Rennsfar
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Capital: Tymor
Population: 885,000; 89% Ralani, 7% Iskari, 3% Eloysian, 1% other)
Demi-humans: 85,000 (35% dwarves, 45% elves, 20% halflings)
Humanoids: few (mostly gnolls)
Government: Monarchy (currently ruled by the Garistano Dynasty)
Current Leader: Queen Arathea I
Coat of Arms: a large silver trident on a sea-green field
Exports: wine, gems, silver, olive oil, fish, textiles


Rennsfar is a great Ralani island nation, but also an integral part of western Corwyn in culture, speech, and outlook. The Rennsfari are not a war-mongering people, but rather a people that excel at mercantile enterprise, and it is that mercantile skill that has brought untold riches and successes to its island peoples more so than any military victory.

The island of Renthara, which makes up the land mass of Rennsfar, was actually joined to the continent until the Great Rift of 884/3, in which a terrible earthquake separated the Isle from mainland Corwyn. The island was simply called "Renthara," until the country became independent in the year 553/6. Because of its close proximity to the mainland, and because it was once physically joined, most locals consider the island nation just another part of the continent.

This Ralani island nation is also the youngest of the western kingdoms of Corwyn, being only little over 600 years old. But despite its young age, the country is wealthy and prosperous, and has a fine tradition of mercantilism, justice, and decency toward its people. Rennsfar has been at odds with Serathyr since its inception, and the two countries remain bitter rivals and have fought countless war and skirmishes over the years. This is, of course, due to the fact that the people of Rennsfar broke away from the mainland in a bloody rebellion that caused the collapse of the lost Kingdom of Ralas.

Borders


Rennsfar is an island nation. It is completely surrounded by the Sea of Ralas. Rennsfar constantly patrols the waterways around the island, because of a long and bloody history of skirmishes with the hated kingdom of Serathyr.

Politics


The current ruler of Rennsfar is Queen Arathea; who is the 19th ruler of the long and distinguished Garistano Dynasty. Queen Arathea rules the kingdom from the famed Emerald Throne, located in the Great Hall of the fortress of Castle Everwind. The fortress is located on a towering, chalk-white cliff, overlooking the capital of Tymor.

Politically, Rennsfar is a monarchy, but local and administrative rule is sub-divided into 12 Duchies and 79 Baronies, all of whom are ruled by powerful Vassal Lords, who are un-waveringly loyal to the Emerald Throne.

Prominent Rennsfari noble families: House Ariseti, House DeMarco, House Florian, House Garistano, House Merrill, House Reggio, House Silvertongue, House Rhundaar, House Stavros, and House Vieri

Military


Rennsfar is a nation of of few major fortifications. This is due to the fact that historically, these lands have never been threatened by a massive invasion. The Marshlands has always been a relatively tranquil region of Corwyn.

The only current threat against Rennsfar are coastal raids by the hated Corsairs of Tar Vielca; and even these are few and far between. Because of its status as an island nation, Rennsfar has a small standing army of 8,000 well-trained, heavily armed soldiers.

But in times of war, the Kingdom can muster well over 40,000 troops, due to large noble contingents. Because of its often-bloody history, Rennsfar has several major fortifications. These include: Athrenar's Tower, Castle Everwind, Fairwind Keep, and Ziggaraut Keep.

Rennsfar’s true strength lies in her large and capable navy. As an island nation; Rennsfar maintains a powerful fleet of 36 warships. which are easily identifiable by the trident-carrying mermaids and goddesses carved on their prows, and their sails of turquoise-colored silk. This fleet of war galleys bearing the Rennsfari Trident has saved the kingdom from annihilation more than once.

Over the centuries, her fleets have fought off Vilzari raiders, Tar Vielcan pirates, Corsairs, and Serathian warships. At sea, Rennsfar remains undefeated.

Climate


Most of the realm is made up rolling hills, shallow valleys, and grassy meadows and farmlands. The climate of Rennsfar is usually quite warm because of its far southern location, but the cool winds off the Sea of Ralas give its people a respite from the oppressive humidity in the summer months.

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Life & Society


The vast majority of the peoples of Rennsfar are Ralani, which means they love the sea, red wine, olive oil, and a good song. Rennsfar has many seaports for fishermen, vast groves of grapes and olives for wines and oils, and a talented bard on very corner. Inland, there are many deep emerald and silver mines that support the local economy as well. Rennsfari wines are sold in every shop across Corwyn, and the country is most famous for their rare vintages. The perfect climate that covers most of this island realm makes it the ideal place to dwell, and many wealthy nobles maintain residences here, as did the Empress of Ravinia at one time. Most Rennsfari folk are Ralani descent, and shy away from the troubles of the mainland. They are content to sell their wine, oil, fish, and emeralds, and make a tidy profit doing so. But in time of crisis, the Rennsfari have always come to the aid of the West, even though the Rennsfari Royal Court has never agreed to join the White Alliance.

Geography


Ashford Valley: small region in the central region of Rennsfar, south of the Lorymil Forest. The valley is quite secluded and populated sparsely. It is said that many magical creatures, including several dragons reside in this peculiar valley.

Lorymil Forest: large woodland region on the Island of Renthara, now a part of the kingdom of Rennsfar. The forest is sparsely populated, except for Carillon, the famed city of the Bards. The small city is deep within the forest and is only accessible via the Rennsfar Road between Akros and Tymor.

