The County of Roesone

Carved from the hands of the great kingdoms of Leronemia and Oussaine X years ago, the **County** **of Roesone** has been struggling to validate its independence and protect its freedom from the greater lords who wish to recapture their former lands. Even today, Roesone's future remains uncertain; it has the potential to grow in power and influence, but it could just as easily fall to the ambitions of Oussaine.

## Regions

### Abbatuor

Once considered to be a part of Kranigry, Abbatuor fell into ruin about the same time that the Kingdom fell. Rangers patrolled this area at infrequent intervals for hundreds of years before their diminishing numbers forced them to give up their patrols. When Daen Roesone returned to this area, Abbatuor was a haven for outlaws and cutthroats of the worst kind, and dangerous brigands and monsters still lurk in the forest's deeper reaches. While there are a number of settlements in the region, most of Abbatuor is the flourishing Erehannien, and only a few outlaws and foresters choose to live there.

### Bellam

The County of Bellam was a part of the kingdom of Leronemia until, when it was ceded to Daen Roesone by the ruler of Leronemia in exchange for peace. Roesone's armies had already inflicted several sound defeats on the Leronemia expeditionary force, and since Leronemia was split by a fierce succession struggle at the time as well as being plagued by many rebellions and wars , the Leronemians had no desire to continue the fight. The Black Baron saw Leronemia’s troubles as an opportunity to win independence from the Leronemian crown and force them out of the war, so he threatened an alliance with X and X and was ceded the province of Bellam. As part of the agreement, House Bellamie remained as the lords of the county, and Roesone had his daughter Darliene married to Stefhan Bellamie to cement the alliance.

* Headen (town)
* Buineridge

Bellam's largest settlement is the town of Gheaden. A bustling industrial town of over 2,000 people, with dozens of smelters, smiths, armourers, and weaponers. The smoke and haze of its ironworks hangs over the town’s narrow vale, darkening the sky by day and glowing red like some infernal realm by night.  Gheaden is prosperous, but it's also a rough place- desperate men seeking work come here from hundreds of miles away, and there's many a ruffian who'll introduce a newcomer to the business end of a sap and rob him of his last penny.

The village of Buineridge, in the southern part of the county, is the seat of government. It's located in a region of high downs and most of the locals raise sheep and goats or pay to log the count's forest. Bellam has more wood than any other province Roesone, and the Bellamie family owns it all.

## Culture

### The People

The people of Roesone are a strong and willing lot, who must be governed with care. They are stubborn folk Who are quick to label and stand against the weak or dishonest. Before the organisational invasion of the Great Empire, the people of Roesone were bandits and freestreaders who called no man Lord. The tenacity of their ancestors holds strong in the people of Roesone today, and unlike most of their neighbouring countries they do not fall to their knees in the presence of royalty. They see the baron as a person, the same as any of them, and are ruled only by the respect they have for them.

Roesoneans are free and outspoken, who wear their truth on their face. They hold a great love for their land and will defend it with the might of three people.

## Politics

### Governance

#### Magistrates

##### Count Anchael Denoered of Ghoried

The count actually outranks the Baron of Roesone, but has fallen under their domain to gain safety from X. Count Anchael and his predecessors lack the Strength of any army and this rely on Roesone's.

### Diplomacy

A young nation with no long-standing alliances, Roesone has yet to firmly establish its political agenda. Likewise, it has few historical enemies, with the sole exception of Heirl Diem, Duke of Diemed, who has not yet declared war on Roesone, although everyone knows he devoutly desires the return of all the lands that used to lie under Diemed's purview. This includes Medoere, Ilien and most of Roesone.

United in the face of the Diemed threat, Medoere and Ilien are Roesone's closest friends and allies. These two tiny kingdoms have tied their fortunes to Roesone and the Baroness aids them when she can. As all three are new kingdoms " at least compared to those around them " the rulers have learned to trust each other as much as regents can trust one another.

Both of Roesone's eastern neighbours are relatively friendly, although the current instability in Osoerde could lead to future conflict with that nation. The Baroness has reinforced Bellam province with additional troops to guard against that eventuality, while at the same time also strengthening her northern border with Ghoere. The current Queen of Aerenwe appears to have finally recognised Roesone's existence, and given up her nations attempts to reclaim the provinces of Bellam and Abbatuor. The two regents now enjoy a cordial relationship, although neither fully trusts the other just yet. Queen Swordwraith is rumoured to have recently sent two of her lieutenants to advise Baroness Roesone on Heirl Diem's subtle machinations, but in return she has asks for Roesone support for Aerenwe's campaign to aid the rebellious forces inside Osoerde. Recent preaching by the Impregnable Heart of Haelyn, the state faith in Roesone, urging a holy war against the Eastern Temple of Nesirie, the state religion of Aerenwe, has not done anything to help the relationship and places the Baroness in a serious predicament.

However, the majority of Roesone's concerns lie to the north, with Ghoere and the Spiderfell. Like all nations bordering Tal-Qazar's dark forest, Roesone has learned to respect and fear the danger posed by the Spider King and his goblin hordes. The people of Ghoried, the closest Roesone province to the Spiderfell are usually armed for their own protection and constant patrols from Thoeren's Landing and Caercas keep watch for goblin raiders or a more substantial invasion by the Spider and his troops.

Ghoere is an even more dangerous foe. In the past there have been serious conflicts with Ghoere's powerful armies, and although Roesone has emerged victorious thanks to its skilled generals and tenacious soldiers, Baron Tael's growing army is a constant threat. Recent rumours suggest Tael has asked the baroness for her support to his claim on the Iron Throne. If she chooses to support Ghoere, Roesone might gain a powerful protector. Otherwise, Ghoere might choose to attack Roesone to satisfy its expansionist needs.