Ethnic Groups: Caurenzans.

Government: Magistrate appointed by the Council of Princes, in charge for seven years. Seat in Desana.

Ruler: Magistrate Girolamo da Verazzano (born 945, Fighter 11, Al N/NE).

Territory: Delimited by the Red River South, the Arnus River, the northernmost volcano.

Trails: Rivers aren’t navigable. Fair trails run up both rivers, and a poor one connects the Mines with the fair one.

Economics: Settlements are mainly located in the hills between the Principality of Caurenze and the Viscounty of Verazzano. The aim of the FP is to produce food to be exported to Caurenze and Caurenzan fiefs. The Sulphur Mines near Naetius Volcano are an exception, and they are run by some 200 slaves to save other population for farming and herding. Food and Sulphur are exported to Caurenze, Verazzano, and Castelbianco.

Notable sites: The Vialœnga is the main trail connecting the Principality of Caurenze with the Viscounty of Verazzano, stretching along the Valdarnus. Let’s follow the trail upriver! As we leave the Principality of Caurenze, at the right we see Rocca Vegia’s ruins. Di Sfontis built it on a rocky blur, in order to control the trail, and gave it to the trusted Military leader Braccio da Oreggiano. The Keep, as well as the small village who had raised around it, was devastated by a violent earthquake in 947 AC. It’s told the earthquake was evoked by the new Prince, Francesco di Malapietra, in order to prevent the da Oreggianos to investigate the deaths of some relatives of di Sfontis. It’s told as well that an Immortal punished the descendants of Braccio da Oreggiano because the Leader had burnt some Holy place in the past.

Going on, we finally meet Desana, the first village, famous for its cherry-trees, in Felmont the famous Sagra de le Cerase attracts a lot of people from all around. By now the Arnus River is no more navigable, and the steep slopes of the Glantrian Alps host several species of raptors, the most famous of whom are called poiane and gheppi. These seem to concentrate their presence around l’Arco del Gerfalco (deriving from the name given by Hattians, ger-falke, bearer of hawks) an Arch that traces its origins in a natural process, but it's told it was erected by a powerful mage. In fact Marcantonio Odilone (born long ago, Priest of Koryis 16, Werehawk 15, Al L/LG) wants to guard his privacy as long as possible. He developed his lycanthropy under the guidance of his Immortal, who wishes to repopulate Mystara with the formerly extinct werehawks.

Watermills announce our arrival in the village of Grolla, that once hosted the Festa de l’amicizia, a fair during which every Caurenzan used to party with his relatives. Prince Innocenti di Malapietra banished the Fair, because the large number of deaths by poisoning occurring in these days spread the outrageous and untruthful rumour that they were intentionally caused. On the other side of the river, there’s Rocca Nûa, a Keep recently built soon after 947 by Francesco di Malapietra, to replace Rocca Vegia. He used money of the Council. The Keep is currently used as an outpost by the patrols of Innocenti’s Divisions, and it’s connected to Grolla by Pontaccio, a wooden bridge which looks unsafe though Caurenzan architects guarantees its safety.

Few miles and we are at the village of Cajoli, at the intersection with the Rio Grave. The village is famous for the Stone Fountain in the Main Square, and for the Chestnut groves which surround it.

Rio Foco flows under the Kurish Massif for most of its course, passing near Naetius Volcano. Its waters bear the signs of sulphurous substances, giving it yellow-reddish hues. Along Valfoco, there are two villages, Zeula and Traviale. Zeula rises on a hillock, around a castle, once property of family Novellara, loyal ally of family di Sfonti, it has passed under the rule of Prince Innocenti di Malapietra. Traviale was property of family Ciacchi, a family of warriors, which tried to rebel to the Light of Rad. Di Sfontis easily defied them and gave their territories to Novellaras.

Monsaere is the first village nearer to the Sulphur mines. Its name (mons aeris, copper mount) suggests that once there were copper mines, now depleted. Found few miles downriver, Rocca dei Gusberti was home to a mixed Kerendan-Hattian family.

Personalities:Magistrate Girolamo da Verazzano (born 945, Fighter 11, Al N/NE).

Marcantonio Odilone (born long ago, Priest of Koryis 16, Werehawk 15, Al L/LG).

Useful Links: none

Thibault Sarlat, Giovanni Porpora, Agathokles.

January 2001, All rights reserved.