County of Hesdin
A small County in The Cloth Cities, reknowned for its developments in the creation of automata and the curiosity filled pleasure gardens of the eccentric Count.
Structure
The nobility of Hesdin who did not share the chaotic eccentricities of the Count and his guests, retired from the urban center to the small villages on the periphery of the city, gaining peace and quiet at the expense of political clout. The County's direction is largely influenced by the Count and his strange court of inventors, scientists and madmen.
Demography and Population
Hesdin has set itself up as a center for automata, drawing in engineers, tinkerers and artists from across northern Kornôgel. The Gargoul, finding a kindred spirit in the prank-loving Count, have flocked to the county in droves to assist in the Garden of curiosities. Kriores tiijinouriou have also made the little county a destination, challenging themselves to create the complex infrastructure to run the park and surrounding areas.
Territories
The County of Hesdin is a landlocked territory located between the County of Ponthieu to the West, County of Santpol to the Northeast, and the County of Corbie to the South.
The County sits on the Canche, a coastal river emptying into the Mor Breizh along the Opal Coast, South of Opalport.
Military
Its historical role as a border town has necessitated the construction of simple stone walls and palisades around the main towns of the region, although many of these are outdated and in ill-repair.
The Count has acquired a small contigent of brassguard, serving as his personal bodyguard, constantly tinkering with them to customize their abilities. As a result, they are thought to be, although unorthodox, one of the most effective fighting units in the Cloth Cities, although few other than the occasional burglar can confirm this outside of staged demonstrations. The Count will often set his brassguard against challengers, often purchasing the successful ones and becoming a generous patron of their creators.
Technological Level
Hesdin is a notable center for the creation of Automata, speared by the eccentric Robert of Artois, the Count of Hesdin. The Count's Garden is a technological wonder, featuring mechanical guides that direct guests, automated musical concerts and artificial animals.
Agriculture & Industry
The County is largely an agricultural one, with the city of Hesdin serving as the sole industrial center of note. Trade typically occurs in the closed courtyard of the city hall and is a primarily local affair, with little export.
Unlike the massive forges of other industrial centers like Tevenn Du, Hesdin operates on a smaller scale, establishing small guilds and individual workshops to create made to order specialized creations.
Beyond the custom automata industry, the city hosts minor brickworks, sugar refineries and distilleries.
Trade & Transport
The region sits in the border regions between what historically was the demarcation between the Gallian Crownlands and the Cloth Cities, connecting the trade routes between the two semi-independent regions. This role has diminished somewhat after the formal annexation of the Cloth Cities following the War of the Golden Spurs. However, the gardens of the Count and the engineering marvels within have made it a common stopping point for travelers and scholars, allowing for the construction of a minor Windspire near the castle.
The County is also a frequent stop for overland routes between Per-Ys and the Cloth cities.
Type
Geopolitical, County / March
Major Exports
The County's reputation as a hotbed of automata creation and development has made it a lucrative exporter of customized automata. Typically expensive and in small batches, these can range from small curiosities like mechanical songbirds to elite specialized Brassguard and weapons of war.
Parent Organization
Location
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