Overview

The island nation of Corsic has always been a difficult place to survive. Harsh winters and few plantable crops turned them to a reliance on raiding more resource-rich nations. They were hit especially hard during the second and third Surges. The people of Corsic endured, which is something the island nation prides itself on - survival against all odds.

Corsic is a kingdom, though the throne is not passed down through one family line. The regions of Corsic are broken up into Holds. Each Hold is led by a Thane, with some being chosen for their wisdom, while others for their martial prowess in raids. A Thane will maintain their position until their final death. The citizens of the Hold will have a gathering to decide who will be the next Thane, often devolving into fist fights and shouting matches. The King is voted on by the Thane of each village and serves for life, unless unanimously deemed incompetent by the other Thanes. If the King dies or is found unfit by the Thanes, a new King is not chosen until the last rise of Terres of the year. They say to be “Crowned under the King’s Star is to be anointed by the Gods.” Generally, they pick the Thane who has been the most successful at leading raids to the south. The Thanes speak for the King in their Holds. King is traditionally a more hands off role in Corsic. The Holds value personal freedom and have some stark cultural differences for living on a small island. The King often encourages Southern raiding, and will usually blow off diplomats from other countries that complain about it. He often tells them to take it up with the Thanes.

Corsic is feared by many of the nearby nations. Although they do not have large standing armies, the raiders of Corsic are well known as some of the fiercest combatants in the world. Each Hold has many citizens committed to raiding for their Thane. Their raiding parties usually comprise 1 to 5 ships, with large empty holds for looting. It is a rare occasion that the King calls the Thanes to war, but on those occasions Corsic has formed a formidable army.

Many of the goods they take that they do not use are exported to Caldan as payment for the majority of their imported food - Corsic’s land is too tough to grow most anything other than Snowroot, a tough white potato mostly used in stews and to make alcohol.

Culture

Corsic has four main settlements; there were once five, but the Hold of Furgole was destroyed when the forests changed in 239 AR. There had always been woods on the island, but the existing wood became more dense, and forest appeared overnight where it had never been before. The city of Haalren is by far the largest settlement on Corsic. There are two smaller communal villages along the southwestern coast called Senmoore and The Fenlands. There is a settlement on Drensk Isle. On the northern coast the port town of Icklis is the only settlement; it has grown to be the second largest hold on the island due to its proximity to Caldan.

Haalren is located in the southwestern portion of Corsic. It is the capital city and the Hold where the King, a Human named King Svenis Twice-Cut, resides. The largest port town, many sails of the other Holds are frequently seen in the harbor. An open secret, most of the other holds stage here prior to conducting raids. This is often where they return as well to unload their hauls. The most well educated and well spoken of Corsic generally come from here. It is built on an upward slope from the water, with the King’s Hall, Bjornheimdell, situated at the top. The road leading up to the hall is lined with homes that have no single theme, as they are built of materials obtained from years of raids. Some of these homes are crafted from the wood of stolen ships as well. Most people on the island travel by Yak, or walk, as opposed to horseback.

Near the docks of Haalren are many businesses, inns, and taverns. The Pale Dragon is perhaps the most well-known bar in the city and a frequent first stop for returning sailors. Sven’s Trading Den, another common first stop for those returning to the city, is a general goods store that is rumored to fence stolen goods.

The Hold was previously led by King Svenis; his son, Relkis, is now Thane of Senmoore. Staying true to his roots, Relkis conducts raids frequently hoping to gain prestige and his father’s approval. Senmoore is home of The Purple Ring, a bare knuckle boxing league. People from all over the island join in hopes of earning renown and prize money. Senmoore Arena is the main venue of The Purple Ring. Though called an arena, it is a large pit where the fighters are dropped down by rope, with observers of the fight surrounding up above them. There is also a prestigious gym called the Blood in the Snow where all the best fighters train. This is the most boisterous and rowdy of all the Holds on Corsic. Most disputes are settled fist-fighting. The winner usually buys the loser a drink at one of several bars in the Hold. A small shrine to Baldoria is at the back of the largest mead hall. Mud Hall, a meadery in Senmoore, makes the famous “Mud Mead”, a strong drink made from berries imported from the Fenlands that grow in the mud and are inedible on their own.

One of the few places on Corsic that is conducive to some farming, The Fenlands are also water logged and extremely muddy. Large, fierce pigs keep the people here fed better than other places on Corsic. Thane Devnar is a Haroc, and is one of the Thanes that conducts the majority of raiding.

It is not uncommon for people from the southernmost Hold to wear boots that come up to their thighs due to how deep the mud is in some areas. There is a group of mystics who live in the swamps who are adept healers and also offer divination as a service. The people from here have been raiding for many generations. Almost every child from here is taught to fight wielding two weapons, or a single weapon with a shield.

