Northeastern Glantri
by mickyThe Principality of Boldavia and the Free Territories of the northeastern region of Glantri.
Boldavia, Principality of
Eastern Wendarian Ranges, Free Province of
Three Fires, Free Province of
Eastern Czaikow Hills, Free Province of
Western Czaikow Hills, Free Province of
Pavlova, Barony of
Kutchevski, Barony of
Palatinsk, Barony of
Vladimirov, Barony of
Mariksen, Barony of
Kursk, Barony of
Boldavia, Principality of
Area: 1456 square miles
Population: 16,468
Towns: Rymskigrad (6500) The capital of Boldavia. Detailed later in another section.
Zhukovo (1300) A walled fortress town half way between Rymskigrad and Fort Tchernovodsk on the Dol-Anur river. Along with Arsenyev, in the Western Czaikow Hills Province it is part of the secondary line of defence of Boldavia and Glantri in case of invasion.
Villages: Desnogorsk (250) Located just within the border of Boldavia to the northwest of Ft. Tchernovodsk. It serves the needs of the nearby fortress by having the highest concentration of Taverns, Inns, and not coincidentally.. social diseases in the Principality. The town serves as a supply depot for the Fort.
Lytkarino (416) This small village, located on the Dol-Anur 8 miles to the southwest of Rymskigrad, has a world wide reputation. The most famous, and highly demanded of caviar comes from this village. Lytkarino is located on the section of the Dul-Anur river that is the spawning ground of the few remained sturgeon left after years of over harvesting. Eggs from the much more available Boldavian Giant Salmon are used elsewhere in making caviar. Strict quotas have been placed on the harvesting of the Dol-Anur Sturgeon. Unlicensed Sturgeon harvesting is a Felony in Boldavia, with a sentence of 20 years in the Salt Mines handed down as punishment. Therefore the limited quantities, along with the noticeable higher quality makes Lytkarino Caviar extremely expensive and limited to the very elite.
Meleuz (316) The mining village to the southeast of Rymskigrad is a collection point and supports the largest salt mine in the Principality which lies just to the west of the village.
Tikhoretsk (182) This farming village approximately 16 miles northeast of the Tower of Igorov is renowned for it's Black Garlic. The Black Garlic from the town have won first prize at the annual Principality Fair 8 years running and are prized for their sweet taste
Ethnic groups: Boldavians 70%, Flaems 20%, Others 10%
Languages: Traladaran, Flaemish, Thyatian
Ruler: Prince Morphail Gorevich-Woszlany, Baron of Igorov, Viceroy of Tchernovodsk (M28, Death Master of 5th Circle, AL-Chaotic)
House: Igorov
Military: The 4th banner of the 16th Division is stationed presently in Rymskigrad. The banner rotates with others of the 6th and 16th Divisions were are currently stationed at Fort Tchernovodsk. While stationed in Rymskigrad the banner undertakes regular patrols of the countryside. Usually within a 48 mile radius of the town which covers the whole of the Principality, the length of the Scotch Reach, and the entire western half of the Free Province of the Western Czaikow Hills.
4th Banner, 16th Glantrian Division - 240 mounted infantries (F2) with bows, long swords, daggers, banded armour. ; 8 sergeants (F4); 2 Lieutenants (F6) 1 captain (F8) riding normal horses.
The tradition of local militias are very strongly ingrained in the Boldavian character due to the proximity of the Ethengarian border. Most in Glantri believe that any major invasion from Ethengar would have it's primary thrust come toward Boldavia so local militias train with regularity and an intensity lacking in other areas of Glantri. In times of emergency up to 20% of the population could be mobilised. The Glantrian High Command estimates a 10% mobilisation would be most effective, putting the most able-bodied and effective in the field. However many reason that if a general mobilisation was called for in Boldavia, that all 20% would probably be needed.
A special note goes to Tower of Igorov which has a special guard force of it's own.
The Skeletal guard- 37 HD (1 HD each). These are the tower's guards. Each skeleton has 8 HP and is holding a pole arm.
These skeletons never check morale, and are harder to turn than regular skeletons (see Lieges and Pawns rules). Morphail can summon packs of black wolfs who are very common in northern Glantri, at will. Morphail has a "regular guard" patrolling the outer parts of his tower. (35 level 3 fighters with riding horses one 5th level lieutenant and one 8th level captain).
History: The history of Boldavia begins in the 8th century in present day Karameikos. The Traladaran Prince Morphail Gorevitch-Woszlany was a powerful necromancer seeking more power and knowledge. In exchange for terrible secrets lost in the destruction of Old Alphatia, and now known only to the Immortals, Morphail agreed to serve Alphaks the Destroyer. But, like all allegiances with the Sphere of Entropy, Morphail paid a terrible price: He became a nosferatu in AC 720. Nevertheless, Morphail effectively promulgated the evil of Alphaks, though his use of necromancy and through the spread of his own vampiric curse.
When the fearful Traladarans learned of Morphail's malevolence, they drove him out of Traladara. Morphail fled with his followers to the Flaemish Highlands, arriving around 730. There lay not only the promise of lands and freedom to practice his dark magic, but also (by Alphaks' advice) more secrets of necromancy from Old Alphatia, in the hands of the Flaemish wizards, descendants of the survivors of the destruction of Alphatia. Whereas the Flaems were hostile to most settlers, they were more tolerant of Morphail Gorevitch-Woszlany and his Traladarans, and allowed them to settle in the inhospitable northern territories (later to become Boldavia). Morphail established himself as a powerful necromancer and servant of Alphaks the Destroyer, which the Flaemish wizards came to respect—and fear. Many Flaemish moved to the Traladaran territories for easy dealing and with Morphail and his minions. The Flaemish Fire Wizards, who believed in the supremacy of Fire Elementalism, were only too pleased to be rid of their 'unsavoury' brethren. Thus cultural ties were established between the two groups that remain to this day.
In the decades following the arrival of the Traladarans in the Highlands, tensions simmered between the Flaems and with all the new settlers to the south. Finally events came to a head in 984 when a Thyatian settler killed a Flaemish lord; and war was declared. The Traladarans sided with the Flaems and at the climatic battle of Braejr in 785 the Flaem-Traladaran alliance drove the units of human and Elven settlers south of the city. Morphail proved to be a creative tactician and general during the short war. Using dark (though not forbidden) magics to create a force of undead which were fielded and fought with the efficiency and effectiveness of a well trained Thyatian legion. Victory was short lived however, as the settlers regrouped under the leadership of the Alphatian Halzunthram, the leader of an group of Alphatian 'settlers'. The tables were turned three years later when the Flaems and Traladarans were defeated at Braastar. Morphail was given a seat on the council that is to rule the Highlands, but that council was soon dissolved as Halzunthram executes a coup and takes over the Council and proclaims the Highlands a protectorate of Alphatia. The mortal enemy of Morphail's patron, Alphaks. War comes again, the 40 Years War, as the Traladarans, Flaems, and others rebel against Halzunthram. The Traladarans made a great name for themselves for magical creativity and plain old grit and bravery on the many battlefields during this long and bloody war. The 40 Years War finally came to end in 828 when Halzunthram is captured by the Thyatian, Lord Glantri. The Highlands are reorganised politically and becomes the Republic of Glantri, ruled by a Parliament composed by the Council and the House of Lords. Morphail is given a seat on the council. Many of his renowned commanders are given titles and lands and serve in the House of Lords. That year Morphail is given the charge of constructing a fortress of the eastern frontier and what will be known as the great fortress of Tchernovodsk. When it is finished 18 months later he is given the title of Viceroy of the Fort. Morphail's territory is also made a priority for development by the Chamberlain of the Land. Morphail is made the Baron of Igorov. Other followers of his become Barons of the new dominions of Rymskigrad, Kutchevski, and Palatinsk.
