The Peering Eye

The Great Lake Region Overview

Politics

The Great Lake dominates northern Bigany. It is a trade gateway to Torland and Az Ylar. Each of the Five Families has one domain on the lake.

The Forc Grand Duchy of Westlake is the largest and most powerful and as it’s name suggests it commands the entire west coast of the lake. The Forc Family has rarely been accused of imaginative naming. To the north of the lake is the Kinnett domain of West Elleria, one of the least wealthy Kinnett regions. In the northeast The Duchy of Vecberg is owned by the Vec Family and is has the second wealthiest town on the lake. South of this is the absurdly mountainous Duchy of Peaks owned by the Torc Family, this is a bleak and lonely duchy with little wealth, that is often looked down upon by other duchies. Finally there is the Mome Family’s Duchy of Southlake, which is in the shadow of the other massively wealthy Mome duchies.
 

Trade

The Great Lake dominates northern Bigany. It is a trade gateway to Torland and Az Ylar. The southwest of the lake is dominated by the port city of Lakeport, the nexus of trade in the region. On the northeastern side of the lake is port city of Vecberg, Lakeport’s primary trading partner and the gateway to Torland. There are many other ports that feed the trade to and from Torland and Az-Ylar but they live in the shadow of ‘the twin cities’.

The southeastern coast is dotted with fishing villages and but on the western coast small towns are more common feeding off the land and coastal barge trade. The north coast of the lake is a sparsely populated wilderness with a few towns dealing in the fur trade from further north.

The lake itself is dotted with a large number of isles, some of which are reputed to be the homes of pirate lairs. There is only one isle of significant size on the lake, devastated by plague over a century ago it has remained unpopulated and off limits since.

Politics

The Lakeport region is a substantial buffer zone between Bigany and The Empire of Torland. In reality patrols almost never go as far into Bigany as the Empire maps would indicate. Garrisons are AT LEAST a days ride from the official border. This is because the Black Guard tend to butcher patrols and raze garrisons depending on their mood and their current liberal interpretation of the border.

War

During the recent short war, the Empire laid siege to Lakeport, unsuccessfully as usual, having easily pushed through Vec lands and then getting fought to a standstill by the Forc armies. Interestingly they were stopped in their campign in the far south at Bywater, by the Mome Navy, having again pushed through the Vec lands with ease. The Crown asked some very difficult questions of the Vec nobles once the invasion was over.

The Imperial forces were halted in the Great Valley by the Forc armies from Crucible supported by Kinnett and Mome forces. A small number of Dirt Legion units made it into Bigany evading the main hosts. One was slaughtered in an ambush by a renegade unit of Elves from Elledrin lead by the infamous Boghadoir of Elledrin. Another was single handedly cut down by The Black Guard commander Garrol at Red Brick Bridge. Others were lost, in various unpleasant ways. Bigany is, particularly The Crownlands, full of nasty surprises. Some claimed that an entire legion could have still be been active after the war, but several decades later this is extremely unlikely. 

The Duchy of Peaks

This duchy looms over the southeast shore of The Great Lake and is absurdly mountainous. Aligned to the Torc Family and ruled by Duke Brusiekial Torc in Cleaveberg, this cold and isolated duchy has little wealth, and is distained by the other Bigany nobles. 

Most of the duchy is unpopulated, if not uninhabitable, by subjects of the crown. The icy and treacherous peaks are home to all manner of monstrosities and strange beasts; dragons, remorhaz, giants and purple worms are common there. Civilized races avoid those regions as much as they can.

The Shifting Valley north of the Cleave is home to goliath tribes that survive between two rival dragons, while to the south is the DéDannan Plateau a forbidden region of mysterious ancient magic.

For wizards who enjoy secluded towers to study their craft in peace, it is perfect. Even though persecution by The Church is no longer an issue, many prefer to stay isolated. 

