Torica

The City of Torica

Now located on the eastern side of the island of Santina Bay, the city of Torica sits nestled in a protective cove that provides access to the open sea, while sheltering the city from the worst ocean swells and violent storms. Originally a fresh start for humanity as they fled the destruction of Atalan, Torica soon became a beacon of freedom from oppressive laws and stratified society. Distrustful of big government, and disgusted with the organization of Atalan in general before it's fall; the residents of Torica went extremely far out of their way to avoid any semblance of a massive governmental structure. The city proper boasts a loose organizational structure but generally, everyone leaves each other alone.

The three main power bases at the start of Torica, when the city was merely a town, was the Mayor and her Sheriff, the West Siblings and their Inn, and Reginald Skylar and his Skylar Trading Company. Each of the three had their own sphere of influence, however, most if any toe stepping was done in private. A delicate peace lay over the town as everyone minded their own business. However with the Invasion of Torica, the balance of power shifted considerably between multiple cultures instead of between powerful people, with a few decades of peace before the Second Invasion of Torica. In recent years a relative peace has once again settled over the island, now overseen by The Five Resani.

During The Blackspear War

During the Blackspear War, Torica was invaded by the Blackspear. The Blackspear occupation of Torica was not resisted, nor welcomed, but it occurred. While the more savage of the men making up the horde remain on distant corners of the island, Blackspear human mercenaries, and Valhurk walked openly in the streets. They did not appear to be trying to enforce any rule, but the threat of violence hung heavy in the air.

After a large naval battle in the Fall of 2864 EC, the Blackspear Fleet was devastated by a combined force of Lakoi Free Raider Captains from Torica, and the Rocket Ordinance Warships (R.O.W.) of TEST.

Resistance forces within Torica led by the Guardians of the Golden Rose manage to overthrow the small garrison left on the Island, while the Free Raider Captains begin to harass what is left of the Blackspear Fleet, disrupting their supply lines over the sea.

After the Blackspear War

At the close of the Blackspear War, Torica took great leaps in importance and prominence. After helping to curtail Blackspear naval developments, Torica found itself in possession of a strong, proper navy, not just a bunch of cutters and frigates. Combining their own vessels with those that they captured during the war, and then putting experienced Torican's on them as Pilots and Captains, Torica developed very quietly and unobtrusively into a major naval power.

This newfound naval dominance allowed Torica to prosper and to build wealth beyond its meager means. The city port of Torica became a major hub for commerce. With a laissez-faire attitude that lay at the heart of the founding of Torica, the island quickly grew to be known as the place where one could find anything for the right price. Unfortunately for Torica, such a reputation can bring its fair share of bad fortunes as well as good. During the winter of 2868 a delegation from the Silver Pieces Mercantile arrived in the port of Torica to formely re-open trade between the Grand Halmorian Empire, and the continent of Eramere. Given that High Reaches was lacking a proper port the SPM naturally selected Torica, not only for its access to the wider ocean, but the heavy population of humans allowed the group to feel more comfortable. Despite some heavier than expected opposition from the mostly Lakoi population, the SPM was granted a single warehouse, and trade with the Halmorian Empire and Eramere resumed.

It was during this time that local fisherman started telling tales of the waters behaving strangely shortly before larger storms. Fish would become scarce and the waters would act out of sorts, their rhythms not keeping to expected patterns. Many attributed these occurrences to Niomae, saying that it was her way of warning her faithful of rough times ahead. Others though attributed these odd happening to a less wholesome source.

