Axandorf – the North March

The entire northern coast of the kingdom, extending about 50 km in land, is the important but nearly uninhabited area of the North March Dukedom. The reason for its importance is one of navigation. The reason for its sparse population is one of climate; it’s a horrible place to live. The land is not very good for agriculture, being swept by salt winds; its soil seems only good at producing pine trees and crabgrass. The summer is cool, while the winter is frigid. Storms are common in all seasons. 

 The March is more a military zone than a proper Dukedom, with its overlord appointed by the king instead of being hereditary. There are three major forts, each ruled by an Earl, who is also appointed. Although the king can select anyone, choices are usually made from the military families of the March, who own traditional estates near the forts.

Each fort has a permanent garrison of 200 troops, three warships and a dragon rider - messenger assigned to it. The forts are built to handle double these amounts and are provisioned accordingly. The forts are linked by a road, but most often travel is by sea. Of course a community of craftsmen exists next to each fort to meet its needs.Although troops are required to live in the fort, they often get married and rent a small house in the town.

Fort Valhaus in the East is the best known and most active. Because it sits near the mouth of the Dorf River, it has a sizable civilian population built up next to it. In fact it is the only fort with any real farming or trade activity going on in its vicinity. On the other hand it faces some of the worst winter weather head on. Over the years storms have done more damage to the fort than battles.

Fort Hafzee is the command center of the March because of its central location. It is also considered something of a week link in the chain because of the time it would take for any relief force to reach it from Gansport or Axandorf city. Thus attempts to strengthen it have frequently been made.

Fort Caspar in the West is the uninteresting but very dramatic symbol of the March. It is located at land’s end on a high cliff, making any attack nearly impossible. It dates back to an ancient Dwarven castle called Tintagar.

Unlike a normal Dukedom, the March has no Baronies. Land is granted in long narrow estates to Lords. There are about 50 estates near each fort; with each estate required to provide 20 armed men as their feudal levee. Thus the Duke can call out about 3000 troops.

The major industry of the March is fishing. Every Lord owns a boat or two and his people act as crew instead of farming. In times of war the 20 man levee forms into a single long-ship crew. For the most part the fish are locally consumed. However there is also whale hunting. This activity brings in cash as whale oil and other products are sold in the big city markets.