Goegraphy

Founded over a thousand years ago, the duchy covers over 42,000 square miles, but a mere fifth of the duchy is arable land. The rest is evenly split into either frozen wasteland entirely inhospitable to most life or cold wilderness. The largest river in the duchy is the Cleave River, which is navigable from Cleaveberg near the Great Lake as far as Belview at the Foot of Mount Fynial.

Population

The Duchy of Peaks has a very low population density, with only around twenty inhabitants per square mile for a total population of 840,000 people. Most people live in the more hospitable areas near rivers and summer pastures. There is a surprisingly large number wizard led communities that live high up in the ice bound peaks using magic to keep warm and well supplied. The people of the duchy, wizards especially, value their privacy. 

Settlements

The largest city in the duchy is Cleaveberg with a population of around 10,000 people, followed by Cleaveberg with about 8,000. The largest town is Belview, which has been growing quickly under the stewardship of Caleb Beltorc, and now boasts over 2,000 inhabitants. There are a couple of dozen smaller towns scattered about the duchy. The remaining population lives in numerous small villages and isolated dwellings.

Strongholds

The Duchy of Peaks has sixteen actively maintained strongholds and four that have fallen into ruin within living memory. Most of these strongholds are isolated high in the mountains. There are also several hundred wizard towers scattered about the mountain wilderness in various states of repair, from brand new to ancient ruin. A prime example of this desired for fortified isolation is Prejama Castle.

The duchy's defensive strategy is to withdraw to mountain fortresses when attacked and let the mountains destroy invading armies. Not that is matters, one ever invades.

Lakeport

Population 43,000 

Known For: Warcraft, Shipyards, Trade Controls, Magical Weapons, Mercenaries, Huge Fortifications, Foundries, Smiths, Dwarves.

Located in the southwest of the great lake and situated on the Bigan River, Lakeport is famed for its weaponsmiths, shipwrights and more recently it's war focused magecraft, Lakeport is Bigany's ever expanding second city. All of the trade between the cities of the Great Lake and Bigany city moves through the massive gates of Lakeport.

It has been peaceful for many years despite several Torlandish invasions. This is due to the enormous walls and towers and the powerful siege machines deployed upon them.

As the second largest settlement in the kingdom, Lake Port is the jewel in the crown of the Forc family. The main trading noble families (the Vecs and the Momes) have been encouraged to trade freely and this has brought great wealth t this city and to the Forcs. With the lifting of the restriction on magic there are an increasing number of Torc noble mages declaring their use of magic and finding support there (it is very close to Kavar and Al-Shahn in Az-Ylar).

South Coast

There are three settlements of size along the Southern coast of the Lake. They are similar in structure and purpose and are treated together; each is supported by a number of smaller fishing villages and stretches of farmland.
Each of these towns is built around a harbour fortress to protect from hostile intentions from Torland or pirates. The Towns are small numbering between 1-5000 people. Their primary function is as a way station for the hauliers of Low Margin goods making the coastal barge run. Additionally they provide convenient stop over points for those travelling by road. Each town has a standing garrison of troops and at least one fast navy patrol boat. This is intended primarily as a means of delivering messages to and from Lake Port. Each town also has a royal roadhouse, an expensive hotel with standard furnishings and services but provided for use of royal messengers. The roadhouses provide an expensive but ready supply of horses and necessities. The towns also have large bunkers that are used as warehouses for food supplies. This is intended should the army ever need to mount a prolonged campaign in the region.


Cragfort
This town had a tiny natural harbour but the feature of a rocky prominence overlooking it. An adventurer heavily fortified the Harbour before he went missing on an adventure to earn tax arrears. The villagers hearing of his disappearance declared a free town, loyal to the king and seized the fortress in lieu of back taxes. That merciless practicality has continued to today with each generation expanding the harbour and its defences. It is the strongest defended of the towns on the south coast, perhaps due to its proximity to the Torlandish border. The provisioning of border patrols is a major local business.

Forcberg
Founded by the Vecs 200 years ago as an alternative to the Island hopping route centred on Valaff’s Isle the town struggled until Valaff’s Isle became a no go area. Since then it has been the route of choice for those wishing to avoid the pirates and other dangers of the northern lake.
The town received royal attention about 75 years ago and it is from that period that the fortifications date.

