Barony of Astedia
Location: Andaris, Rynmere
Population: Very High (Andaris is highly populated compared to the other duchies and this is at an important geographical location)
Imports: Slaves, leather, sugar, stone, metal, and livestock.
Exports: Books, corn, wheat, salt, fish, wood, weapons, armour, medicines and fine / luxury foods.
Leader: Baroness Celeste Andaris
Main Town: Drakengard
Villages: Medium density quite spread out. A good road system and small villages along the main routes.
Overview of the Barony
Astedia sits in the south western corner of Andaris, nestled against the Bay of Cyrene. It is a thriving and rich area within the Andaris duchy. The Barony of Astedia is usually overseen by the first in line for the title of Duke or Duchess, as it is of vital importance to the economy of the Duchy for its placement in the Bay and it's focus on producing fine goods which are sold onward.
The Barony itself combines the rich towns and centers for learning with some of the fertile Andaris farmlands, along its eastern border. It requires careful handling as a Barony as there are very diverse needs between the farming communities and the bustling towns and cities. Keeping both groups in mind and juggling the urban / rural nature of the Barony is the key challenge.
Drakengard
Drakengard is a beautiful town, with buildings constructed from glistening white stone and the Andaris attention to detail in architecture. It is a bustling and busy place which is well known for two distinct things; the smithing industry and the medical centers of learning and production of medicine.
The master smiths who work in the Drakensmit, producing beautiful weapons and gleaming armour. Existing and aspiring smiths come from all over Rynmere to study and work here, learning from and working with the best. This leads to a number of schools training in the use of weapons. In parallel to this focus on weapons, the Verne Andaris Medical School sits on the edge of the town with large herb gardens and forests attached to it, just outside the town walls. In the Medical School the boundaries of medicine are constantly studied and pushed.
Downsides
The focus on these two things means that Drakengard does not produce sufficient food to remain sustainable and relies on the importing of food for its citizens. It is not a town which attracts tourists, per se, although there are a high number of visitors per arc. These visitors tend to be coming for the Drakensmit or the Medical School. Tourists are much more likely to be seen in Vernevia, a coastal town past the eastern sides of Astedia's borders, with a focus on producing luxury foods and a number of historical buildings. Whilst it is outside the barony, it is important to the place as Vernevia is a center for tourism.
As the barony which is nestled on Cyrene Bay and since it shares a boundary with its Venora neighbour, Astedia is in a unique position. The trade routes into Rynmere focus on Cyrene bay and so there is the constant push and pull of political negotiation between Astedia and Novilane. Also, those who wish to attack trade routes are often in the waters nearest one of these two baronies and so Astedia is front line in terms of having to defend against pirates and privateers.
Astedia Estate
This large manor house is the estate of the residing Baron of Astedia. White stone gleams from it and inside the grand entrance opens into a large hall with a double sweeping staircase, large chandeliers and white marble floors. Set in beautiful grounds, this estate is a place very much of two parts.
To those who visit, Astedia Estate is as would be expected for a Barony estate. It is large and opulent with a dining room which can comfortably sit fourty, a ballroom and a lot of marble and ornamentation. There are five large bedrooms and everything appears to be very ostentatious. However, the 'family wing' is just that ~ a four bedroom annex which sits in the existing manor from the outside but which is closed off from the rest of the house if the family wish it. In the family wing the rooms are comfortable and much more functional, a lounge, small dining room, kitchen and study are on the ground floor, with the next two floors being taken by bedrooms ~ the master suite has a small nursery off it and there is a playroom between two of the smaller bedrooms, accessible from both. Whilst undoubtedly still luxury to many, this place is focused on comfort and being able to be lived in, rather than ostentatious statements.
The main estate is staffed by a staff of servants with only the most trusted being asked to work in the family wing.
Location NPCs
Moderator's Note: Players are free to control NPCs in this location without moderation. However, keep in mind that these are NPCs involved in major events / plots and therefore they can only be used in a 'surface' manner. If in doubt, please check with a Ryn mod.
