Painting of a farm with a river running through it

The Duchy of Hillsdale Article DRAFT PUBLIC Nestled along the fertile southern borderlands of the kingdom lies the Duchy of Hillsdale, a rolling landscape of rich agricultural lands supplying produce, grain and livestock to the realm. Ruled by Duke Rockwell from his estate Hillsdale Manor, the duchy retains a refined yet rustic sensibility. A patchwork of neatly maintained farms, orchards and livestock pastures cover Hillsdale’s low hills - fed by small streams winding north to join the Great Lake Huron. Farmers work the land growing wheat, corn, apples and peaches. Mills operate along riverbanks grinding grains and sawing lumber from managed woodlots. Hillsdale’s bounty travels by oxcart and canal barge to urban markets in allied duchies. Barrels filled with grain, fruit, cider, salted meats and wool provision the kingdom’s eastern cities. Surpluses get sold along the Erie coast to overseas ports. Dukedom customs and manners reflect old world British sophistication. Home to the Saint Paul Academy of Sciences, Hillsdale citizens value learning along with agricultural innovation. Come autumn, commoners gather for harvest fairs featuring mechanized reapers, crop displays, grazing competitions, and of course feasts overflowing with local foods in a celebration of rural plenty.