The Duchy of Danforth is known far and wide as a holiday spot.  It's a place where rich nobles and merchants go to retire, and a place where those who can afford it go to enjoy themselves, and occasionally winter (though the winds are bad in the winter).  It is most widely known for the city of Thornport, a recreational spot with loose laws in general, but specifically in regards to gambling, brothels, and the like. 

But the real heart of the duchy is Throndale, a small city that is so close to Thornport that they are practically the same place.  Thorndale, unlike it's cousin, has very strict laws regarding everything from weapons to carts to travel, to pets.  It reaps the rewards in fees and taxes from travelers to Thornport and beyond and is able to finance itself nicely.  Few people without coin to spare spend more than a few days in Thorndale. 

A large part of Danforth (perhaps the largest by area, though it is not all occupied) is what used to be the Feirnoth Nation of Nynnassier.  This area is still Nynnassier, of course, but the Feirnoth Nation was long since absorbed by the nation of Samia, and is now a part of the duchy.  While it is often considered autonomous in many ways (it has it's own rulership and tends to keep to itself)  and simply pays taxes to the nearby duchy.  Nynnassier used to be almost exclusively elven in population, but today it is a m ix of elves, humans, and other races line many modern cities, with heavy emphasis on elven tradition, culture, and architecture. 

Danforth 

Area: 43,000 sq leagues
Population: 1,100,000
Official Language: Meiren
Other Languages: Foñiaro, Salista, others by race or creed
Duchy Seat: Thorndale
Largest City: Thornport (population), Nynnassier (area)
Grand Duke/Duchess:  Coleford and Sonia Talimore
Primary Imports: wood, gems, worked ore, fruit (especially apples and lemons)
Primary Exports: fish, oil, salt, minted money, worked gems, jewelry, crafted goods, fabric.
Important Locations:  Thornport, Thorndale, Nynnassier
Lesser Locations: Farmer's Park, Molovan, Water Tower, Keirik Shallows

Culture

The people of Danforth are a varied lot, but the normal image is that of satellite noble families or people oh high station living leisurely lives.  And then there is the city of Thornport, with it's image as being a place of wild excess and brazen shamelessness.  With the exception of Nynnassier, which is tied closely to the cultural history of it's elven founders, the people of Danforth like the finer things in life. of course, not all of them can afford these things, and many people in Danforth live beyond their means or put themselves into debt with local landowners and merchants.  Indentured servitude is a common event in Danforth for this very reason. 

The duchy tends to celebrate the spring thaw like it's a major festival, because this means that the tourists will come again soon, revitalizing the city (though even in the dead of winter, there are some who still find themselves here, choosing to winter someplace more pleasant than home). 

Climate and Travel

The climate in Danforth is mostly easy.  The roads are well maintained, the boats run on time, and things operate smoothly.  With the exception of the Keirik Shallows; which is a miserable place to travel due to the high water, muddy trails, mudslides, etc; travel is Danforth is uncomplicated.  The roads to the north are better patrolled than the roads to the south and east, but most are relatively safe and it is rare that travelers are set upon by bandits or thieves.  Most say that this is because the bandits and thieves do so well in the cities, that they need not resort to roadside efforts. 

Winters in the north of Danforth are milder than in many places, but the storms are what really makes things difficult.  Small ships find themselves docking a full half mile out into the ocean on a giant platform dock to avoid the crashing waves that hammer the north coast of Thornport.  These waves sometimes crash into a large inlet that is built around a river leading to the ocean.  The waves often back up the flow of the river for miles, which results in many shallow ponds between Thornport and Thorndale. 

But through all this, the Naval Squad of Samia: Nynnasier (also called the Feirnoth Navy, informally) maintains a constant presence in the waters.  They are tasked with keeping pirates at bay, especially those gnomish pirates who harry the duchy (in Danforth there is a standing bounty for the ears of Sea-Gnomes).