The Kingdom of the Seven Vales

The Kingdom of the Seven Vales is really a confederacy of seven kingdoms (Vales) that are all subject to a High King: Avonhollow, Goldmeadow, Boulderrest, Merrioc, Ashvale, Greymoors, and Mossreach. The original intent was for one of the Seven Kings to be chosen to serve as High King until death, ruling both his personal Kingdom as local monarch and the Vales as High King. The Vales are largely independent, with the High King’s authority mainly centering on wartime or state of emergency powers. There is a uniformity of law in the Seven Vales; such things as well as diplomatic issues are handled at the King’s Council with the High King Serving as Chair.

Over the generations many of the seven royal houses have merged through intermarrying and the dying out of direct dynastic descendants, leaving just three actual kings today. In spite of this each of the original seven kingdoms remains a separate entity, with its own bureaucracy, accounting, etc… Nobles of each Kingdom swear fealty to their King only as King of their Vale; for example a Baron of Mossreach would swear fealty only to the King of Mossreach, not the King of Avonhollow even though it is the same person. The three remaining Royal houses are the House of Merrioc, the House of Wynnic, and the House of Lewynn. The seat of the High King, and thus the capital of the Kingdom of the Seven Vales, is traditionally the city of Boarlanding in Merrioc. Because of this the High King is often the Merrioc King.

The population of the Seven Vales is largely rural; even the capitals of the Vales are not much more than fortified towns. Only Boarlanding approaches being a true city. The culture values hard work, small community mindset, courtesy, and an appreciation for the land. Foreigners describe Valesmen as pragmatic, polite, and independent. The demi-human races are liberally scattered throughout the Vales and for the most part do not have separate communities.

Avonhollow

                Avonhollow is the northern most Vale. Its capital is Caer Wynnic, and it is ruled by the Wynnic family. The terrain is mostly hills cut through and veined by creeks and streams. A smattering of oak, cedar, and mesquite loosely forests the area. It is known for its cider and wine production as well as finely wrought instruments and furniture. It boasts the largest elven population of the Vales.

Goldmeadow

                Goldmeadow is a Vale made up of large flat flowing fields scattered with groves of oak trees and shallow ponds. Its capital is Dol Bradur and it is ruled by the Lewynn King from Ashvale. Goldmeadow is known for its wheat, bakeries, beer, and cattle.

Boulderrest

                Boulderrest is a rocky mountainous area with a significant dwarven population.  Its capital is the fortress city of Far Carnedd, and it is ruled by the Lewynn King from Ashvale. It is known for Dwarven wrought metal, mines, ale, and stone.

Merrioc

                Merrioc’s capital is Boarlanding, where the High King resides and the King’s Council meets. Merrioc is a marshy place, covered in fens and swamps. Large areas of swamp have been drained for agricultural purposes, and the resulting fertile ground yields large crops most prominent of which are rice and sugar cane. Boarlanding itself is a port town and is the chief avenue for exports and imports. Merrioc is known for its vegetables, rice, fish, ships, and sugar.

Ashvale

                Ashvale is the centermost Vale, made up of gently rolling hills and glens covered by Ash and Elm forests. Its capital is Caer Lewynn, and it is ruled by the Lewynn family. Ashvale is bordered by two major rivers, and a significant part of its economy revolves around river transport and trade. Men from Ashvale are often called Rivermen instead of Ashvalians.  Ashvale is known for its orchards, river transport, carpentry, and shrewdness in bargaining.

Greymoors

                Greymoors runs along the coast between Merrioc and Boulderrest. It is a bleak, drab land of rain swept hills and low grasslands. The whole of the Vale seems to be covered in rocks and stones. It’s capital is Marshend, and it is ruled by the Merrioc family. The men of Greymoors have a reputation of being a silent and grim faced people who value solitude. Greymoors is known for its sheep and wool and cheese.

Mossreach

                Mossreach is the westernmost Vale and is the least civilized. Most of it is dense old growth forest, liberally covered with the moss from which the Vale takes its name. Much of Mossreach’s forests remain unexplored, and it is occasionally the source of raiders and fell beasts that threaten the Vales. Mossreach does a thriving trade in herbs, dried mushrooms, berries, jams, sausage, and ham. It is ruled by the Wynnic family from Avonhollow. Mossreach communities tend to fringe the deeper woods, although there are a few within.  Its capital is Carrageen. The demi-human population of the Vale is heavily weighted towards gnomes.