The First Coast

Geography

If one wishes to know the Venerated Republic of Decus they must start at the beginning. They must start at the First Coast. The birthplace of an empire and the landing site of the Apostles, this densely populated region is steeped in history and culture. The continent of Vitaveus is broad and vast, yet one could spend their whole life wandering just the First Coast and still not see everything worth seeing. The First Coast is a region that stretches roughly 250 miles along the Pearl Sea, more specifically encompassing almost the entire shoreline of the Bay of Good Men. Though they are not directly part of the coast, it is not uncommon for inland locations to sometimes be considered part of the region. Aside from the bay, the First Coast has several distinct geographical hallmarks that set it apart. The first looms to the Northwest in the form of Prelate’s Peak. Though not the tallest of the sister mountains that comprise the chain known as the Freemantle, Prelate’s Peak summit is still a respectable 14,000 ft above sea level. On a clear day this is high enough to see all the way to the Red River, the First Coast’s other notable geographical feature. The Red River forms the southern border of the territory. With its source in Lake Provenance and its terminus in the Bay of Good Men, the river stretches over 600 miles and is the region’s greatest aquatic thoroughfare, second to only the Pearl Sea itself.

The First Coast enjoys a temperate climate with regular seasons and accompanying rainfall throughout the year. This weather supports a healthy mix of grasslands and forests. Seeing as the First Coast has experienced roughly 900 years of development and growth much of the wilderness has been appropriated for agriculture and infrastructure. Though the First Coast boasts a number of fine settlements they all tend to be overshadowed by the capital. Tor, the first true city of the Venerated Republic, stands as a shining beacon of an empire. Its like cannot be found on Vitaveus or beyond, for its’ history and cultural significance makes it one of the most well-known cities in all of the Republic. At one time, it was one of the largest cities in the Republic, boasting a population of well over a hundred thousand souls from every walk of life – however, since as early as 700AS, Tor had been dwarfed by far larger city-states and sprawling Municipalities in other portions of the Republic. Structurally, Tor is organized into a series of districts of varying sizes and import. Since the Republic was founded, it has been a seat of power and culture in the Republic and there is little indication that it will ever be fully disregarded as a relic of days gone.

A whole guide could be written on Tor alone. Despite its grandeur, culture and history, it is by no means the only city or province within the First Coast. The territory boasts numerous other provinces, and specifically, two other Municipalities of import. The first, located approximately 100 miles south of Tor, is that of Paeldern. Situated where the Red River empties into the Bay of Good Men, Paeldern is far larger than Tor and boasts an economy nearly triple to that of the former capital. Its success can be measured by the flow of the Red River, which allows Paeldern’s merchants and traders to ship goods deep into not only the First Coast, but Virrenul and Volgen as well. Paeldern is unique in that it may in fact be two cities; on the other side of the Red River lies the territory of Athaerûn and the city of Prosus. Though founded as one, the City on the South Bank has gradually split with Paeldern. The friendly rivalry between the two cities has encouraged growth for both.

Resting some 250 miles West of the coast is Kedian, the regions greatest inland province. Reachable by following the Red River from Paeldern or the Marching Highway from Tor, travelers familiar with the First Coast will sometimes cleverly refer to Kedian as the ‘Last’ First City. Though there are numerous other settlements, Municipalities and Townships along the borders of the First Coast, Kedian is the last province and City for hundreds of miles inland that boasts a population of over a million souls, which has earned it such a glib moniker. It takes pride in the designation and is a well-known stopping point for those making the journey West or embarking upon the final stretch of the path to Tor. There are numerous other towns, villages and hamlets scattered throughout the First Coast. Though of respectable size, they are far too many to number. However, travelers with vast experience throughout the Republic often indicate that, compared to other settlements of their size, the towns in the First Coast are some of the finest in all of Vitaveus – this is undoubtedly due to the rich history and culture the First Coast possesses. It is also no coincidence that more than half of the Republic’s entire Prelacy bloodlines claim the First Coast as home.

History

The First Coast is the cradle of civilization and has a long and storied history to show for it. Much of the early history in the region is dominated by tales of bloodshed and accounts of battles. Some of the most distant events are unverifiable, but even if certain milestones are historically suspect they are still widely accepted by both the scholar and the layman. Before the start of the 5th century Vitaveus was a dark continent, unknown to the First Apostles. Native civilizations existed throughout the land, though what little is known has mostly been washed away by the tides of time. However, the area that was to become the First Coast is said to have been populated by an especially malignant society whose name has since been erased from the histories of our great nation.

It is not until 405 AS that the region truly became the First Coast, for this year marks arrival of the Apostles upon the shore of Vitaveus. Charged with spreading the One True Faith by word or by sword, this was also their first true test in a new world. Church historians claim that when the First Apostles made landfall they discovered Nora Thryn, a stronghold ruled by heretics and twisted by sin. With faith on their side, they are said to have razed this den of iniquity and founded Tor upon the bones of the ancient city as a message to all. The truth of the matter and the details of this encounter are lost to time, but also immaterial; what is important is that when Tor was founded so was the Decusian Kingdom, which would eventually grown into the Republic we know today. Expansion of the fledgling kingdom began almost immediately and although it would take centuries to reach its current state the First Coast was tamed within roughly fifty years and settlers were already on their way to unclaimed territories. Improvements within the First Coast continued in stride and farmlands in the region steadily grew to support the increasing population. The greatest effort of this period is perhaps the Marching Highway, Vitaveus’ first true great road. Since then similar such roads have spread across the continent, but it was here on the First Coast that the technology was first developed that would carry the settlers and armies of the Republic across the continent.

