The Black Eagle Barony

Overview

The Black Eagle Barony is a dominion located in the western reaches of the Grand Duchy of Karameikos, along the Gulf of Halag. It was granted to Baron Ludwig "Black Eagle" von Hendriks by his cousin, Duke Stefan Karameikos III. The Barony is a notorious and morally ambiguous region, ruled with an iron fist by a cruel and unpopular man. The central town, formerly known as Halag, was renamed Fort Doom by the Baron, who, despite having been granted the lands, "wanted to conquer something." This history sets the tone for a dominion defined by tyranny and an active opposition to the Duke's more just rule.

Appearance

The central town of the barony, Fort Doom, is dominated by the Baron's residence, also named Fort Doom. The fortress is described as a "forbidding structure" whose dungeons are rumored to be filled with those who have displeased the Baron. The town itself is a "haunted and ugly place," where the presence of the Baron's guards and mercenaries creates a pervasive atmosphere of fear and repression. The streets are patrolled by humans and "imported orcs," while other "nasty humanoids," such as bugbears, also walk the streets at will.

Culture and Society

The society of the Black Eagle Barony is defined by the absolute and arbitrary rule of Baron Ludwig. The Duke's Law, which governs the rest of Karameikos, is not obeyed here. Instead, only the "Black Eagle's Law" is followed, which is simply, "Obey the Baron or Die." The laws themselves are unpredictable, changing from day to day according to the Baron's whims. All crimes are punishable by death unless the Baron finds it more amusing to show leniency. The people of Fort Doom are primarily Traladaran fishermen, who are held in a state of captivity. To prevent them from fleeing, each fishing family is required to leave one of its members as a hostage with the guards. If a fisherman attempts to sail away, their family member will be killed. With the exception of the Baron, his court mage, and his mercenaries, everyone in the barony would love to flee but is unable to do so for fear of being hunted down and killed.

Territory

The Black Eagle Barony is a territory in the western part of the Grand Duchy, situated on the Gulf of Halag. The central town, Fort Doom, has a population of 10,000 people. This area is a moral stain on the Duchy, and its existence is in direct opposition to Duke Stefan's more fair-minded rule.

Resources and Sustenance

The people of the Black Eagle Barony, mostly Traladaran fishermen, subsist on the local fishing industry. However, the true economic engine of the Barony is the slave trade. Baron Ludwig is rumored to have connections with the evil slavers of the Iron Ring, a powerful criminal organization. This organization's primary business is slavery, and it uses Fort Doom as a key hub. Goblinoid tribes are employed to help guard prisoners, who are then transported to Fort Doom, loaded onto ships, and sent to slave markets in Thyatis and other nations. The Baron, his court mage, and his guards are said to "live high off the sweat of others," a testament to the barony's exploitative economic model.

Military and Defense

Baron Ludwig maintains a standing garrison of 200 troops, which he uses to "stifle dissent and crush attackers." This force is supplemented by human and goblinoid mercenaries, including orcs and bugbears. He is also supported by his powerful court mage, Bargle the Infamous. This military is not a national defense force, but an instrument of oppression used to enforce the Baron’s will.

Relations (with Other Races and Factions)

The most prominent internal relationship is the Barony's deep-seated antagonism with the central government of the Grand Duchy. Baron Ludwig is Duke Stefan’s "power-mad cousin" and is rumored to have designs on the throne itself. He is known to consort with foreign powers and has been hiring mercenaries, including orcs and hobgoblins, to build up his power base. His alliances with humanoid tribes explain the coordinated raids that plague the region and the Five Shires. The Barony is also a key base of operations for the Iron Ring, an organization focused on slavery, espionage, and assassination.

Reputation

The reputation of the Black Eagle Barony is one of overt tyranny and cruelty. It is widely known as a "haunted and ugly place," where its ruler, Baron Ludwig von Hendriks, is an "extremely cruel and unpopular man." The Barony stands as a stark moral stain on the Grand Duchy, a place where people are held captive and live in constant fear. The Baron's connections to the Iron Ring and foreign powers, coupled with his ruthless suppression of his people, make the Barony a constant source of instability and a symbol of the darkness that can take hold on the frontiers of civilization.