The Ashlanteans

The Ashlanteans

Preface: What is an Ashlantean?

One day during my time at the Meshi Chancellory, in the aftermath of another heated debate about the direction of that Beluaterran realm, a functionary struck up the courage to ask a question about some minor detail of the most recent verbal sparring. Just 'What was an Ashlantean?' and why was that 'so important?' I spent a few minutes trying to give the fellow a short summary, but it could not do justice to the long history of the Ash Sea Islands or that of her people. I sought then to direct him to a single text, where he could learn more of my fabled kin, and it was then I realised no such text existed. As though my brethren were content to fade from the pages of history.

Of course, it is but illusion that the Ashlanteans would go so quietly. The quills of the Ser'quean scholars may well be silent, our former palaces and lands given over to lecherous, unworthy hands, but the Ashlantean spirit remains unbowed. The Serpent Banner still flies in a hundred different conflicts throughout the world. Scores of noble houses remember their Ashlantean roots as the most dignifying and important of all. Many hundreds more have heard of the unshakeable will and grit of the Ashlantean people. Of their unassailable faith to the Ashlantean creed and salutation 'Loyalty and Honour'.

It is easy to assume the Ashlantean culture and way of life dead. But to assume such is to forget the burdens Ashlanteans have always endured. Our having a kingdom was only ever incidental to our identity and culture. For the truth of that, you need only remember how often the Kingdom of Ash Sea Islands was displaced from the lands of her birth. The loss of the Serpent Throne may have been a terrible blow, but loss is something we have long since learned to endure. There is a reason why so many today still hold fondly to their identity where the fall of other realms has seen the death of an entire people almost overnight.

It took an unprecedented coalition a generation to sunder our kingdom. Yet the echoes of our fallen realm reverberate even now. Our faith lives on in grim tribute to the tenacity of all Ashlanteans, whose steely resolve is as certain and unassailable as the sun rising and falling each day. Ashlanteans continue to fight hammer and nail to this day in conflicts of honour and dignity. Meanwhile all those inured to the Ashlantean way of life simply approach things differently to everyone else.

The purpose of this tome is to highlight all the great things about the men and women who call themselves Ashlantean. Peruse this text and you will learn of a joyous and vibrant people who fought valiantly in the face of all odds and opposition. Though if you do not have the time for that, well I can only tell you that we Ashlanteans, well, we're cut from a different cloth to the rest.

Malice Osha, Proud Ashlantean and former monarch of Ash Sea Islands

Twillen, June 2010

Origins of the Ashlanteans

The Ashlanteans number amongst the oldest united peoples in Atamara. Certainly, history goes back far enough to reveal that upon Atamara first being civilised, the Ash Sea Islands was one of Atamara's founding realms. Though the name by which the Ashlantean people know themselves is not nearly so ancient. For a long time, we were simply Ash Sea Islanders. It was only during a light hearted debate between the Ashlantean nobility on how to describe their dear friends in Falasan, that the word 'Ashlantean' was finally happened upon. For that we can thank one of the Ash Sea Islands finest sons, Doc's Revenge Primus.

Ash'rily, the Cradle

From the moment men first knew awareness, they sought a place where they could prosper. Those who found settlements on the coast of the Ash Sea were particularly blessed. But none more so than the peoples who gave birth to Ash'rily, Dark Jewel of the Ash Sea. At first a small fishing village, it wasn't long before Ashlantean pioneers began exploring the vast sea. Soon Ash'rily had begun trade with the other settlements sharing a coast upon the Ash Sea. Ash'rily quickly came to dominate trade and commerce in the region, eventually turning into the largest, most powerful city in Atamara as she is today.

It cannot be emphasised enough, how great a city Ash'rily is. Her population of near 100,000 is more than can be found in most entire kingdoms. Where other cities across the world have been raised, broken then raised again, Ash'rily has an unending record of settlement and has ever been a steadfast beacon on the shores of the Ash Sea. Her architectural style is unique in the known world, along with her buildings forged of the dark rock of the Ash Sea Isles. Moreover, her docks are vast and without compare. A veritable gateway to trading cities across the world and the source of the vast and unending strength and wealth of Ash'rily. There is nothing to match this city, certainly not in Atamara.

