Count Hautri Kwalthloe
E’en, Lunai, 4A 7XX
On this day, the day of the birth of my son, I have come to think it is time to and chronicle some of my thoughts for when he is older.
While there are existing histories regarding our family and lands, and could serve the purpose of education, I find them to be romanticized--sometimes to the extreme or even absurdity. While these embellishments rightfully serve their political and societal needs, I find them to lack the personal touch truly needed for understanding from where we came.
As such, this is who we are as a family and the lands in which we live (from my understanding which has been passed to me from my father and his father before him).
My son, our family has been in our lands since before the time of the Searing Plague. This was a terrible, horrible era. A dark chapter whose tale should be told in greater detail later.
Suffice to say, our ancestors struggled during this trying time but thankfully our lands were scarcely touched and barely involved. Some hard decisions had to be made during this period, but we were able to survive by sequestering amongst the great Ironwood Trees.
These lands our family control is widely known as Starbriar Glen, notably for the view one is able to capture through the forest canopy as one looks into the night-time sky. A truly beautiful sight Mann must experience at least once.
Due to the lack of forest and the presence of the fields and meadows in our south and southeast, our lands have been known in the past as Lawn Arye. A name coined for the landscape as the lands look as if they were a magnificent grand lawn leading towards a Giant's castle as it flows into the forest and grand Ironwood Trees in the distance. However, this nomenclature has faded from use and usually only found in the histories and heroic tales; mentioned rarely during times of amusement, festivities, and plays.
The settlement we control and rule as the seat of the county is Spiderspring. A truly unique town for a wonderous locale. The settlement received its name due to obvious reasons. If but for a simple glance, you will notice the town resides at the headwaters of the river which flows to the sea in the East. You may perhaps also notice the presence of some particular natural residents found within our boundaries—the Spiders.
Spiderspring is wholly self-sufficient by being blessed by the bounty of the forest. Not only do the great Ironwood Trees provide defense, food, and resources towards the community, the orchards and fruit fields provide sustenance and stores for when needed.
Additionally, for additional income, we utilize through friendship and understanding, the spiders for which our settlement is named. We gather their silk to weave many a grand product for our use. Many a textile good is made including tapestries, bags, cloth, and clothing. Some of which are highly desired depending on the creator!
Excess or unneeded items are used for trade and export. These are either sent downriver to other settlements and ports along the way or traded upon the land routes to our neighboring duchy to the North or our fellow Counts’ holdings in the South.
Oh, how I wish you were older, to be able to carry and show you the sites and splendors of our lands. To truly see the sights, sounds, and experience the life of it all. It truly is a wonderment to behold.
Our family truly has been blessed to be provided as such by the land for so long. We have many friends and we all truly work towards a common goal. In truth, I sometimes worry we may not be doing as much in return as we should. However, in time these will be for you to decide.
This Edriq, my son, is my brief introduction to our lands and history. I will continue documenting my thoughts, experiences, and our history within these journal pages in hopes they are to provide for you a resource as you age towards your title ascension as my Heir.
My greatest hope, which in truth may be the most basest of desires for all parents, is to watch as you grow and begin the journey, to write your own tales and adventures. Which in turn, can be passed on to others as well.
