Arafed view of a lake surrounded by trees with a forest in the background

The Duchy of Baraga Article DRAFT PUBLIC On the kingdom’s upper frontier lies the wild Duchy of Baraga, ruled by Duke L'Anse from his remote timber stronghold, Fort L'Anse. Blanketed in primordial boreal forest and dotted with ice-blue lakes, Baraga provides lumber, furs, minerals, and game. The vast majority of Baraga is thick pine and spruce forest, echoing with the shouts of lumberjacks harvesting timber to build the growing kingdom. Teams of bark-clad men send logs downriver to feed hungry sawmills in allied provinces. This rugged land also teems with fur-bearing animals like beaver, fox, and marten. Beneath the rocky soil lies deposits of copper and iron ore recently discovered by the Duke's men. Mine shafts are just now being dug, promising future wealth. The forests and lakes also overflow with game like deer, rabbits and birds that help feed Baraga’s hardy inhabitants. In this unforgiving backcountry realm of bitter winters and short summers, most peasants endure in small frontier villages and isolated trappers’ cabins. Travel is extremely limited during the snowy months when beast and man alike must fight for survival. Yet untold opportunity lies within Baraga’s vast unexplored territory and unharnessed resources. Duke L’Anse and his vassals stand poised to reap the benefits in the coming age of industry.