Duchy of Greade
Nestled between the mountains and the Bay of Kell lies the Duchy of Greade. This serene region is home to a stout, hardworking people who value peace and stability above all else. Greade’s citizens have cultivated a reputation for preferring a quiet, industrious life.
In addition to agriculture, Greade is known for its skilled artisans and craftsmen. Greadeans produce high-quality goods, from textiles and pottery to metalwork and woodcraft. These products are highly valued both locally and throughout the north, contributing to Greade’s prosperity.
Geography and Climate
The Duchy of Greade is uniquely positioned between the northernmost end of the Rookspine Mountains to the south and the expansive Bay of Kell to the north. This geographic location provides a varied landscape of rolling hills, fertile valleys, and coastal plains. The climate is temperate, with mild summers and cool winters, making it an ideal environment for agriculture and fishing. The mountains offer protection and resources, while the bay provides access to maritime trade and abundant seafood.
The capitol of Greade is Zarakz, the largest trading port on the Bay of Kell.
History
Conquest and Cultural Shift
Long ago, what is now the Duchy of Greade were the eastern lands of the Uzani people. In a bid for northward expansion - and one of the bloodiest wars of the early imperial era - Narin conquered Greade but failed to conquer the rest of Uzan. This brutal conflict left an indelible mark on the Greadan psyche, leading to a profound cultural shift. In the aftermath of the conquest, the people of Greade turned away from the path of war, embracing a philosophy of hard work, peace, and neutrality. This approach proved prosperous, allowing Greade to flourish as a part of the empire for centuries.
Independence
However, the past few decades have brought significant changes to Greade. In a bold and covert move, Greade secretly aided Illyria in their bid for independence in 910~IA~. This alliance played a crucial role in Illyria’s success and, ultimately, led to Greade gaining its own freedom from the Empire of Narin. The newly won independence has been met with mixed reactions within Greade; while some celebrate their autonomy, others yearn for the stability and security they enjoyed under imperial rule.