Capitol: Sasserine (total population: 22,326)
Human Population: 19,951 (71% Ralani, 21% Eloysians, 5% Vilzari, 3% other)
Demi-human Population: 2,375 (60% dwarves, 15% elves, 25% halflings)
Humanoids: few (mostly gnolls, tasloi)
Government: City-State
Current Leaders: ruled by the 7-member Dawn Council
Coat of Arms: red rose and lion on blue / white field
Exports: fruit, vegetables, grain, textiles, gold
Sasserine is a small, independent city-state, located along the Wild Coast of Azoria, on Wyvern Bay. The city is somewhat isolated, being located on a secluded coastal inlet, ringed by both the Hellfire Mountains and the Sanjaara Jungle. Yet today, Sasserine continues to be an important trade center in the Shining Sea region.
The city of Sasserine is ruled by a group of seven noble families; known as the Dawn Council. Each member of the Dawn Council comes from one of the seven Administrative Districts in the city. These seven districts also serve as important administrative and religious divisions in the city. Each district also has its own temple, whose clerics hold sway in local affairs. The seven districts and their respective temples are:
- Azure District; (Temple of Myrival)
- Champions District; (Temple of Etahr)
- Cudgel District; (Temple of Berevrom)
- Merchants District; (Temple of Ethenghar)
- Noble District; (Temple of Nerydia)
- Sunrise District; (Temple of Ator)
- the Slums; called Shadowshore; (Temple of S'Thar),
Sasserine's human ethnic makeup is unusual for the continent of Azoria, in that its population comprises a majority of ethnic Ralani from Corwyn, but there are also large ethnic minorities of Eloysians from Kendar and the surrounding Sanjaara Jungle, as well as a few Vilzari from Vilzar and the Island-Realm of Nimbor.
The city is accessible by ship via Wyvern Bay, and also by the Rockdale Road which runs east through the Rockdale region to the neighboring city of Caldera. For now, Sasserine maintains close relations with both Caldera and the powerful Republic of Kendar; its neighbor to the north.
Sasserine derives most of its wealth as a seaport; as a result its harbor is quite busy. At any time, over 100 merchant vessels are moored here from various ports such as: Akros, Freeport, Kingsport, Natharos, Pike's Ferry, Rastios, all Seven Cities of Bronze, Sathay, Shard, Syrene, Tymor, Vanzali, and Wyn Falas.
Local History
Sasserine is over 700 years old, and has a long and colorful history. Most events can be broken down into three separate eras, each of which had an important impact on the development of the city as it exists today.
The Founding of the City
Sasserine was founded nearly 700 years ago in the year 553/6, during the terrible Ralani Civil War.
As rival Ralani nobles were slaughtering each other on the Isle of Renthara, a large group of pilgrims, led by a noble named Lord Viktor Teraknian, and his wife, Lady Sasserine, left Ralas forever in search of new lands and peace.
The Pilgrims chose not to settle in one of the five city-states of Kendar, but instead searched for a new regional home for themselves.
Lady Sasserine was a devout priestess of Nerydia; the Goddess of Magic. She, like many of her followers, wanted nothing more than religious sanctuary.
As a result, hundreds decided to undertake the long and arduous journey south, and joined the expedition. For many weeks the small fleet of a dozen ships sailed south across the Wyn Myr, past the beautiful Nimbor Islands and the dangerous Vilzari coast, until they finally reached the Wild Coast of Azoria.
Once there, the pilgrims eventually found secluded Wyvern Bay, which could only be seen faintly from the open sea, and behind it a small channel leading to a group of islands surrounded by the vast Sanjaara Jungle. This inlet was perfect for the pilgrims, because it was well-hidden from the sea, protected from the elements, and made an ideal harbor and anchorage.
The settlers had just arrived when their group was attacked by a black dragon named Zelkarune, who killed many of the pilgrims before being slain by Lord Teraknian. Viktor’s triumph was short lived when he realized his true love had also been slain by the dragon.
Filled with sadness, Viktor buried his love on Ancestor Island and named the new colony in her honor. Even to this day, the people of Sasserine honor their beloved Matron and the defeat of Zelkarune with an annual holiday called the Wyrmfall Festival.
Rule by House Teraknian
Over the next several centuries, the city was ruled by series of Lords from the Teraknian Dynasty, who each took on the hereditary title of "Arch-Duke." During this time, the small colony became a city, experiencing rapid growth from trade by sea and inland trade inland with Caldera.