With Ash'rily at its heart, the Ashlanteans struck out to forge a strong kingdom encompassing the whole of the Ash Sea Isles and straddling the lands around the Ash Sea. To those abroad, we were known as the Kingdom of Ash Sea Islands. At home we were simply Ashlantean, an important distinction. Whilst Ash'rily and the Isles were the cradle that gave us life, the home of the Cult of the Serpænt, the source of our strength and heritage, it was not all we were. To be Ashlantean, you did not have to inhabit a narrow strip of land around one of the Island cities. This is a temperament of the Ashlanteans that has been eternally misjudged.

With the picture painted so far, it is easy to assume that the Ashlanteans sat pampered in their Ash Sea fastness. That their stewardship of Ash'rily alone was enough to ensure their strength and steel their souls to the rigours of existence. If only life were so generous. For much of Ashlantean history, her ownership of the Ash Sea Isles has waxed and waned. For half the existence of the Ashlantean kingdom, it never exerted full control over the Isles. For great swathes of her existence, the Ashlantean kingdom did not even hold Ash'rily.

The Ash Sea Isles

For most realms that lose their birthplace, decline and death usually tend to follow. Eventually of course, this was indeed a contributory factor to the fall of the Ash Sea Islands. But when the Ash Sea Islands lost her Isles for the final time, they had already changed hands several times before. Sometimes for lengthy periods indeed. The Ashlanteans discovered early on in their existence how vital it was to build a kingdom that would be strong irrespective of their stewardship over Ash'rily or any other region. Arguably, it is what came to make Ashlanteans so resolute in the first place.

For the most part, the Ash Sea Islands usually managed to maintain at least a cursory foothold on the lands of her birth. Those she did hold were meticulously maintained, often housing elite recruitment centres and other superb infrastructure. Something no better crystallised than in the existence of an ancient fort in rural Yacon long into the reign of King Nautilus. For all their enlightened pragmatism, the Ashlanteans always fought bitterly to ensure a physical link remained to the origins of the kingdom, no matter what happened in the Islands or elsewhere.

The realm that so often frustrated the Ash Sea Islands in her homelands was named Abington, with many bitter wars being fought over Wor'ight and Ash'rily in particular. The effect of such internecine feuding often proved to be disastrous for the people of the Islands. It is difficult to forget how a Duke of Wor'ight once razed all infrastructure within the city shortly before the appearance of an Ashlantean force. Or just how many souls succumbed to starvation in the the several long sieges of Ash'rily

Naturally, the Ashlanteans never forgot the place of their birth. Indeed, when forced to live without some or all of the Islands, many an Ashlantean whiled away the days plotting to take them back. Mostly, it was simply the injustice and particular circumstances of the Islands loss that burned. For the most part however, Ashlanteans were happy to take the long view. To turn their attentions to other areas and to concentrate on what the kingdom did have until such time as the situation changed.

Of course, without all that, we might never have found the tranquillity of Ser'quea, a smaller city protecting the passage into the Ash Sea Isles. It was that city that would serve as the capital of the Ash Sea Islands until her fall and it housed all the instruments of the Ashlantean state, as well as various cultural works. Although far smaller, it's economy was strong for having so few people and in the same manner as Ash'rily, her architecture was unique. Just so for the Ashlanteans.

Military

When it comes to war, Ashlanteans have no interest in conflicts of greed or idle purpose. Moreover, when they are roused to anger you can expect them to carry themselves with integrity throughout the conflict. Certainly the Ash Sea Islands proved through her long life the ferocity of an Ashlantean army roused to anger and also the constraints an Ashlantean would place on themselves even then. It does no good to be involved with a war of dishonour when the path of honour is so much more rewarding.

Doctrine

The organisation of the Ashlantean military was not a rigid thing, but something that changed ably with the passage of time and the advent of new strategies and technologies that would improve performance on the battlefield. For generations, the Ashlanteans fielded armies of nothing but foot soldiers, in the times before military trainers were allowed to spread across the world. Likewise, the Ash Sea Islands once laboured under the antiquated Duchy system of armies, that did little more than arbitrarily divide the Ashlantean nobles into slightly differing camps. It was well then, that the Ashlanteans took conflict so seriously.

Often when times of martial change came, the Ashlanteans would be at the forefront of reforms. When military trainers were first allowed to spread, there was an explosion in recruitment centres across the Ash Sea Islands. Likewise, when ducal armies were finally dispensed with early in King Malice' first reign, the Ashlanteans quickly adapted. The armies formed thereafter would go on to acquire legendary status among Ashlanteans and carry several revered Marshal's to greatness.

