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A Brief Preliminary Overview of the human-controlled areas of the Duchy of Maighdean

The area surrounding the city of Caer Maighdean (cair mah-deen) has been an officially recognized Duchy (a one of ten that make up the Grand Duchy that lies to the south) for a bit over two hundred and thirty years. It should be noted that human habitation of the area in one form or another (notably by barbarian tribes that have since been driven North, as well as several ancient realms) goes back well before official record-keeping practices. The area is a veritable hodgepodge of ancient ruins (lost in the vast forests that still blanket the area), old customs, half-abandoned religions, contrasting and sometimes conflicting cultural practices, and a melting pot of old bogeyman stories.

Philosophically, the people of the area are, by necessity, oriented on the aspects of War (at least the defense from the same). The Duchy is necessarily war-like or aggressive towards its neighbors, but the facts of the environment keep the average man or woman’s attention focused firmly on current conflicts locally and abroad, if for no other reason than the cause of self-preservation. The Duchy is not currently involved directly in any conflicts (other than dealing with the perpetual raiding the skirmishes that continually occur), but the <u>idea</u> of war is always present.

The duchy, physically, is extremely isolated from the rest of the Grand Duchy proper. Two mountain ranges border the region to the north and east; forests give way to dangerous swamplands to the south, and to the west lies inhospitable desert and dry, orc-held grasslands. Only one or two usable routes out of the region exist and most are are extremely dangerous. (Overland, past the port city of Hyrmsmir, through enemy-held territory to the south, or by ship on the Northern Sea, which has never been a reliable option during half of the year even in times of peace; single-masted ships with square or rectangular sails are the norm on the North Sea.)

Despite this, the human population of the area is quite cosmopolitan with regards to trade, exhibiting an average level of trade with outside societies. This is because of the physical proximity of Darnaiga and the Tanglepath Forest (Dwarven and Elven cities/realms, respectively).

Technologically, Iron and Steel are produced locally (there are several local mines in nearby mountain ranges and more is available from Darnaiga by trade) and the technique of cast-iron creation has been gleaned from the Dwarves in decades (perhaps even centuries) past. Water power is available in the form of geared and/or overshot watermills. Agriculturally, the use of horse collars has led to the replacement of draft oxen with draft horses, which are much more productive. The locals are primarily herdsmen (sheep and some cattle predominantly), supplementing this with some farming and extensive hunting. Independent foresters provide the towns with fuel, building supplies, and trade material for the Dwarves’ iron ore.

Construction techniques (many of which have been improved through trade with Darnaiga) incorporate arches, concrete, iron nails, large vault-work, and cross vaults supported by columns. Large fortifications (such as the walls surrounding both Caer Maighdean and Cairun) are completely within the abilities of local craftsmen. (ed. -- You won’t see very large windows in houses, though.)

Militarily, local smiths can design fairly detailed and complex iron implements, including Iron Horseshoes, spurs, and crossbows, as well as early forms of plate mail. (ed. -- Some advanced armors can be had: mostly from Darnaiga, by sometimes by the rare trade coming from outside the region or the occaisional ancient crypt or ruin.) Primitive applications of black powder have been used from time to time, though no personal firearms are in use, and the Longbow and composite recurved bow are both common (thanks largely to trade and instruction from Tanglepath).