Thoen

Location: Kingdom of Orbaal
Status: Seat Clan Mordauk
Government: Valhakar of Clan Mordauk
Population: Ivinian 50; Jarin 135

History

This island had no permanent settlement until the end of the 6th century TR. Before that only whalers or pirates used this island as a base for short periods of time. Most where either Ivinians not interested in settling here and looking in vain for looting or Jarin, who were interested in the fishing grounds.

By 590, a few bold Jarin settled this island and founded the town of Jarel. Jarel was to be the major center of the fishing activities. Occasional raids on fishing boats and an increasing population demanded that the island had to be more controlled than the carefree attitude by the islanders so far. The inhabitants started to build a walled town named Thoen and cultivated the land. The lands had inferior quality but it was only seen to supplement a high consumption of fish.

By 609 the islanders built a few hillforts, one in Thoen, that were to grant protection from the increasing viking raids. Feudal instituations were very slowly building up, when clan Rewynal claimed authority over the island and had some success in driving off some raiders in succession between 615 and 635 TR. The Trehaens of the vicinity concluded to establish liege-vassal relations during the time of the raids as is customary in feudal societies. During the next two decades Thoen saw a treacherous time of tranquility. The Trehaens were meeting to bring the islanders back to the way of tradition.

From 654 until 657 Thoen and its surrounding lands saw a series of determined attacks. This time, the pirates were not just looting, they stayed. Connections to the main land were deteriorating, largely due to the fall of Sherwyn and the situation culminated, when a particularly brutal raid succeeded in capturing the hillfort in Thoen. Thoen was almost burnt to the ground and all persons of importance, real or imagined, were killed. All survivors were enthralled.

The years from 657-695 were again a period of peace, although a harsh one for the enthralled Jarins. The raids died down and the tention between Jarin and Ivinians lessened somewhat, as the Ivinian concluded that "their" Jarins were able fishermen. As sea-going men this earned the Jarins' some respect. The situation collapsed again, when clan Sherwyn vied for control over the archipelago and in 700 were met with success. This period saw much bloodshed of which Jarin and Ivinians were victims alike. Only treachery inside the ruling clan brought peace, as Mikaar Mordauk subjugated himself after leading the Valhakar of his clan into an ambush. The Sherwyns accepted and pronounced him Valhakar of the Mordauks. The Thrangard was forced to accept. This treachery was not forgotten in Thoen and Mikaar was assassinated three months later. Due to the political and military situation, however, the new Valhakar Keryn did not resume the fighting but appeased the Sherwyns, who were somewhat upset to see their puppet displaced. Both parties remained quiet but tribute started to be delayed. When Keryn died on a viking raid on mainland Lythia in 714, Turvald, young and not too bright was chosen Valhakar. This choice was dictated by the lack of other suitable candidates and a bit of pressure from the Sherwyns, who rightfully saw a weak man better fit for their own goals.

The Sherwyns did not account for the scheming Ekkarts however and since the 6 years of his Lordship, Turvald Mordauk, is gradually being persuaded by the Lord of Kjen to rebel against the Sherwyns. As of now, he has withheld a considerable amount of tribute to account for the "lack of support by the Princes in Sherwyn", a saying adopted from Avaarl Ekkart.

Government

The government is typical for Ivinian-dominated Orbaal. The Valhakar of clan Mordauk is a supreme ruler, advised by his thrangaard (and others). The current Valhakar Turvald has a limited intellect, but is aware of it. He therefore trusts his many advisors, who as a collective give reasonable advice. Due to the number of advisors however, there is no real stability in decisions. It all depends on who is present on a judgement day. Overall, the Jarin are less and less opressed, but almost all are enthralled.

The lands of Thoen are peaceful as can be. Considering an influental, scheming neighbour and a liege virtually at war with his own neighbours, the Serewyns, this does not mean much. There is one problem that Turvald does not have, which plagues many Ivinian lord in Orbaal: the Jarin resistance has never had any noticable effect here and does not have a foothold presently either.

Economics

The diet of the inhabitants of Thoen consists mainly of fish and is suplemented by the yield of the cultivated inferior fields. Some trade is conducted, but major traffic bypasses Thoen in direction for Sherwyn or even Lorkin.

Taxes

Head Tax: per annum (Ivinian)
Head Tax: per annum (Jarin)
Hawking: 10% of goods value
Bonding: 2% of goods value per month
Pilotage: 20d flat fee
Wharfage: 1d per foot per day
Registry: 35d per foot per annum

Religion

All the Ivinians follow or worship Sarajin. Almost all Jarin are followers of Ilvir, with very few exceptions who worship Siem. Worship of Ilvir or Siem is proscribed in public, as is the building of shrines or temples, but small gatherings for private ceremonies are allowed. A few half-hidden shrines were actually built in the surrounding woods by devout followers and the rulers have turned a blind eye to this activity for now.

Legends/Adventures

The serpent: Supposedly there is a giant serpent sleeping in a cave beneath the island. When it moves in its sleep, an earthquake can be felt. (This does happen once in a few years, but only felt by the most sensitive humans and some animals.) A myth says that should this snake wake Thoen will fall beneath the sea. A variant of this myth says that the snake will eat all evil persons on the isle, most assuredly the Ivinian lot of thieves.

Lyrem Rewynal: When all the influential persons where butchered in 657, one Trehaen escaped into the woods and has never been captured. His name is Lyrem of the former ruling clan Rewynal and he must be 83 by now, if he still lives. Some people have claimed to have seen an old hermit, allegedly Lyrem. Some Jarin leave food at the forbidden but hidden shrines, which is often gone the next day. Some claim that Lyrem will return from the forests some-day to free the Jarin of Thoen with powers granted to him by the Serpent of the isle. Other rumours say that Lyrem has gone overseas to gather an army to overthrow the Ivinian rulers.

Little Mordauk: Solbran, the third son of Turvald Mordauk, has a talent for magic. He also has a psychic talent that lets him sense a Shek-P'var, at least while he is using magic. He desperately wants to leave the island, where his talent will be wasted, to become a mage. Of course, he would never be allowed to leave openly and probably beaten senseless, if he were to mention his plans. Instead, he will try to blackmail any Shek-P'var that sets foot on this island to help him...