Duchy of Arcata
Most of the people of Arcata are either farmers or miners. The farms are predominantly in the south, around Valls. Bloodstone is not common along the Arcatan stretch of the Galenas and the Earthspurs, but several silver and iron mines have been opened.
True to St. Sollars (an Ilmateri saint) and the ethics of endurance and perseverance, the proud Arcatans work on in the face of any hardship. Tomrav, a mining and farming community deep within the Earthspurs, is a testament to this determination. This tight-knit city is entirely self-sufficient, often cut off from the rest of the land by deep snows for eight full months.
Arcata's House of Horgath had been in decline even before the rise of the Witch-King. The common Arcatans recognized this fact, but they were concerned mainly with day-to-day survival. Little attention was paid to the failings of House Horgath, which seemed harmless enough. William sent House Horgath to the very nadir of disrespect and indecency.
Structure
Politics of Arcata
Duke William Horgath, Eighth Duke of Arcata Myrkos, Commander of the Arcatan Ducal Guard The Duchy of Arcata is in decline. Even before starting the Bloodstone Wars, Duke William was losing control of his Duchy, but since the wars, the pace of disintegration has picked up.The Counties
County of Valls
Valls is technically still the Ducal Seat and domain of Duke Horgath, but the commander of the Arcatan Guard, Myrkos, controls access to the Duke.County of Ostrav
Ostrav, the county and the town, were once under the control of the Surinak Family. When the people found out that the Surinaks were demon-worshipers and had been sacrificing vagrants, travelers, and finally children to their demon-lords, the populace revolted and the Surinaks caught that night were swinging on the gallows the next morning. Since then the town has elected a mayor who administers both the town and the county. This serves the people well, and the Dukes since that revolt have been reluctant to appoint a new Count or Countess. Mayor Sandra Trinelli, is the current mayor of Ostrav.County of Salvrien
Salvrien is the major industrial center of Arcata, where the majority of the mines and associated industries are located. The province itself is even split between the mountainous stretches of the Galenas in the west and the flatter lands to the east. Count Garrik Coere is often kept busy fighting back the regular goblin incursions from the Galena Mountains and keeping the peace between his squabbling twin children, his son Darlyn and his daughter Aspeth. The descendent of a long line of noblemen, Lord Garrik is a competent and devoted noble, who believes firmly in the right of the nobility to rule and the duty of the peasantry to serve. The situation in both Valls and Ostrav have Lord Garrik concerned, and looking for a way to "remind the peasantry of their rightful place".County of Hamien
In Hamien, the local nobles work together here to ensure that the mines and foundries are always operating at peak efficiency. Hamien's residents work very hard competing with their neighbors in every way. Hamien suffers from troll and orc raids. Hamien is held for Arcata by the Bellamie family, who enjoy the rank of count. Bellam Keep, just outside Buinridge, is their ancestral home. The current leader of the Bellamies is Count Sedrie Bellam, a middle-aged warrior who favors hunting, hawking, and a good fight wherever he can find it.County of Cariene
The mountainous province of Cariene lies in the center of Arcata. The Old Arcatan Road, paved by dwarves when the Duchy was first founded, stretches on for miles through the mountains. The highest mountain peaks are also the home of ogres and giant-kin. The noble authority here is led by Count Alduric Nentril, a warrior who has taken personal command of Gwynoch Keep.County of Rhourke
Rhourke is one of the most important mining province in the Duchy. Vast amounts of precious metals and iron ores are extracted from the deep caverns here and transported to the smithies and forges in Hamien for manufacture. Rhourke lies at the center of the mountain range and is beset by a plague of orcs, trolls and worse. Some miners have even reported sightings of giants! The province is governed by the Countess Rhaela Taliern. A ranger, Rhaela eschews the traditional role of females in society, preferring instead to personally lead a cadre of the Duchy's best scouts as she scours the lands for beasts to kill.County of Marilen
Marilen is the most rugged of Arcata's provinces and the most removed from the culture and politics of northern Arcata. In terraced farmsteads, some small-scale farming takes place, but the majority of the people are miners. Lord Donglas Marilen, Count of Marilen, is the last hold-over from the previous regime. Count Marilen's main responsibility is granting mining charters and resolving disputes over mining rights.History
The opening salvo of the Bloodstone Wars was the conflict between Arcata and Bloodstone. In league with the Grandfather of Assassins, Duke William tried to take the wealth of the bloodstone mines by force. More than 1,600 strong, William's army forged straight in toward Bloodstone Village, marching through the foothills between Sleepy Wood and the Galenas. On their first night encamped on the outlying hills, Gareth sent a simple note to the Areatan generals: "We are of common heritage, common suffering, and common goals. Why, then, do we fight?"
The Arcatan generals did not know of the massive fortifications that had been built in Bloodstone, and they could not appreciate Gareth's magnanimity. They thought the note was a desperate plea for mercy. The next day taught them a bitter lesson.
When the sun rose on the forces of Bloodstone, they were 1,200 strong, fully arrayed, and entrenched in cunning fortifications. There was worse news yet for the Arcatans. Centaurs, halflings, and dwarves had crept out of the tunnels of the Warren to encircle the Arcatan army from behind. Still loyal to the wishes of their duke, the Arcatans attacked the walls of Bloodstone anyway and battle was joined—but only briefly. In a matter of minutes, 300 Arcatans lay dead or wounded, and the remainder of the army was pinned down in the little vale against the outer wall of Bloodstone Village. Now Gareth and the people of the new Bloodstone showed their true strength of character. The paladin and his friends raised a white flag and rode through the Arcatan lines, unarmed and unescorted, and sued for peace.
The terms were simple. The Arcatan army would collect its casualties and return home, swearing not to renew the attack. Duke William could remain on his throne, and no penalties would be imposed, no reparations demanded. Gareth only asked that the Arcatans allow him to move his forces along the border of Arcata and Brandiar to meet Carmathan, a new threat growing in the south.
The peace was quickly accepted. The new land of Bloodstone based its own hopes on the precept of self-determination. The Baron of Bloodstone gambled that Arcata would realize that its best hopes lay on the same path. The terms of the peace, which have come to be known as "Gareth's Gamble," apparently worked their magic. Nearly half of the Arcatan army fell in behind the marching army of Bloodstone. Three hundred more troops joined in along the trek to meet Carmathan.
William's power has decreased in proportion to the increasing popularity of Gareth Dragonsbane and the proposed Kingdom of Bloodstone. The majority of Arcatans fully support the idea of a new kingdom with Gareth as king of a united, self-directing people. Not too stupid to understand the tide of opinion around him, William does not oppose the populace, covertly or overtly.
It is believed that the Ducal Guard in Valls regularly runs a secret emissary to Bloodstone Village. Although the Guard traditionally bears a fierce loyalty to the Horgaths, they express the Arcatans' desire to preclude even the smallest possibility of renewed conflict.
Ruling House: Horgath
Present Duke: William Horgath, 8th Duke of Arcata
Family Crest: Diving Dagger and Mountains Three
Province Population: 18,000
Capital: Valls (3,300)
Type
Geopolitical, Duchy
Parent Organization
Controlled Territories
Notable Members
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