Duchy of Highmarch

**Ruler**
 **Ruling House**
 **Resident Houses**
 **Seat**
 **Regions**
 **Beliefs**
 **Founded**

The Duchy of Highmarch is a tract of land comprised of the March of Highroad and the March of Rustfall, with both Marches holding several other de jure titles beneath them. It held an important part in the history of the Kingdom for securing a sizable section of the northern border with the Burning Steppes prior to the First War and fostered a hardy warrior-culture to match the charge of it's people.

In times of peace, or when most of the population didn't need to be armed, the Duchy was known to produce a wide variety of ore and mining operations like many other regions of Redridge. In addition, due to it's close proximity to Elwynn Forest, it has the capacity for expansive logging operations that have been left unrealized in the wake of invasions and civil unrest in the Kingdom.

## Culture

The people of Highmarch are hardy, putting stock in the swing of their sword arms and the weight one can put behind a pick. Archery is a favored past time within the Duchy that has long been sponsored by the ruling House and is continued today and inevitably lends itself to a well-trained force of archers that are cheap to equip when it comes time to defense any of the border forts that block off the passes leading to the Burning Steppes, Redridge, or Elwynn.

With the arrival of House Frey, Highreach and Armeria are beginning to foster healthy Guilds' of Artisans and Merchants, hoping to bring new sources of coin into the Duchy to fund future developments. While these Guilds' are still on the and are only found within the most developed settlements of the Duchy, an economic and societal distinction between burghers and countryside peasant is becoming more apparent where very little if any had previously been recognized.

### Religious Beliefs

The Church of the Holy Light is the majority faith of the Duchy, though others exist among the citizenry and are practiced privately.

## Economy & Resources

The Duchy primarily produces and exports ore; Iron, Gold, Mithril, Truesilver, Dark Iron, Tin, and Copper. It is the primary economic force within the Duchy and is what has historically enriched the local lords and allowed them field the well-equipped and well-fed levies that they are entitled to in their defense of the March and Kingdom.

Fisheries exist within the Duchy as well, and with advancements in transportation are beginning to show lucrative returns.

The opportunity for expansive lumber operations exist within the Duchy, though such potential remains unrealized for the time being.

## History

### Founding

The Duchy of Highmarch was founded hundreds of years ago when a Lord Rhos, the count of Highreach, was elevated to the title of Duke. House Rhos ruled over the Duchy of Highmarch until it's destruction at the end of the First War when Caid Rhos, the last of his line, was slain by the encroaching Horde.

### Destruction

The Duchy was destroyed at the end of the First War, but was partially rebuilt by returning houses, primarily House Trahaern of Rustfall. Though Rustfall recovered under the Trahaern's banner, much of Highroad was left plagued with Orcs, Ogres, Gnolls, Trolls, and bandits until Cyrellian Frey secured the region and eventually claimed the title of Duke for House Frey.

### Present Day

The Duchy of Highmarch is largely dysfunctional following the opening of the Shadowlands and the invasion of the Scourge that led to the death of the Redridge branch of the Trahaern's. Much of the land is vacant, occupied by hostile forces, or has been looted by passing bandits and deserters. Duke Cyrellian Frey is attempting to rally a force to drive out the bandits and remaining Undead to reclaim his Duchy for the King and himself.