The Tannery League

The Tannery States are ruled by the Tannery Council from The Tannery. The Tannery is at the heart of the alliance that binds the states together. The original agreements were signed on a small island, used as a tannery, situated at the confluence of two rivers and precisely at the point that the three largest states met. The Rulers of Serise, Krote and Momir came together and signed the first set of documents that dealt with economic and security agreements between the three states. That grew into a full-blown trade league, with each ruler building their capital around the tannery island, creating the metropolis known simply as The Tannery.

The cities that grew up around the Tannery are, together, the primary settlement on the whole Telida Peninsula, and the largest settlement in The Hann Empire. The Dukes rule their own ‘quarter’ while the Lord Tannery (The high priest of Abadar) rules the smallest central island ward and acts as arbiter. The three ducal wards are, each, the size of small cities, and subdivided into numerous districts. Datsyn’s College, in Serise Ward, is a Universalist Wizard’s College, offering training in the Arcane Arts, and many of the Lords Serise are alumni of its hallowed halls. Island Ward houses three great cathedrals and the Tannery Council Chambers. Abadar’s faithful oversee administration across the metropolis (Part of the original agreement between the three states), and the Arch-Banker Chairs the Tannery Council. The Temple of Pharasma oversees the noble catacombs (Every Noble house in The Tannery League is entitled to their own family crypt), and the temple of Iomedae oversees and trains the city guard, as they watch over the Magic School.

Over the years, the composition of the council has changed to include representation from the smaller states. The Dukes each have four representatives on the council, while each of the other states (including Tusk) have a single representative. The council is configured to see that the various states get along peacefully, and trade fairly, and is not responsible for over all policy and direction. However, they do levy a small national tax, on behalf of the Central Ward, to fund the cathedrals and the Tannery Guard.

There is a general frustration that The Farran Isles, which are not part of the Tannery League, has a big influence on Tannery Trade. It has been discussed many times, but there is little that anyone can do about it. That would, probably, take a war of conquest, and that would (most likely) see the end of The Hann Empire.

The Great States are all seen as 'sovereign' by the Hann Empire, and their leaders all have representation at the Hann Council.

• Serise - Led by Imperial Duke Rodney III, Serise controls a large section of the main city, that includes the city's Magic University. Many members of house Serise study at the university, and the current lord is an accomplished mage. Beyond the city, the duchy is based on market towns and a rural village economy. There is always some concern about House Serise, as their magic university had a short period when it specialized in demon and devil summoning. The arrival of Iomedae's Mission, put a stop to that - but fear lingers in the memory.
• Krote Led by Imperial Duke Stanley, the House of Krote rule their holdings from a small palace in their city, but are generally seen as more 'rough and ready' than their counterparts, with some of their number training as Rangers. Away from the city, Krote is primarily an agricultural state with good land for both crops farming and animal husbandry. However, the families original holdings were in one of the state's wetlands, and family legend has it that, in the early days, the family holdings were saved from attack when the invaders disturbed the toads, and the great croaking woke the families defenders. The family motto is ‘Die Kroten Sind Unsere Starke’ (‘The Toads Are Our Strength’).
  • The Duke of Krote holds the secondary title of Baron Berhof, and independent mountain state that is not a part of the Tannery League. The female heir of Berhof married into House Krote, and it has been part of the family collection ever since. Behof has a charter that gives it self-governance, although the Duke expects a small payment each year. Berhof is detailed HERE
  • Dinasgate (at the end of the Berhof pass, hilly, bordering the mountains) is a small, self-governing, Barony, that has sworn fealty to the Duke of Krote. Many years ago, a previous Duke called in a debt that could not be paid off. Instead, he accepted their fealty and a regular tax.
• Momir Led by Imperial Duchess Daphne, Momir is the smallest duchy and, perhaps, the least interesting. It doesn't have any special history, just a hard-working Royal family who manage their holings well.

The states of The Tannery League are scattered around the edges of the land represented by The Tannery League, although there is still plenty of wild land between them. These smaller states are all based around a baronial town (often a large town) with satellite market towns and villages. Their economies are based on agricultural exports: wool, cheese and the like.

• The northern states tend to look to Tusk for leadership
  • Achehold (NW corner – bordering the sea and the Holdren forest. Higher than normal percentage of 1/2 elves)
  • Pretipark(North bordering the Holdren forest. Higher than normal percentage of 1/2 elves)
  • Far March (North bordering the Holdren forest. Higher than normal percentage of 1/2 elves)
  • sunsmarch
  • Old Keep
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• Dinasgate (at the end of the Berhof pass, hilly, bordering the mountains) Looks to Krote for leadership
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• The south-eastern states tend to stick together, but decide their own policies.
  • Hawkmoor (South, hilly, bordering the mountains)
  • Baxey Tors (South, hilly, bordering the mountains)
  • Peningdon Moors - (South East, hilly, bordering the mountains)
  • Rilltops (South East, hilly, bordering the mountains)

There are other settlements that are not part of the league, although they might, one day, be invited to join.

• The Old Frontier denotes a new area of development and might, one day, become settled enough for inclusion.
• Maven, in the middle of the cenral swamp, home of the Sword Lords, is much too proud and chaotic to even consider the idea.
• There are other, undocumented, settlements out there as well.