The Rind Wars

At the beginning of the story, the Rind Dominion and the Compact are at war. Salt prices and trade routes helped turn their disputes into border skirmishes and open fighting. Neither alliance has won.

The Dominion draws on Thymerock's clans and standing army, alongside Brinehold's salt trade and shipping. The Compact depends heavily on its frontier forts, food supplies and medical craft. Both alliances need people who can keep their settlements supplied.

Fennmarche's marshwalkers are soldiers trained by their own veterans to cross wetlands and raid supplies behind enemy lines. Their name comes from the Marsh-Walker, a creature feared in the fens. The soldiers' name is written as one word.