The Island-Nation of Umaldyr

The twin islands west of the Azure Coast were settled by humans some eight hundred years ago (c.a. 602 A.R.), although thasselany clans had settled the woods of the northern island some twenty-five hundred years prior (c.a. -1981 A.R.). It would be some thirty-five years later that the first and foremost city of this area, Umaldyr, would be founded (637 A.R.), straddling over the northern end of the south island and the southern end of the north island. In the ensuing centuries, Umaldyr gained control of other, smaller communities on both northern and southern islands (with the exception of the fiercely isolationist and independent thasselany clans to the north), establishing the Island-Kingdom of Umaldyr in 901 A.R. For the next five hundred years or so, the peaceful and self-sufficient island-kingdom prospered, trading mainly with the kingdom of Istemper and the city of Southgate. However, the island-kingdom fell apart eight years ago (1388 A.R.), being overrun by hordes of goblins and consequently fragmenting into small, independent and mostly petty baronies.

Today (1396 A.R.), the goblins have settled most of the northern island, keeping largely to themselves while watching warily the elves just further north of them and the human baronies, as well as the city of Umaldyr itself, to their south. Umaldyr, and the other baronies, are now known collectively as the Island-Nation of Umaldyr, although this "nation" does not constitute a political, economical or military entity of any sort.

While not considered as a military, economic or political power, the city of Umaldyr of today is experiencing a tremendous boom in trade and prosperity, largely due to the renewal of trade between the Realmz continent (mainly the Sword Lands) and the continent of Anarym, acting as a major (strategic) transition point for all sea trading between the two continents. As a consequence, relations between Umaldyr and its fragmented baronies have largely normalized (with the exception of robber barons or those overly ambitious barons), although there is no talk of re-establishing any form of political/economic union. Since its founding, the city of Umaldyr has been ruled by hereditary monarchy. The current monarch is Faragon III, of the Umalar dynasty.

Baronies of note of the Island-Nation of Umaldyr are:

• Valanyr (Baron: Lord Kazan), a walled fishing town with surrounding farms, on the southern island.
• Pine Dale (Baron: Lady Camelia), a farming town, on the southern island.
• Lake Hold (Baron: Lord Jenos), a fishing town, on the southern island.
• Aurelyan (Baron: Lord Azarch), a walled mining town, on the northern island.
• Ashkor (Baron: Lord Zuroz), a walled mining town, on the northern island.
• Koralia (Baron: Lord Korol), a walled fishing town with surrounding farms, on the northern island.

Incidentally, the worship of good (e.g. Agrah, Lharishar, Dianchuur, Tyr, Ukkor, etc.), lawful (e.g. Codan, Odan, etc.) and neutral (e.g. Danuur, Hurme, etc.) powers are predominant throughout the island-nation (with the obvious exception of the goblins and others such as robber barons and the likes). Lastly, it is of note that ancient ruins of the empire of Macremia (which fell c.a. -13000 A.R. at the same time as its adversary, the empire of Telluria, after the Great War of the Empires) can be found on two smaller islands - one just south-west of the greater southern island, and one just south-east of the greater northern island.

The Island-Nation of Umaldyr constitutes a part of the adventuring locale in the scenario War in the Sword Lands.

These pages and their contents (except otherwise noted) are © Pierre H. Vachon (Psion) and may not be reproduced in any way or for any purpose without the express permission of the author.

The Sword Lands and Anarym are © Pierre H. Vachon.

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