Recent History
As the storm clouds gathered during Prince Terasarin’s long reign, Wilmskirk was greatly enriched by trade with the Holy Country. The Opening of the Seas made sea trade possible, and the city was along the main trade route between the Holy Country and Peloria.
The Lunar Empire conquered Sartar in 1602. Wilmskirk withstood the Imperial Lunar Army for several days until the Full Moon. In a fierce night attack, a segment of the walls was breached, and the Lunar Imperial Guard hacked their way into the city. By dawn, Wilmskirk surrendered.
The Lunar Occupation was relatively lightly felt by the Locaem Tribe, now ruled by a dynasty from the Yalmoring Clan. They did not support Starbrow's Rebellion in 1613, although Wilmskirk was briefly liberated from Lunar rule. As a reward for their loyalty, in 1613 the Zethnoring Clan of the Colymar Tribe was ordered by the Lunar authorities to transfer their loyalty to the Locaem Tribe. For much of the reign of King Glavial Brightspear “Brightspear” (1610–1625), the Locaem enjoyed the benefits of being a Lunar client with few of the burdens. However, they suffered terribly in the The Great Winter (1621–1622), and many joined the bandit army of Orstalor Spearlord the Outlaw. When Broyan of Whitewall raised the Hendrikiland in rebellion in 1622, many Locaem supported the Rebel King.
The tribal leaders carefully walked a fine line between the rebels and the Lunar Empire, but it was ultimately to no avail. King Gavial and his companions were killed at the Dragonrise in Earth Season 1625, when an immense Unknown devoured the New Lunar Temple and all present at its consecration. In a day, the tribe lost not only its king but all his likely successors.
Leaderless, the Locaem have been fighting among themselves and the future of the tribe is in doubt. The Salvi, the Owl, and the Raven Clans all contend for dominance, but so far none have put forward a credible candidate for king. Many fear that the tribe will tear itself apart and its lands and people seized by its neighbors.
Population
The Locaem number approximately 6,500 people. Of that, about 3,250 are free adults, 2,000 are children, and 1,250 are semi-free or unfree. The tribe can muster approximately 1,400 militia.