The Harrowmarsh is the name given to the swampy delta at the mouth of the Asarwe River. It is not a very hospitable place, but would undoubtedly have been claimed by this kingdom or that had it not been for its most infamous inhabitant – the monstrous awnshegh called the Hydra. This many-headed beast tolerates humans and nonhumans alike, provided they can survive the swamplands that is, but reacts with extreme violence against any foreign trespassers. The bulk of the swamp’s human population live in small communities along located on the coast.
The presence of the Hydra is especially unfortunate for river trade – the Asarwe has navigable channels (at least if you have a local pilot) all the way to the sea, but cannot be used for large-scale trade lest the Hydra’s wrath be flamed. Instead trade must go to Kiedel and from there by land to Sendoure before going upriver (assuming you pay of the raiders of Irbouda). The end result is that the Asarwe is little used for bulk trade, which is especially hurtful for distant Rheulgard.
The Harrowmarsh possesses one resource in vast quantities; mebhaighl. Unfortunately the hydra doesn’t like foreign mages intruding, so establishing sources in the Harrowmarsh can be very dangerous. The Amir of Sendoure has tried briefly, but after nearly being killed he has dropped further expansion. The Red Witch has been more persistent, but even then her gains have been small. From time to time a lesser mage will establish him self in the marsh and try to forge himself a realm – they have invariably been consumed by the ever-hungry Hydra.
