| The Lordship of Copper Run
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Duchy: Guardian
Barony: Smithfield
Leaders: Lord Crispin Athelstan
Population: 45,000
Known For: Copper, Bituminous Coal, Armor, Convict Miners, Deadliest Mine
Major Towns and Cities: ???
Characters of Copper Run: Here
Description: Content to follow.
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| History
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The history of Copper Run is relatively undeveloped until recent years. The Athelstan family has arrived relatively recently to the lordship, migrating from Dun Artan some six or seven generations ago. They developed mining interests in Copper Run, and were appointed to the lordship late in the 300's.
Dominicus Athelstan assumed the lordship of Copper Run in 476. In 501, his fourth child, Valerius Athelstan, a master armorsmith of some note, was appointed to the Smithfield Council. While Smithfield remained neutral during the Civil War of 504, Dominicus's eldest, a daughter, died during the conflict. Dominicus retired in October of that year, passing over an elder child to leave Copper Run in the hands of his third child, Arcadius Athelstan.
In July, 506, a large hole opened in the lordship of Rayder Pass. This was later traced to negligent mining operations in the area spearheaded by Lord Arcadius Athelstan, who was sentenced to death for causing and attempting to cover up the disaster. Tribes from Rayder Pass and the Lady thereof, Mildryth Lachlan, orchestrated an attack during the execution in Gwencalon, which resulted in the deaths of both Arcadius and Mildryth, as well as a number of soldiers, tribesmen, and innocent civilians.
His second son, Crispin Athelstan, now holds the lordship under the supervision of a regent appointed by Baron Kilgannon, while his elder serves in the legion.
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| Geography
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Copper Run is located in the central eastern interior of the Isle of Guardians, and boasts a fair number of neigbors. It borders Oreann to the west, Iron Fields and Shining Shores to the north, Soaring Skies to the east, and Knife's Edge and Rayder Pass to the south.
The lordship is largely mountainous, with its lower hills covered in pine scrub to the north and higher, rockier peaks to the south. Rayder Pass, the mountain pass that connects northern and southern Guardians on the eastern side, begins in south-central Copper Run and proceeds through the lordship of Rayder Pass toward Sentinel Spire.
Copper Run's geography under ground is as important as, if not more important than, its surface geography. At least, to the locals. Smithfield is known for its production of metal and ores as well as its fine smiths. Copper Run lacks for neither. The northern two-thirds serves as home the lordship's oldest and most profitable copper and silver mines. In the south, coal mines can be found among the higher peaks.
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| Politics
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The politics of Copper Run are the politics of land rights and money. Lord Arcadius paid little attention to the politics of Guardians Isle, focusing instead on improving Copper Run's physical infrustructure. His rule was marked by its informality, as was that of his father: both were more likely to be found in the mine or forge, respectively, than in any council hall, and preferred to do business over a pint of ale in a tavern.
The merchant guilds have a very real presence in the lordship, as well as associations of those who labor in the mines.
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| Economy
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Copper Run's economy is based primarily around mining, smithing, and trade.
Copper Run has six currently operative mines. The oldest and best known are Otter Pond, Rusty Springs, Fox Kit, and Yellow Jacket Canyon. The first three produce copper of varying grades, with the highest grade coming from Fox Kit, while the last produces silver. The Yellow Jacket Canyon mine is not an extremely well-developed operation, since silver is considered a secondary commodity.
Forgotten Chasm, the fifth mine, is one of the most productive and dangerous mines on Guardians. It's notable for both its lethality and being worked solely by convicted criminals. Those who wish their sentences shortened may volunteer to become one of its miners. The mine consistently has twice the number of deaths as the next deadliest mine. The mine itself is located in one of the least inhabited parts of Copper Run.
The sixth, a coal mine, is a relatively new venture, sunk over the last fifteen years. Its main shaft opens in the south of Copper Run, not far from the Radyer Pass border. Starting about ten years ago, Copper Run began exporting coal to its neighbors (mostly in Smithfield), but a relatively small amount and of a medium grade (bituminous). Over the last three years, Copper Run's aggregate profits from coal increased dramatically, due to the high value of anthracite found beneath Rayder Pass. That trade has been shut down since the discovery of Arcadius's negligence, and though the mine still operates, its output remains limited to a medium grade bituminous coal.
Copper Run is also known for its high-quality armor craftsmanship, especially at the hands of members of the Athelstan family.
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| Culture
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Copper Run's population is weighted primarily in the hills and low mountains in the lordship's north and western quarters, where game and shelter are more plentiful. It claims no cities, with its people spread about in villages which tend to be centered around the road, the pass, and the openings of Copper Run's profitable mines. Some few thrive in the higher reaches, more isolated from the rest, but they are often looked on as a little crazy by their lowland brethren.
The people of Copper Run tend toward the 'gentle giant' stereotype of their Smithfield brethren. The area produces a number of excellent smiths, and takes in young men and women from other parts of the island as apprentices in the art. With mining such an integral part of the economy, there are few who grow up in Copper Run not knowing their way around one shaft or another, and hearing the folk tales of those who got lost or who died after impressive exhertions and whose ghosts remain within the mountains.
There is no tribal presence of note in Copper Run.
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| Bestiary
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