Louise Bellingham
Race: Human
Age: Ymiden 60th 693
Title: Mistress of the Nursery
Skills: Psychology (70), Etiquette (40), Politics (60), Caregiving (40), Sociology (40)
Description: Louise has the title 'Mistress of the Nursery' and her role is to oversee the care of all children in the Estate. However, it is also much more than that, as she oversees the future for all children in the Barony. Her job is the careful consideration of public opinion; she arranges for the residing Baron or Baroness to attend functions, invites people to the estate and deals with any and all matters which might be of a somewhat... 'delicate' nature. From overseeing how to handle a scandal to presenting the very best of House Andaris, the Mistress of the Nursery is there to ensure that all the children in Andaris have a strong and healthy nobility to look forward to.
Louise happens to actually be good with children and so looks forward to being able to stay close to the Andaris family as the new Baroness weds and then starts her family.
Lin Scotfill
Race: Human / Biqaj
Age: 7th Saun 695
Title: Personal Assistant
Skills: Combat: Dagger (60), Combat: Crossbow (60), Resistance (30), Logistics (60), Stealth (40),
Description: Lin is Celeste's Personal Assistant. She is there to help the Baroness arrange her schedule and organise her trials. She also acts as a Ladies Maid and to all intents and purposes that is where her role ends. However, although very few know it, Lin is also a very efficient bodyguard and has the looks and demeanor of a beautiful and well organised woman, nothing more. However, Lin always has a number of blades hidden about her person and she is Celeste's last line of defence.
Lin is a quiet woman who tends to try and blend into the background. However, her looks mean that she is quite noticeable. However, she is pleased that a new Baroness is entering Astedia as it allows her to ply her skills once more.
Tam Bitha
Race: Mixed Race
Age: 47th Vhalar 690
Title: Chief of Security
Skills: Tactics (70), Logistics (60), Combat: Sword (40), Combat: Shield (40), Seafaring (40)
Description As the Chief of Security, Tam has responsibility for the security of Astedia, Drakengard and the household. He is a quiet and intense individual with a strong sense of humour. With a clearly military mind, Tam's actions and advise are always militaristic in manner. In many ways, that is his greatest strength and weakness; he is very focused on military and combat matters and tends to have a very martial standpoint. He is very good at planning military campaigns and so on, with a keenly tactical mind and a tendency to be able to see downfalls or problems very quickly.
Tam has served the Andaris family since he was a young boy and he is proud to wear Andaris colours. He is slow to anger and has a very strong sense of discipline and personal honour.
William Vanquin
Race: Human
Age: 9th Zi'da 689
Title: Master of Coin
Skills: Business Management (80), Mathematics (70), Negotiation (50), Logistics (50)
Description: Keeper of the treasury and oversee of all things to do with money in Astedia, William is a frugal and determined individual who is not entirely pleased at a new Baroness. He dislikes having to spend money and he imagines that the forthcoming wedding between Celeste Andaris and Xander Krome is likely to hit his coffers hard. He is a shrewd and calculating individual who is loyal to the Andaris family, having served them all of his life.
Trade, trade routes, imports and exports are his concern and William has an overview and deputies at a Barony, town and house level and a real attention to detail. He does not treat the Andaris money as though it is his own, but he almost does ~ certainly, he seems to know where every copper goes.
Phillipe vonFranc
Race: Mixed Race
Age: 20th Cylus 689
Title: Head of Staff
Skills: Logistics (65), Intelligence (65), Endurance (30), Disguise (50), Etiquette (50)
Description: Phillipe vonFranc is very well aware that his role is pivotal to the good functioning of Astedia. He is the Head of Staff which means that he oversees all staffing issues in the Astedia Estate, with everyone from the groundskeeper to the head butler being under his purview. He runs the estate like a well oiled machine and he functions as a spider in a centralised web. He has a network of informants and he, more than anyone, knows the value of listening to the gossip of servants and whispers of slaves.
Phillipe is, or appears to be, the very epitome of a gentleman and he is proud to say that his family has served House Andaris for many generations now. His father served Celeste's father and his grandmother served her grandfather. He is loyal to the family and for all of the secrets that he knows, he is very careful in what he says and to whom. With an overview of Drakengard, Astedia and Andaris in terms of intelligence operatives, he has many who report to him that only he knows. His wider network, outside of Andaris lands, he cultivates carefully and reports to the Baroness directly.
Credit: Celeste Andaris (thanks to Alistair for the layout!)
