Sespech

Sespech is a barony located at the southwest end of the Vilhon Reach. Once a part of Chondath, Sespech maintains its independence through naval power and diplomacy.

Baron Aldorn Thuragar (LN male human Ftr12), sometimes known as the Foesmasher, rules Sespech. Once a bold adventurer, Thuragar relies on several old comrades from his adventuring company, the Band of Iron, to help him govern the country.

LIFE AND SOCIETY

The people of Sespech are tall and olive-skinned like the Chondathans to the east. Some keep their beards short, but most men shave regularly. The warriors of Sespech are skilled riders, and their cavalry is second only to the riders of Lheshayl. Due to the constant danger from Chondath, all young men of Sespech enter military service for at least six years and can be recalled at any time. Sespech needs all the soldiers it can impress into service.

Magic is more deeply suspect in Sespech than it is elsewhere in the Vilhon Reach. Anyone using magic to harm another can expect a quick execution.

Open rule has always been important in Sespech. Twice each month, the cities of Sespech hold communal gatherings to discuss recent political developments and other matters of public concern. A minister from the court of Baron Thuragar attends every gathering. In rare cases, Thuragar himself attends.

MAJOR GEOGRAPHICAL FEATURES

Sespech extends from the River Arran in the east to the Nagaflow in the west, and south to the Golden Plains.

Golden Plains: Named for their tall, golden grasses, these fertile lands blanket the whole area between the Nagaflow and Arran rivers.

Nagawater: A large number of water nagas live in the southern end of this deep lake. By old agreement, the nagas stick to the south half the lake, and humans remain in the north. A line of floating and submerged buoys bearing continual flame spells marks the boundary. Many nagas born in the lake make their way up the Nagaflow to lair in the depths of the Chondalwood.

IMPORTANT SITES

Sespech lies between two great forests—the Chondalwood and the Winterwood—and two great rivers, the Arran and the Nagaflow. Its folk live along the northern shores of the Nagawater.

Elbulder (Large City, 12,701): The Old Road leading north from Torsch provides a steady stream of travelers and trade to Elbulder. Venturesome souls who follow the road through the Chondalwood find the city a welcome place of rest, though its citizens are seldom impressed by tales of encounters with wild elves or sylvan monsters.

The current mayor of Elbulder is Gavilon Jostins (NG male human Wiz16), a retired adventurer who came to rule the city when Baron Foesmasher took over Sespech. Soon after Gavilon took control of Elbulder, Chondathan troops attacked with orders to capture the city. Gavilon drove off the soldiers with fireball and lightning bolt spells, and the citizens of Elbulder admitted that wizards could be handy to have around.

Fort Arran: This outpost guards the road south into the heart of Sespech and keeps a constant watch on Chondath. If a war is to be fought, Fort Arran may well be the site of the first battle. The garrison at the fort is charged with delaying the Chondathans until messengers can be sent to Mimph, Elbulder, and Ormpetarr. Serving at Fort Arran is considered a great honor.

General Marcius Stonehall (LG male dwarf Ftr11) leads the garrison of one thousand soldiers. Marcius served with Baron Thuragar and Lord-Mayor Gavilon of Elbulder during their adventuring days, but none of the trio discusses those adventures in public.

Mimph (Metropolis, 27,518): Mimph is only miles by sea from Arrabar, and no love is lost between the two cities. Traders normally conduct business exclusively in one city or the other. Ships from Arrabar board vessels bound for Mimph from time to time and confiscate their cargoes. This piracy led Baron Thuragar to create his navy, with Mimph as a base.

Though no road connects Mimph to the rest of Sespech, the city receives a reasonable amount of overland trade, especially from merchants who distrust Chondath. Caravans leave the Old Road at Ormpetarr and either travel cross-country or transfer their cargoes to boats that sail over the Nagawater and out into the Reach.

The current overlord of Mimph is Admiral Kalisa Tauno (NG female moon half-elf Rgr14 of Lurue), one of the few high officials in Sespech who is not one of Thuragar’s old adventuring companions. The high priest of the city’s newest church is Marasa Ferrentio (LN female human Clr16 of Helm), once the Band of Iron’s cleric.

Ormpetarr (Metropolis, 55,037): The capital of Sespech houses Baron Thuragar Foesmasher himself, along with the bulk of the country’s military. It is an ancient, walled metropolis on the east shore of the Nagawater whose major industries are trade, horse raising, fishing, and agriculture. Ormpetarr handles all the trade moving along the Golden Road from Innarlith, and it serves as a banking center as well.

The city is far from peaceful. Bandits raid the city’s caravans, the baron endures assassination attempts, and the city thieves’ guild forces bloody confrontation in the shops and streets. The current head of the thieves’ guild, Haskar Corintis (LE male human Rog15/Asn2/Gld2), is behind the trouble. He despises the baron for bringing law and order back to the city. Chondath finances Haskar’s activities, but the guildmaster would be the baron’s foe even if he wasn’t receiving pay from a foreign power.

REGIONAL HISTORY

The rulers of Chondath sent settlers into what was to become Sespech around 150 DR to secure a source of horses for its cavalry. Burgeoning trade from the south helped the new settlements grow rapidly, and Sespech prospered alongside Chondath for decades. Sespech declared its independence from Chondath during the Rotting War, and since that time it has been held by a number of rebels, occupying forces, and adventurers.

Baron Thuragar came to power after a mysterious series of assassinations convinced the last baron to seek safety closer to the Lord of Chondath’s court in Arrabar. Thuragar has given the people stability by removing opportunists from high posts and replacing them with trusted friends. Sespech currently enjoys moderate taxes and firm, fair justice.

Thuragar has used his popularity to institute a program of conscription that insures an adequate force for self-defense. The soldiers of Sespech, conscripts and professionals alike, wear purple feathers in their helms to signify their loyalty.

The baron is engaged in a shipbuilding program. He forged a trade alliance with merchants from Hlondeth, but Thuragar’s overtures to Hlondeth may be working too well. The ambassador from Hlondeth is Dmetiro Extaminos, son of the evil ruler of that city. Dmetiro is courting the baron’s daughter, Glisena. Neither Thuragar nor Glisena desires the match, but Sespech cannot afford to offend Hlondeth.

Capital: Ormpetarr

Population: 952,560 (humans 96%, dwarves 2%, elves 1%)

Government: Feudal barony with an elected baron

Religions: Eldath, Helm, Lliira, Malar, Talos, Tempus, Waukeen

Imports: Metal

Exports: Horses, mercenaries, salt

Alignment: LG, NG, N