Duchy of Ben Doa (behn-doe)
The Duchy of Ben Doa is a large and diverse division of the Kingdoms of Imesse. It has holdings in the north and in the south, and it has strong historical, political and economic ties to both regions. It is ruled by Duke Leland am Ahmi, a close cousin to the Duke of Len Doa and a close ally to Mak II of Lesser Imesse.
The Duchy covers a large area of the northern Kingdom's east coast, as well as a smaller portion of the coastal area of Lesser Imesse. The northern lands are predominantly agricultural, while the areas south of the Caldar River are more focused on industrial and trade-oriented production. In the north, ranching, farming, timber harvest and coast and river fishing dominate the economy. In the south shipbuilding, textile production, leather tanning, charcoal production, foundries and smithies are the primary economic drivers.
The largest growing demgraphic in the Duchy belongs to the Halflings. Halfling communities and shires have doubled in number over the last 15 years, especially in the region of the Caldar River. Fishing, timber production and vegetable farming are booming business in the Duchy, on both banks of the river. Many believe this increase in Halfling population is due to the vast numbers of Halflings that are leaving the neighboring Duchy of Hekmo.
Structure
The Duke rules absolutely in the name of both the High King and the King of Lesser Imesse, since his duchy has holdings in both Kingdoms. The duchy is divided by the mouth of the Caldar River, with the larger portion of the duchy in the north. The Nothern half is divided into five briaries, while the southern is a single briary centered on the City of Ben Doa itself.
History
The Duchy of Ben Doa has been ruled by the Ahmi family for more than 200 years, but the branch of the family that ruled much of that time ended with the death of Duke Hamlen am Ahmi in 209 AF. In 210 AF, High King Max II named Lennis am Ahmi the new Duke as a boon to the Duke of Len Doa and the King of Lesser Imesse, Mak II.
Demography and Population
Total population is 60,000. Human: 39,600 (66%) Halfling: 12,600 (21%) Dwarf: 4,200 (7%) Gnome: 3,600 (6%)
Territories
Ben Doa has significant holdings in the north, consisting of five Briaries and nearly 26,000 souls. The ducal seat and the largest city in the duchy are in the south, however, with a total population of more than 34,000 souls. The Duke is nominally tied to the High King by his territories in the north, but it is his ties with Lesser Imesse that are the strongest, both politically and economically.
Agriculture & Industry
Ben Doa has a strong agricultural economy in the north, and a more industry-based economy in the south. Farms ranches and timber interests abound in the north, as do fishing and whaling towns along the coast. In the south and the southern banks of the mouth of the Caldar River are the ship building slips and trading docks that see so much of the produce and resources of Imesse flow out to the larger world.
Trade & Transport
Thousands of ships a month come in and out of the port of Ben Doa, both up the Caldar River and out to the Eastern Sea.
Type
Geopolitical, Duchy
Capital
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Head of Government
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