The First Invasion of Torica

Over the course of 20 years, the number of SPM members that could be found on Torica during any given day steadily increased. It was an organic thing, and remained largely unnoticed except by the most careful observers. Then, one night in the Spring of 2884, a group of SPM members commandeered one of Torica's frigates and attempted to fire upon the other ships moored in the harbor. The Torican naval forces responded instantly and began to return fire before the stolen ship attempted to escape, and so several of the ships gave chase. Magic was thrown about and a massive explosion could be seen on the horizon from the beaches of Torica. Not long after, storm clouds began to build, and a great sea swell sent all but one vessel to a watery grave. Only one vessel, a small Torican privateer piloted by some of the most experienced Lakoi seamen from the island survived. When they pulled into port, they were, to the very last, all terrified. The sea had swallowed the other ships whole they said. Others claimed they could hear the ocean screaming, either in pain or in anger.

A few weeks later, a massive fleet was spotted approaching the shores of Eramere. The sailors of Torica set out to discover what was coming, only to find a sleek set of Halmorian ships and some bulky never before seen ships doggedly harassing one another. The large ships greatly outnumbered the smoother and much more agile Halmorian ships. but they were clearly being captained by inexperienced sailors. The Toricans watched the massive fleets sail closer to their home and realized that both groups were headed directly for the Island of Torica. Not one to sit idly by, the Torica Navy engaged the fleet to slow them and give the people of Torica time to ready themselves. The Torican Navy once again took to the seas to engage a potentially hostile force. The battle raged for days and the Torican Navy, instead of engaging the forces, merely held the line, not allowing either force to make for the island to find shelter or refuge. During the second day of fighting, a strange fog began to build, which was odd given that there was no warmer land to cause it. On the third day of fighting, the fog had become so thick that even the experienced sea captains of Torica feared for their safety. One could not even see across the bow of the ship, much less see where the ship was headed.

The fighting came to a halt and a hush fell across the seas. Slowly, the captains of the vessels began to make best guess estimates as to which way safe harbor lay and set out slowly in that direction. A portion of the Halmorian fleet managed to make landfall on a neighboring island during the reprieve. Slowly, over the course of many hours a small roar could be heard building. At first it was almost imperceptible. Soon it could be heard by all, sounding as though one large wave was in constant motion. In time the sound grew even louder, drowning out all but shouted commands, and the sea became turbulent. Efforts to steer the ships were all but useless as they were suddenly slammed into each other while attempting to navigate a strong current. The current and the raging roar became worse still, though the fog thinned as the ships were carried away, only to be threatened with a new danger, one that twisted and rent the very innards of all that beheld it.

A massive vortex or maelstrom had formed and was devouring all that fell into it. The sound emanated not from any wind or beast, but rather from the waters rushing about their circle, sucking in and crushing all. One Lakoi sea captain, Christof Malva, with mettle unlike that of most mortals, kept his wits about him and decided he would die doing his damnedest to disrupt the vortex, hoping at least others might escape the watery doom. In a move of pure desperation, he ordered the anchor to be dropped and the shipboard mage to pour as much wind against the sails in the opposite direction of the maelstrom. The strain on the ship was immediate as the anchor held the ship fast against the current, and the gust of wind allowed the ship to stay upright within the spinning vortex - however, other ships began to crash into the now stopped ship. The strain continued to build within the stopped ship and against the vortex. The dead weight in the water began to disrupt the power of the current. Perhaps a trick of the eye, but as ships were stationary for the first time within the vortex, the shipboard mage thought he saw something at the heart of the maelstrom, and deciding in a likely rash move threw his most powerful battle spell into eye. The sky was lit up brilliantly. The resulting detonation was so loud it rolled across the now distant enough to be unseen island of Torica as a clap of rolling thunder.

