Gold County
Overview
Of all the provinces in Furyondy, the Gold County represents the greatest contradiction: it is home to both the richest, and the poorest, citizens in all of Furyondy, both a stronghold of noble power and a pool of simple peasantry. The Gold County is the least populous of all Furyondy’s provinces. Its name partly derives from the many rich minor nobles who are attracted here by relatively low taxes, as well as dresadoes, the sunflower-like plants, growing on the plains, which are harvested for their seed oil. The land itself is gently rolling grassland, much of it either converted to farmland. Small villages dot the landscape, and the port city of Stalmaer boasts a sizable population, but the only real populous center in the County is the city of Libernen. For newcomers, the nobles may seem to have a society all their own, separate from both the peasants they lord over and the Kingdom as a whole. This is not entirely untrue. Life amongst the nobles of the Gold County is layered and elaborate. Every letter is purposefully written, every invitation cautiously accepted, every stitch of clothing carefully chosen for maximum impact amongst one’s peers. The nobles put much stock in rank and title, and even more in proper etiquette, sociable faux pas, and the subtle manipulations of petty power. It is, in short, like a shallow pool full of hungry piranha hunting one another, and those caught unawares are likely to be devoured. Countess Vivienne Rhavelle is a cunning woman, posing as an almost ingenuous socialite while actually possessing very sharp wit and insight. She admires the craftiness of Queen Francessa, but she does not believe that Furyondy will face war again for many years. For this reason, she stands steadfast against supplying extra revenues to the crown, and she has a good justification. For the peasantry of the Gold County, life does not offer much. The nobles go about their manipulative and self-serving routines and pay little attention to the commoners who toil for them; in fact, the nobles are often so self-serving they neglect the populace altogether. Add to that the average Gold County commoner’s relative poverty, and it comes as no surprise that the people of the Gold County have turned to faith to fill their lives.
Type
Geopolitical, County / March
Capital
Leader
Government System
Monarchy, Absolute
Power Structure
Feudal state
Parent Organization
Comments