Morley

Morley is one of the northern islands of the Empire of the Isles. Ruled by a king, the isle has a gloomy climate and a hardy people. The cities of Morley include: Alba, Arran, Caulkenny, Fraeport, and the capital Wynnedown. . The kingdom's main policing force is called the Royal Morley Constabulary.

Although Morley does not play a central role in the plot of the Dishonored franchise, the nation's tumultuous history with Gristol and the Empire is documented in books and notes throughout the game.

History
According to legend, many years before the War of Four Crowns, civil war for power and resources tore apart the Southern half of Morley. Outside what is now the city of Arran, a battle occurred, killing many Morleyans, and littering the fields with blood and corpses.

Amidst the carnage, two witches waded through the bodies, with no weapon being able to touch the both of them. With a simple gesture, they forced both opposing armies to their knees. In the aftermath, they chose a boy and a girl from both sides, and led the two onto a large boulder that erupted from the earth. There, they crowned the first monarchs of Morley, ending the war and returning peace to the island.

During and after the War of Four Crowns, which ended in 1625, Morley resisted the efforts of Gristol to assimilate the islands into the Empire, holding out longer than Tyvia and Serkonos. Repeated assaults and assassination attempts by Morleyans towards the end of the conflict necessitated further fortification of Dunwall Tower and the creation of the Royal Protector position.

On the 27th Day, Month of Nets in 1801, the ESV Ridgegate was burned at Wynnedown. It is possible this is linked to the beginning of the Morley Insurrection.

The Morley Insurrection
The Morley Insurrection was a violent uprising of the kingdom of Morley against the rule of the Empire that began on the 1st Day of the Month of High Cold, 1801. The conflict culminated with the assassination of the Empress Larisa Olaskir on the 8th Day of the Month of Clans. Morley rebels employed invasive stealth tactics, using the sewer systems of Dunwall extensively to infiltrate and strike at the Empire.

One of the major reasons for the rebellion was due to public outcry against the exploitation of Morley and its people by the extremely wealthy families of the mercantile class, who had traveled to the island from other nations.

Warfare between Gristol and Morley was largely conducted by sea. During the revolt, the Empire fortified Kingsparrow Island to protect the capital from attack, and Dunwall Tower was similarly strengthened. Admiralty and the Fleet, a history of the naval power of Gristol, suggests that Gristol's victory over Morley was due in large part to its superior navy. The conflict ended officially on the 15th day of the Month of Seeds, 1802.

Famine was officially declared in 1803 during the immediate aftermath of the Insurrection. Many settlers emigrated from Morley to Karnaca as a result of the famine.

In Dishonored and Dishonored 2
Morley, like the other Isles, refused to send aid to Dunwall during the Rat Plague in 1837. In 1852, Wyman wrote in a letter to Emily that Morley seemed on the verge of going to war against Gristol in the wake of Delilah's coup.

People and Culture
The nation is ruled by an empowered king and queen.

It is noted that, despite the isle's dreary climate, the people of Morley are spirited and creative, with a rich history of "poets, musicians and philosophers." It is possible that Morley is not as hierarchically-oriented as Gristol, as it is mentioned that intellectuals and artists could be found "even among the poorest folk". The people of Morley are also fiercely independent, which was likely a contributing factor of the Morley Insurrection. After the revolt ended in the Empire's favor, the Morley people would continue to harbor pro-Independence feelings. Groups such as the Ox Tongues gang attract people who share the goal of evicting the Empire from their island by any mean necessary.

Physically the native ethnic people of Morley are noted by other islanders for their tall height, bulkiness and blonde hair.

Morley is renowned for its food culture. The Isle of Morley suggests that it focuses largely on hearty foods, such as stews and roasted meats, and the author of Customs and Food of Morley makes special mention of Morley's infamous "jellied ox tongue". The book The Distillery District notes that Morley boasts several highly valued brands of alcohol, including King Street Brandy.

Morley celebrates at least one national festival, called the Festival of Churners - the author of Customs and Food of Morley notes in particular the "high banners, bare feet, and red robes" present at the event - and may participate in the Fugue Feast, though this has not been confirmed.

Trivia

 * Morley is heavily based on Scotland and Ireland, with several city names bearing similarities to real-world Irish and Scottish places.
 * According to developer Harvey Smith, the Morley Insurrection was heavily inspired by the various historical Irish rebellions throughout history and the Irish Potato Famine. The famine saw thousands of Irish citizens emigrate to other nations.
 * Many Morleyan immigrants in Karnaca can be found at the cities docks working in the fishing industry. Morleyan immigrants can also be found as members of criminal gangs such as the Howlers and also as members of the Serkonian Grand Guard. It is also possible that Morleyans form the bulk of the population and workforce of Shindaerey North Quarry as the names of its inhabitants include Connor, Niall, and Siobhan, all Irish names.
 * While the position of Royal Spymaster was originally a governmental secret within the Empire, the acting Spymaster during the Morley Insurrection played such a large role in ending the conflict that the position became publicly acknowledged thereafter.
 * Crushed Morley orchids are speculated to be a key ingredient in both Sokolov's Elixir and Piero's Spiritual Remedy.
 * Half of Emperor Finlay Morgengaard's first whaling fleet went down near Arran.
 * Of the food that Emily Kaldwin and Corvo Attano can consume to regain health, one item is specifically attributed to each nation in the Empire; Morley's is the Morley Apple.
 * While little is known about the wildlife of Morley, there are no species like bloodflies there.
 * The Morley Gallery of History and Sculpture possesses works of many of the greatest artists across the Empire, including Anton Sokolov's paintings. The gallery also displays items of "unusual quality" as well as "historical oddities".
 * Morleyan Overseers are mentioned to wear masks reminiscent of dental mannequin heads, according to Emily Kaldwin.
 * Morleyan alabaster is reputed for its white texture.
 * Paolo prefers Morley steel for the Howlers Gang blades.
 * "Kom nor" means "Duck!" in Morleyan.