Official Name: Free Marches
Demonym: Free Marcher
Government: Varies depending on city-state
Major City-States: Kirkwall, Starkhaven, Ostwick
Religion: Chantry (majority)
The Free Marches is the collective name given to a group wealthy city-states in Thedas. Marchers are descendants from barbarian tribes, their cities standing in a loose confederation of kindgoms that rarely unites unless one of its larger neighbors becomes aggressive or a Blight necessitates a temporary union. In this event, the Marchers assemble a united military front that even the greatest power cannot ignore. Petty feuds and alliances between the cities, however, prevent them from taking cooperative action in any but the most dire matters. Each Marcher city-state has its own unique flavor, through they are tied together by trade and agriculture. The Free Marches is best known as the breadbasket of Thedas. Its farm along the banks of the great Minanter River are the source of much of the continents foods.
Among the most famous of Marcher traditions is the Grand Tourney. The giant, traveling tournament and fair moves from city to city within the Free Marches and occasionally takes its show to neighboring lands. Most of the time, the Tourney travels about and entertains the locals, but once every three years or so it finds a patron wealthy enough to sponsor a Contest of Arms. The Grand Tourney then sets down for a year and sends out a call for competitors and spectators, putting together what is often called the "Greatest Show in Thedas." There are rumors about who runs the tournament and why.
Kirkwall is a large city-state on the edge of the Waking Sea, built into the rock face of the magnificent Vimmark Mountains. Positioned near the narrowest part of the sea, the city is a gate for nautical trade moving into and out of the heart of the continent.
Kirkwall once marked the edge of the Tevintr Imperium. Then called Emerius, it was an engine for the slave trade. The city's slaves were at the time estimated to be nearly a million in number. They produced stone and steel for the empire, toiling and dying in the city's massive foundries and quarries. During its height, Emerius was jewel to rival the mightiest of the Imperial cities and the greatest center of civilization outside of Tevinter.
The city freed itself from Tevinter's grip sometime after the First Blight. As the Imperium struggled to rebuild, its borders receded, and the city's slaves rose up. Anarchy ensued. The city was renamed Kirkwall after its jet stone cliffs. About a third of Kirkwall is built directly into a rock face of the Vimmark Mountains. Stone structures are the norm. The city-state became famous for its revolving leadership after it gained independence, as warlords deposed one another with nearly the frequency of changings seasons.
When the Quanri landed in Ostwick, Kirkwall was theirs to invade. The Qunari attacked in the middle of the night, and in a rare move used saarebas to besiege the city. The scars of a people who spent ages in chains were ripped open under the absolute rule of the Quanri. They forcibly converted Kirkwall's citizens to the Qun and the city reverted to its former role as a center for forced labor. The old slaves quarters of Lowtown, still intact after centuries, provided the perfect means for the Qunari to control the city's people.
This period when the Quanri contolled Kirkwall was at least brief. Four years after the occupation, Orlesian forces entered the city and took it back. Ser Michel Lafaille, the chevalier leading the charge, was declared the city's first viscount, answering directly to the emperor.
Kirkwall remained under Orlesian jurisdiction until 8:05 Blessed, when its people rebelled and gained their independence. The title of viscount as city leader however persisted. Since its independence, Kirkwall has still more turmoil. In 9:21 Dragon, a viscount was forcibly removed from office for attempting to expel the templars. Then, in 9:37, the city was the site of an uprising that spurned growing conflict between mages and templars across Thedas.
Kirkwall was divided into districts based on their physical position on the side of the maountain. Hightown was home to the highest authorities and richest nobles in the city-state. The district also housed Kirkwall's chantry and religious center until the city chantry's destruction in 9:37 Dragon at the hands of a rouge mage.
Closer to the water in Lowtown, home to the poor and common classes of Kirkwall. Many quarters in Lowtown are slums in disrepair. The city-states alienage is located here. Further below Lowtown is Darktown, a network of mine and sewer shafts that form an "undercity" where criminals and others fleeing something or someone seek refuge.
