other things is able to [[ministry|buy Asavean goods]] at a reduced price. During the Summer Solstice 380YE, the Assembly of Nine supported Abaddon de Rondell in [[Temple_of_the_bull#Resolution|denouncing]] the temple as an idolatrous affront, making it significantly harder for the Asaveans to find labourers prepared to work on the construction and both delaying its completion and laying a significant economic burden on the foreign priests.

The temple remained extremely controversial among Imperial priests. When Oran fell, however, the priests at the temple [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Sand|offered sanctuary]] to a number of Freeborn families in spite of Grendel unhappiness. In the following months, several of those families were smuggled to safety in Madruga, although an unknown number remain as guests at the temple. Despite this, however, it is clear that the Asaveans are more than happy to work with the new owners of Oran - indeed there are rumours that they have already recognised a Grendel as the [[Imperial Delegate to the Temple in Feroz|Delegate to the Temple in Feroz]]. This situation is no doubt being exacerbated by the Summer 383YE [[Through_my_sails#Ruined_Buildings|attack]] on the "sister temple" to the Black Bull, the temple of the Way in Nemoria.

'''OOC Notes:''' More details on the construction of the Temple of Balo and the Black Bull can be found in the winds of fortune, specifically [[Seven_lords_of_virtue#Temple_of_Bahlo_and_the_Black_Bull|Seven lords of virtue]], [[Those who worship#The Black Bull|Those who worship]], and [[Distant deeps]].

===Shantarim===
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In the southern islands of the [[#Cazar Straits|Cazar Straits]] stands the town of Shantarim, a [[corsair]] stronghold. The families here are known to engage in fierce competition with their northern rivals, not only in Madruga but also in [[#Oranseri|Oranseri]] and even the other islands of the Straits. Smaller than the town of Cazar, Shantarim has a reputation for being somewhat less cosmopolitan than the other towns of Feroz - visitors from mainland families sometimes encounter prejudice and suspicion. The families of Shantarim more than make up for their relatively small size with the enthusiasm with which they opposed the orcs of the Broken Shore. Prior to the peace treaty, they were loud supporters of the [[Freeborn Storm]], and the various raids against the Grendel. The signing of the peace treaty with the southern orcs has tied their hands - its no longer legal for them to fight the Grendel - which has been a major source of dissension in Shantarim.
<div style="float:right; width: 450px; clear: right;"><box>'''Justicars'''<br>The priests who previously lived on the Isle of the Osseini called themselves ''justicars''. Specialist exorcists and inquisitors in the pre-Imperial history of the Brass Coast, they specialised in driving out malign spirits or cleansing unpleasant auras from people, places and objects. Never particularly populous, their sanctuary on the Isle of the Osseini was all but wiped out by the Grendel. A handful remained elsewhere, and during the Autumn Equinox 383YE the Freeborn assembly [[383YE_Autumn_Equinox_Synod_judgements#Judgement_22|called on them to come together to preserve their traditions]]. A small enclave of justicars was established on the Isle of Osseini at the sufferance of the Grendel.</box></div>

=== Isle of the Osseini ===
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At the southern tip of the [[#Cazar Straits|Cazar Straits]], the island was known for its heavy sea fog, its ghosts, and for a small sect of priests famed for their knowledge of the arts of exorcism. Foreigners claimed the Isle was haunted by those who had died at sea at the hands of the corsairs of Shantarim, but most Freeborn had no truck with such foolishness. In 383YE, however, it became clear these tales of ghosts were more than just idle gossip. During the Spring Equinox of that year, a [[Grendel]] shaman attempted to unleash a ghostly legion of drowned orcs bound in some fashion to white granite pillars on the island against the defenders of Feroz. Before they could do so they were [[383YE_Summer_Solstice_winds_of_war#The_World_is_Not_Enough|thwarted by Imperial heroes]] who reached the isle via the [[Sentinel Gate]]. Once the heroes retreated, the status of the island, the pillars, and the remaining priests was unknown.

Then in Autumn 383YE, as part of the negotiations that led to the peace treaty with the Grendel, a contract was negotiated with the orc diplomat regarding the Isle of the Osseini. In the wake of that agreement, a small group of priests were allowed to visit the Isle with a Grendel escort. There they discovered the remaining priests were dead, the ghost-binding pillars had been destroyed, and the island was in the hands of a coven of Grendel magicians. The orcs had already constructed a permanent residence there built around a particular Winter regio, and were less than welcoming to the Freeborn. Further negotiations followed; in the end the Freeborn were allowed to establish a small enclave here, under the careful watch of the Grendel.

'''OOC Note:''' You can learn more about the Isle of the Osseini in the [[Bones in the ocean]] wind of fortune.

=== The Spice Gardens of Feroz ===
In western [[#Morajasse|Morajasse]] stand the legendary Spice Gardens of Feroz - a set of heavily-walled enclosures covering several acres where the finest spices in the Empire are grown. A rich source of trade for whoever controls the gardens, the [[Imperial title]] of [[Keeper of the Spice Gardens]] has changed hands between families only a handful of times in the last few centuries, and the bargaining leading up to a new appointment has regularly involved the whole nation.

The peace treaty of Autumn 383YE that ceded control of Morajasse to the Grendel saw the Spice Gardens fall into the hands of the orcs. If there is any solace to be taken from this development, it is that the Grendel appreciate fine spices as much as any Freeborn so it is unlikely that they will want to harm these legendary Gardens. On the other hand, some Freeborn find the idea of their beautiful spice gardens being operated by Grendel slaves particularly heinous.

===The [[Scorrero Nets]]===
The Scorrero Nets were a Bourse resource located in [[#Oranseri|Oranseri]], seized by the Grendel in Spring 383YE as part of their conquest of Feroz. Custodianship of the Nets was an [[Imperial Title]] that brought with it a Seat on the [[Bourse]]. In Winter 384YE, a [[Drums_beat_in_my_head#The_Scorrero_Nets|daring plan]] was proposed to "steal" the nets by establishing the [[Cerevado Nets]] upriver in [[Segura]]. As a consequence, this Bourse resource ceased to exist, much to the chagrin of the Grendel governor Rahab.

===The Broken Shore Bounty===
The [[Broken Shore Bounty]] was a Bourse resource that was technically located in the [[#Cazar Straits|Cazar Straits]] inasmuch as the holder of the [[Bourse]] seat has the use of a fortified villa in the hills near Cazar. The actual [[ilium]] that the seat provided was sourced throughout the Bay of Catazar; a portion of all ilium claimed from the nets of Freeborn, [[the League|League]], [[Highguard|Highborn]], and [[Urizen|Urizeni]] nets is claimed as part of the Bounty. It produced 7 rings of ilium each season and was allocated during the Spring Equinox.

When the Cazar Straits fell to the Grendel, they also seized the offices of the Broken Shore Bounty. Despite a [[Four_strong_winds#Broken_Shore_Bounty|proposal to move the offices]], the resource fell into disarray, the ilium ending up split between the Imperial Fleet Master and the Bourse Auction. With the ratification of the Grendel peace treaty, this title and resource effectively ceased to exist.

===Mora's Rock===
Built as part of the grand project to create [[fortification|fortifications]] across the southern Empire in response to the threat of the [[Grendel]], Mora's Rock in [[#Morajasse|Morajasse]] was completed in the months following the [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Bravado|invasion of 383YE]]. The fortification squats above the town of Mora, guarding against invasion from [[Segura]], and providing garrisons and scouts who can offer resistance to assaults from the sea.

When Morajasse was ceded to the Grendel in Autumn 383YE, they took control of the fortification and later expanded it significantly. The fortification resisted the [[Glass and flame|liberation]] of the territory, and as of the beginning of 387YE remains under the control of the Grendel. The garrison is led by ''[[Glass_and_flame#The_Shadow_of_Mora's_Rock|Commander Gallum Fiersach]]'', ably supported by his partner, the ''Wind Lord Saoirse''. The garrison there includes a warband of veteran [[Elite_Grendel_troops#The_Stone_Born|Stone Born]], and the remainder appear to be very experienced soldiers. These Grendel are enemies of the Empire, obviously, but that did not prevent them acting to [[A_circle_sewn_with_fate#The_Battle_of_Oran|protect Oran]] from the Children of Wrecks in early 387YE. There has been some talk of encouraging the Grendel to continue to protect the beleaguered Feroz from raiders. Whatever else is true about the orc garrison, they appear to be a very disciplined group of soldiers with little love for the servants of [[Siakha]].

==Regions==
===Afarjasse===
'''Qualities:''' [[Region_qualities#Abandoned|Abandoned]], [[Region_qualities#Underpopulated|Underpopulated]]<br>
In the middle of nowhere, on the plains of Afarjasse, is the quiet settlement of '''Afar'''. It was established by [[hakima]] with close ties to the [[Guerra]] tribe near a potent [[regio]] tied to the realm of Night. It is a faraway place dedicated to the practice of [[rituals|ritual magics]] that support the Freeborn. It is not hard to reach, but it stands alone in a sea of sprawling grasslands and does not encourage casual visitors. On nights when powerful magics are performed, Afar is visible for miles around - great bonfires are built and massive drums used to build powerful rhythms to help raise (or draw down, or both) the passionate energy for powerful workings.

As with the rest of Feroz, Afarjasse spent two years in the hands of the Grendel. The governor, Lord Rahab, made it clear that the hakima here would not be permitted access to their potent regio - they were after all an important strategic resource. The region has been liberated now, but is in the same dire straits as the rest of the territory.

===Cazar Straits===
'''Qualities:''' Abandoned, Coastal, Impoverished, Island, Underpopulated<br>
For most of the Brass Coast's history, the islands of the Cazar Straits were dominated by [[corsair]] families. The largest settlement remains the port town from which the islands take their name - high-cliffed '''Cazar''' - but in recent years it has changed hands several times and is a shadow of its former self. Built around a bustling dock, it served as a safe harbour and home port for many of the [[fleet|fleets]] that protected the Bay from barbarian ships. The holder of the [[Broken Shore Bounty]] used to have the use of a fortified villa in the hills near Cazar, and the civil service offices that oversaw the resource were based here. Both were lost to the Grendel, then to the [[Children of Wrecks]], and in the last months of 387YE, to the [[Iron Confederacy]].

Even before the Children of Wrecks arrived, several of the more southerly islands of the Straits had a reputation for peculiarity. The corsairs of [[#Shantarim|Shantarim]] for example were renowned both for their enthusiastic rivalry with all other corsair families, and the zeal with which they waged war on the Grendel. The [[#Isle of the Osseini|Isle of the Osseini]] is also found here, once home to a sect of strange priests, allegedly haunted by the ghosts of drowned pirates, then the site of an uneasy truce between orc magicians and Freeborn priests. Towards the end of the peace treaty with the Grendel, however, a fleet of warships from the [[Asavean Archipelago]] slaughtered the justicars of Osseini and ruined the town of Shantarim. When the Children of Wrecks claimed the region, there was precious little left for them to destroy.

Today, the waters around the Cazar Straits remain treacherous. In part this is due to the presence of dozens of immature kraken hatched in the waters by the Children of Wrecks.

===Fontargenta===
'''Qualities:''' Abandoned, Coastal, Impoverished<br>
The trading port of '''Bramar''' stands on the coast here. Surrounded by rich agricultural land, its bountiful cornfields once competed with [[the Marches|Marcher]] grain in markets across the southern nations of the Empire, and their vineyards were justly famous. Before the Grendel invasion it served as an important hub for the Imperial wine trade, with many excellent vintages passing through its docks - both from the Brass Coast to the rest of the world, and from the rest of the world to the Brass Coast (and thus the Empire). Lord Rahab has left the region devastated, and it remains to be seen if the farms here will ever recover.

===Morajasse===
'''Qualities:''' Abandoned, Impoverished, Underpopulated<br>
The largest town in prosperous Morajasse is '''Mora'''. Once simply a spice market, the barbarian invasion of [[Segura]] saw a burst of rapid militarisation of this peaceful settlement. Refugees are common here: some supported by their families, others looking to work in the market. With the liberation of the western territory, a strange reversal took place - the pool of desperate labourers has largely dried up with refugees returning to their homes.

Immediately following the [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Bravado|invasion of Feroz]] in 383YE, work was completed on a [[fortification]] at the town of Mora, [[#Mora's Rock|Mora's Rock]]. The fortification served the defenders well, but with the ratification of the peace treaty it was taken over, and expanded, by Grendel troops. It now serves as the base of operations of ''Wind Lord Saoirse'' and her partner ''Commander Fiersach'', as well as a sizable force of Grendel veterans.

Western Morajasse is the site of the great [[#The Spice Gardens of Feroz|Spice Gardens]]. The [[Vizier of the Incarnadine Satchel]] was often quite active in Feroz, occasionally dealing with agents of the Spice Gardens or traders from the Jewelled Isles. Following the Grendel treaty, the offices that supported the Vizier with easy access to reasonably priced herbs has dried up - while they are still notionally the owner of the miraculous satchel that gives them their name, their ability to support the nations' apothecaries and physicks has been greatly reduced.
{{CaptionedImage|file=Oran_by_the_Sea.jpg|caption=The Celesti Lighthouse sits high on the headland overlooking Oran.|align=right|width=400}}

===Oranseri===
'''Qualities:''' Abandoned, Coastal, Impoverished<br>
Across the bay from billowing [[Madruga#Siroc|Siroc]] stands the thriving port town of [[#Oran|Oran]]. In recent years, the port has grown in prominence and prosperity; it served as the seat of power for the Grendel governor Lord Rahab during the Grendel occupation of the territory. Just outside Oran lies the great [[Celesti_Lighthouse_Keeper#The_Celesti_Lighthouse|Celesti Lighthouse]], originally constructed during the reign of [[Emperor Barabbas]] and recently repaired and restored to full functionality. It, too, was in the hands of the Grendel for several years but has now been restored.

West of Oran is the ''Scorrero Crossing''. The river Scorrero is wide and deep between Feroz and Madruga. During the Summer Solstice 383YE, the Grendel invaders attempted to take advantage of this by taking control of both bridges that connect the two Freeborn territories. Had they been successful, it would have been significantly harder for Imperial forces to move between Siroc and Oranseri. Their attempts were stymied, and ultimately became moot once the Scorrero [[Where_the_river_rises#Crossing|burst its banks]] and carried away all the existing bridges.

'''Joharra''' is a port south of Oran, considered much more stable than its northern cousin, and better known for its industry than its trade. Famous throughout the Empire for its cloth and dye-work, Joharra is called '' the Rainbow'' by coastal sailors who mark their progress round the coast with the first sight of the great billowing cloths hung out to dry on tall wooden frames along the low cliffs. As with the other settlements of Oran, the weavers and dyers here now labour under the yoke of the Grendel orcs.

