Dunan : Muse Principality
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Muse Principality
The Muse Principality is the largest region in Dunan, divided into a central region and an eastern region. The two regions are somewhat different in culture. The capital, Muse, is located in the central region along with Coronet, an important port city. Trade routes between Matilda, Greenhill, and Highland all converge at Muse. However, the eastern region is largely neglected due to its low strategic and economic value, which makes the area a safe haven for bandits. This region has a relatively temperate climate. Muse Principality has traditonally been the leader amongst the Jowston Alliance, partly due to history, but largely due to the fact that they are at the frontline against the Highland Kingdom. The flag of Muse depicts a huge tree which used to grow on Jowston Hill.
Population: 13000Industry: Commerce, TradeMuse is the largest city among the Jowston Alliance, and is a center of trade. The city existed from before the formation of the Jowston Alliance. Muse beat back attacks led by Maroux Blight of Highland nearly 200 years ago by the bravery of General Jowston. This was the reason for the naming of Jowston Hill and the Jowston Alliance. Since the formation of the Jowston Alliance, the conference hall at the summit of Jowston Hill has been the symbol of unity between the allied city-states.
During the Jowston-Highland war, in the year 434, Jowston Hill was the place of truce between Mayor Darrel and King Agares Blight of Highland. The two nations decided to end the conflict by a duel between their respective heroes, Genkaku and Han Cunningham. Han Cunningham won the duel, which resulted in Kyaro belonging to the Highland Kingdom.
Since then, the office of mayor passed to Darel's daughter, Anabelle. However, the Highland Kingdom increased its aggression against Jowston starting around the year 460. The very same year, Highland attacked Muse, resulting in severe defeat and the death of Annabelle. The defeat of Jowston's leader devastated the unity of the Alliance, and resulted in Highland having easy victories over Greenhill and Southwindow. However, due to the newly formed Allied Army, Muse was eventually taken back.
However, soldiers who returned to Muse often had no family waiting for them due to Luca Blight sacrificing many of the citizens to the Beast Rune. Due to this massive sacrifice, Muse's population decreased by two-thirds by the end of the war.
Population: 800Toto is a small village that bridges the two regions of Muse Principality. Although the village links two regions, it is considered to have little strategic importance due to the low strategic value of eastern Muse.
This village housed the Rune of the Beginning, sealed by Genkaku and Han Cunningham after the Highland-Jowston War. During the Dunan Unification War, the halves of the rune ended up in the hands of Riou and Jowy Atreides; shortly after the village was destroyed by Luca Blight's White Wolf Army.
Population: 2200Industry: FishingCoronet is a port city where a lot of goods from the south is brought in for further shipment to the north. During the Dunan Unficiation War, the city was occupied by the Highland Army for a few months, and it was one of the cities that was liberated towards the very end of the conflict.
Population: 1300Ryube is a small hunting village located towards the eastern edge of the Muse Principality. The village functions as one of the few travel stops for the few travelers that travel between Highland and Dunan through the North Sparrow Pass. A well known spear master by the name of Tsai is said to live in the forested hills behind Ryube.
The forest adjacent to Ryube is an excellent hunting ground for wild boars, and hunters are often seen in the woods.
The village was destroyed by raiding Highlanders during the Dunan Unification War. Efforts for reconstuction continue.
The Mercenary Fortress was built recently by Viktor. The fortress was built at the request of Anabelle to make sure the eastern portion of Muse Principality was adequately protected from Highland.
During the Dunan Unification War, this fortress came under attack by General Solon Jhee. The mercenaries successfully defeated the first wave, but Luca Blight ambushed the mercenaries during the second attack, resulting in their defeat.
The fortress was then under the Highland Army's control for a while until Luca Blight was defeated by the Allied Army. The fortress became the final battlefield for Kiba Windamier, who protected it as a decoy to lure Leon Silveberg out of Highland.
The North Sparrow Pass connects eastern Muse to the Kyaro region of Highland. Recently the area was plagued by a mist monster, but the monster has been defeated by travelers. Due to the very small amount of security present at both ends of the pass, this is an ideal way for people to enter Highland illegally. However, low security also invites bandits, and many of them prey on unprotected travelers.
An inn located between Muse, the Muse-Highland Border, and Toto. It is an ideal location for travelers who are traveling between Highland and Muse. A Sindar Ruin lies behind the inn, where the Sindar's most precious treasure is said to be hidden.
An important Checkpoint between Highland and Muse. This was the place where many of the battles between Jowston and Highland took place. In the year 432, the forces of Darel came through this checkpoint, pursuing the defeated army of Robert Blight. Kiba Windamier ambushed Darel's forces from the flank and drew him to Fort Retto, which allowed Robert Blight to escape.
The Muse-Matilda Checkpoint was erected shortly after the formation of the Knightdom of Matilda. Security at this checkpoint is known to be very tight due to Matilda's proximity to Highland.
The Muse-Greenhill Checkpoint is known to be the most lax checkpoint. Due to the fact that Muse and Greenhill have good relations, people rarely require paperwork to cross this checkpoint. However, during times of unrest, even this border would close its gates to all travelers.
The Land of Arlus of Dunan, it even has Gouran attached to it on the east side. However, this place is a lot more hostile with Highland and Matilda to the north.