Tuscana
Jun 12, 2017 18:34:07 GMT -6
Post by Nayru Al-Saiduq on Jun 12, 2017 18:34:07 GMT -6
Overview
Never a particularly major march, known at best for solid quality smithing and decent ore deposits, Tuscana was battered by Bern's invasion and was one of the marches worst struck by monsters spawning across Lycia - a Bael infestation took root in its mountainous and forested regions several years ago, in the earlier days of the monster menace being revealed to the world, and quickly exploded beyond the worst nightmares of anyone there. Entire villages have gone missing, crushed and devoured by the skittering tides that grow ever more ravenous and fierce. The once joyous forests have gone silent, much of its wildlife having long since disappeared, and strands of silk tougher than steel mark the passing of the crimson tide.
The people looked to their marquess to save them, their knights in shining armor, but neither was to be found. Tuscana's military was crippled by the Bernese war and by turning down Araphen's offers of aid early on, did not recover as Khathelet and Tania had. And the marquess, a man made soft by a life of ease and little struggle, was helpless to change that fact. In fear of his life, he withdraw the remnants of the royal Tuscanan army mostly into the region of the capital city, saving it the worst of the scourge and keeping himself safe at the cost of much of his march. Whispers of rebellion spread throughout the crumbling state, the impending doom of the Bael infestation matched only by the ever more likely civil war brewing, but for most of Tuscana the need for survival is more important as villages bar their gates and farms struggle to keep their herds intact.
In a march bereft of much military presence, bandits and mercenaries alike run rife, and the difference between the two blurs more by the day. Still, the desperate villagers and townspeople of Tuscana rely on what protection they can garner, whether it be bandits willing to stay their looting and protect them for the promise of coin and women, or mercenaries willing to take lethally dangerous extermination missions. There is little fame in the greater Lycia to be found in Tuscana, but for a people desperate for a savior, local fame is much more accessible. Perhaps the people might even follow a true savior in open rebellion, were things to reach that point, and crown a new marquess in that manner - but for now the current marquess's hold remains strong enough, and the monstrous threat overwhelming enough, that little of that caliber can be done.
Yet.
Military
What military it does have is a mix of raw recruits and battered soldiers. The densely forested areas that cover much of Tuscana ensure near zero cavalry usage. It was not a large or well led military before the desertions and purges began, and it barely even qualifies now.
The massive Bael infestation varies in strength throughout Tuscana. In the north and northwest, the less civilized and more heavily mountainous and forested regions of the march, the largest and most dangerous arachnids gather, and some scattered tales speak of titanic spiders that dwarf even Elder Baels. Throughout much of the rest of the march, younger and smaller Baels, ranging from dog to carriage sized, are much more common and easier to slay, though they tend to hunt in packs. There is also a significant bandit presence, though many of those bandits do so out of necessity rather than desire and in turn have been hired as guardians by the very people they could have preyed on. While nothing like the disciplined Ilian mercenaries, Tuscanan mercenaries tending to be rough and amoral, they obey the clink of coin the same as most other mercenaries.
Relationships
Never a particularly major march, known at best for solid quality smithing and decent ore deposits, Tuscana was battered by Bern's invasion and was one of the marches worst struck by monsters spawning across Lycia - a Bael infestation took root in its mountainous and forested regions several years ago, in the earlier days of the monster menace being revealed to the world, and quickly exploded beyond the worst nightmares of anyone there. Entire villages have gone missing, crushed and devoured by the skittering tides that grow ever more ravenous and fierce. The once joyous forests have gone silent, much of its wildlife having long since disappeared, and strands of silk tougher than steel mark the passing of the crimson tide.
The people looked to their marquess to save them, their knights in shining armor, but neither was to be found. Tuscana's military was crippled by the Bernese war and by turning down Araphen's offers of aid early on, did not recover as Khathelet and Tania had. And the marquess, a man made soft by a life of ease and little struggle, was helpless to change that fact. In fear of his life, he withdraw the remnants of the royal Tuscanan army mostly into the region of the capital city, saving it the worst of the scourge and keeping himself safe at the cost of much of his march. Whispers of rebellion spread throughout the crumbling state, the impending doom of the Bael infestation matched only by the ever more likely civil war brewing, but for most of Tuscana the need for survival is more important as villages bar their gates and farms struggle to keep their herds intact.
In a march bereft of much military presence, bandits and mercenaries alike run rife, and the difference between the two blurs more by the day. Still, the desperate villagers and townspeople of Tuscana rely on what protection they can garner, whether it be bandits willing to stay their looting and protect them for the promise of coin and women, or mercenaries willing to take lethally dangerous extermination missions. There is little fame in the greater Lycia to be found in Tuscana, but for a people desperate for a savior, local fame is much more accessible. Perhaps the people might even follow a true savior in open rebellion, were things to reach that point, and crown a new marquess in that manner - but for now the current marquess's hold remains strong enough, and the monstrous threat overwhelming enough, that little of that caliber can be done.
Yet.
Military
What military it does have is a mix of raw recruits and battered soldiers. The densely forested areas that cover much of Tuscana ensure near zero cavalry usage. It was not a large or well led military before the desertions and purges began, and it barely even qualifies now.
The massive Bael infestation varies in strength throughout Tuscana. In the north and northwest, the less civilized and more heavily mountainous and forested regions of the march, the largest and most dangerous arachnids gather, and some scattered tales speak of titanic spiders that dwarf even Elder Baels. Throughout much of the rest of the march, younger and smaller Baels, ranging from dog to carriage sized, are much more common and easier to slay, though they tend to hunt in packs. There is also a significant bandit presence, though many of those bandits do so out of necessity rather than desire and in turn have been hired as guardians by the very people they could have preyed on. While nothing like the disciplined Ilian mercenaries, Tuscanan mercenaries tending to be rough and amoral, they obey the clink of coin the same as most other mercenaries.
Relationships
- Araphen is about a third of the reason Tuscana still exists at all, trading supplies and occasional security in exchange for Tuscana's arms.
- Laus is the main reason that Tuscana still exists, helping with regular patrols and loaned mercenaries in return for arms. Trying desperately to pull Tuscana into its bloc entirely, but as of now Tuscana remains neutral, though it is slowly being forced to rely more and more on Laus
- Used to have a decent relationship with Thria, but the balkanized state retains very little contact with Tuscana now. Orzammar retains some diplomatic relations at least.