Twilight of Empires

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

• Baronial Manor: Originally, a comfortable getaway for friendly courtiers from the central empire, now being rebuilt into a serious military fortification. Actively recruiting for a competent Earth mage.
• Town Walls: Marginally better than a security fence, just tall enough that it is challenging to climb over them standing on the back of your horse. Doesn't help that there's only a street width between it and the substantial amount of new housing construction around the walls.
• Jolly Waterman: One of several merchant-focused inns on the main west side road.
• Shattered Talon: The main tavern catering to adventurers and mercenaries. Run by eight to ten kobolds of Eastfyre Desert lineage, demonstrated by their sandy colored scales. The head cook also serves as the Mercenary Guild's monster butcher.

• Baron Darrelon: Ruler of Riverseat, Purple and Orange.
• Brother Hokuto: Priest of the Pugilist, formerly of Yamato. Operates the local shrine, mostly as support for Poro Porone.
• Clarissa Darchild: Second daughter of Darrelon. Commandant of the Baronial guard. Married, no children, does NOT want the title, does like hanging out with lady warriors to a degree that followers of Purity might find inappropriate.
• Lady Astris: Baronet of Riverseat. Technically serves Darrelon, but not in a productive way. Primary retainers currently in custody.
• Lord Eustice: Baronet of Riverseat. Blue and pale yellow, Drake heraldry. Related to the previous Baron before Verdante conquered the place.
• Lord Gurran: Baronet of Riverseat. Red and Gold, Helm heraldry. Owned the sword as recently as yesterday.
• Lord Laggan: Baronet of Riverseat. Blue and Black, crossed lances heraldry. Recruiting mercenaries to bolster forces.
• Lord Stinatae: Baronet of Riverseat. Black & Gold, Wasp heraldry. Primary retainers currently in custody.
• Margaret the Deft: Head of the Weaver's Guild, chairwoman of the Guild Council. Invests a lot in Van's business.
• Mii the Sable: Leader of Sable Cross, human woman with some House Salamandros blood. Strong enough to use a shield simultaneously with a pole arm, skilled enough in flame magic to convince some she's the Fire God's champion, charismatic leader… crazy cat lady.
• Sable Cross: The main mercenary company based out of Riverseat. Nineteen strong, counting their leader, usually broken into three squads. Includes three priests (Absurdity, Chaos, Will), four mages (Hermoinian, Scattered Skies, Gravitas, Forgebrothers), one witch, five archers, and five front line fighters.
• Sister Lyndasjik: Priestess of the Home Goddess, head of the town's main temple.
• Van the Colorist: A very specialized crafting mage, responsible for the vibrant colors found throughout Riverseat. Has three apprentices that can, with ritual, permanently turn individual items one of a dozen specific colors. Van uses the same 12 hues, but can manage patterns, and targets the size of a house.