Riverseat

Riverseat is a holding under the flag of the Kingdom of Verdante, on the Castella River and the Old Trade Road in the Lost Territories. It is a neutral trade center among the Rolling Baronies, and the largest town between Bois Seat and Bruckhaven.

History

At the end of the Degenerate Era, Riverseat was the capital of the small kingdom of Dracynth, named after the royal family's friend and ally, the river drake Dracynth. Unfortunately, both the royal line and the drake perished at the battle of Kingsfall, and the nation was subsumed into the ever expanding Asterian Empire.

For the next eight hundred years, Riverseat operated as an imperial holding, largely under the oversight of House Riven, and while it never was a focus for major events, the barony did well enough for itself, at least until the gradual divestiture of the region that would become known as the Lost Territories.

Things were moderately unpleasant for a while after that, as is the case in the rest of the Rolling Baronies, until about fifty years ago when the Queen of Verdante decided to extend her western border to include a holding on the Castella River. She gave the Baron at the time the choice of submission, or obliteration. The baron's son, after the mysterious disappearance of his father, chose submission, a significant negotiation fee, and exile to Shining Falls. Since then, Verdante has invested significant resources into the barony, with intention of drastically increasing trade revenue.

Politics

Despite the current king's efforts, turmoil simmers in Riverseat. Four factions contend to unseat the current baron, and raise their candidate to take his position, and one supports him… poorly. Much of this activity is focused on the Sword of the Lords of Riverseat, the ancient royal blade of Dracynth. The blade is enchanted both mundanely and by acclaim, always to be a shining beacon to the people, and induces avarice in the wrong sort of people. The current baronial line has tried to get rid of the blasted thing on numerous occasions, but it keeps coming back.

Economy

Things are booming in Riverseat: trade is increasing both on the Old Trade Road and on the High road that connects Verdante, Corrin, and ultimately Thrall's Gate Hall. The population is also growing, as common folk relocate from the adjacent, poorer independent baronies to a more welcoming environment. The fishing is good, and the divine fertility blessing that Verdante enjoys appear to have extended to the barony. Farming focuses on squashes and more perishable crops, while bulk grains and the like are imported from the main kingdom.

The baron is also provided a sizable stipend to maintain a strong military presence, which he has used to muster a force of several hundred, and restore the lord's manor to a more functional fortress. Support for these two projects brings a notable income to the townsfolk.

Population

As with most large Asterian communities, Riverseat is roughly 75% human, the rest of the population is a mix of Halvelings, Keshanti, and Selkies, plus a scattering of other races. The permanent population of the town and associated villages and family steadings is nearly seven thousand.

Sites of Interest

NPCs of Note