The Remnants

The lands to the west of Terpsythea is a collection of many small villages collectively known as "**The Remnants**". These communities are situated on the Bardun Peninsula.

## History

After the great victory of the Azannean legions during the First Azan-Drow War, the emperor of the azure throne took all lands east of the drow mountains, up to the south. Soon after, citizens of the empire began to migrate there, specially the soldiers, who's unpaid salaries were redeemed in the form of vast land grants. Soon after, many Azanni colonies dotted the land, specially in the south where the ground has a smaller ash component.

But when the drow counter-attacked 14 years later (in what is now known as the Second Azan-Drow War) and the imperial fleet was decimated at the Sea of Merchants, the dark elves retook the lands up to the Terusian isthmus. All humans living in the eastern Scimitarian mainland were either killed or fled, with the exception of the communities in the south.

The local provincial exarch quickly chose to submit to the drow, and thus his subjects were allowed to stay. The so called "Remnants" of the empire's Western colonies have been quite useful to the drow since then, as the dark elves' natural aversion to sunlight renders them poor farmers. And even through the ample use of slave work, the drow heartland is agriculturally poor, being cold, dark and of ashen soil.

## Government

The Remnants aren't united, with each village and small town being ruled by a local exarch, who is responsible for representing the community.

The few Castles that are scattered in the Bardun Peninsula are ruled either by a Baron or a Count, usually Human and Drow appointed. High up in the Strakosta mountains, near the centre of the peninsula, the villagers are less submissive and more rebellious, earning a reputation as brigands and vagabonds.

These communities are known as the "Strakosts", earning their name from the mountains in which they reside. Even though most villages and castles pay tribute to the Drow - be it through coin, cattle, slaves or food - the Strakosts have resisted their influence, and is the only region in the Remnants where one can say with certainy that's independent.

## Geography

Large part of the terrain is mountainous and inaccessible. Many villages, especially those to the south, are only accessible by sea. The summers are dry and the winters are mild, although high up in the mountains there is frequent snowfall. The climate is perfect for cultivation of various trees and plants, in contrast to the volcanous lands to the north.

The peninsula is split north to south by a mountain range, known as the Strakostan Mountains, which are a continuation of the Murun Petriash mountains of the north.

## Flora and Fauna

Many types of shrub grow in the hills and fields in the Remnants. In high elevation sometimes pine trees grow, whereas many trees such as olive and pistacchio tree grow in lower elevation.

Many animals can be found in the Remnants. Apart from domesticated animals, wild ones include the boneheaded eagle, the Strakostan ibex and the mountain shadowcat. Bottlenose dolphins can be found in the waters near the coast.

## Regions

The Outer Remnants are located to the east of the region. Here, the terrain is flatter, and there are a lot of farms and ports here. Lorium is a coastal city and is the largest settlement in the remnants.

The Inner Remnants are located to the north, where the land borders with the Drow states, and to the east of the region. While the north is often plagued by ashstorms from the neighboring volcanoes, the east is quite prosperous, with the villages there - both coastal and inland - enjoying a degree of autonomy, as the harsh terrain limits the influnece of the Drow armies somewhat.

The Lower Remnants are located to the south of the Strakosta Mountains. Many castles and forts are located here - some abandoned, and some still manned - and the region is known for its wine and indigo tree cultivation.

### Strakosts

The Strakosts - or the Strakostans - are found near the centre of the peninsula, occupying villages and forts near the centre and in the foothills of the Strakostan Mountains, of which they take their name from. The mountains themselves are named after an ancient castle, the Castle of Strakosta, which still stands to this day.

Even after the reconquest of the southern Scimitarian lands of the Drow, the Strakostans stayed vigilant and did not follow the lead of the other exarchs and lords, who submitted to the Elves. Many attempts have been made by the Drow to either conquer them, force them to pay tribute or bribe their leaders, although all have been repelled thus far.

Many Strakosts have influence and contacts throughout the rest of the Remnants, particularly in the Inner and Lower Remnants. The Strakosts aim to completely free the Remnants out of any Drow control and influence, and have sought out many champions throughout history. Some of those have been in the Triarchy, Hithlone, Terusia or even Azan itself. However, all of these were empty promises, as these aforementioned nations have yet to fight an all out war against the Drow.

## Religion

Most of the Remnants follow the New Azan Faith. There are a few instances of people worshipping the dark Drow gods, but those are usually restricted to the bigger communities, where most of the Drow live.

