County of Urnst

The County of Urnst is a political state situated on the east coast of the Nyr Dyv, and bordered by the Duchy Palatine of Urnst to the southwest, the Kingdom of Nyrond to the south and east, and the Bandit Kingdoms to the north.

Overview

The County of Urnst has held its current borders for centuries. Nestled along the pleasant coast of the Lake of Unknown Depths, much of the nation’s economy comes from mercantile pursuits. Urnst’s eastern border, along the Stone Road and Franz River, was once heavily garrisoned against threat of invasion from Nyrond. Now, old keeps and castles are used once again, this time to keep track of the swarms of refugees seeking better life in the west.
The great plains of Urnst account for its staggering production of foodstuffs in every part of the nation. Though small forests and woodlands dot the plains, Urnst is not known for its wilderness. The influx of refugees has ensured that free farmsteads and even brand-new lordships can be found almost anywhere.

History

Originally part of the much-larger seminal Urnst nation, the County of Urnst was established as a distinct protectorate nation by Overking Jirenen of Aerdy in 189 CY. Owning by far the most fertile land of any nation bordering the Nyr Dyv, Urnst stood as the breadbasket of the region for many years, supplying wheat as far afield as Calbut, in the Duchy of Tenh. When Nyrond broke from the Great Kingdom, it entered a period of expansionism, swiftly capturing the County of Urnst in a brief and surprising series of charges toward the capital. Most Urnstmen bitterly resented the occupation years, during which their own aristocracy (largely Suel, with strong ties to that of the duchy) was integrated with arrogant nobility from Nyrond. This resentment rarely erupted into physical conflict, however; the people of Urnst enjoyed a much better fate than the Pale under similar circumstances.
A half-century after the Great Council of Rel Mord, the County of Urnst became a palatine state under the protection of the richer and more powerful Duchy of Urnst, a political situation that continues to this day. The County of Urnst is subservient to its southern cousin, but doesn’t particularly act like it. The ruling house of Urnst, the Gellors, has long displayed a well-deserved reputation of determined individualism. The current countess, Belissica, enjoys a popularity unparalleled among most Flanaess rulers. A consummate politician and diplomat, she enjoys warm relations with the people of the duchy and even has the respect of the Rhennee and certain supposedly Bandit Kings.
It seems however, that the two Urnst nations might combine to form a single nation in the future, not unlike that which existed in centuries past. Nobles from Port Toli to Marner speculate upon a marriage between the countess and Jolen Lorinar.

Geography

Political subdivisions

Royal lands:

• Archbarony of Dyvarna

Baronies:

• Archbarony of Auberfranz
• Archbarony of Brotton
• Archbarony of Eastmarch
• Archbarony of Fennelmore
• Archbarony of Markham
• Archbarony of Vinewind

Settlements

Cities

• Bampton
• Brotton
• Caporna
• Didieln
• High Mardreth
• Jedbridge
• Markham
• Radigast City 
• Trigol

Towns and Villages

• Applebee
• Ardrinn
• Arton
• Brookhollow
• Dosselford
• Dryburgh
• Geralenn
• Hardwyn
• Heanor
• Helvik
• Hillguard (Dwarves)
• Holbrook
• Keep Thoria
• Low Mardreth
• Muddich
• Nesserport
• Nesserwatch
• Potter's Strand
• Rothberry
• Rowyna
• Stone Battle
• Wainbridge
• Zimm

Notable locations

• Aethan's Watch
• Blianc
• Caer Amianora
• Charn
• Dominion
• Dragon's Folly
• Dunrealta
• Esselgard
• Ezrak's Keep
• Franzguard
• Geralenn Keep
• Helvik Beacon
• Honour Bound
• Jorvive de Shield
• Kerall Keep
• Northern Silver Keep
• Northgate
• Oira Arta
• Oxbow's End
• Pikemaster
• Pikesgate
• Sharod's Gate
• Southern Silver Keep
• Starkwall
• Steedum's Rock
• Sunken Fortress (ruined)
• Tessera Keep
• Thunder Keep
• Ventnor Stockade (ruined)

Demography and Population

Population: 682,200—Human 79% (SOr), Halfling 9% (Lightfoot), Elf 5%, Dwarf 3%, Gnome 2%, Half-elf 1%, Half-orc 1%

Founding Date

189 CY

Type

Geopolitical, County / March

Alternative Names

Urnst

Demonym

Urnstman

Leader

Belissica Gellor

Government System

Monarchy, Absolute

Power Structure

Dependent territory

Currency

[Modified Nyrond] Sterling (pp), Noble (gp), Bright (ep), Castle (sp), Common (cp)

Notable Members

• Belissica Gellor