Briary of Normar
The Briary of Normar is a political division of the greater Duchy of Hekmo. It is an area encompassing nearly 1,200 square miles along the border with Colo along the headwaters of the Torn River where the traditional territory of the Dalnyall Clan lies just across the river. To the south, the Briary abuts the foreboding Normar Forest and the Tobrick Mountains. To the east is the Briary of Norfot, and to the west is the Briary of Noldur.
The Briary is governed by the Briar, Myron Graymer, a 60-year-old Human picked for the position by the Duke of Hekmo himself.
Structure
Ruled by Briar Myron Graymer in the name of Duke Turl am Nari.
Culture
The Briary is a remote and sparsely populated region of the duchy and its residents take pride in their successes and struggles. They live in a rough, rugged and dangerous area and see themselves as bringing civilization to a vast and deadly wilderness.
Demography and Population
The entire population of the Briary (according to the latest tax rolls) is Human and numbers at 6,100 souls. 3,100 of these live in or very near the Town of Normar. There is a small fortified village 26 miles to the southeast along the frontier highway called Hovelton, and another 16 miles to the northwest on the highway to Noldur named Harthome.
Territories
Almost 1,200 square miles stretching from the Colian frontier to the northern fringes of the Normar Forest.
Military
The entire briary can (in theory) field a militia force of as many as 500 Foot and perhaps 60 Horse, On any given day, there is a standing force of almost 30 mounted ruffians led by the Briar's son, Stannard Graymer. All other military men are locals taking up arms to defend their homes and families.
Religion
There is an even split between adherents to the Pantheon of Heaven faith and the Maranonic Faith most commonly followed by the Colians to the north of the Torn River.
Agriculture & Industry
The briary provides most of its own meat and vegetables but cannot grow all the cereals and grains it needs and must import those from lands further south. There are several profitable quarries within the briary and a growing timber trade. The most successful operation in the briary is the large tin mine that has opened in the extreme southeast corner of the briary.
Trade & Transport
While most trade and travel in and out of the briary is conducted via wagons and cart along one of the two established highways that move (generally) east and west. Travel to the west to reach the closest navigable river (the Reldloth River) takes roughly three full days and covers just over 50 miles. Specialty timber and large lumber loads are moved in this manner. Furs, cattle and consumables are hauled or herded east to Norfot and then south to Hekmo.
Infrastructure
Nearly all roads in the Briary outside of the Town of Normar are unpaved, and many little more than mud paths. Homes, outbuildings and even defensive towers and walls are mainly built with wood, most roofs are reed or bracken thatch, and very few wells have been dug so nearly all fresh water comes from streams or natural springs.
Sanitation has been a real issue in the Briary for decades. In times past, cesspits and latrines were typically located too close to drinking water sources or too close to homes and diseases spread quickly. Over the last 30 years, a concerted effort on the part of the Briar to ensure that outhouses, latrines and cesspits be properly located and properly managed has greatly improved the community's sanitary conditions.
A timber harvesting camp on the northern edge of the Normar Forest
The frontier highway leading to Noldur from the Briary of Normar
