Miaren
Overview
In the south is Miaren, a forest of golden trees and fair winds, that lies on the border between Dawn and the Marches. In the early years of the Empire the Vallorn at Miaren was completely destroyed and at the heart of the forest the ruins of the city Seren reclaimed, to be slowly rebuilt. It is now considered the heartland of the Navarr nation, and a symbol of what can be achieved.
Recent History
Miaren is the heartland of the Navarr. Unlike other Navarr territories, conflict here arises either from the internal politics of the Navarr, or from conflicts between stubborn groups of Marcher and Dawnish yeomen brawling across the invisible "border" between their two nations,
Major Features
Seren
A fallen city of Terunael once the heart of a vallorn. In the early years of the Empire, in 27YE, the vallorn of Miaren was defeated, and the ruins of Seren reclaimed from the forest. A third of the ruins themselves are given over to a weirwood forest. The remaining two-thirds are occupied by the town of Seren built in the ruins in the decade following the liberation of the territory. It the largest permanent settlement of the Navarr in the Empire. In contrast to the larger settlements of the other nations, Seren is composed of a number of interlocking steadings, each technically separate to the others, but entwined in an interdependent relationship. When the steadings need to make decisions as a group, a council of brands is formed to discuss the matter and reach a consensus. This model is often reflected in informal arrangements between Navarr groups across the Empire.
The ruins of Seren have been extensively explored and catalogued, and many of the facts the Empire knows about the Terunael were uncovered here. At the height of Terunael, Seren was a city known for its scholars and poets, and for both colleges and military academies. Several of these buildings were reclaimed when the vallorn fell, and while no writing survived exposure to the heart of corruption, a combination of divination magic and tireless archaeology slowly teased our some of the secrets of the Terunael.
In early 377YE a number of fortified watchtowers and secure campsites were built around Seren, providing local bandit-hunters and scouts safe places to use in their pursuit both of lawbreakers and opportunistic orc raiding parties. The project was overseen by Henry Ward (senator for Upwold) as part of a larger Senate initiative to provide protection to towns throughout the Empire. The defences are not sufficient to qualify Seren as a fortification, but have helped reduce outlawry throughout the territory.
The Golden Trees of Seren
The Golden Trees of Seren is a Bourse resource located in Serenael. Custodianship of the Quarry is an Imperial Title that brings with it a Seat on the Imperial Bourse. It produces 28 Imperial wains of weirwood every season. Control is allocated to any Imperial citizen by open auction during the Winter Solstice.
Brock's Toll
Brock's Toll is a famous toll bridge situated roughly halfway between Dawn and the Marches, but historically claimed by both. While it isn't much used by wealthy merchants or nobles, the road that this bridge lies on carries most of the agricultural traffic between Dawn and the Marches, and the operator of the Toll is allowed by tradition to claim one sack from each cart's load.
The bridge is so old that when it was first constructed the Vallorn still controlled most of Miaren. In the early days of the Empire this site changed hands between the two nations several times, often with violence. Even when Earls and Stewards forbade their people to fight, rowdy yeomen would often take matters into their own hands and the Navarr soon became sick of breaking up scuffles over ownership.
Eventually the Imperial Senate took matters into their own hand and decreed that ownership of the Toll would be decided by an annual competition of arms between the yeoman who were so eager to fight. Eventually this evolved into the modern practice of the Brock's Buffet - a brutal (nonlethal) five-aside melee with only one winner left standing to claim ownership for the coming year.
Since 372 YE the Buffet has been won by the Marches, with the most recent incumbent being Bobby Shanks of House Bolholt in 377 YE.
Minor Settlements
Holt
A trade steading with a large and famed wayhouse, on both road and river. For those who wish to avoid Temeschwar for whatever reason, it’s a common stopping place on the road to Highguard from the North of Empire.
Rhonwen’s Fall
In less peaceable times, when the Navarr spent more time hiding from barbarians than hunting them, it was a refuge named Sanctuary Falls. It was reamed in 30YE in honour of the archmage Rhonwen who gave her life to hep defeat the vallorn of Miaren. The steading is built into the cliff under falls that feed the upper reaches of the Gancio. The settlement attracts scholars from across the Empire who wish to study the swirling intricate designs that the first Navarr carved into the rocks here, designs that contain information about trods and old ritual dances.
The Pool of Silver Clouds
A still pool in a quiet glade which, whatever the weather, reflects silver clouds and a blue sky. It is said that some Vates can divine the future in the waters of the pool.
Regions
Goldglades
The Goldglades are named partly for the great stands of ancient oaks that grow here, and partly for the rich bounty of ambergelt that the forest workers harvest here. The steadings of Goldglades are some of the wealthiest in Miaren and indeed Navarr. The Eternal Family Striding hold a small (by Goldglades standards but still lavish for a Navarr from Therunin) Wayhouse here where they can often be contacted.
Keywords: Forested.
Holtford
Holtford is a thriving region, known for its Oricalcum Mines and Clay pits. The Large Steading of Holt is well known for the quality and strength of their pottery. The Nighthaven Steading is founded near to Holt and are more politically active, even holding a senator position for several seasons.
Oakways
Greenfalls
Serenael
The ruins of the Terunael city of Seren lie in northern Serenael; this is where the dark heart of the Miaren vallorn lay. The Golden Trees of Seren is a sprawling weirwood forest that covers much of northern Serenael. The Leafstalker Striding are based out of Serenael, and are famed for their signature cloaks that allow them to blend in with the weirwood trees of the region.
OOC Notes
- The Navarr (and by extension the Empire) control all the regions of Miaren. It is firmly an Imperial territory.