SETTING THE GAME TABLE - The Duchy of Karameikos at a Glance

 

    Zagrev Yarol looked down on the map spread out on the table in the Grand Council Chamber of Specularum.  This was among the first maps prepared for the Archduke by his surveyors before his liege lord had ever petitioned the Emperor for the rights to these lands.  It was a fair representation of the new realm, and it was among his favorite.  Not only because it was prepared by his fellow Traladarans, although that certainly was a point of pride, but because it was honest and simple, just like his people.

    Nearly ten years ago, one of Duke Stefanos’ agents had approached Yarol with a proposition—to commission the best explorers and mappers he could trust to go forth into the wilderlands and create a true and accurate geographical assessment thereof.  It had been the beginning of a long and fruitful relationship, culminating with the appointment of himself as Minister of State for the new realm.

 

     As he mused, Duke Stefanos entered the council chamber and stood nex to his chief minister.

 

     “Well Zagrev, brief me as best you can before the others arrive,” he said.

 

    “Of course, Your Grace.  The discussion today centers on the final planning for the Great Westron Road stretching from Specularum to Luln.  As you very well know, Luln is a strategically located walled town that the Traladarans built over an underground river centuries past.  It was the only town that held out against the Emperor’s imprimatur granting you this realm.”

 

    “Yes, yes, don’t remind me old friend.  I wish never again to have need of a siege anywhere within the boundaries of my lands.”

 

    “As you say, Your Grace,” Yarol nodded in agreement.  “Although it’s walls have never been breached, the siege was ultimately successful and your new magistros has governed the territory well in your name since that time.”

 

    “Your suggestion of governor was well made,” he answered. “Leonos Vadas I a good man.  Keeping a Traladaran loyal to my cause in charge not only assures no more sieges but also helps keep my Thyatian nephew’s ambitions in check!”

 

    Yarol frowned ever so slightly at the mention of the Duke’s kinsman.

 

    Loudovikos Mavrosaetos, the self-styled ‘Black Eagle,’ was the Stefanos’ only direct kinsman willing to follow him into the wilderness.  The young Black Eagle was a talented soldier and had fought with distinction during the great gnoll incursion.  As a result, and perhaps a bit rashly, the Duke had named Loudovikos Konostablos, or baronet, and offered him his choice of vassalage.

    To the Duke’s surprise, his kinsman chose a place rather far from the capital on the rocky western coast of the realm and had then built a small keep for himself on a high promontory.  It seemed the vain nobleman had done so more for the location’s breathtaking views than any strategic significance.  It had no harbor and only modestly productive farmland.  As a result, the Duke’s court was always concerned that the young baronet’s attention would be eastward in search of opportunities to increase his holdings.  The existence of Luln was a clear obstruction to how far the Black Eagle’s gaze might linger.

    Turning back to the map, the two men considered what else might arise as they sought to tame the vast wilderness of the Grand Duchy. 

    “None of the great forests will impede the path of your roads, Your Grace,” Yarol noted, pointing to wo clearly demarcated forests.  “The Westron Road will pass south of the Radlebb Forest and the Eastron Road shall only pass through the Dymrak Forest along the coast on the way to Rugalov.  The Callarii elves of the Radlebb have staffed your Elvenguard with 150 of their most adventurous folk and are proving to be dependable allies overall.  The Dyamarak elves of the Dymrak Forest largely dwell in the northern part of the woodlands, nearer to the Volaga River.  Their emissaries have assured us that so long as we do not overly disturb he forest, there will be no troubles. 

    “The Achetos Forest in the west is only sparsely peopled with smaller elven clans.  The folk there appear to be more independent and less organized.  Their relations with the various villages around the forest also appear friendly.”

 

     The Duke scanned the map from West to East, satisfied.  “And what of the north?”

 

     “It is quiet in the north at this time, Your Grace, Yarol supplied. “Even so, there are always rumors . . .”

 

      “Such as?”

 

    “Whispers of old and unknown things that dwell deep in the mountains.  Most of it is attributed to the superstitions of provincials by those who speak with us, however.  There are also some few Darokin marcher lords remaining in the valleys and smaller passes holding over from a time when that realm explored southward well over a century ago and attempted to put down roots here.  Those efforts were long since abandoned and now these lords consider themselves independent from Darokin but also possibly seeing themselves as independent from your rule, as well.  It is also believed that they have been, or would be, a first line of defense against anything that should come down out of the mountains.”

 

     “How many of them are left?”

 

    The minister quickly scanned his notes.  “We indicate only three houses in our records-  von Vietlinghoff, von Zarovich and von Trotha.”

 

    “What have our messengers to them to report?”

 

    “Nothing, as of yet, Your Grace,” Yarol replied “Given our time constraints and other priorities over the last year, they were sent only before winter.  We have no reports yet as the spring approaches.  We do not see this as unusual, however.”

 

    “Very well, Minister Yarol,” the Duke concluded, taking his seat at the head of the council table.  “I am ready.  Send them in.”