==Strategic Considerations==
* '''The damage to the bridges along the Scorrero prevents movement between Feroz and Madruga'''
The damage to almost all the bridges along the Scorrero means that it is effectively impossible for an [[Army|army]] to move between Feroz and [[Madruga]] (or vice versa). More information can be found in the '''[[Where_the_river_rises#Crossing|Where the river rises]]''' wind of fortune.
<div style="float:left; width: 450px; clear: right;">{{CaptionedImage|file=Garviel i Abrira i Erigo.jpg|caption='''Garviel i Abrira i Erigo''', Senator for Feroz|align=left|width=500}}</div>
{{Senate Elections|Senator_for_Feroz|Territory=Feroz|Season=Summer|Controlled=is}}

==OOC Notes==
* As of the start of the Winter Solstice 387YE, the Iron Confederacy control the Cazar Straits, the Grendel control Morajasse, and the Brass Coast controls Afarjasse, Fontargenta, and Oranseri. Feroz is an Imperial territory
* [[#Mora's Rock|Mora's Rock]] is a rank two fortification controlled by the Grendel.
* The status of various titles and resources located in Feroz is outlined in more detail in [[To_curb_those_raging_appetites#Lost_Opportunities|To curb those raging appetites]], a Winter 383YE wind of fortune.

==Further Reading==
* [[Red skies]] - 387YE Winter wind of war about the Iron Confederacy invasion of the Cazar Straits
* [[Send for me]] - 386YE Winter wind of fortune about the rebuilding of Feroz
* [[Glass and flame]] - 386YE Autumn wind of war about the liberation of Feroz
* [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Spindrift|Winds of War 383YE Spring]] - Detailing the Grendel invasion
* [[383YE_Summer_Solstice_winds_of_war#The_World_is_Not_Enough|Winds of War 383YE Summer]]
* [[383YE_Autumn_Equinox_winds_of_war#Bronze|Winds of War 383YE Autumn]]
* [[Ratify_treaty_with_the_Grendel_Autumn_383YE#Treaty|Treaty]] - the Autumn 383YE treaty with the Grendel
* [[To curb those raging appetites]] - a Winter 383YE wind of fortune that details the situation for Freeborn in Feroz
* [[Everything has a price]] - a Winter 383YE wind of fortune that details the general situation with the Grendel, and has several notes about their presence in Feroz
* [[Bones in the ocean]] - a Winter 383YE wind of fortune that specifically deals with the [[#Isle of the Osseini|Isle of the Osseini]] and the justicars

Madruga

2026-05-13T09:13:04Z

Rafferty:

[[Category:Imperial_Territory]][[category:The Brass Coast]]
{{Stub}}
<div style="float:left; width: 600px; clear: left;">{{CaptionedImage|file=Madruga_Made_Anew.png|align=left|caption=Artist's Impression of Madruga|width=600}}</div>[[Category:Gazetteer]]
== Overview ==
Madruga of the Jewelled Isles is the easternmost territory of the Brass Coast, running from the [[Kahraman]] mountains down to the Bay of Catazar. Down the coast of Madruga and [[Feroz]] the [[corsair|corsairs]] and merchants raise their sails, running goods to [[Bastion]] and [[Sarvos]], trading with foreign powers, and fighting off barbarian incursions.

It is the most densely settled of the Freeborn territories; the nation began here, with the landing of the three sisters and their families at old [[#Atalaya|Atalaya]]. Over generations, their descendants spread across the mainland building and cultivating, until Madruga was tamed. Today, it is scattered with villages and small towns - the sprawling city [[#Siroc (Ruined)|Siroc]] at its height rivalled the cities of [[the League]] in size and wealth.

It is the spiritual home of the [[Corsair|corsairs]]; many maritime families have lived on the islands of [[#Free Landing|Free Landing]] and [[#Calvos Sound|Calvos Sound]] since the earliest days of the Freeborn nation.

The history of Madruga is one of change, however. The [[Grendel]] have attacked the islands and towns here for centuries; usually their fleets are intercepted at sea before they can do too much damage, but there have been times when their raiders have sacked coastal settlements. For a few harrowing months in the years before the foundation of the Empire, the Grendel swept inland here conquering [[#Lightsea|Lightsea]] and the islands, and threatening to burn Siroc. They were turned back after months of vicious fighting, but the memory of their attack is sometimes credited by historians as being a factor in the decision of the Freeborn to join the Empire. Since the disappearance of [[Empress Lisabetta|Imperatrix Lisabetta]], life in the territory has become even more tumultuous, with regular Grendel attacks compounded with deadly magical chaos.
==Recent History==
After the Autumn Equinox 381YE, the [[Grendel]] armada invaded Madruga. They [[381YE Winter Solstice winds of war#To_Fool_The_Crowd|destroyed the Freeborn Storm]], burnt the [[Madruga#The_Atalaya_Shipyards_.28Ruined.29|Atalaya shipyards]], and brought the [[Black Thorns]] to the brink of annihilation. Their forces then moved against [[Madruga#Lightsea|Lightsea]], raided the port of Quzar, and within short order half the coast of Madruga was in their hands. The Empire responded quickly, driving the Grendel out, but it was only a matter of time before they returned.

Shortly before the Winter Solstice 381YE, the [[Lorenzo%27s_Legacy#Blood_Red_Roads|Blood Red Roads]] were completed, providing merchants and traders easy access to Freeborn luxuries and allowing the caravans of the Brass Coast to travel much more easily to some of the wealthiest cities across the Empire. For more than half a decade the roads provided a major boon to the [[farm|farms]] and [[business|businesses]] of the territory. In the Winter of 386YE, however, the Imperial Senate determined to [[386YE_Winter_Solstice_Senate_sessions#Levy_Tolls_on_Blood_Red_Roads|levy tolls]] on traffic using the road, meaning they no longer increase the income of individual citizens but provide a significant boost to the Imperial Treasury, in part to pay for the war against the [[vallorn]].

In the Winter of 385YE, the Grendel returned to Madruga in force, accompanied by warships from the [[Asavean Archipelago]]. In a surprise attack, they [[A beacon of smoke|burnt the city of Siroc]], and established a beachhead in what was then Siroc Plains. In the coming months, war and powerful [[Spring magic]] battered the region, culminating in the [[A_beacon_of_smoke#Save_the_Shining_Pillar_(Battle)|destruction of the Silent Pillar]] and the formation of the [[Children of Wrecks]]. The [[Siakha]]-inspired pirates began a rampage of their own, even going so far as to use Spring magic to isolate the islands of Free Landing, turning them into a stronghold of their own that Imperial armies cannot approach.

As if this were not bad enough, a [[Colourblind|peculiar blight]] began to spread across the [[#Quiet Grasses|Great Grasses]] in the north-east. The grasslands were quickly turned to ash and dust, and the desiccating [[Winter magic]] threatened to spill over into [[Kahraman]] and [[Segura]]. The cause of the spreading desert was discovered to be a generations-old conspiracy of the ''Aldea di Tutamen'' family who had become awful harbingers of destruction called the Dry Patricians. Their awful threat was stopped by Imperial heroes, but the blight remained.

Then in Autumn 386YE, ritual magicians from every Freeborn [[tribe]] raised the wrath of the Scorrero river, causing it to [[Where the river rises|break its banks]] in a cataclysmic expression of [[Spring magic#Ruin|ruin]] and [[Spring magic#Chaos|chaos]]. A cleansing tide swept across the Great Grasses, washing away the remnants of the blight. In the process, however, the magical floods also transformed the southern reaches of the territory, leaving three new regions that, as the Winter Solstice 386YE approaches, are still being carefully explored.

== Major Features ==
===Trajadoz===
The town of Trajadoz in north-western [[#Torres|Torres]] was founded roughly three hundred years ago by the Trajaduz family of traders who were intent on fostering trade between the mines of newly conquered [[Kahraman]] and the wealth of [[Sarvos]]. The most recent influx of townsfolk was during the invasion of [[Segura]] in 363YE. Since the reclamation of Segura in 378YE it stood mostly empty, save for a few bandits, as the Freeborn returned to their homes. Following the end of the rebellion in Marracoss and Emphedor Imperial fleet captains had an opportunity to [[Through_my_sails#Evacuation|evacuate some of the defeated rebels]]. Roughly a third of the refugees, offered sanctuary in the Empire, have [[Large_but_far_away#Asavea|taken up residence]] in the mostly abandoned town, and created a community.

The Marracossans (never Nemorians, and rarely accepting Asavean) are a disparate group; made up of priests and soldiers, crafters and traders. One of their number Leonorada Rousseau, [[Asavean_Archipelago#Religion|priest of Aseus]], has spent some time in the paradors of nearby [[#Calvos Sound|Calvos]]. They have made clear that they, and their community, like the Empire, and they like the town of Tradajoz. They wish to remain in the town, but Leonorada understands that the community's intent to continue following and worshipping their gods could lead to some unfortunate accusations. In Winter 384YE, the Imperial Senate [[Cede Trajadoz|ceded control of Trajadoz]] to the Nemorians. This has raised a few concerns among their neighbours as it frees them to build temples to their gods if they wish - and indeed to do anything else they want to do. You can read more about the Marracossans in the '''[[Large_but_far_away#Asavea|Large but far away]]''' wind of fortune.
===Calvos===
The bustling town of Calvos lies on the shores of [[#Calvos Sound|Calvos Sound]]. The slopes outside the town are rich with grapes, and the fine wines produced here travel all over the Empire. Even the sommeliers of the [[The League|League]] pay well for a Calvos vintage. The [[Paragons and Exemplars|exemplar]] [[Zemress|Zemress i Ezmara i Erigo]] was born here towards the end of the second century YE, and her ship ''The Kraken's Bane'' is housed at a special dry dock here. The ship is a destination for many pilgrims of [[Prosperity]] from as far afield as the [[Sumaah Republic]], as was the nearby [[Zemress#The_Seminary_of_Zemress|Seminary]] before it was destroyed in a [[Below_the_thunders#In_Roaring,_Rise|cataclysmic storm]]. Near the seminary ruins stands the [[Hand of Guerra#House of Guerra|House of Guerra]], a place dedicated to supporting refugees to the Empire, especially those who seek a new family among the Freeborn, and the [[#Zemress Naval Academy|Zemress Naval Academy]] (also known as the School of Blood and Brass) where the Freeborn study maritime warfare and the construction of warships.
===Zemress Naval Academy===
[[#Calvos|Calvos]] is the final resting place of the Kraken's Bane, the legendary vessel captained by the exemplar [[Zemress]]. When people fled [[Feroz]] following the Grendel occupation, many of those who looked to Zemress chose to settle in Calvos, drawn by the [[Zemress#The_Seminary_of_Zemress|Seminary of Zemress]] (before it was destroyed). They swelled the ranks of the faithful and created a unique opportunity to build a ''School of Naval Warfare'' on the Coast. Similar to the ambitious [[Focused_and_methodical#The_School_of_Shipbuilding|School of Shipbuilding]] originally [[Focused_and_methodical#The_School_of_Shipbuilding|proposed for Siroc by Frederick di Sarvos]], it is more limited in its scope and focussed purely on teaching and research.

The school allows the Freeborn to delve deep into the practice and theory of [[navy|naval warfare]], allowing them to disseminate newly developed techniques across the Brass Coast and the Empire. Each year the researchers at the school present three possible [[Army qualities|qualities]] that new Imperial navies might be built with. The [[fleet|fleet owners]] of the Brass Coast are then able to vote on which quality they felt was most important - whichever quality wins becomes the focus on their research. Such research often takes a year or more, but once work is complete the Freeborn can again vote on what project to being next (researchers present a new quality to consider, usually alongside the two previously rejected options).

It's notable that several of visiting [[Sumaah]] präster pointed out that if the Empire were prepared to share any new naval techniques they learned with the Republic, then that would be very well received by their fellow adherents of the Way. The Sumaah apparently have two navies of their own, but they are outclassed by the Asaveans, in much the same way that the Empire struggle to compete with the Grendel navies. Redressing that balance would be a huge boost to diplomatic relations with the Sumaah.
{{Anchor|The Lyceum}}

=== The Lyceum (Hidden)===
The Lyceum was established during the reign of [[Empress Aenea]] on an island east of Siroc. It is a centre of arcane learning in the Empire, and the [[Dean of the Lyceum]] maintains sumptuous apartments here. Approach to the island is carefully controlled by the magicians and professors, and the most promising magicians are invited to study or teach there.

During the Winter Solstice 385YE, Imperial heroes [[A_beacon_of_smoke#Intercede_at_the_Lyceum_(Battle)|travelled to the Lyceum]] to protect its secrets from the Grendel who sought to claim them. In the process, they activated powerful wards that hid the island behind a wall of fog preventing barbarian or Imperial ships from reaching it. The walls were expected to remain until shortly before the Winter Solstice 386YE, but with both the Grendel and the Children of Wrecks threatening the college, the [[Conclave]] accepted an offer from [[Sadogua]] to help [[386YE_Autumn_Equinox_Conclave_sessions#Alignment:_Sadogua,_Amity|keep the wards up for the time being]] with an eye towards finding a way to get people in and out, and perhaps make the misty wards permanent.

===Atalaya===
The town of Atalaya in [[#Free Landing|Free Landing]] marks the place where the Brass Coast was born; the first landing of the three sisters and their families. Built around the side of a secluded cove, the seas around the island that share its name are a navigational nightmare. Before the [[#The Shining Pillar (Destroyed)|Shining Pillar]] was built, reaching the hidden docks of Atalaya was a feat to tax the most skilled ship's crews. Today, the landwards channel has been widened but is protected by hidden obstructions that only the Freeborn pilots know well. Atalaya is also known for its deep natural harbour - many ships of the Freeborn fleet count Atalaya as their home port.

Atalaya is the oldest Freeborn settlement in the Brass Coast, but its prominence was eclipsed centuries ago by [[#Lightsea|Quzar]]. Today, it is a place of pilgrimage for many Freeborn followers of [[the Way]] - there are a number of shrines and temples dedicated to [[Pride]] and [[Vigilance]] here. The [[Vizier_of_the_Incarnadine_Satchel#School of the Sanguine Bloom|School of the Sanguine Bloom]], one of the most prestigious schools dedicated to herb-lore in the Brass Coast also stands here, founded long ago by Sameen i Riqueza, youngest daughter of [[Riqueza]] herself.

With the rise of the [[Children of Wrecks]], the oldest settlement of the Freeborn has been lost to the nation. The museums have been looted, and the once beautiful town transformed into a den of pirates.

===Freeborn Flame Marina===
Work began on the [[Construct_Atalaya_Harbour|reconstruction]] of Atalaya harbour following an opportunity [[The_power_behind_our_moves#Atalaya|presented]] after the National Assembly of the Brass Coast called on the people of Feroz to flee the territory rather than suffer under the hands of the Grendel. Work was completed shortly before the Spring Equinox 385YE and the abundance of willing, talented shipwrights meant [[fleet|fleets]] were more easily upgradeable, at least until the Brass Coast reclaim Feroz. Unfortunately, along with Atalaya, the Freeborn Flame Marina is currently in the hands of the Children of Wrecks.

On the harbour, looking out to sea, are a number of statues each one different but reminiscent of contemporary Freeborn.

