County of Arondale

Arondale is a moderately large city in the southwestern mountains of Elliaster, in close proximity to the uninhabited southern swamps. The city is famed for its silver mines, which are still its main source of income. The current Count of Arondale is the fifty-three year old Thomas Tumutro, who is widely regarded as a harsh but just man. His wife passed away from complications during the birth of their second child and he has not remarried since. Count Thomas’ two daughters could not have been more different. The first, Lady Lydia Tumutro, was often seen outside the walls of the Ducal Palace and made herself very popular amongst the people in the city. Her younger sister, Lady Alyce Tumutro, is rarely seen outside of the palace and appears to think the city folk are unworthy of her time.
Residents of Arondale always considered themselves lucky it was Lydia who would succeed her father, but tragedy struck in the autumn of the year 940. Some claim it came from the swamps, others claim it came out of the mines. In truth, no one knows what caused the Plague, just that it came fast. Initially, there appeared to be an ordinary wave of sickness spreading through the city, but within a week the first people began coughing up blood. At that point, the sick got cold and tired and had only a week to live. Lady Lydia was amongst those who caught the Plague and died because of it, leaving Lady Alyce to succeed Count Thomas. In the end, nearly a third of the city perished in the autumn and winter of 940-41. When spring finally came and the snows melted, the Plague disappeared as quickly as it had come, but the damage had already been done. The city was economically crippled and while it has had time to recover over the last thirteen years, both Arondale and the countryside around it still have a way to go before they are back to what they used to be. Other cities around Elliaster seem to have largely escaped the Plague. Some isolated cases are known from as far as Belcastel, but the Plague fortunately never spread in those places.

Today, Count Thomas Tumutro is on his deathbed, diagnosed with a form of early dementia and a constantly worsening health. Most of his responsibilities are now in the hands of Lady Alyce and Baron Hector Fairhall, one of the Count’s most trusted advisors. A marriage is planned between Lady Alyce and Richard Fairhall, Hector’s son. And while both Lady Alyce and Richard have an unfavourable reputation in Arondale, the people hope the marriage means Baron Hector Fairhall will stay to keep the city moving on the path to recovery.

Location under

Duchy of Vegalla

Owner/Ruler

Thomas Tumutro