The city rulers governed from Castle Teraknian; which had been built under Arch-Duke Viktor, and each successive ruler was supported by a High-Cleric of Nerydia.
In the year 1113/6, Sasserine came to be ruled by Orren the Cruel, and dark times came to the city. Unfortunately for the people of Sasserine, Orren was a blood-thirsty despot.
During his cruel, 10-year reign, the temple of Nerydia was stripped of its power and many people were imprisoned or executed. In 1123/6; Just as Orren’s rule became unbearable, a fleet of ships arrived from Kendar, carrying soldiers sent by the Sky-Lords.
Promising an end to Orren’s cruelty, the invaders were aided in their assault on the city from within, as the citizens rose up in rebellion. Lord Orren was quickly overthrown and the Sky-Lords of Kendar then claimed the city as a colony.
Ironically, the famed "Arch of Teraknian;" the greatest architectural achievement of House Teraknian, was destroyed during the rebellion against that same ruling family.
A Colony of Kendar
Unfortunately for its local population, once Kendar took control of Sasserine, conditions went from bad to worse. Over the following century, the city’s resources were savaged.
The Sky-Lords of Kendar kept Sasserine a secret from the rest of the world, hoping to hide the valuable port from invaders by destroying any references to it they could find. Spies infiltrated Cartographer’s Guilds, altering charts and sea maps; Ship Captains who knew of the inlet and the city beyond were bought off or even murdered.
Sasserine suffered greatly in these 100 years, but the underlying spirit of her inhabitants never wavered.
In the year 1227/6, the people of Sasserine began an Uprising against their Kendari overlords, led a group of seven prominent citizens who conspired together to assassinate the City Governor.
This Governor; Diego Montravon, was a corrupt bureaucrat, who kept much of the city's tax money for himself, and had his enemies arbitrarily thrown into the dungeons of Castle Teraknian.
The Uprising and the resulting turmoil threw Sasserine into chaos. Without Montravon's leadership, the Kendari garrison was overthrown and Castle Teraknian abandoned within a fortnight.
When the Kendarum discovered the true reasons why their governor had been assassinated, they agreed not to intervene, militarily. Kendar did not want another brutal, bloody occupation, and decided it was easier to simply negotiate for peace and free the colony.
After the successful conclusion of the Uprising; the seven conspirators then became the first members of the newly-formed "Dawn Council." In the twenty years since their freedom, the people of Sasserine have rebuilt their city with astonishing success. Officially, the Republic of Kendar, has decreed it no longer wishes to use the city as a colony, but prefers for Sasserine to be an equal trading partner.
In fact, the Kendarum have recently signed a treaty with the Dawn Council for trade and for protection against the Corsairs of Tar Vielca; should they ever become a threat to the city. To improve official diplomatic relations, Kendar has recently founded a new Embassy in the city; although this move has been controversial among certain locals. As the end of the Sixth Age looms, the independent city-state of Sasserine seems to have a bright new future.
Map of the City & Surrounding Region
Map of Sasserine Map of Wild Coast Map of Surrounding Region
The Surrounding Region
Beroarak's Maw: Bursting from the ground beside the banks of the Hungry Fish River is a massive statue carved in the likeness of a great crocodile. The "mouth" of this stone beast is actually a tunnel that leads hundreds of feet underground to an ancient Olman temple. The tunnel is said to be lined with human skulls and bones, and haunted by the angry spirits of long-dead Olman priests. Several adventurers have investigated the site, but none ever returned.
Blisterwall Keep: Angry-looking red vines, and poisonous flowers cover the walls of this stone tower, which has long served as Sasserine's most important military outpost. Its garrison keeps a wary eye on the neighboring Sanjaara Jungle, always on the lookout for raids by either gnolls, lizard-folk, or Tasloi.
Blood Bay: This inlet off Wyvern Bay got its name because the waters often take on a reddish hue from iron ore deposits flowing down from the nearby Hungry Fish River. Kraken's Cove is located along its edge.
Caldera: (Pop: 7,830) Commonly called "Cauldron," this small city is located 80 miles east of Sasserine, inside a long-dormant volcano.
Carver's Pit: For nearly two centuries, Carver's Pit was Sasserine's largest and most important stone quarry. One night, a miner broke through a cavern wall and a horde of chittering monstrosities issued forth and devoured every hapless soul within. Since the disaster, the mine has been abandoned.
Castle Rakin: This "castle," which is nothing more than a reinforced wooden palisade surrounding a small stone keep, is a busy trading post for lumberjacks, merchants, adventurers, jungle natives, and various charlatans hocking their wares. The settlement is a popular stopping point for barges travelling the Thunder River.