===Sunset Roads===
{{Anchor|South-West Roads}}With encouragement from the notoriously sea-averse Faraden, a grand highway connects Siroc with Calvos, cutting across the territory rather than following the coast. A shorter road runs along the northern banks of the Scorrero, crossing just north of [[Segura#Cerevado|Cerevado]] in [[Segura]] via a beautiful arched bridge of white granite. While the road is used extensively by the Faraden, it also serves to cut the journey time from the northern borders of Madruga to the trading city of Siroc, making it a popular route for Freeborn and League merchants as well.

The Sunset Roads are a [[great work]] that complement the already existing [[Lorenzo's Legacy#Blood Red Roads|Blood Red Roads]], bringing increased prosperity to the owners of [[farm|farms]] and [[business|businesses]] in Madruga.

=== The Spider's Dream ===
An elegant bridge spans the river Vassa, connecting [[#Torres|Torres]] to the town of [[Sarvos#Bocche|Trivento]] in Sarvos. It is a marvellous piece of engineering that resembles a spider's web. The [[Spider%27s_Tollkeep#The_Spider%27s_Dream|Spider's Dream]] has significant strategic importance - without it armies cannot cross the Vassa between Sarvos and Madruga without going north and passing through Tassato and the Mournwold. It is overseen by the [[Spider%27s_Tollkeep|Spider's Tollkeep]], an [[Imperial title]] uniquely appointed by both the [[senator|senators]] of the League and the Brass Coast together.

The Spider's Dream was once severely damaged by the [[Jotun]], but has since been extensively rebuilt and fortified.

==Regions==
<div style="float:right; width: 600px; clear: right;">{{CaptionedImage|file=MadrugaBorders.png|caption=A very rough region map of pre-transformation Madruga|align=right|width=600}}</div>
===Calvos Sound===
'''Quality:''' Coastal<br>
The town of [[#Calvos|Calvos]] stands on the shores of Calvos Sound; the entire [[territory#regions|region]] is named for the great shallow bay that cuts into the eastern shores of the Brass Coast. The waters of the Sound are prime fishing grounds, and the surrounding slopes are known for their rich agriculture, especially grapes, grapefruits, and pomegranates. At the end of the [[Imperial_history#.28281_YE_-_300_YE.29_The_Second_Interregnum|second interregnum]], Calvos Sound was the site of a vicious engagement between [[Grendel]] raiders and the forces of the [[Red_Wind_Corsairs#History|Red Wind Corsairs]]. Despite catastrophic losses, the Freeborn army held. Close to breaking they were forced to retreat, but the campaign achieved its purpose by convincing the nations of the south that the threat from the Grendel was real, events that would eventually lead to the elevation of [[Empress Deanne]]. To this day, many of the people of Calvos Sound have a notable antipathy for the orcs of the Broken Shore.
===Lightsea===
'''Quality:''' Coastal<br>
A well-settled region known for the friendliness of its [[The_Brass_Coast_economic_interests#Paradors|paradors]]. The largest settlement here is '''Quzar''', a bustling port town of white towers and stained glass that is sometimes described as the soul of the Brass Coast. The Towers of Quzar are known as a gathering place for [[hakima]] from all across the nation - an annual "council" meets here every midsummer to share knowledge and gossip. Since the completion of the [[Hakima_of_Salt_and_Sand#Parador_of_Salt_and_Sand|Parador of Salt and Sand]], a large community of hakima, including a significant number of refugees from Feroz, have taken up permanent residence here. The town is now best known for its community of magicians, especially those versed in [[Autumn magic]].

Many of the coastal settlements here were plundered by the Grendel during their incursion toward the end of 381YE. Quzar in particular was hard hit by the orc raiders, with some damage to the town and significant damage to the wealth of the citizens. A year later toward the end of 382YE potent magic [[The_mystic,_the_willful#Miracles_in_Lightsea|restored the town]], wiping away any sign the Grendel were ever there.
===Torres===
The northernmost region of Madruga, and one end of the [[#The Spider's Dream|Spider's Dream]]. The land here is a little more rugged than in the southern regions, and the climate is generally cooler. The people who dwell here share some of the reputation of the miners of [[Kahraman]]; as being suspicious and quarrelsome. Partly this reputation might be a result of regular clashes between Freeborn traders and [[the League|League]] merchants out of [[Sarvos]]. A regular 'problem' for the inhabitants is that League merchants would prefer to travel south to the more prosperous towns of the eastern coast to sell their wares, bypassing the markets of Torres. It is shameful to admit, but there are more incidents of brigandry against League caravans in Torres than in almost any other area around the Bay of Catazar. When such incidents get out of hand, the [[Spider's Tollkeep]] is often prevailed upon to sort them out.

The town of [[#Trajadoz|Trajadoz]] is found in the north-west of Torres. Formerly a home to Freeborn displaced from Kahraman and Segura, it is now home to a very different group of refugees - Marracossan exiles from the [[Asavean Archipelago]].
===Free Landing===
'''Quality:''' Coastal, Island<br>
The sprawling islands that form the region of Free Landing are diverse and well-settled. The islands here were the first home of the Freeborn - the town of [[#Atalaya|Atalaya]] marks the spot where the Brass Coast proper began. When the Grendel invaded Madruga in Winter 381YE, they looted many precious relics from the town of Atalaya and burnt the shipyard there to the ground. In the process, they destroyed the Freeborn [[navy|navy]], the Freeborn Storm.

The waters between the islands have a reputation for being treacherous and difficult for foreign captains; during the reign of [[Empress Aenea]] the Empire built a great lighthouse here called '''[[#The Shining Pillar (Destroyed)|the Shining Pillar]]''', which was [[The_cry_of_gulls#The_Darkened_Beacon|destroyed]] by forces loyal to the eternal [[Siakha]] during the Winter Solstice 385YE. In its place, a perpetual churning maelstrom serves as a way for servants of the eternal to enter the mortal world and functions as an effective [[fortification]] defending the Children of Wrecks.

The waters around Free Landing have become treacherous due to the presence of dozens of immature kraken hatched in the waters by the Children of Wrecks. As a result, the region has gained the '''island''' quality, it cannot be attacked by armies unless each army is accompanied by a navy capable of conveying the soldiers across.{{Anchor|Great Grasses}}

===Quiet Grasses===
* '''Qualities:''' Quiet
The Great Grasses were consumed by the Blight, but have now been restored thanks to the surging Spring waters. They are marked not only from the flooding of the Scorrero, but from a year or more of gentle rain conjured with [[Regrow the Land's Heart]]. Where once there was a sea of jade and emerald grasses, and then a lifeless desert of ash and dust, there is now a profusion of plants and flowers. The grass is different to that which grew before, standing easily taller than the tallest soldier and remarkably resistant to damage. Where the thickets of grass are densest, it is slow going trying to make headway and all too easy to get lost. In addition to the grasses, there are large numbers of broad, open meadows covered in ''flameblooms'' - a mass of previously unseen flowers that grow in a profusion of shapes and a riot of reds, oranges, yellows, and an extremely rare white petalled variety.

There is an odd silence to the Grasses now. The grasses seem to eat sounds, causing the cries of circling hawks to fall flat, and even the blaring of horns sounds tinny and can be heard over comparatively short distances. Even the wind whispers as it flows across the plains. Some scouts tagged the place as the "Quiet Grasses," and while the name may have begun as a wry commentary, it has quickly spread. Magicians say that this silence is partly due to a lingering touch of Winter magic - not the harsher resonances [[Winter_magic#Death|death]] or [[Winter_magic#Survival|survival]] but something less tangible - a sense of sadness, loss, or perhaps the [[Winter_magic#Wisdom|wisdom]] that comes from an awareness of [[Winter magic#Ending|ending]], tinged with the wistfulness for the [[Winter_magic#Preservation|way things were before]].
{{Anchor|Siroc Plains}}

===Siroc Bayou===
* '''Qualities:''' Marsh, Coastal, Ruins, Wild, Underpopulated, Enigmatic
The region that was once Siroc Plains is now the [[Madruga#Siroc Bayou|Siroc Bayou]]. Slow moving streams and lakes of brackish water characterise the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bayou bayou]. The river itself, and the gulf between Madruga and Feroz, teem with fish and other creatures. The fury of the Scorrero, already mitigated by the Crucible, loses itself in meandering, shifting streams as it makes its way to the [[Bay of Catazar]]. Here and there, ruined Freeborn settlements and structures emerge from the marshes, or stand surrounded by still pools of water. Even though the flooding that transformed the region are quite recent, many of these ruins look as if they have stood in the marshes for decades, heavily overgrown with odd plant growths. Others are more intact, often serving as lairs for the transformed creatures of the marsh. When the river rose, this region was under control of the Grendel, and [[Below_the_thunders#The_Latter_Fire|battle raged]] between the orcs and Imperial forces. The Grendel have since withdrawn almost all their forces, but there are still signs of abandoned encampments here. Some of the Broken Shore troops were left behind as well, and it seems that in the absence of any easy means of escape they have taken up banditry.

The City of Sails, poor ruined [[Madruga#Siroc (Ruined)|Siroc]], is now lost beneath the waters of the Bay, or consumed by the marsh. There is no chance of rebuilding - there is little left to rebuild on. There is apparently some interest in the [[Sarcophan Delves]] in [[Hyenas_and_herbs#Hyenas_Under_Sail|purchasing salvage rights]] to the ruins, but only once the [[Children of Wrecks]] problem is resolved.

===Crucible===
* '''Qualities:''' Marsh, Wild, Underpopulated, Enigmatic
The new region of Madruga, north of the Scorrero, was once the southern Great Grasses and the western Siroc Plains. This place has been most obviously transfigured by the unleashed magic, and the odd haze reported by scouts is most pronounced here. Even the least magical explorer can sense that there is magic here; a mixture of Spring magic from the flood and the influence of [[Ossegrahn]], or Night magic tinged by the gifts of [[Azoth]], and even a hint of lingering [[Winter magic]] from the Dry Patricians and their Blight. There are reports of a few Grendel camps here as well, scouts trapped behind enemy lines when the flood rushed in.

Scouts report that this area is where the peculiar ''marsh flowers'', some of which possess magical properties, are most abundant. There also seem to be spontaneously occurring sources of [[vis]] here - [[Vis#Warm Honey|warm honey]], [[Vis#Heart's Blood|heart's blood]], and [[Vis#Crystal_Fire|crystal fire]]. In addition, there are a number of oddities - things that either were not here before of have been changed so much as to be effectively new. There is apparently a tower that rises out of the river itself and changes subtly over a course of several days, which puts viewers in mind of a lighthouse despite being miles from the Bay of Catazar. There is a standing pool of ebony water that does not reflect humans or orcs; anything staring into it sees only a monstrous image of themselves. A fountain in the courtyard of an old parador that once stood by the road along the banks of the Scorrero that now flows with rainbow waters; drinking from them by moonlight can prompt a transformation in unlineaged humans such that they unpredictably gain [[briar]], [[naga]] or [[draughir]] [[lineage]].

==Strategic Considerations==
* '''The damage to the bridges along the Scorrero prevents movement between Madruga and both Feroz and Segura'''
The damage to almost all the bridges along the Scorrero means that it is effectively impossible for an [[Army|army]] to move between Madruga and both [[Feroz]] and [[Segura]] (or vice versa). More information can be found in the '''[[Where_the_river_rises#Crossing|Where the river rises]]''' wind of fortune.
==Special Qualities==
===Enigmatic===
* '''Rituals and curses cast on enigmatic regions will be unpredictable and may have more powerful effects'''
* '''Rituals and curses cast on territories with an enigmatic region may be unpredictable or have more powerful effects'''
* '''Such rituals can be made permanent using 2 rings of ilium per magnitude rather than 3'''
* '''Any commission in an enigmatic region can substitute wains of mithril for weirwood or white granite on a one-for-one basis'''
Two of the new regions are marked with a unique quality - ''Enigmatic''. This means the areas are infused with magic of Spring, Winter, and Night. As a consequence, any magic from those realms that operates on the territory level (or the Empire level), or targets the region with this quality, may have unexpected effects. This is not guaranteed - sometimes the ritual will have no noticeable extra impact. Sometimes, however, the impact of the magic will be enhanced in some way - more powerful or more extreme than expected. Even the wisest Unfettered Mind can't say more than that. ('''OOC Note:''' A ritual enchantment or curse will always at least equal or exceed its normal mechanical effect. The magic might be altered but it would never simply be the same effect but ''less'' powerful.)

Any Spring, Winter, or Night ritual that targets a region with a specific quality can target Crucible or Siroc Bayou. For example, even though neither region has the [[forest]] quality, both can be targeted with [[Forge the Wooden Fastness]] or [[Thunderous Tread of the Trees]]. The form the magic takes may be transformed or altered in unpredictable ways (for example, [[Mountain Remembers Its Youth]] cast on one of these regions is likely to cause a cloud of toxic marsh fog rather than volcanic gas).

If [[Dripping Echoes of the Fen]] is cast on a region with the enigmatic quality, the victory points necessary to claim the region are increased by fifteen, up from ten.

If [[The Basalt Citadel]] or [[Forge the Wooden Fastness]] are cast on a region with the enigmatic quality, the resulting battalion or wards will be enhanced such that they provide an additional one thousand effective strength, to four thousand or five thousand strength, respectively.

If the [[Drawing the Penumbral Veil|Penumbral Veil]] is drawn over a territory where at least one region has the enigmatic quality, its effective magnitude is increased by 10 - the same would apply to any [[Vale of Shadows]] created anywhere in Madruga.

Any territory-wide enchantment or curse, or enchantment or curse targeting one of the two regions is easier to [[Ilium#Using_ilium_in_rituals|make permanent]]. Rather than requiring three rings of [[ilium]] for each magnitude of the effect, it only requires ''two'' rings of ilium per magnitude. The Unfettered Mind scholars warn that this should be approached with some caution - enchantments and curses are rarely meant to be made permanent and experimentation should be done on the understanding that there will be unlooked for side effects. In particular they warn against assuming that a ritual that works one way when cast on Madruga will have the same effect if made permanent with ilium. It might... but it is impossible to be sure given the wildness of the magic coalescing here. Also, if recent events have shown nothing else, this warning is even more significant when dealing with an effect that draws on the power of an eternal.

Any commission built in an enigmatic region can take advantage of the strange magical qualities of the region to substitute mithril for white granite or weirwood on a one-for-one basis. The amount of mithril used must be specified in the details of the commission; it cannot be substituted later. The necessary details should include a description of how mithril, and Freeborn glass, replace traditional building materials. All such structures will have elements of the weird and uncanny about them. Construction that arises from an [[opportunity]] may or may not be possible in an ''enigmatic'' region - the best thing to do is to email [mailto:plot@profounddecisions.co.uk plot@profounddecisions.co.uk] to confirm it is possible.

Finally, during any trip through the [[Sentinel Gate]] that involves an encounter in Madruga, any participating character with the [[Magical skills#Magician|magician]] skill finds that they have two additional personal mana available. These mana points are the first used when spellcasting, and cannot be replenished. They last until used, or until the next sunrise. The bonus mana is gained only once in the rare situation where the same magician visits Siroc Bayou or Crucible more than once during a summit.