Kirkwall's roots in slavery are apparent in the structure of the city. Hightown was home to the wealthiest slavers, Lowtown its slaves, and Darktown the miners. Visitiors arriving by boat are welcomed by two massive bronze statues called the Twins of Kirkwall that stand on either side of the channel. The massive chain that connects these weeping men can be raised to bar entry to the city.
Starkhaven sits on the banks of the mighty Minanter River in a verdant, rolling valley.
The largest city in the Free Marches is also grand. Much has been made of Starkhaven's famed wealth and the obvious ways it is on display. Large sections of the city are decorated in fine materials like marble and gold. Starkhaven's wealth is truly a sight to behold.
The wealthiest and riches in Starkheaven are ruling Vaels. The proud and pious royal family keeps a magnificent marble place in the heart of Starkheaven amid the city's numerous kingly estates. Even the path to the place is paved in granite. Starkheaven architecture is rich with marble and other finer materials.
Starkhaven is not without its share of drama, however. With such a rich lot, eyes are constantly on the throne. An attempt in 9:31 Dragon nearly exterminated the entire Vael family. The city is also without much Circle presence, as its tower recently burned to the ground.
Ostwick: When the Qunari first landed in the Free Marches, it was at the city of Ostwick near the mouth of the Waking Sea. The city-state's famous double walls show the effect this had on its people's nerves.
Tantervale: Cahntry law is all but absolute in Tantervale, earning the city its dour reputation. The city guard is obsessed with enforcement. A street urchin would get a year in the dungeon for something that would get him a pat on the back in Orlais.
Ansburg: The word "backwater" gets thrown around a lot when describing Ansburg, but this central city-state is bustling, if not beautiful, center of agricultural trade.
Markham: Ansburg's more cultures sister city is home to one of the largest universities in Thedas, a center for agriculture.
Hasmal: This far-flung city-state's position on the edge of the Silent Plains means a regular influx of Tevinter refugees, who are often escaped slaves.
Wycome: Widely regarded as the most free of the Free Marches, the revelry capital of Thedas is also the second-greatest importer of Antivan wine after Orlais- particularly impressive considering Wycome's population is less than a third of Val Royeaux.
Hercinia: the palatial city-state on the Amaranthine coast would be an ideal vacation spot if not for the taxes and frequent raider activity.
The island of Eastwatch is not technically under any jurisdiction, though that's not for lack of trying. Marcher states like Kirkwall, Starkheaven, and Hercinia have all tried and failed to claim it. But Estwatch is its own, notoriously lawless port of call for pirates and, like the larger island of Lloerryn, held by the infamous Felicisima Armada if anyone.
The Tevinter Imperium was the first to settle the island, sometime around -800 Ancient. The Imperium fortified the largest natural bay with a defensive wall, and used the island as a harbor for repairing warships during their military and slaving campaigns against the Alamarri barbarians of southern Thedas.
Just before the First Blight, the port was in heavy use, but the political turmoil in the Imperium surrounding the Blight heavily curtailed naval campaigns in the Waking Sea. By the end of the Blight, the port of Estwatch fell into disuse. When Andraste's armies reached the island in -180 Ancient, they found the fortress completely abandoned.
Throughout the Divine and Glory Ages, the island remained unoccupied. Wreckage from ships lost in the rocks along the coast of the Free Marches washes up on the shores of the island, leading to superstitions that the island is cursed. While the island was repeatedly claimed by various cities, fear of the place meant no one established a permeant hold.
During the Storm Age, Estwatch once again saw use as a naval base. The Qunari captured it in 7:54 Storm and used it as a launching point for their attacks on the Free Marches, Nevarra, and Orlais. During the Exalted Marches, it was the site of several pitched battles. The Qunari held the island until 7:78 Strom, when the Felicisma Armada, with the backing of the New Exalted Marches, fought a titanic battle in the waters around the island. It ended with the sinking of a dreadnought and the raiders taking over the port.
A small town has sprung up around the port that has earned the name Little Llomerryn, a nod to its similarity rebellious sister city.