Tusnya
Located in southeastern Aecenys, the region of Tusnya is home to some of the wealthiest cities in the Eastern Ring. It has transformed from a lush wilderness to a civilized confederation of city-states that maintain a foothold over the region. It's land is fertile and prosperous, and many of its residents hail from diverse backgrounds. Other than its bountiful farms, the region is best known for its ship-making and trade.
Worship of Irdona, Gilmithien, and Ettuna is not uncommon. The celebration of the Last Harvest is popular throughout the region, with the biggest festival taking place in the capital of Riven. Tusnya also welcomes the use of arcane magic, and is seen as a bastion for arcane spellcasters from the nearby Corinian Empire.
Geography
The region of Tusnya is diverse in terms of its geography, surrounded by a mountain range to its north and west, as well as two major rivers. Several tributaries originating from the mountains lead directly into either the major rivers or Lake Dorna. Rolling hills are located in the northern part of the region, while forests surround the lake at the center. To the south are moors that border the magical forest of Eryn Sael. The region also access to the Aenean Ocean on its eastern coast, providing ample fishing for the coastal villages as well as trade for its major cities. The entirety of Tusnya is sheltered by the mountain ranges, save for the pass protected by Redmont Keep. If any military force were to try to invade the region, they would have to go through Ridwan's Pass.
Relative to many regions throughout Aecenys, Tusnya is known for its beauty and fertile land. The temperate weather means agriculture grows most of the year, and the protection offered by the mountain ranges also serves to trap fresh rain water, allowing it to flow down towards the ocean. They also serve to shelter the terrain from an arid landscape, such as in regions like Uruger and Ardor.
Natural Resources
Tusnya provides ample natural resources through access to forests, rivers, lakes, hills, and mountains. Hardwood lumber is harvested from the Ironwood Forest, while wheat and barley grows in the farmland southeast of Leafside, and potatoes from the farms surrounding Dosk. The hills and mountains still have minerals and gems untapped, but between the Burnt Mountains and Ashrane Peaks, Tusnya has local access to gold, silver, and copper. Much of the gold comes out of Kazad Bryn, and is imported in through the city of Aurelia.
History
Long before it became home to the League of Southern Marches, Tusnya was a region unknown to many of Aecenys. While the elves of the Valorion Dominion were researching and pushing the boundaries of magic, and the Corinians grew exponentially in the west, Tusnya remained unexplored. It was a place of wilderness, hidden behind the great mountain ranges of the Burnt Mountains and the Ashrane Peaks. It was not until after the Doom of Corinia, in the year 502 AR, that explorers from Tol Annûn sailed around the southeastern part of the continent and landed on the eastern coast at the village now known as Yarrin. Most of the elves departed after a few months, although some stayed and settled the area. They named the rivers and migrated toward the source of magic in Eryn Sael. These became the first wood elves in the region, becoming particularly attuned to the fey, and protective of their new forest home.
By the late 690's, explorers from Ardor traveled through Ridwan's Pass and started to colonize the region. Most of it was covered in forest, but soon gave way to civilization. First Beystone was founded at the base of the Ashrane Peaks and the mouth of the Dornan Tributary. It was named Beystone for its access to limestone, with several quarries established in the area. Once settlers looked east, they found an optimal location for a new settlement, at the juncture of the Dornan Tributary and the Ambar Nen. They named it Riven, which means "joining of two rivers". Other towns were established soon after, but Riven outgrew them all. People from all races started to flock to Riven for its central location, serving as a trade hub with the rest of Tusnya, and with access to the Aenean Ocean through the the river. From that point on, the region surged in population, with elves flocking toward the coastal settlements, dwarves settling in areas nearer the mountains, and humans everywhere in between.
The cities and towns operated independently for years, serving their own self-interests. There was no active alliance, and the cities only dealt with each other through trade. It wasn't until 877 AR, when the wood elves of Eryn Sael attacked a defenseless human village outside of their borders. The village was destroyed, but not before a messenger traveled to both Beystone and Riven for aid. Each city responded by sending their levies along with a show of force from Beystone in the form of the Stone Guard. The combined might of both cities drove the wood elves back into their forest, thus ending the Verdant War. As the treatise was signed, the leaders of the city came together and agreed upon a formal alliance. The alliance soon incorporated other towns and cities within Tusnya, creating what is now known as the League of Southern Marches.
Civilization spread through every corner of the region, and grew wealthy due to trade and industry. It is now known as a region with fertile lands, expert shipwrights, and prosperous trade centers.
Alternative Name(s)
Southern Marches
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