===Quiet===
* '''It is not possible to create a commission that produces liao in a region with the quiet quality or any commission that has a musical basis'''
* '''It is not possible to create an inspirational location in this region'''
* '''Any conjunctions in this region will experience the "quiet" roleplaying effect'''
* '''Appraisal could be used to find ways to exploit the benefits of the quiet region'''
The Quiet Grasses have the ''quiet'' quality. Sounds are a little muted here, and even loud noises fall off more swiftly. Passions and emotions are also muted in a similar fashion, causing travellers and settlers to feel a little more restrained. It's easy and satisfying to embrace emotions such as sadness, sorrow, or regret. These effects are not especially overt - only sensitive individuals are really aware of them. It is, however, impossible to create a [[commission]] that produces [[liao]] in a region with the quiet quality, or any commission that has a musical basis. Inspirational locations cannot be created in such a region, and conjunctions here will experience the "quiet" roleplaying effect. This means that during a skirmish or encounter in a region with the Quiet quality, a character with [[Heroic skills#Hero|hero points]] must have a [[Roleplaying_effects#Overcoming_Roleplaying_Effects|source of spiritual strength]] (or spend a hero point) to overcome the roleplaying effect, or they cannot spend hero points to power their abilities or magic items.

An [[appraisal]] could be used to find ways to exploit the benefits of a quiet region.

===Wild===
* '''A wild region is harder for armies to conquer, requiring 15 rather than 10 victory points to take the region'''
* '''Wild regions never count as undefended for purposes of generating victory points'''
Crucible and Siroc Bayou have the ''Wild'' quality. Even if there are no other forces present in the territory, attacks against either of the two regions will not benefit from the undefended bonus. Furthermore, the land itself defies easy conquest - so much so that each region will require a total of 15 victory points, rather than the more usual 10, to conquer. The good news is that this difficulty will persist - anyone attempting to conquer these regions in the future will face additional challenges.
===Underpopulated ===
* '''These regions will not contribute to army supply unless the quality is removed'''
The two southern regions of the new marsh also have the [[Send_for_me#Underpopulated|underpopulated]] quality, and it is tricky to see how that might be removed. The regions are rich, but they defy easy habitation. The people who once lived here have fled Grendel occupation, dire thirst, and the raging river - most have found new homes in northern Madruga. The marshes are also an environment alien to most Freeborn people. Exploring the marshes and claiming the odd wonders there is certainly possible, but it will be a significant undertaking to encourage people to permanently settle in these regions. Siroc Bayou is the best bet for removing this quality, perhaps finding a way to merge traditional Freeborn architecture with such innovations as Kallavesi stilt-dwellings, or establishing a settlement built on pontoons. Even so, there's no chance of such a settlement reaching the size of a city such as Siroc. Trying to populate Crucible will be even harder, if it is even possible.
<div style="float:left; width: 450px; clear: right;">{{CaptionedImage|file=Eulàlia i Phovas i Riqueza.jpg|caption='''Eulàlia i Phovas i Riqueza''', Senator for Madruga|align=left|width=500}}</div>
{{Senate Elections|Senator_for_Madruga|Territory=Madruga|Season=Winter}}
==OOC Notes==
* As of the start of the Summer Solstice 387YE, the Children of Wrecks control Free Landing, the Brass Coast controls Calvos Sound, Lightsea, Torres, and Quiet Grasses. Crucible and Siroc Bayou are uncontrolled. Madruga is an Imperial territory.
* The territory has regions with several odd qualities, most significantly the [[#Enigmatic|enigmatic]] quality that affects commissions and ritual effects across the whole of Madruga. The '''[[Made_anew#Sing_of_Tides|Made Anew]]''' wind of fortune contains more detail of the peculiar inhabitants of the southern marshes
* The maelstrom that now occupies the site of the [[#The Shining Pillar (Destroyed)|Shining Pillar]] serves as defensive wards controlled by [[Siakha]]. These wards provide 4,000 strength towards determining victory and inflicting casualties, but only if Free Landing is directly attacked. The wards do not suffer casualties - there are always more Siakhan heralds and monsters to contend with - and it is not possible to enchant them, nor support them with military units.

==Lost and Ruined==
{{Anchor|Siroc}}
=== Siroc (Ruined) ===
The Sapphire, the City of a Thousand Sails, was acknowledged as the pre-eminent city of the Freeborn. The city was said to have been founded by the [[Guerra]] family shortly after the Freeborn came to the Brass Coast. It lay in Madruga close by the border with [[Feroz]]. Brightly coloured tents extended Siroc out far beyond the small cluster of stone buildings that made up the heart of the city. Sails of all shapes and sizes filled the sheltered bay, which was guarded by a series of iron woven nets and chains bought at great expense from the forges of Wintermark.

Siroc was the site of the '''Glass Parador''', where the [[Mistress of the Glass Parador]] held court. It was also the location of the ''Parador of the Kindled Flame'', an [[folly|orphanage]] whose [[Construct Parador of the Kindled Flame|construction]] was overseen by '''Laughlan Vi Temeschwar''', the first [[Master of Rings]]. One of only a small number of permanent stone structures of any size in the City of a Thousand Sails, it was surprisingly understated and utilitarian with the only notable decoration being a small plaque at the entrance bearing the legend “''In Virtue we remember those who watch over others''", and a list of names of those who helped construct the sanctuary.
{{CaptionedImage|file=Parador.jpg|caption=The City of A Thousand Sails was home to many fine paradors.|title=Art by Beth Dooner|align=right|width=500}}
It was also the site of the [[#Commonwealth Embassy (Ruined)|Commonwealth Embassy]], a severe structure that represented the Commonwealth's diplomatic relationship with the Empire.

The city prospered for centuries, but following the Autumn Equinox 385YE it was [[A beacon of smoke|burned to the ground]] by the Grendel and their [[Asavean Archipelago|Asavean]] allies, apparently in retaliation for the Empire's role in the [[Mosaic|destruction of the city of Chalonsio]] in Asavea. While some of the stone buildings survived, the majority of the structures were wood and canvas, and were destroyed by fire. The transforming flood that swept through the territory towards the end of 386YE sealed Siroc's fate - those ruins not sinking into marsh mud are lost beneath the waters of the Bay, and any hope of restoring the city to its former glory is gone.
===Commonwealth Embassy (Ruined)===
The [[Ambassador to the Commonwealth|Commonwealth Embassy]] was located in [[#Siroc (Ruined)|Siroc]]. It consisted of several buildings built after the severe Commonwealth style, which stood in beautifully laid out and maintained gardens, surrounded by a low white granite wall. Despite the severity of the architecture, the embassy was surprisingly welcoming - the gates stood permanently open, albeit under the watchful gaze of a cadre of Commonwealth soldiers attached to the staff of ambassador Mila Eisenfalke. The majority of the staff were human, although there were apparently half a dozen orcs whose role on the ambassadorial staff is not clear. There were no daeva citizens working at the embassy as far as Imperial observers can make out. When the city of Siroc was attacked by the Grendel and their Asavean allies, almost all the soldiers garrisoned here perished while fighting bravely alongside the Freeborn defenders of the Salt Guard.
===The Salt Guard (Ruined)===
{{CaptionedImage|file=Destruction of the Shining Pillar.jpg|caption=The destruction of the Shining Pillar was heartbreaking for many Freeborn.|title=Art by Juniper Orton|align=right|width=450}}
A grand [[fortification]] [[The_same_bed#The_Salt_Guard|designed]] by Menno van Ritsjhof comprised of two stout fortifications on either side of the bay along the approach to Siroc. Each fort is equipped with powerful trebuchet and catapults. A garrison of skilled mariners and corsairs ensures the towers are always ready to respond to any threat, and with the significant reinforcement of the existing iron chains and nets that guard the harbour they are extremely effective against shore offensives. He believes that not only will a sea assault against Siroc be made nigh impossible, but that the garrisons of the two towers would also be in a position to protect the Lyceum which lies to the south-east of Siroc proper.
{{anchor|The Atalaya Shipyards}}

===The Atalaya Shipyards (Ruined)===
Following a [[Construct_Madruga_shipyard|motion]] at the first [[Senate]] session in Winter 376YE, work began to expand the docks of Atalaya. Under the guidance of Miroslav, Senator for the [[The League|League]] city of [[Sarvos]], many wains of white granite and weirwood were committed to building both a massive seawall, and a great Imperial shipyard equipped with drydocks, powerful cranes for loading and unloading, and expanded warehouses and work spaces. Completed shortly before Autumn 377YE, the shipyard provided significant benefits to the Freeborn [[fleet|ships]] based in Madruga. In addition, the facilities here proved sufficient to allow the construction of the first [[navy]] since the days of [[Emperor Barabbas]]; [[Raise_Freeborn_navy|work]] began on constructing Freeborn vessels in Winter 378YE.

It is perhaps fitting that when the [[Grendel]] invaded Madruga after the Autumn Equinox 381YE, and [[381YE_Winter_Solstice_winds_of_war#To_Fool_The_Crowd|destroyed the shipyard]] the Freeborn Storm was [[Navy_orders#Put_to_Port|put to port]] and shared the same fiery fate as the docks where it was created.
===The Shining Pillar (Destroyed)===
Built in [[#Free Landing|Free Landing]], this massive white-and-gold tower was one of the most prominent landmarks in the Empire. It was often adopted by Freeborn sailors as a symbol of the Brass Coast as a whole; when they can see the beacon of the Shining Pillar, they knew they were home. The grand lighthouse echoed the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lighthouse_of_Alexandria Lighthouse of Alexandria] in design, rather than more modern tall cylindrical towers, and was constructed of white granite. Mithril mirrors captured and amplified the light of the fire burning atop it, which was kept burning by a cadre of attendants who lived in the tower.

During the Grendel [[A beacon of smoke|invasion of Madruga]] in Winter 385YE, the Shining Pillar was [[A_beacon_of_smoke#Save_the_Shining_Pillar_(Battle)|annihilated]] by the servants of [[Siakha]], and the [[A_beacon_of_smoke#Objective:_Rescue_the_Beacon_Watch|Beacon Watch]] were slaughtered. The terrible rites performed there not only destroyed the lighthouse and drowned the rocky island on which it was built, but they [[The_cry_of_gulls#The_Darkened_Beacon|apparently tore open]] a terrible maelstrom, something akin to a [[fane]] for Siakha allowing the eternal to send their servants to the [[Bay of Catazar]]. Where once a shining beacon stood, a terrible maw now gapes.

==Further Reading==

Keeper of Berislav's Rest

2026-05-12T13:25:40Z

Rafferty: /* Powers */

<div style="float:right; width: 300px; clear: left;">{{CaptionedImage|file=Blackdamp.jpg|caption=[[Night Below|Blackdamp]] claimed the vale as part of an agreement to consume the Shepherds of Ash|align=right|width=300}}</div>
==Overview==
The Keeper of Berislav's Rest was an [[Imperial title]] awarded to a [[Varushka|Varushkan]] citizen. It was a national position appointed by the Varushkan senators. The position served as a [[sinecure]], requiring minimal responsibility but offering a regular income drawn from the profits generated by the people of the vale.

Following a [[Out_of_the_abyss#Gift_Giving_(Conjunction)|meeting]] with either the sovereign known as [[Night Below]] or one of its servants, the mines that supported the vale were given to the Shadow-in-shadows as part of the bargain to destroy the [[Eclipse#Shepherds_of_Ash|Shepherds of Ash]].

Now, a stone wall stands across the entrance to the mine that brought so much prosperity to the isolated vale. It has been cut and carved with two faces, one looking out toward the daylight, one hidden within looking down into the depths of the mine where the liquid darkness now pools and flows, and if those two faces might look familiar to those who know the last Keeper of Berislav's Rest, perhaps it is a coincidence. Perhaps it is a way of honouring the one whose agreement sealed the ruin of the vale.

==Responsibilities==
The Keeper of Berislav's Rest had no particular responsibilities; they simply received a stipend of rings from the Vale of Berislav's Rest in Volodmartz. If the Vale were threatened in any way, it was the responsibility of the Keeper to deal with those threats.
__NOTOC__
==Powers==
The Keeper used to receive an income from the vale, but when Berislav's Rest became accursed, that income was lost.


==The Last Keeper of Berislav's Rest==
<div style="float:right; width: 350px; clear: left;">
<table>
<tr><th style="background-color: LightBlue;">Summit</th><th style="background-color: LightBlue;">Elected</th></tr>
<tr><td>Winter Solstice 384YE</td><td>Ostrik Vulpe</td></tr>
<tr><td>Autumn Equinox 381YE</td><td>Goran Berislavin Kovacevic</td></tr>
</table></div>
This title is no longer being elected as the seat it oversaw is not in Imperial hands. The table to the right shows the citizens who have been elected to hold this title in the years since Empress Britta died.
<div style="float:left; width: 450px;">
{{CaptionedImage|file=Ostrik11793.jpg|caption='''Ostrik Vulpe''' (right), last Keeper of Berislav's Rest|align=left|width=450}}</div>
[[Category:Varushka]]

Keeper of Berislav's Rest

2026-05-12T13:25:18Z

Rafferty: /* Income */

<div style="float:right; width: 300px; clear: left;">{{CaptionedImage|file=Blackdamp.jpg|caption=[[Night Below|Blackdamp]] claimed the vale as part of an agreement to consume the Shepherds of Ash|align=right|width=300}}</div>
==Overview==
The Keeper of Berislav's Rest was an [[Imperial title]] awarded to a [[Varushka|Varushkan]] citizen. It was a national position appointed by the Varushkan senators. The position served as a [[sinecure]], requiring minimal responsibility but offering a regular income drawn from the profits generated by the people of the vale.

Following a [[Out_of_the_abyss#Gift_Giving_(Conjunction)|meeting]] with either the sovereign known as [[Night Below]] or one of its servants, the mines that supported the vale were given to the Shadow-in-shadows as part of the bargain to destroy the [[Eclipse#Shepherds_of_Ash|Shepherds of Ash]].

Now, a stone wall stands across the entrance to the mine that brought so much prosperity to the isolated vale. It has been cut and carved with two faces, one looking out toward the daylight, one hidden within looking down into the depths of the mine where the liquid darkness now pools and flows, and if those two faces might look familiar to those who know the last Keeper of Berislav's Rest, perhaps it is a coincidence. Perhaps it is a way of honouring the one whose agreement sealed the ruin of the vale.

