Grand Duchy of Dunstrand in the Steel Realms

Steel Realms
Located on Ustermaya .

The Grand Duchy of Dunstrand (it is part of the High King’s extended lands, not the territorial Kingdom of Gladnor) is located in the north/west of the central heartlands. It was once devastated, but its been resettled and reclaimed by humans, small bands of wyld elves, a scattering of halflings, a few Grollen, and a mix of cultures from the Fallen East, descendants of the Bronzemen, Merchant Cities, Sea-Kings, and Gladnorian stock. The duchy is divided into counties and older fiefs known collectively as the Riverdans. It is tolerant, one might even say progressive.

Cultural Analog(s): American (tolerance, naming/speech)

It is vast and rich in resources. The mighty Nanford River once meandered through the Dunstrand Vale – the heart of the Duchy, but cataclysms have shifted it to more or less a straight-ish line that dumps into the fetid and massive Dwindor Swamp. The family of the Duke stretches far into the past, and Dunstrand is considered one of the High King’s most stalwart allies. For as long as anyone can remember, the Duke has always employed a household magus, schooled in information magics. In return for the support of the resources of the Duke, House Malor continues to school apprentices and support the Duke and High King. Population in the core cities is about 293,000 total. More remote, agrarian areas account for many more and the Riverdans lands have no census. Mostly Gladnorean is spoken. Some Mercat is spoken since the merchant cities border it to the north. Most of the population is illiterate, though some education exists and a larger portion is literate than most places. There is a Ducal post system, and the order of House Malor, in service to the Ducal authority, provides means of near instant communication through bird messenger and mystical means.

Businesses and representatives of the Bank of the Silver Stacks are allowed in some places here, by a charter made between the Duke and nobles of the Duchy. Even where allowed, most prefer to use local services.

Known For: The Mighty Dwindor (Dwindor Swamp) is known as a place of dark mystery and powerful magics, and home of the lilies that are the source of Lily Healing items. Dunstrand shares an intense passion for the ancient game of Rauket with many of its neighbors.

Rulership: Duke Aemond Forthright II (wife Miranda); The peerage system governs the different territories. The duke and his wife are young. He and his father were some of the most popular nobles of the entire kingdom of Gladnor.

  • Symbol: The ducal heraldry is a red (blood) outlined white pine tree overlaid on a yellow triangle (mountain). A green background is cut diagonally from left to right – the left has the tree and the right a stone chair – the chair of Innis Dunstrand.

Weather/Climate: The weather runs all 4 seasons. Rains fall heavily more towards the western coastal regions. The T’Yendi Hills gets a dusting of snow in the winter in the high lands as well as the peaks of Scar Flow in the west, though winter itself is short, in between 2 rainy seasons.

Boundaries: The T’Yendi Hills nominally mark the eastern boundaries, though they extend into disputed lands from which towers and keeps in the hills watch over. The boundaries to the north are disputed with the Merchant Cities, though Dunstrand claims most of the open lands and passes. The land slopes down further west, ending in the boggy Dwindor Swamp. Further west is the cragy lands of the Tarmysian Peninsula, and the poorest lands of the Duchy – often derogatorily labeled the ‘Fish Barons’. Bar-Innis – the western most barony before the swamp, borders the lands of the Halflings – Loamwold, to the south. It also shares a border with Umbak along it south central region – a place of some contention.

A quick reference for learning some common culture and flavor of the place.

Their land is resource rich and the stock and extraction of these is the core of its commerce. Transportation of these is limited to the north with the trade monopoly of the Merchant Cities. The people are diverse and accepting, and have a long tradition of service to the High King and their beloved Duke. Dunstrand has one of the few (albeit small) formal education programs in the realms (with Ducal sponsorship) – access is depending on social standing and the luck of availability. There is no official religion endorsed, though most follow the precepts of the Wyld Faith – except for the Lightbringers in East River Run and West River Run counties.

(Full Place Reference)…

Cultural Experience

Cultural Knowledge: Languages: All characters are Conversational in Gladnorian (not literate), Rudimentary in Mercat (not literate)

Skills Excluded or Altered: [Insight] -1 on all checks; the trusting nature of the Dunstrandian often makes them blind to the deceptions of others.

Culture and Social Perspectives

Death Observances: Common Death and Cultural Observances of the Heartlands.

Full Place Information

Realm's Aptitude Powers: Divine, Occult, and Psychic