The County of Sandoise

A level, well-drained and verdant area, with a coastline alternating between pebble-covered beaches and white limestone cliffs, dotted with natural caves. Countless bays and coves offer natural harbours along the coast. Neatly parsed up into pastures and fields, the county is also known for its wild flowers.

The limestone of the land holds entombed bones from some passed Age. Bones of creatures warped in shape, unlike any seen today, at land or sea. Some say they are remains of a wizard-lord's army, magically engulfed by the rock in a wizard-war, others that these bones are older than the sun and the moon, relics of a time even the gods scarcely remember.

This county has over the last century been famous for its self-made men; The Sandoise ideal for commoner and noble alike has been to strike out on the high seas and win one's fortune.

The county is also infamous for smuggling, the innumerable caves and natural harbours make it a perfect for smugglers, and the increased tolls of the Arch-Duke along with the decline in international shipping has led to a boom in smuggling, despite the draconian punishments suffered by those caught by the Hounds. The smugglers are heroes, both among the local populace, and in other counties, to those resentful of the Arch-Duke's authoritarian regime.

Though Sandoise shipping have gritted their teeth against the rising piracy, and remain afloat, so to speak, lower wages along with increased danger leave the seamen desperate.

The Count of Sandoise has been respected for decades as a superb naval captain and a fair ruler, if a bit rakish. This has been long since been eclipsed by the fact that he has now lived for a full century, and though white-haired, he has lost little of his youthful vigour, and has survived all of his sons. This has led to suspicion and resentment, good blood only goes so far to explain this extraordinary survival.

Peur des Anges is a ruined settlement north in Sandoise, a mess of limestone and marble avoided by all, including the smugglers. Little is known of the place, save that it was a waste before the coming of the Cargans.