Duchy of Eastburg

**Province**
 **Ruler**
 **Ruling House**
 **Seat**
 **Vassals**

The **Duchy of the Eastvaleg** is a major land of peerage within the Kingdom of Stormwind and one of the largest and most populous fiefdoms in all of Elwynn Forest. Ruled over by the famed political dynasty of House Ascania, the Eastvale is currently led by the politician and socialite, Lady Terez Ascania, who is known to be a fair, just, and generous ruler. Originally consolidated as a duchy under the rule of Lady Terez's father, the first Lord High Speaker of the Stormwind House of Nobles since its reconstitution after the Second War, the Eastvale plays a critical role in the economy of eastern Elwynn and sits at a vital juncture between Elwynn Forest, Redridge, and Duskwood.

## Geography

Although composed of many vassal states dispersed throughout the lands of Stormwind, the core of the Eastvale lies within eastern Elwynn forest. Filled with lush green forests, vast orchards, and the breathtaking Redridge mountains to the west, the Eastvale is an idyllic landscape nestled within the relative safety of Stormwind's heartland.

### Local Threats

Few enemies roam its lands in Elwynn proper, with only the endemic problem of local murloc tribes proving any sort of consistent danger. Bandits are few and far between in the land, which is patrolled heavy by a trained contingent of guards known as the Ducal Road Wardens. The only serious threats to the duchy lie to the north and south. Beyond the Redridge mountains lies the ever present Blackrock Orc tribes who have occasionally threatened to raid the northernmost lands of the duchy, and to the south lies the cursed forest of Duskwood and the undead evils within that occasionally spill over into the ducal counties

## History

### The First & Second Wars

Before the first war the lands of East Elwynn were a highly diverse collection of baronies and counties ruled by small noble families. The land was fertile and rich, and the nearby mountains served as deep wells of gold, silver, iron, and other valuable minerals that helped bring prosperity to the land. The invasion of the Orcish Horde during the First War, however, saw virtually all of the local inhabitants driven from the land and their great mineral wealth stripped down to fuel the Horde's war effort. When the Horde was vanquished after the Second War the refugees of Stormwind returned home to rebuild their once great kingdom. Today the land of the Eastvale still bears the scars of the First War, and its once productive mines lay empty and barren.

### Establishment of the Eastvale & 1st Ducal Administration

In response to the need for centralized reorganization of the disparate fiefdoms of East Elwynn following the internal strife and chaos caused by the Black Dragon Onyxia, on August 3, 623 K.C. by order of King Varian Wrynn the lands of East Elwynn forest were consolidated into the Duchy of the Eastvale under the rule of the House of Martelle.

Utilizing his connections and incredible authority within the Stormwind government, the first Duke of the Eastvale embarked upon an intense campaign to build a strong economic foundation for the mostly rural and agricultural region. Sturdy and efficient stone roadways known as the Ducal Roadways were build across all of the Eastvale to provide the connectively and stability needed for economic growth, and a highly professional and well funded organization known as the Ducal Road Wardens was established to secure the road, eliminate bandit threats, and keep the verminous murloc tribes at bay. Towards the end of the first Duke's rule the duchy also opened its doors to the many refugees seeking new homes after the fall of Stromgarde and Lordaeron, as well as the Gilnean and Kaldorei refugees that came with the destruction of Teldrassil.

As a result of his initiatives, the Eastvalestands today as both a highly multicultural land, but also an economic powerhouse supplying vast amounts of food, lumber, and livestock to the whole of Stormwind and the remaining human kingdoms.

### 2nd Ducal Administration

Following the first duke's death, his son briefly took the mantle of duke before his untimely death under mysterious circumstances. He was succeeded soon thereafter by his long lost sister, Terez Ascania, who had been wed many years ago to an influential and powerful Kul Tiran admiral and resided there until shortly before her husband's death and the announcement that she was to succeed her brother as ruler of the Eastvale.

### Current Ducal Administration

Young and relatively inexperienced, Terez Ascania took the ducal throne with very low expectations for her success. To the surprise of many of her vassals and courtiers, however, the duchess proved to be an adept and educated administrator with a persuasive ability to curry favor amongst even her strongest detractors. Since taking over the duchess has continued many of her father's economic policies, but has begun a sweeping wave of liberalization in the the once conservative region through a series of reforms aimed as empowering the rights of the common folk and limiting the special privileges of the nobility - all whilst consolidating power around her.

