Annebury

**Ruler**
 **Ruling House**
 **Seat**
 **Settlements**
Lambholdt
 **Beliefs**
 **Diocesan Administrator**
 **Founded**

The Vidamy of Annebury holding along the southern coast of the Redridge Mountains, bordering the Duchy of Whitemarch, centered around a port by the same name. After the Stormwind Civil War, the deed to the port was given to Casylia, and the few miles of land surrounding it were acquired after a deal was struck between her and Lord Richard Fane. After a failed bid for Barony-hood, the deed to Annebury and its lands was given to the Church of the Holy Light, and with the blessing of the church, Colin Lambholdt was appointed as Vidame of Annebury, establishing this new Vidamy as the dominion of House Lambholdt.

The citizens of Annebury continue to work tirelessly to restore this one prosperous land to its former glory, and have built a place that can serve as a bastion for freedom of expression, for those who would otherwise lack it in a monarchial society. Freshly industrialized, the barony of Annebury has rapidly expanded, becoming a potent force within the region.

## Culture

### Religious Beliefs

A large number of residents place their faith in the Church of the Holy Light, with a small number following a more Draenei-styled, Naaru-worshipping faith, centered around a particular fallen Prime Naaru. A large segment of the population are agnostic, though generally in private.

### Local Holidays

The people of Annebury celebrate the founding of Annebury in the early portion of October.

Many citizens celebrate a local folk holiday called "Thompson's Run," where a strong warrior pulled a cart of Annebury's citizens to safety in the dwarven lands of Dun Morogh, when Stormwind was laid to waste. The citizens of Annebury celebrate by holding a marathon up from the southern mountainside to the port, every spring.

## Economy & Resources

There is a great deal of untouched lumber along the heartlands of Annebury, mostly pine and cedar trees. Forests that have not been cut since the Age of Strife dot the hills, and have grown immensely. Much like its northern sibling, the Earldom of Westmoor, corn and wheat can be readily found within Annebury, along the few farms that dot the region. Notably, during the years following the Civil War, a thick line of forest was erected on Annebury's northern border, with the aid of a druid or two - acting as a natural wall inbetween Annebury and Whitemarch. It also serves as an additional and plentiful source of lumber, and thus is patrolled by a branch of Annebury's military - the Forest Rangers.

Animals such as deer, rabbits, beavers, and boars populate the lands within Annebury. During the years following the Civil War, livestock such as sheep, cows, and chickens were imported into Annebury, and have become a part of the Vidamy's flourishing farms.

Along the mountainsides, there are rumors of old mining shafts that are flush with unclaimed mineral resources. One such rumor mentions a cave containing a series of Azerite veins has been discovered along the southern mountainside, though it is only a rumor so far, and any who speak of such a thing are generally silenced. Many new mines have been constructed, and ore - specifically iron and mithril - has begun to flow from the earth into the hands of Annebury's engineers and smiths.

## Military

The Vidamy of Annebury has quickly industrialized within the last few years, and from that comes the ability to produce arms and armor for its military. As a necessity as much as it is a point of pride, the Vidamy has spared no expense in building a well-armored and trained military force to defend the lands of Annebury.

### Knights of the Crystal Spark

A small order of paladins has been established by the Lord-Bishop of Hope, Pearls, and Waves as per the agreement that made Annebury a vassal of the larger Bishopric of Hope, Pearls, and Waves and House Ascania. These knights are a bit of an anomaly in comparison to the rest of the kingdom, as they are based out of the Holy City of Annebury and staffed by local men and women, thus directly overseen by its Governor - whose perspective has colored a bit of the way they operate. More magical than martial fighters, they serve the Lord-Bishop with unflinching devotion, fighting valiantly and violently in defense of Annebury. Though some rumors speculate that their loyalties aren't so clear-cut.

### Forest Rangers

Annebury's ranger corps was formed after the Vidamy's northern forest-barrier was grown by the druid of the Cenarion Circle. Skilled archers and huntsmen, they are able to traverse these thick woods with relative ease - and report directly to the Vidame and the Governor of any disturbances within the forest.

### Navy of Annebury

Annebury's naval forces, based out of Port Turner, consist of four frigate-class ships, and two destroyer-class ships. Additionally, the Governor's personal vessel - the submarine known as the Ironsong, is parked beneath the waves in the Holy City. Finally, deep within Port Turner, there are murmurings of an experimental and utterly massive battleship being constructed - inspired by the Iron Horde's Dreadnaught-class battleships.

