Marquisate of Hedera

The **Marquisate of Hedera** is a feudal lordship in the Ilessan Hills region of southern High Rock.

The formidable and strategically placed castle of Hedera makes its marquises - belonging to the House of Lierre - among the most powerful lords in the region.

Hedera is rivalled by the neighbouring Duchy of Ilessan.

The topography of the marquisate is defined by its abundance of ivy. The walls of Hedera Castle are enveloped by the plant; occasionally threatening the integrity of the structure. Ivy features on the marquisate's coat of arms, and lends its name to the local knightly order.

## **Geography**

Hedera Castle is located on the southeastern edge of the Ivywood, a forest spanning the foothills of the Ilessan Hills in the heart of western High Rock. The fortress is built atop a ridge which overlooks the Starfall Road (a thoroughfare along the Iliac Bay) to the south.

The castle's proximity to the Starfall Road makes its marquises powerful marcher lords, capable of obstructing the lucrative trading caravans between the region's city-states. Hedera, however, generally reaps the benefits of commerce by accommodating merchants and wayfarers in its castle town.

The Ivywood (which is acknowledged as the demesne of the marquises of Hedera) ends at the River Ivy, a river flowing southwest from the crest of the Ilessan Hills. Beyond the river – crossed at the fortified Greenbridge – is the uphill dominion of the dukes of Ilessan.

## **History**

**1E 2830 — The Marquisate of Hedera is created *(703 years ago)*.**

* In an charter issued by Emperor Reman II, *"Charles, lord of the Ivywood"* is granted the rank of marquis and is confirmed as an imperial vassal.

**2E 575 — Charles Lierre succeeds to the marquisate *(38 years ago)*.**

**2E 581 — Hedera wars with the Duchy of Ilessan *(32 years ago).***

**2E 582 — Hedera makes peace with the Duchy of Ilessan *(31 years ago)*.**

**2E 589 — Hedera wars with the Duchy of Ilessan *(24 years ago)*.**

**2E 590 — Hedera makes peace with the Duchy of Ilessan *(23 years ago)*.**

**2E 591 — The tournament of Hedera *(22 years ago)*.**

* The tournament celebrates the investiture of Charles, son of the marquis, as Count of Ivywood.
* Attended by the commons and nobles of the region, the marquis utilises the event to cultivate allies for his conflict with Ilessan.

**2E 604 — Lady Constance marries Roland V, Prince of Goldenstar *(9 years ago)*.**

**2E 611 — Charles, Count of Ivywood, is slain *(2 years ago)*.**

## **Culture and Society**

The castle town of Hedera is typical of Bretony, being populated by craftsmen and traders offering their goods and services to both the local population and travellers. Its weekly Loredas market draws much commerce from the surrounding region. These marketeers (and any other traveller) are accommodated in the town's inn, *The Red Lyre*.

Outside the castle walls, the marquis's subjects are foresters of the Ivywood, sustaining themselves as farmers, hunters and woodcutters. In this regard, they are quintessential of High Rock's rural peasantry. The populace of Hedera, however, is unusual in its worship of the Jephre (otherwise Y'ffre) – the God of the Forest. Though an acknowledged divine of the Breton pantheon, Jephre is considered a peculiar and rustic deity.

The essence of Jephre is said to reside within the Ivywood – discerned by the whistling of the wind, rustling of branches and trickling of the stream – whose subtle interactions may help or hinder its Breton inhabitants. Whereas the more cultivated Cyrodiilic divines are regarded as distant, esoteric and even indifferent beings, the Hederans perceive Jephre to be present (yet intangible) and attentive (yet not always benevolent).

## **Succession**

The death of Charles, Count of Ivywood, in 2E 611 deprived Hedera of its heir apparent. In the place of an indisputable succession, numerous contenders to the heirship of Marquis Charles have emerged:

* **Charlene, Duchess of Ilessan:** As the eldest surviving legitimate child of Marquis Charles, Charlene doubtlessly possesses the strongest claim. The duchess's affinity to her husband, however, has soured her relationship with the marquis. The succession of Charlene would mark the end of the House of Lierre's rule. Her claim is supported by the Duchy of Ilessan.
* **Henri FitzCharles:** A bastard, Henri FitzCharles is nevertheless the eldest child and only surviving son of Marquis Charles. His claim his impaired by his bastardy, although some have counselled the marquis to legitimise his son to ensure the perpetuation of the House of Lierre.
* **Charles Lierre:** The great-nephew of Marquis Charles, Charles Lierre is the son of Sir Charles Lierre (slain alongside the Count of Ivywood) and grandson of Sir Louis Lierre. Though not a child of the marquis, Charles is the closest legitimate male of the House of Lierre. He is currently the squire of his great-uncle.

## **Gallery**

The coat of arms of Charles Lierre, Marquis of Hedera.The livery of Hedera, worn by the common soldiery.The livery of Hedera, worn by squires and knights.