Montero Straits: narrow body of water between the island kingdom of Rennsfar and the peninsula of Serathyr. Once the site of a major naval battle.

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Important Sites


Akros: (population: 27,000) second largest city in the kingdom of Rennsfar and a major seaport on the Sea of Ralas. The city is governed by Duchess Isenia Reggio.

Athrenar’s Tower: great coastal fortress and watchtower, located on a jutting circle of rocks on the southern coast of the Isle of Renthara. It is said that the 250-foot tall spire of the fortress is the tallest structure on Corwyn.

Carillon: (population: 15,000) the famed city of the Bards, located at the eastern edge of the Lorymil forest. Carillon is ruled by Matron Ionia Silvertongue.

Edgecliffe: site of a fierce and bloody battle in 553/6 that ended the War of the Celadon.

Emerald Throne: Royal seat of the kingdom of Rennsfar, located within Castle Everwind.

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Castle Everwind: Royal palace of Rennsfar, located within the city of Tymor. Within the castle is the famous Emerald Throne.

Ironclaw Point: site of a bloody battle in 697/6, during the Second War of the Saltmarsh.

Fairwind Keep: small military outpost of Rennsfar, located in the far western coastal region of the island.

Falcon Bay: Site of a fierce naval battle in the year 1229/6.

Kestra: site of a recent battle in the year 1228/6, during the Emerald War.

Thalion Palace: beautiful palace located on Volnar Isle. In ages past, this palace was the winter retreat of Empress Ravinia.

Tymor: (population: 55,000) capitol of Rennsfar. This large seaport is located on the southern coast of the island and is governed by Duke Saris DeMarco.

Volnar Isle: Small, sparsely populated island, located south of Renthara. The Thalion Palace is located on this island.

Local History


For most of its history, Rennsfar was simply called the "Isle of Renthara." and made up the southern half of the ancient kingdom of Ralas.

Creation of the Kingdom


In the year 553/6, the southern Ralani nobility rebelled against the corrupt and tyrannical Serati Dynasty, after enduring years of years of cruelty and pettiness under its ruler-ship. A noble Lord named Alaron Baranthyr rose up against King Durendil Serati II, and was soon joined by many southern vassals who were tired of grossly unfair Royal edicts handed down from the Dragon Throne.

The rebellion came to be known as the War of the Celadon, and began with the rape of Alaron's wife Lady Amarei by the Crown Prince; Drexel. Not only did King Durendil refuse to bring his son to justice, when Alaron later killed the prince in a legal duel, the King ordered his arrest and the seizure of his lands. These tragic events sparked the conflict, which lasted for three long years, causing widespread suffering, death, and destruction throughout the region.

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In 553/6, at the climactic Battle of Edgecliffe, the loyalists were sharply defeated and King Durendil himself was slain by Lord Alaron. Shortly thereafter, the Isle of Renthara was granted independence and Alaron became the first ruler of a new, fully independent nation.

King Alaron named his kingdom "Rennsfar." This term was a combination of "Renthara," which was the original name of the island and "Far" — an ancient Ralani term for "Farthing."

The kingdom continued to be ruled by the Baranthyr Dynasty until 674/6, when King Anrahal was slain during the Battle of Krell. Rennsfar was then ruled by the Garistano Dynasty, under its first king; Althorn. His descendants still rule the nation today.

Although Rennsfar is one of the youngest nations on Corwyn today, it has seen much turmoil in its brief existence. Rennsfar was attacked by a fleet of Corsairs from Tar Vielca in the years 663-668/6, during the War of the Saltmarsh, although its enemies were ultimately defeated at the Battle of Sedgebrook. The kingdom fought in the costly War of Crows between 670-674/6. Her naval forces sharply defeated a Vilzari fleet in a series of engagements during that war, and her small army fought heroically at the terrible Battle of Krell. A battle that cost the life of young King Anrahal and his two young sons, and ended the Baranthyr Dynasty.

Between 695 and 697/6, Rennsfar was again invaded by pirates from Tar Vielca, and with the help of Serathyr was again victorious. This time the Rennsfari destroyed the Tar Vielcan fleet at the Battle of Ironclaw Point in 697/6, and went on to capture the city of Tar Vielca itself that same year. For many centuries, peace reigned in the small island nation until 1008/6, when the War of the Fallen Crown began between Elyria and Serathyr. Rennsfar soon came to the aid of Elyria and opened a second front in the south against her old nemesis Serathyr. By 1011/6, the Battle of Anley ended the war in a stalemate, and Rennsfar came again in to a period of peace. But the war had cost the life of Rennsfari King Anson, who died of wounds suffered at Anley.

That peace was shattered in 1228/6 when the Serathians declared war on Rennsfar and invaded her for control of the rich emerald trade along the Sea of Ralas. The young Rennsfari King Athrenar II, and his beautiful wife, Arathea, led the islanders against a vastly superior foe. At the Battle of Kestra, King Argilan II annihilated the invading Serathian army, but the young king died of an arrow wound several days later, and his Queen took control of the country and the war effort. Under her guidance and leadership, the small Rennsfari navy defeated the Serathian fleet at the Battle of Falcon Bay in 1230/6, and forced the arrogant Serathian King Doran II to offer humiliating terms.

For the last two decades, the beautiful Queen Arathea has ruled over the kingdom, and under her reign, the country has prospered from its sales of emeralds, wine, and olive oil. But the Serathians are again making trouble, ever bitter over their last humiliating defeat seventeen years ago.