The Middle Azure Coast
The fertile grasslands nestled between the south-eastern foot of the Stonewall Mountains and the north-western face of the Crystalmist Mountain Range, and more or less split in two by the great Azure River, constitute the region known as the Middle Azure Coast. These lands were once infested by orcs, goblins and ogres - and to some extend, such tribes still manage to thrive and remain a problem in this region.
Humans settled these grasslands some twenty-seven hundred years ago (c.a. -1247 A.R.). Early settlements were swiftly snuffed out of history by the numerous territorial humanoid tribes until the foundation of Enduur (-1133 A.R.). Enduur was originally a colony of the warrior-kingdom of Tandranor. Consequently, Enduur benefited from the military protection of Tandranor and thus managed to grow, strive and become strong enough to stand against the neighboring humanoid tribes - a good thing, since the warrior-kingdom fell some one hundred and forty years later (i.e. -996 A.R.) through internal war, stryfe and anarchy. Left on its own and litterally surrounded by humanoid enemies, the (already-then) heavily fortified Enduur continued to weather humanoid invasions and managed to grow eventually as a true, highly self-sufficient military power - the city even began to carve out its own kingdom in the Middle Azure Coast through "humanoid cleansing" and establishment of colonies.
While nearly all such colonies were as ill-fated as the early human settlements in the region, one of them took roots firmly: Orlindor (founded: -846 A.R.). Bred in the same militaristic tradition as that of their mother city (which itself had inherited such tradition from its late motherland in the first place), the orlindians gradually came to resent the rule of Enduur and eventually went to war. After the decade-long, bloody War of Independance (-569 to -559 A.R.), Orlindor finally won its freedom from Enduur. However, the orlindians had been rather opportunistic to ensure their ultimate success: indeed, Orlindor had made its move for independence while Enduur's forces were still recovering from a nearly twenty year-long war (War of the Kingdom Reborn; -594 to -572 A.R.) that ended in stalemate, after Tanduur (former capital of Tandranor) ill-fatefully attempted to recreate the kingdom of Tandranor and force Enduur back under its rule. In any event, these first-time clashes between Orlindor and Enduur, as well as between Tanduur and Enduur, would not be the last ones in the ensuing centuries.
Today (1396 A.R.), Enduur remains a military power of the Middle Azure Coast, although not truly a political or economic one. Still and ever self-sufficient, but by no means a sea power, the city does some trading only with the nations and cities north and east of the Crystalmist Range. Enduur's rule and influence spans the lands of the Middle Azure Coast that lie on the eastern side of the Azure River, and is known to entertain relations (if not alliances) with the strongest humanoid tribes still living within its sphere of influence. Furthermore, Enduur remains very wary and cautious of Tanduur, while keeping a close watch on Orlindor - still waiting to this day to seize the first opportunity to crush and rule anew its former colony. Ever since the fall of Tandranor, Enduur has been ruled by despots, often hereditary (if not through assasination, military coups, et al.) and using the title of "Swordlord". The current enduurian ruler is the Swordlord Khargan IV of the Kharganian dynasty. It is of note that the worship of chaotic (e.g. Barask, Narune, etc.) and evil (Domorash, Graaz'z, Kharalkuur, Hates, etc.) powers are predominant in Enduur and its area of influence.
In contrast to Enduur, Orlindor is now one of the major trading/economic, military and political powers of the Azure Coast, albeit not quite the equal of Southgate, and also trades actively with the nations and cities north and east of the Crystalmist Range. Although not aggressive, it does tend to use strongarm diplomacy with its coastal neighbors and other inland nations. Orlindor's rule and influence spans the lands of the Middle Azure Coast that lie on the western side of the Azure River and which, also in contrast to Enduur, are relatively free of humanoids. While keeping a wary eye towards Enduur, its "ever-present enemy", Orlindor seeks to extend its influence beyond its current territory: the close trading and diplomatic relations it entertains with Lakefar are an example of this. Furthermore, Mountsyl (founded: 1090 A.R.; ruled by a Council of Elders since its foundation), a strategically-located fishing and trading walled city, is directly under the influence and protection (if not actual rule) of Orlindor. Since it won its independence from Enduur, the city has been ruled by hereditary monarchy . The current orlindian monarch is Queen Laeressa, of the Aramite dynasty. Lastly, it is noteworthy that the worship of good (e.g. Agrah, Lharishar, Dianchuur, Ukkor, etc.), lawful (e.g. Codan, Odan, etc.) and neutral (e.g. Thask, Erond, Danuur, Hurme, etc.) powers are predominant in Orlindor. The exception to this rule is the still-prevalent worship of the chaotic power Barask (God of war, conquests and might), most likely as part of the warrior heritage of the orlindians.
The Middle Azure Coast constitutes a part of the adventuring locale in the scenario Dragon of Death.
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