The Tiers
The Tiers is the name of the region of Terratus most recently conquered by the Kyrosian Empire, and the Overlord's Archons are still establishing firm control over the people of this land. The Tiers are named for the huge steps of land that lower in elevation from the northern peninsula that connects the Tiers to Kyros' Empire down to the ocean in the south.
The population is concentrated in two primary realms, Stalwart and Azure, accounting for 29% and 55% of the Tier population respectively. Beast populations are overwhelmingly centered in Azure, accounting for nearly 75% of the total population.
Background
A small peninsula in the northwest of Terratus, the Tiers were settled in the first century TR, colonized by refugees displaced from a war between Trevn and Fertile Sands. A flotilla of barely-seaworthy rigs was loaded and headed west across the high seas. Landing at the Five Wives, the refugees found the first five settlements that, in time, gave rise to the major political powers in the Tiers. The Tiers, in conjunction with things like the mountain ranges that cradle Apex, allowed for a number of culturally similar nation states to form after humans first moved here centuries ago. Over time, some of the larger cities broke off from their kingdoms, defending themselves against the nobility's attempts to reclaim them. The most powerful of the fledgling realms turned out to be Haven, Azure, Apex, and Stalwart. Collectively, these four domains were known as the Younger Realms (in contrast to the Older Realms that built the Oldwalls and the Spires). The Tiers fell to the Overlord's campaign of conquest between 428 TR and 430 TR. Apart from being the last unbowed corner of the Kyrosian Empire, the Tiers are strategically important to Kyros for two reasons. First, the Overlord's triremes must pass along the coast of the Tiers to connect the corners of the Empire. Before submitting to the Overlord, the School of Tides would often attack the Empire's merchant ships. Their command of the waves gave them a superior edge in naval battle. This was a major factor in the decision to attack by land, rather than by sea. The destruction of the School of Tides has freed the Overlord's ships to travel to all corners of the Empire. Second, during the Conquest a large deposit of iron ore was found in the realm of Haven. This deposit is the largest yet discovered in Kyros' Empire - since the Tanavon Mines were destroyed by the Overlord's Edict in 428 TR.Politics
The Tiers were dominated by three powers prior to their conquest by the Kyrosian Emprie: The Younger Realms, the Bastard City and its Tier, and the Free Cities, all tracing their roots to the original settlers.Younger Realms
In a broad sense, "Younger Realms" refers to all Tier realms: Ardent, Azure, Stalwart, Occon, Verdance, the Bastard Tier, and the Four (now Three) Brothers. In a narrow sense, it refers to the four largest realms that played the biggest role in the struggle for control (Azure, Stalwart, Apex, and Haven). For centuries, the Younger Realms have battled amongst themselves for control of the Tiers, with every realm having been at war with each other at some point in memorable history. When Kyros invaded, petty ambitions precluded the formation of a unified resistance, allowing the Overlord's armies to dismantle the Tiers piecemeal.Bastard Tier
The northernmost of the Tiers, and the choke point to the Northern Empire. It's been a hub of trade for centuries, and a long line of merchant families and private armies have kept the realm largely lawless.Free Cities
Save for the independence from the Younger Realms, the Free Cities are an oxymoron, politically aligned through mutual hatred of other realms, rather than any actual love of liberty.Mage Schools
A separate layer of politics existed, involving the three extant Schools of Magic:School of Tides
Founded by Occulted Jade, the Tidecasters were one of the most powerful guilds, backed by the Kingdom of Haven as defenders of sea trade and relentless educators.School of Wild Wrath
More resembling a mercenary outfit, the School's elders more than eager to aim the School's destructive impulses at any foe for the right price.School of Ink and Quill
One of the longest surviving schools of magic in the Tiers, the School of Ink and Quill is a venerable institution devoted to the acquisition and preservation of knowledge.Customs
Thalassocratic Origins
The Tiers were originally settled by seafaring refugees from the mainland and their descendants have manifest a number of traditions with distinctly nautical foundations. Most locals incorporate ship jargon and sailor euphemisms and idioms into their speech as a norm.Gender Roles
Gender roles in the Tiers are both stricter and more fluid than in the other lands of the Empire. Owing to their original, predominantly female population of settlers, the culture is decidedly matriarchal in substance, although men are not treated as second-class citizens by any stretch of the imagination. Rather, most of the highest offices and rulers tend to be women, as it is commonly believed in the Tiers that only a woman can properly care for and maintain land holdings. In contrast to this, men are predominant among maritime leadership roles, as the belief in stereotypical male wanderlust makes them owning the seas only natural by Tiersmen logic.Inheritance
Tier culture dictates that inheritance of real estate only happens between women, while maritime property such as ships only pass between male members of the family.Geography
The Tiers are composed of a number of regions, mostly highlands, broken up by mountain ranges.
Maps
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The Tiers
The mountainous peninsula in northwestern Terratus.
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