Free Marches
The Free Marches encompass a group of city-states situated in eastern Thedas (south of Antiva and the Tevinter Imperium, east of Nevarra, and north of Ferelden). The three real cities with any semblance of power in the Marches are Kirkwall, Starkhaven and Tantervale, each led by a titled official with the special right to name their city's Champion.
One of the Free Marches' most celebrated events is the Grand Tourney. Participants from all over Thedas converge on this festival of martial skill and valor in a competition to crown a champion of the games. The victor is awarded a coronet of sage leaves and a trophy blade known as the Celebrant, which is inscribed with the names of every champion since the first Tourney. The tradition of the Grand Tourney is considered one of few common bonds that every Marcher shares happily, and is a notoriously jubilant phenomenon despite its brevity.
The most important thing to know about the Free Marches is that we're free. We determine our own destiny, and that pleases us. Beyond that, the only other time we coalesce is when Grand Tourney comes to town. Then we boldly express our pride to any foreigner who'll listen. We'll kiss freedom on the lips and even lock arms with a proud Starkhavener! Alas, it lasts only a day, but there's no harm in that, right?
Structure
Official titles differ from one Marcher city to another, though currently none of them boasts a King. The supreme leaders are titled as follows:
- Duke | the ruler of Wycome
- Lord/Lady Chancellor | the ruler of Tantervale
- Margrave/Margravine | the ruler of Ansburg
- Prince | the ruler of Starkhaven
- Teyrn | the ruler of Ostwick
- Viscount | the ruler of Kirkwall and Kaiten
Champion
This title is bestowed, only by a city ruler, on an individual who has proven his/her dedication to the city in blood, sweat, and leadership. The title is not necessarily a sign of honor, for a Champion can utilize methods that evoke love or fear. There have been Champions of Starkhaven, Tantervale, and Kirkwall.History
Originally the cities that now make the Free Marches were either Planasene villages conquered by the magisters or settlements established from the grounds up by the Tevinters as the nation expanded. The settlements and villages grew into cities under Tevinter development.
Between -180 Ancient and -171 Ancient, the Alamarri led by Maferath and Andraste invaded the Tevinter Imperium, taking over their southern cities with the notable exception of Emerius, which resisted them but fell to a slave rebellion much later in -25 Ancient. The last Tevinter city to fall was Nevarra City. There, Maferath made a secret deal with Archon Hessarian, who allowed the Alamarri to keep the lands they conquered in exchange for ceasing their invasion, and the life of Andraste. However Maferath's treachery is exposed and his people abandoned him and he was killed by his own sons, who split the newly conquered lands between themselves. As the Alamarri army lost its momentum and the chieftans battled between themselves, and the Tevinter Imperium recovered from the invasion, the cities took the opportunity to break free and become independent. This state was not to last, however, as many of the cities have been taken over and made independent over again; others, such as Nevarra City expanded so much that they turned into full grown nations.
In 1:95 Divine, the last battle of the Second Blight was fought at Starkhaven with a human army led by the Wardens. Both sides suffered heavy losses, but Zazikel was finally slain by the Grey Warden Corin.
In 2:15–2:45 Glory Starkhaven arose and prompted its king, Fyruss, in attempt to unite the Free Marches under his banner and build his own empire. In 2:80 Glory, Fyruss was betrayed by his Tevinter allies and ousted from Starkhaven; the Tevinter Imperium conquered his city in result. This led the Chantry to declare an Exalted March to liberate Starkhaven from the Imperium. The following battle for the independence of Starkhaven was short, but bloody.
In 5:12 Exalted, the Archdemon Andoral awoke triggering the Fourth Blight. The darkspawn devastate Antiva & Rivain before swarming across the Free Marches. The cities of Wycome and Kirkwall are evacuated by the Grey Wardens and Fortress Haine is rebuilt as a haven for refugees.
In 5:37 Exalted, Tylus, the first Van Markham king of Nevarra, was crowned after having claimed to be a descendant of Drakon's son, killed in Cumberland. Being a hero of the recent Fourth Blight, Tylus was able to stir nationalistic feelings in the western Free Marches against the growing power of Orlais. He proved his military might by winning several major battles against the Orlesians, with a decisive battle taking place in 5:40, establishing Nevarra as a new, growing power.
In 7:56 Storm, the Qunari landed near Ostwick and launched assaults against Starkhaven and Kirkwall. Starkhaven prevailed, but Kirkwall fell due to the magic of the Saarebas. The city remained under Qunari power until Orlesian Chevalier Ser Michel Lafaille liberated Kirkwall in 7:60 Storm. He found that most of the population was converted to the Qun. Kirkwall was incorporated into the Orlesian Empire, and Lafaille became the ruler of the city, named Viscount by the Orlesian emperor.
