Freemarks

The **Freemarks**, also referred to as the **Free Cities**, encompass a group of city-states situated in midwestern Morgaea (north of Lysadore and the Adamantium, west of Anderlay, and south of Nordain). The three real cities with any semblance of power in the Freemarks are Alepool, Blackwall, and Thredony, each led by a titled official.

The "Freefolk" are independent-minded descendants of tough barbarians. Their cities have formed a loose confederation that rarely unites on any matter. In the event of aggression from larger neighbors, however, the Freefolk can assemble a joint military front that even the greatest powers cannot dismiss.

## History

Originally the cities that now make the Freemarks were either Anamene villages conquered by the magisters or settlements established from the grounds up by the Adamantines as the nation expanded. The settlements and villages grew into cities under Adamantium development.

Between **-180D** and **-170D**, the Drahanim led by Thetsoll and Sibylla invaded the Adamantium, taking over much of their northern territory. Sibylla established a fortress in Khecaster, led by one of her disciples, Octwald. After Thetsoll betrayed Sibylla to Archon Janerius in **-170D**, it was from Khecaster that Sibylla was captured. In exchange for betraying Sibylla, Thetsoll was granted the lands of northern Morgaea. He gave the lands that would become the Freemarks to his middle son, Svogorn. However, after Thetsoll's treachery was exposed in **-160D** by a repentant Archon Janerius, Svogorn dispersed his holdings between various tribes and renounced his lineage. As a result, the area never coalesced into a cohesive nation. The cities took the opportunity to break free and become independent. This state was not to last, however, as many of the cities were taken over and then regained their independence once again; others, such as Khecaster expanded so much that they turned into full grown nations.

For some unknown reason, three magisters and their legions were sent to Numidius (modern-day Blackwall) during Sibylla's Crusade, but never reached the city. In the wake of Sibylla's invasion, Numidius became cut off from centers of powers and suffered several attempts at consolidating the region into a single kingdom by various warlords. Numidius eventually fell to a slave revellion in **-25D**.

In **1A95**, the last battle of the Second Scourge was fought at Alepool with a human army led by the Grey Order. Both sides suffered heavy losses, but Patemis was finally slain by the Ranger Korryn.

In **2A15**–**2A45**, King Fyroden of Alepool attempted to unite the Freemarks under his banner and build his own empire. After his failure to conquer any city-state despite multiple campaigns, Fyroden was betrayed by his Adamantine allies and ousted from Alepool. The Adamantium annexed Alepool in **2A45**.

In **2A80**, the Ministry declared a Crusade to liberate Alepool from the Adamantium. The battle for Alepool's independence was short, but bloody.

In **5A12**, the Archfiend Xurteus awoke, triggering the Fourth Scourge. The fiendish hordes devastated Lysadore and Ghallen before swarming across the Freemarks. The cities of Gusten and Blackwall were evacuated by the Grey Order and Fortress Hayne was rebuilt as a haven for refugees.

In **5A37**, Tylun, the first Larkham king of Anderlay, was crowned after having claimed to be a descendant of Volantus's son, killed in Umberland. Being a hero of the recent Fourth Scourge, Tylun was able to stir nationalistic feelings in the eastern Freemarks against the growing power of Maudet. He proved his military might by winning several major battles against the Maudesians, with a decisive battle taking place in **5A40**, establishing Anderlay as a new, growing power.

In **7A56**, the Orcimar landed near Zaneswick and launched assaults against Alepool and Blackwall. Alepool prevailed, but Blackwall fell due to the magic of the jatnavha. The city remained under Orcimar power until Maudesian chevalier Ser Arnaud Verimilien liberated Blackwall in **7A60**. He found that most of the population had converted to the Orc. Blackwall was incorporated into the Maudesian Empire, and Verimillien became the ruler of the city, named Viscount by the Maudesian emperor.

In **8A05**, Blackwall rebelled against Maudesian rule and gained independence, but maintained the title of viscount for its ruler.

In **8A82**, Anderlay began a bloody campaign of conquest within the Freemarks, encouraged by their taking of Perendale and Chester. They were stopped by Kade Garnon, who was named Champion of Thredony for his deed.

In **9A21**, Viscount Aldan Perrin attempted to expel the Templar Order from Blackwall, killing Knight-Commander Gulian in a raid on the Templar stronghold, only to be overthrown by the Knight-Captain Josselyn Stannard. For her actions in stopping Perrin, Josselyn was named Knight-Commander by Cleric Arlette soon after. With the Ministry's support, Josselyn appointed Daltain Marlowe to succeed Perrin as Viscount, while remaining the true authority in the city.

## Geography

### Settlements

* **Alepool** – largest city in the Freemarks. Located alongside the Mirantha River.
* **Blackwall** – as the gate for nautical trade moving into and out of the heart of the continent, Blackwall is the major trade hub of the Freemarks.
* **Brambleton** – located near Markham.
* **Chester** – its position on the edge of the Silent Steppes means a regular influx of Adamantine refugees (usually escaped slaves).
* **Gusten** – located on the Aebarrow coast, near the mouth of the Mirantha river. Widely regarded as the most free of the Freemarks and the revelry capital of Morgaea. Notable for being the second-greatest importer of Lysadoren wine after Maudet depite having less than a third the population of Ducailles.
* **Honorine** – a palatial city-state on the Aebarrow coast. Known for its taxes and frequent raider activity.
* **Kaiton**
* **Markham** – Ontmery's more cultured sister city, located in the northern Freemarks, not far from the Ansoun Mountains. Markham is a center for agricultural research and home to one of the largest universities in Morgaea.
* **Ontmery** – located in the western Freemarks, alongside the Mirantha River. Though it's a bustling center of agricultural trade, Ontmery is frequently called a "backwater".
* **Thredony** – located in the western Freemarks along the banks of the Mirantha River. One of the three most influential cities in the Freemarks. Ministry law is all but absolute, and the city guard is obsessed with enforcement.
* **Zaneswick** – its position on the mouth of the Narrow Sea made it the Orcimar's first landing point in the Freemarks. It's famous for its double walls.

