Applegate

* **Area**: 290.000 km2
* **Location**: West coast, south of Armathain, north of Karthmere, west of Malgrave
* **Authority**: Council of nobles for kingdom affairs and elected town councils for local affairs

#### **Geography**

Applegate is dominated by the Qettam Meadow, a great fertile biome with gentle hills or flat landscape. This kingdom possesses two bays of interest, the long bay of the Recess of Hanue, which has mainly shallow beaches, and the Appelies' Gulf that is deeper and slightly rocky. By Appelies' Gulf and south of it, natural harbors can be found. Applegate has three large islands, Wenet, Beau, and Pearl. All three have a heartland of hills and forests, which is outlined by fertile flatlands. The shore is either shallow with beaches or moderately to slightly rocky with deeper waterfronts. These islands receive a lot of sea traffic.

The great river of Teima that splits into Teinir acts like Applegate's border to Malgrave, respectively Karthmere. Teima river runs moderately fast whilst Teifar runs moderately slow. Along the river Teinir in the far south, the edge of the Gallant Grove forest can be found, which is moderately thick. Along the Teinir river, roughly from the forking of Teifar river to the settlement of Hartkin, there is also a ridge of hills. The ridge takes a turn by Hartkin city and runs through the Qettam Meadow towards Wenet Island. The forest around Hartkin city is dominated by a great number of Elder trees.

#### **Summary**

Applegate is Frostmark's second smallest kingdom, nestled in between Karthmere and Armathain. It has served as the main battleground between the two powerful kingdoms, losing their royal family, territory, and crucial infrastructure in the process. The war resulted in no victor between Karhtmere and Armathain. A stalemate settled in for a few months. Eventually, both kingdoms retreated and were satisfied with their conquered part of Applegate, preferring to keep what was left of Applegate as a buffer zone between them. Despite the collapse of the government and infrastructure of what was left of Applegate, Peelers, as they call themselves, did not succumb to complete lawlessness nor despair. After the war, there was a period of disgruntled peasants, tormented by war and famine, that unleashed their displeasure on their own bourgeois. Many noble families of Applegate turned extinct, but some survived. The remaining aristocracy banded together for safety and pooled their resources to rebuild Applegate.

Applegate is incredibly fertile, and its soil is mineral-rich, which has allowed for impressive agricultural bounties. In return for cheap food transports to Crowhill and Eastcreek, the Church invests in Applegate's infrastructure and education. Today, the culture of Applegate mostly surrounds the community. It is everyone's duty to work for the general welfare of the kingdom. Peelers are often wary of foreigners. They find most foreigners strange and foul as they often seek personal gain rather than communal gain. Peelers can seem very open and considerate on the outside, but often they hide a judgemental mind and a superior sense of morality.

#### ***Living in Applegate***

Applegate was once a proud nation, with equal parts forest and equal parts fields. Through the Empire's leadership, Applegate was steadily cleared of its forest to increase its food production capabilities. Today, Applegate is dominantly fields and orchards, producing fruits, grain, and vegetables. In the aftermath of Emperor Rainer's surrender, where the Empire was split into eleven kingdoms, Armathain was without food transports from Applegate and Sirendale. Armathain's highlands and woods only allowed for limited food production, and so the Empire supplied them with transports of grain and other foodstuffs. This caused Armathain's population to grow, so when the food imports stopped, Armathain experienced famine. They invaded Applegate with the intent to conquer its fertile fields to sustain their population.

After Armathain attacked Applegate, Karthmere got cold feet. They did not want the militaristic kingdom at their doorstep with Applegate's land's food production abilities. Karthmere attacked from the south, and eventually, they met Armathain in the heartland of Applegate. For seven years, they clashed. Sometimes Karthmere gained ground, and sometimes Armathain did. In the last two years, the battle was more of a stalemate than open combat. Eventually, the two kingdoms lost interest and simply retreated. In the last days of the lingering war, Applegate's royal family died to an unfortunate bandit attack outside a town being besieged by two armies. Still, Armathain had gained some land of Applegate, barely enough to stabilize its food production, and Karthmere took some territory as well. Today, Applegate is roughly half the size it once was. Its infrastructure was also badly abused. Forts, castles, towers, roads, warehouses, industry, etc., have either been reduced to rubble or have been severely damaged or exploited. Some castles, roads, and other structures have been rebuilt or are in the process of being rebuilt, but none will return to their old splendor for a very long time.

