Rusna
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By R. Downey |
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Full Map: [GIF
309KB] Manor Exterior: [GIF
8KB] Manor Map Interior [GIF
17KB] |
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Current Affairs | Economics and Agrarian Life
| Location | Gerium Province, Thardic Republic |
| Holder: | Clan Molorn |
| Liege: | Sir Larrius Molorn |
| Population | Village X, Manor Y |
Rusna is a coastal manor on the north bank of the River Thard. Clan Molorn intrusted it to the care of the Clan's fourth son, one generation removed. The manor sits just north of the High Corani Road, between Fobin and Sitarny. The High Corani road crosses two lesser roads at Rusna. One runs north to cross back to Sitarny, with the other runs southward towards the outpost of Wellen.
Rusna lies on a river plane bounded to the east by haunted ruins that lie at another crossroads. To the west lies the Thardic River. The High Corani road runs north to Sitarny, and south to Fobin.
The grain and fallow fields of Rusna are divided by well-trimmed bushes business and fruit tress. The river has a rocky slope and shallow shore with fast dark water. Safe landfall is impossible because of the swift current close to sore, but locals still cast nets into the river to supplement their own diet and help pay their hearth tax.
The village lies south of the High Corani road, and is divided into small hamlets by fruit trees and planted groves. The design of the village comes from its founder, Karoke of Molorn, who was lovingly called the mad gardener. He brought a wide variety of fruit trees to this fertile corner of the Republic. His madness was catching for even today, visiting merchants try to better one another by bringing in exotic fruits and their ungerminated seeds. The current master of the manor has an interest in gardening but it does not compare to the obsession of gardening and beauty which is his wife.
Rusna | Current Affairs | Economics and Agrarian Life
Current Affairs
Rusna is one of the few remaining holdings of the once-powerful Molorn clan. Founded decades before the Thardic Republic existed, the manor grew only slowly. Too close to either Fobin or Sitarny to be a way-stop, and too small to ever attract the larger caravans that roll along the High Corani Road. Still, the manor plays an important part in Clan Molorn politics.
Currently the clan insists that all equestrians of their clan serve a minimum term of four years in the legion before being permitted to inherit. While they do not have a senatorial seat, they are slowly gaining a majority amongst the Tala of Gerium legion.
Clan Molorn survived the turbulent years prior to the Republic's founding, but during the fall of Themeson, the clan lost its senatorial holdings. While the senate did pay the clan a reasonable stipend and provided legion appointments to those clan members who lost their revenue, the loss broke the clan's back. Rumor has it that Senator Agustus Molorn committed suicide rather than return to his clan without the legion's support. Others say the shock was too much for the 57 year old man, and the gods spared him seeing what the loss did to the clan. Without the constant income and the prestige of ownership, Clan Molorn could not afford to start more colonies; and without land important to trade, they found borrowing from fellow land owners impossible.
Fortunately Rusna's location is as much a protection as a curse. Since no caravan of good size stops in the manor, neither do the bandits. Raiders stay away because the High Corani Road is too well patrolled.
Sir Larrius of Molorn took control of Rusna in 708TR, when his father, Patrick, fell ill. He died three years later and is buried north of the manor. His mother, Matrina, lives with her youngest son's family in Loru.
With Larrius' uncle, Sir Purlod of Molorn, now ill in his old age, Larrius is the next in line to become patron of his clan. The patron seat, in Carmony, has other claimants all closer to Purlod and, while he's considered crafty and cunning still, Larrius fears Purlod will be swayed by sycophant mumbling instead of sacrifice and loyalty.
Sir Purlod's eldest son, Nibor, is expected to be the next candidate the clan backs for a senatorial seat. Nibor is to marry Alicia of clan Sosaldas this fall. He will gain the manor Nom, north of Loru, as his marriage gift. Before he can marry, however, he must complete his fourth and final year in the legion. Neither his mother, nor his aunt believe the marriage is a good idea.
Rusna | Current Affairs | Economics and Agrarian Life
Economics and Agrarian Life
Rusna has 1380 gross acres, of which 580 are wooded and 800 are cleared. Of the cleared land, the tenants hold 669 acres and the demense is 101 acres. The principal crops grown are Barley, Oats, Hay, Vegetables, Flax and Apples. The Thardic River valley is known for its variety of apples and the fruit is shipped both fresh and as alcohol all over the region.
Rusna has a small herd of sheep, goats and swine which provide it with milk and meat year round, about 1/3 of the meat produced by the village goes towards paying the legion hearth tax. A few villagers have their own swine or goats. A large number of these are slaughtered each winter, to reduce feeding costs. The sheep are kept throughout the winter because of their wool. Only a few of the villagers do not have their own swine or chickens and everyone fishes the river Thard with nets for fish, crabs, mussels and lobster. Fishing rights were given to everyone when the manor was founded.
Rusna | Current Affairs | Economics and Agrarian Life
Full Map: [GIF
309KB] Manor Exterior: [GIF
8KB] Manor Map Interior [GIF
17KB]
Rusna
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Lemon Tree
This page was last updated on
June 8, 2002
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