Introduction of Western Isles

[DM B]

The Western Isles is a large group of islands a few days sailing due west from Boeruine’s capital of Seaharrow. The two major islands are named West and East Island (they have other, local names as well). Some claim that elves actually inhabited the islands at the time of the Flight from Shadow. These elves are supposed to have interbred with early Andu settlers. The elves were eventually wiped out by Boru warlords, but their legacy lingered on in the form of the many elfbloods that still live on the islands. Whatever the truth of this, the fact is that there are people who can be called natives – on West Island in particular – who are distinct from later mainland arrivals. The mainlanders find these natives fey and unpredictable, with many weird customs and beliefs.

The Western Isles lie in the middle of the Sea of Storms, a fact which shapes the weather and climate of the islands. The weather is usually overcast and moist – on the north-western coast of Werdon it is said to rain for 360 days each year. High winds are also common and there will always be at least a slight breeze – except in some sheltered parts. Fogs are also common – scholars say it is because the cold and war water mixes with could and warm air around the Islands; sailors know that it’s because Narikja and Cuiarécen battle against the Bitch Queen of the Deep across and below the waves. Winters are usually relatively mild, but most years see at least some blizzards howling down from Thaele – but they are usually short-lived. The general temperateness and moistness makes the islands quite fertile, although the soil is rather poor – so grazing is excellent, but the growing of many common crops is not viable. That’s the case for the sheltered areas at least – the northern and eastern coastlines, the higher elevations, and the lesser islands are all relatively barren.

East Island has been settled by Anuireans for many generations and for many more years before that by Brechts (and some Rjuven). Those that live here are fairly loyal to the ‘Lord in Landing’ – their name for the resident Boer regent. Boru settlers arrived on East Island well before Deismaar, claiming the island as their home. They warred constantly, not only on East Island, but against the peoples of West Island and the Lesser Isles. Most of East Island is, however, populated by Boeruine immigrants who came here during the 6th Century HC – Boeruine’s first real outward expansion. The Boru descendants from the initial arrivals were either put to the sword or converted to the new faith. Boeruine’s influence would remain until the end of the Empire, after which it grew weaker and eventually disappeared altogether. It was not until ca. 1450 HC that Boeruine formally claimed the Islands again, turning Landing into a bustling port town, constructing a castle, posting soldiers and ships, and creating the Thegn of the Western Isles.

West Island is a far wilder place, and many more of the native inhabitants remain, although the Anuireans have displaced them from the most fertile and desirable land. The locals fiercely resist foreign influence, and have recently found a leader in the elfblood rogue Lannanan, who has been successful in forging together a unified resistance from the normally extremely factitious clans and tribes. As a result House Boer has only nominal influence here – and if nothing is done soon, will have none at all.

The Lostern and Tontier Islands are unconnected to the main bulk of the Western Isles, lying between them and the mainland. Both are ruled by the direct descendants of early Andu settlers fro House Boru (of all the Boru they alone have never bowed knee – at least not for long – to any Boer lord).

[DM B]

Brandon Boer: Thane of the Western Isles. Brandon left Landing in a hurry years ago, carrying with him most of his fleet and soldiers, and those of his vassals as well. He hasn’t been able to return yet, nor has he appointed a new regent in his stead. The result is that his regency of the Western isles is threatened, and could collapse if it came under attack.

[DM B]

Emier Coraine: Male Anuirean; Mid-level Noble/Guilder. Landholder and merchant both. Emier has blood-ties to Osoerde and the old nobility there, but his forefathers left their homeland to seek greener (and safer) pastures in the City of Anuire. They kept a martial traditional alive, however, and young Emier was squired to the court of Boeruine. As an adult Emier was a knight in the service of Brandon Boer, following him to Landing when Brandon was invested as the Thane of the Western Isles. He found the place a tad bit backward and started using his family contacts to arrange for choice imports – a venture which eventually grew into a true guild when he was able to purchase several old hulks that had carried Brandon and his men to the Isles. He would later enter into a mutually beneficial partnership with Arien Borthein and the Boeruine Trading Guild that lasts to this day.

Duraend Diel: Descended from minor nobility from Boeruine who accompanied a Boer lord named Daerec to the Western Isles some 300 years ago. The original Ser Diel initially served Daerec and his son, but eventually sided with the local nobility during a rebellion that saw Daerec’s son dead and his branch of House Boer extinguished. Diel’s descendants did quite well, and were invested by the Land’s Choice 150 years ago as Earls of Norpoint.

