The future on Southern
As you know, I had development plans and politics in mind, all the way through this game - although they were modified frequently by player hopes, expectations and comments - as well as the occasional meeting for general discussion. I thought you might like to know how the game had might have continued - always remembering that plans might have changed and developed. :)
The Near Future
The attack from the east, that Dom half expected, never materialized. There was some skirmishing, between small groups, mainly in the ‘demilitarized zone’, but nothing that couldn’t be handled easily - Aecora kept her word. Note: Aecora is a Druid dedicated to Desna, in her aspect as The Moon Mother.
However, the attack did materialize from the west. Fort Drelev had been taken over by an alliance between Pitax and the barbarian tribes, who attacked through Wyvern Bridge. The initial assault penetrated down as far as Tatzleford, causing havoc on the way through, but was defeated by a group of heroes. As repairs were underway, scouts discovered that there were more armies afoot, and the forces of Southern were mustered to take the fight to the enemy. There were a number of pitched battles, but Southern won fairly easily and eventually freed Fort Drelev from occupation, however, Hannis Drelev (The Baron) was killed early in the conflict. Lord Numesti, one of the senior officers of Fort Drelev, and a member of House Lebeda, took control of the city, and renamed it Port Hooktongue.
While the army was away, The King sent a force to replace Henry as Governor of Midmarch - partly because his favourite (Drelev) had been killed and partly because Henry had extended his borders south, against his agreement with the nobles. However, the Home Army was enough to defeat the interlopers, and Henry declared independence from Brevoy. Seizing their chance, Eastern declared independence as well and renamed themselves Rostand, after the original Sword Baron’s holdings. When the King sent troops, New Stetven revolted, supported by troops sent by House Lebeda and House Medveyed.
Lebeda’s support came at the cost of the right to settle the land west of Port Slough, and they extended their holdings down as far as Port Hooktongue, which remained under the control of Lord Terrion Numesti. Medveyed had new trade links, courtesy of the New DELEM trade route that stretched from Restov, through Medveyed territory, to the Lake of Mist and Veils, where it met up with the Lodkova controlled maritime trade route. The ‘bandits’ of the Gronzi Forest claimed that land as their own.
Longer term
With House Surtova reduced and House Garress still struggling to re-establish themselves after the loss of the dwarf mines, Brevoy becomes much more fractured, although there are still links between the states and the noble houses. Trade fell off during the war years, and incomes were severely reduced, as profits were sacrificed to the war effort. After the shake up, trade didn’t pick up in the same way, and growth was limited - Southern now had fixed boundaries - Lebeda lands to the west, Mivon south, Centaurs east and Rostland to the north. On top of that, settlers were now attracted to the opportunities in the new Lebeda lands west of the slough, so growth slowed as well.
Over the following years, Southern stabilized and becomes established as a civilized and well-ordered region. Well, apart from the Narlemarch, that retains its wildness and remains as a druid/ranger control wilderness state within the southern conglomerate.
Note: I have assumed that Tusk will spread down to the southern border with Mivon, and that Sunsmarch will become fully established and grow somewhat. Wyvern Bridge will grow into a large town, and the western Midmarch will be governed as a province within Midmarch. Newgate will, eventually, become a small city and capital of Midmarch.