Ashlantean Armies

The Bear's Paw
Royal Ashlantean Guard
Serpant Templar Knights
Serpent's Fist
Guardians of Magna Serpaensism
The High Serpant Guard
Army of Aja

Usually when the time for war came, the Ashlantean armies roused themselves for one of but a few reasons. The need to defend the Ash Sea Islands from aggression, the need to defend her friends from aggression or for needs of honour. An Ashlantean war fought directly for her own gain was nigh on unheard of. Meanwhile, Ashlanteans were forbidden from looting under any circumstances and the Ash Sea Islands looked unkindly on secessions which more often than not sought only to break the ties of friendship and co-operation she had with other realms.

With the burden of frequent invasion and loss of core territories, the Ashlanteans were also well accomplished in defensive warfare. In regular intervals, heavy investment was made in martial infrastructure in order that conquered territories would not sap at the ability of the realm to continue fighting. Likewise long familiarity and experience in the lands enabled Ashlantean armies to frustrate enemies long after they should have been beaten. The most extreme example of course being the reduction of the Ash Sea Islands to five regions shortly before her downfall, yet still being able to draw upon nearly 1000 recruits at any one time.

Perhaps the most important thing that lay at the heart of the Ashlantean attitude to warfare is something that is easy to overlook. The respect all Ashlanteans accord their enemies. No matter how difficult the battles or how bitter the feeling, Ashlanteans don't abuse their opponents before battle or afterwards. Instead enemies are treat with dignity, enemy heroes mourned. War is not a perpetual state of being. Eventually all wars end and when that time comes, it is important to be able to look your opponents in the eye with respect and even friendship.

Exploits

To list all the major conflicts in which Ashlanteans were involved would take a collection of thick tomes. Accordingly, the exploits of Ashlantean soldiers and armies listed here are simply some of the more outstanding and uplifting moments in Ashlantean martial history.

Author's Note: I regret that so many of these stories involve me personally. It was not my intention, but I cannot help the long life I led in service of the Ash Sea Islands.

The Ride to Brackhead

Following the fall of Ash'rily due to the wily ways of Gabriel Bachelor, who found himself thrown out of Abington when his countrymen found out the full scale of the lies he told in order to fight that war, the Ashlanteans found themselves a weak people. But there were still wars to be fought and even as they began to recover from their wounds, a conflagration in the north involving friends in the Eastern Alliance demanded attention.

In their weakened state, King Doc's Revenge was put in a hard position. The Ashlanteans were simply unable to march his armies so far north with so little coin, but likewise, the Ash Sea Islands needed to stand firm in the face of Eston's aggression against Norland. In the end, he happened on a brilliant solution. Instead of marching all the Ashlantean armies, he assembled a modest cohort of cavalry worth a few thousand CS to accompany him north as he personally led the effort to join Norland's aid.

After some weeks, the Ashlantean Cavalry arrived in Norland and took part in a massive battle involving five realms in Ashmoor just outside Norland's capital, Brackhead. Despite their own hardship, the Ashlanteans fought at their allies side in a great moment of need. Even in the hardest times, Ashlanteans would stand shoulder to shoulder with their friends.

The March to Nida

In another conflict following the machinations of Gabriel, the Ash Sea Islands sought restitution for the part Carelia played in the fall of Ash'rily, declaring a one-on-one war of honour against the people of Carelia until such time as justice had been done. At the time, the armies were led by Malice Osha, who was Ashlantean General before he became King and Nida was targeted for colonisation - ample retribution for Carelia's own attempts at colonising Aja.

The march was a long a long one, through territory the Ashlanteans had only ever seen once or twice in all their lives. The Carelians were nearby, but not strong enough to engage so they simply watched and waited as the Ashlanteans marched through their lands all the way to Nida, quickly occupying the city and beginning a colony takeover that had the Cagilan Empire quivering in her boots at the prospect of a new realm bleeding Carelia in her place. Of course, the battle for Nida's walls had weakened the Ashlantean force and finally one evening, the Carelian army struck.

The battle that took place in Nida was one sang about by the bards for years after its occurrence. Almost blow for blow, arrow for arrow, the two armies were matched, with the fighting men on the field for both sides slowly bleeding away in equal measure. In the end, the battle was decided between but a handful of archers still remaining on the field after hours of vicious battle. It was the small ragtag of Carelians who eventually proved the victors.

