In the heart of the

Kingdom of Alesia,

within the borders of

Vadaryl's duchy

sits the fledgling

County of Kheg

The benefits of locating your settlement and/or business in Kheg County start with the logistical reasons that the map has to offer. Anytime you've looked into real estate you've always read:

“Location, location, location.”

It's no different in Elyria and Kheg County is located in a duchy that without a doubt incorporates the best of the most important consideration when establishing a strategic location. Be it a financial strategy or a militaristic strategy, Vadaryl's duchy happens to combination of the best of the best of map logistical concerns. The developers have stated that the average player's game play will never need to involve travel beyond 30 miles (48 km). Vadaryl's duchy is situated so well that the 30 miles range reaches into 45 of the 72 total duchies (62.5% of all duchies). Furthermore, out of the 16 different biomes, the borders of 11 (69%) of them are within this 30 mile range. The only biomes outside of this range are the swamp, marshes, and the tropics.

You can see just how far this 48 km range is from the center of Vadaryl's duchy in this map.

More Terrain/Location Facts of Particular Importance:

1. Due to the map's configuration, probability dictates that 50% of all north/south continental, traversing, land traffic will move through here.
2. One can expect more traffic to pass through Vadaryl's duchy than 94.5% of all 72 duchies (4 duchies divided by 72).
3. The broad-leaf biome will see more traffic pass through than 81% of all 16 biomes – 3 biomes divided by 16 – and Vadaryl's duchy is on the path to cater to 50% of it.
4. Vadaryl's duchy neighbors 2 biomes making the SW corner of the Broad Leaf Forest a better trading spot due to having products from 3 different biomes always available.
5. There are only 15 of these “triome” convergence points on the map so the vast majority of duchies are already at a disadvantage.
6. The “triome” point at Vadaryl's duchy is almost at the center of the continent.
7. Being in the Broad-Leaf Forest and located next to the Mixed Leaf Forest, this duchy is a carpentry hot spot. 7.10 km of coast line.
8. Ironwood is plentiful in this duchy.
9. Located directly between the king of Alesia's Duchy of Xeilias and the queen's Duchy of Saorsa.

A close up of the broad-leaf and Vadaryl's duchy:

Personally, what brought me to the broad-leaf is the rolling hills, but it's all of the trees that I suspect will fill many pockets with gold. By default, “location, location, location” automatically makes Vadaryl's duchy a carpentry haven. As I originally planned, I'm still going to cut my own slice into this action as carpenter, but instead of building boats and wagons, I'm now strictly focusing on building structures. This in turn has lead me to a decision to put county funding into architectural and construction innovation, and with SBS list of resources, I wonder if “education” can play into this. Of course all crafting is supported, I just want to see the Town of Khegridge become known for something and innovative construction is it.

The Nitty-Gritty

I'm looking to populate a county located in the Broad-Leaf Forest of Alesia and as mayor of the county seat of Khegridge, I hope to use rent free property to help support Kheg County's interest in the advancement of construction techniques. As count of Kheg, I will see that funding is provided for R&D in innovative wood, stone and brick structures. Therefore limited rent free property will be available to select crafters/gatherers that help in the development of marvels in architecture. However, any carpenter or mason that sets up a shop in Town of Khegridge will get access the latest construction R&D information that Kheg County has available. If you have an interest in making money off of the latest architectural philosophy, consider the Town of Khegridge.

“Craft in Khegridge because ironwood doesn't grow just anywhere”

Administrative Game Goals:

• Urban planning: As Count of Kheg, my goal is to achieve productive intercounty connectivity. Intercounty connectivity would be infrastructure and urban planning conducted between Kheg County and its neighboring counties, regardless of duchy or kingdom. I'm committed to see that Kheg County becomes synonymous with trade and believe that with proper planning and coordination, it can be done.

• Trade/commerce: Part of our plan in becoming a trade oriented county is to utilize the rivers that our duchy has and tie them in with our roads in order to strengthen trade. As Mayor of Khegridge, my goal is to see that the city becomes a trading capital. Not necessarily become a capital city in size, but rather just become synonymous with trade at the very least. Particular items of trade would be the products that the tri biome intersections produce collectively. This is because our duchy is located at one of only 15 intersections composed of 3 biomes and is only 5 km from a second one. Kheg County will absolutely take advantage of this very close proximity.

  The combinations of biomes are:

  1. Broad-Leaf, Mixed-Leaf and Shrublands.
  2. Broad-Leaf, Mixed-Leaf and Rocky Mountain Steppe.

Kheg County's Aim on Innovation:

• Innovations in construction & architecture (wood, stone and brick): The county will have a budget to help ensure infrastructure meets the needs of the kingdom in both sound design and cost effective construction. One of the goals we hope to achieve is the ability to turn ironwood into walls and while we try to make this a cost effective reality, we expect the county's R&D into architecture to stay ahead of weapon technology and battle tactics. In the end, if we have learned to make structures stronger and at less cost with a reduction in build time we're successful. Our dedication to advancements in architecture is only part of our ambition. Additionally, we have a belief that friction stifles trade. It is this manifest that drives us to providing traders within the Kingdom of Alesia the smoothest and most level roads to travel upon.

