Ruler: His Righteous Grace, Donnaghan Wolfheart, Duke of Orlandie (NG male human [Aldari], Ftr 5/Brd 5)
Government: Dependent feudal duchy owning allegiance to the King of Valoria; land is ruled by a duke who is advised by a legislative and advisory body known as Parliament.
Rule of Law: Chaotic Good. Carefree and fun-loving society with very few written laws where the freedom of the individual is the common goal. Generally the nation has a small central government with most members of society following their conscience rather than the law of the land. The pursuit of hapiness is a common theme among the people.
Capital: Airewar (pop. 26,800)
Major Towns: Domhall (pop. 17,900)
Population: 178,000- Human 85% (Az), dwarf 10% (brown 70%, black 20%, barter 10%), gnome 3% (hill), elf 1% (coast), halfling 1% (fleetfoot)
Major Religions: Oldred, Shastra, Galadine, Jingdu, Dwarf pantheon, Gnome pantheon
Major Resources: Iron, wool, silver, some gems
Military: 8,900 (includes medium and heavy infantry and medium and heavy cavalry)
Allies: Valoria, Gwythenia, Undine Isle
Enemies: Ancaire (sometimes)
Coinage: Valorian standard
The Duchy of Valoria is a semi-independent fiefdom of the Kingdom of Valoria. The land is nestled at the southern foothills of the Mystic Mountains north of the Kestel Bay. The duchy enjoys moderate rainfall throughout much of the year though the land itself tends to be a bit rocky and therefore not very conducive to farming.
Orlandie is unique in that it follows some basic principles of democracy through the election of a parliament. All villages, cities and towns with a charter are allowed one representative to serve on this advisory body in the capital city of Airewar. Members of Parliament are able to draft proposals for law as well as advise the Duke though the Duke retains the sole veto power and can still act as he sees fit. Very few dukes have gone against the wishes of the Parliament however in order to maintain popular support. This democratic spirit has helped foster quite a few feelings of independence within the population. There is great loyalty toward the duke and his family.
Duke Donnaghan himself is a highly charismatic man and is known to be quite popular with the ladies of his court. He remains single and noble marriage prospects seem to be constantly placed on the daily agenda. Rumors at court mention that the duke has sired a number of bastard children whom he regularly supports but who are ineligible to make a claim for the throne. In all likelihood, any future marriage will likely be one based on political advancement rather than love.
The duchy was involved in a minor trade dispute a number of years ago with the dwarven kingdom of Ancaire. The dispute escalated into a number of minor skirmishes until the larger Kingdom of Valoria stepped in by sending diplomatic aid to solve the crisis. Due to these fairly recent events, the rural population along the western borders of Orlandie remain distrustful of dwarvenkind in general.
Rumors: One of the Duke's potential choices for a bride was a mountain princess from the Valorian city of Hillshire. On her way south to meet the duke, her noble caravan was attacked in a pass through the Mystic Mountains by creatures unknown. None survived though the princess' body was never recovered. She is presumed missing much to the desolation of her father, an influential landowner seeking closer ties with the southern duchy.