The next years were peaceful and quiet for Boldavia. However the future course of Glantri took shape in 854 with a historic meeting at Golden Maid Inn at the capital, where Prince Morphail and some other Council members became part of the Alliance of Wizards who supported Etienne D'Ambreville's Light of Rad project. Two years later, in 858, the famous Light of Rad decision was approved, restricting nobility to wizards and giving the Council Members the hereditary title of Prince. Prince Morphail took the land on the upper reaches of the Dol-Anur, along with the annexed Barony of Rymskigrad as his Principality. A new Barony is created for the landless, dispossessed, yet loyal noble. Vladimirov is created for the old Baron of Rymskigrad. The years following the Light of Rad were peaceful and quiet. The rebellion of dispossessed nobles did not touch the Boldavian area. In the years since the formation of the Principalities of Glantri, the main focus of the region, was not war, but expansion to the east and controlling the large area of land to the east and north of Boldavia. Over the last 150 years the frontier has been pushed back with new dominions, with nobles loyal to Morphail, giving him immense power over a large area with no rivals to deal with in this area. The establishment of a trade route east to the Heldannic Territories in the last few years has given the region more economic clout. Of course not all is completely rosy in this region. Problems with undead and especially vampires plague the land. Prince Morphail does as best as he can to rid the land of these menaces. Always having been faithful to the Vampire Law himself, but the task is too much so the people themselves are resigned to them being a fact of life and thus Boldavians are a fatalistic and superstitious lot.
Food: Surplus.
Trails: The Dul Anur river is navigable downstream from Rymskigrad. Bridges cross the Dol-Anur at Rymskigrad, Zhukovo and at Ft. Tchernovodsk. A main trail, rated by Glantrian AAA as good quality leads from Rymskigrad to Ft. Tchernovodsk. A second good trails leads from Rymskigrad southwest through the Scotch Breach and leads to Glenmoorloch in the Principality of Klantyre. All other trails within Boldavia are of fair quality, crisscrossing the principality connecting towns and villages.
Economics: Boldavia is, in comparison to other Principalities, a poor Principality as well as underpopulated. With the drive eastward to settle eastern Glantri the Traladaran/Flaemish population that makes up the vast majority of the population of this region is spread out than in the rest of Glantri where there is much less elbow room for the various ethnic groups. Add the fact that Boldavia producing few luxury items and mostly staple products, it is easy to see why Boldavia is considered to not be a wealthy dominion. The dominion produces lumber, potatoes, salt, vegetables, and fish to the agriculture poor mountainous dominions of the region and surplus is exported to the rest of Glantri
Taxation level are on par with standard Glantrian tax rates. Prince Morphail is many things, but has never been accused of being particularly material in needs. He has followed the lead of the Propreator of the Western Czaikow Hills and imposed a sales tax on Vodka that helps to fund maintenance of the fortifications of the towns and larger villages of the Principality. The people of Boldavia grumbled at the institution of the tax, but the tax is fairly low since Vodka is consumed like water here, so they quickly got used to it and just accept it. Accept things just as Boldavians typically do.
Notable sites: Rymskigrad is centre of everything in Boldavia, and northeastern Glantri. Rymskigrad is the third largest settlement in Glantri, behind Glantri City and Braastar. It is a crossroads between the heart of Glantri and the eastern frontier and points beyond. The town is surrounded by formidable defences, a 15 ft. high stone wall, tall defensive towers, access to the river, gates covering the roads into the city and the bridge across the river. The town is home to two renowned institutions. The Igorov Institute which is world famous institution in the field of study of Ancient History, as well as being leading place for study of Necromancy. The Lovecraft Institution is a place where the insane are kept, trained, and studied. Here is the one place in the whole of northeastern Glantri where one might find the creature comforts that one who lives in a land of magic might expect to find. The town has a good size arcaner quarter where resident mages, visiting scholars, and professors at the Institutes reside. In the Arcane Quarter, artisans and craftsmen provide products to the whims of the arcaners there. Scores of shops cater to their needs with stores carrying alchemical components, rare books, and fine vellum scrolls. Other quarters of the town include the merchants quarter, and the Boldavian and Flaemish quarters. The old Baronial Fortress is contained within the walls of Rymskigrad and that is where the Banner of the Glantrian Army that is traditionally stationed here resides, along with the Mayor of Rymskigrad. The present Mayor, Dravik Sapojnikov, has been in office for nearly 20 years and has proven to be an effective mayor and is rumoured to be favoured by the Prince himself. Hence his longevity in office. One place the locals will rarely freely of, are the fabled sewers beneath the town that empty into the Dol-Anur. Rumours of something foul residing in the sewers can be caught by those that listen closely. After years of noting that those curious to explore the sewers rarely return probably indicate that some might call rumour, is probably more akin to fact.
Coat of Arms: 
Useful links: The Secret Craft of Necromancy - Kit Navarro
Glantrian Political History - Harri Mäki and Giovanni Porpora
The Boldavian Prince - Ohad Shaham
The Economy of Boldavia by Aleksei Andrievski
Glantrian Heraldry by Chimpman
Eastern Wendarian Ranges, Free Province of
Area: 8232 sq. miles
Population: 4676
Ethnic Groups: Boldavian 55%, Elf 25%, Other 20%
Villages: Redwood (416): located in the east of forested hills north of Kutchevski, and Vladimirov
Swaffelo (107): located approximately 24 miles east of the Barony of Kutchevski, it’s a village populated by trappers, and prospectors.
Government: Propraetor; appointed by the Council of Princes, in charge for seven years. Seat in Redwood.
Ruler: Propraetor Silvana Goriidel (born 870, Elf female, Elf 4, AL-L).
House: not aligned to any house but has strong support of Erewan and Boldavia
Territory: The mountains and the Lawensa Depression, an area roughly north of Pavlova running east to the mountains above the Barony of Mariksen. Bordered on the north by Wendar and on the south by various dominions and the Western Czaikow Hills Free Province
Food: Deficit/Self-sustenance.
Trails: The only two regular trails lead to each of the two main settlements in the Free Province. The trail to Redstone comes from Kutchevski and is patrolled by the elves up to the borders of the Barony. Another trail leads from Swaffelo to Kutchevski and is not patrolled outside of the borders of the Barony. There is has been no real effort to forge a trail into Wendar from the Eastern Wendarian Range. The weather is this area is extremely tricky and even if a trail was forged it would only be useable for four months before concerns about changing weather would make it's use risky. Then there are the Dragons that are known to live to the west that are often seen over the Free Province. It has been deemed much easier, and profitable, by the merchants to swing east into the Heldannic territories make a stop in Grauenberg then move into Wendar. Smaller trails do exist into Wendar are used by small parties crossing the border back and forth.
Economics: Propraetor Goriidel has one resource, the large forests of the great valley of the wooded hills of the Lawensa Depression. The elves which comprise 70% of the population of this most populous area of the Province are in charge of the logging operations there. This had led to problems with the Council of Princes however and resulted in moves to remove the Propraetor from office. As befitting the Elven way, the logging operations are handled with a conservationist's touch. Never taking too many tree and investing heavily in replanting, which has cut into the perceived profitability of the operation which has upset some members of the council since those profits go directly to them. Goriidel's position has been saved to this point by the unlikely alliance, on this point at least, of Princess Carlotina and Prince Morphail. Carlotina's reasons being all the obvious, Morphail being opposed to having a large operation with all the resulting traffic and people moving in, out, and through his Principality. Like many wizards he puts a premium on privacy and he has no shortage of reasons for wanting to keep all sorts of strangers out of his Principality and his area of influence.
Other than logging, as other Wendarian Free Provinces, this one is very poor of resources but rich of dangers. The Propraetor, with prompting by the Council, has commissioned prospectors to search for mineral deposit in the mountains. So far without any positive results. Those who reside in the wooded valley tend to be self-sufficient with food for the forest support substantial amounts of game animals. Food for those who reside in the mountains is generally imported from Southern dominions or bought from caravans stopping in Redwood or Swaffelo.
Notable sites: The village of Redwood is the administrative and economic centre of the Free Province. The logging operations are centred here and under the watchful eye of the Propraetor. The town is also always in a semi-state of military alert as those in the valley share the forest and it's bounty with the Dragons to the west. The Dragons and the Elves have reached a mutual understanding that each uses the forest to live and survive and to fight over it will be to the benefit of neither and the detriment of all. As such the Propraetor has outlawed, with Council permission of course, dragon hunting within the Valley and is unlawful to attack one except in self-defence. Amanth, in return, has pledged that no dragons under his control will attack those in the valley unless provoked first. So far the truce has held true. Not that all dragons have lived by this, or all humans for that matter. Humans that have taken to dragon hunting in spite of the Propraetor have almost without fail ended up as an hors d'oeuvre to a main meal of a large elk. Dragons that have tried to sneak in quick snack have run into the Propraetor's trained and experienced guard forces that is always on the watch for such mid meal snackers. The town itself is a bit of a bore for the experienced adventurer. One tavern in the elven style town caters to humans and word back in Boldavia is the ale tastes like 'Darokin's Best' and the food like failed experiments from the kitchen of a Klantyrian dive.
Useful Links: none...as of now.
