The Western Reach

Part of a series about Arginese geography.

• The Iseur Valley
• The Summer Coast
• The Eastern Reach and Fiveways
• The Lowen Valley
• The Northlands
• The Western Reach
• The Interior

The rolling countryside of the western coast is a land of small farms and roaming herds of sheep. Not as important to the kingdom’s trade as the Summer Coast, it is still a prosperous and populous region, producing wool, grain, meat, and cider for all corners of the realm.

The people of the Western Reach have a reputation for being the most staunchly, traditionally Arginese. The Crown enjoys strong support here from all social classes and the tradition of steadfast loyalty is present at every link in the chain of feudalism. The local nobles have a reputation - largely deserved - for taking particular care of their vassals and tenants and ensuring that even the poorest see the benefits of their labour.

This largesse is possible partly because of the fertility of the land and the mildness of the climate, but also because trade is effectively and efficiently sewn up by the nobles. Each manor is run with care and acumen rivalling the best city guilds, and even in the towns commercial life is dominated by members of the local houses. While concessions are made to traders in goods from other parts of the realm - wine from the Summer Coast, or iron from the Northlands - care is taken to ensure that every deal made is with the nobles and their trusted retainers.

Notable features

Aulin

Once a small market town, Aulin has sprawled over the centuries into the surrounding fields and meadows, spreading along the roads and even swallowing up a few small villages. Although not the most populous city in Arginet it is certainly the largest in area.

Accordingly, is rather less crowded than most other cities and towns; fields and paddocks reach inward toward the centre, and there are even a few parks set aside by local nobles for the public good. It is also noted for the many windmills turning in the sea breeze.

The real wealth of Aulin comes from the farms of the Reach. It is a hub of trade in wool, grain, meat, vegetables, and many other products of the land. It has not been immune from the troubles of the Breaking, and the difficulty of defending the city has become apparent, but so far the locals (of every class) have shown real courage and determination in fighting off the worst of the horrors.

Shipgate

Though no ship worthy of the name can navigate the Eckle, Shipgate is a bustling centre of trade. Its livestock fairs attract farmers and merchants from across the realm - and the sheep sold there are said to be at least as good as those in the Lowen.
As the endpoint of one of the two roads crossing the interior, it is also a popular place for people to hire rangers for the wilderness, as well as to spend their coin on drinks and dice.

Fairdene

Fairdene is a popular stop for traders and travellers on the Great West Road as well as a retreat for the great and good (or rather, wealthy and well-connected) of Kellewick. It is known for the refined comforts of country life: tennis, brandy, discreet affairs… and especially horse racing. In a country where horses are expensive and sought-after, the stud farms and stables of Fairdene are a source of vast wealth and importance, and it is from here that the very best cavalry regiments are raised.