Marlia

The flag of Marlia. The mountain represents fortitude, the colour red symbolises blood spilt in warfare, and the white symbolises freedom.

The Kingdom of Marlia is bounded by Suliaro to the north, by unknown wilderness to the west, and by the sea to the south and east

### History

The Kingdom of Marlia is physically the largest of the Accord Lands, covering an area almost as great as all the other Accord Lands put together.

Marlia was the "wild west" of the Silent Empire. For a long time the Empire controlled only a thin strip of land along the western coast of Doom Bay centred on the city of Marlhaven. 'Marl' is an old Imperial word meaning an outcast or petty criminal, and there are rumours that Marlhaven began as a penal settlement for those cast out from Sudgewen for petty crimes. The Marlians vigorously dispute this, but they cannot deny that the western hinterlands of the Empire have long been a haven for those fleeing the legal structures of Imperial society, although the Marls emphasise that they are descended from hardy pioneers fleeing oppressive lords. Marlian society is much less aristocratic than that of the other Imperial lands, especially Vortigern.

Marlia was always a difficult land for the Silent Empire to control, not least because of its vast, lightly populated expanses and modest infrastructure. When Basarab XV died, the Marlians supported an alternative claimant to Vortigern, and most of the largest battles of the war were between Marlia and Vortigern, although neither side was able to reach a decisive advantage. Unlike Vortigern's cavalry armies, the Marlian army is focused on infantry, with its axemen and longbowmen particularly feared. Marlian horses, conversely, are small and sturdy, which makes them good for long overland journeys but less effective in battle. Although Marlia is the second most powerful of the Accord Lands, the Marlians have arguably the least interest in recreating the Silent Empire.

The Marls pride themselves on their independence and toughness and tend to eschew more intellectual or formal pursuits, although they are famous for being hard-headed traders. Marlhaven is second only to Othery as the commercial centre of the Accord Lands, and is still the main entrepot for raw materials from the vast western wilderness. The Marls proclaimed themselves a Kingdom following the signing of the Treaty of Accord, and they are ruled by King Mercer II, the latest in a long line of rulers who were previously the Dukes of Marl under the Silent Empire. Marlia has few "great nobility" but numerous Barons, Counts and Knights control isolated castles. Each of these nobles is represented in the Marlian Parliament, a vast and unruly body which is constantly in conflict with the King over the military, taxes, roads and almost every other matter of state.

Marls are tall and usually have a rangy but strong build. Their tendency for outdoor work means they are often tanned. Most Marls have blonde or strawberry blonde hair, and green or hazel eyes.

The patron of Marlia is Toulou, the Archon of Nature. The Church of the Inner Sea originated in Marlia and is relatively tolerated within its borders, although violence still occurs.

Marls are notable for being extremely well represented among the adventurers who explore the Imperial Dungeons, second only to Vortens in this respect.

### Notable Places

* Marlhaven
* Hatford
* Hoster
* Gameskirk
* The Western Walk

### Notable Residents

* Mercer II
* Mortimer Ratsbane
* Rickard Ratsbane
* William G Maryblood
* Borees the Boar
* Arkil
* Freja