Three Fires, Free Province of
Area: 5992 sq. miles
Population: 1438 (took average of: 1 person per 5 sq miles in these remote mountains) 80% of that population resides in western and southern areas of the province.
Ethnic Groups: Boldavian 45%, Flaem 30%, Thyatian 15%, Other 10%
Villages: Cinigiago (240) The largest village and administrative seat of the Free Province. Located close to the border with the Heldannic Territories in the south of the Free Province.
Julinus (107): located 24 miles north the Barony of Kursk, it’s a village populated by scholars, trappers, and prospectors
Government: Propraetor appointed by the Council of Princes, in charge for seven years. Seat in Cinigiago.
Ruler: Propraetor Marcus Furius Camillus (born 955, appointed in 1007, retained for another term in 1014, F18, retired Brigadier General Glantrian Army)
House: not aligned to any house
Territory: The mountains roughly north of Mariksen running east to the border with the Heldannic Territories. Bordered on the north by Wendar and on the south by various dominions and the Eastern Czaikow Hills Free Province
Food: Deficient
Trails: There are only two trails lead of note in the Free Province, both of them very short ones. The fair trail to Julinus comes from Kursk and is patrolled by Kursk up to the borders of the Barony. There are numerous foot trails into the mountains, but the trail to Julinus is the only trail capable of taking wagon traffic. The east-west caravan route crosses the border in the low mountains of the Three Fires Province and is within the boundaries of the Province for approximately 16 miles before crossing into the Eastern Czaikow Hill Province. This trail was improved in the first years of the Great War, and the Glantrian AAA now rates it a good trail. Much as the Eastern Wendarian Free Province, There is has been no real effort to forge a trail into Wendar. The weather is this area is extremely tricky, the country FAR too unsettled and dangerous and even if a trail was forged it would only be usable for the short summer season before concerns about changing weather would make it's use risky, especially with the close proximity to the border with Heldann and the pass into Wendar.
Economics: The region does a brisk trade in furs coming down from the trappers that live high in the Wendarians. As in much of the Wendarian Ranges there has been in the way of mineral resources discovered in the range. In the Three Fires Province there has been little effort placed into finding it over the last decade, for obvious reasons. The main village of Cinigiago is the guardian of the border crossing into the Heldannic Territories, nestled in the low mountains above the border with Heldann. The town collects all custom fees from merchants and caravans crossing into Glantri. The town provides all kinds of services for merchants including supplies, guides, guards, current exchange, wagon repair, all the services a merchant or caravan might require.
Notable sites: The village of Cinigiago is the administrative and economic centre of the Free Province. Marcus Furius Camillus was selected by the Council in 1007 to be the Propraetor in the Three Fires Province since he was highly regarded tactician and was head of the Glantrian ROTC before retiring, after a disagreement with Prince Jaggar on the use of the reserve divisions. The Propraetor maintains an effective banner of heavy Calvary which the Council funds and he uses to patrol and watch the border to the east and at times to the south toward Ethengar. The village's market is the centre of social life in the village. Every day farmers from the more productive hills to the south and west bring their goods to market. Everyone, from young to old, poor to the Propraetor himself come out and mingle and pick the best from the farmers bounty of potatoes and vegetables. As befitting a village on a trade route. Inn's and taverns, more than a town this size might have normally have are easy to find. They are well kept and are respectable places. Crime in the town is negligible. The Propraetor is a respected leader, fair but very firm with lawbreakers so the village has a well earned reputation for being a safe haven on the otherwise long and dangerous caravan trail.
The village of Julinis is a village supporting the prospectors heading into the depths of the Wendarians and the trappers that do bring some wealth and trade in the forms of firs and animal pelts, along with the occasional live animal or even monster destined to be sold in the Capital. The village also supports a research station sponsored by the Great School of Magic. The outpost just celebrated it's 10th year last year with a paper published in the capital summarising all that the station has discovered. A group of between 20 and 30 mages and mundaner experts on Geology rotates in and out from the capital. The town itself is a basic frontier outpost with outfitting stores for miners, trappers, scores of taverns and inn's for those who a warm bed and a brew after 6 months in the wilderness. Information is the real medium of exchange in Julinis. Monsters, ore deposits, migrations of animals, and weather are all that everyone, wizards included, want to talk about.
There is one last notable site to mention in the Three Fires Free Province. That is the tower of Loritil Drayroth. The tower lays just on the northern edge of the Province. However the existence of the tower is not common knowledge.. or even uncommon knowledge. Those that have found it, never escaped to tell others of it's existence. The tower is hidden by her powerful magics. Time will tell if anyone should discover this site, and live to tell of it.
Useful Links: Loritil Drayroth
Eastern Czaikow Hills, Free Province of
Area: 1904 sq. miles
Population: 4374
Ethnic Groups: Boldavian 85%, Flaem 5%, Ethengar 5%, Other 5%
Villages: Velikiye Luki (398) This good size village is approximately 32 miles east of Kursk and lies on the east-west caravan route. The village is the administrative seat of the Province and home to the Propraetor
Lyskovo (120) This village at the western end of the Province, 16 miles south of the Tower at Mariksen, is the regional seat for the western part of the Province.
Government: Propraetor appointed by the Council of Princes, in charge for seven years. Seat in Cinigiago.
Ruler: Propraetor Hosbayar Borjigin (born 962, appointed in 1008, NM, varied skill-set in administration and the laws of Glantri)
House: not aligned to any house. Very close ties to House Krinagar
Territory: The hills roughly south of Mariksen running east to the border with the Heldannic Territories. Bordered on the north by the mountains of the Free Province of the Three Fires and the various dominions; and on the south by Ethengar.
Food: Surplus. Generally sold to the nearby dominions.
Trails: The east-west caravan trail cuts right through the heart of the Free Province except for a short section where it runs through the south of Kursk.
Economics: The Free Territories are agriculturally driven. Potatoes, cabbage, rye, barley, and wheat are the primary staple foods that the Czaikow Hills provide. Hogs are also raised here. Surplus is usually taken to market in the three nearby dominions of Vladimirov, Mariksen, and Kursk as well as to Cinigiago in the Three Fires Territory.
Notable sites/people: The village of Velikiye Luki is the home of the Propraetor and the cultural centre of the Eastern Czaikow Hills. The town has undergone rapid growth in the last few years after Pereslavl-Zalessky, the former seat of the Free Territory was annexed into what would become the Barony of Kursk. The town is notable for the stout wooden palisade surrounding the town. Over the last two years no fewer than three major raids have targeted Velikiye Luki from Ethengar. In times of need the town can raise a defence force of 200 archers and swordsmen, plus a couple of mages to help protect the town. The Propraetor has also been authorised by the Council of Princes to follow Propraetor Marcus Furius Camillus's example and raise a banner of troops, to be paid out of the taxes that the Free Territory raises to be a full time rapid response force within the Territory. The force is still being raised then will need to be trained so it shouldn't be available for another couple of months. The Propraetor of the territory, Hosbayar Borjigin, is a well respected veteran of many assignment for the Council of Princes and has good relations with all but those who can't get past his Ethengarian ethnicity. He has an excellent relationship with the Baron of Mariksen, Sergei Wutyla, and though he understands the dangerous game he is playing and just who his foe is, he offers him moral support and even some timely advice. It was his advice that led Sergei to invite settlers from Bramyra to come to Mariksen. Borjigin, though completely loyal to Glantri and the Council, knows that Sergei has loyal Ethengarian bodyguards and there is traffic and messages that pass between Sergei and Ethengar. If any are caught and brought to him for 'disposal', they are told to make their loyalty to the Baron known to the Propraetor, thus he makes sure that they are passed to Sergei for 'disposal' instead of doing it himself. The Propraetor otherwise is as harsh and merciless on unauthorised Ethengarians that cross the border as anyone.
Useful Links: none...as of now.
Western Czaikow Hills, Free Province of
Area: 2184 sq. miles
Population: 8858
Ethnic Groups: Boldavian 65%, Flaem 30%, Other 5%
Towns/Villages: Arsenyev (1476) Located approximately 24 miles southwest of the Tower of Palatinsk. This walled town is heavily fortified with gates, dry moat, and towers. It is the administrative centre of the Free Territory but also a secondary defensive point in the defence of Boldavia and Glantri in case of invasion.
There are numerous small village throughout the rural Territory. Only the eastern hills, between Palatinsk, Vladimirov and Ethengar, are thought to be borderlands in this area which has been settled for hundreds of years.
