The Bream Islands
Wild and sparsely populated, the Bream Islands were long the domain of the Koui — simple fisherfolk who lived on the coastline, scratching out a meager living from the sea. All that changed in 4512 XC (3210 I.R.) when King Worrn II of Castorhage issued a decree calling for the exploration of the Nether Sea (as the Caerulean Ocean was called) and colonization of the Bream Islands. This act caused an unexpected crisis in the Xha’en Hegemony and ended with a foreign presence directly on the Xha’en’s doorstep. Cautious relations continue to this day, though the Xha’en’s new emperor is using the Castorhagi presence as a possible route to full contact and open trade with the outside world.
History and People
The Breams’ original inhabitants, known as the Koui, appear to be related to the Senge tribesfolk of the mainland. They live in slate-roofed stone huts in villages of 10–50 and maintain small fishing boats or coracles. The Koui follow a simple subsistence economy, surviving on fish, abalone, and seaweed. Generally left to their own devices by the Xha’en, the Koui have lived in this fashion for thousands of years, with most of their villages clustered around the southern ends of the three Bream Islands.
The City-State of Castorhage was the Hegemony’s only truly foreign trading partner, having established official mercantile relations in 3888 XC (2586 I.R.). However, it was not until 4512 XC (3210 I.R.) that King Worrn II of Castorhage decided that the city needed overseas colonies, and commanded that settlers be dispatched westward. The near-empty northern reaches of the Bream Islands presented the colonists with a risky but very real opportunity, with the hope that Castorhage’s previous relationship with the Hegemony would lessen hostility and help avoid open conflict.
The Castorhagi exploration vessel Brave made landfall in the Breams in 4515 XC (3213 I.R.) and found the islands suitable for colonization. A Castorhagi fleet arrived in the early summer of 4523 XC (3221 I.R.) and quickly established an outpost that was dubbed Farthest Point. Within weeks, several crude stone structures and a palisade had been built, and when unsuspecting Xha’en fishermen discovered it late in the fall, the outpost was well established and defended by well-armed Castorhagi soldiers. Farthest Point’s governor, Duke Lord Kestrel, had not been idle either, having dispatched a trade delegation to the Gtsang Prefecture and persuaded the notoriously isolationist inhabitants to open a small trading post.
Winter storms set in by the time news reached Empress Ilesa sa Yn Rachar and further investigation of the newcomers would have to wait until the following spring. As soon as the weather was favorable, an official delegation, accompanied by a strong force of Xha’en soldiery, sailed to the Breams to report on and, if necessary, destroy the foreign colonists.
The Castorhagi were decadent and ancient to be sure, but they were anything but stupid. The arrival of the Xha’en was inevitable, and Duke Lord Kestrel was as prepared for the event as anyone could be under the circumstances. He greeted the Xha’en delegation with deference, flattery, and declarations of friendship, reminding the Xha’en of their two nations’ long friendship, and presented gifts and offered tribute to the Hegemony in exchange for the colony’s independence.
Despite the Hegemony’s significant power and influence, the Xha’en delegation was somewhat taken aback at Castorhage’s diplomatic assault, and despite some misgivings, relayed Kestrel’s offer back to Empress Ilesa. Unsurprisingly, her court was thrown into confusion by these events, with some demanding open war with the “invaders” and others counseling a peaceful resolution and pointing to the centuries-long trade relationship between the two powers. Fortunately for all, Ilesa sided with the peace faction and agreed to let the colony stay, so long as yearly tribute was paid. The Castorhagi were allowed to build a second outpost on Greater Bream, but further expansion was limited, and any approach to the Xha’en mainland was strictly forbidden.
For their part, the Castorhagi stuck scrupulously to the letter of this agreement and established the outpost of Neer, then greatly expanding facilities on Farthest Point until it was a fully-functioning fortress, a major shipyard, and important waypoint for Castorhagi traffic north toward the city’s new colonies along the Elitani Coast. Both settlements proved vital when they supplied and supported Castorhage’s fleet in the defeat of the Sea-Throng of the Sinking Place in 4773 XC (3471 I.R.) and as a refuge for damaged Castorhagi vessels after their disastrous defeat on the Kraken’s Teeth in 4793 XC (3491 I.R.).