Castle Greenrock: A large seaside fortress, located along the Wild Coast. This outpost is manned by Kendari soldiers
Chekitewhan: Long ago, this ancient, obsidian ziggurat was built by the Olman. Today, it is shunned, as most locals fear to venture anywhere near it because of a powerful Olman curse.
Dungeon of Rust & Fire: High atop one of the peaks in the Hellfire Mountains, sits a lonely spire of rusted metal and stone. Every night, fire and smoke belch forth from its roof. Both its builders and its purpose are a mystery, and the tower's location makes it virtually inaccessible.
Evermire: (pop: 450) Because it sits astride a swampy morass, this tiny mixed settlement of humans and Jungle-Elves is built completely on stilts, and is only accessible by boat.
Fiddler's Cave: Carnelio Erlynn was the greatest bard in Sasserine's history, and also its most mysterious. In his later life, he became a hermit and moved from the city into a cavern located deep within the Hellfire Mountains. Locals swear that even today, the sound of his singing can still be heard echoing off the cavern walls.
Kraken's Cove: Rumored to be guarded by a legendary kraken, this cove is shrouded in mystery. Dangerous cross currents make entry by ship extremely dangerous, so mariners steer well clear of this narrow rocky inlet. The cove is lined on three sides by the thick overgrowth of the surrounding Sanjaara Jungle.
Firestorm Islands: This large islands chain has dozens of active volcanoes; it is constantly covered in clouds of ash and poisonous fumes.
The Great Sargasso: Massive area of tangled seaweed, debris and broken ships that stretch for hundreds of miles across, located in the center of the Shining Sea.
Hellfire Mountains: Large volcanic mountain range in northern Azoria, that serves as a barrier between the region of the Wild Coast and the Sanjaara Jungle.
Hookface's Lair: Deep within the Hellfire Mountains is the lair of a fierce Red Dragon named Hookface. The lair is said to be be deep underground, surrounded by several pools of molten lava.
Magalarve: Once a thriving Lizard-folk settlement, Magalarve is now abandoned. Its ruins consist of a series of small huts and structures built into the trees and connected by ropes and vine bridges. The settlement was destroyed during one of the many conflicts between the early Ralani settlers of the region and the fierce Lizard-folk tribes which dwelt in the Sanjaara Jungle.
Mashwan: Its name means "memory," in the ancient Olman tongue. This jungle clearing contains a circle of twelve identical stone obelisks. Sages believe its original purpose was either as a solar clock or calendar.
The Mist Kingdom: Very little is known of these islands, other than they are perpetually covered in thick mists which cause such a danger to ships that most sailors steer well clear of the area.
Narrow Isle: A large island located in the Shining Sea. It is home to the city-state of Tar Vielca and its large fleet of pirate vessels.
Nimbor Islands: This chain of eleven large and thirty-three small islands is home to a matriarchal Nation.
Olman Islands: This chain of three islands is home to the Olman city-state of Xamaclan.
Pirate Islands: Also called the "Serpent's Teeth," these islands are avoided as they are home to many wretched bands of pirates. Both the city-state of Freeport and the settlement of Scuttlecove are located here.
Port Blackwell: (pop; 2,200) A small Kendari settlement, located along the Wild Coast, bordered by the vast Sanjaara Jungle.
Port Keshlar (Pop: 1,500) Located along the Wild Coast, Port Keshlar is the main base for Sasserine's small navy.
Sanjaara Jungle: Enormous rain-forest which covers two-thirds of the continent of Azoria.
Shard: (pop: 78,000) This massive, fortified city is the main seaport of the Republic of Kendar and the only western gateway into its famous Sky-Valley.
Shining Sea: The southern expanse of the Wyn Myr Ocean, its eastern boundary is the Wild Coast.
Spire of Long Shadows:This ancient, abandoned tower is avoided by locals as it gives off strange bursts of magical energy. Its builders and purpose remain an enduring mystery.
Stonehaven: (population: 9,000) A large Kendari city, located along the Wild Coast.
Wild Coast: The western coast of Azoria, which is dotted with human settlements dating back to the times of the lost Kingdom of Ralas.
Wyvern Bay: Named for flocks of wyverns which once nested along its edges, this bay is one of the least known waterways in the Shining Sea region. After ships travel through a narrow inlet, the bay opens into a large channel which is home to the seaport of Sasserine.