The navy of Annebury is solely tasked with defending the Holy City's port, as well as ensuring the safety of the many trade ships coming in and out of the Holy City. Most prominently, they are needed to defend from pirates - something they have specialized in taking down. Of course, Whitemarch having its own navy was quite a motivator too.

## History

### Founding

The port of Annebury was originally founded in 114 K.C, during the reign of Thomas Wrynn I, by a group of explorers led by one Anne Turner, whose first name the port draws its own name from. The port remained small, providing trade to nearby dwarven settlements that developed in what would become Redridge. There were rumors that in her exile, the fleeing Mary Brightwood found residence in Annebury's woods until her dying days. These rumors are unsubstantiated of course, and all records that could confirm or deny it were lost hundreds of years ago.

### Destruction

The port had become a bustling center of incoming goods after Redridge became a part of the Kingdom of Stormwind's lands, before the First War and the Sacking of Stormwind. After the sacking, even after the city was rebuilt, the port fell into ruin and was abandoned.

### Aftermath of the Civil War

After the Stormwind Civil War, the deed to the port was given to Casylia, and the few miles of land surrounding it were acquired after a deal was struck between her and Lord Richard Fane. The deed to the city and then the surrounding land, after a failed bid to establish Annebury as a proper Barony, was given to the Church of the Holy Light, the local clergy installing Kessanella Prismspark as the Diocesan Administrator, until a local Bishop could be raised up. The re-emergence of the ancient house that founded Annebury came shortly after, and with the church's permission, Colin Lambholdt, House Lambholdt's last remaining heir, would be raised into nobility as Vidame of Annebury.

### Present Day

Under the rule of House Lambholdt and the advice of Casylia, Annebury began to quietly and quickly industrialize. The region's mountainsides were rich in ore and materials, and with the sheer amount of lumber available within Annebury, the land quickly began to expand and prosper. The two Towns-in-Boxes placed years prior provided a good staging ground for the development of two residential settlements, and a dedicated industrial settlement that could quickly put the resources of Annebury to work.

## Settlements

There are three proper settlements in Annebury. Two residential settlements, Port Turner and Lambholdt, and the industrial settlement of Durham.

### Port Turner

*"Heh, seamen." - Gov. Casylia*

Port Turner is a coastal settlement that is home to much of Annebury's naval fleet. Founded on a goblin Town-in-a-Box, the abundant fishery that developed in this settlement provides much in the way of ocean-borne bounties to the Vidamy at large. As it and Annebury as a whole expanded, the Vidamy began quietly building a navy with which it could defend the shipments coming in and out of port. In order to keep the navy both properly staffed and guarded, the majority of the navy was moved to Port Turner, and a naval base was built to house both the seamen and vessels. Additionally and perhaps most prominently, this is the location where Mother Bethany's Abbey can be found, and serves as the seat of the Patroness of Annebury. It is custom that she blesses each of the ships that dock within this port.

### Lambholdt

*"It's not the hustle and bustle of the Holy City, but it is quite nice - and quaint. Fitting for the gentle little Lord." - Gov. Casylia*

The second residential settlement was built from scratch, with the support of the manufactory at Durham. As he had left the Holy City under Casylia's governance in his stead, Colin was able to establish House Lambholdt's personal estate in a setting he felt much more comfortable with. And with that in mind, and the proper support, a large estate was built in the forested hills of Annebury. Over time, a town and settlement cropped up around it, and now Lambholdt is where much of the land's farmland can be found - home to many crops and livestock.

### Durham

*"The sight of this place is both marvelous and disgusting. It's a testament to our people, at the very least - even if it defiles nature." - Lord Lambholdt*

The second Town-in-a-Box was placed at an old mining town's location, situated in the ruins there. From there, a huge industrial complex was built to process and refine the many mineral bounties found within the Redridge Mountain range. Iron and mithril flow through Durham's manufactory and are refined constantly, and Durham's facilities house a number of smithing and engineering bays that pump out weapons, machines, and parts for the industry and military of the Vidamy.

## Gallery

Map of AnneburyCasylia, Governor of the Holy CityColin Lambholdt, Vidame of Annebury