The Strakosts follow the New Azan Faith, although due to their seclusion their religion has had fewer influences of the neighboring nations and has remained virtually unchanged throughout the centuries, with many symbols from the Old Azan faith still being present.

## Culture

The people of the Remnants practice many local dances. The songs of the Strakosts talk about war, rebellion and resistance and involve hidden symbols and meanings that only those who speak their dialect can discern.

Vendettas and blood feuds are common between clans and villages, and vengeance is a big part of their culture. The Remnants, and particularly the Strakosts, are considered by everyone else as the most "barbarian" of the Southern Scimitarian humans.

The language spoken in the remnants closely resembles that of Azan, more so than other languages spoken in the Triarchy or Terpsythea. The Strakostan dialect especially resemblys the Old Azan tongue, and only the oldest families in Azan can recognize it, as their own language has evolved as well.

There's a saying in the Remnants that Strakost women with a scythe or a sickle are as deadly as a man with a sword. This saying originates from when the men would go on raids, either in land or at sea, and their women were left alone to defend their farms and homesteads. When trouble with the Drow brew, the women and children had to fend off for themselves. The Strakost women were particularly succesful in repelling attacks in the past.

## Economy

Apart from the Strakostan communities, all other villages and castles pay tribute to the Drow city-states.

The Outer Remnants is the most wealthy region, due to their proximity with Hithlone and their flatter land, making it suitable for large fields and plantations.

The Indigo Tree is mostly cultivated in the Lower Remnants and is particularly popular among Lorientin nobles. It grows mostly inland, near the foothills of the Strakostan Mountains. Many conflicts have sparked for it, since its growing demand has risen the importance of the region. The secluded coastal villages of the Lower and Inner Remnants are rather poor due to the infertile lands and the harsh tributes, and as such, many locals have taken refuge in piracy, their raids mostly targetting the Drow or other human settlements. Some of these pirates also operate as smugglers, helping the Hydra's Eyes of Moreelse smuggle their narcotics to the bigger cities of Scimitaria. Despite that, presence of the White Death is nowhere to be found in the Remnants.

The Strakosts, as well as other mountainous settlements, have domesticated many animals, such as big horned sheep, goats and mountain hogs. A large part of the wealth that flows in the Strakosts' villages stems from many of their brigand raids in the lands of the Drow and their allies. The Strakosts also supply the other Remnant villages with arms and men, in exchange with coin and other loot obtained by the pirates.

## Demographics

The vast majority of the Remnants are populated by humans, most of being the descendants of the original settlers of Bardun. The Drow are mostly located in the boundaries with the ashlands to the North, as well as mantaining millitary and political presence in the largest settlements. Merchants from Hithlone, the Three Sisters as well as some Moorelsian smugglers are also found in the bigger coastal towns.

## Millitary

The bigger settlements, such as the city of Lorium, are guarded by stationed Drow soldiers at all times. To weaken the Remnants, the Drow have demanded each family to send their firstborn son in order to serve in the ranks of the Drow. As such, the larger cities and villages have few humans acting as guards or soldiers, and mostly depend on protection on either the Drow.

The Strakostans have always supplied the Remnants with men, trying to make the region less dependant on survival from the Drow. The Strakostans themselves are familiar with the harsh terrain of the land, and are known as excellent guerilla fighters. Their fame as horse warriors and archers stems from the sturdy ponies they use, which are well suited to the terrain of the mountains, giving them an advantange against the Drow.

## Foreign Relations

### Drow city-states

Most communities in the Remnants pay harsh tribute towards the southern Drow city states, effectively making them de-facto vassals. However, the Strakostan communities remain vigilant against the Drow, refusing to pay tribute and conducting many small raids against them, aiding other villages in the Remnants against the Drow menace.

### Azan Empire

Many citizens of the Remnants see Azan as their ancestral home, waiting to be liberated by the Emperor in order to join the Empire once again. Others have completely abandoned any delusions of Azaneese liberation, preferring to depend on themselves for protection.

### Hithlone

Hithlone remains the most important trade partner of the Remnants - apart from the Drow - especially the outer region. Hithlone sympathizes with their cause and has sent representatives to stir up dissent between the Drow and their allies in their Remnants, but so far it's only been talks and very few actions from their part.

### The Three Sisters and Moreelse

Trade is common between the more isolated towns of the Remnants and the Three Sisters. Some pirates of the Lower Remnants and certain Strakostan outlaws have been cooperating with the Hydra's Eyes in order to turn up a profit by smuggling the White Death towards Hithlone and other western nations.