Government: Propraetor appointed by the Council of Princes, in charge for seven years. Seat in Arsenyev.
Ruler: Propraetor Anatoly Borzakovsky (Appointed in 1009, M19, Fire Elementalist 3rd Circle, AL-Neutral, strong background as a military wizard)
The Free Territory is authorised by the Council to maintain a defence force independent of the Grand Army, though it often trains with and works in conjunction with Morphail's Divisions. These Banners were not demobilised with the rest of Glantri's Reserve forces in 1010. In times of mobilisation it would serve as the basis for the Glantrian 21st Reserve Division and be it's 3rd and 4th Banners, as they were during the Great War. The cost of maintaining and paying the force is paid by the Free Dominion. Funded by a sales tax on Vodka.
The 'Raven' Banner - 240 heavy Foot (F1) with long swords, daggers shields and chain mail; 8 sergeants (F2); 2 Lieutenants (F4) 1 captain (F5)
The 'Tornado' Banner - 240 mounted infantries (F1) with bows, long swords, daggers, banded armour; 8 sergeants (F2); 2 Lieutenants (F4) 1 captain (F5) riding normal horses.
House: not aligned to any house. Very close ties to House of Igorov, and Linden
Territory: The hills east of Boldavia running east to a point in the Czaikow Hills to the south of Vladimirov . Bordered on the north by the mountains of the Eastern Wendarian Free Province and by the various dominions; and on the south by Ethengar and the river Dol-Anur.
Food: Surplus. Generally sold to the nearby dominions, and exported to other parts of Glantri
Trails: The main east-west caravan trail runs through the Czaikow Hill's, through Palatinsk, into Arsenyev then on to Rymskigrad. Other fair trails radiate from Arsenyev. One goes to Ft. Tchernovodsk, another up towards Kutchevski, and another towards Pavlova.
Economics: The Free Territory of the Western Czaikow Hills is one of the most prominent, important, and prestigious assignments in the Glantrian government. Not only it is an important military assignment, Propraetors have traditionally been military-minded as well as being able administrators, but it is an economically vital and vibrant area. The area has a high concentration of salt mines. The mines are primarily worked by convicts and slaves, the slaves usually being Ethengarians who were caught on the wrong side of the border. The Province provides a bounty of livestock, goats and cattle primarily. The main product of the Western Hills are agricultural. Potatoes, wheat, barley, cabbage, carrots, and rye are just the most important of many different products that come from the productive hills east of Boldavia. The forests of the northern hills provide a good supply of lumber and surplus lumber is often sent to the east to the Eastern Free Province, which also had need for lumber.
Notable sites/people: Propraetor Anatoly Borzakovsky is of mixed Traladaran/Flaemish ancestry. Retired from the Glantrian Army for some 15 years he was retained as a 'problem solver' by the Council of Princes where his talent as an administrator was noticed. He has previously served as the Propraetor of the Fort Nordling Free Province before being appointed as a Reserve Division Commander during the Great War. With the seemingly unstoppable advance of the Alphatians and the prospects of a showdown on Glantrian soil approaching he was assigned to the Western Czaikow Hills to help Morphail defend a probable approach into Glantri by the Alphatians. Since the Great War and the demobilisation of Glantri's Reserves the Propraetor has shifted his focus to administering the Province. It has been fairly easy duty for him. The Province is relatively peaceful and the crime rate is low compared to the rest of Glantri. Much of that can be attributed to the harsh punishment for crime in the Province. There are no jails or penitentiaries in this region. Convicts are sentenced to work off their sentences in the salt mines, which can be akin to a death sentence. The latest figures from the Commission of Public Safety in Glantri City estimate 1 of every 12 Salt mine workers dies in an average year. Though administering the Province has been his primary duty, the Propraetor never loses sight of the fact that their traditional blood enemy is no more than a day and half's hard ride from Arsenyev and might strike at any time. Regular emergency drills among the towns able body citizens happen on the first Saturday of each month. Keeping the outlying militias active and trained in the rest of the rural Territories has also been an policy the Propraetor has made sure to have enforced. Borzakovsky has seen one thing in his Territory that concerns him. An apparent grass-roots movement against Morphail. Posters have been found posted on walls in Arsenyev trying to stir people up and turn them against Morphail. Borzakovsky has no real personal feelings on the matter but even if he did, his hands are tied anyway. Not long after this campaign started he received an official dispatch from Morphail telling him that any of these 'terrorists' that were caught were to be sent directly to Morphail for 'interrogation'.
Useful Links: none...as of now.
Pavlova, Barony of
Area: 392 square miles
Population: 805
Villages: Pavlova (161) is the administrative centre of the Barony located in the foothills of the Wendarian Mountains underneath the tower of the Baroness.
Djonick (101) Located in the southwestern hills, it is the agricultural centre of the Barony. Noted for the large number and different varieties of mushrooms that grow in the area.
Ethnic groups: Boldavians 85%, Flaem 10%, others 5%.
Languages: Traladaran
Ruler: Baroness Natasha Datchenka
House: Igorov
Military: A private army of twenty-odd bodyguards under her employ, mostly muscle-headed goons (at least F5 with Str 17 or higher) to help her keep order in Pavlova. Though once charmed, these goons have now sworn loyalty to the Baroness. In times of trouble, Natacha can easily increase her militia to about a hundred strong, through reserves, former comrades, eager recruits, local volunteers, mercenaries, or charmed minions from her barony.
History:
Barons of Pavlova
Natacha Datchenka 979-
Pavlova is a relatively new Barony, formed a hundred and fifty years later than the other established dominions in this part of Glantri. The dominion is rumoured to have the fruition of a campaign by Prince Morphail to expand his influence in the area. In AC 978, trouble came to the village Pavlova, and the surrounding area, in the form of a cadre of fanatic vampire hunters. For over a year, these vampire hunters (secretly lead by a rogue vampire) stirred up the superstitious townsfolk, preying on their fears and organising hunting parties. These parties easily became mobs, and these hunts quickly escalated into public staking.
News of the chaos in Pavlova eventually reached Prince Morphail Gorevitch-Woszlany. With the situation about to explode, Prince Morphail made a bid in Parliament to make Pavlova a barony and establish a definite military presence to control the area. Parliament passed the motion, and in AC 979, Pavlova was enfeoffed. As there were no other Glantrian politicians willing to rule a hotbed of civil unrest in the middle of a gloomy Boldavian countryside, Prince Morphail was free to install his own choice as the Baron of Pavlova. It is speculated by some politicians that Prince Morphail himself planted the vampire hunters to spark the disturbances in Pavlova, but this has not been proven.
Prince Morphail had planned to install Pavol Datchenka, a wizard and the mayor of the village of Pavlova, to be the new baron. But word of Pavol's death reached the Prince as he was about to make the pronouncement. Apparently, the mob had come to suspect that Pavol was a vampire, and had taken him and his whole family to be publicly executed by staking through the heart. Prince Morphail was at a loss, and made a secret visit to Pavlova to investigate the matter personally.
Within the next few days, Prince Morphail heard news that one of the Datchenkas had survived, Pavol's daughter Natacha, and she had organised her own band of militia and hunted down the vampire hunters. Natacha then installed herself as mayor of Pavlova and challenged any opposition to her claim to one-to-one combat. Prince Morphail arrived in Pavlova in time to witness the mob leader being beaten into a pulp by Natacha in a brutal boxing match. The mob died down and order was restored when Prince Morphail officially arrived with troops sent by the Council of Princes. Thoroughly impressed by her display of Amazonian strength, and since Natacha was a wizard herself, Prince Morphail proclaimed Natacha the new Baroness of Pavlova. Since then the Barony has been run effectively by the feared Baroness. She is one of the few mages in Glantri that is more feared for her physical attributes than her power in the arcane arts. The Great War with Alphatia brought death and war to the Barony as Pavlova, as well as other areas, suffered the effects of terrorist attacks with summoned monsters let loose in the Barony and around it. The Baroness and her goon-squad dealt with the threat in typically head-on fashion though and again cemented their reputations as the toughest around by personally dealing with the nastiest of the summoned monsters. Stories even reached Glantri City about the Baroness knocking an Iron Gargoyle out with a roundhouse punch during one daring raid in the streets of Pavlova. Those stories might be a bit on the side of fancy but there was not debating her toughness in close-in fight. In the last days of the war, the Barony was attacked by a party of Alphatian wizards as part of the celebrated last ditch assault by the Empire after Glantri destroyed their capital. Of course their attack failed when magic disappeared and Alphatia disappeared under the waves. There was no rumour this time as it was seen by all that the Baroness herself stood tall against several Alphatian mages and once the magic disappeared she beat them to a bloody pulp with her bare fists before they must have escaped. The village had ropes ready to string them up before they disappeared.
