Caindos Flashpoints

History Never Sleeps!

• Caindos/Karlionne relations are always edgy, because in northern Karlionne, in the marcher counties that abut Caindos, raiding and cattle rustling is the norm. The marcher counties, Caerl, Mallorn, Remenger, and Greater Aelrid, have been granted sweeping powers to deal with the issue, but this has also made those counts more powerful, upsetting the Karlionne balance of power. Caindosian marcher lords, those of Ultimo, Devery, Glumn, and Gnilder, take great pleasure in goading the beast that is Karlionne.
• There is a proposed Cithcaeron Royal Forest and Malkorl Royal Forest corridor that has been brought under consideration, and that would enforest all of Caindos. This would be a virtual royal coup, downgrading the Caindosian nobles and clan chiefs’ power substantially.
• Arlium, by Caindos, once owned Narbelle. Narbelle possesses rich resources, making it an attractive prize, and Arlium wants it back. Arrendos is Narbelle’s current overlord, and they have no intention of abandoning it. The competing powers would gladly engage in a proxy war to destabilize the region, or wage a full on Arlium/Arrendos war.

Norward is a wealthy city-state that lies in northwestern West Karmithia at the crossroads of Old St., Ever St., and Never St., on the south shores of the Fern Maer. This state’s national borders fluctuate as regional power dynamics shift, but the city itself remains strong. Norward’s unparalleled access by sea and road make it a real prize. Norward’s Doge (Sovereign Duke) is Eldric Kolthen, younger brother to the High King of Arlium. Eldorn of Arlium has not tried to incorporate Norward into Arlium, choosing instead to honor Eldric’s goal of establishing his own dynasty. The mercenary company of the Black Lance is headquartered here, and they are involved in the local power dynamic too.

Eldric of Norward has made an unsubstantiated claim on all of West Karmithia, although to date that has been considered more posturing than an actual statement of intent. Depending on the way the winds of political favor blow, Eldric could indeed transform his claims into bold action.

The Parse island chain in the Fern Maer Sea comprises the Parse Island and Brandt Island. Parse is an independent country, but its proximity to the Empire of Aorlis and the Holy Karmithian Empire makes it strategically key. It has been aligned with both larger states at different times in the past, and now it is interested again in joining one or the other of its giant neighbors. Parse is tied into the economic spheres of both Aorlis and the Holy Karmithian Empire.