The Bilowish Provience of Hollow Oak
Structure
The province is ruled over by Lord Margrave. It is their responsibility to ensure the province can pay its dues to the King of Bilow. How Lord Margrave does this is largely up to their discretion, so long as no laws of the kingdom are broken. Due to the small size of the province, Lord Vaygrade handles most of the responsibilities of rule himself. That being said he leaves many of the day to day military affairs to his Martial, Gregor Solbur. As for concerns regarding taxation, laws, trade, legal treaties, property, and regulation of industries Vaygrade Halheart handles those himself.
Culture
The citizens of Hollow Oak are nomidian. The commoners have a staunch anti-slavery attitude, enjoy the community and trusted outsiders, and largely follow the The Orufenzu Pantheon. Though in the significant town of the province the religion isn't as heavily regarded as in the countryside villages. The villages are also less progressive and more fundamental regarding sexuality, gender, and the presence of non-humans.
Public Agenda
Vaygrade's most public agenda is atoning for the past wrongs of the Halheart family, and a willingness to make amends and build trust with the surrounding provinces as well as people within Hollow Oak. Many still distrust him and his family, but with the help of the Wardens of The Black path, things have been improving.
Assets
The province has about 1347 gold, 2938 silver, and 5329 copper within its current treasury. It has a standing military of only 40 soldiers but could raise an additional 250~ ish militia should it require them. However, it only has enough military equipment to properly arm 100 soldiers total. The province can field 6 riding horses and 4 warhorses. The riding horses have studded leather barding while the warhorses have plate armor barding. The town of Hollow Oak is a moderately defensible location, with 12-foot stone walls, and two onagers on each gate (four onagers in total).
History
The Province was founded near the end of the Third Age after the defeat of Narcon Halheart by the mage slayer family The Silverstags. Narcon's cousin took over and abandoned the normal seat of power known as The Halheart estate, instead, he used the small manor where his family currently resided. In the many years following incompetent rulers have fumbled and poorly exploited the peasants of the land, leading to economic failure and distrust of the family. When the latest Margrave took over, Vaygrade Halheart, he made it his outward goal of fixing these mistakes. He unbanned the harvesting of Hollow Oak, de-incentivized and outwardly banned other industries that could compete with the profitable carpenter business for manpower and labor, and began paying back the centuries-old debts his family owed other rulers. Still, however, his reputation struggles, as he was made a lord by his father last minute, passing over the more popular candidate Geran Hallheart, his older brother and lord by birthright.
Demography and Population
The population of Hollow Oak is separated into "woody" residents and "hilly" residents. Woody residents live near or in the Hollow Oak Forest, while hilly residents live life in the hills towards the north of the province. 80 percent of the population lives in the forested area, while 10 percent live in the hilly area. The wooden towns and settlements are Hollow Oak (town), Oatsworth (village), and Sturywood (village). The Hilly settlements are Hill Host and Hayminister. The racial demographics are also 80 percent human, 9 percent halfling, and 1 percent other.
The province is also home to a small tribe of Goblins although they are not ruled by Vaygrade and do not follow his laws.
In Hollow Oak, life expectancy is 64 years on average with most deaths resulting from a wave of the sprigan flu or dark pox. The villages have a life expectancy of 50 years on average, with death resulting from poor nutrition or various diseases. The birthrate in the Town is about 9 children born every year. The villages experience very low birth rates, with a child every few years.
Territories
The land The Bilowish Province of Hollow Oak currently controls is a fraction of the lands they once owned. Although that was at the height of their wizard king's rule, and since then Halhearts have renounced all claims to lands that lie outside of the current borders. The lands are marked by hills to the north and cliffs to the south. The west is marked by a river, and the east is marked by a series of stones and signs.
Military
The Hollow Oak guard serves as Vaygrades men-at-arms retinue and enforce his will and protect his people. Though their ability to do this is limited due to their small size. The Hollow Oak guard once was very powerful, but after the invasion of a Hobgoblin army from the south the retinue has suffered manpower problems.
Ruled by Arcana
Founding Date
Near the end of The Third Era
Type
Geopolitical, Province
Capital
Alternative Names
The Cursed Provience, Forester Range, Hollow Oak
Predecessor Organization
Demonym
Hollowen
Leader
Head of State
Head of Government
Government System
Monarchy, Absolute
Power Structure
Feudal state
Economic System
Market economy
Currency
The people of Hollow Oak are not as well educated on mints and currencies and well accept any coin that "Looks good enough." They are more likely to barter and trade amongst themselves than sell wares for coins. However, most of the coins that come through the province are from Currency Within The Five Kingdoms.
Legislative Body
Vaygrade Halheart writes and codifies the laws.
Judicial Body
Vaygrade Halheart is often brought into ajudicate for more complicated or serious crimes, however Gregor Solbur servers as the main interpretor of Vaygrades will and commands.
Executive Body
The laws are enforced by Vagrade's retinue of soldiers, The Hollow Oak Guard. His knights also assist him on this matter, but mostly train the guards and prepare for future combats.
Parent Organization
Controlled Territories
Notable Members
Related Species
Related Ethnicities
Comments