A Traveler's Guide to Ravenholt (as of 592)
by Shifter Gileen, Master Trader
Capulus | Cumberland | Eastwyck | Westmarch
Capulus:
The barony of Capulus is the richest in Ravenholt. Most of its business is done in the port city of Sercia. Many traders wishing to trade with Ravenholt by sea must use this port and thus, Capulus may charge high tariffs on incoming or outgoing trade. Most other sea ports of Ravenholt are small and only recently established.
Along the bay, there is a famous sculpture of a sea serpent which spans two city blocks! It is a great sight and attracts many tourists to the region.
The Stonewood Forest is lovely as well, but as the natives do not appreciate visitors, it is not a tourist attraction. The Capulans have made trade with the elves a priority, and are able to lumber small areas. Primarily this wood is used in producing ship’s masts and massive furniture pieces. Since this special wood hardly burns, it is used as well to make homes safe from fire, and has saved many lives and towns in Ravenholt.
Capulus has some minimal farming communities. These farms produce primarily grains and rice.
Capulus was originally founded and populated by traders from Rotaria. As such many of them feel no great loyalty to Duke Ravenhurst. They remember the governance of that southern duchy fondly. Why they should prefer this is a mystery to me. I suppose that they liked having to bribe everyone to get things done? (or maybe they were the bribe-ees?! )
If you are traveling from Westmarch, you should be forewarned that the current Baron is building a wall to separate his Barony from the others, and has imposed a small toll to assist in financing it. The amount of the tools are not high, but it helps to be aware of it just the same.
Baron Cynric Sagramore has proven to be a fair, and just Baron since the departure of the evil Countess Xerina Montesque. (although he still bears the skull of a death elemental on his Arms.) His fighting skill and the skills of his knights are respected throughout Ravenholt.
As of this writing (early 592) Capulus has been invaded by a very unfriendly army from the Sessuar Imperium from across the sea. These people, and I use that term loosely, are evil in every sense of the word, and have overrun some of the minor cities on the coast. They have disrupted trade and caused much suffering. Travelers are advised to stay away.
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Cumberland:
The Barony of Cumberland is the youngest barony in Ravenholt, and still (along with Eastwyck) has many problems with barbarians and goblins.
The primary activity in Cumberland is farming. While grains are the primary crop, potatoes, corn and carrots are also richly cultivated. Cattle ranches near the Blood River provide meat and dairy products. There are a few major cheese producers, and sharp Cumberland cheddar is a big favorite. The people of Cumberland are in general, among the most honest and friendly folk you may meet. I have never yet been turned away form a farmhouse when requesting hospitality.
These simple, and hardworking folk live widely dispersed from each other and often meet only at festival times. (Planting week and Harvest week are the big holidays here.) If you find yourself traveling in Cumberland , you may want to see these festivals. These week long events are full of feasting, dancing, music, and storytelling. A tradition has sprung up in some areas where the bravest fighters attempt to wrestle a boar into submission. This task is made all the more difficult by the fact that disarm spells are allowed from the audience, as long as it remains comical. The boar is served as dinner at the feast, the following night.
Brenden Dwyer, the current Baron of Cumberland is a quiet type, who leads by example rather than by loud preaching. His style suits this barony well. Cumberland is well known for its fighting force. Galen Cumberland, the great war hero led many battles and his tactics have been studied by fighters since. Fighters from all across Ravenholt often travel to Gadren Castle where excellent training is provided by the local fighter’s guild (for a fee of course!).
Avoid the city of Haven, (formerly Garth) if at all possible. It was set up by former Baron Malignarr Jakorren as a place where criminals can become useful citizens.(Or so he claims) Others state that it is merely a place where the vilest can roam freely. They claim that the thieves guild has corrupted and infiltrated all aspects of the local economy and government, and that necromancers control the local healer’s guild. (Not that I would ever imply that the experiment was a bad idea, mind you...
Cumberland is a nice place to visit if the small town life is for you.
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Eastwyck:
Eastwyck has some of the nicest areas to visit in the duchy. The capital city of Ravenholt, although not technically in Eastwyck, offers a magnificent view of Lake Ardynn and the surrounding countryside. There are also many wonderful views of the Blood River from high points along its banks. Burnisham Falls is one of the largest falls in the country, and many couples travel there to vacation, as it is very romantic.
