Feroz

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Regions of Feroz

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 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 gardens. The mainland is a criss-cross patchwork of farms and small settlements - a great deal of food and drink is produced here and exported to other Freeborn territories.

The Vizier of the Incarnadine Satchel is often quite active in Feroz, occasionally dealing with agents of the Spice Gardens or traders from the Jewelled Isles. The Vizier is an Imperial title that is appointed each Spring by Freeborn citizens who control fleet personal resources.

Major Features

Isle of the Osseini

So-named for the legendary malignant spirits who once plagued the island. The sutannir here, sometimes known as justicars, are famed for their knowledge of the arts of exorcism. Foreigners claim the Isle is still home to those who have died at sea at the hands of the corsairs of Shantarim, but most Freeborn have no truck with such foolishness.

The Spice Gardens of Feroz

The Spice Gardens are legendary - 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 Scorrero Nets

The Scorrero Nets are a Bourse resource located in Oranseri. Custodianship of the Nets is an Imperial Title that brings with it a Seat on the Imperial Bourse. It produces 5 rings of ilium every season. Control is allocated to any Imperial citizen by open auction during the Spring Equinox.

The Broken Shore Bounty

The Broken Shore Bounty is a Bourse resource that is technically located in the Cazar Straits inasmuch as the holder of the Imperial Bourse seat has the use of a fortified villa in the hills near Cazar. The actual ilium that the seat provides is sourced throughout the Bay of Catazar; a portion of all ilium claimed from the nets of Freeborn, League, Highborn, and Urizeni nets is claimed as part of the Bounty. It produces 7 rings of ilium each season, and is allocated during the Spring Equinox.

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 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 Solstice 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 buy Asavean goods at a reduced price.

During the Summer Solstice 380YE, the Assembly of Nine supported Agnetha de Rondell in denouncing the temple as an idolatrous affront, making it significantly harder for the Asaveans to find laborers prepared to work on the construction and both delaying its completion and laying a significant economic burden on the foreign priests.

More details on the construction of the Temple of Balo and the Black Bull can be found here, here, and here.

Regions

Afarjasse

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 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.

Cazar Straits

Quality: Coastal
The islands of the Cazar Straits are dominated by corsair families. The largest settlement is the port town from which the islands take their name - high-cliffed Cazar. Built around a bustling dock, it is a safe harbour that often serves as home port for the fleets that protect the Bay from barbarian ships. The holder of the Broken Shore Bounty has the use of a fortified villa in the hills near Cazar.

In the southern islands stands the town of Shantarim, another corsair stronghold whose families engage in fierce competition with their northern rivals. It is somewhat less cosmopolitan in nature than Cazar - visitors from mainland families sometimes encounter prejudice and suspicion.

Fontargenta

Quality: Coastal
The trading port of Bramar stands on the coast here. Surrounded by rich agricultural land, its bountiful cornfields compete with Marcher grain in markets across the southern nations of the Empire, and whose vineyards are justly famous. It serves 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).

Morajasse

Western Morajasse is the site of the great Spice Gardens. The largest town here 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 has taken place - the pool of desperate labourers has largely dried up with refugees returning to their homes. Mora benefited greatly from their presence, and now the town feels "empty" - it remains to be seen how it will cope with its sudden transition from military staging point to once again being at the heart of a stable territory.

Oranseri

Quality: Coastal
Across the bay from billowing Siroc stands the town of Oran, a thriving port specialising in high-value products such as fine wines and spice mixes. It has cheaper dock fees than Siroc, and a number of entrepreneurs prefer to operate here as a consequence - especially those merchants who are just starting out. It has a reputation for being more energetic than its larger neighbours to the north and south. This energy has been significantly boosted by construction of the only open Asavean Temple in the entire Empire.

Joharra by contrast is considered more stable and is 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 first sight of the great billowing cloths hung out to dry on tall wooden frames along the low cliffs.

OOC Notes

• Each region of Feroz is controlled by the Freeborn (and by extension the Empire), making this a staunchly Imperial territory.