County of Karumetsa

**Ruler**
 **Ruling House**
 **Resident Houses**
 **Baronies**
* Barony of Granholm
 **Beliefs**
* Church of the Holy Light (secondary)
 **Founded**

**Karumetsa** is the capital county of the Duchy of Zollern, and houses the baronial seat of power. It was the first tract of land to be largely settled and defended by subjects of House Hillegas, and was favored to be the home of Sigismund the Great, founder of Zollern.

## Culture

Since Karumetsa houses the capital city of Starkfeste, many traders and travelers flow forth from this county, which has allowed a large and diverse population to thrive with unique personalities and differing beliefs. The people are not nearly as spread out and distant as those within the County of Northfront View, but they are not as stuck-up as those who reside within the settlement of Silverkeep, either. A happy medium of good, honest folk who work with their hands and retain strong family values. In the southeastern part of the county, a string of forestry acts as a natural border between it and the County of Dietenbeck. This forest is known as the Bearwood, and it houses a decent population of bears, which are most likely the ones that are seen migrating to Bear Cove to play in the rapids of Beardrift.

## History

### Founding

The County of Karumetsa, being the land that encompasses the capital, was the first county founded within the Duchy of Zollern, and enjoyed a prosperous and friendly population before the Scourging of Lordaeron. It has the most temperate, but patriotic denizens of all of Zollern. Sigismund Hillegas preferred this land because it was one of the few spots of fertile farmland, as well as coastal land and some mountains. A little slice of everything is what he enjoyed.

### The Scourging of Lordaeron

Plagued grain was effective in causing the downfall of Lordaeron, and it was no different in this county. Smoke from Andorhal had been observed by the County of Farburgh, but warnings came too late and the peasant workforce that had consumed the tainted foodstuffs were quickly animating into hostile, undead monstrosities. The Barony of Granholm, being the breadbasket, fell quicker than anywhere else within the Duchy, whilst the Barony of Zollern was the very last place to fall. Survivors from all over the Duchy flocked to the ports at Starkfeste and Sigismund's Landing, and it is where the honor guard of Burchard Hillegas' father and he made their last stand while the few surviving citizens fled southward to the Alliance lands of Stormwind.

### Present Day

Karumetsa is in the best shape in comparison to the other counties. After the Campaign for Zollern, people have begun toiling in the fields, re-establishing their homes, and introducing new folk to the general way of life. Proper nature worship has begun, though new folk are plenty fine to worship their own faiths while members of the Shamanistic faith attempt to convert them.

## Settlements

### Starkfeste

Starkfeste is the capital fortress-city of the entire Duchy of Zollern. Many travelers, traders, and allies come here to enjoy safety behind the strong, high walls, trade goods, and visit with House Hillegas. There is a plethora of demographics here, as well as a strong military presence. It was founded by Sigismund Hillegas, first Duke of Zollern, and just outside the fortress-city and attached by walls, is where he built Hillegas Manor, the seat of power for House Hillegas.

### Granholm

The capital city of the Barony of Granholm is Granholm. It houses a swath of fertile farmland, like the rest of the barony, and is referred to as the breadbasket of the Duchy of Zollern. Most crops that can be grown in Zollern are 'dry' crops, such as tomatoes, potatoes, turnips, corn, and wheat. Because of their unique position as the few farmers within Zollern, the denizens of Granholm are treated with a certain sense of respect, and oftentimes people will buy a round of drinks for them or do other small acts of generosity.

### Nerick

Nerick was once the settling point of a tribe of hostile Gnolls. It is situated at the base of some mountains, and is the capital of the Barony of Gnollheim. Gnollheim produces some of the more adventurous and militaristic people within Karumetsa, due to their history of repeatedly fending off Gnoll invasion and other hostile wildlife. Because of this, they make for great soldiers and comprise of rather patriotic citizens.

## Houses

House Hillegas is the only House that currently resides within Karumetsa. Being the county that houses the capital, it has largely been a beneficial political maneuver to deny the rank of Count of Karumetsa to a vassal so that Starkfeste would never be in the potential hands of an enemy. House Hillegas' rule has consolidated within Karumetsa, and from there, stems out into the other counties. Roadways are maintained by a professional workforce employed by House Hillegas, and patrols are sent between villages to ensure the countryside is safe from highwaymen.

Historically speaking, House Hillegas are the ancestral rulers of the entire Duchy of Zollern, with Sigismund Hillegas starting it all after his lands were granted to him. Never has another House held the dukedom, though there was a period of time during, and after, the Scourging of Lordaeron where the lands were held only by banditry, Scourge, and other nefarious groups.