Blaede Cielen: House Cielen is an offshoot of the Boer (named after Cielen Boer, a younger son who wanted to carve himself a domain of his own) lineage that split of well before the Fall of the Empire. While the line has never ruled the Western Isles, they have held their lands and the title Earl of Tyrwych for longer than anyone can remember, and seem content with that.
Gavin Ritter: Male Brecht; High-level Wizard. This Brecht exile has set himself up as a noble lord on West Island. Using the struggle between Anuirean lords and locals by playing both sides against each other, he was able to gain regency over two provinces. He is a mysterious man, having come to the Isles at least 50 years ago, yet looking no older than 30-35 years of age. Some say that he has a rare blood ability that grants him long life, while others claim he’s a powerful wizard. Both rumors are right. He considers himself neutral in the ongoing struggle, which has earned him the enmity of both sides.

Vaesil Drael: Being the last loyal noble on West Island, Lord Drael is surrounded by enemies on all sides. His family has ruled its holdings for centuries, and like a true Anuirean he can’t understand why the natives do not want to live under his benevolent rule. House Drael is an offshoot of House Myles of Talinie (or rather, Myles is and offshoot of Drael, one that has become mixed with foreign blood).

[DM B]

Lannanan: Male ½Elf; Bard/Sorcerer. Very little is known about Lannanan except that he’s quite charismatic and politically cunning, having done what few others have done before him – united the small clans of West Isle into something akin to a fiefdom. Some claim that ‘he’ is actually a ‘she’.

Nial Bychw: Female Anuirean; Noble/Scout. Feared sea-reaver. Ruling House of Lostern Islands. Their mountains contain iron ore. Andu blood.

Eira Arwych: Female Anuirean; Noble/Scout. Maiden. Warrior. Ruling House of Tontier Islands. Andu blood.

[DM B]

Temples

Maxander Diel, Cuiarécen’s Temple of Fury: Male Anuirean; Mid-Level Cleric. Anduiras, minor, 18. CN. The mercurial younger brother of Count Duraend Diel is the Windweaver of the CTF. The CTF is a vassal of the HTC. Where the HTC is a very militant faith the CTF focuses more on Cuiarécen’s role as the god of air, wind, and weather.

Caerem, Reynir’s Hidden Grove: Belief in the Old Gods is widespread in the remoter parts of West Island and on the myriad smaller settled islands. Truth be told it’s hard for Anuireans to draw the line between what the RHG and a Rjuirk temple of Erik might preach.

Ahrek Thorpe, Protection of Narikja: Male Rjurik; High-Level Cleric; Reynir, minor, 24; NG. Ahrek Thorpe is known to be a supporter of the Siren. Rjurik temple based in the Siren’s Realm, but with branches to many of the sea-faring Rjurik realms.
Aerelna Laralan, Maselan Temple of Stroms: Faith of the Boru descendants on Lostern/Tontier Islands. Preaches that might is right, and that the sea is the beginning and end of all things. Connections to Tenouire.

Guilds

Emier Coraine, Western Isles Shipping: The Western Isles Shipping, based in Landing, is a branch (vassal) of the Boeruine Trading Guild. Emier is not like many other guilders – he gives freely of his earnings to the nobles and lesser traders of the Western Island. Actually it is not altruism, but rather a strong belief that in helping them increase their wealth he is helping civilize the Western Isles – which will add to his income in later years.

Wilfred Borthein, Boeruine Trading Guild: The BTG maintains the primary trade links between Landing and Boeruine. It otherwise leaves operations to its vassal, the WIS. The Chancellor of the BTG, Viscount Wilfred Borthein, is said to have visited the Western Isle on several occasions in his youth.

Storm Holston, Stjordvik Traders: The ST has a very minor trade presence in Landing. Emier Coraine actually protects it, hoping to use the contacts so gained to further his own trade expansion into Rjurik lands.

Mages

Reieler Innis: Nephew and former apprentice of Arlen Innis. Now the Stormwarden in charge of the Western Isles. Unsurprisingly draws power from wind and weather; where rock meets sea is where is power is greatest. Competes with Lannanan and Gavin Ritter for his sources. Vassal of Arlen Innis. Heir to the title of Stromwarden. Lives in Landing.

Arlen Innis: The Stormwarden of Boeruine. The liege of Reieler Innis. Competes with the MTS over sources on Lostern and Tontier islands.
 
Lannanan: Possesses sidhe lore, allowing him to access many fey sites, most of them well hidden in inland vales, glens, and highland meadows.
Gavin Ritter: Typical of Brecht mages; well learned in a manner of lores drawn from the traditions of own and other cultures. His primary sources are all linked to Giant legacy sites.

Aerelna Laralan, Maselan Temple of Stroms: Controls some of the magic on Lostern and Tontier islands; as is the way of the druids of Masela.