Introduction
The Barony of Messina (often simply called Messina) is the personal fief and estate of Anshar Kahn Tarentae. It is a gift to him from Clan Tarentum in recognition of his service as a former Consul, and as an active member of the Tarentae. In return, however, the barony is expected to provide a service to the clan, and under Tarentum's feudal system, the Prince of Yridia may call upon the barony to provide extra resources (for more information, see the Clan Tarentum Prospectus).
Messina
Location and Geography
Located in the mountains of Yridia III, Messina encompasses an area of some 3000 total acres. Though the area is largely mountainous, there are settlements of Yridians in the fief, typically located near the river that snakes through the land. These small villages, and the “castle” itself are fairly secluded and only a few known roads exist in the area.
The Fief and the Estate Proper
Because of its location and the geography, Messina provides some fishing and farming production to Tarentum’s coffers. The barony is self sufficient in terms of energy as miniaturized, automated hydroelectric generators make excellent use of the river. Energy is the primary export of the barony and the electricity generated by the river powers both the entire barony and the larger urban areas.
Though Messina refers to the whole fief, it also refers to Anshar’s private estate, which itself sits atop a mountain overlooking the river. A waterfall and small lake form behind the home. The land on the small flat area (approximately twenty acres) belongs exclusively to Anshar and it is well tended. This small area is the Estate Proper. Unlike many other Tarentae, Anshar’s personal estate is not huge. In fact, it is relatively small in comparison to other estates. Though he has been mocked (often in jest) for this, the small size, relatively simplicity, and the seclusion all make up for this in Anshar’s mind. He cares little for what others think about it.
Access to the entire fief is restricted and all but a small handful of individuals must seek permission to enter. Typically, access is handled by one of the local Yridian magistrates, but Tarenti almost always go through Anshar. Even with Anshar’s permission to enter the fief, entrance into the Estate Proper is not guaranteed. Even the most trusted of Anshar’s friends visit the Estate Proper rarely and it is only with his permission. No one is permitted in the Estate Proper unless Anshar is himself present.
The Peasantry
Anshar has a fairly common operating procedure for dealing with the peasants within his barony: he rarely deals with them. In return for the minimal taxes (as much money as possible is reinvested in the fief itself), Anshar largely lets the peasants run their own affairs. Three times a year, Anshar holds a court for the settlement of debts and disputes and this court is held down amongst the peasants. Other than that, Anshar and the peasants in his fief have little interaction, but both “sides” are happy with the status quo. However, Anshar does not let the peasants forget that he is, in fact, their baron. Anyone who fails to report to at least one court per year, regardless of whether they have a case or not, is subject to a hefty fine.