Free Marches



The Free Marches is a collective name given to the group of city-states situated in eastern Thedas, south of Antiva and the Tevinter Imperium, east of Nevarra, and north of Ferelden. The region is the setting of Dragon Age II.

The "Marchers" are independent descendants from tough barbarians, their cities standing in a loose confederation that rarely unites on any matter unless one of their larger neighbors becomes aggressive. In this event, the Marchers can assemble a united military front that even the greatest powers cannot ignore.

The Free Marches is best 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 refugees from Ferelden fled to the Free Marches.

Cities

 * Hercinia
 * Kirkwall
 * Markham
 * Ostwick
 * Starkhaven
 * Tantervale
 * Wycome
 * Kaiten

Regions

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

Culture and Society
It was once known for raiding the northern seaboard of Ferelden. . Nevarra started out as merely a member of the Free Marches, but has risen in size and power far beyond any of its peers.

The Free 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.

Also, the Free Marches seems poor and more disorganized than Ferelden: the interiors of buildings are very rustic and the region has countless gangs and brigands of all sorts. Some gangs have even taken over a neighborhood of major cities such as Kirkwall in the evening and attack anyone venturing into this zone.

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 rules of the Free Marches can convene to deal with the issue, similar to the Landsmeet of Fereldan.

Titles
The Free Marches has many titles between the varying cities, the only known ones are Viscount and Prince.

Viscount
The ruler of Kirkwall.

The ruler of Kaiten.

Prince
The title of the rulers of Starkhaven, signifying the city as the seat of a Principality.