The Duchy of Drakenburg
The Duchy of Drakenburg is a large province on the western border of the Empire. stretching from the Hohenlach Hills, across the Grey Mountains where it forms the border with the Bretonnian Duchy of Montfort in the west.
Unfortunately, whilst geographically large it is economically small. Much of the estate is mountainous and even the foothills are sparsely populated and mostly open moorland or unmanaged forest.
The Duchy is what is sometimes called a 'Marcher Province'. Which basically means that it exists to form a defensive buffer between the Grand Principality of Reikland and the threats from beyond its borders. The Dukes main pledge to the Grand Prince of the Reikland is to protect the principality from hostile incursions across the Grey Mountains.
To this end, there are as many defensive towers and fortifications in the Duchy of Drakenberg as there are villages and even the latter are usually fortified with at least a ditch and palisade.
The People
Needless to say, the people of Drakenburg are a hardy bunch. They need to be given the harsh and dangerous life they must accept if they wish to live in the area. Not surprisingly many of the people who choose to live in the Duchy are of the more self-sufficient variety. They are drawn there primarily because the region is remote, rarely visited by Imperial agents and loosely governed. Therefore, many of those living there have colourful backgrounds and unacceptable habits. Demographically, the population is predominantly male and those females who do exist tend to be of the more rough and ready type. Salundra von Drakenburg herself is not a bad model for a Drakenburg female. There are very few families settled in the Duchy because quite honestly it's not the sort of place you would want to raise children. Compared with provinces in the more fertile areas of the Vorbergland the Duchy has a much higher percentage of non-Imperial and non-Human residents. Approximately one in ten of the population are dwarves though most of these would claim to be subjects of the local dwarven clans rather than subjects of the Duke. There are also a similar number of Bretonnians living in the Duchy who if asked, or worse still taxed, would claim to be vassals of the Bretonian King. One can also find a significant number of the more adventurous type of halfling and even wood elves amongst the population. The elves, in particular, tend to wander through the pass from Athel Loren and become engrossed in various projects they loosely refer to as purification of the land. Most are of the warrior caste and use the Duchy as a local base for their hunting expeditions. Finally, there are a few gnomes whose presence is always a puzzle and whose explanations for being there seem to vary every time they are asked.Geography
The Drakenberg, also spelt Drakenburg, is a peak in the Grey Mountains near Wheburg in the Reikland. It is visible from much of the Northern Vorbergland including Wheburg itself and it gives its name to the Duchy in which it resides.
'Drakenberg' roughly translates to "Dragon Peak," an apt name, for its crags are said to be inhabited by monsters such as Dragons, Basilisks, Wyverns, and Manticores. Its most notable resident was the enormous Red Dragon known as Caledair, or the Scythe of Fire. For generations, she ranged across the Reikland, spreading terror and destruction. Although she has not been seen in over one hundred years and it is not known whether she is dead, or merely sleeping.
The Drakenberg has proven alluring to adventurers particularly Dwarven Slayers hoping to discover some monster to kill or its treasure hoard. However, the ascent is very dangerous, with no good routes. Parts of the mountainside are sheer cliffs, while others are sparsely timbered, and have a very loose layer of topsoil. Other perils include jagged rocks, avalanches, and of course Drachenberg's infamous monsters.
An obelisk of some sort is located at the summit of the Drakenberg, which is said to have some sort of ancient evil bound to it and there is an ancient fortification at its base known locally as Manikor Castle.
The headwaters of the River Bögen rise within the Duchy of Drachenberg.
Although the Duchy which takes its name from this famous landmark is large
Ecosystem
Most of the Duchy is either mountainous or barren moorland. Whilst some of the foothills are covered with coniferous forest these remote forests are the natural habitat of many of the most dangerous creatures that share the remoter regions of the world and so any exploitation of this resource is extremely hazardous.
The mountains are also the home of both Greenskins and Dwarves who compete for the natural resources of the area.
Ecosystem Cycles
Winter normal results in the mountainous areas of the Duchy becoming inaccessible due to snow and the steep narrow pass is usually blocked preventing the passage of trade and people from the east of the Duchy across the mountains to the west
In the warmer months when the snow line retreats there is some limited trade across the mountains but mostly limited to mules and donkeys as the pass is unsuitable for large wagons.
Not surprisingly the development of the western side of the pass has been very limited and most habitation in this area has actually been the result of incursions from the neighbouring Bretonian Duchy of Montfort. This is an ongoing source of diplomatic tension between Duke Konstantin von Drakenberg and his opposite number Duke Folcard of Montfort.
Natural Resources
Some of the low laying valley's are fertile enough for the grazing of sheep and goats and the growing of hardy vegetables particularly root vegetables such as potatoes.
The sparser moorlands are largely covered in heather and other hardy grass and plant species some of which are harvested for medicinal or herbal purposes.
The coniferous forests that cover some of the foothills would provide useful timber, but have not been fully exploited due to the dangerous creatures they harbour. Although the hunting of these creatures has become a small industry in its own right.
The mountains are said to be rich in ore deposits. However, many of these are claimed if not mined by the local indigenous dwarven population who whilst willing to tolerate the human presence on the surface of the Duchy dispute the Duke's right to anything that lies below ground level. This is yet another diplomatic issue that Duke Konstantin must deal with in managing his estate.
Maps
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The Duchy of Drakenburg
The Duchy of Drakenburg is a large province on the western border of the Empire. stretching from the Hohenlach Hills, across the Grey Mountains to the Bretonnian border with the Duchy of Montfort in the west.
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