Barony of Middlemead, Keoland

Governed by Barony of Middlemead, Lord Kharn

The so-called Western Marches of the kingdom, from Mandismoor in the northwest to Blerfield in the southeast, formed the early western border of Keoland in the nation’s first century. These marchlands were primarily settled by Oeridian tribes who migrated south from the Fals Gap into the Sheldomar Valley, driving hostile Flan and humanoids in their wake. These peoples joined with the migrating Suel houses, who had primarily congregated along the Sheldomar River, to form the core of the Kingdom of Keoland. Preeminent among these early marches is generally agreed to be Middlemead, the most populous and prosperous of the provinces. It is centrally located along the road from Niole Dra to Cryllor, east of the Good Hills.
The Baron of Middlemead, Lord Kharn (LN male human Ftr3), is like most noblemen of the midlands primarily of Oeridian descent. However, the population of the province is relatively well-mixed, including some Suel and Flan enclaves. Middlemead’s lands stretch across the breadbasket of the kingdom, where there are few communities of more than 2,000 souls, but numerous villages and thorps. Instead, expansive manors dot the landscape, which administer large farms and grasslands for grazing. Agriculture dominates the economy, though Middlemead is also known for its woven goods, earthenware, and famous fermentations, which are standard fare in taverns throughout the kingdom. Kharn’s domain is very representative of those of the Barons of Blerfield and Sedenna, which abut his realm to the north and south. The prosperous town of Middlebridge (pop. 2,508) which is located along the small Zol River (where it runs into Middlemead from Sedenna) is the capital of the barony.
Lord Kharn is the head of what is often termed the “Lords Faction” in the Court of the Land (sometimes mistakenly called the “Oeridian Faction,” though this is clumsy, as Oeridian and Suel lords number among all the factions) along with fellow lords such as the margraves of Blerfield, Sedenna, and the Earl of Gand. As such, he is regarded as a proponent of limiting the powers of theThrone of the Lion and asserting the primacy of the independent lords in the Council of Niole Dra. It was the baron's support that tipped the decision in favor of the election of Skotti to the throne some three decades ago. Lord Kharn hoped to gain an ill-prepared and disinterested monarch by choosing the Lord Baron of Greyhill. For the most part he got his wish, but recent events, including the retaking of Sterich and Westkeep, as well as the rise of the archmage Lashton as a power at court, have made Kharn sour upon the decision. It’s unknown who he would support following King Skotti’s reign, though many curry his favor. It is well known that as Lord Kharn goes, so do most of the lords of the midlands.

Capital: Middlebridge

  Location in the Flanaess