<div class="floatleft">(http://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/0/0c/Ghoere.jpg)</div>Though the terrain of Ghoere resembles that of the swamp riddled lands even further to the West, Ghoere possesses a certain brooding feel that can make visitors nervous.  The sun shines just as brightly here as elsewhere in the Baronies, the wind blows scents just as soothing, yet the prevailing feel in Ghoere is of a country oppressed.<br/><br/>The Barony's western location gives Ghoere easy access to other less-civilised lands - a useful fact for Ghoere's warmongering Baron.  Yet it is this western location that has kept Ghoere trapped within its current borders - nearby tribes and would-be-tyrants keep it contained.  If Ghoere pursues one neigbour, the others will step in where the borders grow weak.  All Ghoere can do is keep his small army maintained, in shape, and ready to roll across multiple borders at a moement's notice.<br/><br/>The trade town of Ghieste sits on the edge of the Shadowmere Swamp has a prime position to take advantage of any trade that comes its way down the Maesil River.  While some might think that Ghoere would tax anything and everything that comes down or up the Maesil, this is not the case.  The Baron's interest lies more in keeping trade flowing than in collecting the few petty coins he could reap from the tax.  Better, he reasons, to foster profitable trade than force that trade to operate underground.<br/><ul class="bbc_list"><li><strong>Regent:</strong> Gavin Tael is the indomitable Baron of Ghoere.  This ruthless man drives himself to extremes in his quest for power.  It remains a point of endless bitterness for him that all of the Barons do not consider him one of the front-runners to replace Darien Avan, but he is determined to gain that respect whatever the cost.  Tael, a man in his fifties, has iron-coloured hair and a hard face.  He keeps his eyes shuttered against all surprise and emotion, so as to betray nothing of his true feelings.</li><li><strong>Capital:</strong> Ghoere's capital, Bhalaene, is a fortified city in the centre of the Baronry.  The Baron's castle Rook's Roost squats in the centre of the city like a promise of strength.</li><li><strong>Important Towns:</strong> Ghieste</li><li><strong>Trade Goods:</strong> Ghoere produces steel, grain and sheep.  For a border baronry, the level of roads that cross the land usually surprises most people, and the River Maesil carries an exceptional amount of goods and gold to and from the Baronry.</li><li><strong>Important Persons:</strong> It is said that the mysterious figure known only as the Sword Mage resides in the Shadowmere Swamp and draws additional power from summoning and controlling fiends - while there might be no truth to the rumours, its enough to stop people actively searching for his abode in the swamp.</li></ul>