Oxmeath Province
The large and wealthy peninsular province of Oxmeath includes the city of Ceryl and is bounded on the east by the Gnarls and to the south by the Cloutsdown Fen. It is a highly populated region with many coastal villages and rich farmland. Duke Mayhew Dergeral is also the Earl of Oxmeath.
In comparison to Cloutsdowns, Oxmeath is a pastoral and peaceful paradise, although the weather is harsh in some seasons, particularly if there are heavy storms at sea. The port of Ceryl is protected from all but the worst of such weather by its bay, but the fishing fleets along the coast sometimes do not fare as well. Even the poor in Oxmeath are generally living more comfortably than some of the lower middle class in Cloutsdowns, although Ceryl has its share of slums and twisted alleyways filled with criminals. Farm work is generally as difficult as anywhere, but it can be rewarding and many families make a good living at it. The threat of Cryx is considerably reduced in the region, thanks to the formidable Northern Fleet. While the Gnarls to the east is seen as a foreboding problem by many, particularly those working in the logging industry, there has been little violence from that quarter in recent months.
The Fourth Army is stationed in Oxmeath, headquartered at Fort Balton just northeast of Ceryl. The Fourth is the smallest and least prestigious of Cygnar’s armies, but it has enough manpower to keep the region safe. Nominally slated to defend the border with Ord, it is considered among the easiest of duties in the Cygnaran Army since there has never once been a war or even major border skirmish between Ord and Cygnar. These forces do occasionally deploy to hunt down gangs of bandits or highwaymen preying on the lucrative river trade or traffic along the Twelve Day Road. Five Fingers, the so-called “Port of Deceit” is situated just to the north occupying the mouth of the Dragon’s Tongue River. It is a largely lawless Ordic city and its villainy sometimes spills into the southern region. It is also a haven for mercenaries, and there have sometimes been problems from overeager sell-swords who have been taking dubious contracts in the nearby environs.
Things have changed for the locals in recent months, however, as the war to the east has required the Fourth Army to fulfill its duty as reserves. A large number of soldiers have been sent east to bolster forces elsewhere, and they were recently involved in fighting against trollkin east of the Gnarls. Some in the province worry that the local garrison is now too small and weak to properly defend them. Recruitment efforts have been ramped up, but the locals of this province have always been more reluctant to enter into military service than their countrymen elsewhere. The citizens of Ceryl seem unconcerned, convinced their city is inviolable and well protected by the likes of the Fraternal Order of Wizardry.
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