Free Marches

"The Free Marches" encompass a group of city-states situated in eastern Thedas (south of Antiva and the Tevinter Imperium, east of Nevarra, and north of Ferelden). The three real cities with any semblance of power in the Marches are Kirkwall, Starkhaven and Tantervale, each led by a titled official with the special right to name their city's Champion.

The "Marchers" are independent-minded descendants of tough barbarians. Their cities have formed a loose confederation that rarely unites on any matter. In the event of aggression from larger neighbors, however, the Marchers can assemble a joint military front that even the greatest powers cannot dismiss.

The Free Marches are known as the breadbasket of Thedas; its farms along the banks of the Minanter River are the source of much of the continent's food. Starkhaven, the largest of the cities in the Free Marches, is situated on this waterway.

During the Fifth Blight, many Fereldan refugees fled to the Free Marches.

Cities

 * Hercinia
 * Kirkwall
 * Markham
 * Ostwick
 * Starkhaven - the largest city
 * Tantervale
 * Wycome
 * Kaiten
 * Ansburg

Regions

 * The Bone Pit
 * Green Dales
 * Minanter River
 * Planasene Forest
 * The Wounded Coast
 * Vimmark Mountains, including the Sundermount

Culture and Society
Marchers were once known for raiding the northern seaboard of Ferelden. Nevarra started out as a member of the Free Marches, but has expanded in size and power far beyond its former peers.

The Marches were once part of the Tevinter Imperium, evidence of which is found in the architecture of cities - high buildings built almost all in white stone.

The region seems poorer and less organized than Ferelden: the interiors of buildings are very rustic and gangs of brigands abound (some taking over entire neighborhoods, at least by night).

The central location of the Marches relative to the other lands of Thedas makes the population very culturally diverse. The movement of goods and trade brings people from across the continent, and many native-born Marchers are born of parents from elsewhere. For example, the Grey Warden Stroud is Marcher-born, yet speaks with a distinct Orlesian accent. That being said, the region is not completely welcoming to newcomers. Many Marcher-born citizens resent the presence of foreigners and see the influence of outside nations and cultures as a threat to their way of life. In the wake of the Fifth Blight,Kirkwall in particular suffered from an outgrowth of nativist sentiment, as the presence of so many Fereldanrefugees and a force of marooned Qunari led to a backlash from Marchers angry at what they saw as a takeover of the city by alien powers.

Despite the cosmopolitan tendencies of the area, rivalries between Marcher cities usually take precedence over the common bond of "being a Marcher".

The Grand Tourney
One of the Free Marches' most celebrated events is the Grand Tourney. Participants from all over Thedas converge on this festival of martial skill and valor in a competition to crown a champion of the games. The victor is awarded a coronet of sage leaves and a trophy blade known as the Celebrant, which is inscribed with the names of every champion since the first Tourney. A letter by a Free Marcher reads: "The most important thing to know about the Free Marches is that we're free. We determine our own destiny, and that pleases us. Beyond that, the only other time we coalesce is when Grand Tourney comes to town. Then we boldly express our pride to any foreigner who'll listen. We'll kiss freedom on the lips and even lock arms with a proud Starkhavener! Alas, it lasts only a day, but there's no harm in that, right?" The tradition of the Grand Tourney is considered one of few common bonds that every Marcher shares happily, and is a notoriously jubilant phenomenon despite its brevity.

Politics
The Free Marches have no central government, no king and no capital, making the whole region difficult to protect and its economy disparate. Each city is self-governing and wary of intrusions by its neighbours, frequently leading to tensions between them as they jocky and vie for power. The government of each state also varies, the sea-port of Kirkwall, for example, is officially governed by a singular ruler in the form of the Viscount, but real political authority rests in the heads of the local chapter of The Templar Order.

During times of crisis, the most powerful merchants, generals and rulers of the Free Marches can convene to deal with the issue, similar to the Landsmeet of Ferelden.

Titles
Official titles differ from one Marcher city to another, though currently none of them boasts a King. The supreme leaders are titled as follows:


 * Viscount is the title given to the rulers of Kirkwall and Kaiten; it originates from when the lands of the Marches were part of the Orlesian Empire.


 * Prince — Starkhaven has been ruled by a number of overlords seeking extravagant titles, the latest being King Ironfist. After Ironfist's rule was peacefully ended, the city's people begged the noble who led the successful protest - Vael - to be their new king. Feeling no one was worthy of such a title and that it would encourage corruption as it had with previous rulers, Vael refused, declaring Prince to be Starkhaven's supreme title.
 * Lord Chancellor — the ruler of Tantervale.
 * Margrave — the ruler of Ansburg.
 * Teyrn — the ruler of Ostwick.

Forms of address
Serah and Messere are common, gender-neutral forms of address within the Free Marches. Serah is used when addressing someone of equal or lesser status, while Messere is for a person of greater status.

Champion
This title is bestowed, only by a city ruler, on an individual who has proven her/his dedication to the city in blood. The title is not necessarily a sign of honor, for a Champion can utilize methods that evoke love or fear.

Known Champions
See Codex entry: Mantle of the Champion, and Stonehammer armor set
 * Champion of Kirkwall
 * Champion of Tantervale
 * Champion of Starkhaven

Notable people with Free Marcher origins



 * Alain
 * Charade Amell
 * Decimus
 * Donnic Hendyr
 * Elthina
 * Emeric
 * Feynriel
 * Gamlen Amell
 * Grace
 * Jeven
 * Leandra Amell
 * Magus Tavarin Hall
 * Marlowe Dumar
 * Meeran
 * Meredith
 * Orsino
 * Petrice
 * Quentin
 * Saemus Dumar
 * Samson
 * Sebastian Vael
 * Varnell