Painting of a river scene with a village and a boat

The Duchy of Bay Article DRAFT PUBLIC Located along the fertile Saginaw River valley, the Duchy of Bay is a land of abundant natural resources vital to the kingdom’s growth. Ruled by Duke Bentley from the grand riverfront Fort Bentley, Bay provides lumber, crops, furs, and minerals. Mighty pine forests cloak Bay’s interior, home to scores of logging camps hauling timber downstream to the duchy’s mills. Teams of bark-clad lumberjacks cut raw logs to feed the construction demands of the bourgeoning kingdom. Fertile soils nurture farmlands bearing orchards, grains, and livestock pasture, worked by local yeoman farmers. Fish and fur-bearing animals like beaver, mink and marten thrive in Bay’s waters and wetlands, supporting peasant trappers. Newly discovered salt, gypsum, and lime deposits hold promises of future industry. And the major settlement Portsmouth serves as the duchy’s trade hub, connected to allied realms by merchant barges up the Saginaw River. Ruled firmly but fairly by Duke Bentley, Bay provides the young kingdom essential building materials, food, and resources to fuel continued growth. In return, Bay peasants enjoy relatively prosperous and independent lives amidst their duchy's natural bounty.