Entry from the PWA 1014.

OCEANSEND (City-State of; Heldannic Territories)

Location: Known World, continent of Brun, northeastern reaches, area of Norwold.
Area: 9,977 sq. mi.
Population: 45,000, including 4,000 halflings, 3,000 dwarves, and 1,200 elves.
Languages: Heldannic (official), Thyatian, Alphatian, Elvish (Shiye-Lawr dialect), Halfling (Lalor dialect).
Coinage: Heldannic Standard: groschen (5 gp), gelder (gp), erzer (ep), markschen (sp), fenneg (cp). The former coins of Oceansend ( heart (gp), blade (sp), and wall (cp) ) are now illegal within the city.
Taxes: 20% income tax, 5% sales tax, 10% tithe to Order of Vanya.
Government Type: Currently occupied by the Heldannic Knights.
Industries: Agriculture (grows barely enough for its own use), fishing, mining, and trapping.
Important Figures: Councilor Olaf Yarrvikson (former king, human, male, F10), Governor-General Hermann Adalard (human, male, Pr9 of Vanya).
Flora and Fauna: The animals and plants one would expect in a northern area. There are also several goblinoids in the Final Range to the west.

Description: by Alasdhair MacCallum

The approach to the city of Oceansend, now under Heldannic control, was rather fearful and filled with tension. The captain was not sure how the Heldannic Knights would react to a boat sailing out of Alpha. It seems the captain's fear was well founded; a Heldannic warship came out to meet and escort us into port. The search of the entire galleon, as well as the long questioning of everyone on board was rather unpleasant, so I will not bore you readers with the details. Still, it is enough that I wish none of you should ever suffer such indignities. I must mention, as I find the following important to anyone traveling to Oceansend, that all weapons were confiscated upon entering the city, and that they were only returned on our departure. It seems that the Knights are fearful of a rebellion now that their clerical magic has left them. I could never understand how anyone could use such cheap magic anyway. They should all go to Glantri to learn what real magic is.

The Land

Oceansend is a large, walled city along a deep-water beach into the Alphatian Sea, making it an ideal port. Unlike many other cities, this one lacks grand buildings or great architecture to boast about or make fine touristic attractions. At least the Heldannic Knights have placed many of their black lion banners throughout the main streets, clearly indicating their presence to everyone, and adding somewhat of a sight to see. Their military parades, although somewhat filled with dread, are, I must admit, well performed, and worth seeing, if one can stand the presence of the Knights.

Like many cities here in the wildlands of Norwold, Oceansend is well fortified. Catapults and ballistae top every tower as well as several sections of the city walls. I was shocked to see that some of the large siege weapons atop the walls were pointed into the city as well as out. It seems that the Heldanners fear uprisings from within as well as sieges from without.

The fields around Oceansend are filled with farms and small villages only now starting to recover from the long siege the Heldannic Knights laid upon the city a few years ago. Most of the crops are very healthy this year, as the ash and other remains of the war have rendered the soil rather rich. The houses and villages were once beautiful and well maintained, but are now rather make-shift and improvised. Most of them had been destroyed by the Knights, and the peasants had been forced to start their lives over from scratch. Needless to say, this did not help the Heldanners acquire the love of the conquered.

Finally, about 4 days journey west of Oceansend lies the huge foothills of the Final Range. I would dare say that "foothill" is not the correct term, as these hills are long ridges of rocks that can be called mountains back in Glantri. This area is important because it is the home of the Rocktooth Dwarves. It seems that the Heldannic Knights have been unable to capture Kildorkak, the stronghold of these pesky little beasts [A reminder that this is the opinion of the writer and not the editors. Ed.]. Their mountain fortress is still a point of resistance against the invaders.

The People

The people of Oceansend live in fear of the ruling Knights, their every word and action closely monitored by the conquerors. The farmers around the city toil endlessly to meet the Knights' demands in taxes and tribute, and many have been turned into veritable slaves. The Heldanners do not want to give them the chance to rebel, especially now that they no longer seem to have Vanya's support.

But still, there appears to be an underground movement forming. I have promised not to reveal any names because more than likely several Knights will likely purchase copies of this Almanac once it is printed, therefore I do not want to place my new found friends in any danger.

I met them in a tavern, whispering about their plans of returning King Olaf Yarrvikson to the throne. Upon noticing that I was Glantrian, and hence no ally to the clerical Heldanners, I managed to join their group briefly. It seems that various important citizens of Oceansend have rallied followers to them, making a veritable army inside the city walls. Even more impressive, the dwarves of Kildorkak have somehow managed to smuggle weapons into the city right under the nose of the Knights.

I have no fear of revealing this information because the Knights are already aware that weapons are entering the city, hence the confiscation upon entering the port. Unfortunately for them, they have yet to discover how. The Knights therefore suspect any dwarf within the city walls, and have imprisoned, tortured and killed many. The dwarven population is half of what it used to be before the conquest of the Heldannic Knights.

