Duchy of Avercroft

**Ruler**
 **Ruling House**
 **Resident Houses**
* House Bassett
* House Baudelaire
* House Blackwood
* House Mathis
* House Delhoussie
* House Ryll
* House Culvene
* House Carlyle
 **Seat**
 **Settlements**
* Barony of Rhos
* Barony of Upton
* Barony of Severn Woods
* Barony of Birchwood
* Barony of Thorns
* Viscounty of Halton
* Barony Crawford Sound
* Port Staverton
* Barony of Westend
 **Beliefs**
 **Founded**

The **Duchy of Avercroft** was previously known as the Duchy of Wyndamere, land long owned by Duke Thibeault Bassett, eldest brother of Lady Francis Bassett-De Vere. Over the many years of his life he has known great loss, with the death of all of his children through military service or illness, along with his late wife who had perished in child birth. With no living relatives at the time his passing, his lands defaulted to his rightful named heiress, Marchioness Livia De Vere.

Located in southeastern Elwynn Forest, south of the King's Highway, the Duchy is heavily shrouded by dense forest and an extensive array of wildlife, with access roads leading north to Kings Highway, and west towards the neighbouring lands. In the four years since the death of Michel De Vere, loyal nephew to Duke Bassett, Lady Livia, and their people have worked the land, revitalized the older structures, and have built new ones to facilitate the success and growth of the land.

In the northwestern area of the Duchy sits a large keep with a small village beyond its walls, named Kaer Muire, and is considered the official seat of the Duchy. Fort Valshain, which is just east of the Keep, facilitates as housing and training for the men and women of the Dawn's Militia, a regiment that secures the lands.

It is by her Grace's edict that the militia with the aid of Lord Commander Haenri Baudelaire, continue the fortifications of its borders with haste as a precautionary measure both in part due to the instability that the Gnolls and Elementalists have brought upon the southern regions of the Eastern Kingdom and further protects the Duchy from local highwaymen or bandits as well.

## Culture

Human traditions and holidays are observed. Many of the manors and houses reflect similar abodes located in Redridge, Eastvale, Goldshire and even Stormwind; mostly made of stone and wood.

Yearly in honor of the late Lady Charlene, an extraordinary picnic is held in the Manor Gardens in celebration of life both new and old. and just something the residents can come together and enjoy. Additionally every third Saturday of the month, located in Halton, is the Grand Market to which locals and foreign alike can set up stalls to sell their wares.

### Religious Beliefs

Most residents are devout followers of the Church of the Holy Light, and make the weekly trip to Halton and join together in sermon and prayer, held in the Halton Chapel.

### Local Holidays

The annual Celebration of Life picnic is usually held July 4th, located on the De Vere estate, in the Manor Gardens. During this time all residents within the county congregate at the estate to celebrate the lives lost as well as to celebrate the beginning of new lives.

The second Saturday of October is known as Family Feasting, and is a holiday celebrated by the town of Halton, at the town hall. It is an evening of Feasting and Dance. It is widely known throughout the town that many families conceive around this time as celebrations carry well into the night and following morning; thus many of the children throughout the county are similar in age.

## Economy & Resources

The Duchy stands upon rich land, with good soil, and rock beds to harvest iron. Farmlands produce an abundance of wholesome grains, and deliciously robust vegetables. Beyond that, the March sees frequent imported goods from Eastvale and Lakeridge primarily, but have a monthly caravan from Stormwind as well. Some families have small personal gardens to grow their own herbs, small fruits, but most consumables are imported to include some meats and dairy. Grains, vegetables, and iron are stockpiled in the warehouses in Port Staverton. Trade negotiations can be arranged by sending word to Lady Livia De Vere or her eldest brother, Lord Jared De Vere.

## History

### Founding

Wyndamere was officially founded in 588 K.Y by House Bassett, and it became the seat of three counties and ten baronies.

### Destruction

Much of the Duchy was destroyed during the First War when the Orcs invaded Stormwind and neighbouring areas. Efforts to rebuild did not take place until after Stormwind was Liberated by the Alliance of Lordaeron.