That turned out to be effectively the only major engagement of the short war, with the Ash Sea Islands not wishing to be tarred by the subsequent Cagilan declaration against Carelia in order to take advantage. The Ashlanteans considered the blood price paid and their feuding over.

The Tour of Abington

During the reclamation of the Ash Sea Isles at the beginning of the Ashlantean Golden Age, several realms pledged to found a realm named Kybcyell in the city of Wayburg. Peace with Abington remained far off and with friends calling for aid, the Ash Sea Islands chose to assist this new realm. Indeed, despite the wish of many realms to see the fledgling realm succeed, Ashlantean armies were practically the only ones to wield a sword in the new realm's defence. So quick was the need in fact, that the Ashlantean armies had to divide in two to make the journey to Kybcyell. One half travelled from Sullenport across RedSpan. The other went as far as to abandon the first triumphant effort to reclaim Ash'rily in order to travel through the very heart of Abington.

The Abington Heartlands were regions all but unknown to Ashlantean eyes after so long away from some of her earliest territories. One of the first things the Ashlantean armies in Abington encountered was the heavily fortified and garrisoned region of Rustton outside Riverholm, leading to an unlikely and unnecessary pitched battle on their headlong rush to Wayburg. Yet still, the Ashlantean armies marched on, forcing a path around the Abington central mountains and eventually meeting up in Chasnoff with Ashlantean forces that had enjoyed a far more leisurely march. The situation in Wayburg was dire at that point.

The Ashlanteans found Kybcyell occupied and on the brink of falling to an Abington takeover. A decision had to be made whether to wait for further reinforcements, or strike immediately in the hopes of liberating the city. The fateful decision was to have Kybcyell rally her troops as the Ashlanteans immediately marched to attack the occupying Abington force, even as they themselves were reinforced by soldiers from Swanfolk. The battle in the morning did enough damage to the attackers to break the takeover completely, but not enough to rout the Abington forces from the city.

Of course, the sacrifice would have been enough, with allied troops but a few days away, yet the gods conspired against their fast progress and Kybcyell was soon lost to history. As for the commanders of the assault, word went round the kingdom of the lashing High Marshal Malice and Marshal Harlequin received at the hands of King Doc's Revenge for the eventful march through Abington. But no-one could chide those who had delivered such raucous and rough justice to Abington over those heady few days. Neither could anyone believe the miraculous escape of the High Marshal from the dungeons of Gauihu within a day of that fateful battle. After all, so very few walked out of Abington's dungeon's in those times.

Skirmish of Byblack

One of the lesser known tussles of any Ashlantean force is that of a small skirmish that occurred in Byblack during a short lived time of conflict between RedSpan and the Ash Sea Islands. The Generals of both realms were present, Malice of the Ash Sea Islands and Tony Malone of RedSpan, supported by but a handful of nobles each. Both Generals began to engage in banter and grandstanding, then harsher words were exchanged as ale was shared around. Eventually, the time came where RedSpaniards and Ashlanteans both readied for battle.

The ensuing scuffle was appalling for its shortness and for the inconclusive result it yielded. The Ashlanteans triumphed and the RedSpaniards quickly fled, but Tony himself had managed to unhorse Malice during the battle. It was a day before Malice recovered and by that time word had already begun to spread of the legendary scuffle between rival Generals over things no-one quite understood even then. That the two men later chuckled over it when they dealt with one another as monarchs proved even more astonishing.

Armour of Falasan

The most gruelling foreign conflict the Ashlanteans ever fought came during her Golden Age, when the Kingdom of Ash Sea Islands was widely known as the third most powerful in Atamara. The Eastern Alliance had split apart in schism and even as old friends turned on those who remained, other realms leapt at the chance to profit from the appalling turn of events. The Ash Sea Islands could not stand by and they stood alongside Falasan against five enemies, all of who, sought to take Barad Falas and hobble Falasan forever.

With a ferocity rarely seen, the Ashlanteans set to their allotted task with gusto, eager to assist a realm that had done so much to help them in the past. Eager to help the friends with which they had bantered, formed companionships, gained lovers. The odds against Falasan were sickening, but together they held the line against all that was thrown against them. All efforts to turn the Ash Sea Islands away were spurned. The secession of Duke Torin was crushed without a moment's thought. Even the threat of a RedSpan-Tara alliance proved but a blip.

