March of Péricourt

**Ruler**
 **Ruling House**
 **Resident Houses**
* House Marchand
 **Seat**
 **Settlements**
* L'Vayonne
* Arvelle
* Lyonneau
* Garamére
* Calvon
 **Beliefs**
 **Founded**

Faith and steel will make us free!

The **March of Péricourt** is a territory on the northeastern shore of the Isle of Balor, presided over by House Allaire and its minor vassals, within the Duchy of Alcestenne. Péricourt is defined by its strong maritime focus, its rigid military tradition, and a deeply rooted faith in the orthodoxy of the Holy Light - the culture of the region primarily shaped by the immense hardships faced during the First War, under the yoke of brutal Orcish occupation.

The region is one of the most populous of Alcestenne by nature of its agriculture and aquaculture both, and is geographically positioned as the foremost holding along the northeastern coast of Balor Isle, leading to its important military role within the Duchy as a source of fervent soldiers, study ships, and strong steel.

## Culture

The proud people of Péricourt have long served Alcestenne and the Isle of Balor as its military arm, with lords and ladies of House Allaire serving the Duchy on countless battlefields stretching back to its very founding, demanding their subjects do the same. This martial culture has taken root deep within the hearts and minds of the common folk and the aristocracy alike, with military service practically an expected portion of any adult's life, if one is capable.

The culture of the region is often described as outright confrontational and arrogant, with so many of its people harkening back to old military traditions and still-raw wounds of the troubles of the First War. Its people are rugged, noted for their stubbornness and conservatism, trending politically into hardline Stormwindian nationalism and broad intolerance towards inhumans and even many other nationalities of humanity, such as that of Alterac and Gilneas.

Traitors and subversives are frowned upon, and there is little tolerance for insurrectionist ideals among the common folk, who are more than keen to take matters into their own hands in the face of renegades - a tradition that harkens back to the ragtag anti-Orcish guerilla insurgencies that were long standing on Balor Isle during the occupation.

In spite of this, the troubles that have befallen the region in the Orcish occupation and in practical centuries of warfare have led to the surprising development of a highly cooperative community culture to its various settlements, with many working hand in hand to support one another and by extension, the state. Many take stubborn pride in their hard lives and their enduring traditions, dedicating themselves to their work wholly - whether it be serving in the Alcestennian military or laboring upon one of the many fishing boats of its rich coastal waters.

In addition, the mercantile traditions of its port-city of Argevés have led to a prosperity in the region that is often spent on beneficial public works and robust infrastructure, with development of its rural regions a specific focus beyond just its urban, coastal districts.

### Religious Beliefs

The pious people of Péricourt profess a belief in the doctrines of the Church of the Holy Light, favoring entirely a religious orthodoxy that lends itself to policies of religious intolerance. The primacy of humanity is a commonplace belief held within that orthodox faith, sparing little interest in or regard for non-humans save for a sparse tolerance of minority of Thalassians and Dwarves.

Schismatics, unbelievers, and followers of religious heterodoxy are looked down upon severely and ostracized by nature of this strict orthodoxy - whereas practitioners of outright heretical doctrine such as witchery are dealt with more severely, by way of harsh punishment by its pious citizenry and military alike.

### Local Holidays

The beginning of each and every spring season in the Duchy of Alcestenne's holdings - and thus, Péricourt - is marked by the commemoration of the liberation of Balor Isle from the suffering of Orcish occupation. Across every settlement in the region, celebrations and long-standing traditions are upheld - with great feasts, the burning of crude depictions of Orcish invaders, and the building of celebratory bonfires in town squares.

This period is naturally accompanied with a multitude of military parades, recognizing the accomplishments of their insurgent militias against the Orcs and the forces of humanity in the Second War.

The midwinter season in Péricourt can be a somber period, as there is a fortnight of mourning and memorial for the turmoil brought upon the region by the rebellion of House Morin, as well as the passing of the late Séraphine Allaire. Frequently, candlelight vigils and sermons are held in the churches across Péricourt, while in the former holdings of House Morin, the mood trends to be much more dour, with an increased military presence in fear of a resurgence.

