Marquisate of Moize

The Marquisate of Moize

The Marquisate of Moize lies on the eastern side of the Tibellu mountains and foothills. Geographically, it is extremely varied, as it stretches all the way from the chilly mountain peaks to the salubrious coast along the Bay of Baroine. The main waterway of the Marquisate, the river Nimèle, spans the diverse land, running swiftly in rapids and caracts through the hills from its spring in the mountains, growing more sedate as it reaches the lowlands, and flowing languid and muddy the last 20 miles out to the sea.

The economy of Moize reflects this diversity, going from silver mining and shepherding in the west, with farms, orchards and vineyards in the centre and eastern portions, and small-scale fishing along the eastern coast. The river valley of the Nimèle is sunny, sheltered and well irrigated, and is known for its fine white wines.

Moize has in excess of 200 000 inhabitants, but before the ravages of the plague, the population was closer to 300 000.

The notable settlement in Moize is the city of Fonetrine (9000 inhabitants), which sits about six miles inland on the river Nimèle. The river is navigable to most ships up to Fonetrine, and the city has a modest harbour. The city is mostly an agricultural market, shipping out produce and selling manefactured goods and imports to the local farmers.

Fonetrine used to have a strong city wall, but a sprawling foulburg and neglectful maintainance has left the wall fairly useless.

Fonetrine forms a communication nexus between the Crown's lands, northern Corguin, and Lambure. Because of this, it has more inns than one would expect of such a sleepy city. Fonterine is about one day's ride from Vosne, and three days ride from Courite, twice that by caravan, half that for a courier.

The castle of the Marquis of Moize sits on an artifical island in the Nimèle, in the centre of Fonetrine. Here, he and his family have their formal seat.

Since the Marquisate of Hamvalle was taken, Moize has lost most of its borderguard duties, being a marquisate in name only.

The Forest of Jordemar is a southern spur of the Great Forest, and is considered to be excellent hunting terrain. Venturing into it is less perilous than going into the Great Forest proper, but it is still wild enough to provide both plentiful game and a certain chivalrous challenge. the Jordemar forest has been favoured for huntig by the marquises of Moize and indeed by the Avatine kings themselves, for centuries. The Crown has a hunting chatlet on the southeastern border of the forest - Le Chateau de Jordemar. This chatlet's name used to be synonymous with the good life: Merry hunts in the forest followed by dinners of game and fine wines (Nimèles and others) However, the forest has been less popular after King Farnol VI disappeared on a hunt in this forest in 6382.

The Tibellu range forms the western border of Moize. The Marquis's men guard the pass to Hamvalle. In the western hills, there are several towers and a castle, belonging to the Crown or to the Marquis. These used to guard against goblin attacks, but for the last century they have only seen use once (in 6542) and for the last two decades they have been seriously neglected.

The mountains and hills give shelter to dragons and to ogre groups. Some say there are hidden dwarven settlements there as well. If so, the dwarves in question are unusually insular and secretive, even for dwarves.

The part of the Tibellu range passing through the northern part of Moize is particularily wild and empty, with only occational hunters, shepherds and placer miners venturing into it.