The Gravelands

The Gravelands, is one of the largest duchies of the Kingdom of Esperia. It is found in the southwest of Esperia and forms along its southern border. So called for the large number of graveyards and cemeteries containing the many who have died in defending the southern passes from the forces of the Shadowlands. The duchy is the southern bulwark against the Shadowmarches that come from the southern pass, they must both act as a wall against invasion as well as reinforcements for the Guardians at Sentinal Tower. In peace time, there are constant threats from the undead rising or incursions from the southern passes and necromantic cults.   The duchy is ruled over by the godborn family, tied to the Raven Queen, known as the line of Ishara, who lord over the land from their keep of Raendow. The families tied to the goddess of death has proven useful as when certain winds blow from the Shadowlands the dead may rise again in the Gravelands to attack the living. The family came to gain their powers of duke/duchess of the Gravelands after the family aided in repelling the Deathplague of the Seventh Shadowmarch. While the Sentinel Tower was under siege, Ishara and their family and followers fought at a narrow point preventing the undead from passing into Esperia. For weeks they held using the powers of the Godborn and the marital training all the fellowship had from their training in the academies of Thalavis. Eventually the armies of Thalavis and Esperia rallied and came from their entrances of the southern passes to aid Ishara and lift the siege of the Sentinel Tower.