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Regions

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No settlement is free from the influence of its neighbours, and nowhere is that more true than borderlands like Redford and Orcrest. Below are brief explanations of the most important influences on the area, from the two abutting nations to those a little further afield. Each section that has "Settlement Examples" are only that, examples, and your character is free to hail from a town, village, or hamlet not explicitly listed.

 

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Overview

Redford lies at the border of the Empire of Aer Arnad and the Kingdom of Elm. The region it lays in thus has considerable influence from both, and history has seen many excursions from both over the Eol river, some successful, claiming land and settlements, and some rebuffed. This border in general, and Redford in particular, marks the site of dozens of historical battles.

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"Watered with Blood."

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Lore

The Kingdom of Elm is a former territory of greater Orsfel, a successor kingdom of the collapsed Nuumalon. After the death of the last of the Orsfel royal line, Duke Wilhelm Mallar declared his territory an independent kingdom, taking with him several other noble houses as allies. Eventually, Elm absorbed a little over half of the greater Orsfel region during the ensuing civil war for its throne.


Like most of the kingdoms west of the Eol, Elm is a land of coarse men and shepherds, with most of its territory stretching into rolling hills and rough terrain, dotted by hamlets, villages, and towns, but with no true city to call its own. As a small nation, Elm has historically been neutral in most political dealings, and the Elmish were often characterized as argumentative, belligerent, and oafish by their more refined neighbors.

It wasn't until a series of wars and skirmishes with Aer Arnad that Elm began allying with the western kingdoms, resulting in the ultimate defeat of two Imperial legions at the Red Ford (a site of several historical battles during invasions from and into the west by and against Aer Arnad), which would, eventually become the location of Redford village. The fortified bridge spanning the Eol has, thus far, prevented further incursions into Elm.

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The people in Elm's heartland are untrusting of outsiders, but those closest to its borders (including in mercantile villages like Redford) are much more welcoming to merchants, seeking to trade their wool, textile, food, lumber, and other natural resources for finer things from other lands.

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Settlement Examples​

  • Newcastle: the capital of Elm, and home to Wilhelm Keep, the royal residence built in celebration after the defeat of Aer Arnad.

  • Redford: a mercantile village serving as both trading outpost and defensive fortification on the border with Aer Arnad. 

  • Howe: a small town nestled in a valley, renown in Elm for its fine sheep milk cheese. 

  • Bellmare: a village in the south of Elm, and the primary breeder of warhorses for the kingdom.

  • Norcaster: a town on one of the lakes the Eol snakes past, and home to the only major shipwright in the kingdom.

Core Information

Ruler: King Ebben I Mallar

Language: Ko-man

Demonym: Elmsman / Elmish

Common Races: Human, Stoutfolk, Faun

Common Religions: SanctifiedRanatorans

Primary Production: Wool, textiles, grain

Society: Agrarian​

Elm CoA.png

Orcrest Website by Phiona Mercy. Last Edit: MARCH 15th, 2025

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