The port of Icklis is run by Thane Jargelltooth, a massive snow leopard Wyldling, who is in charge of the annual Hunt. Sprawling along the coast, Icklis is able to quickly deliver goods to Caldan with little risk from pirates. Many from Icklis are said to be “more quick with their tongue than their axe” compared to many of the other Holds, due to a heavy influence from them being closer to Caldan. A temple to Craigor is located in the Hold dedicated to embracing your rage in battle. The village is also well known for its walls made from the ice of water elementals, manned by a well trained group of arbalests. Icklis is difficult to reach by sea from the south, so travel between there and the other Holds often relies on the deal struck with the Glibben to pass through the forest.

Once a year, all the prisoners of the Holds are brought to Icklis and released into the woods. The few who survive are considered to have served their sentence. This is treated as a celebration, with some betting on which prisoners they think will make it. The people of Corsic simply refer to it as “The Holiday”.

Led by Thane Huldr, a Narwal Wyldling, Drensk Isle is the smallest Hold of Corsic. A heavy Wyldling population, Drensk Isle actually partakes in minimal raiding, instead opting to export fish to the capital. Sometimes, strange artifacts can be found in their nets - wonders that can be sold to Caldan at a high value to collectors. Serene and isolated, Drensk is a place of deep connection to Psionic energies. At the top of the lone mountain on the island is a cave. Inside is a place called “The Temple of the Still Mind''. Many with a deep connection to the Psionic energies of the world are drawn to it when they set foot on the Isle. It is said that many Master Psionicists of the past have been granted visions here.

There is a large temple to Jarro in the Hold, The Temple of the Highest Wager. The sect believes Jarro will help guide them in battle to succeed no matter the odds. That faith in Jarro will bend the odds in your favor, so you should recklessly throw yourself into the fray.

History

The people of Corsic have been raiding the Western Ocean for a long time. These feared northerners were once the bane of the Isle of Wonders, the Kingdoms of Bollen and Firth, and the swath of villages scattered along the coast reaching up to where Caldan lies today. Corsic did not provide much for its people lacking in many resources, but its people provided for themselves with the help of their neighbors.

With the Second Surge Corsic was greatly affected. Forest manifested widely across the island, large, old trees, deeply rooted, that had not existed the day before. The Hold of Furgole was lost to the woods, and very few people of Furgole were ever seen again. The Court of Beasts is the Glibben Court that came with the forest that sprung up in the middle of Corsic. Strange and animalistic, their heads tend to be amalgamated from different animals. For many years, the people of the island fought them fiercely.

With the losses sustained from the forest, and the increased difficulty of sailing through the northern waters which especially rages during the winter months, Corsic was struggling for a while after the Air Surge. Caldan was a growing city state through this time, and Corsic turned to their newest and closest neighbor to get what they needed. In time Caldan and Corsic forged an unofficial agreement that Caldan would accept any goods Corsic had to offer in return for food.

After nearly two decades of fighting with the Glibben on Corsic, the Mystics of the Fenlands sought out their King to strike a deal. The pact they made was to allow safe passage across the island for those born on it. The King agreed, in exchange for the right to hunt any mortals in his forests once a year and to be provided with game.

When the Third Surge caused massive chaos across the west, Corsic suffered with their neighbors. Survivors from The Isle of Wonders completely evacuated their lands as the dense, dark forest overtook the parts of the island that did not get swallowed by the sea. Firth’s lands were completely sunk, and Caldan and Bollen both struggled to recover from damage suffered. The life of a raider becomes difficult when there is no one to raid. Dependent on trade with Caldan in order to eat, Corsic’s people widened their scope of interest to find Myra, a bountiful valley ripe for the taking. In 242AR they hit the city with force, taking anything they could carry, and killing anyone who got in their way. As the soldiers defending the city started to organize a counter offensive, Corsic’s raiders were already heading home victorious.

The following spring armies of Mull landed on Corsic’s shore. The people of Corsic rallied behind the Thanes and their King to defend their home from invaders. The Thane of Drensk changed the tide of the battle flanking Mull’s ships in the harbor and began disassembling them where they were moored. The battle was won when the forces from Icklis Hold charged from the forest as things were looking bleak. Mull admitted defeat as they watched the pride of their fleet sink under the tides, leaving Corsic while their numbers matched their remaining ships.

Corsic celebrated their victory, but did not forget the offense of Mull’s invasion. The King was prepared for war. After a year of recuperating and preparing, fleets of Corsic ships sailed out from Haarlen to meet Mull in Myra. They were intercepted as they went ashore on the Isthmus, and the battle began. After weeks of hard fought battles, enemies killed, and allies lost, this time it was Corsic who retreated in defeat.