For many generations the Avenlar family—most recently Viscount Yemis Avenlar (N male human aristocrat 4)— has merged the farms under its jurisdiction, in the process often leveling diverse family plots to make room for intensive production of a few crops. The Avenlars have profited off this change, though the tenant farmers have struggled under the rigorous taxes imposed. Even with their right to move and seek work elsewhere, many field hands have gone into debt to the Avenlars to make ends meet, tying them to the land in practice if not in name. The respected Landgrave Aldon Parcheau had maintained the ranching lands and agricultural hamlets that speckle the surrounding territory, including the village of Breezy Creek; however, the landgrave and the local baron, Artirus Caesar, perished during the succession skirmishes breaking out across the country. With no heir, the landgrave’s lands are unsupervised, and higher-ranked aristocrats are too absorbed in bigger schemes to appoint a replacement. To Viscount Avenlar, that’s been an opportunity to begin poaching more territory.