The two Bream settlements have continued to grow in recent years as trade along the Caerulean coast grows and ships move in larger numbers from Castorhage and the Free States to the new Elitani colonies. The Breams may well prove still more important as the Xha’en Hegemony and its new emperor move to end centuries of isolation, for now the Xha’en have established a permanent diplomatic mission there, and more Xha’en immigrants have begun traveling to live and work in the teeming districts of Castorhage.
The islands are growing more cosmopolitan by the day, with traders of several nations and ancestries arriving to help with mercantile endeavors. Elves, dwarves, halflings, and others are now seen among the crowds of Castorhagi traders, sailors, soldiers, and officials.
Religion
As in Castorhage proper, actual “religion” is something of a misnomer, for dozens of faiths compete for prominence. The settlements of Neer and Farthest Point boast places of worship for several of Castorhage’s true gods, including Baphomet, Mithras, and Mother Grace, but the most popular true gods are probably Mammon, a god of ruthless commerce and prosperity, and Sister Shadows, who is especially popular with shipwrights and some mariners.
The Koui, who still practice their subsistence economy along the Breams’ southern coastlines, generally follow the Xha’en pantheon, with a scattering of animistic local spirits, household gods, and entities of the sea that must be propitiated to bring rich hauls of fish.
Trade and Commerce
As the Bream colonies were founded for trade and support of trade, it’s not surprising that they are today centers of exchange for the region, and vitally important to Castorhage’s growing colonial empire. Regular trade with the insular Gtsang was established early, with finished goods and foodstuffs sent to the Prefecture in exchange for raw ore, fabrics, and artwork. Trade was similarly established with the The Thousand Rocks, and many Bream warriors bear weapons of Anari steel, and Bream nobles wear garments of Anari silk.
Full and official trade relations with the Hegemony had existed since well before the colony’s establishment, though the quantities of actual trade were relatively small. This situation is changing as the Emperor Sajrac su Kar has begun to negotiate and expand his contacts with the outside world.
Farthest Point’s naval facilities are increasingly vital as well, and now Hegemony vessels — fishing ships and even naval craft — have begun to make port there, seeking assistance from the skilled Castorhagi shipwrights.
Loyalties and Diplomacy
The Breams occupy a somewhat delicate position: an outpost of the growing influence of Castorhage next door to the ancient power of the Xha’en Hegemony. Officially, Neer and Farthest Point are colony cities, and the Hegemony claims the remainder of the Breams, though there has never been a significant Xha’en presence there. The two outposts have expanded over the years to the very limits allowed by treaty, and now that a friendlier and far more outgoing monarch sits upon the Xha’en throne, Queen Alice’s diplomats have begun to make polite but insistent requests to expand Castorhagi influence to the entirety of all three isles.
The Breams’ value as naval facilities for vessels traveling to and from the Castorhagi colonies in the north has also increased the influence of the islands’ governor and made the office a highly desirable one. The current governor, Lord Duke Taneth, is also an influential nobleman who hopes one day to ascend to the rank of Justice and is willing to move heaven and earth to do so. Such is his ambition that he has managed to double the naval resources assigned to Farthest Point and station several elite regiments of Castorhagi troops at Neer under the pretense of providing security for merchant and colonial traffic bound for Elitani lands to the north. Hushed rumors suggest that Taneth’s goals are far more elaborate, and that he intends to provoke a diplomatic incident with the Hegemony over maritime routes near Quy Island. In the ensuing conflict, Taneth hopes to use his crack Castorhagi troops and warships to sweep aside Hegemony defenders and add Quy to Castorhage’s empire. While the long-term consequences of such an ill-advised strategy should be obvious to even the dullest observer, the soaring heights of Taneth’s ambitions may not allow him to see disaster in the offing.
