The Duchy of Thuria
The Duchy of Thuria is a small but extremely important region occupying northwestern Cygnar. This duchy is removed from Caspia and the throne in all respects, its physical distance exacerbated by intervening geography but also by tradition and deliberate politics. In some respects, the Duchy of Thuria can be looked upon as almost a different nation from eastern Cygnar, having far more in common with southern Ord than Caspia or even Corvis. Certainly its inhabitants and its nobles prefer things this way, and in no way desire to draw greater attention from the Royal Assembly. The small but wealthy duchy includes the Cloutsdowns and Oxmeath provinces, and is ruled by Duke Mayhew Dergeral, Earl of Oxmeath and Lord Mayor of Ceryl.
Before the Orgoth, in the Thousand Cities Era, Thuria was among the great coastal kingdoms, widely admired and respected for the intelligence and cunning of its rulers as well as the pervasive reach of its culture. Now Thuria stands divided, with a sizable portion of its former lands making up southern Ord, and the rest located in northwestern Cygnar. Despite this national boundary, the Thurians have held fast to many cultural traditions and particularly to a sense of shared identity. Ties between the Thurians of southern Ord and those of northwestern Cygnar are impossible to untangle, with families split between both nations. Most Cygnarans in this region also speak Thurian, and often Ordic as well.
There are a number of Thurians on both sides of the border who long for actual independence, or wish the region was entirely Ordic or entirely Cygnaran, but most have accepted the state of things. While Cygnaran Thurians are proud of their home nation they also feel filial affection for Ord, and vice versa. These connections likely helped strengthen relations between Ord and Cygnar in general, but they have also led to strong regionalism.
Adding to their sense of identity is the significance of the great city of Ceryl, the capital of Thuria in ancient times. It is the second largest city in Cygnar and certainly the most impressive outside the City of Walls. Ceryl stands proudly amid the other great western coastal cities such as Berck and Ohk. It is the center of commerce in western Cygnar and is a major player along the western coast in general, conducting considerable international trade, particularly with Ord. The long shipping trade run between Ceryl and Mercir is one of the most profitable routes for any trade company, well worth the risk of piracy. Smugglers from Khador also trade in Ceryl, although this has become risky since the outbreak of war.
Ceryl is the home of Cygnar’s formidable Northern Fleet, charged with defending the city and the northern coast from all enemies. Under the command of Lord Admiral Tucker Luptine, these ships have had periodic engagements with both the Cryx Navy and the Khadoran Navy, and patrol as far south as Giant’s Head Island. The Northern Fleet is in periodic contact with the Ordic Navy, and the two forces have conducted shared operations against Cryx. At present, both Khador and Cygnar have been holding their fleets back in defense, but both are also prone to sending fast ships on probing missions into enemy waters.
Considerable goodwill exists between the Cygnaran and Ordic fleets and it is not uncommon for naval vessels from each nation to intrude into the waters of the other. Historically, Cygnar has sent its navy to assist Ord, such as during the Second Expansion War with Khador. Still, sailing into foreign waters with warships is always dangerous and there have been unfortunate incidents of fire between Ordic and Cygnaran ships. These are usually ascribed to mistaken identity, but the situation becomes trickier when involving privateers and ships of the Mercarian League. Mercarian ships are regularly attacked by Ordic privateers, and when the ships targeted are escorted by the Cygnaran Navy, things become complicated quickly. For all these reasons, the Sea of a Thousand Souls to the west of Ceryl and Ord has become the most hostile waters in western Immoren, with more naval battles between multiple ships than along the Broken Coast.
The area around Ceryl also boasts the largest number of highly productive farms, and this region does much to provide stability to the food stores of the western seaboard. Fishing remains a staple as well, but it is considerably less predictable or reliable than the Thurian farms. The people of this region are involved in many of the same tasks and labors as elsewhere in the kingdom, although those who live outside the city often envy those within. Many of the sons and daughters of farmers seeking to improve their lot move to Ceryl to do ship work, the industry that offers the largest turn-around on jobs. Whether fishing ships, merchant vessels, or joining the navy, there are many opportunities for work to those willing to go to sea.
Perils
There is also a major lumber industry that takes advantage of the closeness of the western fringes of the Gnarls. Those logging camp workers are careful of watching for certain markings, because the Gnarls is infested with belligerent and territorial trollkin kriels. These kriels have by necessity allowed harvesting along the western edge of the forest, but they react violently to any deeper intrusion. Another growing industry in the region involves textile mills along the Dragon’s Tongue River, although this is largely thankless and low paying work.
Thuria is disconnected from the rest of the kingdom. Most regular traffic to it is by ship, coming from New Larkholm, Ramarck, or distant Mercir. It used to be that the Dragon’s Tongue River was a reliable source of river traffic from Corvis, but the route has become more difficult since the Thornwood was seized by Khador. River ships still ply the river, though in fewer numbers and with crews aware of the risk of interception.
The major road out of Ceryl going east is the Twelve Day Road, which forks at Demonhead Pass toward Point Bourne to the north and Orven in the south. Named after a peculiar natural stone archway formed by wind erosion, Demonhead Pass looks like a monstrous, brooding visage. It marks one end of the mountainous leg of the Twelve Day Road that takes travelers through the valleys of the eastern Watcher Peaks. The region is the subject of much local superstition and legend telling of malevolent spirits that watch the road, jealous of those who pass. It is said the jingling of bells and chimes keeps these spirits at bay, and the pass echoes with the soft tinkling sounds with each caravan that travels through—even the most rational travelers find little harm in buying a cheap bell or two as a souvenir from one of the many thriving villages along the Twelve Day Road.
Efforts are underway to connect Bainsmarket to Ceryl by rail, but the Gnarls has proven to be an obstacle. Debates are underway among local barons and other nobles as to the best course for the rail. The obvious course would be to follow the Gnarlwood Trail that cuts through the forest from Point Bourne, but there are real concerns that this would provoke the trollkin kriels in a way the road has not. Duke Dergeral is in favor of completing the rail line and has used his own funds to sponsor this construction, which may speed the process.
Structure
The Duchy is divided into two Provinces, each ruled by an Earl. Cloutsdown Province is ruled by Earl Harlan Mosley, and Oxmeath Province is the domain of Duke Mayhew Dergeral, Earl of Oxmeath.
Comments