Liathaven
m (→Recent History) |
m (→Recent History) |
||
| Line 13: | Line 13: | ||
In the thirty years since the forests fell to the orcs, they have used their foothold here to launch regular raids into Bregasland, and as a staging post for their massed assault against the [[Mournwold]] in 349YE. Today, apart from regular raiding bands attacking the Marchers and the occasional forays through the mountains into Kharaman, Liathaven seems quiet - almost peaceful. Despite a slight rise in encounters with vallornspawn, the pessimistic predictions that the Jotun would 'awaken' the Vallorn in Liathaven and cause widespread doom in the territory has so far failed to come true. | In the thirty years since the forests fell to the orcs, they have used their foothold here to launch regular raids into Bregasland, and as a staging post for their massed assault against the [[Mournwold]] in 349YE. Today, apart from regular raiding bands attacking the Marchers and the occasional forays through the mountains into Kharaman, Liathaven seems quiet - almost peaceful. Despite a slight rise in encounters with vallornspawn, the pessimistic predictions that the Jotun would 'awaken' the Vallorn in Liathaven and cause widespread doom in the territory has so far failed to come true. | ||
With a [[Accept_Jotun_ceasefire ceasefire]] agreed with the Jotun by the [[Imperial Senate]] in Summer 377YE, there have been no further attempts to reclaim Liathaven - and it seems unlikely that a major offensive will be launched until the two-year ceasefire ends in Spring 379YE. | With a [[Accept_Jotun_ceasefire|ceasefire]] agreed with the Jotun by the [[Imperial Senate]] in Summer 377YE, there have been no further attempts to reclaim Liathaven - and it seems unlikely that a major offensive will be launched until the two-year ceasefire ends in Spring 379YE. | ||
==Major Features== | ==Major Features== | ||
Revision as of 13:07, 21 March 2014
Overview
Liathaven is the ancient western forest between the Freeborn mountains of Kahraman and Bregasland of the Marches. Even in the time of Terunael, the forest was old. There are immense trees in parts of Liathaven that are believed to be hundreds of years old, and parts of the forest that even today have seen only a handful of humans pass through them. Liathaven itself is only a spur of a much larger forest that stretches hundreds of miles to the west; a great wood that served as a natural boundary between the jotun barbarians in the north and the Faraden foreigners in the south.
The wildlife of Liathaven likewise tends to be larger than normal, with forest lions and dire beasts (especially bears, wolves and stags) being comparatively common compared to other parts of the Empire. The weather in Liathaven is changable, and the territory is known for it's heavy storms and strong winds, caught as it is between the temperate Marches and the warmer Brass Coast to the south.
Most parts of Liathaven have been well-settled by the Navarr - those few Terunael ruins that have not been incorporated into steadings have mostly been studied by scholars and archaeologists - but occasionally a hitherto overlooked structure will be found, wreathed in vines or buried under centuries of undergrowth. The richest new ruins are found along the borders of the Vallorn-infested regions of Liath's Heart and Westwood, of course.
Recent History
The Jotun began their invasion of Liathaven in the autumn of 346YE, taking advantage of the eastern-focus of the Imperial armies under the domination of Empress Giselle. They pressed ever eastwards, avoiding the vallorn and seizing many Navarri steadings. The Empire finally lost control of Liathaven in early 349YE despite attempts by the Imperial Military Council to organize a proper counter-offensive.
In the thirty years since the forests fell to the orcs, they have used their foothold here to launch regular raids into Bregasland, and as a staging post for their massed assault against the Mournwold in 349YE. Today, apart from regular raiding bands attacking the Marchers and the occasional forays through the mountains into Kharaman, Liathaven seems quiet - almost peaceful. Despite a slight rise in encounters with vallornspawn, the pessimistic predictions that the Jotun would 'awaken' the Vallorn in Liathaven and cause widespread doom in the territory has so far failed to come true.
With a ceasefire agreed with the Jotun by the Imperial Senate in Summer 377YE, there have been no further attempts to reclaim Liathaven - and it seems unlikely that a major offensive will be launched until the two-year ceasefire ends in Spring 379YE.
Major Features
Liaven's Dance
Woven between the trees of Liaven's Glen is The Dance; a network of earthen trails marked in the grass and the trees, several miles wide, worn into the ground with the footfall of centuries. The Navarr say that it is a symbol for the Great Dance writ large on the earth. Some from Urizen believe that dancing Liaven’s Dance could grant humans a greater understanding the path of the soul through the Labyrinth of Ages. The steading of Liaven’s Dance was ancient, dating back to the earliest days after the Vallorn emerged. The fact that it is now in the hands of the Jotun barbarians marks a terrible loss for the Navarr.
Regions
Beacon Point
Keywords: Forested
Liath's Heart
Keywords: Forested, Vallorn
Liath's Ring
Near the easern border of Liath's Ring stands Mournstead, a stout steading - the last redoubt of the Navarr in Liathaven to fall to the barbarians. The region was known both for sprawling groves of beggarwood trees, and for the occasional standing stone or dolmen in out-of-the-way places. Marcher Landskeepers - especially those from nearby Bregasland were regular visitors to this part of the forest, and it's eerie monoliths. Rumour suggests that the first action of the orcs was to cut them to the ground and bear away the trunks for their victory bonfires, but calmer heads suggest it is much more likely the Jotun will have set their own thralls to harvest the groves for valuable Beggar's Lye.
Keywords: Forested
Liaven's Glen
Keywords: Forested
Westwood
Keywords: Forested, Vallorn
West Ranging
Keywords: Forested
Western Scout
Keywords: Forested
OOC Note
- As of Autumn 377YE, the Jotun orcs control West Ranging, Liath's Ring and Liaven's Glen. The Vallorn occupies Liath's Heart and Westwood. The Navarr (and thus the Empire) hold Western Scout and Beacon Point.
- To reclaim Liathaven, the Empire needs to hold four of the seven territories (as detailed here).