Much to the surprise of Christof, the plan worked. The vortex was disrupted and ships were able to gain their head once again, riding warm, fanned winds towards shore. Those ships with mages quickly took advantage and were propelled to shore by spells of wind. Those others that were not so fortunate made as best they could to follow, all thought of combat set aside. The anchored ship let it's anchor completely free and made all due haste to Torica and its port. Alas, all was not yet safe, and another roar could be heard building from the depths. Yet this one seemed different somehow. It did not stay a low, rolling war, but quickly gained in intensity and pitch. Along with the rolling roar came unnaturally dark storm clouds, seemingly appearing in an instant above the now fleeing ships. Then, as all ships made best possible speed for Torica, a massive wave crested in the middle of the ocean, and from the wave a large gaping maw emerged, issuing forth a piercing roar that caused some ears to bleed. The maw came down upon one ship, then up from another, and then across yet another, consuming them with abandon. Then, as quickly as it had crested, the giant beast rose up high into the sky without ever leaving the water and crashed back down into the depths again, as though it were some sort of giant whale. The resulting wave was not unlike the water wall of a tsunami.

On the island nation of Torica, a great storm could be seen out at sea and was quickly approaching the small island. Less than an hour later, a wall of water and a storm fiercer than any in the remembrance of Eramere crashed into the island. Lasting for only a few minutes the wreckage was great. The storm washed up the entirety of the remaining Kalimvaran forces onto the island of Torica, the remains of the Torica navy limped back into port, and the small force of Halmorians that managed to break off during the lull before the maelstrom managed to secure themselves on a small adjacent island while the rest of their navy was destroyed by the storm and wave. Over the next few days, the Halmorians immediately started up hostilities with the Torican navy, despite being out numbered. Their efforts seemed to have an air of delay and annoyance. Only they knew a second expeditionary fleet was on the way and expected shortly.

Delaying tactics and raids quickly turned into an all out war after the second force of Halmorians arrived. Though the Toricans were better sailors, their navy had been reduced greatly in size by the events of the flash storm. Though they could still control the majority of the waters, Torican forces were no match for pushing Kalimvarans off of land they had already claimed after their crash landing. Nor were they, without risking being cut off (or worse still, reawakening whatever that was in the depths) able to entirely stop Halmorian reinforcements from arriving upon the secondary island. Instead they took to harrying Kalimvarian shore forces with bombardment from sea and did their best to disrupt replenishment of supplies, namely food, to the secluded Halmorians.

The three forces seemed to be in an uneasy stalemate until one night, a large force of Kalimvarian Kinjarin infiltrated the Torica side of the island and assaulted the Mayor's mansion directly, with the sole purpose of killing the Mayor. The initial surprise was devastating to the members of the mansion, and the attack ended with the mansion exploding killing all within. The explosion shook the entire island and could be seen for miles around. The defenders of the island were stunned, but managed to hold back the attacks of Kalimvarians waiting for the explosion as a signal. The battle raged all night until finally at dawn a large force of Halmorian ships could be seen approaching the docks, the Toricans feared the worse that they would be crushed between the Kalimvarans and Halmorians in their bid for conquest.

As all seemed lost, a large flash of light could be seen on the docks as a badly burned Mayrie Mark'ilas appeared seemingly from thin air with the cry of "We are not defeated! For Torica!" The appearance of the Mayor hardened the spines of all Toricans as the cheer rose from the ragged defenders. The cheer quickly quieted as several more large flashes of lights could be seen at various points of the island, large groups were teleporting onto the Island armed and looking incredibly dangerous. Large walls of stone erupted from the earth to cut off the advances of the Kalimvarans, and where once there were only Halmorian ships, now smaller much faster boats could be seen zipping among them, halting further progress. High Reaches had arrived to help end the conflict along with a contingent of gnomish rocket boats.

The Mayor had managed to escape the explosion and teleport to High Reaches. She was treated for the most grievous injuries and she met with the council in the healer's hall, explaining her plight and begging for High Reaches aid in repelling the invaders. The Council heard her out but reminded the Mayor that the entire reason for the founding of Torica was so humans could exist somewhere not regulated by the laws of High Reaches, and it was not their responsibility to fight a war for them. However, they did agree to send aid to immediately cease hostilities and give peace a chance. Sending Mellicent Cole and Ticki Spritzlewire to THIMBLE to gather rocket boats, the rest of forces were gathered.