Eastwyck is a major stopping point for many trade routes from east to west. Any traveler going to or from Volta, Niman, or the elven kingdom of Quentari generally passes through Ravenholt. Because of this, the capital city has a thriving market for many types of goods.
Fishing and lumbering are mainstays of the local economy. There are also many small farms dedicated to raising livestock. Wool from this region is shipped to markets all over Evendarr.
The town of Griswold has an annual affair that is very interesting. It is called the "Lost Children’s Fair". Many, many years ago, so the story goes, a group of five children wandered into the village. None of them could speak, or tell from where they had come. None seemed to have a home. After much debate, at the local healer’s guild, as to what to do with these children, Lord Griswold deemed that a fair should be held to raise money for their upbringing. The fair has continued to this day, and is used to support a wonderful orphanage in the area. Many prominent citizens proudly admit that they grew up here.
A large contingent of dwarves live peacefully among humans in the small silver mining town of Lonely, hidden high up in the mountains.
South of the city of Ravenholt is the Dale of Ardynn. This dale is home to a local tribe of people known as the Ardynnites. These short dark folk are excellent crafters in stone, metal, and wood. They have some of the most unusual and wondrous architecture in the kingdom. Some say that these folk are the descendants of the Stone Elves, but they have none of the elven characteristics. They are a shy folk and keep mainly to themselves, but journey sometimes to Ravenholt to trade.
Eastwyck was until recently held by the Duke himself. (The Duke still holds the capital city of Ravenholt.) The current Baron of Eastwyck is Alaric Malinruin. Born and raised as a commoner before becoming a knight in Westmarch, Alaric was appointed Baron by the Duke in May 591. He had established himself from the outset as a fearless hero, and none denied that he deserved the title. He has brought together the nobles of the region who were in disarray from the leadership of the previous Baron, Nathaniel Kent. Alaric seems well on the way to becoming a well loved Baron.
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Westmarch:
The people of Westmarch tend to be distrustful due to years of living under an evil Baron. That seems to be changing under the leadership of Baron Aurora Blakeny, who is doping her best to undo the work of the previous Baron, Vandal Northridge.
Blakeny is a flashy leader who was once a loyal knight in the service of Galen Cumberland. This does not endear her to many of the noble of the region who objected to her appointment, and who see her as an outsider. She has done her best to appease them and things are relatively peaceful now in the Barony.
One piece of advice: do not call her "Baroness". She prefers the masculine title, because, as the story goes, she doesn’t want anyone to think that there is a man in the Barony with more power than she. I personally think that she just likes tweaking pomposity.
Westmarch has lots of open fields. The breeding of horses is the primary occupation. Westmarch is well known for its thoroughbreds. Many nobles from all over the kingdom have purchased fine steeds from this area. Festival Field, a large horse racing arena was recently built in the capital city of Ironvale, and so far it has been a success. It is visited by nobles and commoners who place bets on the outcome of the races. Profits go to offset the taxes whenever possible.
Nearer to the mountainous regions in the south there are large apple groves, which produce some of the finest ciders in the duchy. The small town of Darkmoor boasts the orchard of Alexander Pickwick, producer of a bitter apple wine which is very popular, though personally I can’t see why.
Westmarches main source of income is its mines. These produce most of the iron ore in the duchy. These mines are also the source of occasional precious gems, but nothing to compare with other sources. Major forges produce many of the duchy’s weapons here. Not surprisingly the mining towns of Ironvale, Copper and Tarinthon’s Mines have the largest dwarvish populations within Ravenholt, many of whom have been hired into managerial positions within these mines.
Westmarch has three beautiful waterfalls. The greatest of these is in Garson’s Bridge. Many barrels are made in this town. The bridge itself offers a beautiful view of the falls, where every autumn the Festival of Barrels is held. Brave and foolish adventurers take bets and travel over the falls in a barrel. This idiocy is also a major event for the local healer’s guild as well. They endeavor to handle all of the resurrections that are necessary after the festival.
If you travel through Westmarch, beware if you are a necromancer. Westmarch has the strictest laws against necromancy in all of the duchy. Obliteration has been used against first offenders who showed no remorse for their actions.
In summary, every Barony has something to offer in Ravenholt!