Painting of a cabin by a lake with a boat in the foreground

The Duchy of Benzie Article DRAFT PUBLIC Nestled along the shores of Lake Michigan, the Duchy of Benzie is a land of rugged beauty and natural abundance. Ruled by House Beckwith from their coastal stronghold Port Beckwith, Benzie provides timber, fish, fruit, and sanctuary for nobility seeking relief from court politics. Benzie’s forested interior is dominated by stands of iron-rich maple, oak and white pine. Teams of bark-clad lumbermen harvest the trees to feed shipbuilding industries down the coast. The vast forests also team with game, drawing nobles from court to hunt stag, bears and fowl. Rocky sloping hills give way to orchards and vineyards yielding bounties of cherries, apples and wine grapes. Fishing skiffs work the rich lake waters hauling loads of trout, salmon and whitefish. Mills craft fine furniture sent over the lake to furnished manors across the kingdom. The rustic but beautiful landscapes of Benzie offer nobles an escape from the schemes of court. On the shores of Glen Lake sits the lavish summer palace Little Traverse, where nobles relax and enjoy cool northern hospitality.