Over the next few hours, a force of University Mages and GLAD Adventurers were assembled and teleported back with the Mayor, including the Council to oversea the peace talks. Upon arrival the University Mages erected magical walls of stone to stop further bloodshed, and the adventurers positioned themselves in key placements to ensure that no further attacks threatened the people of Torica. Mellicient appeared with Ticki, to complete the council, before Mellicent teleported away again to "retrieve the head of the Halmorian invasion force" as Councilor Ker'lueth Di'Malen did the same towards the Kalimvar lines.

Mellicent returned moments later with the Halmorian Noble, and Ker'lueth a few hours later with the Kalimvar general. Once assembled, the Council explained what was happening and issued an ultimatum that either the three work something out, or all gathered here would be subject to a trade embargo and quarantined to the islands without hope of repeal. Seeing themselves at a momentary disadvantage the invading forces of Kalimvar and Halmoria agreed to pursue terms while all three parties secretly hoped to undo the other's position. The parties talked through the week, and terms were finally agreed upon. The Kalimvarans would remain upon the western part of Torica and rent the use of boats and docks. The Halmorians would be allowed to remain upon the Island they had settled, but be allowed to receive shipments from both Torica and the mainland without being blockaded, along with maintaining their SPM warehouse within the port of Torica.

The wall that had been magically raised was made permanent by the sweat of Kalimvarans, as they constructed a stone wall in place of a magical one, and life on Torica returned to relative normalcy afterwards. Over the next 20 years a subtle guerrilla war raged, with each of the three factors vying for dominant position amongst the two islands. The Kalimvarans and Toricans did not mind each other terribly, but the former's strict adherence to rules and law chafed against the more free spirited attitudes of the Lakoi descended Torcians. Both, however, shared an intense apathy of the Halmorians, yet neither Kalimvarans or Toricans trusted one another enough to oust the Halmorians permanently. The Halmorians for their part wished both the Kalimvarans and Toricans would just make way for them, and would happily rule over them. However they realized they do not have the strength to be subjected to the complete embargo threatened by High Reaches, due in large part to the total inability for the island they settled upon to support any population, and thus they maintained the status quo.

After the Rising

After the Rising, and negotiations to keep the peace between Halmorians and native Toricans took effect, the leaders of the Torican community began to act in secret to ensure that the future of Torica was Torican, and that there would be no further incursions on their independence from outside forces. Ideally located and possessed of a will and the knowledge necessary, these figures began to use the normally ill-used and squandered wealth afforded from trade and other incomes, some more legitimate than others, to improve the defenses of Torica - not in the traditional sense of constructing fortifications, but by funneling such into the creation of a commercial port that without peer.

As a part of the peace that was negotiated in haste by Tarran Horn to prevent a slaughter on the Torican docks, the day-to-day duties of dock upkeep and the majority of vessel maintenance was taken up by the Torican people. They were, quite frankly, far better at it than the Halmorians, who were used to working from the dock cities of the mighty Empire back on the mainland. Early on, a few Halmorians, who were likely (but never confirmed) members of the SPM began to make some small waves by pushing back on the agreement. Quickly, these figures disappeared. A group of Torican merchants, never entirely happy with the arrangement, became emboldened by the seeming favoritism being shown to Torican interests. Daniel Crane, a wealthy merchant with some considerable influence decided then to push the issue, seeking to take back some of the concessions made in the deal. No sooner had Daniel begin to make his move than he was found dead in his bed the next morning at the age of 29 from apparent “natural causes”. From that point on, no Torican with half a brain moved against the peace.