Vec Cove
Built to compete with Vecberg's steep prices this is the alternate base for many of those operating along the south coast. While the bitter rivalry of the towns early years may be diminished the local population is still suspicious of all things Forc. Merchants (especially those in low margin businesses) blame the Forcs for much of the trouble in the northern waters, an assertion that the Forcs strenuously deny.

East Coast

There are three towns, each of which compete for the sea trade from Lakeport. Land trade goes almost exclusively via Sothville but may then wend its way northwards through one of the other towns.

Cleaveberg
Situated at the Mouth of Misneach’s Cleave this town was originally settled by Fishermen. Following the establishment of the province of Vitrus early trade occurred along this route. Later after the foundation of Bigany this remained a predominantly Torlandish town. During the disastrous empresses war the town was levelled several times despite strong defences. Since then it has adopted a policy of surrender in the face of attrition. It is a relatively cosmopolitan town far removed from the centres of empire or kingdom and relatively self-governing. At the moment it is loyal to Bigany. There is no immediate likelihood of a change in that status.

Sothville
Located at the South-eastern corner of the great Lake. Primarily a junction on a land route furs and other goods from the north meet goods from Lakeport and central Bigany. This also serves as a major destination for goods from Central Torland to Bigany.
A very Torlandish town it is nonetheless under military control of Bigany and has been for several generations.

Nardheim
Nardheim is the North most town on the eastern shore of the great Lake. This town is primarily a source of goods, mainly furs and hides from the north. It is a centre of the tanning industry. Without any clear civil structure this sometimes-anarchic town is everything you might expect a wilderness town to be. Except for one thing. In the woods near the town is a Black Guard fortress that overlooks the stench of this town as a grim reminder that the freedom they enjoy is at the sufferance of the crown.

North Coast

A number of small villages similar to Nardheim populate this area. This is a lawless area. Hunting and trapping are the primary sources of income, though the area is also a popular base of operations amongst mercenary companies. There is much discussion in political circles as to why the regional powers have not intervened to bring this area under control.

West Coast

The area near Lakeport is heavily settled and farmed, supplying the needs of Lakeport. Northwards this area extends along the coastal belt half way up the west shore. Beyond Fort Julius to the north the rule of law and order breaks down and the level of farming is reduced. Inland the border of civilization is the range of hills that border Az Ylar. The Hills themselves are often inhospitable and the home to many strange cults and creatures. These are a constant hassle to the settlers of the region and the Az Ylar settlements on the far side of the border. It is unclear why Bigany has not purged the cults from the area.

Islands

The Lake has several hundred islands mostly concentrated in the northern half of the lake. Most of the isles are too small for habitation. Some of the isles in the northern part of the lake are rumoured to be home to pirates who deny repeated attempts at their elimination through better knowledge of the waters.
There are several Military outposts on the lake though they serve as little more than anchorages for patrol boats. The Largest Isle on the lake is Valaff’s Isle

Valaff’s Isle
The Robber Baron Valaff set up this island as a port and fortress in the early days of Bigany with the aide of a number of investor. The Family’s fortunes fell into ruin several generations later despite the lucrative income from the Islands increasing role as a stopping point for Barges and Ships crossing the Lake.
The Isle passed into the hands of a consortium of guildsmen and other investors who ran it as a business until the plague hit a hundred years ago. The plague decimated the population and the Priests investigating ordered a complete evacuation. Since then the fortress and its surrounds have fallen to ruin. No one visits the isle for fear of what may lie there. Stories abound as to the reason why the church evacuated rather than healing the afflicted.

The DéDannan Tower

Created in a bygone age long before to the rise of the Jurius Kinnett, this tower lay toppled in its side for a millennia.

With the return of high magic the Torc family have invested vastly in the restoration of this ancient marvel. It is boasted by reckless young wizards that once complete, its dormant core will flare into life and form a multifaceted arcane focus.