## Economy & Resources

The region of Péricourt's economy lends itself to a maritime focus, by nature of its rich coastlines, with a majority of its population congregating around these urban centers with some inland exceptions. With deep water ports in each of its three major coastal holdings of Argevés, Lyonneau, and Arvelle respectively, the favorable geographic location and robust infrastructure lends itself to the region's strength as a focus of seafaring trade and a number of profitable mercantile companies. Similarly, Baloric shipwrights are renowned, focusing primarily on the construction of military vessels, though a number of private companies are known to lease out construction of merchant ships. The presence of influential, local merchant guilds and monopolistic trading companies is notable in these centers of commerce, often carrying favorable relationships with the presiding government - though rumors swirl of corruption and backroom politicking.

With respect to its robust population, the agriculture of the region is not lacking, with favorable harvests of a number of expected crops for its climate cultivated - grains, olives, root vegetables, citrus, and a number of vine crops such as melons and pumpkins. Despite this, a significant amount of its sustaining food supply comes not from its inland farms, but of the region's largescale aquaculture. Its plentiful fisheries are integral to the region's sustainability and population, providing a significant amount of seafood to not only the Duchy of Alcestenne, but large and highly profitable exports to the Kingdom of Stormwind. The coasts of Péricourt are widely known for their favorable catch of many kinds of fish, lobster, crabs, clams, and oysters.

The inland provinces of Péricourt are held by chains of minor vassals, which uphold much of the mining and more traditional agriculture of the region. While not nearly as consistently populous as the coastal centers, these regions nonetheless maintain a healthy population, sustained off the back of iron and coal mining in the heart of the interior hills. A humble amount of sapphires are derived from specialized mines in the region, primarily used by Baloric nobility for heraldic purposes and ornate jewelry.

Lumber is an important resource in the land, for supplying its extensive shipbuilding and ever-present expansionism. Thicker forests in the interior give way to towns whose near-sole focus is lumber, providing an integral service that fuels operations all across Péricourt. Small, but wealthy hunting trapping companies have made names for themselves selling furs, skins, and meats from the game that populates these inland forests - primarily stags, deer, wolves, and rabbits.

A majority of ore, unrefined metals, and other such materials not slated for immediate export are brought instead to the major non-coastal settlement of L'Vayonne, which houses a notable amount of Péricourt's interior production. With a multitude of factories and similar production facilities operated by expansive trade companies, it is in this industrial core that - aside from Argevés - a large amount of ore is refined into proper metals, armor is made, cannons are forged for Baloric vessels, and complex mechanical parts for a variety of firearms are constructed.

## History

### Founding

The coastal province of Péricourt was officially founded in 54 K.Y. when Césarine Allaire, a northern Baloric native and distinguished Knight-Captain of the recently established Brotherhood of the Horse, was elevated to the station of nobility by King Daniel Wrynn, for her decisive and faithful military service to House Wrynn in the swift quelling of a rebellion in the province of Brightwood. The province of Péricourt was thus granted to her, for her to bring into the proper administration of the Kingdom, as much of it was populated in that time by rural settlers, bandits, and coastal raiders, only ostensibly under the authority of the Kingdom of Stormwind.

The swift arrival of Césarine, with a cadre of Knights and sworn retainers, heralded a time of brief chaos for the territory as administration was returned. The seat of power of House Allaire was established firmly within the Liuva Cove, in what began as a military encampment surrounding a then-unnamed meager settlement on the isle that sits within the cove's midst. By decisive application of martial force and a number of brutal campaigns, the presence of bandits and coastal raiders in Péricourt was quelled, enough that the nominally claimed fiefs under Allaire rule were able to be brought under their wing.

It was in this period of relative stability that the humble settlement in the Liuva Cove grew, as settlers and refugees were eager to congregate around what was viewed as a bastion of safety and prosperity in the tumultuous region. Césarine Allaire thus officially named dubbed the flourishing town Argevés, and oversaw its development into a robust center of mercantile interest, by way of its advantageous geography and rich fisheries.

Over the next decades, the prosperity and growth of the region would only continue, leading to an eventual adoption of even more aggressive policies of feudal expansion. With Péricourt surrounded by a number of lesser territories, Galiane Allaire, the daughter of Césarine Allaire, undertook these efforts at expansion. Citing the presence of bandits encroaching on their settlement from the inland, general unrest, and the need for greater stability in the region, forceful annexations were executed on a collection of southern territories, elevating the loyal and wealthy to positions of nobility, swearing them in minor vassalage to House Allaire - founding the aristocratic houses of Morin, Vaugrenard, Marchand, and De Lisle, each administrating their own province of the inland.

