Easterbury

**Easterbury** is an Aedwinian city located on Granrich Isle and is controlled by House Akerse. The city is a hub of commerce and art, rivaling even Fulwood, the city’s southern counterpart. Easterbury was one of many cities used during the War of Daggers as a staging point for Imperial transports to the Latoran Archipelago.

## History

### Pre-History

Easterbury originally was a cluster of fishing villages. Due to its placement, Lauch traders would land at the docks and sell their goods to the local populace. Taking note of this, a coterie of southeastern nobles and Imperial traders pooled their funds to develop a burgh that could exploit this fact. The main backer of this endeavor was Kenelm Akerse, a diplomat and merchant with various connections.

As the city took shape, the birth of Wallace Findlaigh started a crisis which threatened war between the two nations of the Hales. Kenelm took advantage of this, selling various goods and renting out the docks to Imperial troops and vassals. War would luckily be averted, but Lauch trade took a sharp downturn as the threat of war loomed.

### The War of Daggers

In later years, Kenelm would take to preventing such a loss of income by negotiating pacts with Lauch traders. As Wallace took the throne, Lauch trade once again began to diminish. However, Easterbury would serve as one of the primary nodes of trade due to Kenelm’s negotiations. As war once again loomed, Easterbury was chosen by Wallace and his advisors to be the point of departure for an invasion force bound for Kumarc.

With the Southern nobility convening in a council to elect a king, they were practically in open rebellion. Kenelm was one of the most staunch supporters of both independence and their new king, Pierre de Castellane, and subsequently a plan was formulated between the two with the assistance of the Sutherlands to the north.

When the War of Daggers finally began, troops departed from the seemingly loyal fiefdom of Easterbury. At night however, the city’s guards and Glanrich Isle’s minor nobles gathered in Easterbury and seized the Imperial ships and transports. What ships could be captured were, while others were scuttled. The Imperial troops that had gathered inside and around the city were killed, captured, or otherwise driven off. Those that were driven off would find their way to Greenfields, where they would raze the town, killing its inhabitants and destroying it.

The scuttling of the transports proved to be vital to the war effort, as it both trapped the Imperial armies in the archipelago, while also denying Imperial control of the seas. Eastern Lauch traders were therefore able to continuously make their way into the city of Easterbury to trade, despite the ongoing war. This proved very profitable for the Akerses, and much of the money received from their profiteering is now spent as patronage to the arts.

### Present

Easterbury remains an important trade city for the eastern cities of Lauchette, as well as containing a large portion of the Aedwinian Navy. The burgh predominantly exports fish and seafaring supplies, along with a healthy shipbuilding business. The Akerses’ patronage of the arts has also resulted in the city being a cultural hub, with various works of art, music, and literature being published and created in it. The wealth of the city proves a draw-in for distasteful groups, particularly pirates, which prove to be a consistent thorn in the side of the city’s traders.

## Notable Figures

* **Martyn Akerse**: Count of Glanrich Isle and magistrate of Easterbury. Took over Phillip's positions following the death of his father and brother.
* **Montgomery Bonham**: A naval officer and experienced captain, Montgomery is a resident of Easterbury and commands the sect of the Aedwinian Navy harbored in Easterbury. Known mostly for his eccentricity and flamboyance during battles with pirates.
* **Clement Descoteaux**: Bishop of Easterbury. Descoteaux is a traditionalist and Andophist hardliner, often dispensing harsh punishment to captured brigands and pirates. He is rumored to be a supporter of the Imperials, though whether slander or truth remains to be seen.
* **Phillip Akerse**: Son of Kenelm, the first Akerse. He was widely known for his patronage to the arts and his shrewdness, despite his declining health. Died after receiving news of Sanford's own death. *(deceased)*
* **Sanford Akerse**: Second son of Phillip, delegated to representing the house's interests in New Steinberg. Briefly served as a wartime king before his execution and subsequent canonization. *(deceased)*