When the rulers of RedSpan and Tara sought to take Ashlantean lands in the hope of turning the Ashlanteans away, a mobile Ashlantean force of 31,000 CS outside Stargard was enough to extract a swift peace before heading north once more. Such is the enduring strength of Ashlantean loyalty and friendship with those she calls comrades. It is little wonder Atamara's vast alliance of convenience looked upon the Eastern Alliance with such horror.

Faith

No discussion of the Ashlantean people would be complete without reference to their faith. Initially this faith existed as nothing more than pagan recognition of the raw power and grace of the Great Serpænt. Later, Magna Serpænsism would become one of the first organised faiths to emerge in all of known history, coinciding with the beginnings of the Golden Age. Yet even despite its emergence in the Ash Sea Isles, Magna Serpænsism had spiritual resonance beyond any single nation, leading to its rapid acceptance not only in the Ash Sea Islands but amongst great swathes of Atamara in its heyday.

Magna Serpænsism

Although Magna Serpænsism did not emerge as an organised entity until relatively late on in the lengthy history of the Islands, its spiritual roots were as ancient as Atamara itself. Since its very foundation, the Ash Sea Islands flew a banner with the icon of the Great Serpænt. An awe inspiring creature of immense power and great elegance that resided within the Ash Sea. Whilst in the faithless times of its early history, Ashlantean worship of the Great Serpænt was at best lacklustre, they did not hesitate to pay the proper respects to the Serpænt before battle and in Ash'rily, the Cult of the Serpænt kept the faith alive where elsewhere it had fallen into irrelevance.

At the beginning of King Malice' first reign upon the throne, the Ash Sea Islands was changed forever by the final translation of ancient Ashlantean texts by the Prophet Norel Relak, who had selflessly continued the work first begun by his father, the renowned King Lelnor. These holy scriptures had clearly served as the first revelation of the Great Serpænt and no time was wasted in forming the Church of Magna Serpænsism to preserve and extend the teachings of the Great Serpænt. Within months, Magnus was honoured throughout the Islands and beginning to reach beyond. Yet this could not have happened without the support of the Ashlantean state, thus beginning a symbiotic relationship that would prove blessing and curse both.

Blessing and Curse

The pace with which Magna Serpænsism swept the Ash Sea Islands was breathtaking. In Ser'quea, the King and his Witenagemot unanimously and publicly endorsed the nascent faith of the Serpænt. In Ash'rily, for weeks following the emergence of Magna Serpænsism, the populace was in joyous uproar at the just and proper appellation of their most ancient deity and protector. Soon, there were temples in all Ashlantean provinces save Inxi, and even there the stubborn refusal of the Count Rodrigo to convert did not temper the enthusiasm of his people.

Almost immediately, the swift rise of Magna Serpænsism provoked antagonisms from neighbours. Abington did not hesitate to outlaw the Serpænt faith, despite straddling the Ash Sea, worried as she was for the struggling tribalist faiths dedicated to the veneration of Abington. Likewise, RedSpan's adherence to Da Way caused political, cultural and religious dispute for eternity due to the already fraught relations between the two realms. Thus Magna Serpænsism did not permeate all the realms situated around the Ash Sea. Instead it found prominence further north and west and gradually displaced the majority faiths of the Ashlanteans own allies.

The most crucial element is the way faith began to be harnessed by some Ashlanteans, who formed a sect further venerating the Great Serpænt and intent on the founding of a religious state dedicated to Magnus. In that they eventually proved to be successful, but it was that very waywardness that helped to expose the Ash Sea Islands to harm. If Ashlanteans have any weakness, it is the way in which they wear faith on their sleeves. Though that is to say nothing of the hardiness of those Ashlanteans who continue to serve Magna Serpænsism even today, following a wide campaign to eradicate their faith. In that they display the resolute determination of any and all Ashlanteans.

Culture

Thus far in this tome we have learned of the resolve of Ashlanteans, the deep and abiding sense of loyalty they felt to one's allies. The gusto and tenacity with which they would fight any conflict. But none of this would be possible without the personal ties of camaraderie and friendship between each Ashlantean. As a people, the Ashlanteans could never have developed in the way they have without the opening and welcoming culture in which they exist. It perplexed outsiders when the Ashlanteans were ubiquitous and it is little different now.