It was not long until House Allaire turned its ambitions westward, to the territories of Alcestenne under House Laurent, who had themselves been expanding their holdings significantly. In spite of the expected tendency of the Allaires to opt for military conquest, an approach was made to the Lord of the House, Thrasamund Laurent. In exchange for a favorable position of vassalage and the granting of further territory, Galiane Allaire swore herself and her House into the service of House Laurent. For her distinguished military service and prestige, Galiane was granted a courtly position to the ancestral Laurent, serving upon his court as his military advisor and the Lord Marshal of his feudal armies. This tradition has maintained into the modern era, with an Allaire always serving as the Lord Marshal and thus the right hand of the Dukes Alcestenne.

In the following centuries, the expansion of the Duchy of Alcestenne with the military assitance of Péricourt's robust and highly martial population remained, but the territorial growth stagnated after the conquest of southern Balor by King Logan Wrynn II in 266 K.Y. The priorities of the ruling lords and ladies of Péricourt shifted to the interior, with the robust development of Argevés and many of the coastal territories into prosperous urban centers.

### The First War

The invasion of the Orcish Horde through the Dark Portal left the Kingdom of Stormwind in turmoil, with the mainland caught in open conflict with the warbands of the Orcish invaders. In spite of fierce resistance by the armies of Stormwind against this overwhelming threat, the capital of Stormwind itself was besieged by the forces of Blackhand - and the shrewdest of leaders among the orcs, Razekh the Surreptitious, sought to establish further bulkheads near the capital from which they could mount a larger assault on the city. The Isle of Balor, advantageously positioned off of the very shores of Elwynn, was chosen as one of many staging points, and a robust invasion force was sent to its eastern shores - comprised of a large Blackrock Clan warband, with an attaché of some of the cruelest of the Stormreaver Clan.

Of the provinces in the path of this invasion, Péricourt was the first, by its position on the eastern coast. By way of the dark magicks of the Stormreaver Clan, the robust Orcish invasion force was disguised, leaving the forces of Péricourt unaware of the impending assaults. When Blackrock raiding parties began landing on the shore, the skirmishes with the hastily mustered militiamen and Baloric regulars were numerous, but were not enough to stem the tide of the surprise invasion. Outlying fishing villages on the eastern coast were quickly overtaken by the orcs, and their inhabitants were often brutalized, killed, or enslaved, with the Blackrocks and the Stormreavers alike seeking to occupy and settle human territory to further fuel their war efforts.

At the behest of the presiding Lord Marshal of Alcestenne during the First War, Séraphine Allaire, the Alcestennian military was called to action, to march into the east of Péricourt to put a stop to the invasion. The orcs, meanwhile, continued their advance across the east, leaving a path of cruelty and destruction in their wake, as villages and mustered militias were crushed underneath the might of the Blackrock war machine. True resistance was met in time with the hosts of Lord Marshal Allaire meeting the orcs in the field, achieving minor victories against the Blackrocks in a collection of brutal counter-attacks - but the true defining moment of the invasion was held in defensive siege, as the valiant forces of Balor sought to defend a major border fortress.

While the forces under the Lord Marshal held their ground against the orc's efforts to assault the fortress, what could not be accounted for were the foul magicks that the orcs employed. At the behest of orcish necrolytes, the fallen soldiers of Balor were turned against their own in necromantic raising, nearly overwhelming the fortress at multiple points. An eventual victory was achieved by the armies of Balor against the warband assaulting the keep, leading to the orcs and their necrolytes retreating so as to not suffer impactful losses, but the cost was great to the armies under the Lord Marshal - a pyrrhic victory, where far too many fell for it to be called a grand triumph.

The cunning Stormreaver Clan was not idle, for it was known that a unified human army could continue to challenge them in the field. The provincial capital of Argevés, having been spared the Orcish invasion thus far, was the target of a surprise assault, as orcish raiding parties - spearheaded by warlocks of the Stormreavers and their fel magicks - cut a bloody path through the city, seeking to burn the very ships of Péricourt in the harbor to prevent escape. At the behest of Cyprien Allaire, the husband of the Lord Marshal, many militiamen, ordinary civilians, and proper soldiers were rallied in a desperate effort to prevent the overwhelming advance of the orcs through the city, but their sacrifices were ultimately in vain, as the harbors of Argevés went up in felfire. Cyprien, and many more, fell in what is now known as the Sacking of Argevés.