Though victorious in the war, it was not a painless victory for Glantri or Padova. The Glantrian census of 1010 showed a population of 805 which showed that Pavlova (like much of Glantri) lost close to 20% of it's population due to monster attacks, wizard attacks, and the plague. The years after the Great War have been spent picking up the pieces and getting back to the business of living. Strangely enough though the Baroness who loved to be out and seen by her Barony has remained closed away in her tower much more than she had before the war. Many wonder if that coincides with interesting meteorological abnormalities within the Barony.
Food: Sufficient
Trails: Fair trails connect the three villages, the tower of the Baroness and the mines in the mountains of Pavlova.
A fair trail connects Djonik to Rymskigrad to the south.
Economics: Pavlova is probably the leading producer of ice in the Principalities. Ice is a common commodity of course, but what Pavlovans have perfected is a means to prolong the 'shelf life' of ice and make it into an exportable commodity for the rest of Glantri. The secret in that comes from the mines in the mountains above the Barony. About two decades ago it was discovered quite by chance by local mage, Pliny the Elder, that the type quartz that was taken from the mines above Pavlova had a specific property when magical treated. When hit with a special control climate spell that Pliny knew, the quartz would hold the surrounding temperate around it for days....no... weeks at a time. The spell and the stone became closely guarded secrets among the Pavlovans. Over time the process was licensed to larger firms in Rymskigrad which allowed distribution to the Capital and points beyond within Glantri. Pavlova also breeds lambs for export, which provides a small income in addition to ice and the treated crystals for the Barony.
Personalities: Natasha Datchenka (born 946, Air Elementalist of the Third Circle) (OD&D: Mage 12th, AL: Chaotic, Nosferatu)
Mayor of Pavlova, Pavel Checkenov (born 980, Thief 12, AL-Neutral)
Coat of Arms: 
Useful links: GPD – Natacha Datchenka by Kit Navarro
Glantrian Nobility during the years by Harri Mäki
The Economy of Pavlova by Aleksei Andrievski
Glantrian Heraldry by Chimpman
Kutchevski, Barony of
Area: 392 square miles
Population: 595
Villages: Kutchevski (119) The main settlement, and population centre of the Barony is in the forested hills in the southwest part of the Barony.
Ethnic groups: Boldavian 94%, Flaem 5%, Others 1%.
Languages: Traladaran.
Ruler: Baron Piotr-Grygory Timenko
House: Igorov
Military: The Baron keeps 20 mounted archers (F1, bows, swords, leather, riding horses) as his Baronial Guard. He employees a standard complement of sheriffs and magistrates to keep law and order within the Barony.
Food: deficiency
Trails: The forest trail passes through the Barony running between the Lawensa Depression up in the Wendarian Ranges and Rymskigrad. It is rated a fair trail and patrolled by the Baron's Guard as far as the border with the Free Province.
Economics: Kutchevski is among the most wretched dominions in Glantri. Two large salt mines provide the economic basis of the dominion. Salt mining by it's nature is one of the more dangerous occupations in existence so any and all convicts are sent to work off their sentences in the mines. The heavy price of punishment has proven a major deterrent to crime so the local population is offered decent wages to take their chances in the mines and supplement the workforce there. That, plus occasional run-ins with undead especially vampires, gives the typical Kutchevskian you might meet in a tavern, a subdued, insular, fatalistic demeanour, even more than the typical Boldavian. Needless to say the Barony of Kutchevski has received the lowest tourism rating from the Glantrian branch of AAA 125 years running haha.
History:
Barons of Kutchevski
Alexandru Timenko 829-866
Vlaicu Timenko 866-883
Dan Timenko 883-918
Mihail Timenko 918-931
Vlad Timenko 931-976
Piotr-Grigori Timenko 976-
Kutchevski is one of the original dominions of Glantri formed the same year that Lord Glantri founded the Republic of Glantri. The original baron was a minor noble whose family had kept a hereditary position as Commanders of the Guard to the Boldavian Prince. Lord Alexandru was rewarded for his brilliant leadership during the Forty Years War with a Barony in the new Republic. The family has held the Barony in the family since then, never once trying to move to a different dominion during Awards Festivals when higher noble titles came vacant. The history of the dominion reflects the stability of the House of Timenko. No major events have really ever touched the Barony. Only in the Great War did anything other than the cycle of natural (and unnatural) death touch the Barony. Summoned monsters brought to Glantri by Alphatian terrorist squads did find their way to Kutchevski, the local population put up little resistance and the Barony had to be cleaned by the roving hunter-killer squads of Glantrian adventurers commissioned by the Council of Princes. A few wizards of the Great Council appeared over the skies of the Barony during the last days of the war, tossing off a few spells, and seeing nothing really much to destroy, they hightailed it to find a better target. All through the war, life never changed for the people of Kutchevski. They packed their lunches and made their way to the mines and then tried to make it home as quickly as they could before the sun set completely. As their fathers had.. their grandfathers had. After the war, life continued on as normal for the Barony. A never ending search for manpower to exploit the mines. To replace those that survived their sentences.. and to replace those that did not.
Notable sites: One of the only notable sites in the Barony of the manor of the Baron. The Baron is quite possibly the most noted sage on Vampires and his manor is said to be a treasure trove of Vampiric Lore. Visitors are by appointment only though, and at night when few wish to be outdoors so visitors are a rare occurrence.
Personalities: Baron Piotr-Grygory Timenko (born 950, M9, Necromancer of the 2nd Circle, Al C)
Seneschal of Kutchevski - Dingus McDiarmaid (Lupin male, born 980 , Thief 8th, Al C)
Coat of Arms: 
Useful links: GPD - Piotr-Grygory Timenko by Giampaolo Agosta
GPD - Dingus McDiarmaid by Giampaolo Agosta
Nobility during the years by Harri Mäki
The Economy of Kutchevski by Aleksei Andrievski
Glantrian Heraldry by Chimpman
Palatinsk, Barony of
Area: 392 square miles
Population: 1120
Villages: Palatinsk (224) The main village of the Barony located in the centre of the Barony. The administrative and economic heart of the Barony
Mircea (128) This village, located in the southern woods of the Barony, is an important way station and Caravan outfitter for travellers heading east through the Czaikow Hills
Ethnic groups: Boldavian 70%, Flaem 25%, Others 5%.
Languages: Boldavian, Flaem, Thyatian (in Mercea).
Ruler: Baron Youri Ivanov
House: Igorov
Military: 20 F1, horsemen (swords, bows, leather) The Baronial Guard
The Baronial Guard is a special handpicked unit completely loyal to the Baron who protect his tower. All administrative functions are handled in the village so the tower is considered the personal residence of the Baron and as such no visitors are allowed. Unannounced visitors have their names taken, along with the reason for their visit and but are turned away.
Patrols from Fort Tchernovodsk make regular stops in the Barony on their back to and from patrols in the Czaikow Hills.
Food: Self-Sufficient
Trails: A large fair trail runs east to west through the southern part of the Barony through the village of Mircea which is the main route from Rymskigrad to points east and beyond. An increase of trade with the Heldannic Territories over the last couple of years has done a great deal to bring increased traffic and gold into the Barony. Fair trails lead north out of Mircea to the large village of Palatinsk and south to Fort Tchernovodsk
Economics: Palatinsk is home of the horse breeders of the famous Tersk. The Tersks are known for their endurance, demonstrated when several horses were entered in the 192 mile ride, at the Kerendan Day of the Hoof in 1002, and every Tersk finished in good time and shape. They are also very fast, and frequently raced against Ylari Stallions. Over the last few years the Tersk, which has always been in demand within Glantri, usually priced well beyond any but nobles, military officers, or rich merchants, has become more in demand in foreign markets leading to a thriving export trade to all points of the known world. Needless to say, Horse Thievery is a capital offence in Palatinsk. A good sized lead mine in the northern hills, discovered back in the 980's, has provided the dominion a nice and steady mineral resource, as well as employment for the population. An abundant supply of game and vegetable in the forests and clearings gives the Barony enough food to be considered self-sufficient.
