The Redtide Coast
The Redtide Coast stretches along the western shore of the Erzen Empire.
The land is heavily forested. A rough, rocky coast and low mountain ranges. It is usually cool throughout the year while the winters can be brutal. Weather and geography similar to Oregon or Washington state in the US
A hundred years ago, when trade with the Ebony Kingdoms was beginning to flourish, the Erzen Empire conquered and settled the Coast in hopes of establishing trade ports. However, just as towns began to spring up and grants were awarded to nobility, a faster and safer trade route was discovered to the south. The Crown lost interest in the Coast and it was left to its own devices.
Of the three noble families to receive grants in the new territory, two of them, The Zenyil and Patrosk families, turned to timber, mining, and agriculture to fund their domains. The last family, The Grunnels, stubbornly kept up their efforts to establish a trade routes to the Ebony Kingdoms. To date, all three families have had limited degrees of success with their ventures. The Coast is considered a backwater by the Empire.
The closest thing to a major cities are the Grunnels’ capital of Coinhaven and the trade town of Ladder’s End. Ostensibly a holding of the Zenyil family, Ladder’s End is the closest port to the Empire, and serves as a focal point for export for all three families. Over the generations, an informal agreement has been struck up by the three families in which the Patrosk and Grunnels provide funding to help with the administration of Ladder’s End. It’s not quite a free city but not quite a holding of just one family. All three houses have representatives in Ladder’s End, and these representatives along with a council of elected officials see to the governance of the city.
The three houses tend to get along. Then again, they have little choice. Fighting a civil war gets expensive. And there is a constant threat from various clans of gnolls in the area. Seventy years ago, it was discovered a family of sphinxes had taken up residence nearby. While relations with these powerful creatures has been peaceful, it has added a new wrinkle to the political landscape.
At the end of the day, the Zenyil, Patrosk, and Grunnels all know one thing: they are on their own. The Empire will not do much to help them.