Cuffi

Once the last stand of the Comati empire against Orc invasion, the city on the tip of the Comati peninsula has once again been taken by human hands. Comati adventurers defend the region from siege, while the city and its surroundings seek to rebuild what was lost. The city itself is in a state of repair, stripping away Orc works to reveal the original Comati architecture beneath. Cuffi has begun limited trade with the remainder of the human realms, shipping delicacies from the region out on whatever merchant ships are brave enough to make landfall. Largely kept alive by supplies of grain and reinforcements from the north, the citt has yet to fully settle into a sustainable rhythm.

Politics

Cuffi has been resettled by a sizeable army of Comati mercenaries and adventurers launched some seventy years ago. While they had initial successes, the sheer weight of the Sekani forced groind them to a standstill, keeping them at an uneasy balance. Breaking free of the blockade has proven difficult without more manpower; something the city is hardly able to maintain. Relying on mercenaries and adventurers has proven unsteady, as most come and go once they have had their fill of coin or glory. Complicating matters is the proclaimed Emperor, Sosius, who has fallen into arrogance and complacency. Both he and his father have forgotten the ancient Emperors ruled at the whim of the oligarch families, surrounding themselves with loyal soldiers. As time passes, however, more influence from the old families is being brought to bear in Cuffi, threatening to topple the Emperor once and for all.

Chief among these discontents is Antonius, a young and proud Comati leader from Arran. Having strong noble breeding in even that country, Antonius is a knight with experience fighting Orcs along the Bolgra. He has seen the effective use of force during a crusade, and seeks to replicate one in the south to usurp the Sekani. Having brought with him a retinue of Arran knights, he has been making himself known in the city through valour and generosity. Such grand ambitions have not gone unnoticed by any faction, most notably the Emperor, who fears losing control of the reconquest to foreign powers. Several anonymous attempts have been made on Antonius' life, further emboldening him and his supporterd to move against the Emperor. Under tremendous stress, it feels that Cuffi is at a critical fork in its destiny, either set to collapse or expand dramatically.

Groups

Landmarks

Personalities

Sosius, Emperor of the Comati

The mercenary leader Hadrian led the expedition to reclaim Comati lands in the soutj. Known for his charisma and battle acumen, he amassed a sizeable army to accomplish his goal. Upon taking Cuffi, he declared himself Emperor and set about to reorganize and develop his new territory. At the time, most Comati patricians were caught up in the elation of retaking their homelands, and supported the conqueror with open arms. Yet Hadrian soon succumbed to pride and vanity, prioritizing his own luxury and abandoning a campaign to push beyond Cuffi. His son Sosius took on the mantle of Emperor after Hadrian's death, and set himself to right his father's wrongs. After a nesr lifetime of work, however, it seems that rather than fix Hadrian's mistakes, Sosius would rather repeat them. Now an old man, Sosius is known for his stubborn attitude and slipping mind,tsken advantage of by his counsellors and ignored by others. Drinking too deeply from the draught of his own dynasty's legend, he seems complacent in the limited gains his people have made. Talk has turned recently towards replacing him as Emperor, the title as empty as Hadrian's echoing palace. Bald and wrinkled, Sosius has a weathered face, coming from years of competent defence against the Sekani. A bulbous nose and sad eyes complete his appearance, a life of drink tugging at his otherwise regal heritage. He is short, yet has avoided hunching with age, maintaining noble stature.

Antonius, Oligarch Leader

The oligarchs of ancient Comati were an important feature of its government, working to counterbalance the power snd suthority of the Emperor. After the empire fell, many of these patrician families perished as well, though some escaped in the great flight north. Among these, some were able to retrieve some sort of noble title, becoming a part of the new ruling classes. It was these Comati who helped fund the initial venture to reclaim their homelands, hoping to return to more dominant positions in the south. Initially, their power was limited by the soldiers loyal to Hadrian, the great conqueror, and then buoyed by optimism in his son Sosius. But time turned hope to disappointment, and the oligarchs grow impatient with the lack of return on their investment. Among them, most desire more aggressive action, demanding something to break the stalemate once and for all. Antonius, a young Comati nobleman from Arran, has risen to become the leader of this faction. He has been working to call a crusade against the Sekani, luring those same knights who fought the Kathak so brutally centuries before. Such action would require the approval of the Emperor, however, which Sosius is unwilling to provide. Antonius' followers are gathering sttength for a coup in Cuffi, with tensions already having split much of the city between the two factions. Antonius is tall and thin, with regal stature and countenance. He has short red hair, and a long neck. Serious and stern, he nonetheless commands immense respect from his soldiers.