====== Western Dakar ======

The lands controlled by the [[atlas:Kingdom of Dakar]] that lie west of the [[atlas:Orksnar River]], but not generally including the [[atlas:Rakarian Valley]]. Unlike the far more fertile lands in the [[atlas:Three River Valley]], the lands of Western Dakar are heavily forested rich in clay and less suitable for agriculture. Large tribes of orcs, goblins, and kobolds make their home in the northern forests and foothills of the [[atlas:Iron Mountains]] to the north - leaving the lands mostly unsettled by human settlements.

The only lands that can be considered truly settled are in the south along the [[atlas:Bornheim Trade Route]] that cuts through the [[atlas:Elfenwald]].


===== Western Lords =====

This general term is used for those nobles that not only hold land in the west, but actually live on the land. Many of the nobles of the realm have titles and purses derived from lands in the west - but few are those that actually live primarily in the western holdings.

==== Duchy of Ostmenn ====

This duchy was created in 378 AH by King [[people:Reiner III]] in order to provide his son, Crown Prince [[people:Reiner IV|Phillip]], with sufficient lands to maintain his titles. Since the time of [[people:Reiner II]] the Crown Prince held the title Duke of Aelf and //Sword of the West// - but the title came with no lands of its own. These lands provided for income and tenants allowing the Duke to more easily influence the nobles of the royal court.

The duchy's court sits in the city of [[atlas:Graustad]] on the western shore of the Orksnar river. 


==== Mercenary Lords ====

In 425 AH King [[people:Reiner IV]], frustrated that the nobles holding lands in the west rarely developed them, began a process of seeking out individuals from the commoners and free knights. Following what was happening with the [[atlas:Free Cities]] he created dozens new holdings in the west and naming the individuals as [[wp>Tenant-in-chief]]. Those that survived these dangerous and untamed lands were raised to the rank of [[wp>Baronet]] should their land prosper and pay its [[wp>Knight's Fee]] to the crown.

To the proper nobles of the realm these people became known as the **Robber Barons**.


===== Irillian War =====

The Irillian War, also called the [[lore:Valley of the Sun War]], was started by Queen [[people:Aurora I]] just a few years into her reign. The [[wp>casus belli]] was unpaid reparations by the [[atlas:Holy Irillian Empire]] to the Kingdom of Dakar following its defeat. The reality was a desire for the rich and fertile lands of the valley and to give the kingdom unrestricted access to the [[atlas:Caragan Sea]].

Although the majority of the Western Lords did not support the war the saw the benefit of more Dakarian trade. However, as the kingdom continued to win territory from the Irillians they saw none of the gains. Their fees to transport goods east were raised as well as the shield fees. Those who supplied fighting men and knights lost due to their troops asked to bear the brunt of the battles. Often it was the already blooded Men of the West who led the initial charge while under the leadership of prominent eastern nobles.

This unrest has led to the rise of "banditry" against the lands of eastern nobles that many believe is simply a pretext for various tenants to recover their lost wealth.


===== Prominent Holdings =====

  * [[atlas:Duchy of Ostmenn]]
    * [[atlas:Graustad]]
  * [[atlas:Barony of Kuhn]]
    * [[atlas:Ulrichstein]]
  * [[atlas:Barony of Oxford]]
    * [[atlas:Blue Heights]]
  * Crown Holdings
  * Free Holdings
    * [[atlas:Phoenix Hold]]


{{tag>dakar}}