Emberreach

The Barony of Emberreach lies in the north of the Kingdom of Gaverhorn. Its prime landmark is the volcano near the Barony's capital. The Ashmound volcano is the focus one of the few religious traditions that survived into the modern times. While the locals appreciate the effort of the Fire Shapers, they still cling to sacrifices to keep Ashmound resting. To appease the population, Baron Eredous has decided that executions should be handled by the volcano.

Embercomb is the capital of the Barony and lies in the shadow of the Ashmound. The city has the largest academic presence of the Kingdom.

The people of Emberreach see themselves as more advanced and civilized, while other Baronies often see them as uptight. They are usually at the center of innovation. The town of Emberbie hosts the headquarters of the newest Guild in the Kingdom: the Gunsmen Guild.

Since the reign of Eredous, the Barony has had strained relations with Baron Palahir of Windfield. The lack of a true port city in Emberreach was an opportunity for Palahir to increase taxes onto trade with Emberreach, Palahir assumed little resistance from the young Eredous.

Eredous surprised friend and foe, his reputation as a quiet and shy scholar was shed as several nobles of Windfield were captured at the academy of Empirical Brotherhood in 307AU. Palahir was furious and sent out a retaliation force towards Emberbie. The town was devastated by Windfield's attack, causing many civilian casualties. Unbeknownst to Palahir, the Gunsmen Guild had earlier refused to fully support House Ember in case of conflict with the neighboring Barony. But the wanton destruction in the Guild's home town changed everything.

Soon after the devastation of Emberbie, a large force of Emberreach nobles, soldiers, sellswords, mercenaries and Gunsmen attacked Knockmore. The first days of battle brought destruction unlike the world had ever seen, the first gate of Knockmore fell quickly. Fire and explosions rained down upon the outer layer of the city, and the defenders were forced to retreat to the inner city. From there on, war raged on in the abandoned streets. The cannons on the Gunsmen were not fit for the spaces inside the city, but the Guild's snipers became invaluable. Many of Noble blood were slain on the city's pavement. But it was the destruction of the ancient buildings that caused Palahir to send his son to Stonekeld. The young Wendivere has worked his way around the King's courtier over the last year, but has not yet officially met the King to discuss the war between the two Baronies.

The Gealach forest provides the Barony with plenty of wildlife that is used for meat and furs. The Tailor guild's most luxurious raiments all use Gealach furs and they are seen as a sign of status. For this reason, the Guild has set up its headquarters within the city of Woldgate, a magnificent city that seems to rise out of the forest's heart. The powerful Spirit Beasts within Gealach cause the hunting of wildlife to be a risky endeavor and amplifies the exclusivity of its resources.

The Boglach swamp provides the Barony with products that, while not popular outside the Barony, are delicacies within Emberreach's upper echelons. Snails and snake meat sought after for cooking. While the poisonous berries are in high demand for the Healer Guild.

But the Boglach Swamp is also the home of the Boggieman Bandits, a menace upon the seatrade of Drumbeck. They come from the swamp on their ramshackle boats and raid the formidable ships of the Seafarer Guild. They are led by the Boggieman, a powerful Shaper with a knack for evading justice.

Their impressive presence in Boglach was tolerated in the past, but now that the Barony has to count on Stoneford for trade that tolerance has passed. How they survived for so long with the presence of the Swamp's Sipirit Beasts is unknown.