Whenever prospective young nobles asked for a summary of the Ash Sea Islands, they would be regaled with tales of Ashlantean solidarity with the weaker realms of the continent and their fight against the corrupt and dishonourable. They learned of the two tenets to which all Ashlanteans aspired to embody: Loyalty and Honour. Ashlantean values drew new nobles like a lodestone and as soon as they arrived, they would find themselves among firm friends. A place where amongst nobles they would know fine company and good times. Where conversation was used for more than simply speculating on where the next political position would come from.

There were many other ways to embrace fellow Ashlanteans. A Treasury was founded in Ser'quea solely for the use of Ashlanteans as a lender of last resort for any needy noble. Ser'quea served as the headquarters of a continental newspaper, Fox Talks, dedicated to trawling the various tournaments across the lands and by all accounts sitting at the heart of celebratory activity found at each and everyone. Likewise, alcohol was an oil regularly thrown around to loosen the tongues of quieter Ashlantean nobles whilst others of great stature found all manner of activities with which to engage their fellows. No Ashlantean alive to see it will ever forget the day a herd of donkey's got loose in the streets of Aja.

This openness and willingness to engage was something that enabled Ashlanteans to do something that many other peoples can only dream of. They welcomed with open arms old enemies, victims of enemies. Any who wished to make a new life were welcome in Ashlantean ranks and nothing saw that made clearer than on the day the Ashlantean nobility declared that Gabriel Bachelor would be welcome in the Ash Sea Islands despite his history. It's the same temperament that saw former peoples of Lamar, Southasland and RedSpan all help make the Ashlantean nobility even broader and stronger than it might have been.

A Call to all Ashlanteans

The world is not done yet with our people. I do not mark the end of our rich history with this tome. The fates still weave the tapestry of the Ashlantean people. There are adventures and conquests to come, with or without the Serpent Throne that once made our lives so comfortable. There are still conflicts of honour to be fought. There is still value in holding to the tenets we came to know. In our stalwart dedication to whatever cause we choose to fight, no matter whether we meet with success or failure.

Yet this I address not just to present Ashlanteans, or those who consider their life as an Ashlantean behind them. I call too, upon the Ashlanteans of the future. Those who would fight for our same values. Those who would eagerly share in our immutable resolve, in our generosity of spirit. Bring respect and dignity to your conflicts. Fight not for yourself, but for those who need your help. Revel in camaraderie. Note, in fact, what the Ashlanteans did after the fall of their kingdom.

The Ashlanteans never fell, they simply took their battles elsewhere.

Glossary

Abington: a powerful kingdom that once stretched across the entire Southern Peninsula

Aja: ancient stronghold north of Ser'quea

Ash'rily: founding city of the Ash Sea Islands

Ash Sea (The): name of the vast and dark sea that dominates southern Atamara

Atamara: the second continent to be discovered in all of human history

Barad Falas: the most impressive city of Falasan and near rival to Ash'rily

Carelia: plains and forest realm south of RedSpan

Da Way: faith of RedSpan dedicated to worship of 'Da Great Goat'

Duke Torin: a jaded and ultimately, treacherous, Duke of Falasan

Eastern Alliance: defunct coalition that once encompassed five realms situated on the eastern coast of Atamara

Eston: powerful realm in central Atamara

Falasan: founding member of the Eastern Alliance

Fox Talks: delightful tournament newspaper

Gabriel Bachelor: a former King of Abington

Golden Age (The): a period of unparalleled peace, prosperity and cultural freedom during the history of the Ash Sea Islands

Kybcyell: a kingdom founded by the joint efforts of Talerium and Minas Ithil during the reclamation of the Islands

Lamar: lost realm once based in Strombran

Magna Serpaensism: an organised religion venerating the Great Serpænt

Minas Ithil: founding member of the Eastern Alliance

Nida: heavily forested city once belonging to Carelia

Norland: founding member of the Eastern Alliance

RedSpan: south-western neighbour of Ash Sea Islands

Riverholm: sometime capital of Abington

Ser'quea: a small city on the edge of the Ash Sea which served as capital of the Ash Sea Islands

Southasland: a small realm usurped by Tuchanese dissidents near the end of its life

Tara: a realm to the west of Ser'quea whose fortunes have waxed and waned

Wayburg: short-lived capital of Kybcyell

Witenagemot: an Ashlantean advisory council

Wor'ight: small city in the Ash Sea