The Lord Marshal Séraphine Allaire had marched to the aid of Argevés, but began to realize that the whole of Balor was under threat of being lost to them forever. Together with her council and the remaining lords and ladies of Alcestenne, the shrewd decision was made to resist orcish occupation not in the field, where they had suffered loss after loss even in victory, but in insurgency. The soldiers and common people of Balor alike, were they not enslaved, took to the hills and forests of the Isle, to resist what was now a seemingly permanent presence of orcs on the Isle of Balor.

For the whole of the First War, the insurgent militias, irregulars, and guerilla soldiers of Balor fought across Alcestenne, and Péricourt was no different. The orcish occupation of Balor Isle is one of noted brutality, with the Blackrock Clan forcing the humans of the land into slavery, directing them under threat of death to toil in mines, fields, and lumberyards that were now under orcish control - with unlucky souls or captured insurgent fighters in Péricourt being subject to either execution or sacrifice for the Stormreaver Clan's demonic summoning rituals.

The provincial capital of Argevés became the stronghold of the orcs, under the iron fist of the ruthless Blackrock lieutenant, Ishnâkh the Ill Tempered. Forgotten by most of the Kingdom of Stormwind, Péricourt - and Balor at large - was left to fend for itself, fighting tooth and nail for its own liberation. It was with their own faith and steel that this campaign was waged, from the hills, forests, and outlying villages that still sought to resist the occupation.

After years of struggle, the time had come. With the infamous Lord Marshal Séraphine Allaire at their head, the insurgent armies of Péricourt rose up in defiance against their orcish occupiers. Through shrewd tactics and unrelenting surprise assaults on occupied military fortresses, the resistance in Péricourt struck deep at the military capability of the orcish invaders, liberating settlements in the east from these reclaimed keeps.

Yet Argevés still stood as the heart of the enemy's power in the region, a blight on their efforts at the liberation of the Isle of Balor, as the majority of Balor still suffered under occupation, fighting their own resistance in the shadows. The provincial capital remained under siege by a small force of Péricourt's rebellious irregulars, while a split force of marching Blackrock warbands threatened to break that thin siege, and overtake their newly reclaimed territories in the east. The Lord Marshal knew well it was a necessity to liberate Argevés if their rebellion was to continue, and relinquished command of the east of Péricourt to her young daughter, Celeste - where she would fight fiercely to hold on to what territories she could, while the Lord Marshal carried on glories elsewhere.

The Lord Marshal marched her host in liberation to Argevés, where she intercepted the warband in the field, some distance from Argevés - winning for herself further reputation of extreme zeal and dedication in her slaying of the malefic demon Nazuulon, an Ered'ruin commander summoned by the Stormreaver Clan's foul rituals of human sacrifice. Pushing forth, the liberating armies under Séraphine reinforced the siege of Argevés after a hard-fought victory in the field. The Liberation of Argevés, as it is now known, was a relentless assault lead by the Lord Marshal herself, as the long enslaved people of Argevés rose up to strike at their orcish occupiers in the interior of the walled city, opening the portcullis to allow the liberators inside.

The Liberation of Argevés was nothing short of brutality, as vengeance was delivered in turn for years of slavery and occupation at the hands of the orcs. Not a single orc that was able to be caught was spared. The Lord Marshal Séraphine Allaire slew the Blackrock lieutenant Ishnâkh the Ill Tempered in single combat, and took his head as a trophy - an act which is still immortalized in statue in present-day Péricourt, in the square before Valmont Keep. The warlocks of the Stormreaver Clan upon the Isle were ruthlessly slaughtered, for they had been the deliverers of so much cruelty by way of abhorrent demonic rituals.

Though it took years of struggle, it was with the sacrifice of many and the stubborn zeal of the people of Péricourt that their liberation was won. Upon the mainland, the famous Sacking of Stormwind struck a deep blow to the KIngdom, and the mass exodus and evacuation of much of the mainland to Lordaeron left many of the still-occupied peoples of Balor abandoned to their orcish oppressors. Believing that outside help may never come, the people of Péricourt and the greater Duchy of Alcestenne resolved themselves to freeing the Isle of Balor by their own blood.

