A History of Troubles with Gwinn

Steel Realms

Mary writes a Gallantine missive, a history of Gwinn and why it’s the enemy. It is delivered to the current head of the Gallantine Academy, Feather, the World Watchers, the Duke, and the nobles of Bar-Innis. It is distributed by Feather using her “allies”. Also referenced in Herald’s Quarterly 9169, 1st Quarter.
– Written 12th month, Day 9, CY 9168

Its been forty years, give or take a few. Once, long ago, southern adventurers returned from the land of the broken south. Among them was a wizard named Morgent, who fell prey to the machinations of the gods. Or at least Elanicil. For he was destined to be the catalyst that caused the prideful remnant of the ancient Sea Kings, Gwinn, to rise from its mercantile to a militant presentation. Imperial Gwinn was on the march again. At first they sought far distant lands in the north. Largely inhabited by more primitive cultures and animals. But right next to lands that would eventually put them in conflict with the northern kingdoms. Among them was the incarnation of the old office of the high Priest of Elancil of the Sea Kings – The Confessor.

Not through any fault of their own, the Tarmysian Peninsula of Dunstrand was invaded. As a strategic goal, it made sense, but it was a violation of the High King’s peace. The culture of Tarmysia was once that of the Sea Kings. But for thousands of years, since their fall, they had become more and more Dunstrandian. The strongly independent nature of their isolation, their shared plight of lack of economic significance they shared with the Freehold of Cabella, and eventual import of the tolerance of Dunstrand meant they had been able to operate without a lot of interference and were known as the “Fish Barons”. This occupation did not go well. Many were killed and enslaved. The successful invasion meant that Gwinn declared its sovereignty away from the High King, re-christening itself as Imperial Gwinn. It had a halfway point between the home isles and the northern territories it wished to conquer. With its allegiance to Elancil, the stormy coast off Tarmysia becomes calm when needed and the bounty of supplies from the sea was more than enough to supply their efforts. And its led to much more aggression on the waters against the Merchant Cities in terms of trade, including the building of more boats and docks, using woodlands that long remained untouched in Tarmysia. This has also threatened trade and Umbakian hegemony along its Queens Coast, and the shifted weather made things worse along the coast of Cabella.

Aside from the water and the smaller the low pass in Richfield, the high pass from the Barony of Faryain was the only viable place for armies to clash. In CY 9142, Month 5 – The forces of Gwinn retreat from Richfield and Bar-Innis, though still occupy Tarmysia. A stalemate has existed since, for decades. This has factored into the plans of the Twin River powers, leading to a constant bleeding dry of resources. Even Baron Veff of Faryain, once an ally of the Badgericus house – leader of the Twin River powers of East and West River Run – had to flee from the political infighting. This isn’t just a Gwinn and Dunstrand issue, this involves Loamwold, Umbak, and the southern and northern Merchant Cities, plus Kalascor in the north. No one wants to break the peace – except Gwinn. And the shifted weather and use of resources in the swamp has even made the normally neutral Witch of Dwindor less so.

Now the Orrish have come. And not just to Dunstrand, but strangely more in force in its southern region. After the Soul Scourge, after sickness ravaged the realms, after an angry wizard has been kidnapping and terrorizing the west edges of Dunstrand for a decade (and is getting worse), after everything and more, Gwinn wants to use this as pressure to sign a peace agreement. Which would likely result in the splitting off of both Twin River Counties and the weakening of the Grand Duchy of Dunstrand. The stability of the very heartlands of the realms lies in doubt. And I am now stripped of power, because I would not vote unanimously within the earldom Bar-Innis to start the peace process.

I will not go quietly. We built the Gallantine Academy on the order, the brotherhood of the Gallants. An order that meant fortitude, courage, and unity above all else. Dedicated to making Dunstrand more stable, more tolerant, stronger, and a model for the realms. This peace runs counter to all that. And so we object. I beg the duke to reconsider, to make different plans, to find allies and make alliances to ensure Dunstrand stays whole, and that Gwinn does not get to set a precedent that allows the High King’s peace to be so easily disregarded.

– Viscount Lady Mary Rellian
of Dogwood Flats