Duchy of Mains
The Duchy of Mains stretches from Dundlend to Lake Escaurt, south into Harwood Forest and southeast into the Wolf Hills. Official maps of the Kingdom of Foere have the duchy laying claim to large swaths of Harwood Forest, but the forest is more defended against than controlled. The fields, pastures, and orchards of the Duchy of Mains are rich, well-tended and extremely well protected.
History and People
Unquestioned loyalty to the crown of the Kingdom of Foere marks the history of this large duchy, and this fealty continues to this day. The aging duchess and her two sons are completely loyal to the crown as, historically, the crown has provided the duchy with the resources to defend and strengthen its hold on a land that is often beset by creatures roaming out of Harwood Forest as well as hostilities from the Principality of Olduvar.
During the early expansion and conquests of the Kingdom of Foere, the overking found an easy and steady ally when they came to “the Mains,” where lived fierce, tactical fighters more concerned with monstrous creatures than the conflicts of men. Offered a way out of battle for a pledge of fealty, Jeorge Enserrat, the leader of the area at the time of Foere’s arrival, saw an opportunity to offer his loyalty in exchange for the resources to better protect his people from the encroaching forest creatures to the south and the predations of nearby nation-states. Their first proof of loyalty was providing assistance in the conquest and “pacification” of the area now known as the Duchy of Saxe. That act led to the formation of the Duchy of Mains and Enserrat’s elevation as a duke of the kingdom. It also earned the resources to significantly improve the defenses of Arbo against creatures from the forest to the south, allowing the city to prosper and grow.
Throughout the subsequent centuries, the Duchy of Mains has remained steadfastly loyal to the crown, providing some of its best captains, generals, and advisors. Always on watch for attacks from creatures from Harwood Forest, the militia and guardsmen of the duchy are highly trained in a wide variety of military styles and techniques. Forced at times to fight off dragons, ettins, giants, and other creatures, the hardened soldiers of the duchy are more than happy to face “ordinary” troops in more ordinary battles. Presently the lord-governor of Exeter Province is Benevic of Lortsbar, a knight-commander leading the defenses of Dundlend during one of the Principality of Olduvar’s many attacks. The battles brought Lord Benevic to fame as he held off vast numbers of troops while losing very few of his own men. Many other generals and commanders assigned in other locations come from the Duchy of Mains, in part due to the schooling troops are required to go through here.
Loyalties and Diplomacy
The Duchy of Mains has a friendly, though “careful,” relationship with the Iron Kingdom of Dorriden but remains hostile to the Principality of Olduvar that repeatedly tests their borders. Trade relationships with the Barony of Baldenar and the Duchy of Saxe are both friendly and active, with tariffs in all directions controlled by the overking of the Kingdom of Foere in Courghais. The duchy maintains a number of small fortresses and towers along the border with Olduvar and has towers overlooking parts of Harwood Forest. Officially, the Duchy of Mains extends into and claims large portions of Harwood Forest, though in reality only the outer edges of the forest are explored as few want to risk the creatures deeper within.
Forces from Dundlend formerly protected the farms of the Genev Gap from monstrous incursions from Harwood Forest. The recent move of the Barony of Baile to essentially revolt and declare its allegiance to the Iron Kingdom of Dorriden caused the overking in Foere to order troops stationed in the Duchy of Mains to no longer protect those farms. Some of the creatures coming out of the forest have even been harried and driven toward the barony. Tensions with the Barony of Baile run high, but trade relationships with the Iron Kingdom remain strong.
Trade and Commerce
Lumber from the Harwood Forest is sent to Arbo for eventual trade and transportation while farmlands north of Arbo toward Lake Escaurt provide rich harvests of wheat, corn, and a variety of other crops. Fish from Lake Escaurt and the Mains River provide additional variety to the tables of those who can afford them. While there have been numerous attempts in parts of the duchy to raise grapes for wine, these efforts have not succeeded. This said, Arbo boasts several dwarven-controlled breweries known for fine ales and meads that are traded throughout the kingdom.
Government
Duchess Aeria Enserrat is aging and soon plans to turn the duchy over to Sorar, her eldest son. While her loyalty remains intact, she is frustrated that some of her finest military leaders and advisors have been “taken” by the crown for services elsewhere. This has caused her to temper some of her reports to Courghais, in which she downplays the strengths and leadership of some of her best people, particularly her sons and, lately, her older grandsons. Her advisors are chosen for intelligence and loyalty. The duchess is considered a pleasant woman who is easy to work for, and her sons and grandchildren are highly regarded. Citizens of Arbo and Dundlend strongly support the ruling family as they see the benefits of their rulership in day-to-day life. More distant Fornal and Carson’s Mill are only beginning to receive more attention, and taxation, and are not as thrilled.
Several generations ago, education was made a priority in the duchy, and the duchess continues that focus of trying to make certain that children learn to read and write and to do simple mathematics at an early age. Schooling beyond the age of 10 is not forced but is encouraged. Children under 10 must attend school three days per week. Carson’s Mill and Fornal have only recently begun schools, but Dundlend and Arbo have well-established schools for all ages. The University of Mains in Arbo provides advanced education in military tactics, agriculture, languages, and mathematics. The duchess has made it her goal to expand the prestige and breadth of the university as she believes it will increase the duchy’s standing with the crown even further.
Military
A large military contingent is stationed here, in part due to the border with the Principality of Olduvar and the nearby Harwood Forest. Lord-Commander Malcom Enserrat is in charge of all of Foere’s military forces within the duchy. He keeps the majority of his forces in or near Dundlend and in small fortresses and towers along Harwood Forest. A large percentage of military officers throughout Foere have spent some time in training at the University of Mains in Arbo.
Major Threats
Harwood Forest provides a constant threat, with creatures coming out of the forest at random. The Principality of Olduvar has been known to attack about once a decade, though so far all such attacks have been easily defeated and thrown back by the military here.
Wilderness and Adventure
While the interior of the duchy is fairly safe, the areas around the Wolf Hills, Lake Escaurt, and, of course, Harwood Forest, provide ample opportunity for adventurers to explore. The duchy actively encourages adventurers to delve into the depths of Harwood Forest and hope that this might reduce the incidents of creatures coming out of the forest to attack or harass its people. While maps might claim that large portions of Harwood Forest are under the control of the Duchy of Mains, the simple truth is that the forest is not patrolled or controlled in any way.
Region
Duchy of Mains
Parent Organization
Subsidiary Organizations
Controlled Territories
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