### The Second War

In the wake of the liberation of Péricourt, and shortly after the Duchy of Alcestenne at large, the province became a hard fought foothold of human control at the very edge of the Orcish Horde's occupation of Balor Isle. Alone, yet armed with an intense zeal, each and every living soul in the region was expected to fight, or support the efforts at the Isle's reclamation and rebuilding. Having suffered under years of the occupation already, the province was hardly well-off, with so much of the land either depopulated or left destroyed in the wake of so much conflict.

Despite this, the people were uniquely dedicated not only the reclamation of Balor, but to the deliverance of righteous vengeance to their orcish occupiers. With the Lord Marshal Séraphine Allaire at their head, the mustered feudal armies of Alcestenne were reconstituted, even if their tactics were far less regular than they had been in the initial invasion. With the coordination and aid of guerilla forces in the numerous other surrounding provinces of Balor, the brutal campaign to reclaim the Isle was waged, piece by piece.

Throughout those long years well into the Second War, the campaign carried on, as the small pocket of human freedom in the northeast grew to include much of the northern coast. Each victory was costly, but deemed worthwhile, for any amount of Baloric blood spilled was preferable to what may have been a lifetime in servitude to the orcs.

Within this period, the restored Baloric provinces in the north reaches of the Isle - Péricourt included - were able to restore contact with allies in the north, of the newly formed Alliance of Lordaeron. While still waging a bloody campaign of liberation of the southern provinces of Balor, many were eager to assist the rest of humanity in breaking the back of the Orcish Horde that had so ravaged the northern Eastern Kingdoms just as it did the south. Bitter as they were, they were now united in arms with the rest of humanity, albeit split by seas - and as soon as ships could be mustered in the ports of Argevés, battle hardened regulars of Péricourt were able to join the main thrust of the Second War.

After the Siege of Blackrock Spire, the push further south by the combined forces of the Alliance of Lordaeron saw a meager force directed to assist with the liberation of southern Balor, and in time, the Isle was nominally restored to the control of humanity and the reconstituted Kingdom of Stormwind. Its people, however, were embittered by years of warfare and abandonment - and their lands were ravaged by the very same.

### Reconstruction and the Third War

For the province of Péricourt, the long decade before the Third War was one of immense struggle. Having fought over their ruined lands for six long years of unrelenting conflict, much of what remained of the region's infrastructure had to be rebuilt entirely, even if an extent of reconstruction was underway during the period of the Second War. The dedication that the pious inhabitants of Péricourt showed in the war carried through in further tenacity in the face of these years of adversity, where food was scarce and refugees were scattered throughout the Isle.

As she did in warfare, however, Séraphine Allaire was intent on seeing her people through these hard times, prioritizing the development of the northern coasts and the defense of all that was still tenuously held on the outskirts of the province's territory. Banditry was not uncommon in Péricourt in these early years of reconstruction, as many turned to such things merely to survive - and Séraphine became known for her cruelty not only to the scattered remains of orcish warbands that could be found on the Isle, but to captured criminals and bandits that sought to destroy the order she had fought so hard to uphold.

In time, the northern reaches of Péricourt were revitalized, by way of extensive trade and the use of their rich coastlines for seafood exports. At the outbreak of the Third War, which left the northern kingdom of Lordaeron ravaged by foul cults and a plague of undeath, it was decreed by the Commander of the Knights of Balor, Trant Laurent, that a force of its pious knights be sent north to assist in the defense of the besieged people of Lordaeron - and Péricourt sent many of its own detachment of Knights of Balor to the plagued lands, in turn, including the heir-apparent Celeste Allaire.

### Rebellion of House Morin

The southern regions of Péricourt were, by some intent, not a focus of the revitalization of the province under Séraphine Allaire - who deemed the mercantile potential, profitable ports and waterways, and the heart of the region's urban territory along the northern coasts more worthwhile. This was not without its ill effects, as these neglected southern provinces struggled just the same as the rest of the region, in spite of the comparative prosperity of the north.

The region was governed by a collection of minor vassals, the most prominent of which being House Morin. Historically, the lands under Morin rulership were long-disgruntled with the leadership of the Allaires, believing themselves to be subject to unfavorable terms of vassalage and little in the way of representation or focus by their liege lords and ladies, over the many centuries they had existed in its service.