#### Vassal Lands & Rulers

The March of Wraithelm ruled by Margrave Aurélion Graves - (Vassal Contract)

The County of Ebonlight, ruled by Countess Nyassa Ebonwind - (Vassal Contract)

The County of Dovewood, ruled by Countess Lady Aylin Gregory

The County of Norholt, ruled by Countess Nahva Graves

The Lord-Bishopric of Hope, Pearls, & Waves, ruled by the Diocesan Administrator, Bishop Kessanella H.B. Prismspark - (Vassal Contract)

The Viscounty of Duskwatch ruled by Lady Remona Thane, Countess of County of Greyrose - (Vassal Contract)

The Vidamy of Mara's Vigil, ruled by Abbess Merellia Hallewell

The Vidamy of Anneburg, ruled by Lord Colin Lambholdt - (Vassal Contract)

The Barony of River's End, ruled by Lord Gareth Wynthall - (Vassal Contract)

The Barony of Kurstow, ruled by Lady Alice Graves in vassalage to the March of Wraithelm.

The Barony of Blancmont, ruled by Lord Philip of Blancmont

The Barony of Hillford, ruled by Lady Delilah Coldthorne

The Barony of Ren'belore, ruled by Lady Shakiena Stillwater in vassalage to the County of Ebonlight.

The Barony of Stone's Edge, ruled by Lady Allison of Stone's Edge

Duchess Terez Ascania, Ruler of EastburgLady Remona Thane, Viscountess of DuskwatchMargrave Aurelion Graves, Margrave of WraithelmAbbess Merellia Hallewell, Vidame of Mara's VigilLady Alice Graves, Baroness of KurstowLady Nyassa Ebonwind, Countess of EbonlightLady Delilah Coldthorne, Baroness of HillfordLady Shakiena Shal'assan, Baroness of Ren'bloreLord-Bishop of the Lord Bishopric of Hope, Pearls, & Waves, Bishop Prismspark is an influential figure in the Church of the Holy Light and a mentor to the Duchess Ascania.A vassal of the Lord-Bishop of Hope, Pearls, & Waves, Colin Lambholdt is a young and enterprising nobleman in Eastburg.Lady Nahva Graves, Countess of Norholt
## Holidays

The Eastvale celebrates all the same major holidays as Stormwind, albeit with one notable addition. Following the defeat of the Rebel Forces under the Duke of Redmarch at the Battle of Eastvale during the Stormwind Civil War of 624 K.C., the Duchess proclaimed the third weekend of March to be a ducal holiday named Dragon's Folly - so named in consideration of the unprecedented and massive attacked launched by the rebel forces into the Eastvale. Dragon's Folly is a massive festival that celebrates the triumph of the Royal Army, as well as the resilience of the Eastvale's people in defending the kingdom from the would-be usurper.

Dragon's Folly celebrations begin with a long parade beginning at Falconwatch Castle that travels south through Eastburg and into Eastvale to mock the march of the Rebel Army. Massive feasts are held during the week, many businesses shut down, and the Duchess formally hosts a grand party. During this time the Order of the Eastvale is given special accolade, and its knights remembered as the heroes who helped save a nation.

## Economy

Once rich in ore and minerals, the lands of Eastern Elwynn were devastated at the end of the First War when its resources were stripped by the Orcish Horde to fuel its war effort in the north of the Eastern Kingdoms. Resettled after the end of the Second War, the people of Elwynn focused instead on harvesting the lush timber of Elwynn Forest and cultivating a rich variety of crops that could take root in the fertile soil.

Today, the Eastvale and its fiefdoms boast fertile fields and the very best timberlands in all of Stormwind, with shipyards and lumber mills from across the Seven Kingdoms competing to place orders for large Elwynn timber used in the manufacture of ships of war and various luxury items. The lands of East Elwynn are also known for their impressive horse herds, with the stables in Eastvale boasting the finest warhorses in all of the Kingdom.

### Primary Economic Resources:

#### Raw Materials

* Timber
* Wool
* Processed Lumber

#### Livestock

* Horses (work)
* Horses (trained warhorses)
* Cattle
* Swine

#### Foodstuffs

* Apples
* Pumpkins
* Watermelon
* Wheat (minor)