## Culture and society

Freefolk were once known for raiding the southern seaboard of Nordain. Anderlay started out as a member of the Freemarks, but has expanded in size and power far beyond its former peers.

The Freemarks were once part of the Adamantium, evidence of which is found in the architecture of cities; high buildings built almost all in white stone.

The Freemarks are known as the breadbasket of Morgaea; its farms along the banks of the Mirantha River are the source of much of the continent's food. Alepool, the largest of the cities in the Freemarks, is situated on this waterway.

The central location of the Freemarks relative to the other lands of Morgaea makes the population very culturally diverse. The movement of goods and trade brings people from across the continent, and many native-born Freefolk are born of parents from elsewhere. That being said, the region is not completely welcoming to newcomers. Many Marcher-born citizens resent the presence of foreigners and see the influence of outside nations and cultures as a threat to their way of life.

Despite the cosmopolitan tendencies of the area, rivalries between Marcher cities usually take precedence over the common bond of "being a Marcher".

### The Grand Tourney

One of the Freemarks' most celebrated events is the Grand Tourney. It is held once every thousand days in cities across the Freemarks. Participants from all over Morgaea converge on this festival of martial skill and valor in a competition to crown a champion of the games. The victor is awarded a coronet of sage leaves and a trophy blade known as the Celebrant, which is inscribed with the names of every champion since the first Tourney.

A letter by a Freereads: "The most important thing to know about the Freemarks is that we're free. We determine our own destiny, and *that* pleases us. Beyond that, the only other time we coalesce is when Grand Tourney comes to town. *Then* we boldly express our pride to any foreigner who'll listen. We'll kiss freedom on the lips and even lock arms with a proud Alepooler! Alas, it lasts only a day, but there's no harm in that, right?" The tradition of the Grand Tourney is considered one of few common bonds that every Marcher shares happily, and is a notoriously jubilant phenomenon despite its brevity.

Known winners include:

* Lord **Aurielen of Montelleu** – winner of the Grand Tourney of Ontmery (sometime prior to 8A84)
* **Talissa of Sundaren** – a lady knight from Netheren who caused a scandal by winning the tourney twice in a row; was voted "Most-Loved Champion in the History of the Tourney"
* **Asa Reeves**– won three consecutive Grand Tourneys
* Lady **Honora Chastain** – winner of the Grand Tourney of Thredony
* Unnamed Cleve

## Politics

The Freemarks have no central government, no king and no capital, making the whole region difficult to protect and its economy disparate. Each city is self-governing and wary of intrusions by its neighbors, frequently leading to tensions between them as they maneuver and vie for power. The government of each state also varies, the seaport of Blackwall, for example, is officially governed by a singular ruler in the form of the Viscount, but real political authority rests in the heads of the local chapter of the Templar Order.

During times of crisis, the most powerful merchants, generals and rulers of the Freemarks can convene to deal with the issue, similar to the Allsmeet of Nordain.

### Titles

Official titles differ from one city to another, though currently none of them boasts a King. The supreme leaders are titled as follows:

* **Duke** – the ruler of Gusten
* **Lord/Lady Chancellor** – the ruler of Thredony
* **Margrave/Margravine** – the ruler of Ontmery; known Margraves includes:
	+ **Thalia Esterstin**– a Margravine ruling in 8A93 during the Nordish Rebellion and maternal aunt to Ramund and Brice Argander.
* **Prince** – the ruler of Alepool
* **Jarl** – the ruler of Zaneswick
* **Viscount** – the title given to the rulers of Blackwall and Kaiton; it originates from when the lands of the Freemarks were part of the Maudesian Empire; known Viscounts include:
	+ **Viscounts of Blackwall**:
		- Ser **Arnaud Verimilien** – a Maudesian who led an army of chevaliers against the Orcimar occupying Blackwall; for his efforts he was appointed as the first Viscount of Blackwall by the Emperor in 7A60
		- **Aldan Perrin** – assumed the title in 9A14; he was notorious for attempting to expel the Templar Order from Blackwall in 9A21, as a result of which he was ousted and imprisoned until his death by poison two years later
		- **Daltain Marlowe**– the Viscount of Blackwall since 9A21
* **Ambassador** – an accredited diplomat representative

For everybody else, *Serah* and *Messere* are common, gender-neutral forms of address within the Freemarks. *Serah* is used when addressing someone of equal or lesser status, while *Messere* is for a person of greater status.

### Champion

Champion is a title bestowed, generally by a city ruler, on individuals who have proven their dedication to the city in blood, sweat, and leadership. The title is not necessarily a sign of honor, for a Champion can utilize methods that evoke love or fear. There have been Champions of Alepool, Thredony, and Blackwall; known Champions include:

* **Unnamed Champion of Alepool** – who fought during the Fourth Scourge, including at the Battle of Ayemare.
* **Cade Darek** – originally from Ghallen, named Champion of Thredony in 8A82 for stopping Anderlay's expansion into the Freemarks.