Duchy of Cobelle

Covering the northwestern and western parts of Avation, the Duchy of Cobelle stretches nearly 400 miles from north to south. Its long coastline to the west is beaten endlessly by the surf of the Ocean of Lost Souls, which stretches westwards as far as the eye can see and further than any man can sail. To the east the realm is hedged by the Great Forest, which also cover the lower slopes of the Bouglé mountains. To the north lies Dorannia, to the south Corguin.

Cobelle has great and old traditions for seafaring. Fisheries and whaling are important livelihoods all along the coast. The Duchy is also known for the fine wharves found in all its coastal cities. While its fields are adequate for supporting its inhabitants, and allow a modest export in good years, they are less bountiful than elsewhere in Avation.Oats and barley are more widely grown than wheat, and there are few vineyards and orchards compared to the rest of the country..

The weather in Cobelle is often rainy and foggy. Winters are mild and wet.

The population of Cobelle is the racially and culturally least homogenous in all of Avation's dominions. Added to the Frankish stock is a great number of Dorishmen, particularily in the north, where they form the majority in some areas. There are also bastards of Frankish and Fraeging blood, and some pure-blooded Fraegings. In the last couple of years, the number of Senines living in the Duchy has increased greatly, especially in the urban areas, and most of all in Dephille.

This Duchy spans approximately 60 000 square miles, and has about 5 000 000 inhabitants. The Duchy is divided into 15 baillages.

Traditionally, the Duchy of Cobelle has been the greatest and most powerful in Avation, and the Duchy has been a separate kingdom once during Avation's history, and retains some palatinal rights.

Furthermore, parts of Cobelle and of southern Dorannia has shifted back and forth between Avatine and Dorish hands since founding of Avation. Sometimes the exchange has come through marriage, but mostly through war.

Duke Theseon of Cobelle is an old and seemingly apathic man, who rarely leaves his castle on the western coast. Theseon's grasp of the duchy is feeble.

The Duke of Cobelle's apathy has weakened Cobelle as a whole, but has allowed enterprising lords such as the count of Gronne-Base and the Marquis of Heguiolais to create stronger local power bases than their equals in other parts of the country.

Most of the Duke's "vassals" support the Regent.