“Kheg County is preparing to think outside the box of dark ages and into the next Age.” – Count/Mayor Zii S Ryph, 803 of the 4th Age.

Details on the Town of Khegridge:

As mayor, I aim to make this town an education oriented mecca in order to back up the county's initiative of architectural and construction R&D. Just setting up a carpentry or masonry business in Khegridge will get you access to information regarding building innovations. Furthermore, the honorable mayor will offer a limited number of rent free properties in the town for scholars, carpenters and masons dedicated to the development and construction of architectural marvels be them in Kheg County, or anywhere else in Alesia.

“The Town of Khegridge shall become known as the think tank of architectural wonder of Elyria.” – Count/Mayor Zii S Ryph, 803, of the 4th Age.

With the resource of education being noted by SBS as needing “higher ground”, I envision the town of Khegridge being set high on a hill so that it appeals to scholars.

“Research and development starts with educated people” – Count/Mayor Zii S Ryph, 803, of the 4th Age.

Details on the Duchy:

Since details of the duchy Kheg County is located in are still in the works, I can't tell you anything other than that you may expect to see it act as a support hub to the kingdom. Things such as warehousing, supplies and infrastructure would generally come from the Duchy of Vadaryl. Since it is centrally located in the kingdom, it'll make the perfect support hub. It is even located directly between the king of Alesia's duchy and the duchy of the queen's.

Due to the map's configuration, this duchy has a lot going for it so here are some things I can tell you for a fact about the duchy's terrain, that shouldn't go unsaid.

1. We can expect a greater number of people to pass through than 94.5% of all the other duchies.
2. It neighbors 2 biomes making the SW corner of the Broad Leaf Forest a better trading spot due to having products from 3 different biomes in easy reach.
3. There are only 15 of the “triome” convergence points on the map so the vast majority of duchies are already at a disadvantage.
4. As a carpentry hotspot, different types of wood are available due to the Mixed-Leaf Forest being on next door.
5. Ironwood is plentiful in this duchy.
6. This specific “triome” point is almost at the center of the map.
7. This duchy has 10 km coast line.
8. It is almost dead center of Elyria.
9. This duchy is located directly between the king of Alesia's duchy and the queen's duchy.

Knowing how phenomenal the duchy's location is in comparison to all other duchies on the continent, I think we should take advantage of all of this by combining the bullet points listed in my opening paragraph with the production of a product that will bring recognition to the county. This in turn will bring in more people to the production line. The end result is a highly efficient network turning out a substantially higher quality product. With the advanced knowledge the county will undoubtedly have in construction and architecture, it all becomes the clear. The answer is a wide assortment of building materials. R&D combined with “location, location, location” ensures that the various manufacturers can easily offer a wide variety of building products and the most innovative ones too. ...That bell you just heard was the potential cash register from your future. Come to Kheg County and start your own business in the construction industry.

If any of this interests you, consider this option too:

In order to get the county's push for innovation in construction methods into 2nd gear, I can provide limited rent free property if you should locate in Khegridge and help your honorable mayor buildout the county's infrastructure under the name Ryph Craft. I'll be in need of either employees or contractors to supply both building materials as well as make use of your construction skills.

Come to the broad-leaf and “Barter in Vadaryl's duchy”.

Personal Game Plans:

Ryph Craft is the brand name I'll use to market my carpentry and masonry skills as I build-out the county's infrastructure. I hope to ensure a productive and efficient base for entrepreneurs to build their own businesses upon. When there is a lull in county construction, I will likely use my carpentry skills developed from infrastructure building and work as a private contractor for construction projects that are specifically in the “stake-out” phase.

Additionally I'll have House Ryph to run also. House Ryph is intended to be the catalyst for the modern architectural movement yet to come in the Kingdom of Alesia.

A Quick Run Down:

• County name: Kheg
• County seat: Khegridge
• County notoriety: Education and innovative structures
• County biome: Broad Leaf Forest
• Kingdom: Alesia
• Duchy: Vadaryl's (Specializes in kingdom support via supply storage and infrastructure building)
• Full name: Zii S Ryph
• Titles: Khount of Kheg, Mayor of Khegridge
• Noble house: House Ryph (Construction association)
• Profession: Construction of stone, wood and brick infrastructure under the trade name Ryph Craft
• Tribe: TBD (Neran seems to be the most likely.)

A mock-up of the county flag: