Fahrig
An archipelago in the middle of the Great Bay, Fahrig (known as Tescary to its natives) has gone through many changes recently. Mostly between the 40th and 50th parallels north, Fahrig is a relatively chilly region and before the recent expansion of Runberi and Carac mercantile ambitions, relatively unimportant. Neighboring sparsely populated Angerland, the Tescarana as they call themselves have never united into a great kingdom but have sailed far across the bay, sometimes as traders and sometimes as raiders.
The archipelago can be divided into Grand Tescary, the large island to the west encompassing most of the land area of the region, and the Small Tescaries, lesser islands around but mostly on the eastern side of Grand Tescary. In modern times, Grand Tescary is ruled in the south and the midlands by the South-Fahrig Trade Company client kings, and in the north by the dwarven king of Kilth in the northeast. The Small Tescaries have been comparatively more successful in resisting invaders, if only due to their insignificance. Indigenous kings still reign alone in many parts of the archipelago, even if Runber and Kilth consider them to be little more than pirate lords.
Located in the middle of an international shipping lane of some importance, mastery over the archipelago is sought after by many powers in the bay. However, the innumerable islands resist foreign control, and while the halflings of Runber hold sway over most of the region, the Kilthians have not yet given up on their ambitions. The fleets of the Runberi emirs sail the archipelago, but have not yet dislodged many of the independent kings and scattered pirates.
Dialects of the Tescaraum language are spoken throughout the isles, with Runberi being a common second language to hear, particularly in the southern half the archipelago. Some island rulers mint their own currencies, but they do not command the prestige of the Kilthian crown, let alone the universally recognized value of the Confederation dinar. Even where the Runberi are loathed and feared, their money is good.
Geography
An island over 1000 kilometers long north-to-south, the Fahrig's geography is dominated by a central ridge. Not a true mountain range, the Fahrig ridge nevertheless divides the island into an eastern and western half, and further divides it into the coastal lowlands and the central highlands. Nevertheless, the island and the archipelago in general has fairly stable and mild weather, shielded from storm paths by the more tempestuous Carac archipelago and the large Angrian peninsula. The southern end of the island is warmer than the north, with no appreciable winter. The northern parts have winter and snowfall, but relatively short and mild winters. The island experiences even, but fairly frequent rainfall. However, the rocky soil and elevation impede agriculture, and Highland Tescarana are commonly goatherds and cowherds. The lowlands are more densely populated, and fish the surrounding rich waters extensively.
Though relatively placid seas, the innumerable skerries and underwater rocks of the Small Tescaries present a challenge to inexperienced or foreign sailors, and the Tescarana typically use lighter ships when navigating their home isles for this reason.
Ecosystem
Grand Tescary and its satellite islands alike are mostly characterized by shrubland, exposed bedrock, and relatively high rainfall. Many of the satellite islands are uninhabitable rocks, and much of the plantlife is hardy weeds and shrubs. The most common animals to see on the islands are various rodents and other grazers, as well as feral and wild goats. The islands lack in great land-based predators, with the largest ones being common wolves and lynxes. However, marine life around the isles is very abundant and has served to sustain not just the Tescarana but also a thriving population of eagles, ospreys, and other birds of prey. It is even rumored that the great Roc lairs somewhere in the archipelago.
The islands have ample stocks of tuna, mackerel, salmon, and trout, as well as other common fish species. Preyed on by sharks, turtles, and seals, the Tescaries are known for their marine life. The fishermen of the Tescaries catch these varied species for their own consumption, or to sell elsewhere. Fahriger birds of prey are also valued by falconers for their impressive size and beauty.
Maps
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The Tescaries
Type
Archipelago
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