==Responsibilities==
The Keeper of Berislav's Rest had no particular responsibilities; they simply received a stipend of rings from the Vale of Berislav's Rest in Volodmartz. If the Vale were threatened in any way, it was the responsibility of the Keeper to deal with those threats.
__NOTOC__
==Powers==


==The Last Keeper of Berislav's Rest==
<div style="float:right; width: 350px; clear: left;">
<table>
<tr><th style="background-color: LightBlue;">Summit</th><th style="background-color: LightBlue;">Elected</th></tr>
<tr><td>Winter Solstice 384YE</td><td>Ostrik Vulpe</td></tr>
<tr><td>Autumn Equinox 381YE</td><td>Goran Berislavin Kovacevic</td></tr>
</table></div>
This title is no longer being elected as the seat it oversaw is not in Imperial hands. The table to the right shows the citizens who have been elected to hold this title in the years since Empress Britta died.
<div style="float:left; width: 450px;">
{{CaptionedImage|file=Ostrik11793.jpg|caption='''Ostrik Vulpe''' (right), last Keeper of Berislav's Rest|align=left|width=450}}</div>
[[Category:Varushka]]

Volodmartz

2026-05-12T12:53:06Z

Rafferty: /* Livardz */

{{CaptionedImage|file=RegionsofVolodmartz.png|caption=Rich in timber and bottomless mines|title=Regions of Volodmartz|align=left|width=500}}
== Overview ==
Mountainous Volodmartz is rich in timber and deep mines. There are comparatively few vales here, and the boyars have a reputation for being particularly iron-fisted. Much more common are [[Varushka Economic Interests#Outposts|outposts]], scattered across the brooding hills and growing rich from the mineral wealth they exploit. Both tend to be very well fortified, and not without reason. There are dark things in the Volodmartz mountains, and plenty of folk tales tell of malign horrors that burrow under them, emerging without warning to overwhelm the foolish, especially on Winter nights when the [[Sermersuaq#Northern lights|northern lights]] dance in the sky. An equally worrying threat is that posed by the northern [[Thule]] barbarians who sometimes strike down through the north-eastern forests. As recently as 376YE a major offensive was launched through the northern mountains in an attempt to secure a beachhead near [[#Brez|Void]]; it is very unlikely to be the last.

The [[Volodny]] had their old centre of power in Volodmartz, and it was here that [[Alderei_the_Fair|Alderei the tyrant-boyar]] was defeated by the Imperial Army. The ruins of several strongholds still lie beneath the forest canopy. One of the most vicious battles took place in the foothills of the [[#Opascari|Opascari]] mountains at what is now a valuable [[#The Hunt of Alderei the Fair|weirwood forest]]. This vital strategic asset, the largest source of weirwood in Varushka, was essential to the support of the tyrant-boyar's armies. The penultimate, savage battle of the Imperial campaign against Alderei took place here; after the forest was lost, his forces were forced to fall back towards [[#Murupa|Alderei's Run]] in Murupa, where they finally met their end.

==Recent History==
Following the [[Thule]] invasion of [[Karsk]] in 368YE, probing assaults were made against [[#Livardz|Livardz]] and [[#Suvretz|Suvretz]]. These were turned back by Imperial forces, but the threat of further attacks has never been ruled out. The northern barbarians certainly covet the valuable resources of Volodmartz; in the Summer of 377YE an attempt was made to create a [[War#Creating_a_Beachhead|beachhead]] in the north near the vale of [[#Void|Void]] - almost certainly a strike not only against the mana sites and libraries of the [[Varushka_magical_traditions#Cabalists|cabalists]] but against the [[#The Granites of Veltsgorsk|Granites of Veltsgorsk]]. The expeditionary force was scattered by a force of Imperial heroes, and a follow-up campaign by Imperial forces wiped out the survivors, stymieing the attempted invasion.

== Major Features ==
=== Triosk ===
A riverside town in [[#Livardz|Livardz]], with a fish-dam and low bridge that has always been the main land route into Karsk. Once a hotbed of support for Alderei the Fair on the edge of what was then Varushka, and the scene of savage fighting in the war against his forces. Empire armies laid siege to it and burnt the original town to the ground. The tyrant-boyar sallied forth before the final assault, and gathered those still loyal from across Volodmartz and the wilds to his final battle to the north. Today, the town serves as something of a crossroads; a trade hub that serves travellers from [[Karsk]], [[Miekarova]], and [[Karov]].

===Void===
The cabalists of the mountains of [[#Brez|Brez]] tend to be somewhat isolationist; the best known settlement is the vale of Void in the western foothills, home to a number of allied cabals who study and perform those rituals best kept away from centres of population. Rumour has it that heralds from the realm of Winter come here to treat and bargain with the inhabitants, while others speak of a ''shadow library'' containing great stores of information about curses, malign magics and the nature of the Winter [[eternal|eternals]].

The [[Bredavoi Emissary]] liaises with - and keeps a watch on - the cabalists, especially since they opened the [[Bredavoi Emissary#The Deep Chamber|Deep Chamber]], a mine that delves into the very roots of the mountains here.

Void has also become a place of contact for the orcs of [[Otkodov]] - the offices of the [[Gift of the Dwindling Star]] are here, and the warlocks of the north have begun to visit the settlement more regularly in the wake of this arrangement.

===Sungold Pass===
High in the mountains of [[#Opascari|Opascari]], above the treeline on the easternmost peak known as the Traveller, lies [[Sungold Pass]]. Extensive mineworkings and ruins that date back to Terunael times were revealed during a [[Sowing_on_the_mountains|terrible storm]] that wracked the northern mountains of Varushka after the Autumn Equinox 381YE. Sungold Pass was a source of contention between the Empire and Otkodov - both claiming that the ruins lay within their own nation - until it was resolved in favour of the Thule as part of the [[Ratify Sungold Treaty|Sungold Treaty]] of Summer 382YE. It is not entirely clear where the pass lies with regard to the border between Volodmartz and Otkodov - the Empire claims it is in Volodmartz while the Thule claim it is in [[Otkodov#Sk.C3.BCld|Kógur]] in Sküld.

=== The [[Hunt of Alderei the Fair]]===
The Hunt of Alderei the Fair is a Bourse resource located at the foot of the [[#Opascari|Opascari]] mountains. Custodianship of the Hunt is an [[Imperial Title]] that brings with it a Seat on the [[Bourse]]. It produces 26 Imperial wains of weirwood every season and control is allocated to any Imperial citizen by open auction during the Winter Solstice. As with the [[Night Quarry]], there is some resentment that the Hunt is Imperial, rather than a Varushkan national seat.

===The [[Granites of Veltsgorsk]]===
The Granites of Veltsgorks are a Bourse resource located deep in the mountains of [[#Brez|Brez]]. Custodianship of the Granites is an [[Imperial Title]] that brings with it a Seat on the [[Bourse]]. It produces 26 Imperial wains of white granite every season. The seat is allocated during the Summer Solstice, to whichever Varushkan candidate receives the most support from Varushkan owners of [[mine]] and [[forest]] resources.

===The [[Gift of the Dwindling Star]]===
Following the impact of the [[Starfall|falling star]] known as the Stalker or the Miscreant during the Autumn Equinox 380YE, the [[Thule]] [[orc|orcs]] arranged to [[Lantern's_light|provide some of the bounty]] of [[ilium]] the star provides to the [[Varushka|Varushkan]] people. The offices for overseeing this tribute are located at Void in the mountainous foothills of [[#Brez|Brez]]. Custodianship of the [[Gift of the Dwindling Star]] is an [[Imperial Title]] that brings with it a Seat on the [[Bourse]]. It produces 4 rings of ilium every season. The seat is allocated during the Spring Equinox to whichever Varushkan candidate receives the most support from Varushkan owners of [[forest]] and [[mine]] resources.

===The Iron Roads===
The majority of the [[Varushkan Road|roads]] in Volodmartz are the result of a grand building project completed shortly before the Spring Equinox 385YE. The Iron Roads were first proposed by the civil service [[Starting_at_the_end#The_Iron_Roads_of_Varushka|several years]] earlier. In Volodmartz, the project was somewhat more ambitious. Rather than just expanding on existing roads, the plan involved building a major road along the edges of the foothills north of [[#Triosk|Triosk]], passing by the [[Hunt of Alderei the Fair]] and then striking north-west through the dark woods of central Volodmartz to [[#Brez|Void]], and ultimately to [[Granites_of_Veltsgorsk|Veltsgorsk]] in the shadow of the northern mountains. The new road linking to the Hunt of Alderei and the Fair and the Granites of Veltsgorsk required careful planning, and protection from the wolves of the forests, but once it was complete it greatly increased the prosperity of the territory.

==Regions==
===Brez===
*'''Quality:''' Hills
The mountains of Brez have a shadowy reputation among Varushkans. The peaks are high enough that they are perpetually shrouded in snow, even at the height of summer, and even the Iron Roads have not made the foothills much more accessible. The [[#The Granites of Veltsgorsk|Granites of Veltsgorsk]] lie high in the eastern peaks of the region, and it is said that without the presence of this valuable Bourse resource, no outsider would ever visit the peaks here despite the rich seams of copper, iron, silver and [[Materials#Tempest_Jade|tempest jade]] the mountains conceal.

The mountains are known to hold several strong [[regio]], associated primarily with the realm of Winter which have attracted [[Varushka_magical_traditions#Cabalists|cabalists]] and magical scholars since before there was a Varushka. The cabalists of the mountains of Brez tend to be somewhat isolationist; the best known settlement is the vale of '''[[#Void|Void]]''' in the western foothills.

The southern peaks are the site of '''Ruin'''. Once a key mining settlement called ''Vikram's Haven'', its destruction in 349YE is generally believed to have been at the hands of a group of miners who delved too far into rocks under the broken peak above Alderei’s Run in search of rare ores. The vale did not survive their return. Precisely what led to the doom of Ruin is unclear, but scattered rumours suggest that the miners came upon a trove of ancient pre-Imperial artefacts, and fell prey either to a maddening curse or possession by malign occult forces. Ruin is now the occasional home of [[Warden]]-bands who seek to ensure no Vale makes the same mistake again, and is closely watched by the inhabitants of the nearby '''Vale of Gorazima''' who are keen to avoid a similar fate.

===Livardz===
*'''Quality:''' Ruins
The southernmost region of Volodmartz, and once the most densely settled, was for centuries a prosperous crossroads where trade flowed freely. The vales - the best known among which was certainly the riverport of [[#Triosk|Triosk]] - maintained close ties west to [[Miekarova]] and south to [[Karov]] - especially to the bustling port-town of [[Karov#Malimorzi|Korotny]] - and [[karsk#Kopevnost|Kosti]] in [[Karsk]]. In addition to the permanent population, there are a number of vales who maintain their prosperity by catering to the [[Varushka_military_concerns|wagon raiders]] - either as a base of operations or serving as middle-men purchasing the raw materials they rip from the northern mountains and forests.

This changed in late 385YE when [[Cold Sun]] [[To_the_last_syllable#In_Varushka|attacked the Empire]]. An army of ''scions'' called the [[Things_that_burn#The_Shepherds_of_Ash|Shepherds of Ash]] ravaged Volodmartz, and much of the damage was focused here. The scions themselves [[Eclipse#Shepherds_of_Ash|mysteriously vanished]] shortly after, lured into the ''[[#Murupa|Star Caverns]]'' in pursuit of some hidden [[regio]] and never returning. The legacy of their attacks, however, left many of the vales [[Region_qualities#Ruined|in ruins]]. Nearly a dozen vales and settlements across Livardz were shattered or razed. Several hundred people were slain, many more forced to abandon their homes. Ever since, when the wind blows north through the woods where the ''Sumisev Peegel'' lies (the regio from which the Shepherds of Ash emerged), it brings with it the ashes of those the heralds obliterated. Some of the vales have been rebuilt, but Livardz has yet to reclaim the prosperity it once enjoyed.

===Murupa===
*'''Quality:''' Forest
Central Volodmartz is home to several vales and outposts drawn by the rich bounty of [[Materials#Dragonbone|Dragonbone]] that the forests promise. Several of the vales here maintain close ties with [[Miekarova#Perumaki|Razorwatch]] in [[Miekarova]] - and keep a close eye on the [[Miekarova#The Razors|Razors]] and the [[Varushkan_Monster#Sovereigns|dark power]] that lurks beneath them. There is also a brisk trade in items scoured from the old battlefields, where Varushkan and Imperial forces fought Alderei's armies. The valley known as '''Alderei’s Run''' is the largest of these battlefields, the Tyrant-Boyar’s forces were finally destroyed by the Imperial Armies. Rumour says that Alderei can still be heard there, ordering his forces back into the fray.

To the north of the run are a series of small caves that Alderei’s army used for stores. They were generally referred to as '''The Star Caverns''', due to a prevalence of eroded carvings of star patterns attributed to the Ushka mystics. Some scholars suggested that some of the patterns were much older, probably pre-Terunael in origin. The caverns themselves contained a [[regio]] aligned with the realm of Day, whose power waxed and waned from season to season and year to year - studies suggested the strength of the regio was related to the position of certain [[Astronomancy|constellations]] especially the [[The_Key_and_The_Lock#The Key|Key]] and [[The_Key_and_The_Lock#The Lock|Lock]]. In 385YE, allegedly following an agreement with the [[Night Below]] to destroy invading ''scions'' of [[Cold Sun]], the caverns were scoured by that dangerous sovereign. The carvings and the regio are both gone.

===Opascari===
*'''Quality:''' Hills
The mountains of Opascari are rich in gold, [[Materials#Orichalcum|orichalcum]] and precious stones. Opascari is known in particular for its sapphires and emeralds, which are often of uncommon size and lustre. The range is also rich in [[mana site|mana sites]], often jealously guarded by and requiring regular protection from packs of hungry [[trogoni]] (among other things). While much of Opascari's wealth is mineral in nature, at the feet of the southern peaks lies the rich weirwood forest known as [[#The Hunt of Alderei the Fair|The Hunt of Alderei the Fair]]. High in the easternmost peaks, atop the mountain known as the Traveller, lies [[Sungold Pass]], although the mines there were ceded to the Thule as part of the [[Ratify Sungold Treaty|Sungold Treaty]]. The cavern known as [[Birds#Zoria's Cave|Zoria's Cave]] is found at the foot of the Black Hill, part of the Opascari mountains.

===Suvretz===
*'''Quality:''' Forest
A sprawling region of forests that extends to the eastern borders of Volodmartz and, by extension, the Empire. Many of the vales here are especially fortified, even for Volodmartz - fortifications designed to offer protection not only from wolves, but also from barbarian raiders coming down from the cold forests of barbarian [[Otkodov]]. There are few permanent settlements in the eastern woods - but many crow-haunted battlefields.

