Duchy of Hallmaine
The third largest duchy, though admittedly much smaller than the first two. The last of the minor duchies still holding the opportunity to recoup themselves to its former glory. Also found in the western mountains. Known for their fruits and wines, its climate is quite tempered in compared to the other regions due to the mountains deflecting much of the harsher weather. It’s a very hilly region with caves and ravines, and all of it covered with dense woods. The exception is near the coastal regions where most, if not all, the farming and cultivating is done. However, despite the mild weather, Hallmaine experiences large snowfall during the winter and at later times in the spring. To navigate the snow-covered areas, Hallmaine has dug many tunnels and paths through the hills, and some people have taken to calling it “Little Elliaster”.
The capital of the duchy is Hallmaior, which houses the castle and home of the Hallmaine family. It’s rather small in comparison to other large houses and its perception is of a easily-penetrable fortress. Yet this could not be farther from the truth, as it’s located at the top of a small hill overlooking a river. The combination of the two and uneven terrain surrounding it make landing a siege incredibly difficult, not to mention the multitude of connections the castle has through tunnels both to the rest of the hills and the sea. The city itself is crossed by small rivers at almost all sides, and locals get around in boats by man-made canals. Most of the market and city life is found hugging the rivers, with some sectors devoted to foods, others to taverns and nightlife, and others for workshops and other stores.
Much like the weather, the people of Hallmaine are mild-mannered and pleasant. Some have compared them to a mix of Ossentum reliability and Belcastelian cheerfulness, without either of their downsides. Yet for the same reason, they are often forgotten about and left to their own devices (until modern day).
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