History:
Barons of Palatinsk
Moise Kviepoly 829-832
Vlad Kviepoly 832-845
Mircea Kviepoly 845-857
Petru Kviepoly 857-877
Mihneu Kviepoly 877-892
Alexandru Kviepoly 892-901
Radu Kviepoly 901-923
Gavril Kviepoly 923-929
Alberts Kviepoly 929-931
Matei Serban 931-959
Grigori Leon 959-973
Vlasniy Ivanov 973-997
Youri Ivanov 997-
Palatinsk is another of the original dominion created at the formation of the Glantrian Republic. The Barony was awarded to Moise Kviepoly, an brilliant commander under Morphail during the 40 Years War. The Kviepolys, though they had been traditionally a family of fighters, managed to retain the Barony after the Light of Rad, when the oldest heir just happened to be a wizard, and continued to rule the Barony for over a hundred years. In 931 the Kviepoly family left the Barony they founded when they won the open Viscounty of Blofeld. Even today the name Kviepoly is fondly remembered in the Barony. The Kviepoly influence on Palatinsk is still strongly felt today and in fact is the source of pride for Barony. The Kviepoly family were champion breeders of the famous Palatinsk Tersk breed of horse. Over the 100 plus years of Kviepoly rule the breed became synonymous with Palatinsk and other breeders took to breeding these outstanding horses. Continuing the Palatinsk horse breeding tradition even after the Kviepoly family moved on to another dominion. Unfortunately the Kviepoly family dynasty came to a sad ending, not long after they shifted allegiance from Morphail to the House of Singhabad, when the whole family was discovered butchered in their tower. No arrests were ever made.
After the Kviepoly family moved on, the Baronial title passed between several families over the years before finally regaining some stability with the current Ivanov family who have ruled the Barony since 973. The years have been prosperous ones for the Barony. The crime rate, for some reason that sociologists at the Capital have never been able to offer a good reason for, is the lowest in Glantri. In fact is often said that Palatinsk may have the lowest crime rate in all of the known world. It is true that the people are much happier and much more prosperous than the average Boldavian. The current Baron by all accounts is a thoughtful and popular ruler, a hero to lower classes with his reputation of being a successful (i.e. long-lived haha) Vampire Hunter. He is a sympathetic figure within the Barony after word of his parents vampiric nature got out and how he had to destroy them. All those could explain a low crime rate but it really doesn't explain that low a crime rate. That is a mystery that no one has been able to explain to this point.
The recent war with Alphatia brought some changes to the Barony. Increased contacts with the Heldannic Territories to the east led to much more traffic going through the Barony, especially a marked increase in trade and caravan traffic. Unfortunately all that traffic brought a nasty side effect and the plague that hit Glantri, hit Palatinsk very hard. Documents published by the Glantrian Census Bureau estimate Palatinsk lost almost 40% of it's population during the war. Most of those due to the plague, and others were lost to monsters the Alphatians conjured and set loose. As such the Baron has put out a small bounty (10 dc per family) for people to settle in Palatinsk. So far the move is paying dividends and the population is almost back to AC 1000 population levels. The current baron Youri Ivanov is watching events in the region very closely and is considering visiting the Baron of Palatinsk, Sergei Wutyla. In secret of course.
Notable sites: The Double R Bar Horse Farm The Double R is located in the southwestern part of the barony is a large forest and meadow property owned by the noted Priperov family of horse breeders and traders. The finest of Tersk horses are raised and trained here. Guided tours of the facility are given on the second and forth Lunadains of every month. Admission fee is 3 sv for adults, 1 sv for children 6 and up. Admission is free for those under the age of 6.
Two Legs and an Ass This pub in the heart of the town of Palatinsk is renowned throughout Glantri and is a popular destination for visitors to the Barony. The pub serves 17 types of ales and beers from all over the known world, 35 vintages of wines from Glantri and Thyatis, and some of the most exotic liquors you could imagine. The pub is a working monument to the 40 Years War with artists renditions of the major battles of the war, replica unit flags, and recreations of maps showing the deployments and strategic situations at various stages of the war. The food at 2LnA as the locals call it is the real treasure here. Here you can have what the locals call a hamburger, which is said to be ground beef formed into patties and then cooked just long enough for the outside to turn brown and then served between two pieces of bread. It is said that there is nothing better after a hard day at work than a Hamburger, some thinly sliced potatoes fried up, with a mug of Vestland Dark Ale
Personalities: Baron Youri Ivanov (born 963, M10, Necromancer of the 3rd Level, AL-Chaotic)
Coat of Arms: 
Useful links: GPD – Youri Ivanov by Andrew Theisen
Glantrian Nobility during the years by Harri Mäki
The Economy of Palatisk by Aleksei Andrievski
Glantrian Heraldry by Chimpman
Wiki entry on Tersk horses
Vladimirov, Barony of
Area: 392 square miles
Population: 700
Villages: Vladimirov (140) The only population centre of note in the barony. This village in the centre of the barony, the foothills of the Wendarian Range, serves as the administrative and commercial centre of the Barony.
Ethnic groups: Boldavians 90%, Kaelics 5%, Others 5%.
Languages: Boldavian, Thyatian
Ruler: Baroness Szasza Markovitch
House: Igorov
Military: 20 F3 (chain, swords, longbows, riding horses, Charisma 16+) These men are all totally loyal to the Baroness and are drawn from the most handsome and toughest men in the Barony and surrounding area.
The Noble Guard of Markovitch, was once a quite efficient military unit who assisted Morphail's division in patrolling the border of eastern Glantri against Ethengarian raids and incursions. Nowadays though, most of the veteran guards have left their employment, as many of the old guards didn't 'measure-up to the Baroness' exacting 'standards'. The patrols to the border have stopped and now days the guard remains within the Barony and whose primary purpose is to protect the Baroness' tower.
Food: slightly deficient
Trails: one fair trail leads south from the village of Markovitch to the main east west trail just outside the border of the Barony to the south. Several poor trails lead into the mountains and one leads to the Baroness' tower on a low mountain overlooking the village and the hills below it.
Economics: The Barony of Vladimirov is a poor Barony. The mountains around the Barony have produced little but small amounts of lead which brings some income. Prospectors though continue to pry into the mountains looking for deposits of minerals that might prove valuable. Much the same as higher up in the Wendarian Range, so far they have had no luck. Other than the small amounts of lead coming down out of the mountains the primary source of income are the large flocks of game birds that, for unexplained reasons, tend to migrate to the Vladimirov area in the summer. The birds are prized in the kitchens of New Averoigne and throughout Glantri. The week of they traditionally descend upon the Barony corresponds with an annual festival in which prizes are given out to those who bag the biggest bird and for those who catch the most. The week ends with a great outdoor celebration the night before the Barony sends it's catch to Rymskigrad for sale. Typically what the Barony makes during the year is earned within the course of 10 to 14 days. As such frugality is second nature to Vladimirovians. There is little luxury here, but very often what they do earn in that week or two can see a family through a year. Since prospects economically are so bleak here, many of the best and brightest leave the Barony at the first opportunity, rarely if ever to return, to seek a better life in Rymskigrad or even as far away as Kopstar or the Capital itself.
History:
Barons of Vladimirov
Aleksei Markovitch 859-881
Piotr Markovitch 881-894
Konstantin Markovitch 894-900
Vladislav Markovitch 900-938
Boris Markovitch 938-970
Nikolai Markovitch 970-995
Saszha Markovitch 995-
The Barony of Vladimirov was founded in response the Light of Rad in 859. The creation of the Principality of Boldavia meant that the existing Barony of Rymskigrad was to be dissolved and annexed to the new Principality under Prince Morphail. By the Light of Rad, If an existing fief was to be annexed to a Principality, the Prince was allowed to propose the creation of a new fief for the demised noble. The Council of Prince automatically grant that fief, provided the noble fulfilled all the requirements and provided he accepted the Light of Rad. Aleksei Markovitch was the dispossessed noble and a wizard who accepted the Light of Rad so Prince Morphail created the Barony which came to be known as Vladimirov for Aleksei. The Prince made this Barony the easternmost of Glantrian dominions and an important one for defence and exploration of eastern Glantri. Once the Markovitch family took the reigns of their new dominion they came to find, that while Prince Morphail gave him a great honour in making him the first line of defence in case of any threat from the east, the dominion itself was dreadfully located with few resources of any sort within the boundaries of the Barony itself. Thus the Barony served as a little more than a military outpost on the eastern edge of Glantri. Aleksei lost his mother, father, as well as his Grandfather (the previous Baron of Rymskigrad) in an attack by marauding Ethengarians. Thus Aleksei harboured a deep hatred of the Ethengarian and took to task, the implied Military function of the Barony and spent his years as Baron of Vladimirov exacting revenge upon the Ethengarians. He was known to be expert Necromancer, specialising in the creation and control of the undead and sent scores of undead horrors into Ethengar. Stories are still told in Vladimirov, and in Ethengar, of how the northern steppes were stained red by the blood shed by the Yugatis in those years. Aleksei finally reaped what he sowed in 881 when he apparently lost control of a powerful undead who prompted killed the Baron.
