Duchy of Oak

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

The Duchy of Oak is ruled by Duke Valentin.

The main settlements are as follows :

• Nalor Clearing is the capital and one of the main inland cities of the old Kingdom standing on the river Sorrili.
• Epim Fort is in the Northwest of the Duchy, on the river Detherli, close to Mirror Fort of the Duchy of Eye and Shore.
• Kelitire is on the Southern bank of the Kelitti, standing near the border with the Duchy of the Arc and is also close to the Duchy of Stones.
• Shamorrow is in the Southwest of the Duchy, on the river Orbali, close to the borders of the Duchy of Eye and Shore and the Dry Duchy.
• The Living Dock is the only port and is situated in the North of the Duchy.

Please see Map of Athory.

Detailed Settlement Descriptions

Nalor Clearing

Nalor Clearing is the capital of the Duchy of Oak and is said to mark the site of an ancient battle predating the Empire itself. Oddly enough, Nalor Clearing is just that - a clearing in the middle of the vast forest that covers much of the Duchy. This capital city, however, is more protected than it appears. Firstly the forest nearby is patrolled - anyone caught off the main roads is usually killed on site. Secondly, there is a second, underground part to the city to which the inhabitants can go during a war. Finally, a number of huge towers have been constructed throughout the city as look-out points for archers. None of the buuildings are greater than a storey high apart from these towers.

The main features of the city are :

• The two-level marketplace; Air (above ground) and Earth (a cave network). Food and cloth is sold above ground, other purchases can be made below.
• The Empathy Warren empathy mages are mostly housed below ground, only those that have proved their loyalty are allowed to live in houses on the surface.
• The Offices - the workplaces of the priests (all above ground).
• The barracks - these are scattered both above and below ground. However the main buildings are close to the river.
• Audience Hall - A large underground cave once used to hold city meetings.

The Court of the Duke

The court is made up of a number of stone buildings, several gardens and, of course, an exstensive and deep cave network. The main colours of the court are green and bronze and the flag shows a bronze and green tree on a pale green background. Much of the metal used around the court is bronze. Duke Valentin himself is an attractive man in his thirties (dark, curly, brown hair and green eyes) and a renowned warrior. His wife died several years ago and he has since been seen in the company of many different women.

The Nobility of Nalor Clearing

• Lady Harah (and Lord Drethan) - Valentin's younger sister and her husband. Harah is also attractive and in her twenties (curly golden brown hair and large green eyes), she flirts with many of the male visitors to the court. Her husband is an older, bookish type. Drethan is the younger brother of Lord Orion of Epim Halls.
• Lord Wranley - Wranley is a rather sickly-looking man in his early thirties. He is very pale and is rumoured to spend much of his time in the underground parts of his home. However he is known to be a talented empathy mage and a scholar of no small ability. There are also a number of unpleasant rumours suggesting his involvement in the disappearance of a number of young women. His younger brother (Sulthew) rules The Living Dock whilst his youngest sister is the Lady of Carthanhill in the Duchy of the Arc.
• Lord Thorpe and Lady Glory - Lord Thorpe is another military man and friend of the Duke. He is in charge of the armies of the Oak. Thorpe and his wife are both in their thirties and are both attractive. Lady Glory is not a particularly bright woman and spends her days looking after their large family (she is currently pregnant with Thorpe's sixth child). Despite having five legitimate children (four sons and a daughter) Thorpe is also rumoured to have a number of other offspring.
• Lady Jethella - An often-told story outside of Nalor Clearing is the tale of Valentin's Offer. The story goes that Valentin offered Jethella the choice of his hand in marriage or to declare herself forever a spinster but to have control of her own estate. Jethella, it is said, instantly chose the latter. Whatever the truth, the beautiful red-head has never married but instead runs her own household smoothly and efficiently.

There is currently one unoccupied estate in Nalor Clearing.

The Living Dock

The Living Dock is the only city port in the Duchy of Oak. The harbour itself was cut out of the side of a bank filled with large, hanging water oaks. As the harbour grew during the height of the Empire, some of the trees were kept and the overall effect was that of a port which was actually growing. These days the port is quiet and consequently has something of an "overgrown" feel to it. The actual city is set within woodland and some of the houses are tree houses or use nearby trees to support them.

The main features of the city are :

• The Office in the Air - Whilst The Living Dock does have more than one priest, the city's High Priest occupies a specific tree house and much of the official business is conducted at the foot of the main tree (in a small wooden building).
• The Silver Ring - The court is set within a ring of silver oaks. A legend says that the city will remain standing whilst the oaks are cared for. In practise the city mages gradually replace the trees over time with more silver oaks.
• The Living Sail - Not so much a feature, as a story. The Living Sail is a ghost ship, made from a tree which is still growing. The sailors say that to see this ship means that someone will die that day.

The Court of The Living Dock

The court is a set of small, stone buildings furnished with a number of bronze and silver statues. These statues are mainly of non-human creatures or symbols. A small set of guests can be accommodated in the Court.

The Nobility of The Living Dock

• Lord Sulthew - A younger brother of Lord Wranley (of Nalor Clearing), also a mage, and with a similar reputation. However, Sulthew is a much healthier and more attractive young man and many people find the combination of his looks and personality extremely hypnotic. Sulthew is also the overseer of The Living Dock.
• Lady Wernica - Quite an elderly lady who, despite a large family, usually is alone in her estate. Wernica is said to have a great respect for the truth and an impressive ability to sense it.
• Lord Jonarcon (and Lady Isamelle) - A former army hero, now in his forties. His wife is slightly younger than he is, but looks older having mothered a large family (nine in total).

There is currently one unoccupied estate in The Living Dock.