Duchy of Rosalia

Description

The Duchy of Rosalia is the central western Duchy of Middenland, and one of the oldest standing duchies. It is a region famous for its expensive wines. The area is home to some of the oldest, consistently cultivated grape orchards resulting in "terroir", which causes the resulting wines taste very earthy. These Elder Wines as they are called, are very popular among the Middenlander nobility. The terrain in Rosalia is quite hilly and mountainous, leading to several different wine growing regions. In the valleys the temperature is warmer during the day, leading to more alcoholic wines. While the peaks of the hills are higher in elevation leading to lower temperatures, resulting in more acidic wines. The region is also home to many oak forests, which can be used for crate production. A large portion of these crates are still provided by the Duchy of Solland however, as they have more lumber available and better milling facilities.

Politics

Historically Rosalia has always been a fractured region, with many noble houses constantly competing for control over the region. Its fertile lands and plentiful grape orchards have also been the scene of many a battle in the past, and usually the objective as well. But these bountiful lands have also been traditionally rich and the birthplace of ideals of civil liberty. Currently the region is under the firm control of House Beauclair under Arianne Celeste Beauclair, but the various noble factions hold significant influence within the region, as do the owners of the vineyards that aren't nobles. House Beauclair for that matter was also originally nothing more than a wealthy merchant family that bought its titles and lands, but they have steadily gained power and are now the de-facto leading house within the region. Since titles are often bought or sold, the nobles of the region are also often called merchant princes or wine princes.

Culture

(See also Middenlanders for general sentiments of the region.)
The flourishing wine trade has resulted in a wealthy upper layer in Rosalian society throughout the ages. These nobles continuously try to outdo each other in a variety of things, including their patronage of the creative and intellectual arts. Philosophy, architecture, sculpting and woodworking have flourished within the region. This 'enlightenment' does not extend to the general populace however, who do not have the means or education to access any of this. There is a clear divide between the richer and poorer classes within Rosalia, and the discontent this causes has lead to the formation of some violent groups.
The main cultural event within Rosalia is the annual Fall's Feast, which is the regional wine festival. It is a time of revelry, of renewal and rebirth. Due to the Mediterranean climate of Middenland, they celebrate these things in fall, rather than spring. This is also a time where new works of art are debuted in public, and all the local artists spent sleepless nights leading up to it to put on the finishing touches to their masterpieces so that they stand out. People from all over the region come to enjoy the week of revelry, and all the leading noble houses will be in the capital during this time.

Military

There is little centralized military in Rosalia aside from the towns guard, instead the noble and merchant families each have their own mercenary companies on payroll who do security work for them. In times of war these mercenaries are of course called upon by the houses who pay them, although tales of betrayal and mercenaries switching sides are common.

Coat of Arms

The coat of arms of Rosalia consists of a light blue background, with a purple-red grapevine centered within a thin, yellow circle.

Act swiftly and with justice, lest your wine has soured already.

Type

Geopolitical, Duchy

Training Level

Semi-trained

Veterancy Level

Trained

Demonym

Rosalians

Location

Middenland

Related Ethnicities

• Middenlanders