Duchy of the South

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

The Duchy of the South is ruled by Duchess Sarabella.

The main settlements are as follows :

• Lower Port is the capital and the southern port of the old Kingdom.
• Epim Halls is a port in the East of the Duchy, it stands on the river mouth of the Jirdare.
• Ghalkeep is the Eastern-most port of the Duchy and stands on the border next to the Dry Duchy and the Masked Duchy.
• Karithorn is the Western-most port of the Duchy.
• Sathiway is the only inland city and stands on the edge of the river Burthi.

Please see Map of Athory.

Detailed Settlement Descriptions

Lower Port

Lower Port is the capital of the Duchy and also the Southern most port of the old Kingdom. The main palace itself is on the South Coast. The other residences of the Lords and Ladys are on the other old borders of the city.

The main features of the city are :

• The two marketplaces; Mast (where the nobles households shop) and Hold (the lower class equivalent).
• The Mage Chapel this is an old temple built to honour the Creator, now used as a headquarters for the Empathy mages.
• The port itself. Much of the Lathany trade comes to Lower Port.
• The Offices - the workplaces of the priests.
• The barracks.

The Court of the Duchess

The court is made up of a number of stone buildings and several gardens, one of which is enclosed. The main colours of the court are blue and gold and the flag shows a blue Kry on a gold background. Much of the metal used around the court is gold coloured; some is actual gold but there is also bronze and copper.

The Nobility of Lower Port

• Lord Carthy (and Lady Emmi) - The proposed ambassador to Lathany; a quiet man, not outwardly involved in much of the politics of Athory. He and his wife are in their mid forties.
• Lord Elliot - A well-spoken man in his late thirties; dark-haired and attractive.
• Lady Torthessa - A social beauty who is much sought after by many of Athory's nobles. She has been linked with a number of Athory's more sought-after batchelors : Lord Haverel of Carnival, Lord Worth of The Lonely Castle and Lord Maradon of Higher Port to name a few.

There are currently two unoccupied estates in Lower Port.

Epim Halls

Epim Halls is on the south coast at the mouth of the river Jirdare. It is the smallest settlement in the Duchy of the South and consequently has the smallest garrison and the fewest estates. It has something of a strange construction; being built around a central garden. This garden holds rare Hethiki trees and consequently is off-bounds during the harvest season.

The main features of the city are :

• The collection of rare Hethiki Fruit Trees which are carefully preserved in the central garden.
• Arichir Shrine This is not, strictly speaking, within the borders of the town but a mile or two down the river. It is a monument to the creators which dates back to the days of the Empire. It depicts a number of statues, the origins of which scholars often argue over. The two main theories are that either the statues depict part of the ancient line or they are humanised forms of the creators.
• The Walk of Coin Not being a border city, Epim Halls is favoured by merchants and one road is said to hold the estates of some of the richest families in the Duchy (excepting the nobility). Certainly the Walk of Coin appears to be the place of some competition for the richest house decoration and the smartest house guards.

The Court of Epim Halls

The court of the nobility is a small building placed in the middle of the central garden. It has no living quarters attached and guests are consequently housed and entertained on the estates of one of the nobles.

The Nobility of Epim Halls

• Lord Matheven - He recently inherited the overseer role for Epim Halls. An attractive man, now in his early thirties; Matheven is rumoured to be the most dangerous man in the Duchy. He married young but his wife died a few years ago (rumour suggests that he was responsible for her death). He has one child, a daughter, Aressa, who is currently eight years old.
• Lord Orion - An elderly lord, now in his seventies, unkind rumour has suggested that his long life is due to his total lack of ambition and heirs. When he dies his estate will return to the care of the Duchess. His younger brother, Drethan, is married to Lady Harah of Nalor Clearing.
• Lady Erica - Just seventeen years old, Lady Erica inherited her estate when her mother died; which was, suspiciously, as the overseer position for Epim Halls became vacant.

There is currently one unoccupied estate in Epim Halls.

Ghalkeep

Ghalkeep is the Easternmost point of the Duchy and borders the Dry Duchy and the Masked Duchy. Living up to its name, the town is built mainly of stone and has an outer wall and a moat. The entire settlement is built on top of a hill and consequently has a number of small farming settlements scattered around it.

The main features of the city are :

• The city wall - Always manned, non-militia are also used to walk the walls and scout for trouble.
• The cellars - Underneath the Court are a number of large cellars. When Ghalkeep is under attack, the people of the city are housed here.
• The Gate Inns - There are only four inns in Ghalkeep which house travellers. These are positioned at each of the city entrances. Lord Ulphin has ordered the town to keep to this convention so that strangers can always be found easily.

