The Gudiener Plains

Unlike Frimbolve Olvi, the city of Gudiena is strongly fortified. The popular condottier Ripigus Oxenhoof from Bhannavil lives here and leads the Saphynian military forces. When he signed the contract with the then Procurator from Paratorna, the commander impressed by swearing to defend the island with his life with both Shamash and Trocuspa as his witnesses. It was a redundant oath, of course, but typical for Palamuxian nobles.

Oxenhoof has divided his forces between Gudiena and Gaaz Ulul in the west. The two garrisons patrol one half of Saphyna each, while the cavalry in Gaaz Ulul mostly serves the Frimboline Plains, as the roads there given them high mobility to counter coastal raids from pirates or raugons.

The plains between Gudiena and the port town of Tigôld is almost as fertile as the one surrounding Frimbolve Olve, but devoted to other crops. The coffa bush is very popular among the farmers. Its nuts provide paratornians and saphynians with hot coffa during the winters. Also, many of the convents and monasteries grow spices and healing herbs.

The potion zombin, that is still used to sooth cramps or violent criminals, was mixed by alchemists in Gudiena first. I asked about this potion when I got to the academy in Tricilve. The reply revealed much zombin, but about how paratornians view Saphyna as well as the strange battle that historians refer to as the Eve of the Howlers. I will thus quote portions of the document. Note that the condescending and vitriolic tone in the document is typical for paratornians of high station, who consider modesty and courtesy a sign of weakness.