Duchy of Val Kahden

**Val Kahden** is a duchy located in the north-eastern part of Edynor.

### Geographical features

Val Kahden is bordered in the west by the Brulgar Mountains, a vast north-south range of peaks that border a number of other regions such as the Stonemist Swamps, the Duchy of Glindhaven, the Duchy of Skogrborg, Kaesyr and brushes against the far north-eastern reaches of Taern Tirnos. Roughly midway along the stretch of the Brulgar mountains in Val Kahden, a low point in the range provides a reasonably safe crossing west into the area between the Brulcreek and Traitor's Run known as Inveldingr pass or more commonly, Traitor's pass.

Mount Wisdom is the highest peak in the Brulgars, reaching around 21,000 feet (6,400 metres) at the easternmost point of a spur.

Forests are sparse due to two centuries of heavy logging. Trees are mainly evergreen, particularly conifers, nearer the alpine regions, and more deciduous further out. Grasslands dominate and Val Kahden is largely an expansive, undulating land.

The south is rockier and semi-rocky plateau rises to form a natural border to the lands of Glindhaven.

### Population

Val Kahden is home to a mixed group of humans and elves with a small population of gnomes.

The Hameka, an indigenous human culture, still live in Val Kahden though their numbers have dwindled as the more recent Val Kahdenish humans dominate.

### Social and Political Organization

Val Kahden is a duchy, ruled by Duchess Gjel Bokkun. It is divided into three counties: Eddonacht, Geldenkerk and Aulenheus which are each administered by a Count or Countess. Count Njos Malvelod manages Eddonacht, Count Bowderrian ulv Vandersteel manages Geldenkerk and Countess Ljin Ausken manages Aulenheus.

Duchess Gjel Bokkun is based in the city of Ummerlingen and ignores the petty public squabbles of the three counties while fending off their secret machinations as each vie for control of a Duchy they see as up for grabs.

Count Njos Malvelod, an ex-naval admiral, plots from the old city of Drachvurden and has the ear of most of the Val Kahden military. With the naval fleet based primarily in the port of Drachvurden in the waters of the Dworowym Bay, Malvelod is eager for the right moment to trigger a military coup.

Count Bowderrian ulv Vandersteel enjoys the loyalty of the most mobile of the Val Kahdenish, the Geldenkerk Rangers and the nomadic people of the grasslands, descended from the native Hameka. His threat cannot be ignored.

Countess Ljin Ausken, though, is the most dangerous of them all. Running the network of spies that infiltrate the southern Duchies and nearby lands of Edynor, most of her assets work within Val Kahden itself, gathering tidings and rumours, feeding the other Counties with fabrications and sabotaging efforts that have never yet been traced back to her. Vengron, in the distant west of Edynor, however, has drawn her attention of late.

### Known cities and villages

* Asmeruld
* Drachvurden
* Eindarlon
* Elkdoorn
* Karloda
* Lunn
* Nandrukn
* Rapturthan
* Tulhost
* Ummerlingen
* Vulfkavn

### Known Denizens

Bowderrian ulv Vandersteel (Count)

Gjel Bokkun (Duchess)

Ljin Ausken (Countess)

Njos Malvelod (Count)

### Pronunciation

Pronunciation guide for the Duchies of NE Edynor.

### Material and contribution

The Duchy of Val Kahden region, maps and lore have been developed by Matt Harding (@arrowstonemaps on Instagram)

The Stonemist Swamps region is developed by @arashisenshi on Instragram

The Taern Tirnos region is developed by @karin\_hoijer on Instagram

The Vengron region is developed by Rodney Elliott (@wyrmwoodmaps on Instagram)