Kotsuj Valley

Eickjolf had long been a point at the end of the migrations of the Northmen.  Those that found their way down here were able to build ships and sail to the South.  There were always a few families settling down in the natural bounty of this valley, but the population had always stayed small.  
In 1153, the sporadic and singular traders that had come to Eickjolf the village on the rocks at the harbor were replaced by a deliberate and well financed effort by the House of Brat to capitalize on the furs brought there.  At first they were simply a ready buyer with good Aachen silver and a good price.  Soon that had grown into financing expeditions further afield and providing a market for all the furs that could be trapped.  This was followed by an encouragement of settlers to move into and develop the valley itself.  
With money and a good market the valley began to thrive.  The town grew an so did its walls.  The land was eventually annexed into the Kingdom of Aachen and in 1350 was made the Jarldom of Kotsuj.

Geography

The valley is relatively wide, and is dominated by the KOTSUJ RIVER winding down its middle.  It is bordered by the peaks of the Holmgrad Mountains on either sides.  It lies in the central part of the range, and starts at MOUNT KOTSUJ where the river is born, and runs southward to the INNER SEA just to the east of the ANSAGAR RANGE.  In fact the chief town of the valley is located on the foothills of that range wedged between the Inner Sea and the River.  
The valley itself is a rich land that is watered not just by the Kotsuj, but also numerous other streams flowing out of the surrounding mountains.  It is a great environment for the beavers that are the main target of the trappers that lead the way up the valley.  It is also known that the most skilled trappers can find GIANT BEAVER in the mountains on the larger streams.  These great creatures pelts are very valuable, and are one of the top earning items from the trade.  The valley is also populated by mink, sable, and most of the other desirable fur bearing animals.   
The settlers themselves find that the short growing season requires diligence, but the fertile and well watered soil brings high volumes of crops, and plenty of lowland pasturage for stock animals.  The surrounding mountains provide ample lumber that can easily be floated back to the areas of the homesteads.  Iron deposits have been found in the northern areas and so most of the items needed in the valley can be produced here.  
Eickjolf is a good sized town that has an excellent harbor and river access.  This allows it to act as the link between the valley and the rest of the world.

Natural Resources

Furs, lumber, & Iron.

Type

Valley

Location under

Holmgrad Mountains

Owner/Ruler

Eric Brat

Additional Rulers/Owners

• Igor IV

Ruling/Owning Rank

Jarl of Kotsuj

Owning Organization

Jarldom of Kotsuj

Contested By

• Goblins of the Ansagar