Of special interest in Suvretz is a place of legend named '''Runa's Loss'''. Runa was a [[draughir]] [[warden]] who watched the [[Varushkan_Monster|monsters]] of the hills with Toki, her [[changeling]] lover, an apprentice [[Varushka_magical_traditions#Volhov|volhov]]. Toki's master was seduced by an eternal of Winter (generally held to be [[Agramant]]), and Toki chose loyalty to master over love. Runa was one of the wardens who hunted and killed the volhov and all loyal to him. The Vale reminds all wardens that their calling is more important than lesser [[Loyalty|loyalties]], and is considered a site of pilgrimage for devotees of Loyalty and [[Vigilance]] - albeit a particularly perilous one. The vale maintains a careful watch not only over the eastern forests but also over the borders with [[Karsk]].<br>
{{CaptionedImage|file=SenatorVolodmartz.jpg|caption='''Ostrik Vulpe''', Senator for Volodmartz|align=left|width=350}}
{{Senate Elections|Senator_for_Volodmartz|Territory=Volodmartz|Season=Autumn}}

==OOC Notes==
* All the regions of Volodmartz are under Imperial control.
* [[Mine|Mines]] in the territory benefit from the [[#The Iron Roads|Iron Roads]] and produce an extra 2 ingots each season.
* [[Forest|Forests]] in the territory benefit from the [[#The Iron Roads|Iron Roads]] and produce an extra 2 measures each season.
[[Category:Varushka]]
[[Category:Gazetteer]]
[[Category:Imperial Territory]]

Volodmartz

2026-05-12T12:18:30Z

Rafferty: /* Livardz */

{{CaptionedImage|file=RegionsofVolodmartz.png|caption=Rich in timber and bottomless mines|title=Regions of Volodmartz|align=left|width=500}}
== Overview ==
Mountainous Volodmartz is rich in timber and deep mines. There are comparatively few vales here, and the boyars have a reputation for being particularly iron-fisted. Much more common are [[Varushka Economic Interests#Outposts|outposts]], scattered across the brooding hills and growing rich from the mineral wealth they exploit. Both tend to be very well fortified, and not without reason. There are dark things in the Volodmartz mountains, and plenty of folk tales tell of malign horrors that burrow under them, emerging without warning to overwhelm the foolish, especially on Winter nights when the [[Sermersuaq#Northern lights|northern lights]] dance in the sky. An equally worrying threat is that posed by the northern [[Thule]] barbarians who sometimes strike down through the north-eastern forests. As recently as 376YE a major offensive was launched through the northern mountains in an attempt to secure a beachhead near [[#Brez|Void]]; it is very unlikely to be the last.

The [[Volodny]] had their old centre of power in Volodmartz, and it was here that [[Alderei_the_Fair|Alderei the tyrant-boyar]] was defeated by the Imperial Army. The ruins of several strongholds still lie beneath the forest canopy. One of the most vicious battles took place in the foothills of the [[#Opascari|Opascari]] mountains at what is now a valuable [[#The Hunt of Alderei the Fair|weirwood forest]]. This vital strategic asset, the largest source of weirwood in Varushka, was essential to the support of the tyrant-boyar's armies. The penultimate, savage battle of the Imperial campaign against Alderei took place here; after the forest was lost, his forces were forced to fall back towards [[#Murupa|Alderei's Run]] in Murupa, where they finally met their end.

==Recent History==
Following the [[Thule]] invasion of [[Karsk]] in 368YE, probing assaults were made against [[#Livardz|Livardz]] and [[#Suvretz|Suvretz]]. These were turned back by Imperial forces, but the threat of further attacks has never been ruled out. The northern barbarians certainly covet the valuable resources of Volodmartz; in the Summer of 377YE an attempt was made to create a [[War#Creating_a_Beachhead|beachhead]] in the north near the vale of [[#Void|Void]] - almost certainly a strike not only against the mana sites and libraries of the [[Varushka_magical_traditions#Cabalists|cabalists]] but against the [[#The Granites of Veltsgorsk|Granites of Veltsgorsk]]. The expeditionary force was scattered by a force of Imperial heroes, and a follow-up campaign by Imperial forces wiped out the survivors, stymieing the attempted invasion.

== Major Features ==
=== Triosk ===
A riverside town in [[#Livardz|Livardz]], with a fish-dam and low bridge that has always been the main land route into Karsk. Once a hotbed of support for Alderei the Fair on the edge of what was then Varushka, and the scene of savage fighting in the war against his forces. Empire armies laid siege to it and burnt the original town to the ground. The tyrant-boyar sallied forth before the final assault, and gathered those still loyal from across Volodmartz and the wilds to his final battle to the north. Today, the town serves as something of a crossroads; a trade hub that serves travellers from [[Karsk]], [[Miekarova]], and [[Karov]].

===Void===
The cabalists of the mountains of [[#Brez|Brez]] tend to be somewhat isolationist; the best known settlement is the vale of Void in the western foothills, home to a number of allied cabals who study and perform those rituals best kept away from centres of population. Rumour has it that heralds from the realm of Winter come here to treat and bargain with the inhabitants, while others speak of a ''shadow library'' containing great stores of information about curses, malign magics and the nature of the Winter [[eternal|eternals]].

The [[Bredavoi Emissary]] liaises with - and keeps a watch on - the cabalists, especially since they opened the [[Bredavoi Emissary#The Deep Chamber|Deep Chamber]], a mine that delves into the very roots of the mountains here.

Void has also become a place of contact for the orcs of [[Otkodov]] - the offices of the [[Gift of the Dwindling Star]] are here, and the warlocks of the north have begun to visit the settlement more regularly in the wake of this arrangement.

===Sungold Pass===
High in the mountains of [[#Opascari|Opascari]], above the treeline on the easternmost peak known as the Traveller, lies [[Sungold Pass]]. Extensive mineworkings and ruins that date back to Terunael times were revealed during a [[Sowing_on_the_mountains|terrible storm]] that wracked the northern mountains of Varushka after the Autumn Equinox 381YE. Sungold Pass was a source of contention between the Empire and Otkodov - both claiming that the ruins lay within their own nation - until it was resolved in favour of the Thule as part of the [[Ratify Sungold Treaty|Sungold Treaty]] of Summer 382YE. It is not entirely clear where the pass lies with regard to the border between Volodmartz and Otkodov - the Empire claims it is in Volodmartz while the Thule claim it is in [[Otkodov#Sk.C3.BCld|Kógur]] in Sküld.

=== The [[Hunt of Alderei the Fair]]===
The Hunt of Alderei the Fair is a Bourse resource located at the foot of the [[#Opascari|Opascari]] mountains. Custodianship of the Hunt is an [[Imperial Title]] that brings with it a Seat on the [[Bourse]]. It produces 26 Imperial wains of weirwood every season and control is allocated to any Imperial citizen by open auction during the Winter Solstice. As with the [[Night Quarry]], there is some resentment that the Hunt is Imperial, rather than a Varushkan national seat.

===The [[Granites of Veltsgorsk]]===
The Granites of Veltsgorks are a Bourse resource located deep in the mountains of [[#Brez|Brez]]. Custodianship of the Granites is an [[Imperial Title]] that brings with it a Seat on the [[Bourse]]. It produces 26 Imperial wains of white granite every season. The seat is allocated during the Summer Solstice, to whichever Varushkan candidate receives the most support from Varushkan owners of [[mine]] and [[forest]] resources.

===The [[Gift of the Dwindling Star]]===
Following the impact of the [[Starfall|falling star]] known as the Stalker or the Miscreant during the Autumn Equinox 380YE, the [[Thule]] [[orc|orcs]] arranged to [[Lantern's_light|provide some of the bounty]] of [[ilium]] the star provides to the [[Varushka|Varushkan]] people. The offices for overseeing this tribute are located at Void in the mountainous foothills of [[#Brez|Brez]]. Custodianship of the [[Gift of the Dwindling Star]] is an [[Imperial Title]] that brings with it a Seat on the [[Bourse]]. It produces 4 rings of ilium every season. The seat is allocated during the Spring Equinox to whichever Varushkan candidate receives the most support from Varushkan owners of [[forest]] and [[mine]] resources.

===The Iron Roads===
The majority of the [[Varushkan Road|roads]] in Volodmartz are the result of a grand building project completed shortly before the Spring Equinox 385YE. The Iron Roads were first proposed by the civil service [[Starting_at_the_end#The_Iron_Roads_of_Varushka|several years]] earlier. In Volodmartz, the project was somewhat more ambitious. Rather than just expanding on existing roads, the plan involved building a major road along the edges of the foothills north of [[#Triosk|Triosk]], passing by the [[Hunt of Alderei the Fair]] and then striking north-west through the dark woods of central Volodmartz to [[#Brez|Void]], and ultimately to [[Granites_of_Veltsgorsk|Veltsgorsk]] in the shadow of the northern mountains. The new road linking to the Hunt of Alderei and the Fair and the Granites of Veltsgorsk required careful planning, and protection from the wolves of the forests, but once it was complete it greatly increased the prosperity of the territory.

==Regions==
===Brez===
*'''Quality:''' Hills
The mountains of Brez have a shadowy reputation among Varushkans. The peaks are high enough that they are perpetually shrouded in snow, even at the height of summer, and even the Iron Roads have not made the foothills much more accessible. The [[#The Granites of Veltsgorsk|Granites of Veltsgorsk]] lie high in the eastern peaks of the region, and it is said that without the presence of this valuable Bourse resource, no outsider would ever visit the peaks here despite the rich seams of copper, iron, silver and [[Materials#Tempest_Jade|tempest jade]] the mountains conceal.

The mountains are known to hold several strong [[regio]], associated primarily with the realm of Winter which have attracted [[Varushka_magical_traditions#Cabalists|cabalists]] and magical scholars since before there was a Varushka. The cabalists of the mountains of Brez tend to be somewhat isolationist; the best known settlement is the vale of '''[[#Void|Void]]''' in the western foothills.

The southern peaks are the site of '''Ruin'''. Once a key mining settlement called ''Vikram's Haven'', its destruction in 349YE is generally believed to have been at the hands of a group of miners who delved too far into rocks under the broken peak above Alderei’s Run in search of rare ores. The vale did not survive their return. Precisely what led to the doom of Ruin is unclear, but scattered rumours suggest that the miners came upon a trove of ancient pre-Imperial artefacts, and fell prey either to a maddening curse or possession by malign occult forces. Ruin is now the occasional home of [[Warden]]-bands who seek to ensure no Vale makes the same mistake again, and is closely watched by the inhabitants of the nearby '''Vale of Gorazima''' who are keen to avoid a similar fate.

===Livardz===
*'''Quality:''' Ruins
The southernmost region of Volodmartz, and certainly the most densely settled, was once a prosperous crossroads where trade flowed freely. The vales here maintain close ties west to [[Miekarova]] and south to [[Karov]] - especially to the bustling port-town of [[Karov#Malimorzi|Korotny]] - and to the town of [[#Triosk|Triosk]] in [[Karsk]]. In addition to the permanent population, there are a number of vales who maintain their prosperity by catering to the [[Varushka_military_concerns|wagon raiders]] - either as a base of operations or serving as middle-men purchasing the raw materials they rip from the northern mountains and forests.

This changed in late 385YE when [[Cold Sun]] [[To_the_last_syllable#In_Varushka|attacked the Empire]]. An army of ''scions'' called the [[Things_that_burn#The_Shepherds_of_Ash|Shepherds of Ash]] ravaged Volodmartz, and much of the damage was focused here. The scions themselves [[Eclipse#Shepherds_of_Ash|mysteriously vanished]] shortly after, lured into the ''[[#Murupa|Star Caverns]]'' in pursuit of some hidden [[regio]] and never returning. The legacy of their attacks, however, left many of the vales [[Region_qualities#Ruined|in ruins]]. Nearly a dozen vales and settlements across Livardz were shattered or razed. Several hundred people were slain, many more forced to abandon their homes. Ever since, when the wind blows north through the woods where the ''Sumisev Peegel'' lies (the regio from which the Shepherds of Ash emerged), it brings with it the ashes of those the heralds obliterated. Some of the vales have been rebuilt, but Livardz has yet to reclaim the prosperity it once enjoyed.

===Murupa===
*'''Quality:''' Forest
Central Volodmartz is home to several vales and outposts drawn by the rich bounty of [[Materials#Dragonbone|Dragonbone]] that the forests promise. Several of the vales here maintain close ties with [[Miekarova#Perumaki|Razorwatch]] in [[Miekarova]] - and keep a close eye on the [[Miekarova#The Razors|Razors]] and the [[Varushkan_Monster#Sovereigns|dark power]] that lurks beneath them. There is also a brisk trade in items scoured from the old battlefields, where Varushkan and Imperial forces fought Alderei's armies. The valley known as '''Alderei’s Run''' is the largest of these battlefields, the Tyrant-Boyar’s forces were finally destroyed by the Imperial Armies. Rumour says that Alderei can still be heard there, ordering his forces back into the fray.

To the north of the run are a series of small caves that Alderei’s army used for stores. They were generally referred to as '''The Star Caverns''', due to a prevalence of eroded carvings of star patterns attributed to the Ushka mystics. Some scholars suggested that some of the patterns were much older, probably pre-Terunael in origin. The caverns themselves contained a [[regio]] aligned with the realm of Day, whose power waxed and waned from season to season and year to year - studies suggested the strength of the regio was related to the position of certain [[Astronomancy|constellations]] especially the [[The_Key_and_The_Lock#The Key|Key]] and [[The_Key_and_The_Lock#The Lock|Lock]]. In 385YE, allegedly following an agreement with the [[Night Below]] to destroy invading ''scions'' of [[Cold Sun]], the caverns were scoured by that dangerous sovereign. The carvings and the regio are both gone.

===Opascari===
*'''Quality:''' Hills
The mountains of Opascari are rich in gold, [[Materials#Orichalcum|orichalcum]] and precious stones. Opascari is known in particular for its sapphires and emeralds, which are often of uncommon size and lustre. The range is also rich in [[mana site|mana sites]], often jealously guarded by and requiring regular protection from packs of hungry [[trogoni]] (among other things). While much of Opascari's wealth is mineral in nature, at the feet of the southern peaks lies the rich weirwood forest known as [[#The Hunt of Alderei the Fair|The Hunt of Alderei the Fair]]. High in the easternmost peaks, atop the mountain known as the Traveller, lies [[Sungold Pass]], although the mines there were ceded to the Thule as part of the [[Ratify Sungold Treaty|Sungold Treaty]]. The cavern known as [[Birds#Zoria's Cave|Zoria's Cave]] is found at the foot of the Black Hill, part of the Opascari mountains.

===Suvretz===
*'''Quality:''' Forest
A sprawling region of forests that extends to the eastern borders of Volodmartz and, by extension, the Empire. Many of the vales here are especially fortified, even for Volodmartz - fortifications designed to offer protection not only from wolves, but also from barbarian raiders coming down from the cold forests of barbarian [[Otkodov]]. There are few permanent settlements in the eastern woods - but many crow-haunted battlefields.