The culture of the First Coast is the culture of the Venerated Republic itself. The wellspring of civilization and the birthplace of an empire, nowhere is the spirit of the Republic more alive or more revered. There are two facets of culture on the First Coast that warrant inspection.

The first is faith and religion. Even the most unshakable skeptic can be a believer in the Venerated Republic for Decusian faith, at its most unadorned, depends not on the actions of divine agents but upon the actions of men. The heart of a religion that founded a kingdom, an empire, does not beat on the First Coast simply because Tor was the traditional seat of the Archbishop, but because Tor was once the capital of the Republic. Faith has made the Republic what it is today, and nowhere is this more apparent than the First Coast.

The second aspect of culture on the First Coast is a direct result of the Renaissance of 990 AS. This upheaval, which some claim to be an indirect result of the establishment of the Republic, shook the foundations of the empire. Instead of crumbling, however, those foundations became stronger. Philosophy, politics, science and technology went through radical advances, most of which started on the First Coast. Religion did not survive this upheaval unscathed, but instead went through its own transformation from an unbending and dogmatic institution to the more broadly-applicable and widely-accepted faith we know today. These two facets can be pointed to as the greatest contributors to culture on the First Coast and throughout the Republic as a whole. One need only read a book of poetry, visit a gallery, or even walk down a street and observe the architecture to see the combined influence of the First Coast’s faith-based beginning and liberal reawakening.

Torment

In 1342, The First Coast suffered a truly debilitating blow; the fall of Tor. Prior to this, Tor had been a focal point in the war efforts against the Torment and the Resolve – having been the traditional home to the Republic Senate and Archbishop, many pertinent decisions were made within Tor, and her more contemporary larger sister-city, Redholme. While there are many rumors and theories as to why and how Tor had fallen, no official statement has ever been made by the Republic as to what attributed to the fall of the once magnificent city. Since then, the entirety of the First Province – the land provincial territory surrounding and including Tor itself – has been rendered a Quarantine Zone. While considered a considerable blow to the morale of the Republic and its’ people, no efforts have been made to reclaim Tor or the First Province due to the lingering threat of the Torment and the sheer volume of afflicted that roam the Province.

Save for this particular costly and notable causality, the First Coast remains a relatively safe and well protected territory – undoubtedly due to the immeasurable wealth and resources afforded to it by it’s Prelacy families and the Ecclesial Authority.

Points of Interest

Cathedral of the Virtues & the Sea of Silent Names

Though not the biggest cathedral on the First Coast, the Cathedral of the Virtues is perhaps the most-visited. Located just outside of Tor herself, the Cathedral of the Virtues is a popular pilgrimage site for devout citizens from all over the Republic. It is a commonly-held belief that the cathedral houses the mortal remains of the eight Avatars who, after being anointed in 376 AS, would eventually lead the First Apostles of the One True Faith across the seas and to victory at Nora Thryn. Whether the cathedral truly holds the bodies of the men and women for whom The Day of Heroes is named has actually never been confirmed by the Decusian Church, and even if it does the alleged remains are certainly not accessible to the public, but that has not stopped thousands from coming each year.

Even for those of little faith the Cathedral of Virtues has much to see. The architecture alone is worth the trip, for while the cathedral has its roots in the gothic style it is quite unconventional and its curving contours and asymmetrical lines are both beautiful and awe inspiring. Many visitors arriving at the gates do not make it to the cathedral proper for hours due to the Sea of Silent Names. Surrounding the Cathedral of the Virtues is the First Coast’s largest graveyard, where headstones, mausoleums and statuary mark the final resting places of over 200,000 of the Republic’s greatest citizens – mostly hailing from influential positions within the Ecclesial Authority or from influential Prelacy families.

Prelate’s Peak

Almost 200 miles North of Kedian lies Prelate’s Peak. Few make the journey to the fabled mountain. Even fewer are hale and hardy enough to reach the summit. Any member of the Church of Decus, however, will tell you that the true splendor of the mountain lies not atop it, but within it. Honeycombed with tunnels both natural and man-made, Prelate’s Peak is home to the Monastery of the Divine Enlightenment. Strictly forbidden to the public, it is within these halls that many of the Decusian Ecclesial Authority undertake their studies.

Lucerna Obscurus

Lucerna Obscurus is a source of considerable mystery on the First Coast. Though it has no official name, the Dark Lamp is what citizens have come to call the small island that rests roughly 40 miles East of Tor. Oval in shape and approximately 10 miles in diameter, the only distinguishing feature of the craggy island is a towering lighthouse which is never burning. It is for this structure that the island has earned its name, in part. It is also called so since the island is completely forbidden to all potential visitors.

There is all manner of speculation surrounding the landmass, most involving the Church. Their ownership and desire to protect the island from intruders is no secret, but what they actually use it for is completely unknown. Anyone approaching the island is firmly warned to turn back by wandering patrol boats, anyone landing on the island is roughly ejected and anyone trying to go inland is never seen again (though this last part is likely a fanciful rumor).

Inspirations and Influences

Ancient Rome. Traditional example names such as Marcellus, Maximus, Octavia and Valeria are common for those hailing from the First Coast.