### Present Day

The Duchy is presently under the rule of Duke Thibeault Bassett. Recently under the edict received by his Grace, Duke Bassett, a precautionary measure of erecting defense walls and watch towers surrounding the Duchy is in place due to the threat of rogue Highway men, bandits, Gnolls, and Elementalist sympathizers.

## Places

### Kaer Muire aka Wyndamere

Kaer Muire is the name of the Keep in Wyndamere, and is considered the 'seat' of the Duchy. Currently it is the home of Duke Thibeault Bassett, and will be entombed beneath the Keep along with his late wife. It is a sizeable keep with a small village outlying the perimeter that includes a general store, butcher, blacksmith and farrier, stables and a carriage house.

### Barony of Rhos

The Barony of Rhos is located in the northwest, and is northeast of Kaer Muire. The land is ruled by Lord Rolan Blackwood, first cousin to the Duchess, Lady Livia De Vere. The barony is subject to one of the main thoroughfares between the Duchy and the King's Highway in the north. It has a modest village with several shops, a blacksmith and farrier, stables, a carriage house, a physician and apothecary, as well as a general store.

### Barony of Upton

The Barony of Upton is smaller than that of Rhos and is closely connected through a small mountain pass and forest. While the barony has a few shops and a general store, services such as blacksmith and farrier or a physician are sent for by messenger to Rhos. Those who fall sick or are injured will need to travel to Rhos for care, or have a physician summoned if the need is dire.

### Barony of Severn Woods

The Barony of Severn Woods is rather sizeable and boasts a dense forest ripe with wild flora and fauna, as well as a hunting lodge used to facilitate hunting events and host guests who indulge in the hobby. It also has plenty of shops, everything from a blacksmith and farrier to a seamstress and tailoring shop, a jewel crafter, an apothecarist, a tarot reader, an armour smithy, a butcher, a general store, a physician's clinic and surgical room, stables, and a carriage house.

### Barony of Thorns

The Barony is located southeast of the De Vere Manor and northeast of the main town of Halton in the easterly area of the Duchy, and is where Lord Jared De Vere resides. It is not frequently visited and the residents keep a low profile. It is heavily shrouded by forestry and the local wildlife, as well as a few rolling hills. The township of Oryn Mills has a few essential shops that consist of a butcher, general store, and a carriage house with a farrier. Anything else would require a trip to Severn Woods.

### Barony of Birchwood

The Barony of Birchwood is another smaller barony in comparison, and has a passive, quiet village like feel to it. Much like Thorns, it is shrouded by dense forest which provides ample privacy and security for those who prefer a low key lifestyle. The village only carries basic amenities, but Severn Woods is not far at all, where one can find many conveniences.

### Viscounty of Halton

With soaring population this riverside town has blossomed into something of a capital town for the entire Duchy of Avercroft. It boasts a newly renovated town hall, moderate chapel, a variety of shops, a hospital that is presently under construction, a counting house and post office. It also has a weekly market and two inns (with taverns) that service travelers, or friends and family from out of town. This is all in addition to a blacksmith and farrier, an armour smithy, a general store, warehouse, and carriage house.

### Barony of Crawford Sound

The Barony of Crawford Sound is robust with farmlands and silos, along with windmills. It's main products are vegetables, oats, wheat, and milk. Much of the product recovered from Crawford Sound is moved to either Halton or Port Staverton to be sold to traders or merchants alike. The Barony also has a small village with basic amenities.

### Port Staverton

At the base of the Slate Cliffs, along the Nazferiti River, this moderate and growing port town is home to all of the dock workers, warehouse staff, regular traders, privateers, and ship crews. It also has a riverside tavern that is often over crowded and very rowdy with a newly built extension turned brothel by the proprietrix, Madame Fournier. It has several new and upscale rooms for weary travelers and traders alike where they can rest and be entertained. The port also sees extensive trade business in grain, vegetables, and iron.

### Barony of Westend and the Village of Townsend

Around the bend of the Slate Cliffs, right along the western road leading north towards Kaer Muire is the lively village of Townsend. Several homes, a smattering of shops, a farrier, and a baker. It is also the home of Lady Lysenia Baudelaire, Baroness of Westend.

### Barony of West Guilford

A small barony, mostly comprised of miners as the area has two key mines for ore.