The presiding Lord of House Morin, Kristoff Morin, saw opportunity in the absence of the heir-apparent to House Allaire, who showed no signs of returning even in the conclusion of the Third War, as rumors swirled that the Knights of Balor's crusade to the Kingdom of Lordaeron ended in disaster. With Séraphine Allaire seemingly past her prime, there was no strong heir in sight. Her youngest daughter, Aceline Allaire, was sparsely liked, and Celeste's own blood Colette was far too young for rulership - and thus, Lord Morin began to ferment the seeds of rebellion among the territories of the southern provinces, speaking of grander things that could be accomplished under his rule.

It was not long until the lands underneath Morin's direct control - and smaller, rebellious villages from outside of his territories - were eager to secure for themselves greater station in the Baloric tradition of feudal warfare. A plan was hatched, to assassinate Séraphine Allaire and rise up in open rebellion, thus taking control of the province of Péricourt and potentially, the rest of the Duchy of Alcestenne.

The assassination attempt was undertaken within Valmont Keep itself in Argevés, by way of infiltrating assassins of an unknown but clandestine order thought to be paid by Lord Morin himself. In the late hours of the night, the aging Séraphine Allaire was struck in the great hall of Valmont Keep, where she managed to fell one of the trio of assassins sent to kill her - taking a near-mortal blow to her lower back. The guards within the Keep were able to dispatch of the remaining two infiltrators, but in spite of this, the first blow of the rebellion was struck.

Left crippled in the wake of her attempted assassination, there was little that Séraphine could do as the southern provinces of Péricourt erupted into open rebellion, with Lord Morin mustering militia forces and traitor knights alike to cut out a swath of rebellious territories from the forces of the Allaire loyalist vassals. Despite early victories in the field, the rebellion was brought to a brief retreat after the failed siege of Argevés, and a counteroffensive campaign was waged at the hasty command of Aceline Allaire, with no other option in sight.

Mismanagement and military incompetence on the part of Aceline led to numerous petty defeats for the Allaire loyalists, and Séraphine's health continued to worsen due to her injuries, leaving her in no position to wage a military campaign as in the days of old. Over the course of the next months, the pace of the rebellion and the loyalist forces both ground to a stalemate.

This period of rebellion nonetheless persisted over the next years, with numerous skirmishes waged across the thin and often ill-defined lines of the rebellion, resulting in the frequent sacking of outlying villages and the death of many. In a sense, it was familiar strife for the people of Péricourt - a return to the days of struggle and banditry that plagued them after they had reclaimed their homeland. This insurrection proved an incredible burden on the region, sapping from it much of the integral resources that were usually derived of the now rebellious southern provinces, such as lumber, iron, and coal.

It was not until the return of Celeste Allaire from the long-lost expedition to the northern kingdoms that things began to look up, for the beleagured province of Péricourt. Upon her return, Celeste took up the mantle of Marquise from her injured mother, and waged a brutal retaliatory campaign against the rebellious forces of Lord Morin, intent on ending this long-standing insurrection as quickly as possible. Though hard fought, victory came in time, with the shrewd and aggressive tactics Celeste employed overwhelming much of the rebellious territories.

After a lengthy siege to capture the seat of House Morin, Moréviard, the now-presiding Marquise of Péricourt issued a decree that as punishment for their rebellion, House Morin would be branded as irredeemable traitors, with the adult aristocratic members of their long-standing bloodline put to the sword, and their youngest stripped of title and right, offered as wards to the vassals of House Allaire that remained steadfast in their loyalty. Lord Kristoff Morin himself was publicly disemboweled and beheaded before Valmont Keep, while many of the rest of his family were hanged.

Moréviard itself was subject to harsh military occupation and suffered under extensive reprisals, as it was not only the members of the Morin family that were deemed guilty, but the people that had sought to undermine Allaire rule for six long years - gentry and wealthy mercantile families especially. For the southern provinces, this period following the reestablishment of the old order was an era of immense strife.

The former lands of the disgraced House Morin were distributed to the most loyal vassals of House Allaire for rulership, with House Vaugrenard seeing an elevation of its station for its staunch service in the many years prior and during the rebellion, being granted Moréviard itself as well as much of its surrounding lands, while other loyalist vassals saw their territories receive healthy expansions as well.

### Present Day

In the present day, House Allaire presides over the militaristic and maritime region of Péricourt, counting itself as one of the more populous and prominent provinces of the greater Duchy of Alcestenne. Having suffered under years of warfare in one form or another, it has recovered from its years of strife to secure its position as a prosperous and loyal holding of the Kingdom of Stormwind and the Grand Alliance at large.

