Verullus

**Verullus**, the largest island in Morgaea, is a humid jungle nation in the Delsuren Ocean, directly south of the Adamantium. It's capital, and largest city, is also called Verullus.

## History

Verullus had been in the possession of the Adamantium from its earliest days, and its architecture reflects the long occupation of the Adamantium. However, after successfully claiming Sudern in **6A30**, the Orcimar turned their attention to Verullus, landing on its shores in **6A32**. After ten years, the Orcimar had not only taken the island from the Adamantium entirely, but also occupied a significant portion of the mainland Adamantium.

The Orcimar were eventually pushed back from the mainland and entrenched in Verullus. The Battle of Oremeni Bay followed, and proved to be the largest naval engagement in recorded history, ultimately leading to a stalemate between the warring nations.

In **7A25**, the Orsimer Crusades were declared by both the Adamantine Ministry, to retake Verullus and the western city of Ventara, and the Maudesian Ministry, to retake Ghallen. Three Crusades took place in quick succession, with no clear victor by **7A84**, the end of the Third Crusade. By then the Orcimar had lost Verullus to the Adamantium.

Generations passed as the people of Verullus sought to rebuild the war-torn country. However, the Orcimar mounted another offense to retake the island between **8A55**-**8A58**, and finally wrested lasting control of the island from the Adamantium.

In **9A25**, the Orcimar lost their Oknar of twelve years to wounds sustained in Verullus. After ninety days of testing, a successor was finally chosen, who has long been considered by the Adamantium to be one of the main obstacles to their reconquest of the island.

## Geography

### Settlements

* **Alam**
* **Verullus** – capital of the island

## Politics

Verullus is still "avoaveach" to the Orcimar; a land to be conquered and converted, literally "those who need to be taught." The Orcimar maintain a loose control, but meet a heavy resistance from the Adamantium. To add to the chaos, both of them are opposed by Avrue-Graa in the south of the island, and by native rebels.

Among the Orcimar, the nauk-ach task their youngest soldiers with protecting the port of Verullus. It is a relatively easy task, mostly requiring a tolerance for boredom, and the ability to pay close attention; even after hours of inactivity. The young nauk-ach stationed there, most of them under eighteen years old, are the city's first line of defense against the occasional threats to the city's security; assassins, spies, and infiltrators. However, while the city proper is considered a safe post, service elsewhere on the island is considered hazardous. Scores of Orcimar soldiers fall to local insurgents, Adamantines, and Avrue-Graa. Even those who survive are left scarred, as prolonged stress breaks the wills and minds of veteran officers and new soldiers alike. The Orcimar call the condition ukoul-ukick, or "soul sickness". The avhoukes struggle to compensate for the losses, forcing the tuurm to promote new officers as quickly as they are lost.

### The Warriors of the Mist

Some native Verullus rebels have resorted to guerilla warfare against both the Orcimar and Adamantine occupants. Known as the Warriors of the Mist, tales of their prowess and stealth have given them a reputation on the island, as well as the mainland.

## Culture

The mist dancers tell stories of the land Verullus once was. They say that the wyverns of the Grey Order originated from Verullus. They speak of the ancient Curse of Dahar that brought the mist, and the promise that will one day lift it. They tell about the March of Four Winds, about the lost people who fled to the southern islands, and about the heroes who learned from the elves.

Farmers in the mountains grow cinnamon and nutmeg trees; they are frequent targets of the Avrue-Graa.

The battle in **8A55** leveled large portions of Vurullus' architecture and infrastructure. The native people of the island, not under Orcimar rule, came to hate the Adamantium as much as the Orcimar due to the violent and long-lasting warfare and the toll it had taken on the island. In spite of this dissent, many inhabitants have taken willingly to the Orc as it offers an alternative to the oppression of Adamantine rule; particularly to the large population of former elven slaves on the island. Many of those elves now hold high office within the Orcimar ranks, helping the invaders oust their old masters.