I myself would have loved to learn their method, but prior duties called, and I soon had to leave the port city of Oceansend.

Entry from the PWA 1015.

Oceansend (Kingdom of)

Location: Known World, continent of Brun, northeastern reaches, area of Norwold.
Area: 9,977 sq. mi.
Population: 43,000, including 4,000 halflings, 3,500 dwarves, and 1,200 elves.
Languages: Thyatian Common, Alphatian Common (Alpha dialect), Elvish (Shiye-Lawr dialect), Halfling (Lalor dialect).
Coinage: Heart (gp), blade (sp), and wall (cp). Heldannic coins will not be accepted by any locals.
Taxes: 20% income tax, 5% sales tax.
Government Type: Independent monarchy.
Industries: Agriculture (grows just enough for its own use), trade (by sea), fishing, mining, and trapping.
Important Figures: King Olaf Yarrvikson (human, male, F10), Hermann Adalard (former governor-general, now prisoner, human, male, P(cr)9 of Vanya).
Flora and Fauna: The animals and plants one would expect in a northern area. There are also several goblinoids in the Final Range to the west.
Further Reading: CM 1 - Test of the Warlords, GAZ - Dawn of the Emperors boxed Set, AC1010 - Poor Wizard's Almanac to AC1012 - Poor Wizard's Almanac 3, and Joshuan's Almanac.

Description: by Synthala of Aasla.

As I approached Oceansend, the City of the Sea, I could feel the excitement in the air. The locals have just recently won their freedom from the Heldannic Knights, breaking their slavery to the New Heldannic Territories.

The Land

Oceansend is rather large, with sturdy walls surrounding the entire city. It is situated along a beautiful deep-water beach into the Alphatian Sea, making it an ideal port. Oceansend is the largest and best equipped port of all of Norwold. The water is remarkably clear for a sea port, and many of the locals make a profitable living fishing its bounties.

When compared to Alpha, there are no fancy buildings or statues or such boasting the wealth of the city. Instead, King Yarrvikson prefers for his residence to be a functional fortress rather than a palace. Like many other cities here in the wildlands of Norwold, Oceansend is well fortified. Siege weapons can be seen along the walls and various towers. The wall guards have also earned a well-deserved reputation with the crossbow, which they've no doubtfully shown the Heldannic Knights during their revolution.

The fields around Oceansend are dotted with farms and small villages. The are blessed by Zirchev with fertile crops and plenty of game animals to hunt. Some of the best inns and taverns "in town" are actually found in these surrounding villages, and many an Oceansender travels outside the city walls to find his entertainment.

A few days hike inland lies the mountain base of the Final Range. This land is the home to the now famous Rocktooth Dwarves of Kildorkak. The dwarves apparently played a pivotal role in the overthrow of the tyrannical Knights.

The People

The people of Oceansend now live with joy and happiness, still celebrating the overthrow of the priests of Vanya. Everywhere one goes, you can easily seen the black lion banners been desecrated and vandalised. In fact, it's probably the only reason they are still here, otherwise, I'm sure the king would have had them all burned.

Except for this, the people are proud of their small little kingdom. They are starting to become renown sea merchants in the area, although I suspect it will be some time before they can rival the Merchant Princes of Minrothad.

Now, they Oceansenders are content with trying to make their town the greatest in Norwold. And they are intent on remaining completely independent; the citizens have voted a forced conscription of all men and women. Many voluntarily go to the military training lessons given by the king's men. Their goal is to have everyone in Oceansend be able to fight in case of another invasion. I believe this is still the aftereffects of the Heldannic Occupation, and this spur to action will probably die down with time.

On a final note about the people, it seems that Yarrvikson has released all thieves from the city dungeons. This was the king's reward to the Dark Masks, the local thieves guild, for their help in the defeat of the Heldannic Knights. Most commoners viewed this reward with mixed blessings; they are indeed grateful of the thieves' help, but also fearful that, now free, their houses will be robbed. It seems that the local guards are also somewhat more lenient toward members of the Dark Masks that they apprehend.

Recent History

Oceansend has always been an independent kingdom. Around AC 990, King Ericall of Alpha claimed all of Norwold, including Oceansend, but the Oceansenders simply ignored this. Ericall never sent any military forces to conquer the city, instead opting to peacefully convince them to join his kingdom. In AC 1004, a civil war bloomed in the nation of Alpha, and most of Ericall's lords claimed independence, creating the anarchy we find in Norwold today. Oceansend simply kept on living as usual since they have always considered themselves independent. On the downside, with all the other nearby cities warring among themselves, Oceansend suffered problems with their trade industry.

About two years ago, however, it all changed with the arrival of the Heldannic Knights. Unlike Ericall, the priests of Vanya conquered the city by force, and so it remained until late this year. Now Oceansend is once more trying to regain it's glory and trade of a decade ago.