Over time, the port city continued to thrive, becoming a mecca for goods and services of all kinds. The SPM, ever focused on having the best trade, did their best to sink their claws into the local economy. However, they ran into problems as Halmorian ships encountered greater and greater difficulties making the trip from the mainland. Eventually, all merchants doing business in the city looked for vessels belonging to the Torican Merchant Fleet in order to satisfy their needs. As Halmorian ships and supplies became more and more rare, some Halmorian vessels began to hire on Torican mates, as they seemed to know the local waters better. A titanic shift in fortunes and politics on the mainland hastened the Halmorian exodus from the island of Santina Bay, as goods and even ships from back home became almost unheard of as all travel from the island became handled by the Torican Merchant Fleet. Even the Halmorian Ships that took on Torican mates were soon lost.

Rumors suggest the Lakoi Raiders maintain some sort of shadowy fleet of ships, that take out Halmorians on principle. Many others dismiss these rumours and speak of the sea monsters seen a few decades previously, and that the Toricans simply have better blessings of Luck upon them.

The Departure of the Knights

During the early days of the peace, the Knights of the Shield attempted to step forward to “maintain order” The Halmorians bristled at the notion of another military force policing their activities. Toricans bristled at the notion of any group of armed non-Toricans thinking they had any authority to enforce a code of behaviour on the people. A number of attempts by the Knights to impose some order were met with open scorn by the local merchant population. Then, one night after an incident at one of the bars got ugly, a young Torican, only just 18, was permanently maimed by a brash, hot-headed member of the Order. The backlash was immediate and fierce. The Order was forced to spirit their soldier out of the city, sending him as far away as possible – for his own safety. This was the beginning of the end for the Order in Torica. Without local support, and with no clear need for their services, the Order eventually left Torica entirely. As the number of members of the Order continued to lessen, the Free School of Torica, once a small room within the bowels of the stronghold, began to expand and fill the empty space. The medical facility, once little more than a military infirmary, expanded to become one of the leading medical facilities known to Eramere. The two institutions now fill what was once a military stronghold, relying on the sturdy walls and other internal defensive mechanisms to keep them safe against all ills, both man-made and natural (such as typhoons).

The Second Invasion of Torica

Being of some strategic importance, and traditional lack of an organized military, Torica has had it's fair share of tragedies once war has broken out on Eramere. This trend continued during the last invasion by the Halmorian Empire in 2939EC, as it was the landing spot for the Empire's Legions. However Torica, like the Lakoi who founded it, has proven to be flexible and resilient, suffering under imperialistic control and adapting to it, until they are able to shunt it off completely and return to life much as they left it.

Recent Years

The thing that has truly changed Torica in the last four centuries or so is the influx of people. While the most popular parts of the island have managed to maintain their relaxed ascetic, much of it has become rather urban, and as such it has developed the governmental bodies needed to administer to a larger population. So comes the Five Resani, or Guild masters; leaders of the five largest mercantile guilds within the city that act as the governing power of the Island.

Under these Resani Torica has become one the centers of trade on Eramere, acting as a hub between for nearly all trade along the Ardena river. Additionally the Toricans have reestablished trade across the seas, though with whom exactly is a closely guarded secret. Rarely odd ships are seen in the Harbor of Torica, though their passengers do not depart, and only a select few merchants are able to board to conduct negotiations.

Torican Laws

While many believe that there are no laws in Free Torica, that is more true in the docks district these days, and even now, can tentatively be enforced there if all parties agree. In Free Torica proper however, there are laws, sometimes. They can be found here: The Laws of Torica

Not only is Torica a mecca of trade, but it is also a hub for smuggling of most any kind. Anyone looking hard enough can find anything they could possibly desire in Torica. Shortly after the peace was negotiated, some attempts were made to curtail the smuggling, both on to and off of the island. Most of these attempts were made by either the Halmorians, or some members of the Order looking to help bring a sense of law and stability to the area. Any and all efforts to stop smuggling ended in futility – for one reason or another, some explainable, some not. Now, smuggling is just an accepted part of Torican society. So common is it that it has been known to happen in plain sight from time to time. Still, despite the pervasive nature of a smuggling culture, it is not openly discussed – discretion still being one of the key principles for doing any sort of business in Torica.