In 8:05 Blessed, Kirkwall rebelled against Orlesian rule and gained independence, but maintained the title of viscount as its ruler.
In 8:82 Blessed, Nevarra begins a bloody campaign of conquest within the Free Marches, encouraged by their taking of Perendale & Hasmal. They are stopped by Cade Arvale, who is named Champion of Tantervale for his deed.
In 9:21 Dragon, Viscount Perrin Threnhold attempted to expel the Templar Order from Kirkwall, killing Knight-Commander Guylian in a raid on the Templar stronghold, only to be overthrown by the Templar Knight Meredith Stannard, who was promoted to Knight-Commander soon after. With the Chantry's support, she appointed Marlowe Dumar to succeed Perrin as Viscount, but commanded the true authority in the city from the Gallows.
In 9:31 Dragon, a Qunari ship foundered on the coast of Kirkwall. The Arishok and his surviving army were forced to remain in a Qunari Compound within the city, until they reclaimed the Tome of Koslun.
In 9:34 Dragon, the Arishok decided to attack the city, starting the First Battle of Kirkwall. In the ensuing invasion, Marlowe Dumar was killed by the Arishok. The Champions of Kirkwall helped in the liberation of the city.
In 9:37 Dragon, an apostate mage, Anders destroyed the Kirkwall Chantry, igniting the Kirkwall Rebellion when the Templars attempted to annul the Circle - in turn, this inspired mages throughout Thedas to rebel against the Circle system.
In 9:42 Dragon, Varric Tethras was named Viscount of Kirkwall.
Demography and Population
The "Marchers" are independent-minded descendants of tough barbarians. Their cities have formed a loose confederation that rarely unites on any matter. In the event of aggression from larger neighbors, however, the Marchers can assemble a joint military front that even the greatest powers cannot dismiss.
During the Fifth Blight, many Fereldan refugees fled to the Free Marches.
The central location of the Marches relative to the other lands of Thedas makes the population very culturally diverse. The movement of goods and trade brings people from across the continent, and many native-born Marchers are born of parents from elsewhere. That being said, the region is not completely welcoming to newcomers. Many Marcher-born citizens resent the presence of foreigners and see the influence of outside nations and cultures as a threat to their way of life. In the wake of the Fifth Blight, Kirkwall in particular suffered from an outgrowth of nativist sentiment, as the presence of so many Fereldan refugees and a force of marooned Qunari led to a backlash from Marchers angry at what they saw as a takeover of the city by foreign powers.
Despite the cosmopolitan tendencies of the area, rivalries between Marcher cities usually take precedence over the common bond of "being a Marcher".
Territories
Settlements
- Ansburg | located in the eastern Free Marches, alongside the Minanter River. Though its a bustling center of agricultural trade, Ansburg is frequently called a "backwater."
- Hasmal | its position on the edge of the Silent Plains means a regular influx of Tevinter refugees (usually escaped slaves).
- Hambleton | located near Markham
- Hercinia | a palatial city-state on the Amaranthine coast. Known for its taxes and frequent raider activity
- Kaiten
- Kirkwall | as the gate for nautical trade moving into and out of the heart of the continent, Kirkwall is the major trade hub of the Free Marches
- Markham | Ansburg's more cultured sister city, located in the southern Free Marches, not far from the Vimmark Mountains. Markham is a center for agricultural research and home to one of the largest universities in Thedas.
- Ostwick | its position on the mouth of the Waking Sea made it the Qunari's first landing point in the Free Marches. Famous for its double walls.
- Starkhaven | largest city in the Free Marches. Located alongside the Minanter River.
- Tantervale | located in the western Free Marches along the banks of the Minanter River. One of the three most influential cities in the Free Marches. Chantry law is all but absolute, and the city guard is obsessed with enforcement.
- Wycome | located on the Amaranthine coast, near the mouth of the Minanter River. Widely regarded as the most free of the Free Marches and the revelry capital of Thedas. Notable for being the second-greated importer of Antivan wine after Orlais, despite having less than a third the population of Val Royeaux.
Regions
- The Bone Pit
- Estwatch
- Green Dales
- Minanter River
- Planasene Forest
- Sundermount
- The Wounded Coast
- Vimmark Mountains
Infrastructure
The Marches were once part of the Tevinter Imperium, evidence of which is found in the architecture of cities - high buildings built almost all in white stone.
Type
Political, Confederation
Demonym
Marcher
Major Exports
The Free Marches are known as the breadbasket of Thedas; its farms along the banks of the Minanter River are the source of much of the continent's food. Starkhaven, the largest of the cities in the Free Marches, is situated on this waterway.
Location
Notable Members
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