<div class="floatleft">(http://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/c/c2/Diemed.jpg)</div>Though Diemed, like its neighboring baronies, is composed mostly of rolling grasslands, it rmains uniquely beautiful.  Farmers maintain its fields in nearly perfect order across the barony and its orchards and towns seem just as well kept.  The strong-willed citizens maintain a tight grip on their emotions.  Most keep to themseleves even in times of trial.  While not exceptionally loyal to their baron, Marlae Roesone, they revere the office she fills.  As long as she rules well, they stay content.<br/><br/>The southern area of Diemed seems not so lawful, however, and in the mountains Diemed's true beauty shines through.  Anyone climbing the tallest peaks can see storm clouds down below, stretching from Ilien across the plains of Diemed to the barony of Mieres.  One also might see the camps of brigands or stumble upon a solitary mage in these forbidding peaks.<br/><br/><ul class="bbc_list"><li><strong><em>Regent: </em></strong>Diemed's warrior baroness, Marlae Roesone, is a 2nd cousin to Darien Avan.  Those who deal with this canny politician and cunning strategist realise most of her actions have a secret motivation or form part of a trick; sometimes the baroness uses this reputation to her advantage by doing exactly what she claims, and nothing more.  For this reason, other barons fear engaging in diplomatic relations with her - they don't know what she intends, and they have few chances to find out before she succeeds.</li><li><strong><em>Capital: </em></strong>The large town of Aerle on the coast is Diemed's temporary capital after the fortified town of Moerel was sacked during the Iron Peak invasion.  Rebuilding of the former capital has been slow due to low revenues.</li><li><strong><em>Important Towns:</em></strong> Duene, Tier</li><li><strong><em>Trade Goods: </em></strong>High quality beef forms the backbone of Diemed's economy and more recently a booming fishing industry has grown up around the temporary capital of Aerele, bringing much needed gold to Diemed's depleted baronial coffers.</li><li><strong><em>Important Persons:</em></strong> Lavalan Briesen is the High Prelate of the Orthodox Temple of Tyr and wields a great deal of influence in Diemed's small court.  Lady Lasica of Endier (daughter of Guilder Kalien) is a frequent visitor to Diemed and is being courted by Marlae's eldest son Michael - whether this is true love or another of the baroness's machinations no one can tell.</li></ul>