The past struggles have evolved into a robust community in Applegate, where brother should offer brother help, and blatant greediness or selfishness is harshly dissuaded. Everybody is supposed to share the little they have. The great damage to Applegate's infrastructure has led to an uphill battle to restore some profitability and quality of life. No one is alive today who witnessed this war first hand, but the bitterness is still afoot within the Applegate society, mainly because of their fall from grace and their heavy labor of rebuilding what they lost. Though, some of the younger population, especially those who see no future in poor Applegate, have warmed up the atmosphere. Some might even be supporting the idea of joining Applegate with Armathain or Karthmere. The most unfortunate souls, who only encounter squalor in Applegate, usually migrate to Karthmere to find some kind of livelihood.

There are mixed emotions about the death of the royal family. Many thought them to be decent that they tried their best despite the current outlook. At the same time, they were also regarded as part of the problem. They were part of the system that caused Armathain and Karthmere to attack Applegate, to begin with, and how they are suffering now. The greed of two royal families caused Applegate to be in this position, and it is a system most Peelers never want Applegate to return to. After the royal family's death and the little defensive troops the country had left fell into disarray, many noble households were attacked and looted and publicly punished for their alleged selfish ways. Only the most popular noble members who still controlled some resources and who adapted to the new culture were allowed to keep most of their belongings, most of their influence, and their lives. And therein lies the political power of the four significant noble families of Applegate, possessing the competence to lead and organize, as well as a sliver of resources to invest and rebuild.

Applegate's social hierarchy is very flat. Outside of the four noble families, there are few official titles and ranks. Healers, priests, educators, and master craftsmen usually hold more influence than many others considering contributing to the community. Despite this, Applegate lacks many key structures, traveling is slow, and most of the population doesn't have access to education in any form.

#### ***Relation to other Kingdoms***

Applegate communities are exceptionally close. Foreigners often find themselves having an uncomfortable stay within Applegate's borders. Wherever they go, they are discreetly watched, and behind polite smiles, mistrust hides. Technically, they welcome trade and diplomacy from anyone who offers, but due to their relationship to the Church of Riahn, they are excluded from dealing with anyone who refuses to adhere to the rianish faith. Moreover, they conduct trade on their terms. Even if this has led to a string of unsuccessful deals and negotiations, Applegate refuses to sell out or welcome too much foreign influence. Applegate has endured for a century, and if they have to wait a bit longer to receive something specifically on their terms, they will easily endure the wait.

#### ***Education***

Children growing up in Applegate are quickly put to work. Often, children inherit the profession of their parents, learning through natural apprenticeship. If somebody is born with exceptional talent, it is a worrisome event. The child is given extra attention to instilling humility within them. No individual is more important than the community of Applegate. The literacy rate is the lowest in all of Frostmark. Sometimes, parents cannot offer their children any form of education. Only through the Church can education be obtained in Applegate today, given to influential children through deals their parents make with the Church, sometimes it is given as charity to select members of the community, and sometimes it is offered freely to those the Church wishes to induct into the priesthood.

#### ***Relation to the Church***

They possess a strong relationship with the Church of Riahn as well as Crowhill. Even if they do not tolerate any snobbish Crow nobles or corrupt bishops in their lands, they are still grateful to the Church for aiding them. The faith of Riahn is strong and old in Applegate. There are also many Peelers in the Church, which is considered a lucky career choice.

#### ***Military***

After the decimation of Applegate's organized military, they have been able to establish an effective watch once more. This watch force is structured independently by the respective village or town, upheld through taxes. A proper army is currently seen to be too expensive to build and maintain. As a farming community with no ore sources within their territory, the most common armor type is leather. Some lucky officers might have the resources to obtain chains. Weaponry often takes the shape of bows and spears, whereas swords are only feasible investments for the most prosperous.

Two unique martial traditions hail from Applegate. One is the old Wardens, said to be a direct descendant of Geanor's ranged company. When Applegate was covered in lofty leaf forests, these rangers were the personal bodyguards and agents of the dukes and duchesses of Applegate, and later the royal family. As there is no central government to swear fealty to and hardly any woods to operate from anymore, this once-proud tradition has almost become extinct.

The other unit is a far more recent invention, more suitable for an urban environment and the cultural environment that reigns today. The Bloodhound is a part of Applegate's watch organization specializing in investigation and combat with a hound. The hound finds, drags out, or corners the Bloodhound's target, whilst the Bloodhound uses a bow or spear to deal deadly wounds or nets to apprehend.

