Before The Fall the dukes were the realm's great lords: vassals of the crown ruling vast territories in the monarch's name. Now they are petty lords, each ruling what they can hold, owing fealty to no one.

The dukes do not war openly, Veldmere cannot afford such waste, but they compete, scheme, and position themselves. Marriage alliances are discussed but rarely concluded. Trade agreements are made and broken. Borders are disputed without fighting. They watch each other, waiting for weakness, knowing unity might save them all but they are unable to achieve it.

Fenvic

The most stable surviving duchy, controlling the southwestern coast and best harbors. Duke Eerik Fenvic is a pragmatist who has embraced trade as survival's key. He maintains relations with foreign merchants, tolerates the the Merchant's Guild's growing influence, and cares more about commerce than tradition.

Aldmark

The harsh northern duchy. Duke Ulfric Aldmark, the Iron Duke, commands loyalty through strength and stubbornness from a fortress on the storm-battered coast. He disdains softer duchies and their compromises.

Torwall

The Fellridge duchy, independent-minded and protected by mountains. Duchess Aino Torwall rules as first among equals, a loose confederation of holds that acknowledge rather than obey her. She inherited young when her father died in a rockslide (or was murdered). Proud, self-sufficient, and hard to compel.

Mistwater

The Drownlands have no clear lord, though many barons fight amongst theirselves over it, but none have been able to stake a strong claim. Among the people, an occasional group of rangers known as the Green Wardens guide alongside the Fen Council.

Grayvol

Lands south of the Oldwood watched by Duke Harma Grayvol, the Haunted Duke. Once prosperous farmland, now haunted margin as the forest encroaches. His domain shrinks yearly. He is prematurely aged, desperate, willing to ally with almost anyone who might help.

Woodsedge

Duchy bordering the Oldwood's northwestern reaches. Duke Kaeld Woodsedge sees himself as warden, holding the line against the Tangle in the harsh, underpopulated western reaches of Veldmere. Young, obsessed with understanding the Oldwood, employing elven guides secretly.

Crownhold

The former territory of the monarch, the lands around the Kingsmere. Held primarily by Archbishop Pavo Lawbound, the few walled towns and stone monasteries sit in the shadow of Sorvel, and the abandoned castle which holds the empty throne.