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Grand Duchy of Rhyl in the Steel Realms
The Grand Duchy of Rhyl ( ‘rill’/’rilly-an’) is an ancient and quiet place except for its borders. It has been settled in waves over time, and is a mix of people that have blended together into its own (now ancient) culture and traditions. It is part of The Noble East on the continent of Ustermaya. Like other ‘grand’ Fiefs, it is part of the High King’s extended lands, not the territorial Kingdom of Gladnor; As part of the northern heartlands, it shares access to the Beyne River (which flows west to the ocean) and the massive Caolite Basin/Lake Caolite – both on its southern boundary. Rhyl has some of the oldest noble families in all the realms outside of the current kingdoms of Gladnor and Umbak. Their society has deep roots in the desire for peace, freedom, and balance with an understanding that it must be fought for. Their culture is a mix of ancient ones that once mingled in the north, and their own influenced by Gladnor. Tall pines, cold winds, deep silence, and mystery are found in the massive pine forest at its heart. Technology is not prevalent in Rhyl, though Merkaine’s Shrine of Shieldfire is the source of the Lamasoil Lamps in Rhyl.
This territory is considered Dominion of the High King Lands means the rulers have given the Sworn Oath of High King’s Service to the High King of the Steel Realms. As with all allies of and lands under the Dominion of the High King, this locale is subject to the Realms Levy.
Rulership/Governance: Duke Suevan Graefstone II, age 45 {Integrity ****} > Of the Graefstone Ducal Lineage, ruling from the capital City of Rhylan
Symbol: (Since CY 7715) Great Northern Owl; “Wisdom warms a cold shoulder.”
> This replaced the grey northern wolf symbol used since the days of the kingdoms – a traditional and culturally embedded icon of the north and the symbol of Rhyl for thousands of years.
Territorial Issues: This territory is considered part of the Dominion of the High King Lands – its rulers have given the Sworn Oath of High King’s Service to the High King of the Steel Realms. The Grand Duchy of Rhyl lays claim North Pines in its NW, but struggles in imposing its laws and territorial claims. The southern border is in constant skirmishes and disagreements with the Merchant Cities of the North. The High Temple of Aerna‘s presence in the north ensures that there is a higher degree of peace or at least positive diplomatic relations in The Grand Duchy of Rhyl.
A Land of Many Forests: Rhyl is an old and verdant place, full of many forests of mostly pine, spruce, fir, and some birch and ash. The trees, while of average height, grow thicker and have deeper roots. The Great Forest of Rhyl has an ancient Historical Chronicle detailing constant conflict from those dwelling in it and around it. It is also famous for the variety and quality of the Mushrooms of Rhyl. It is said several smaller faerie races once made their home here, but retreated to the deepest depths of the forest at its heart as it was settled.
Protective Buffer: The Duchy of Rhyl is the vital “Shield of the North” since the Lich Lords took control of the Fallen kingdom of Dundaria (Lichrya). It walks a delicate balance between all the powers around it. When political relations broke down with the Hinterlands of the North and the High King, Rhyl honored as much of its alliances as it could. Forever it has held true to the treaties it made with the wyld peoples of the pine tribes bordering it to the west.
- Atypical Weather: The Weather in the Grand Duchy of Rhyl is not typical; It can be extreme, and the magic of the Wylden and the Great Forest of Rhyl affect it as it works against the Hoarwind and biting Fangedfrost of the Lich Lords.
- Fortified East: Faeum River flows west from the foothills of the Tolkisson Mountain Range to Lake Caolite, dividing the North Heartlands and Central Heartlands on the eastern edge. Close alliances create peace in the duchy constantly threatened on the edges of the lands the border the Valley of Sighs and the Fallen East – home of the Lich Lords.
- Bulwark Against Undead: Both the High Temple of Aerna in the city of Rhylan making Aerna’s Rhylan Reveal and the Maiyu Amulet talisman made by House Narcosa enable the duchy in its role of “Shield of the North” against the Lich Lords.