Marquisate of Hamvalle

The Marquisate of Hamvalle

Hamvalle lies higher in altitude than any other Avatine county, west of the Tibellu range, with the Great Forest to the north and west, and wild hilly country to the south. With such natural barriers all around it is also the most secluded marquisate of the land. Two routes connects the Marquisate to the rest of the world: A trail through the eastern foothills, leading to the Marquisate of Moize, and another through a narrow river gorge to the Barony of Valsangé in the County of Gronne-Haute.

Hamvalle is the poorest marquisate in Avation, having little in the way of natural resources. The arable land is of mediocore quality, and the entire county has no more than 500 square miles of farmland, less than the average viscounty. The main source of monetary income is herds of pigs kept in the forests, and flocks of sheep put to pasture in the hills.

In name, the Marquis of Hamvalle is lord of more than 4000 square miles of land, but most of this is in name alone, encompassing vast stretches of the Great Forest, and the peaks and hills of the Tibellu range. The Marquisate is the least densely populated in Avation, with 40 000 human inhabitants, less than many baronies. The Marquisate has, however, been spared of the worst ravages of the maggot sickness, losing only one out of twenty.

The gods alone know how many goblins and trolls live in Hamvalle. In 6543, during the War of the Comet-Called, all of rural Hamvalle was ravaged by goblins, though the larger fortifications managed to withstand lengthy sieges

The Count of Hamvalle is directly subservient to the crown. The Hamvalles have traditionally been renowned for their great martial prowess. Being a frontier realm, Hamvalle pays no other tax to the crown than military service and keeping the High Pass and king's road safe. Marquis Peter of Hamvalle is the liege-lord of the Baron of Flonde. The commoners of Hamvalle also enjoy light taxes, but each family must keep one man armed and ready for service at all times. The families of Hamvalle and Flonde depend much on courtly titles, sinecures and war plunder to be able to maintain a noble lifestyle.

Marquis Peter is the Royal Swordsmaster, and spends much of his time in the capital, instructing the young pages and squires at the Court.

The witchcult is particularily strong in this marquisate, and a wicked rumour claims that even the nobles of the county take part in the sabbaths.

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