Penlasse

Ruler: The Desnian Vice Admiral of the Fleet rules Penlasse in the name of Desnia. His writ does not extend far beyond the capital. Instead the individual communities elect leaders.

Capital: Palas

Population: 350,000

Races: Arali (66%), Rhona (21%), Gryphons (13%).

Government: Feudal system with lands and titles offered by the Desnian aristocracy in return for allegiance.

Religion: None.

Major Towns: The Haven of windward, on the south eastern shore of the north isle, and the Eyrie of Miralyr in the Sinare Mountains on the southern island.

Provinces: For administrative purposes, the realm is divided into two provinces, the north and south isles. A Desnian noble on behalf of the Vice Admiral of the Fleet administrates each province.

Enemies/Allies: Penlasse has no real enemies, being shielded from all invaders by the sea. The Penlasseal people tolerate the Desnian overlord-ship, and generally ignore it. However it is possible that Penlasse could find itself fending off a Desnian invasion.

Penlasse is famous for its warm climate, white sand beaches and crystal clear seas. The people of Penlasse are a mixed group of Arali from Desnia and Janieal, Rhona, and the Danae of Anerin. The Gryphons of Penlasse also mingle with the other races quite freely. The majority of the inhabitants of Penlasse are those from the other nations who have tired of the many political games played between nations.

Penlasse is supposedly in alliance with Desnia, but its people remain clear of politics. Penlasse is home to many other Arali who wish to avoid the politics of the other city-states. The Arali of Penlasse will happily describe themselves as "elvish" or "Penlasseal" before calling themselves Desnian, Janieal, or even Arali.

Penlasse is the northern-most of the Easterly Isles. Separated from the southern isle of Desnia by the Windward Straits, Penlasse was once part of a larger landmass that linked Desnia and Penlasse to Cyradon. Ancient cataclysms, the movement of the earth and undersea earthquakes broke the isles apart, and flooded the lands between. Penlasse is therefore very similar in appearance, flora and fauna, to Desnia.

Penlasse is the overall name given to the two northern isles. Both isles are close together, with but a stretch of two miles separating them. The small strait was, in ages past, a deep lake. Eventually the sea broke in on either side and claimed the freshwater depths for its own, eroding away the thin line of hills on either side.

The northern isle is the richest, comprising of relatively flat, lowland terrain that is both fertile and easily farmed. The isle retains a great deal of its primeval tree cover and thus the soil is spared from the erosion caused by the constant whipping winds that sweep easterly from the permanent storms that surround the Stormhold, to the west.

The southern isle is home to the city of Palas, where the Penlasseal royal court meets. The city is more of a stronghold, a redoubt, than a city and its utility is almost purely defensive and administrative. Trade happens in the low lands, in temporary farmers' fairs and small towns. Palas sits on a honeycomb of supposedly Mablung carved tunnels that can provide refuge for every soul on the southern isle in times of crisis. The Deep Redoubt has never been used, as no invaders have ever truly landed upon their shores.

The southern isle, despite the presence of the royal court and throne city, is a poorer place, but also marked by a primal, wild, natural beauty. The high slopes of the Sinare Mountains are craggy and empty and almost heartbreakingly beautiful. The land is desolate and alien and untouched by mortal hands. Few Arali dwell there.

In the intrigue-ridden maelstrom that is Arali politics, Penlasse is considered to be a tributary realm to Desnia. Desnia considers Penlasse to be a subsidiary ally and as such, ignores it. This suits the Penlasseal people. They consider the games of state and trade that rage between Janieal, Desnia, and Aneirin to be both infantile and divisive. They have never been wronged by any of these powers, so why should they wish to take sides. Since Penlasse is considered to be firmly in Desnia's "camp," Desnian diplomats and Janieal politicians don't bother attempting to inveigle Penlasse in their intrigues.

Penlasse does not keep a standing army, or a navy. It does have a well-equipped and well-mannered coast guard, which exists to both rescue endangered mariners and to defend against seaborne assault. Inland, a small number of military orders help guard the realm.

#4300 Cyradon, pages 55-56