Duchy of the Arc

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The Duchys : Arc * Dry * Eye and Shore * High Island * Masked * Moon * Oak * Snake * South * Stones

The Duchy of the Arc is ruled by Duke Fulton.

The main settlements are as follows :

• Lonely Castle is the capital, a northern port standing slightly upstream from the river mouth of the Tralane. It is a huge castle surrounded by a number of villages, rather than a normal city.
• Grey Port is on the Southwestern coast of the Duchy, standing close to Jerithorn of the Duchy of Stones.
• Narrow Harbour is a port in the North of the Duchy. Trade from this port tends to be with High Island.
• Sath Fort is inland in the Southeast of the Duchy, on the river Kelitti, close both to Kelitire of the Duchy of Oak and to the Duchy of Stones border.
• Sydan Lirrisor is a port on the Western coast of the Duchy.

Please see Map of Athory.

Detailed Settlement Descriptions

Lonely Castle

Lonely Castle is not so much a city as a huge castle fort surrounded by five villages. Each of the noble estates is charged with the management of one of the villages and for this reason there are rarely any unoccupied estates in Lonely Castle.

The main features of the city are :

• The village of Melibank - This is the fishing village which surrounds the harbour and thus both the trade and the local fishing boats. Consequently it is the richest village.
• The village of Carthanhill - This stands the furthest from the castle (out to the East) on top of a nearby hill on which grow a number of fruit trees. Also, just beyond the hill stands one of the largest vineyards in Athory.
• The village of Hervane - This stands in the northeast and includes a tall tower (part of the noble estate) from which ships can be sited. The militia of the Duchy are mostly stationed here.
• The village of Nornway - This is the home of the mages of the Duchy. Their homes in the village offer a stark contrast with the poorer dwellings of the farmers around them.
• The village of Chir Hall - Situated southwest of the castle, this is the home of many of the farmers, but also a few scholars and the Offices of the Castle stand here.

The Court of the Duke

Duke Fulton lives within the Lonely Castle itself. The Duchy's symbol is a black castle on a purple background and it can be seen in the many banners and flags which are displayed in Fulton's home. Unlike many of the Dukes and Duchesses, Fulton rarely meets with his nobles, but still seems to know their every move. Three years ago he ordered the Lord Varimor executed for treason without bothering to give evidence above the words "I know he is guilty". Different rumours abound about his skills and interests. Some claim he is a mage following a strange path, others that he is a scholar obsessed with the history of the land. Whilst his rule could outwardly be judged as fairer than most, his unpredictability and the lack of mercy he has shown to his opponent mean that most people, Lords and commoners alike, find him terrifying. Fulton is in his mid-thirties and is a thin man with brown eyes and a very long face.

The Nobility of Lonely Castle

• Lady Arrelle - The Lady of Melibank inherited the estate from her mother when it became clear she had inherited good business sense and an understanding of how to run the thriving village. Arelle is in her early thirties and engaged to a trader who travels between Lonely Castle and Persis Shrine. She was formerly engaged to a captain of the Arc army, but he was killed in a battle against the Duchy of Oak over the border between Sath Fort and Kelitire. Arrelle has medium length dark blonde hair and a substantial build, although not too heavily overweight.
• Lady Katalynn - The Lady of Carthanhill is the niece of the former Lord Ryalan who was executed for treason. It was speculated that his immediate family were passed over by Fulton because he believed that they were involved in the conspiracy he claimed had occurred. Katalynn comes from the Duchy of Oak and is the youngest sister of Lords Wranley and Sulthew. Rumour suggests that Katalynn suffered heavily at the hands of both and she is said to sleep in the day because she fears the night. Katalynn is an attractive young lady in a pale and fragile style and she bans all male visitors from her estate.
• Lord Hilary - The Lord of Hervane is Fulton's uncle and one of the few people who seem comfortable in the Duke's presence. He is also a military man and commands the armies of the Duchy.
• Lord Worth - The Lord of Nornway is an empathy mage. He is not a particularly powerful mage, but is given the task of leading them when the Duchy requires their skills. However it is sometimes said (outside of his hearing) that his abilities might be legendary if he gave as much thought to them as he does to his appearance. An attractive, black-haired man in his mid-twenties; Lord Worth has courted the Lady Torthessa of Lower Port and is currently linked to Lady Valerie of Star Castle.
• Lady Opal - The Lady of Chir Hall is in her fifties. She is a shrewd woman, both politician and historian. She has a large family (her late husband died of a heart attack) which she rules with her quick mind and sharp tongue. It is said that even the Duke himself is impressed by her logic and shrewd political predictions.

There is currently no unoccupied estates in Lonely Castle.