This will allow hundreds of wizards to pool their magical energy. The most boastful claim, in these hushed voices, is that this power would even rival The King’s strongest coteries. If this is true, it would be a terribly dangerous secret, known to only a handful of the most powerful Torc wizards. If it were true it would tip the balance of power in The Kingdom and possibly the world.

An ancient times this tower was created by DéDannan Ogres to rival the power of Táin MacLir. In recent times the tower became known as Prunella’s Folly.

Belview

Set on a wide section of the river, on a narrow plateau at the base of Mount Fynial, Belview town is dot of civilization in the snowy wilderness. Towering above, perched 1500 feet above the town on the mountainside is the new Beltorc Castle with its iconic cable elevator connecting it to the town. Beltorc Keep, once the seat power on the region, dominates the settlement itself. 

Industry

The town is serviced by three main piers that front the warehouse district and is now a regional centre of industry, processing much of the ore produced by the nearby mines. Tertiary industry is also flourishing as smiths and other craftsmen take advantage of the ‘mines door’ pricing offered to those who set up in the town. The benefits for newcomers don’t end there, the Beltorc family provide housing to all that prove themselves of value to the town.

Wizard Built

Locals and visitors alike often refer to the town as ‘Stonehaven’ referring to the distinctive architecture of most of the buildings. Almost all structures in Belview are based on initial seeding with wall of stone and similar spells. This became a rule of law after several fires decimated the town decades ago, simply too many overzealous fire mages around, not to mention the occasional fire-breathing dragon.

Fishing

The river is home to many aquatic lifeforms and Belview’s secondary industries include a small fishing fleet that services both local and export needs. Particularly rare delicacies are sent across Bigany via the new Torc teleportation circle network. Belview caviar regularly features at The King’s table along with mawfish cocktails, a type of carnivorous freshwater prawn with a disproportionately large mouth filled with tiny needle-sharp teeth.

Threats from the water are usually handled by a herd of plesiosaurs led by a male who was awakened by the druid Amelia. He is fondly referred to as ‘Perry’ by local fishermen. The occasional snatching of fish from the fishing fleets nets are considered well worth the protection the creatures bring.

Biting Cold

Whilst prosperous, living in Belview is not without its drawbacks, the bitter cold is constant with temperatures dropping well below zero during the winter and never rising above 10 degrees on a summer’s day. Agriculture is limited to a very short season and would be impossible without the benevolent support of the druid Amelia Poten who maintains a druid’s grove 2 miles west of the town and is married to a lesser Beltorc noble. In exchange for the family’s sensitive management of local wildlife and land Amelia ensures that the limited growing season is a fruitful as it can possibly be. Despite this, Belview is dependent on imported fresh goods most of the year.

Dragons

Then there is the ‘dragon in the room’, quite literally the constant threat from dragons and other dangerous creatures. Constant vigilance is required to give enough warning to the residents who know to respond to the alarm bell. They race immediately into the tunnel warren beneath the city that leads to the keep where safety can be found in the cellars. Usually such occurrences are dealt with, by the arcane power brought to bear from the keep, supported by the tower’s traditional ballista artillery. Rumour has it that the Beltorc family is trying to source some more advanced gunpowder based weaponry from privateer contacts in Freeport.

DéDannan Ruins on The Plateau

The DéDannan ruins atop of The Plateau in The Duchy of Peaks have not been visited by men in generations lost to time.

Cleaveberg

Situated at the mouth of the Misneach’s Cleave River, this is the largest city in the duchy and the seat of the duke. It is a surprisingly cosmopolitan town, accepting all comers despite how strange they may be, for few are as strange as the mountain creatures that occasionally prowl nearby. It is far removed from the centre of Bigany and much more loyal to the duke than the king. For now, it is loyal to Bigany. No one speaks openly of desires to change that. But after The Maius Bonum Letter, nothing is certain.

