Coternage

Coternage's ground is mostly clay and sandy soil. Long, sandy beaches line most of the coast. What hilly outcroppings are found are mostly shale and limestone.

Coternage has rich fisheries and extensive farmlands, which while not remarkably fertile, provide a dependable bounty of grain, legumes, tubers, flax and hemp. The baillage has fairly rural character, with little industry - some pottery along the Narge - and limited trade. However, lying on both the main road and the main sea route towards the north, the baillage usually sees a lot of traffic. The war has led to a reduction in traffic, with refugees and mercenaries growing more common than merchants.

Coternage has seen its share of the troubles afflicting Avation, plague, banditry and failing trade has left the district weakened, though not as badly as its inland neighbour Sontelle. The Count of Coternage seems to concentrate on keeping his vassals in line, bringing in the taxes, and keeping bandits and brigands (as well as northern and eastern neighbouring nobles) from raiding his realm. So far he has had fair success, but it is said that his vassals are growing increasingly headstrong, and that several peers are conspiring against the Count.

Mault used to be the smaller sibling of Dephille, now it is a manikin next to a giant. The town sits on the river Narge, and is the port of Coternage as well as the two counties upriver - Sontelle and Heguiolais. Its two main exports are grain, and more importantly, ships.

The shipyards of Mault have increased their output recently, with the Regential and Archducal forces engaging in naval battle, the demand for ships has risen sharply. The shipbuilders buy timber from Heguiolais and turn out cogs, carracks and galleys. The Count of Gronne-Base is their foremost customer.