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Regions: Hendrenn Halgood, Kerrinn, Barren Keep.

Orberend is a fitting tribute to the old, idealistic Nyrond of the early empire era. It is quiet, peaceful and fertile country that prospers on grain, cloth weaving and trade. The casual observer might well understate its prosperity. Ostentatious display of wealth is rare, largely because Orberend is close to the capital, which assigns some of its most hard-working tax collectors to this province that has long been a prime source of royal revenue. Since records of what anyone is worth are absent, or faked, taxes are largely based on the apparent wealth, which means that things like living in a big house means a big tax bill. Accordingly, showing off one's wealth is not just in bad taste, it is foolhardy, and the locals avoid it.

Most of the region is devoted to farming, and the central and eastern regions of Orberends lands are very fertile. Industry revolves around grain and cloth-weaving. So, while there are very few cities of any size in the area, most of the population (serveral hundred thousand), doesn't live in the cities, and no matter where one is, people are never very far away. At least, in the Eastern and Central sections of the Duchy.

Hendrenn Halgood

The capital is Hendrenn Halgood, a walled city of 14,800 on the main trade route, between Mowbrenn and Borneven. It took its start as a small castle, Hendrenn, built on a hill near the town of Halgood during the castle-building period in 482 CY. The Orberends have ruled here since then, and under their leadership, the town grew to surround the castle and changed its name to reflect both. The city itself had its wall built in 524 CY.

Even more than the rest of the province, the homes here have the habit of trying to look poor. The city on other hand has quite a number of public works statues, gardens, and such. The town is perhaps most notable for what it seems to lack, which is violence, and beggars. The vigorous authority of the Duke is responsible for both. The city guard is active and visible, and normally right on top of any violence that happens. They are also right on top of any beggars or vagrants. These are taken in to be fed and other problems seen to. Those without resources or work are assigned to one of a variety of work gangs, declining is an option but declining and staying in the city is not.

Since the war this is also the home of Ghiselinn, Royal Archmage. Grown weary during the war, he returned to his home here ever since. He has always been close the Orberends, and continues to advise him. The King has been trying to convince to return to the capital and take a more active role in the kingdom, and indeed he is frequently seen in Rel Mord, but also can frequently be found here. Rumors as to why vary, some say Ghiselinn is keeping in check the bane that will someday destroy Nyrond, or is preserving some power that will be needed in its day of trial. But most believe he just got tired. He has taken on a few apprentices, who are therefore allowed in his towers, but they aren't talking about what he has stored in there.

The province ruler, Duke Arnon Orberend, is a paladin of Pelor. Age 54 and small by fighter standards, 5'7", he is compact and tough, with sandy hair and glittering blue eyes. He walks with a limp, caused by a dragon. He values kindness, valor, tolerance, and mercy. Born into a wealthy and influential family, with a very good record at paying taxes during the Archbold years, he was is one of the oldest rulers in Nyrond today and one of only a few who kept his position after Lynwerd took over.

The Duke is an ardent believer that it is his conscience alone that makes the plight of his people so much better than that of their relatives in neighboring counties. During the aftermath of the war, Duke Arnon gave up much of the wealth and magic garnered during his adventuring days to the bailiff-general, defraying the taxes upon his lords and the freemen in his lands. He also sponsored successful adventuring forays to satisfy the demands of the royal tax collectors. He would re-imburse many of the heavily taxed farmers, who were then encouraged to hide their returned wealth less it too be taxed.

In these days of lower taxes, Orberend continues to sponsor adventuring bands, primarily into the Rakers. The profits are now devoted to other projects than tax reduction. This of course disappoints many taxpayers, but while the Duke remains the best one to see if one's taxes are deemed excessive, those with a weak case get a lecture on the need for all to contribute for the good of all instead of a refund. The Duke considers paying some taxes a duty one must fulfill and while the level he deems a duty is not as high as the royal taxman would desire, it is above that preferred by most taxpayers. The Duke is sympathetic, but he views other uses of the coin as better for the common good.

Orberend does not view this as only his personal duty. He thinks that everybody should contribute to the common good, no matter how limited the contribution. This means the beggars and vagrants are rounded up and assigned to work on worthy projects. (Since Orberend is more interested in the fact of contribution than the actual value, the critics have a strong case that many of these worthy projects are not worth much. Certainly few would be done without "free" labor, but the Duke spurns ego projects and while a project's worth may not be high, each has at least some value.)

As the Orberends have long been fervent followers of Pelor, it is no surprise the Temple of Pelor here is the largest in Nyrond, directly across from the Palace.

The Academy here, next to the Temple, is not so grand as the Univerisity in Rel Mord. However, it does provide basic education to all and any who want it. Most families from the entire region send their children here for schooling at least part of every year. Not surprisingly, the teachings of Pelor rank equally with learning to read and write, basic arithmetic, and history. In addition, higher education is available for those wishing to enter the priesthood of Pelor. Too, training can be had in military strategies, and finally with Ghiselinn in residence, a growing group of mages teach the magical arts.

Kerrinn

The only other large town in the area is Kerrinn, located on the northern Franz. It features a lock complex that creates an artificial reservoir. This is used to regulate the flow of the river, allowing stable river traffic to this point. Traffic beyond here is seasonal, and chancy, so nearly all of the barges and small vessels stop at one of the network of trading villages in the area. Like Hendrenn Halgood, Kerrinn's population, now 3500, is growing nicely.

While the town is a routine stop, visitors are cautioned to take care, particularly in the nearby countryside. For unknown reasons the area is plagued by a series of powerful monsters. The types have varied widely, but all can be described as viewing people as lunch or a toy to be painfully taken apart. The local militia is very well equipped and efficient at dealing with them, and professional monster hunters are common, and welcome, but careless people are reduced to small red smears on a regular basis.

Barren Keep

Centered in perhaps the poorest land in the province, surrounded by nearly a hundred square miles of semi-barren land bearing only the scrawniest scrub grass coverering, it is now known as the former home of Count Huldane. The Count and a number of other young nobles lived here while the Count was in exile from his father. The keep, once distinctly the worst for wear has been recently repaired However, neither the Counts occupation nor its renovation have lessened the stories about a curse on the land about it. Both the Count and the Duke are interested in improving the land about, but so far no luck.

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