It was originally settled by Fishermen. Following the establishment of The Duchy of Southlake next to it, early trade occurred along this route. Later after the foundation of Bigany this remained a predominantly Torlandish town for many years. During the disastrous Empresses War, the town was levelled several times despite strong defences, due to the terrifying ice creatures allied to the Empress attacking from the mountains. Since then, it has adopted a policy of surrender in the face of Torlandish armies.

Cragfort

Though Cragfort has a tiny natural harbour, the rocky prominence overlooking it makes it extremely defensible from a military standpoint. Cragfort is the most robustly fortified town on the southeast coast, with each generation expanding the harbour and its defences due to its history and its proximity to the terror filled mountains. The provisioning of expeditions into the mountains is a major local business.

Many generations ago, when only a small village stood on the site, an adventurer named Elias Craghammer built a keep on the overlook, heavily fortified the harbour and built massive walls around the village. In a bloodless coup Elias declared himself mayor, Lord of Cragfort and vassal to the duke. No one in Cragfort had the power to object. The duke accepted his fealty but unsurprisingly demanded substantial taxes from the new Lord. Elias went on an adventure to find more treasure to pay the duke and build an even greater stronghold. Elias’ companions returned without him and reported him missing to the duke. The villagers hearing of his disappearance seized Cragfort, declared loyalty to the duke and offered the fortress in lieu of back taxes. That merciless practicality and their love of fortifications continue today.

The Shifting Valley

In the northeast of The Duchy of Peaks are the towering Peaks of Glaunthar and Thrandul. Between these impressive snow-capped bergs run two mountain ranges widening to form the shifting valley.

The Dragons

The ancient white dragon Ištēnnapāšum Šalgumšadûm has carved an icy vault in the glacier atop Glaunthar and sits on a hoard of silver and diamonds. The ancient gold dragon Edûmkalûm Ṣiāḫumkabtum watches from the splendour of his lofty golden palace on Thrandul sitting on a hoard of gold coin and yellow sapphires. Both their hoards are rumoured to contain centuries of wealth including kellum artifacts and mysterious brass orbs from the DéDannan Age. 

A bitter hatred burns between them and a cold war flares between their minions. This enmity been simmering for generations. The dragons’ offspring and other dragons seeking their favour, plague the Shifting Valley between the two great mountains. These chromatic and metallic dragons attack each other more than they harass they valley’s other inhabitants who wisely flee when they appear. When they get bored or hungry though the dragons will attack travellers, towns and wizard towers.

The Valley

The Shifting Valley is a carpet of ice crevices that constantly move under the snow due to glacial pressures and monstrous activity. It is plagued by many deadly creatures particularly remorhaz and purple worms. With characteristic stubbornness several goliath tribes have claimed this no man’s land between the warring ancient dragons with settlements north and west of the Fleece River. Their bitter enemies are the duergar clan Dûrgrimst Urzhad (clan of the cave bear), who ride into battle on brown bears issuing forth from their caves in the base of Glaunthar.

The Tribes

The goliath tribes are direct descendants of the DéDannan, who lost their advanced arcane knowledge in the devastation caused by The Chain Gate at the end of the Golden Age. They have thrived for many generations forged by the challenges of their adopted homeland. The goliath tribal chiefs do not wear crowns to proclaim their status as is common in Bigany, instead they wield large maces topped with brass orbs, which are said to be indestructible.

To subsist in such a harsh environment would be impossible without their specially bred giant mountain goats, which they ride, herd and farm. The goats provide milk, meat, wool, hides and much more that are vital to the tribes’ survival. 

The Goats

The specially bred giant goat mounts can traverse the crevices and mountainsides easily and grant a huge advantage in warfare. The tribes sell goat wool for extremely high prices, because it is very rare, comfortable, durable and used in both exclusive noble clothing and the crafting magical items. Intrepid merchants from Cragfort will venture through mountain passes and up the Fleece River to trade with the tribes and the export the wool to Bigany and Az-Ylar. 

They vary in colour from snow white to sky blue in colour, but the most prized are the rare striped or mottled strains. It is claimed that their white heads and backs hide them from airborne predators and their sky blue bellies hide them from enemies below their rocky homes.