The Reaches
The Reaches are the land dominating the far north of Gren. The people are hardy stoical folk who are as harsh and unforgiving as the land they inhabit. The Region is fast and sprawling, covering many kilometers. The area is predominantly covered with thick and vast wilderness covered in a boreal forest. The summers here are short and the winters long and brutal. Farmland is sparse, and the main exports of the region are wood, meat, and furs from trapping.
From the depths of the mountain ranges across the south of the territory is large deposits of Iron, combined with the lesser deposits of coal in the region has resulted in very high-quality iron and steel produced from this realm. By decree of the monarch, this steel, and its products be limited in export. This law ensures that the soldiers of the reach maintain the best equipment in the land. As a result, there is a booming black market for steel from the Northern Reaches in the Southlands.
Structure
King/Queen - The Monarch is the absolute ruler and holds the power of life and death over their subjects; Succession is by the firstborn regardless of sex.
Prince/Princess - The children of the ruling monarchs, direct in the line of succession.
Duke/Duchess - Nobles who rule the larger towns and cities scattered across the land.
Count/Countess - Nobles responsible for tracts of countryside, rules over populations in the countryside
Baron/Baroness - Military leaders who govern over the frontiers in small, heavily militarised towns.
Assets
The Reaches are not a place of great wealth, there are no gold mines, but the economy is kept afloat through the shipment of meats, furs, and iron. the frontiers are governed by barons who command small military forces to secure the border. Due to the low population density, it takes a long time to muster armies, hence why the kings and queens of the reaches rarely go on the offensive.
In terms of naval power, the seas and coasts of The Reaches are considered hazardous with violent storms, sudden squalls, and magnificent cliffs along the coast. For this reason, only the most skilled and seasoned captains sail these waters. Due to the high risk of these trade routes, the products shipped are significantly valuable, and captains who risk these waters stand to make a great deal of money. Aside from the merchant's vessels, there is no naval military serving the Northern Reaches.
History
People of the reach come from a time long before anyone can remember, they have lived and died for many generations in this bleak wilderness. The harsh folks that live in these lands take pride in their ancestry and satisfaction in the accomplishments of having been able to carve out their own lives in these problematic lands.
In terms of military engagements, the long line of great kings and queens who have ruled over these lands have never fought an offensive war, except having on a few occasions having to put down the rebellions of frontier Barons trying to wage civil war.
Despite the lack of aggression and ambition of territorial expansion, it is not to say that the history of The Reach has been bloodless. Due to the abundance of iron and coal within the mountain ranges of The reaches as well as the purity and high quality of the steel produced, more than once have over-ambitious foreign powers underestimated, these stoical northerners and marched headlong into destruction at the hands of the frontier baronies. A combination of harsh climate and mighty heavily defended fortresses make this land nearly impossible to conduct long term campaigning in and more than one invading army has perished to the cold of the long winters.
The Soldiers of the reach are all seasoned veterans having fought many battles against the roving mountain men, and feral beasts the hide deep within the forests and mountain ranges of this desolate land.
Demography and Population
The Reaches population is scattered all over the bleak wilderness; the community spreads wide and thin across the whole region, with only a few significant hubs and towns with only one major city. The people are hardy and stoical and built to survive through the long dark winters of these lands. Many tiny settlements cover the land-only connected by the smallest of animal tracks.
there is only one major road in the land connecting the larger towns and the coast to the fortress capital TalonBane, and the Monarchs retreat high in the mountains.
Territories
The territories of the Reach span from the southern boundaries of The Great Northern Forest right to the sea in the north.
Military
Due to the widespread of the population of The Reaches, there is no standing army. Still, instead, defence of the realm falls to the frontier barons who live in highly militarised town and fortress all along the frontiers of the region. They are paid a stipend from the capital to cover the costs of maintaining an army, and the troops are furnished with the most excellent weapons and armour available.
Foreign Relations
The government of The Reaches have stong positive trading relationships with the Westerlands and Westland Traders.
Trade with the peoples of the Great Archipelago is kept to a minimum. They consider the corsairs who inhabit many of those islands to be a genuinely dishonourable folk.
The monarch has no issue with the mysterious leader of The Citadel but has never sent envoys to their court.
The Reach has no formal ties or enmity with the people of Port Pride or The Miderian Fens.
The Monarch of The Reaches condemns the New King of Calderos and considers him to be an enemy due to his brutal rule and his incitement of civil war to win the throne. The monarch still refers to King Calder as 'The Great Pretender'.
Agriculture & Industry
Agriculture is minimal, with most crops being wheat and barley. The long winters and short summers mean that only the hardiest plants can grow. The few locations sheltered in the valleys can grow hearty vegetables like Leaks, Cabbages potatoes and onions.
industry within the cities focuses on metalwork, carpentry and stone masonry; other things not vital to survival are considered frivolous extravagances.
Trade & Transport
Due to the impenetrable forests and mountains that cover the southern reaches, trade caravans can not make it by land. Therefore all trade must be made via Sea and on some of the most treacherous sea trade routes in the world.
There is only one main road in the region that travels from the central port city inland to the capital.
Lone travellers or small parties can make their way on foot following the treacherous coastal roads to head south, but due to some of the narrow paths horses would struggle to make the journey. Some paths through the vast northern forest do exist, but none have been mapped, and none are maintained.
Type
Geopolitical, Province
Capital
Alternative Names
The Northern Reaches
Training Level
Professional
Veterancy Level
Veteran
Demonym
Reachers, Northerners
Government System
Monarchy, Absolute
Power Structure
Feudal state
Economic System
Traditional
Currency
Gold, Silver, Copper
Major Exports
- Fur
- Meat
- Wood
Major Imports
- Fruits
- Glass/Glassware
- Cotton
- Clay
Legislative Body
The monarch ultimately decides the policy and the law of the land. The ruler tends to act upon the advice of his councilors as well as leaders of the legally recognized guilds. The monarch has absolute power and is not obligated to follow the help of his council and the guild leaders.
Judicial Body
The king delegates the function of presiding over legal matters for all but the most heinous crimes to the judges, tribunes, and Sheriffs as appointed by the king. Tribunes oversee the courts of the outlying towns and villages, while judges sit upon the courts of the main cities. Settlements too small for a tribune instead have Sheriffs who handle punishment for the lesser crimes; The higher courts handle crimes more significant.
Subsidiary Organizations
Location
Controlled Territories
Neighboring Nations
Notable Members
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