The reign of the Markovitch family has continued through the years, rejecting any opportunity to participate in Awards Festival for any higher dominions that were vacant. However the prominence of the once important Barony has declined to next to nothing, after the creation of the Barony of Mariksen in 935 reflected the migration of population and extension of the frontier east. Thus the dominion was no more status than any other Barony. Unfortunately that also left a Barony with little to no resources and little population. Thus with little to encourage people to emigrate there, and little to keep those that were, the Barony has remained one of the least populous, and least profitable in all Glantri. Even the world encompassing Great War against Alphatia left Vladimirov generally unscathed. The highlight of Vladimirov's role in the Great War was in 1006 when a tribe of Orcs came down from the Wendarians and descended into Vladimirov village planning to raid the Barony. That same day the Orcs turned back around and went back into the mountains. One of the wenches at the Shattered Spear Inn was said to overhear the Orc chieftain laughingly tell his subordinates, in perfect Emperor's Thyatian, as they left that they only thing they might catch in the Barony was a case of the Clap and this place was best left for the damned Glantrians. No place, including Vladimirov, escaped the plague however. Due to the low population and how spread out the predominantly rural population is, the plague's toll in Vladimirov was a grand total of 31 people. Since the Great War nothing has changed in the Barony. The increased trade with the Heldannic Territories passes to the south through the Free Territories and has had little benefit to the Barony. The Baroness seems to care little about the lives nor the economic state of her Barony so life for those who reside in Vladimirov stands to not change for the better in the foreseeable future.
Notable sites: The only notable site, and only thing keeping Vladimirov from breaking Kutchevski's dubious record on having received the lowest tourism rating from the Glantrian branch of AAA 125 years running is the breathtaking beauty of the Natural Bridge.
The Natural Bridge is a geological formation in which Checkov Creek has carved out a gorge in the mountainous limestone terrain, forming an arch 215 ft (66 m) high with a span of 90 ft (27 m). It consists of horizontal limestone strata, and is the remains of the roof of a cave or tunnel through which the creek once flowed. It is crossed by the Markovitch Memorial Highway which is the main trail between the mountains and the village of Vladimirov. It is a popular tourist destination during the fall when all the leave turn and many of the greatest artists of Glantri have painted it.
Personalities: Baroness Szasza Markovitch (born 970, M12, Witch of the 3rd Circle, AL C).
Coat of Arms: 
Useful links: GPD – Szasza Markovitch by Markus Olavi Montola
Glantrian Nobility during the years by Harri Mäki
The Economy of Vladimirov by Aleksei Andrievski
Wiki entry on Natural Bridge, Virginia.
Glantrian Heraldry by Chimpman
Mariksen, Barony of
Area: 392 square miles
Population: 750
Villages: Medvezhyegorsk (150) Medvezhyegorsk is a growing village in the centre of the Barony in the Wendarian foothills. It is the economic, administrative, and social centre of the Barony.
Kyzyl (100) Kyzyl is new village in the southeastern part of Mariksen. It was founded by immigrants from the Bramyra region of Glantri.
Ethnic groups: Boldavians 65%, Flaem 20%, Ethengarian 10%, Others 5%.
Languages: Boldavian, Ethengarian
Ruler: Baron Sergei Wutyla
House: Bramyra.
Military: 20 F1 Cavalry (short bows, swords, riding horses). They are based in Medvezhyegorsk
The Baron's Calvary serve as the constabulary in the Barony. They patrol the Barony always on the lookout for trouble, from the outside and from the inside. Any troublemakers or lawbreakers are arrested and taken before the chief magistrate in Medvezhyegorsk.
Sergei retains a personal bodyguard, however the number and composition of that force remain unknown.
Food: slightly deficient
Trails: There are three main trails in the Barony of Mariksen. . The first is a fair trail. It is the main trade and commerce route of the Barony which runs from the village of Medvezhyegorsk south to the main east-west trade route which connects Glantri and Rymskigrad to points north and east. The second is a new trail which runs from Medvezhyegorsk to the southeast through Kyzyl and leads to the new Barony of Kursk. The third winds into the mountains to the Baron's new mining operations. Both of these trails have been rated 'poor' trails by the Glantrian branch of AAA. The Baron is said to be considering future public works projects to improve the quality of northern trail and perhaps the southeastern.
Economics: The Barony of Mariksen appeared for many years to be heading down the same path as it's neighbour, Vladimirov, had gone down. That of a new dominion created more for security and defence, that enjoyed significant financial support from the Council of Princes at it's beginning. However as time went by and the Barony was no longer required to be the eastern outpost of the Glantrian government and support from the Council dried up, the Barony would be left to it's own devices and it's own resources. Like Vladimirov, Mariksen had no substantial mineral resources and little land to cultivate for products for export.
Mariksen though had one thing that Vladimirov did not though. Luck and the discovery of a substantial, yet as of now undetermined as to how substantial, vein of Copper in it's territory. It's discovery in 1012, was unexpected and timely, happening just when Mariksen was beginning to feel the pinch of the Council's support being shifted to Kursk in the east. Infrastructure is still being constructed to make the Copper extractable and profitable but large scale mining operations are set to begin in the next year or two. The discovery sent shockwaves through the area and prospectors have descended into the Wendarians en mass. Nobles and area Magistrates have commissioned countless prospecting parties themselves and hope to be the next to strike it big.
Before discovery of the Copper and the immigration of the Bramyians to Mariksen the primary resource of the dominion was wax. With the influx of new immigrants from the Bramyra region, a new village has been formed by them and attempts to grow Mulberry trees have started. Time will tell if the trees will take in the colder environment and if silk might become another product of Mariksen. Atypical of Boldavia and it's dominions, the people of Mariksen actually have reason to smile and hope for a brighter economic future.
History:
Barons of Mariksen
Lajos Wutyla 935-938
Bela Wutyla 938-961
Matthias Wutyla 961-990
Laszlo Wutyla 990-1012
Sergei Wutyla 1012-
The Barony of Mariksen was created by the Council of Princes in 935 at the request of Prince Morphail to assist in consolidation and control of the Eastern Wendarian Range and Czaikow's Hills bordering Ethengar. Created like Vladimirov and Palatinsk the Barony was more an administrative and military outpost. However after a hundred years of peace Morphail did not have a proven battlefield commander at hand to recommend to take the new dominion, so the title of Baron was to be decided by an Awards Festival. After months of feverish campaigning by scores of qualified wizards it became obvious by the time neared for the vote at Council that their were three that had distinguished themselves. The first, Lajos Wutyla, was promising necromancer whom Prince Morphail had his eyes on for some years. The second Piotr Szymanowski, a draconic sage of some note, was also a Boldavian who failed to recognise that Lajos had won the support of the Prince of Boldavia and thought Morphail was undecided. Of course the Prince was not about to correct his miscalculation. The third and final candidate who thought he had a chance and did not withdraw his petition to the Council was a promising Flaemish Mage, Aleida Verbeck, who hoped that she might capitalise on any anti-Boldavian votes.
Once the three had presented their petitions, and their credits before the council the voting took place. Szymanowski soon found out how, not matter what his knowledge of things draconic might be, his intellect did not extend to thing political. His case was dismissed while both Wutyla and Verbeck received the necessary votes and had their petitions sent to the Parliament. The last anyone heard of Szymanowski, he was soothing his crushed ego in the company of a sympathetic ear, the brother of Prince Morphail, Sir Boris. Verbeck however did read the political tea-leafs correctly and the vote in Parliament mirrored that of the Council and both received the votes necessary. In Glantri the solution to a deadlock as these, was to be a duel at the Duelling Court at the Great School of Magic. What followed was probably best described in the notorious Glantrian book 'A View to a Kill... 10 Famous Glantrian Duels'.
