Tamerynd
The largest of the Pirate Isles, the Island of Tamerynd has long been a seething haven of pirates, outlaws and the worst of Creation's scum. At the conclusion of the Third Age of Man, Tamerynd was hit particularly hard by the Crimson Plague and the dwindling populace fought for control of the coastal waters near the island and the rapidly-dwindling food supply. Since the dawn of the Fourth Age of Man, the Island has slowly been repopulated by exiles and outlaws from all three continents, but it is also being 'rediscovered' by nations seeking to gain profit or build empire on the "unclaimed" Pirate Isles, using the fertile shores of Tamerynd as their base. Unfortunately, orcs settled on the heavily-forested western shore of the Island during the Dark Times and rumors persist that they are building a pirate navy of their own.
| Tamerynd Island |
| Tamerynd Island |
| Geographic Info |
| Continent: Duria |
| Location: Central Betshaban Ocean, south of the Pirate Sea and southwest of the Sea of Marosh. |
| Government |
| Government Type: Anarchistic Confederation (Warcaptains, Captains, First Mates) |
| Ruler: Ostensibly, the Warcaptains, though Tamerynd has no real ruler |
| Arms: Multiple variations of the Jolly Roger, unique to each ship or pirate fleet |
| Coinage: None minted |
| Capital: Deepbirth (pop 34,500) |
| Alliances: Stormward Isle, the Island of Harshwind, Marosh |
| Hostilities: The maritime merchants of the Maroshan & Pirates' Seas; naval forces of the Kingdom of Koramia, the Freecity of Neptaris, the Kingdom of Narbonne, the Syndicracy of Aescalapea, the Kingdom of Eeridia and the burgeoning navy of the Kingdom of Nadera. |
| Society |
| Population: ~750,000 (60% human, 30% orc, 5% orc, 5% other) |
| Languages: Aebasan, Koramian, Neptaran, Tamerish, Zetian |
| Important Persons: Regas Dall, retired Warcaptain; Theodorus the Black, Warcaptain of the Carnifex; Bonny Billy Blood, Captain of the Lucinde Mae |
| Religious Info |
| Pantheon: Imperial |
| Patron: None |
Geography
The island of Tamerynd is dominated by a central plateau that rises from a series of peaks that become taller and more jagged towards the center of the island. Many of these mountains are volcanic, spewing lava dangerous fumes into the region before going silent, only for another nearby mountain to erupt unexpectedly. The hills and lowlands around these mountains tend to be fairly rocky and make for poor agriculture, though there are some small agricultural and fishing communities along the shore to generate enough food to support the population of the few larger ports that rim the island. The dense Orqneal Wood dominates the western shore, where several significant shipyards lay during the Third Age of Man, before the region was conquered by a wandering orcish tribe from Vor Midal.
A notable feature offshore of Tamerynd is the Bosom of Betshaba, an area of ocean just southwest of Tamerynd with no significant currents and poor winds, leading to doldrums that sometimes entrap the unwary, leaving ships drifting for weeks or even months as their crew slowly starve to death.
History
For as long as history records, the Island of Tamerynd has been a haven for pirates, low-lifes, and outlaws. Any vice can be found in the island's many coastal cities for those outsiders brave or foolish enough to search for them. Anyone is accepted on the island, as long as they can survive. There is no real guard or army that can be fielded, few courts, and no substantial law. The Island is "ruled" by a group of seventeen Warcaptains, ship captains who have been successful in their raids and are the wealthiest pirates in all the land. They have composed a body of rules (they are too loosely formed to be termed actual "laws") called the Compact, which regulates the activities of the pirates of the Island on land.
The city of Deepberth, where the Warcaptains meet once every six years to debate and re-write the Compact, is a wild and vast city of murder, deceit, and intrigue, one in which an individual can become destitute, wealthy, and dead all in the same night. It has no ruler, though it has sometimes had a mayor when someone was strong enough to take and hold the title. The Warcaptains certainly hold the most sway over the town, though various criminal leaders also have quite a bit of power in their own right. A retired Warcaptain, an aging half-elf named Regas Dall, operates as one of the more powerful fences in the city and could easily claim the position of mayor should it suit him.
Economy
The weather of Tamerynd is mild compared to its sister islands, Stormwind and Harshwind. Agriculture along the coast is sparse, but enough to supply the inns, taverns and supply stores of the Island, but not nearly enough for export. The interior of the island is a mountainous, dangerous place that few venture into. It is said that there is some ancient, vast city in the center of the mountain range, and strange and powerful creatures protect it. Thus far, none have returned from an expedition into the center of the island, and fewer and fewer try every year.
Recently, warships from various nations have begun intruding into the pirate-infested waters and a few have even established small, temporary colonies to harvest resources on the island to ship home for profit. In particular, the merchants of Neptaris and the paladins of Koramia have established colonies, with the former claiming expanding tracks of unclaimed jungle along the southern shore as a colonial possession.
Religion
Taltos is the most popular deity among the pirates of Tamerynd, though the Warcaptains rarely get involved in supporting or suppressing any religious practice.
| This page has been identified as needing a map for clarity. |
| This is a thumbnail description and is scheduled for expansion at a later date. |
| This page has been identified as needing a map for clarity. |
| This article is part of the Player's Guide to Duria | |
|
Introduction · Economics and Trade · Legends and History · Religion · Regions and Realms | |
| Regions and Realms on Duria | |
