Dalestride

"And there, just beyond Ankarthag's northernmost gate, at the far side of the Kathoran mountains, he saw them sprawl out ahead of him. The green, misty mounds of Dalestride, wich spread out towards the horizon, were they were gradually ceding way to vast, arctic pinewoods; This was the homeland of the hardy rangers of the north, a young kingdom, but an ancient land. The men here, hard and surly, far simpler in speech than the silvertongued merchants of Kharemjun."

Summary

Once a part of the elven heartlands, Dalestride consists of a series of mountain ranges and wild, untamed forests dotting a vast landscape to the west of Whitereach, south of the Forgotten North, and north of the ancient kingdom of Kharemjun. It's population is mainly concentrated around various frontier settlements, and the capital, Bleakbarrow, is built upon the ruins of an ancient temple to the sun-deity Cupris. Despite the logistical hardships of it's de-centralized populace, Dalestride enjoys stable governance, owed much in part to it's cunning diplomats, and communal, frontier traditions. Rangers of Stridesdale's vast, ancient forests are renowned far and wide for their keen tracking, and unwavering aim with the bow. While mainly a human population center, there are communes of Wood-Elves scattered around the old woods, at times trading with the human settlers, but mostly keeping to themselves. it is a fairly young kingdom when compared to it's ancient neighbour Kharemjun, and especially when compared to the southern kingdoms of Valerûs and Aisvalon, having been founded in year 531 AR.

Governance

Dalestride is ruled from the old, weathered citadel of lords in the capital of Bleakbarrow, it's rulers have ancestry dating back to the days before reckoning, when Dalestride was little but an untamed, wild frontier at the maws of the glaciarized northern reaches. It's current ruler, Lord Emmet, traces his lineage back to a line of chieftains who governed vast swaths of the north before proper cities were built, and his popularity among the commoners is uncontested due to high taxation of the wealthier residents, combined with generous investments into infrastructure and improving the common man's quality of life. Under the high ruler, are noble families who govern locally from various holds and smaller settlements. These Lords have a degree of independence that allows them to enact local edicts within the constraints of the Dalestride's contitutional law, under the condition that they swear fealty to the High Lord of Dalestride, and pledge to him their armies in times of war.

Cultural customs

the chill northern winds that frequently sweep across the old pinewoods of Dalestride means that it's residents often favour fur-cloaks and thick wool garments over the finer silks and linen worn by their southern neighbour, even Nobles frequently sport fur collars on their finer vestments to ward off the chilling winds and overall quite low temperatures of this northern land. With the economy mainly centered around lumber, fishing and animal parts such as bones, furs and meat, the Summer Solstice is a large celebratory event marked by citizens of every rank, heralding the coming of the warmer summer months.

Structure

Feudal Kingdom

Assets

Lumber, Fish, Horn, animal bones and Hides.

Founding Date

531 AR

Type

Geopolitical, Kingdom

Alternative Names

The Dales

Demonym

Stridesman

Leader

Lord Emmet

Location

Avander

Neighboring Nations

• Kharemjun
• Whitereach