#### ***House Hartkins***

***Ruler***: Baroness Auphrey (63 years)

***Family***: Baron (60 years), sister (55 years), brother (54 years), and a daughter (37 years)

***Rule***: Hartkins city, Maplemere town, and Sunwick town

The Hartkins family has been a respected noble house since the fall of the Empire. The Hartkins family is known for their hard work and undying loyalty. They were very active during the Armathainian and Karthmerian war and have devoted themselves to Applegate's safety and order ever since it ended. Auphrey took over the family's duty at a young age after her father succumbed to all war wounds.

The baroness is known as "Ironheart" for her stern, traditionalistic and efficient work-style. The Baroness Ironheart is also known for her piousness. There's little time for fun and games in the Hartkins household, something that Auphrey's daughter, who is more soft-hearted, has suffered under. There is a constant struggle for the baroness to toughen up her daughter before becoming the new Baroness of Hartkins. Hartkins town is the ancestral home of this family, yet when the capital was left without a noble to oversee it, Baroness Hartkins saw it as her duty to take on the responsibility. For several years, she has negotiated with the elected city council of Lightbrook capital, trying to make them accept her as their caretaker. However, out of the blue, Duchess Pearnelly appeared in the capital with a carnival at her side. She quickly whisked away Hartkins' price as the capital's ruler, which has left relations between the two houses chilly at best. Hartkins often cooperates with the Bridesmith household, but it is more suspicious towards the new Beauport.

#### ***House Pearnelly***

***Ruler***: Duchess Evelyn (22 years)

***Family***: None

***Rule***: Lightbrook capital and Honeymoor city

Duchess Pearnelly is the sole survivor of her noble house. Her family escaped the chaos of the frustrated peasantry by moving out on the countryside, close to Littleshear Town. They foresaw the violence before it started and dedicated themselves to quietly living out their lives in a modest mansion located there. The house was on the brink of losing all power and resources when the young Duchess Pearnelly suddenly decided to risk it all. Selling the mansion and everything she owned, she orchestrated a large festival in the capital and wooed the crowd to become their noble caretaker. She is more progressive than the likes of the Bridesmiths and Hartkins. With her charismatic ways and sense for the coin, she has cemented her position in the capital and strengthened its economy.

#### ***House Bridesmith***

***Ruler***: Viscountess Katrina (35 years)

***Family***: Viscount (46 years) and a brother (49 years)

***Rule***: Bridesmith town, Littleshear town, Verdale city

About 15 years ago, a severe drought endangered the north of Applegate. It almost drove all the inhabitants to flee their home and hearth to greener pastures. The noble of Littleshear of that time had carelessly sold all the town's stored grain to the Church. After the war, the Bridesmith house denounced their nobility but was still a considerable landowner in the area. The Bridesmith house decided to do something about the drought and generously gave away most of their bounty and stored grain, eliminating the famine. Littleshear quickly got rid of their old noble household and invited the Bridesmith's back into nobility. Today Bridesmith has claimed back their old town and gained Verdale, which makes them more or less equal to the other three large noble houses still surviving in Applegate today. Many wonder why the Viscountess hasn't born any children, and some are even starting to become suspicious of how close she is to her twin brother. The Viscountess is known to be a rather mellow and sensitive person.

#### ***House Beauport***

*Ruler*: Baron Geffroi (39 years)

*Family*: Baroness (30 years) and a son (8 years)

*Rule*: Beauport town, Pearlbay city, and Evershire town

Since any Peeler can recall, the house of Beauport is the original stewards of the town of Beauport and has for many centuries lived a rather isolated life there, managing the area and the island in peace. A few years ago, the Count of Pearlbay, living in the city of Pearlbay on the twin-island of Beauport and in control of Wenet island as well, suddenly went raving mad. The count made several harmful rules, squandered money, and sent his guards to raid innocent citizens of the island of Pearlbay. The Baron of Beauport quickly opened his coffers to help stabilize his neighbor and assisted in capturing the Count. Before the trial, the count bit off his tongue and bled out. After the event, the citizens of Pearlbay were so grateful for the aid of the baron and impressed by his quick decisions and his generous ways that he naturally became the noble caretaker of all three islands. The Baroness of Beauport mostly remains in their mansion in Beauport, and there are rumors that the couple is not on good terms. The baron himself is known to be an intelligent man who is well-read and not afraid to act when opportunities arise.