Duchy of the Transmontane

**Ruler**
 **Ruling House**
 **Resident Houses**
* House Marsden
* House Grimm
* House Wellington
* House Relvin
* House Sunsworn
 **Seat**
 **Settlements**
* Redhaven
* Argyle
* Blackblood's Folly
* Aspera Haven
* Harrison's Wake
* Lightharbour
* Shaleridge
 **Beliefs**
 **Founded**

The **Duchy of the Transmontane** is a relatively new holding that exists in two separate sections - the Upper and Lower Transmontanes - across the Kingdom of Stormwind. The Lower Transmontane, formerly the County of the Aspera Coast, is a small area past the northern mountains of the Elwynn Forest, on the narrow coastal inlet separating continental Azeroth from Khaz Modan. Meanwhile, the Upper Transmontane, formed an area spanning across a section of the Redridge Mountains and the Burning Steppes to the east of the Blackrock Pass.

## Culture

The people of the Transmontane are of a hardy stock, weathered for the cold and braced against it. Somewhat insular but in no way hostile, the communities here are quiet and relatively self sufficient, their relative isolation from the rest of the Kingdom contributing to that sense of close communitarianism. There is, nonetheless, some rowdiness nearer to the shores, particularly the naval station at Lightharbour, typical to a sailor community.

### Religious Beliefs

The Transmontane is generally mainstream in its religious views, worshipping the Church of the Holy Light, however a greater importance seems to be placed on the interplay between religion and patriotism, with the King held almost as a living saint by the locals, much to the encouragement of the reigning Duke.

### Local Holidays

A local service is held annually to commemorate the death of the 1st Count of the Aspera Coast, Leviticus Aspera, who died in action during the Fourth War.

## Economy & Resources

The Upper Transmontane has quite a homogenous industrial foundation. Stone, predominantly red sandstone and clays, can be found in this region. Goat farming and horse studding can be found here, particularly around Redhaven and Daubaine. The Steppe region around Blackblood's Folly is wont to contain igneous rocks like pumice and basalt, along with other volcanic by-products, like sulphur.

The Lower Transmontane has a very diverse industrial makeup. In the northeast, near Harrison's Wake, logging of oak and pine forests make for industrial output in lumber, timber, papermaking, and the production of pine oils and ink; whilst in the areas nearer to comital Aspera and Victor's Crossing, agriculture is more prevalent. The port of Lightharbour serves as a general commercial nexus, along with work arising around the naval base for naval supplies and alcohol. Ropemaking and shipbuilding continue here, along with fishing. Shaleridge in the southwest of the county is a mining and quarrying town, with stone and copper being produced here for sale in the ports, or use for other tasks.

## Settlements

### The Lower Transmontane

#### Aspera

The comital capital of the region, Aspera - archaically Aspera Haven - is the heart of authority. With a large, older castle predating the rebuilding of Stormwind after the Second War, it guards the southern road coming into the area from northern Elwynn, and is a generally larger settlement due to its defensiveness, and its prominence for exports southwards towards the Elwynn Forest.

#### Harrison's Wake

Harrison's Wake, the fiefdom of House Wintersong, is deep in the forested eastern reaches of the Lower Transmontane, near to the lake. Benefitting from various cottage industries dependent on the woods, it is a productive and useful settlement for the region, and generally the most quiet - away from the major trading routes and the hubbub of the western port.

#### Lightharbour

The second largest settlement in the Lower Transmontane, Lightharbour is home to a Royal Stormwind Navy station, as well as the local basilica. Both a religious and a maritime centre, it benefits from being the entrepot for goods coming from and going to Stormwind City, which are often shipped the short distance west and south to the capital.

#### Shaleridge

A mining town, Shaleridge produces shale and slate stone which is useful for construction and decoration, and seams of copper deeper into the mountains are useful for building spark-proof nails and fixtures necessary for powder stores, along with good cookware useful in the homes of the great and the good. Despite the goods, it is a humble town.

#### Victor's Crossing

The smallest of the settlements in the Lower Transmontane, Victor's Crossing is the only crossing point on the western river in the county that descends from the mountain springs. The riverbanks are fertile land, and a great deal of agriculture is conducted in this area, both arable and pastoral. Goats from Redridge have thrived here, as do horses, which are reared as part of Lord Partiger's business interests.

## Houses

### House Partiger

House Partiger inherited the County of the Aspera Coast from their extinct cadet branch House Aspera, and its head, Lord Baldassar Partiger, rules as the reigning Count.

### House Sunsworn

House Sunsworn is a complicated noble house, headed up by a father and son with the latter being the heir of the former. The son had inherited the Barony of Lightharbour, of which his mother Bishop Desiderata Sunsworn has previously been ruler.

### House Wintersong

House Wintersong is a kaldorei household naturalised and ennobled in Stormwind, and governing over the Barony of Harrison's Wake.