The Castorhagi are aware of the existence of the Kingdom of Caerulea, but so far have made no effort to approach the state or establish diplomatic relations. Castorhagi vessels travel unmolested in the region, and captains are usually careful about what they throw overboard for fear of offending the merfolk. A growing number of officials have called for direct contact with Caerulea, but so far Governor Taneth has refused.
Government
The greater colony of Bream is under the overall command of an appointed governor, usually of ducal rank. Each of the two citadels is in turn commanded by a military officer, both subordinate to the governor in civil matters. As noted, the position of governor has gained significant influence as the Breams grow more important to Castorhage, and Lord Duke Taneth is an especially notable example of the ambitious Castorhagi nobleman hoping to increase his personal power. The two garrison commanders, Lord General Aldus and Lady General Gentari, are both skilled professionals who have few ambitions beyond military service — a situation that Taneth himself arranged when he saw to their assignments.
Military
Farthest Point is currently the most important Castorhagi outpost in the far west, equipped as it is with extensive shipbuilding and repair facilities. Supplies are shipped from the Forest Coast and elsewhere to keep the shipyards working at peak effectiveness, and thanks to Governor Taneth’s influence, a full squadron of warships, including the Strategos, are currently assigned to provide protection for the port and for vessels bound to and from the northern colonies.
Taneth has made certain that only the best and most competent Castorhagi soldiers and sailors are assigned to the Breams. Soldiers, knights, and engineers all have excellent arms and armor, and some are entirely equipped with weapons of Anari steel. Unbeknownst to the Xha’en, the Castorhagi have also equipped the fortresses with defensive weapons such as anti-ship ballistae and fire-throwing war engines; these are kept hidden should hostilities with the Hegemony ever break out.
While Castorhagi numbers are markedly inferior to the seemingly-endless manpower commanded by the Xha’en, their position on the Breams would allow them to hold out for a significant period, and their powerful warships outclass the Hegemony navy in almost every category. On the other hand, choking the Breams off from supplies would be relatively simple, and any relief from Castorhage would take months or even years to arrive. War between the two states would clearly be a long, drawn-out affair likely to sap both societies and economies, so cooler heads on both sides believe it should be avoided. Unfortunately, rumor has it that Governor Taneth himself is willing to risk confrontation simply to advance his own political fortunes.
Major Threats
The Breams currently face no overt threats save for the harsh environment of the Caerulean Ocean and the sheer distance to the city of Castorhage. Potential enemies surround the Breams, of course, which has necessitated an elaborate diplomatic balancing act. Tribute is sent to the Hegemony every year, while trade is maintained with Gtsang, the The Thousand Rocks, and the dwarves of Ankhura.
The greatest potential threat to the Breams, of course, is the Xha’en Hegemony, and the Castorhagi have remained here at the Xha’en’s indulgence for three centuries. Even if meddlers such as Governor Taneth don’t succeed in triggering a disastrous conflict between Castorhage and the Hegemony, there remains a distinct possibility that a war faction or other group hostile to the colony might rise in influence or, worse yet, replace the emperor entirely.
Wilderness and Adventure
The Breams are for the most part rocky, windswept wilderness, with settlements only on their coastlines. There are a few exceptions, such as the great mountains of Shir and Kor on Lesser Bream. The islanders tell tales of the hero Nandase, whose bones are said to lie at the summit of Mount Kor. Pilgrims can supposedly receive blessings and good luck when they pray at this site, but the route up the mountain is deadly, plagued by fierce griffins, giant eagles, and, in some stories, vengeful spirits. One of the few green and pleasant regions in the Breams are the forests and meadows at the base of Mount Shir, which the islanders say are inhabited by nature spirits who are kind to those who treat the land well and vengeful to those who mistreat it. A small sect of druids dwells here in caves and tends the land.
A few legends speak of ogres, trolls, giants, and various species of ogre magi that live in the island’s rugged interior, occasionally preying upon the unfortunate fisherfolk of the southern coast. Whether these stories are true or not has never been determined.
Geography
The Bream Islands
Controlled Territories
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