(reprinted without permission...though we tried haha. It seems the author went missing a short time after the book was published... as well as the publisher)
'.... then again it is not everyday that you get to see two high level wizards go at it at Duelling Court for this long. Both of the wizards after 20 minutes testing each others defences warily pace around the white circle marking the boundary of the Court. Their eyes never leaving each other. After stalking each other around the ring for several minutes, both probably working out their next moves in their minds, Alaida makes her move to end the contest by conjuring an Air elemental.. what must be her ace in the hole against an opponent preparing for Fire Elementals. She smiles in anticipation of victory as she guides the elemental to the attack, blows from the elemental stagger then bloody the obviously exhausted Lajos. All of a sudden the crowd gasps audibly as Lajos shouts an unknown incarnation and two tall figures in black appear behind Alaida. Her concentration.. on the cusp of victory is shattered and she turns to unleash a spell on her new attackers. Before she is able to cast a spell one of figures in black grabs her arms, preventing her from casting and as silence descends upon the crowd gathered to watch the second figures produces a knife and as the stunned crowd watches in silence pulls her hair back and slashes her throat from.......'
Thus in 935 Lajos Wutyla became the newest member of the Glantrian nobility as the new Baron of what he later named the Barony of Mariksen.
Mariksen through the rest of the century was an important military outpost and depot for Boldavian settlers who were beginning to move into Czaikow's Hills and the foothills of the Wendarians. A march east that started the previous century and after many years of peace was accelerating forward as the strength of the Glantrian military made large scale raids by Ethengar a thing of the past. Though the Barony had stability in that the Wutyla family has ruled the Barony since it's beginning it was never blessed with good leadership. Like many Boldavian nobles the people and lands of their holdings were simply not a concern, much less a priority, so life in the Barony was tough and dangerous with infestations of undead, especially Vampires being a problem. During the Great War, the Glantrian Army had a large presence in Markisen guarding the eastern landward approaches to Glantri and life for the Barony was never so good with all the soldiers spending their hard earned ducats on rest and relaxation. Monsters summoned by the Alphatians were a constant and deadly threat to the people of the Barony and the famed Boldavian Hunter-Killer group 'The Cossacks' led by Vladimir Ankundinov pretty much resided here during the war and Mariksen served as their home base from which they operated. The end of the Great War brought many profound changes to Mariksen, the hated and feared Baron Laszlo Wutyla was killed and revealed to have been a Vampire and Laszlo's brother Sergei inherited the Barony. For the first time since the Barony was founded it had a Baron that actually worked to improve the state and condition of the Barony. This culminated with the discovery of a large Copper deposit in the northern mountains of the Barony. Also it must be noted that Sergei has shown a great deal of kinship with the Ethengarian people. He has become very friendly with Prince Krinagar and invited settlers from Bramyra to settle in his Barony. It is also noted that Sergei is rarely seen without a particularly striking woman of the Steppes. This interest in the people of Bramyra culminated in the unheard of, for Boldavian nobles that is, move of Sergei switching allegiance from the House of Igorov to another. The House of Krinagar. What this might bode for Sergei and his barony remains unforeseen. Surprisingly the relationship between Boldavian and Bramyian has been pleasant. Both ethnic groups do keep with their own but when they have been together they have been cordial and civil. Add in a large Flaem population and you have the most ethnically mixed Baronies in the Boldavian region. The future looks bright for Mariksen economically right now, however recent waves of undead attacks have sort of muted the enthusiasm Bringing the lesson of poor, sad Aleida Verbeck to mind. It isn't over till you are 6 feet under, and remembering this is Glantri, and sometimes not even then. The following years should be interesting in Mariksen. The fight for prosperity, and for survival continue, often at the same time.
Notable sites: The village of Kyzyl is a village of some one hundred people in the southeastern part of Mariksen. It was founded recently by immigrants from the Bramyra region of Glantri. The Mulberry trees planted in hope of cultivating silk worms are a source of quite some fascination to the locals. Two wizards that moved with settlers tend for these trees using arcane and traditional mundane methods.
Personalities: Baron Sergei Wutyla (born 950, M10, AL-Lawful)
Erega (born 970, C18, AL-Lawful)
Coat of Arms: 
Useful links: Glantrian Nobility during the years by Harri Mäki
The Economy of Mariksen by Aleksei Andrievski
Sergei Wutyla - Micky at the Piazza
Glantrian Heraldry by Chimpman
Kursk, Barony of
Area: 392 square miles
Population: 805
Villages: Pereslavl-Zalessky (161) Located in the southern hills of the Barony. The town is a major caravan stop and the administrative centre of the Barony and a major military output.
Noyabrsk (110) A new village founded since the formation of the barony. Located in the centre of the barony in a valley between two mountains. It serves as the outpost for those who live and work in the mountains of the barony and also weaves through mountains to the north out of the barony to the village of Julinis in the Three Fires Free Province.
Ethnic groups: Boldavians 65%, Flaem 20%, Others 15%.
Languages: Various, mainly Boldavian.
Ruler: Baron Mikail Zirchevski
House: Igorov
Military: 25 F1 mounted bowmen (short bow, leather, short swords, riding horses)
The Baronial Guard is the force in charge of keeping order and supporting the local sheriffs and magistrates in their duties. Based in Noyabrsk, they often train and work in conjunction with army patrols out of Pereslavl-Zalessky
Food: sufficient
Trails: The main east-west caravan trail passes through the south of the Barony. It is like nearly all trails in Glantri is classified as a fair trail. A fair trail heads north out of Pereslavl-Zalessky through Noyabrsk into the Wendarian mountains to the village of Julinus.
Economics: Kursk for such a frontier dominion and a new one at that is remarkably stable economically. Subsidies are given to the Baron for construction of a fort to base the army patrols, which has given the people good steady work and ply. Then there is the economic boost that having army patrols stationed there that pump their pay into local products and services. As far as resources the area was settled well before the establishment of the barony, with the village of Pereslavl-Zalessky having been a caravan stop as well as being a centre for the local free territory population for the last 35 years. The area is well known for it's hog farms which provide an excess above the needs of the local population and are often exported east and west. The region specialises in using pork in main dishes and several regional recipes have been picked up, and featured in some of the finest restaurants in the capital and in New Averoigne. Since the foundation of the barony, the new Baron, like all the Boldavian nobles has invested in prospecting and exploration of the local mountains to find any mineral resources. There were some existing stone quarries in the mountains established well before the barony was founded. They provide stone preferred by local builders for permanent structures. It does bring some income into the new barony, but pork is king in these parts and this region serves as the source for the pork needs of the north-eastern region of Glantri.
History:
Barons of Kursk
Mikail Zirchevski 1009-
Much like the previously published entry for the Viscounty of Montruex. Kursk was formed near the very end of the Great War, created in the last round of dominion creation by the Council of Princes to help with managing the defences, finances, and population of Glantri, as well as bringing the Parliament in line with all the Act of Enfoeffment of the previous years in which 3 new Principalities were created. Kursk was a natural extension of a hundred and fifty years of expansion and consolidation of the far eastern reaches of Glantri. Much like Montruex, Kursk was a settled area previous to the barony being established and had economic and social framework already in place. As such the transition from Free Territory to Baronial holding was an easy one for the Baron who did not face carving a dominion out of nothing.
In the years since the establishment of the Barony things have been quiet and prosperous. Trade has increased with the Heldannic Territories as noted in other entries which has brought lots of goods into and through the barony. A fort in the south of the barony is near completion to provide a home base for extended deployments of Glantrian Army units who patrol the east of Glantri. Raids by Ethengarian horsemen were a daily threat but with the presence of regular troops in the area the threat has decreased, though they still do occur. The Barony is ablely managed by a Flaemish seneschal who is a native of the area. The Baron himself does not interfere or really seem interested in events in the barony, preferring to reside with his family in Glantri City. The people themselves are happy with the situation since the Baron did have the good sense to put someone in charge who was one of them, and understands them.
Notable sites: Pereslavl-Zalessky was the seat of the Free Province of the Eastern Czaikow Hills and for a frontier dominion is a thriving community with merchants from Darokin, the Heldannic Territories, Vestland, and even further flung nations regularly passing through. Goods and services not readily available in many parts of Boldavia are regularly found here.
A new fort is being constructed outside of town which is to house Glantrian army detachments.
Personalities: Baron Mikail Zirchevski (15th Level Wizard, 3rd circle Dracologist, soon will be studying for the 4th circle)
Aalbert-Pieters Van Dijk; Seneschal of Kursk (7th level Wizard)
Coat of Arms: A Red Dragon's head over a black background
Useful links: GPD – Sinaria Verlien by Ohad Shaham. (introduced Zirchevski)
Mikail Zirchevski - Micky at the Piazza