Hell's Reach

This very loose confederacy of Pirate lords, merchant princes, and sea barons holds areas of the southern coastline of Argones and the many mist-shrouded Islands scattered across it.  Recognized as a single allied Nation under the Treaty of Thronehold, the principalities are more of a loose alliance.  Each island domain has its own values, goals, and feuds with other domains.

The Hell's Reachers are the finest sailors in Argones.  During the Last War, they served all nations as privateers and engaged in piracy on the side.  When the war ended, they returned to the merchant trade, but pirates still hunt on the open seas.

The Reachers value their independence.  Here, anyone can rise to captain a ship or even seize a principality.  Leadership is earned, not given; nevertheless, High Prince Ryger ir'Wynarn of Regalport seeks to forge the principalities into a unified force.  He has the finest fleet, and his efforts ensured that the principalities gained recognition at Thronehold, after which he awarded himself the title of High Prince.  So far, the other princes have rejected his proposals for a stronger union.

Some principalities are devoted to the Blood of Vol, Phardon, or Yollgotha and a few favor Velena or members of the Sovereign Host.  Beyond these, Hell's Reachers show little enthusiasm for religion.

Rulership of the principalities is so fluid that it's possible for someone to start the day as a sailor and end it as a prince.

Hell's Reach has the largest Changeling population in Argones.  Many of them congregate in the Gray Tide, a domain founded by changelings.

Most Reachers spend more time at sea than they do on land.  There are naturally many sailors in Hell's Reach, but their proficiencies run the gamut from tools to vehicles.  Reachers are flamboyant people with little concern for the law, so charlatans, entertainers, and folk heroes are also present in the community.

Each principality has its own martial traditions, fashions, and slang.

Whatever their circumstances, Reachers always look to the future.  Some wish to find a forgotten treasure hoard, command their own ship, or even take their place as a prince.

Among the myriad ports and pirate redoubts of Hell's Reach are ancient ruins from forgotten civilizations that predate even the Dhakaani Empire, as well as tombs built by wealthy pirates and sea lords to house their treasures and earthly remains.

During the Last War, the Hell's Reachers served as privateers and pirates.  Outsiders wonder if the principalities can adapt to peace, or if their thirst for gold and adventure will lead their subjects to ruin.

Most of the princes are content with their domains, but ambitious rulers such as Prince Ryger ir'Wynarn of Regalport and Prince Kolberkon of Port Verge could shatter the status quo.  Kolberkon seeks to expand his personal power, while Ryger wants to forge a stronger unified nation.  Both pursue dangerous alliances in their campaigns.  In addition to agreements with the Dragonmarked Houses, rumors abound of bargains with dragons, fiends, and distant empires from faraway lands.  Will the dreams of these princes lead to a new war?

Lhazaar Principalities

What used to be individual warring gangs in Hell's Reach were organized into Principalities by Lhazaar, a legendary explorer from ages past.  The major change in the Nation's politics and culture came after the Galifar-Lhazaar War of 4028.  She united the pirate leaders and was a catalyst for the expansion of Hell's Reach in the years prior to the Last War.  

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