Of special interest in Suvretz is a place of legend named '''Runa's Loss'''. Runa was a [[draughir]] [[warden]] who watched the [[Varushkan_Monster|monsters]] of the hills with Toki, her [[changeling]] lover, an apprentice [[Varushka_magical_traditions#Volhov|volhov]]. Toki's master was seduced by an eternal of Winter (generally held to be [[Agramant]]), and Toki chose loyalty to master over love. Runa was one of the wardens who hunted and killed the volhov and all loyal to him. The Vale reminds all wardens that their calling is more important than lesser [[Loyalty|loyalties]], and is considered a site of pilgrimage for devotees of Loyalty and [[Vigilance]] - albeit a particularly perilous one. The vale maintains a careful watch not only over the eastern forests but also over the borders with [[Karsk]].<br>
{{CaptionedImage|file=SenatorVolodmartz.jpg|caption='''Ostrik Vulpe''', Senator for Volodmartz|align=left|width=350}}
{{Senate Elections|Senator_for_Volodmartz|Territory=Volodmartz|Season=Autumn}}

==OOC Notes==
* All the regions of Volodmartz are under Imperial control.
* [[Mine|Mines]] in the territory benefit from the [[#The Iron Roads|Iron Roads]] and produce an extra 2 ingots each season.
* [[Forest|Forests]] in the territory benefit from the [[#The Iron Roads|Iron Roads]] and produce an extra 2 measures each season.
[[Category:Varushka]]
[[Category:Gazetteer]]
[[Category:Imperial Territory]]

Volodmartz

2026-05-12T12:17:51Z

Rafferty: /* Livardz */

{{CaptionedImage|file=RegionsofVolodmartz.png|caption=Rich in timber and bottomless mines|title=Regions of Volodmartz|align=left|width=500}}
== Overview ==
Mountainous Volodmartz is rich in timber and deep mines. There are comparatively few vales here, and the boyars have a reputation for being particularly iron-fisted. Much more common are [[Varushka Economic Interests#Outposts|outposts]], scattered across the brooding hills and growing rich from the mineral wealth they exploit. Both tend to be very well fortified, and not without reason. There are dark things in the Volodmartz mountains, and plenty of folk tales tell of malign horrors that burrow under them, emerging without warning to overwhelm the foolish, especially on Winter nights when the [[Sermersuaq#Northern lights|northern lights]] dance in the sky. An equally worrying threat is that posed by the northern [[Thule]] barbarians who sometimes strike down through the north-eastern forests. As recently as 376YE a major offensive was launched through the northern mountains in an attempt to secure a beachhead near [[#Brez|Void]]; it is very unlikely to be the last.

The [[Volodny]] had their old centre of power in Volodmartz, and it was here that [[Alderei_the_Fair|Alderei the tyrant-boyar]] was defeated by the Imperial Army. The ruins of several strongholds still lie beneath the forest canopy. One of the most vicious battles took place in the foothills of the [[#Opascari|Opascari]] mountains at what is now a valuable [[#The Hunt of Alderei the Fair|weirwood forest]]. This vital strategic asset, the largest source of weirwood in Varushka, was essential to the support of the tyrant-boyar's armies. The penultimate, savage battle of the Imperial campaign against Alderei took place here; after the forest was lost, his forces were forced to fall back towards [[#Murupa|Alderei's Run]] in Murupa, where they finally met their end.

==Recent History==
Following the [[Thule]] invasion of [[Karsk]] in 368YE, probing assaults were made against [[#Livardz|Livardz]] and [[#Suvretz|Suvretz]]. These were turned back by Imperial forces, but the threat of further attacks has never been ruled out. The northern barbarians certainly covet the valuable resources of Volodmartz; in the Summer of 377YE an attempt was made to create a [[War#Creating_a_Beachhead|beachhead]] in the north near the vale of [[#Void|Void]] - almost certainly a strike not only against the mana sites and libraries of the [[Varushka_magical_traditions#Cabalists|cabalists]] but against the [[#The Granites of Veltsgorsk|Granites of Veltsgorsk]]. The expeditionary force was scattered by a force of Imperial heroes, and a follow-up campaign by Imperial forces wiped out the survivors, stymieing the attempted invasion.

== Major Features ==
=== Triosk ===
A riverside town in [[#Livardz|Livardz]], with a fish-dam and low bridge that has always been the main land route into Karsk. Once a hotbed of support for Alderei the Fair on the edge of what was then Varushka, and the scene of savage fighting in the war against his forces. Empire armies laid siege to it and burnt the original town to the ground. The tyrant-boyar sallied forth before the final assault, and gathered those still loyal from across Volodmartz and the wilds to his final battle to the north. Today, the town serves as something of a crossroads; a trade hub that serves travellers from [[Karsk]], [[Miekarova]], and [[Karov]].

===Void===
The cabalists of the mountains of [[#Brez|Brez]] tend to be somewhat isolationist; the best known settlement is the vale of Void in the western foothills, home to a number of allied cabals who study and perform those rituals best kept away from centres of population. Rumour has it that heralds from the realm of Winter come here to treat and bargain with the inhabitants, while others speak of a ''shadow library'' containing great stores of information about curses, malign magics and the nature of the Winter [[eternal|eternals]].

The [[Bredavoi Emissary]] liaises with - and keeps a watch on - the cabalists, especially since they opened the [[Bredavoi Emissary#The Deep Chamber|Deep Chamber]], a mine that delves into the very roots of the mountains here.

Void has also become a place of contact for the orcs of [[Otkodov]] - the offices of the [[Gift of the Dwindling Star]] are here, and the warlocks of the north have begun to visit the settlement more regularly in the wake of this arrangement.

===Sungold Pass===
High in the mountains of [[#Opascari|Opascari]], above the treeline on the easternmost peak known as the Traveller, lies [[Sungold Pass]]. Extensive mineworkings and ruins that date back to Terunael times were revealed during a [[Sowing_on_the_mountains|terrible storm]] that wracked the northern mountains of Varushka after the Autumn Equinox 381YE. Sungold Pass was a source of contention between the Empire and Otkodov - both claiming that the ruins lay within their own nation - until it was resolved in favour of the Thule as part of the [[Ratify Sungold Treaty|Sungold Treaty]] of Summer 382YE. It is not entirely clear where the pass lies with regard to the border between Volodmartz and Otkodov - the Empire claims it is in Volodmartz while the Thule claim it is in [[Otkodov#Sk.C3.BCld|Kógur]] in Sküld.

=== The [[Hunt of Alderei the Fair]]===
The Hunt of Alderei the Fair is a Bourse resource located at the foot of the [[#Opascari|Opascari]] mountains. Custodianship of the Hunt is an [[Imperial Title]] that brings with it a Seat on the [[Bourse]]. It produces 26 Imperial wains of weirwood every season and control is allocated to any Imperial citizen by open auction during the Winter Solstice. As with the [[Night Quarry]], there is some resentment that the Hunt is Imperial, rather than a Varushkan national seat.

===The [[Granites of Veltsgorsk]]===
The Granites of Veltsgorks are a Bourse resource located deep in the mountains of [[#Brez|Brez]]. Custodianship of the Granites is an [[Imperial Title]] that brings with it a Seat on the [[Bourse]]. It produces 26 Imperial wains of white granite every season. The seat is allocated during the Summer Solstice, to whichever Varushkan candidate receives the most support from Varushkan owners of [[mine]] and [[forest]] resources.

===The [[Gift of the Dwindling Star]]===
Following the impact of the [[Starfall|falling star]] known as the Stalker or the Miscreant during the Autumn Equinox 380YE, the [[Thule]] [[orc|orcs]] arranged to [[Lantern's_light|provide some of the bounty]] of [[ilium]] the star provides to the [[Varushka|Varushkan]] people. The offices for overseeing this tribute are located at Void in the mountainous foothills of [[#Brez|Brez]]. Custodianship of the [[Gift of the Dwindling Star]] is an [[Imperial Title]] that brings with it a Seat on the [[Bourse]]. It produces 4 rings of ilium every season. The seat is allocated during the Spring Equinox to whichever Varushkan candidate receives the most support from Varushkan owners of [[forest]] and [[mine]] resources.

===The Iron Roads===
The majority of the [[Varushkan Road|roads]] in Volodmartz are the result of a grand building project completed shortly before the Spring Equinox 385YE. The Iron Roads were first proposed by the civil service [[Starting_at_the_end#The_Iron_Roads_of_Varushka|several years]] earlier. In Volodmartz, the project was somewhat more ambitious. Rather than just expanding on existing roads, the plan involved building a major road along the edges of the foothills north of [[#Triosk|Triosk]], passing by the [[Hunt of Alderei the Fair]] and then striking north-west through the dark woods of central Volodmartz to [[#Brez|Void]], and ultimately to [[Granites_of_Veltsgorsk|Veltsgorsk]] in the shadow of the northern mountains. The new road linking to the Hunt of Alderei and the Fair and the Granites of Veltsgorsk required careful planning, and protection from the wolves of the forests, but once it was complete it greatly increased the prosperity of the territory.

==Regions==
===Brez===
*'''Quality:''' Hills
The mountains of Brez have a shadowy reputation among Varushkans. The peaks are high enough that they are perpetually shrouded in snow, even at the height of summer, and even the Iron Roads have not made the foothills much more accessible. The [[#The Granites of Veltsgorsk|Granites of Veltsgorsk]] lie high in the eastern peaks of the region, and it is said that without the presence of this valuable Bourse resource, no outsider would ever visit the peaks here despite the rich seams of copper, iron, silver and [[Materials#Tempest_Jade|tempest jade]] the mountains conceal.

The mountains are known to hold several strong [[regio]], associated primarily with the realm of Winter which have attracted [[Varushka_magical_traditions#Cabalists|cabalists]] and magical scholars since before there was a Varushka. The cabalists of the mountains of Brez tend to be somewhat isolationist; the best known settlement is the vale of '''[[#Void|Void]]''' in the western foothills.

The southern peaks are the site of '''Ruin'''. Once a key mining settlement called ''Vikram's Haven'', its destruction in 349YE is generally believed to have been at the hands of a group of miners who delved too far into rocks under the broken peak above Alderei’s Run in search of rare ores. The vale did not survive their return. Precisely what led to the doom of Ruin is unclear, but scattered rumours suggest that the miners came upon a trove of ancient pre-Imperial artefacts, and fell prey either to a maddening curse or possession by malign occult forces. Ruin is now the occasional home of [[Warden]]-bands who seek to ensure no Vale makes the same mistake again, and is closely watched by the inhabitants of the nearby '''Vale of Gorazima''' who are keen to avoid a similar fate.

===Livardz===
*'''Quality:''' Ruins
The southernmost region of Volodmartz, and certainly the most densely settled, was once a prosperous crossroads where trade flowed freely. The vales here maintain close ties west to [[Miekarova]] and south to [[Karov]] - especially to the bustling port-town of [[Karov#Malimorzi|Korotny]] - and to the town of [[#Triosk|Triosk]] in [[Karsk]]. In addition to the permanent population, there are a number of vales who maintain their prosperity by catering to the [[Varushka_military_concerns|wagon raiders]] - either as a base of operations or serving as middle-men purchasing the raw materials they rip from the northern mountains and forests.

This changed in late 385YE when [[Cold Sun]] [[To_the_last_syllable#In_Varushka|attacked the Empire]]. An army of ''scions'' called the [[Things_that_burn#The_Shepherds_of_Ash|Shepherds of Ash]] ravaged Volodmartz, and much of the damage was focused here. The scions themselves [[Eclipse#Shepherds_of_Ash|mysteriously vanished]] shortly after, lured into the ''Star Caves'' in pursuit of some hidden [[regio]] and never returning. The legacy of their attacks, however, left many of the vales [[Region_qualities#Ruined|in ruins]]. Nearly a dozen vales and settlements across Livardz were shattered or razed. Several hundred people were slain, many more forced to abandon their homes. Ever since, when the wind blows north through the woods where the ''Sumisev Peegel'' lies (the regio from which the Shepherds of Ash emerged), it brings with it the ashes of those the heralds obliterated. Some of the vales have been rebuilt, but Livardz has yet to reclaim the prosperity it once enjoyed.

===Murupa===
*'''Quality:''' Forest
Central Volodmartz is home to several vales and outposts drawn by the rich bounty of [[Materials#Dragonbone|Dragonbone]] that the forests promise. Several of the vales here maintain close ties with [[Miekarova#Perumaki|Razorwatch]] in [[Miekarova]] - and keep a close eye on the [[Miekarova#The Razors|Razors]] and the [[Varushkan_Monster#Sovereigns|dark power]] that lurks beneath them. There is also a brisk trade in items scoured from the old battlefields, where Varushkan and Imperial forces fought Alderei's armies. The valley known as '''Alderei’s Run''' is the largest of these battlefields, the Tyrant-Boyar’s forces were finally destroyed by the Imperial Armies. Rumour says that Alderei can still be heard there, ordering his forces back into the fray.

To the north of the run are a series of small caves that Alderei’s army used for stores. They were generally referred to as '''The Star Caverns''', due to a prevalence of eroded carvings of star patterns attributed to the Ushka mystics. Some scholars suggested that some of the patterns were much older, probably pre-Terunael in origin. The caverns themselves contained a [[regio]] aligned with the realm of Day, whose power waxed and waned from season to season and year to year - studies suggested the strength of the regio was related to the position of certain [[Astronomancy|constellations]] especially the [[The_Key_and_The_Lock#The Key|Key]] and [[The_Key_and_The_Lock#The Lock|Lock]]. In 385YE, allegedly following an agreement with the [[Night Below]] to destroy invading ''scions'' of [[Cold Sun]], the caverns were scoured by that dangerous sovereign. The carvings and the regio are both gone.

===Opascari===
*'''Quality:''' Hills
The mountains of Opascari are rich in gold, [[Materials#Orichalcum|orichalcum]] and precious stones. Opascari is known in particular for its sapphires and emeralds, which are often of uncommon size and lustre. The range is also rich in [[mana site|mana sites]], often jealously guarded by and requiring regular protection from packs of hungry [[trogoni]] (among other things). While much of Opascari's wealth is mineral in nature, at the feet of the southern peaks lies the rich weirwood forest known as [[#The Hunt of Alderei the Fair|The Hunt of Alderei the Fair]]. High in the easternmost peaks, atop the mountain known as the Traveller, lies [[Sungold Pass]], although the mines there were ceded to the Thule as part of the [[Ratify Sungold Treaty|Sungold Treaty]]. The cavern known as [[Birds#Zoria's Cave|Zoria's Cave]] is found at the foot of the Black Hill, part of the Opascari mountains.

===Suvretz===
*'''Quality:''' Forest
A sprawling region of forests that extends to the eastern borders of Volodmartz and, by extension, the Empire. Many of the vales here are especially fortified, even for Volodmartz - fortifications designed to offer protection not only from wolves, but also from barbarian raiders coming down from the cold forests of barbarian [[Otkodov]]. There are few permanent settlements in the eastern woods - but many crow-haunted battlefields.

Of special interest in Suvretz is a place of legend named '''Runa's Loss'''. Runa was a [[draughir]] [[warden]] who watched the [[Varushkan_Monster|monsters]] of the hills with Toki, her [[changeling]] lover, an apprentice [[Varushka_magical_traditions#Volhov|volhov]]. Toki's master was seduced by an eternal of Winter (generally held to be [[Agramant]]), and Toki chose loyalty to master over love. Runa was one of the wardens who hunted and killed the volhov and all loyal to him. The Vale reminds all wardens that their calling is more important than lesser [[Loyalty|loyalties]], and is considered a site of pilgrimage for devotees of Loyalty and [[Vigilance]] - albeit a particularly perilous one. The vale maintains a careful watch not only over the eastern forests but also over the borders with [[Karsk]].<br>
{{CaptionedImage|file=SenatorVolodmartz.jpg|caption='''Ostrik Vulpe''', Senator for Volodmartz|align=left|width=350}}
{{Senate Elections|Senator_for_Volodmartz|Territory=Volodmartz|Season=Autumn}}

==OOC Notes==
* All the regions of Volodmartz are under Imperial control.
* [[Mine|Mines]] in the territory benefit from the [[#The Iron Roads|Iron Roads]] and produce an extra 2 ingots each season.
* [[Forest|Forests]] in the territory benefit from the [[#The Iron Roads|Iron Roads]] and produce an extra 2 measures each season.
[[Category:Varushka]]
[[Category:Gazetteer]]
[[Category:Imperial Territory]]

Volodmartz

2026-05-12T12:17:28Z

Rafferty: /* Livardz */

{{CaptionedImage|file=RegionsofVolodmartz.png|caption=Rich in timber and bottomless mines|title=Regions of Volodmartz|align=left|width=500}}
== Overview ==
Mountainous Volodmartz is rich in timber and deep mines. There are comparatively few vales here, and the boyars have a reputation for being particularly iron-fisted. Much more common are [[Varushka Economic Interests#Outposts|outposts]], scattered across the brooding hills and growing rich from the mineral wealth they exploit. Both tend to be very well fortified, and not without reason. There are dark things in the Volodmartz mountains, and plenty of folk tales tell of malign horrors that burrow under them, emerging without warning to overwhelm the foolish, especially on Winter nights when the [[Sermersuaq#Northern lights|northern lights]] dance in the sky. An equally worrying threat is that posed by the northern [[Thule]] barbarians who sometimes strike down through the north-eastern forests. As recently as 376YE a major offensive was launched through the northern mountains in an attempt to secure a beachhead near [[#Brez|Void]]; it is very unlikely to be the last.

