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Forty Years
Yes, forty years. Forty years since the beginning of the Silent Peace. Forty years since the floating city of Sundren plummeted back to the earth in a barely controlled descent. Forty years since the claws of the Black Hand were retracted within the sun-kissed hills of the Sestran coastline. Forty years that an uneasy political climate has just managed to survive in the often-tumultuous Valley of Sundren.
Today the Valley is divided among four City States. The Sundarian Empire from its seat in Sundren City. The wealthy and austere Aquoran Protectorate as gate keepers of the North. The ever-hungry Stratocracy of Sestra with their lush green fields hiding ruthless and disciplined forces. The Ducal state of Avanthyr; bustling port and center of trade from outside the Valley. Generations have passed since the peace was struck. Some elders were merely children at the time and do not remember what the epic conflicts of the past were truly like…
Despite this reigning peace, all is not well within the Valley. The Helmites patrol the trade routes of the Valley as neutral Road Wardens, but the trade routes have become increasingly unsafe. Trade and political relations between the States are strained. Food and basic supply prices have become unsustainable for many. The poorest areas of Port Avanthyr and Sundren City are hardest hit, and both Cities have recently dealt with periods of unrest within their walls. Trade into the Port by sea has slowed, adding fuel to the fire. The Port and Sundren City have begun purchasing foreign food supplies at seemingly ruinous cost to avoid further troubles. Bread lines and rationing have begun in Cheapside.
Sestra has seen its own share of unrest. While most of the peasantry who have remained in the State have resigned themselves to live by strict Sestran law, there has been recent upheaval within the ruling class. Food supplies from increased farming efforts have kept the populace reasonably well provisioned, but other trade has dropped dramatically. Having seen trade as the key to Sestran expansion the previous Grand Marshall of Sestra formed a new wing of government to separately handle trade, taxation, and other economic matters outside the Faith. Both the former Grand Marshall, and his successor, have given much of their attention to this pursuit of economic expansionism with great protest from the Church and Military leaders. The iron grip of the Faith has been loosened. With trade drying up the Grand Marshall and his trade advisors scramble to act, meanwhile the Church and Military leaders rattle their sabers and speak of treachery.
Aquor, Jewel of the Valley, is not immune to the troubles either. With a smaller populace and greater wealth, the stores of food and basic supplies are not as dire as Sundren City but their routes to Avanthyr are among the most dangerous. Trade has come to a screeching halt for the Thayans, and matters are deteriorating rapidly. Even the sturdy Whurest Dwarves nestled up in the Spine are uneasy with the state of the Valley.
The fragile peace balances on the edge of a knife. Gossip amongst the people both common and noble hints of betrayals and treachery from every angle. State leaders gather to plan contingencies and send delegates to their neighbors, just as they whisper to their spymasters to squeeze contacts for information. The tension throughout the valley is palpable; it is electric. The fate of the Valley may depend on the actions of a few, but who will they be…?
This event will cater to characters level 3-9. To begin groups will be divided by City State, so please respond below with your Character Name (if you already have one) and the State your character will be representing. More information will be posted on Friday evening.
For more information on the state of the Valley: http://sundren.org/forum/sundren-com...of-the-seasons
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