Rease

Rease is a city on the southern coast of Ynys, situated between the rivers Caerwyn and Elen. Until recently, it served as the capital of the Kingdom of Westwald, one of the Five Realms of Kernow. In 3984, after an eight-month siege, the city - and the kingdom - fell to the armies of Dumnonia under the command of King Conomor the Cursed. Westwald was the last of the Five Realms to fall, leaving Conomor in uncontested control of the entire Kernow Peninsula.

A Long History

There has been a settlement between the Caerwyn and the Elen for as long as history records. Before the Age of Warlocks, it was called Rhys, and older records speak of places named Ratiz and Czaros, which predated the arrival of humans in the Great Ring. It was after the Inselsprach-speaking Eots and Biegens settled in the area that the town became Rease and eventually the capital of Westwald.

Throughout its history, the city has been a center of trade. The two rivers form a natural harbor and serve as a route for inland communities to reach the sea. As new kingdoms rose following the end of the Clarati occupation, Westwald became one of the Five Realms of the Kernow Peninsula - wealthy, strong, and proud. The Five Realms were traditionally allied against aggression from outside the peninsula, and Westwald was also closely connected to its eastern neighbor, Estwald (now part of Creoda). The realm was rich in both commerce and allies.

The Pact Betrayed

In 3966, the alliance between the Five Realms of Kernow was shattered when the young King Conomor of Dumnonia attacked his neighbor, Kerthwyc. The kingdom was caught unawares and quickly fell before Dumnonia's armies. Shortly before her death, the Queen of Kerthwyc named Conomor "the Cursed" - a moniker he has since embraced, declaring that all his foes should curse his name in their defeat.

In the aftermath of Kerthwyc's fall, Dumnonia invaded the rest of the peninsula. Forewarned and aided by allies to the east, Westwald held out the longest against Conomor's armies. But after nearly two decades of war and an eight-month siege, Rease fell to the conqueror, and Westwald ceased to exist.

Occupied Rease

For the last ten months, Rease has been occupied by Dumnonian forces. Conomor has used the city as a command post and established a strong border with Creoda along the River Elen to the east. He has also stationed naval forces in the city and authorized raids along the southern coast of Creoda. Many believe he intends to use Rease as a launching point for an invasion of Creoda, while the Creodans have mustered forces to defend their territory.

Life for the citizens of Rease is difficult. Trade is heavily taxed, and many goods are in short supply after soldiers seize what they want. Many inhabitants have relatives across the river - either refugees who fled or long-standing families from Estwald. Smuggling across the border is common, though heavily punished if caught. Young and able-bodied people are frequently conscripted, while the old nobility of Westwald has either been imprisoned or executed.

Rumors circulate of rebels attempting to raise an army from the countryside and from Creoda. However, the larger nation is threatened by another aggressor to the northwest in Gewisse, who may strike once Creoda reallocates its defenders to confront Dumnonia. Everyone knows that war is coming, but no one can say exactly when it will begin.