Shire of Chaseton
The Shire of Chaseton is a large portion of the east-central area of the Ward of Selimar in the northeast region of the Kingdom of Cobal. It is almost entirely made up of the great Selimar Chase forest and the areas immediately surrounding it. The Shire does have aboout 30 miles of river frontage on both the Manisar and Caldar rivers and sees a significant amount of trade and revenue cycle through the Shire because of it.
The Shire's seat of government is the Town of Chaseton on the western side of the Chase. Chaseton has a population of 2,200 souls, almost all of them are Halflings (1,900 in fact). The Town is the primary center for the Shire's four Companies of Rangers, two of which are always garrisoned at the Town while the other two rotate through the rest of the Shire on a 60-day cycle. The Sheriff of Chaseton is Waldo Herden, a native of the Village of Woodash located south of Chaseton and a veteran adventurer within the Chase.
Structure
Administered by the Sheriff of Chaseton in the name of the Warden of Selimar. The Sheriff is responsible for maintaining the Regent's peace and order, the upkeep of the Shire's defenses and infrastructure, and the collecting of tolls and taxes throughout the Shire. He is the overall commander of all standing military and militia forces within the Shire.
Culture
The Shire of Chaseton has a real love/hate relationship with the Selimar Chase forest. Nearly all its material resources flow out of the Chase, but most of the Shire's troubled past has been because of the dangers that keep coming out of the forest. From the terrifying Selimar Crone to the near-legendary "Chase Lions", the forest is famous for its threats and hazzards as much as it is its resources.
Assets
Nearly all the resource wealth that has been developed within the Shire over the last century has centered on the Chase. Rare and ancient hardwood trees that offer craftsmen nearly impossible-to-find shapes within their gnarled and twisted trunks and branches. Hard to find medicinal and magical components such as Yew Beard, oak galls, rare flowers and nuts and especially rare and costly mushrooms all bring ample rewards to dilligent and careful gatherers.
That should not detract from the significant revenues and resources to be found along the Shire's riverbanks, however. Fish, eels, snails, crayfish and frogs abound along the many tributaries to the two mighty rivers, as do many fur-bearing animals such as beavers, minks, otters, foxes and lynx. Deer, elk and boar can also be found seasonally along the riverbanks and further into the interior.
History
The Shire was founded 135 years ago at the end of the First Cobal-Imesse War initiated by Thane in 93 AF. Since that time, the Shire has fought off one other invasion from Imesse and three devestating Orc hordes that have stormed into the area from the far west. The terror spread by the Hag of the Selimar Chase is still spoken of in hushed and whispered tones by the nearby residents. Two deadly Dragon infestations have been defeated, as have several outbreaks of Goblin attacks.
Demography and Population
2,400 Halflings live and work in the Shire. Most live near the two great rivers, but there are large numbers living in and around the Chase, as well, harvesting timber and resources from the forest. There is a neighborhood within the town walls of Chaseton made up of more than 400 Dwarves, most of whom belong to the Hardhelm Clan. These Dwarves work the smithies and forges of the Shire, as well as the only real quarry in the Shire, located just two miles west of the town.
Military
The Shire supports four full Companies of Rangers. These full-time soldiers rotate through a scheduled tour of the Shire (and routinely train and campaign with regiments and companies from other Wards) to ensure that the population and its property and assets are safe from attack. In times of crisis, all four Companies are under the authority of the Sheriff of Chaseton, but in regular peacetime work they are lead by their Company commanders.
Religion
Chaseton has a large and very ornate Holy House located within its walls, as well as a magnificent and awe-inspiring holy tree located just a few miles from the town. The tree is venerated by the local adherents of the Druidic Faith as holy and sacred, and it is believed to be the oldest tree in the Ward at more than 500 years.
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