Ffenargh
(pron. Fen-argh or Ef-en-arrgh). Area also known as Carroc's Mire.
Maps of Area and Surrounding Lands
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Overview
Located some one hundred miles to the north-east of Sanctuary, the Theocracy of the Ffenargh is a little known area of low-lying swamp, moor, and varied monsters covering over 3500 square miles at the mouth of the Baratary River. The Ffenargh is a dark place known to contain many varieties of fantastical monster and undead.
There are few areas of dry land, houses are built on stilts and most transport is by punt. Most people in the Ffenargh speak a form of antiquated Common.
The common people of the Ffenargh are in the most part of low intelligence, and many of the mature folk are ill-formed; the Vapours (infections supposed to result from diseased winds) have caused gross degeneracy in the populace. Most people appear much older than their years, with an average lifespan of around 40. This shortened lifespan does not appear to affect the clerics of St. Theodoric, and some other functionaries.
In the outlying areas some of the people are not entirely human, having cross-bred with something named a Swamp Ghoul.
Conditions in the Ffenargh have improved somewhat in the last twenty years, and more markedly since the events in 798 detailed in the Overdue Library Books (pdf) scribe notes.
The initial improvements followed the reunification of the Church after a 40 year schism over the nature of the powers of Saint Theodoric [The Heresy of Minon: Heretics believed that Theodoric had been a mage -- as significant evidence suggests]. This unification brought back into the Church the former Heretical Church, many of whom had mage and healer training.
Post-reunification, a shipping channel was cleared through the Ffenargh making it possible for river traffic on the Baratary river to access the sea. This trade (and taxation) has brought much needed funds into the area and paved the way for civic improvements. The events of 798 may have finally ended the Vapours, or at least removed their primary cause allowing them to die out over time. The population is burgeoning and the authorites are assisting villages to expand and previously deserted areas to repopulate. The Church is actively discouraging the tradition of each settlement keeping to itself and every village is visited at least monthly by a priest/healer.
Events of Spring 812
Rumours of surviving underground nests of Suarime in the deepest parts of the swamp proved to be horribly understated in Spring 812 when huge numbers of the reptilian humanoids emerged from the mire and attacked people in the Ffenargh and nearby parts of Aladar. The lizards appears to have been summoned forth in some manner by mages with the invading Drow forces.
Villages and hamlets were overrun and destroyed with many of the residents becoming Suarime army rations. Surviving humans fled into the swamp or to Eylea, the only walled and defensible settlement.
The bulk of the lizard forces thereafter moved north and reports put most of them in the vicinity of the bizarre arctic conditions that laid waste to the northern parts of the Ffenargh. Although not fully confirmed it appears that most of the horde were slain by the extreme weather conditions.
The same weather event froze solid several hundred square miles of swamp, deposited 40 feet of snow, and attendant hurricane winds flatted any structures and all vegetation. Although slowly thawing out the area will be even more of a wasteland than is usual in the Ffenargh for years to come.
Politics & People
Deeded in 343 Wk to the Church of Saint Theodoric by the then Duke of Ranke, Sigmund, the land has been ruled since by the "Lords Spiritual" from their monastary at Eylea. The Church is loosely associated with the Unified Western Church and sends a representative to the summer conclave.
The Lords Spiritual created three Barons within their domain, and it was through these "Lords Secular" that the power of the Church was wielded. All three dynastys have died out and the the Baronies are now overseen by stewards who report to the High Baliff.
Note: nothing is known about the internal politics of the church, except that the Monastry in Eylea is not the only church enclave.
Father Zebulon - Abbot of Monastary of St Theoderic
Clarados - Lord High Bailiff, who is the secular ruler. He is over 100 years old in 810wk.
Steward of Lorge Island - held by a priest as there nowday are few secular duties associated with this region
Steward of Myrkfast
Steward of Holme Isle
River Master - oversees visiting river traffic, collects wharf taxes and arranges pilots etc.
Places
- Eylea
- The only town in Ffenargh is situated on the river. It is ruled by Clarados the Lord High Bailiff, who is over 100 years old.
- The town has built up around the Abbey of St Theoderic.
- Apart from the Abbey buildings and wall, the buildings in the town are all constructed of wood, reed & mud. The only 'road' runs beside the main wharf for 200' then goes up to the Abbey. There are may small waterways and every household has a punt or three.
- Harge - is the 1st village downstream of Eylea
- Compton on the Sea
- Originally a small isolated fishing village it now has bustling wharves and a couple of taverns as it the changeover port between river traffic and ocean going vessels.
- The River Master's office is here.
- Barony of Lorge Island
- The last Lord of Lorge died in 764 after apparently murdering his young wife and Lorge Hall was abandoned. A Guild party was involved.
- The authorities consider the place corrupted, as there are still life draining magics, and forbid anyone from living on or nearby the island. The ruins are warded and priests inspect the area peridically.
- Skagken is the name of the village on the edge of Lorge Island. It was evacuated after the explosion in 798wk and there is now only one building kept watertight for priests checking the ruins.
- Glub - is a small village 1/2 way between Eylea and Lorge Island
- Barony of Myrkfast
- The last Lord of Myrkfast, Geoffrey D'Arcy, was murdered in 787 by his son Miles, who subsequently died during his attempt to overthrow the Lords Spiritual. A Guild party was involved, see the Progress of Disease II (pdf).
- In 809 a guild party cleared out the hydra from Myrkfast Manor (aka The Manor on The Water) in preparation for the area to be repopulated.
- Barony of Holme Isle
- Line of Barons died out over 200 years ago.
- Power (but not baronial title) passed to Lord High Bailiff of the Ffenargh, but these days is held by the Steward of Holme Isle.
- Spagbog - is the southwestern area of swamp is relatively highly poplulated with many small settlements of reed buildings on poles houseing one or two families.