The [[Volodny]] had their old centre of power in Volodmartz, and it was here that [[Alderei_the_Fair|Alderei the tyrant-boyar]] was defeated by the Imperial Army. The ruins of several strongholds still lie beneath the forest canopy. One of the most vicious battles took place in the foothills of the [[#Opascari|Opascari]] mountains at what is now a valuable [[#The Hunt of Alderei the Fair|weirwood forest]]. This vital strategic asset, the largest source of weirwood in Varushka, was essential to the support of the tyrant-boyar's armies. The penultimate, savage battle of the Imperial campaign against Alderei took place here; after the forest was lost, his forces were forced to fall back towards [[#Murupa|Alderei's Run]] in Murupa, where they finally met their end.

==Recent History==
Following the [[Thule]] invasion of [[Karsk]] in 368YE, probing assaults were made against [[#Livardz|Livardz]] and [[#Suvretz|Suvretz]]. These were turned back by Imperial forces, but the threat of further attacks has never been ruled out. The northern barbarians certainly covet the valuable resources of Volodmartz; in the Summer of 377YE an attempt was made to create a [[War#Creating_a_Beachhead|beachhead]] in the north near the vale of [[#Void|Void]] - almost certainly a strike not only against the mana sites and libraries of the [[Varushka_magical_traditions#Cabalists|cabalists]] but against the [[#The Granites of Veltsgorsk|Granites of Veltsgorsk]]. The expeditionary force was scattered by a force of Imperial heroes, and a follow-up campaign by Imperial forces wiped out the survivors, stymieing the attempted invasion.

== Major Features ==
=== Triosk ===
A riverside town in [[#Livardz|Livardz]], with a fish-dam and low bridge that has always been the main land route into Karsk. Once a hotbed of support for Alderei the Fair on the edge of what was then Varushka, and the scene of savage fighting in the war against his forces. Empire armies laid siege to it and burnt the original town to the ground. The tyrant-boyar sallied forth before the final assault, and gathered those still loyal from across Volodmartz and the wilds to his final battle to the north. Today, the town serves as something of a crossroads; a trade hub that serves travellers from [[Karsk]], [[Miekarova]], and [[Karov]].

===Void===
The cabalists of the mountains of [[#Brez|Brez]] tend to be somewhat isolationist; the best known settlement is the vale of Void in the western foothills, home to a number of allied cabals who study and perform those rituals best kept away from centres of population. Rumour has it that heralds from the realm of Winter come here to treat and bargain with the inhabitants, while others speak of a ''shadow library'' containing great stores of information about curses, malign magics and the nature of the Winter [[eternal|eternals]].

The [[Bredavoi Emissary]] liaises with - and keeps a watch on - the cabalists, especially since they opened the [[Bredavoi Emissary#The Deep Chamber|Deep Chamber]], a mine that delves into the very roots of the mountains here.

Void has also become a place of contact for the orcs of [[Otkodov]] - the offices of the [[Gift of the Dwindling Star]] are here, and the warlocks of the north have begun to visit the settlement more regularly in the wake of this arrangement.

===Sungold Pass===
High in the mountains of [[#Opascari|Opascari]], above the treeline on the easternmost peak known as the Traveller, lies [[Sungold Pass]]. Extensive mineworkings and ruins that date back to Terunael times were revealed during a [[Sowing_on_the_mountains|terrible storm]] that wracked the northern mountains of Varushka after the Autumn Equinox 381YE. Sungold Pass was a source of contention between the Empire and Otkodov - both claiming that the ruins lay within their own nation - until it was resolved in favour of the Thule as part of the [[Ratify Sungold Treaty|Sungold Treaty]] of Summer 382YE. It is not entirely clear where the pass lies with regard to the border between Volodmartz and Otkodov - the Empire claims it is in Volodmartz while the Thule claim it is in [[Otkodov#Sk.C3.BCld|Kógur]] in Sküld.

=== The [[Hunt of Alderei the Fair]]===
The Hunt of Alderei the Fair is a Bourse resource located at the foot of the [[#Opascari|Opascari]] mountains. Custodianship of the Hunt is an [[Imperial Title]] that brings with it a Seat on the [[Bourse]]. It produces 26 Imperial wains of weirwood every season and control is allocated to any Imperial citizen by open auction during the Winter Solstice. As with the [[Night Quarry]], there is some resentment that the Hunt is Imperial, rather than a Varushkan national seat.

===The [[Granites of Veltsgorsk]]===
The Granites of Veltsgorks are a Bourse resource located deep in the mountains of [[#Brez|Brez]]. Custodianship of the Granites is an [[Imperial Title]] that brings with it a Seat on the [[Bourse]]. It produces 26 Imperial wains of white granite every season. The seat is allocated during the Summer Solstice, to whichever Varushkan candidate receives the most support from Varushkan owners of [[mine]] and [[forest]] resources.

===The [[Gift of the Dwindling Star]]===
Following the impact of the [[Starfall|falling star]] known as the Stalker or the Miscreant during the Autumn Equinox 380YE, the [[Thule]] [[orc|orcs]] arranged to [[Lantern's_light|provide some of the bounty]] of [[ilium]] the star provides to the [[Varushka|Varushkan]] people. The offices for overseeing this tribute are located at Void in the mountainous foothills of [[#Brez|Brez]]. Custodianship of the [[Gift of the Dwindling Star]] is an [[Imperial Title]] that brings with it a Seat on the [[Bourse]]. It produces 4 rings of ilium every season. The seat is allocated during the Spring Equinox to whichever Varushkan candidate receives the most support from Varushkan owners of [[forest]] and [[mine]] resources.

===The Iron Roads===
The majority of the [[Varushkan Road|roads]] in Volodmartz are the result of a grand building project completed shortly before the Spring Equinox 385YE. The Iron Roads were first proposed by the civil service [[Starting_at_the_end#The_Iron_Roads_of_Varushka|several years]] earlier. In Volodmartz, the project was somewhat more ambitious. Rather than just expanding on existing roads, the plan involved building a major road along the edges of the foothills north of [[#Triosk|Triosk]], passing by the [[Hunt of Alderei the Fair]] and then striking north-west through the dark woods of central Volodmartz to [[#Brez|Void]], and ultimately to [[Granites_of_Veltsgorsk|Veltsgorsk]] in the shadow of the northern mountains. The new road linking to the Hunt of Alderei and the Fair and the Granites of Veltsgorsk required careful planning, and protection from the wolves of the forests, but once it was complete it greatly increased the prosperity of the territory.

==Regions==
===Brez===
*'''Quality:''' Hills
The mountains of Brez have a shadowy reputation among Varushkans. The peaks are high enough that they are perpetually shrouded in snow, even at the height of summer, and even the Iron Roads have not made the foothills much more accessible. The [[#The Granites of Veltsgorsk|Granites of Veltsgorsk]] lie high in the eastern peaks of the region, and it is said that without the presence of this valuable Bourse resource, no outsider would ever visit the peaks here despite the rich seams of copper, iron, silver and [[Materials#Tempest_Jade|tempest jade]] the mountains conceal.

The mountains are known to hold several strong [[regio]], associated primarily with the realm of Winter which have attracted [[Varushka_magical_traditions#Cabalists|cabalists]] and magical scholars since before there was a Varushka. The cabalists of the mountains of Brez tend to be somewhat isolationist; the best known settlement is the vale of '''[[#Void|Void]]''' in the western foothills.

The southern peaks are the site of '''Ruin'''. Once a key mining settlement called ''Vikram's Haven'', its destruction in 349YE is generally believed to have been at the hands of a group of miners who delved too far into rocks under the broken peak above Alderei’s Run in search of rare ores. The vale did not survive their return. Precisely what led to the doom of Ruin is unclear, but scattered rumours suggest that the miners came upon a trove of ancient pre-Imperial artefacts, and fell prey either to a maddening curse or possession by malign occult forces. Ruin is now the occasional home of [[Warden]]-bands who seek to ensure no Vale makes the same mistake again, and is closely watched by the inhabitants of the nearby '''Vale of Gorazima''' who are keen to avoid a similar fate.

===Livardz===
*'''Quality:''' Ruins
The southernmost region of Volodmartz, and certainly the most densely settled, was once a prosperous crossroads where trade flowed freely. The vales here maintain close ties west to [[Miekarova]] and south to [[Karov]] - especially to the bustling port-town of [[Karov#Malimorzi|Korotny]] - and to the town of [[#Triosk|Triosk]] in [[Karsk]]. In addition to the permanent population, there are a number of vales who maintain their prosperity by catering to the [[Varushka_military_concerns|wagon raiders]] - either as a base of operations or serving as middle-men purchasing the raw materials they rip from the northern mountains and forests.

This changed in late 385YE when [[Cold Sun]] attacked the Empire. An army of ''scions'' called the [[Things_that_burn#The_Shepherds_of_Ash|Shepherds of Ash]] ravaged Volodmartz, and much of the damage was focused here. The scions themselves [[Eclipse#Shepherds_of_Ash|mysteriously vanished]] shortly after, lured into the ''Star Caves'' in pursuit of some hidden [[regio]] and never returning. The legacy of their attacks, however, left many of the vales [[Region_qualities#Ruined|in ruins]]. Nearly a dozen vales and settlements across Livardz were shattered or razed. Several hundred people were slain, many more forced to abandon their homes. Ever since, when the wind blows north through the woods where the ''Sumisev Peegel'' lies (the regio from which the Shepherds of Ash emerged), it brings with it the ashes of those the heralds obliterated. Some of the vales have been rebuilt, but Livardz has yet to reclaim the prosperity it once enjoyed.

===Murupa===
*'''Quality:''' Forest
Central Volodmartz is home to several vales and outposts drawn by the rich bounty of [[Materials#Dragonbone|Dragonbone]] that the forests promise. Several of the vales here maintain close ties with [[Miekarova#Perumaki|Razorwatch]] in [[Miekarova]] - and keep a close eye on the [[Miekarova#The Razors|Razors]] and the [[Varushkan_Monster#Sovereigns|dark power]] that lurks beneath them. There is also a brisk trade in items scoured from the old battlefields, where Varushkan and Imperial forces fought Alderei's armies. The valley known as '''Alderei’s Run''' is the largest of these battlefields, the Tyrant-Boyar’s forces were finally destroyed by the Imperial Armies. Rumour says that Alderei can still be heard there, ordering his forces back into the fray.

To the north of the run are a series of small caves that Alderei’s army used for stores. They were generally referred to as '''The Star Caverns''', due to a prevalence of eroded carvings of star patterns attributed to the Ushka mystics. Some scholars suggested that some of the patterns were much older, probably pre-Terunael in origin. The caverns themselves contained a [[regio]] aligned with the realm of Day, whose power waxed and waned from season to season and year to year - studies suggested the strength of the regio was related to the position of certain [[Astronomancy|constellations]] especially the [[The_Key_and_The_Lock#The Key|Key]] and [[The_Key_and_The_Lock#The Lock|Lock]]. In 385YE, allegedly following an agreement with the [[Night Below]] to destroy invading ''scions'' of [[Cold Sun]], the caverns were scoured by that dangerous sovereign. The carvings and the regio are both gone.

===Opascari===
*'''Quality:''' Hills
The mountains of Opascari are rich in gold, [[Materials#Orichalcum|orichalcum]] and precious stones. Opascari is known in particular for its sapphires and emeralds, which are often of uncommon size and lustre. The range is also rich in [[mana site|mana sites]], often jealously guarded by and requiring regular protection from packs of hungry [[trogoni]] (among other things). While much of Opascari's wealth is mineral in nature, at the feet of the southern peaks lies the rich weirwood forest known as [[#The Hunt of Alderei the Fair|The Hunt of Alderei the Fair]]. High in the easternmost peaks, atop the mountain known as the Traveller, lies [[Sungold Pass]], although the mines there were ceded to the Thule as part of the [[Ratify Sungold Treaty|Sungold Treaty]]. The cavern known as [[Birds#Zoria's Cave|Zoria's Cave]] is found at the foot of the Black Hill, part of the Opascari mountains.

===Suvretz===
*'''Quality:''' Forest
A sprawling region of forests that extends to the eastern borders of Volodmartz and, by extension, the Empire. Many of the vales here are especially fortified, even for Volodmartz - fortifications designed to offer protection not only from wolves, but also from barbarian raiders coming down from the cold forests of barbarian [[Otkodov]]. There are few permanent settlements in the eastern woods - but many crow-haunted battlefields.

Of special interest in Suvretz is a place of legend named '''Runa's Loss'''. Runa was a [[draughir]] [[warden]] who watched the [[Varushkan_Monster|monsters]] of the hills with Toki, her [[changeling]] lover, an apprentice [[Varushka_magical_traditions#Volhov|volhov]]. Toki's master was seduced by an eternal of Winter (generally held to be [[Agramant]]), and Toki chose loyalty to master over love. Runa was one of the wardens who hunted and killed the volhov and all loyal to him. The Vale reminds all wardens that their calling is more important than lesser [[Loyalty|loyalties]], and is considered a site of pilgrimage for devotees of Loyalty and [[Vigilance]] - albeit a particularly perilous one. The vale maintains a careful watch not only over the eastern forests but also over the borders with [[Karsk]].<br>
{{CaptionedImage|file=SenatorVolodmartz.jpg|caption='''Ostrik Vulpe''', Senator for Volodmartz|align=left|width=350}}
{{Senate Elections|Senator_for_Volodmartz|Territory=Volodmartz|Season=Autumn}}

==OOC Notes==
* All the regions of Volodmartz are under Imperial control.
* [[Mine|Mines]] in the territory benefit from the [[#The Iron Roads|Iron Roads]] and produce an extra 2 ingots each season.
* [[Forest|Forests]] in the territory benefit from the [[#The Iron Roads|Iron Roads]] and produce an extra 2 measures each season.
[[Category:Varushka]]
[[Category:Gazetteer]]
[[Category:Imperial Territory]]