Still under the purview of the Marquise Celeste Allaire, the region underwent significant shifts in its interior borders in the wake of its rebellion, and a major focus on the development of infrastructure of both the northern and southern provinces. Despite this period of peace, the recent success of the region and the Duchy overall has paved way to trending rumors of feudal expansionism, as in the days of old, the Duchy of Alcestenne seeking to broaden its holdings..

## Settlements

### Argevés

The provincial capital of Péricourt, Argevés is the defined urban core of the province. It is a prosperous port city, often sought out by merchants seeking to do business within and beyond the Kingdom of Stormwind for its deep water ports, allowing favorable conditions for all manner of freight to pass into, out of, and from the dense and bustling harbors. The city itself houses a multitude of layered districts filled with markets, plentiful fisheries that take advantage of its rich coastal waters, and renowned shipbuilding companies.

It is a center of commerce, populated with all manner of competing businesses, infamous in some respect for its cutthroat merchant guilds and aspiringly monopolistic trade companies, with rumors of corrupt relationships with local governance swirling. Argevés is a maritime city through and through, with ample canals for irrigation and navigation alike, which has also granted it some reputation as a minor tourist destination on the Isle of Balor for those seeking idyllic boat rides in its clear canal waters.

### L'Vayonne

Along the southern road out of the port city of Argevés is the industrial settlement of L'Vayonne, counting itself as one of the few of its kind in the province. Centered in the midst of a number of favorable intersections of trade and local travel, the town has rapidly become the center of industrial interest and production, for its position between both the coastal and the inland territories of the province. Within the city, expansive trade companies operate production facilities, ore refineries, and any number of factories that produce everything from swords and armor to specialized parts for firearms.

### Arvelle

Far and away from the comparatively urban lifestyle of Argevés, the coastal city of Arvelle is nonetheless a populous settlement, possessing its own robust fishing ports and trading hubs. The settlement's point of fame is naturally its rural fisheries, serving as the center of many humble livelihoods for fisherman and any that make their living upon the sea. A few prominent shipwrights operate out of Arvelle, though they avoid producing the military vessels that come out of Argevés, instead focusing on commercial ships and fishing vessels.

### Lyonneau

The harbor city of Lyonneau is under the rulership of House De Lisle, a loyal vassal of House Allaire. Positioned advantageously in the midst of a number of estuaries that make up the riverlands in Péricourt's west, Lyonneau serves as a rare bit of proper agriculture along the coasts, taking advantage of its advantageous soil to produce favorable crops for the rest of the region, though it does not nearly compare to the agricultural scale of the province's inland territories.

### Garamére

The robust mining town of Garamére is presided over by House Marchand, a loyal vassal of House Allaire. While not nearly as populous as the more urban settlements of Péricourt, the town of Garamére is integral in the production chain of the province, its iron-rich hills producing a significant amount of iron and coal that fuels production and ore refining operations in further north, in L'Vayonne. Notably, a small amount of sapphires are derived from specialized mines in the hills surrounding Garamére, which prove a sought after gemstone for Baloric nobles across the isle.

### Calvon

The lakeside, agricultural town of Calvon is the former seat of power of House Vaugrenard, serving as an inland holding at the very center of Péricourt's agricultural operations. Surrounded by a number of minor farming villages that populate the fertile grasslands, it carves out its importance to Péricourt in the deliverance of much in the way of produce to the rest of the region.

### Moréviard

Once the center of the now disgraced House Morin, House Vaugrenard was granted the settlement as reward for their steadfast service as a loyalist vassal during House Morin's ill-fated rebellion. Having moved their seat of power to the city of Moréviard after being granted the right by Celeste Allaire, the city has long been restored to order. By its favorable position nearest some of the thickest of Péricourt's inland forests, its primary export and interest is thus lumber, and all that can be derived of its forests, such as skin and game.

Moréviard is a robust city on its own, but is surrounded similarly by gatherings of rural, but surprisingly populous lumber towns and other such settlements of comparatively lesser importance to that of the urban coast.

## Houses

House Allaire rules the March of Pericourt, under the vassalage of House Laurent within the Duchy of Alcestenne.

Minor vassals exist under House Allaire, operating smaller territories to its west and south within Péricourt.

* House De Lisle
* House Marchand
* House Vaugrenard