The Court of Ghalkeep

The central building within the town is heavily fortified. This is the home of Lord Ulphin and houses the court of Ghalkeep.

The Nobility of Ghalkeep

• Lord Ulphin - The brother of Lord Matheven, the overseer of Epim Halls. Not quite as deadly as his younger brother, Lord Ulphin is still a bad enemy to have. Ulphin is married but his wife, Valerie (the eldest daughter of Lady Verity), has born him no children since a still-born son seven years ago. Every year there are rumours that Ulphin will have her removed, but there has never been any evidence of this.
• Lady Derity - In her late forties, Lady Derity is primarily occupied with her large family. She is a frequent attendee at Duchess Sarabella's court and has connection also in the Dry Duchy and the Duchy of Stones. She has used these connections to great effect finding suitable, high ranking partners for her children (such as Lord Ash of Carnival).
• Lord Eavan - The youngest of the Ghalkeep nobility, Lord Eavan is in his late teens. Lady Derity has been attempting to matchmake the young Lord with one of her younger daughters but, to date, he has resisted her efforts. Lord Eavan is an accomplished swordsman and has been involved in the defense of Ghalkeep, although lately the town has been peaceful.

There is currently one unoccupied estate in Ghalkeep.

Karithorn

Karithorn is on the West coast of the Duchy. It is home to the largest of the Duchy's fishing fleets and also to a substantial proportion of the navy.

The main features of the city are :

• The harbour and its boundaries are divided into Small Fry and the Crest Fish sections.
• The Court Summer House. This is, despite the name, a number of houses; the interesting feature being that Empathy mages have built them in the tops of trees.

The Court of Karithorn

The court of the nobility is a wooden and stone building close to the harbour. It has some living quarters attached but can not cater for many guests at a time.

The Nobility of Karithorn

• Lady Itharilla - Approaching middle age, Itharilla has recently announced her engagement to Lady Alosene's second son. Whilst the age gap has caused a number of comments; there is no denying that young Lord Corathel will improve his political standing by the move. Lady Itharilla is the overseer of Karithorn.
• Lord Veritony - In his early twenties, Lord Veritony inherited the estate when his mother died in childbirth with his sister. His father had already passed away at sea during an unfortunately storm. Lord Veritony is very attractive and makes full use of his looks and status with the young women of the town; as well as the daughters of visiting nobles.
• Lady Alosene - Only a few years older than Lady Itharilla, Alosene lost her husband at sea some years ago. Known for her placid nature and even temper; she has shown little public reaction to her second son's engagement. Gossip is divided between suggesting she is pleased with the uniting of the families and indicating that she has disowned him.

There are currently two unoccupied estates in Karithorn.

Sathiway

Sathiway is the only inland city of the Duchy and also the northernmost city. It is ruled by Lord Arakar in the name of the Duchess. Being nearest the border with the Duchy of Stones, this city has a large, often occupied, garrison.

The main features of the city are :

• The Marketplace in Merchants Square; which usually includes a few traders from the Duchy of Stones.
• Low Offices The Duchy of the South priests headquarters.
• Viewpoint Always holds a small defense force; this place is just outside the city and affords a view across much of the Western part of the Duchy.
• The garrison.

The Court of Sathiway

This court holds the city's nobility and has few visitors. Those who do travel to Sathiway tend to come from Highest Fort, the capital of the Duchy of Stones. The court buildings are unusual as they are constructed from the rare silver-vein, a stone only found in the Duchy of Stones. The stone looks like its name suggests.

The Nobility of Sathiway

• Lord Arakar - In his late fifties; Arakar survived a case of poisoning which claimed his wife and three of his five children (leaving Arthan & Kelly). As he is reaching old age, speculation is rife concerning the succession of Sathiway. Will it pass to his son Arthan (who inherits his estate and title) ? Or will Sarabella pass the care of Sathiway over to a new family - namely to the care of Lady Violet ?
• Lady Jamesina - Also in her late fifties. Jamesina and Arakar have been romantically linked by gossip and it was expected that they would marry following the death of Arakar's wife. However, no public events have ever justified the speculation.
• Lord Maurice and Lady Beth - One of the most attractive men in the Duchy; Maurice finally married, two years ago, to the Lady Beth from the Duchy of the Moon.
• Lady Violet and Lord Jathan - the Lady Violet is acknowledged to be one of the best politicians in the Duchy. She married Duchess Sarabella's younger brother, shrewdly increasing her ties with the Duchess.

There is currently one unoccupied estate in Sathiway.