Ethnic Groups: Alphatians 60%, Caurenzans 35%, others 5%

Villages: Cransmill (942)

Other hamlets (625), mainly small farming villages in the plains.

Government: Magistrate appointed by the Council of Princes, in charge for seven years. Seat in Radston.

Ruler: Magistrate Llorella Vincente de la Roja y Olivares y Buentes (born 515, Witch of the 3^rd Circle) (OD&D: Elf 10^th Attack Rank E, Al N) (AD&D: Wizard 12^th-Thief 17^th, Al NG).

House: Alhambra. Llorella is loyal to Princess Carnelia, but her venerable age grants her a good deal of freedom.

Territory: It is delimited North and West by the Red River, and it extends East until the County of Wylon.

Trails: Arnus River is navigable. Passage fee is high. A good trail runs along the Red River between Volnay and Lizzieni and heavy tolls are exacted in the villages.

Economics: This territory has been plagued by skirmishes for most of Glantrian history, therefore people settled in small-fortified villages, around a Keep. The three villages near the mines represent an exception. Food is stored or brought to Caurenze or Blackhill, coal is exported to Caurenze and Blackhill. However, Blackhill isn’t the final destination, as the coal is sold elsewhere. In fact the Principality is so rich in coal that the motto "To bring coal to Blackhill" indicates a superfluous activity.

History: Plagued by skirmishes between Flaems and elves, then between Flaems and Thyatian settlers, now between Caurenzans and Alphatians, this Free Province is currently enjoying a gradual improvement thanks to Magistrate Llorella cunning abilities. The mysterious deaths of her two husbands caused a lot of rumours in Belcadiz, and she earned the nickname (Black Widow), Llorella realised she couldn’t change the feelings of the two factions, therefore she came out with a mean to distract their minds. It took her quite a long time to lay down an intricate web of passion, but now the leaders of the two factions devolve most of their time to their mistresses, who are Llorella’s agents, of course. Actually, few fights do take place, but they aren’t enough to put many people in danger. Furthermore, House Alhambra wishes some fighting to take place, so that some resources of the two other Houses would be employed in those useless actions.

Notable sites: Rocca Silvestre lies between the Viscounty of Redstone and the town of Oreggiano. The keep is entirely covered by emerald-green musk, hence its name (meaning Sylvan Keep). The village was once connected by a sturdy stone bridge with the village of Monsaere, in the Two Volcanoes Free Province. Because of the fight amongst Caurenzans and Alphatians, the bridge can’t be used, since it is now suspended 100’ in the air. Caurenzans call it Il Ponte Sospeso. The village has always been a Caurenzan stronghold, but it has been ruled by several families during the years.

Ponte delle Fiere is located near the Caurenzan border, and the bridge, which leads to the Principality. The village was named after the bridge, which is considered one of the marvels of Caurenzan architecture. It was named Wildbeasts Bridge, because the columns of the arches are embellished with head of lions, irregularly placed. It is told the stare of one of the heads indicates the direction for a magnificent treasure.

Swurtins is a large area that encompasses the hills and mountains around the County of Wylon. There are three coalmines, all property Lord Aevel (born 933, Air Elementalist of the 3^rd Circle) (OD&D: Mage 22^nd, Al C) (AD&D: Wizard 16^th,CE). This petty noble doesn’t hesitate to buy slaves to run the mines. A distant relative of Count Emeet Urbaal, an apparent ally of Prince Volospin, a supposed friend of the Magistrate, he uses his income to further his goal to open a gate to the Plane of Vacuum.

Radston is a recently built village, and it’s located in the plains. Its creation was meant to stop the skirmishes going on among Alphatians and Caurenzans, at least in the plains, so that "agriculture won’t suffer the madness of the fools" as Magistrate Llorella declared. The plan worked thanks also to the Magistrate’s "political" ability.

Cransmill is near Volnay, and it’s annoyed by Sir Uthar Aendyr’s patrols, who control whatever has to, and even more. Cransmill is a wondrous windmill, it can be seen from a large distance during a sunny day. Another building of interest is Acacia Row Inn, which hosts the meetings between "selected" Sisters of the Private Houses and high-ranking Alphatians. The Inn is run by Aegan (human female, born 972, Wizard 7^th/Bard 7^th, Witch of the 1^st Circle, Al N), an Alphatian beauty at the service of Dona Llorella.

Personalities: Magistrate Llorella Vincente de la Roja y Olivares y Buentes (born 515, Witch of the 3^rd Circle) (OD&D: Elf 10^th Attack Rank E, Al N) (AD&D: Wizard 12^th-Thief 17^th, Al NG).

Lord Aevel (born 933, Air Elementalist of the 3^rd Circle) (OD&D: Mage 22^nd, Al C) (AD&D: Wizard 16^th,CE).

Aegan (human female, born 972, Witch of the 1^st Circle) (OD&D: Mage 7^th, Al N) B(AD&D: Bard 7^th, Al N).

Thibault Sarlat, Giovanni Porpora, Agathokles.

January 2001, All rights reserved.