The Duchy of Madrasa takes up a large chunk of Samia covering everything north of the creeping wood (directly) to the ocean. It was named after Madras Whitefire, founder of both the Whitefire line and Samia.  Madras is equal parts history and mythology, but common wisdom is that he discovered magic as well.  He is credited, much like many historical figured, with a lot of wild accomplishments from the creation of human civilization to the invention of fire and the codification of the first set of laws.  

The Dutchy is vast, and is the most largely populated in all of Samia.   Madrasa is the largest importer of worked goods in the nation.  Wood, metal, and worked goods such as pottery and tools are widely sought after.  Despite a handful of port cities, Madrasa imports quite a lot of fish from other areas (Brynoch's Dagger and Pedrini, specifically).  

While Madrasa is the Duchy in which the capital falls, the capital city of Samia usually maintains it's own taxes, citizenship, and laws.  In other words, it is almost entirely autonomous.   The duke and duchess of Madrasa are more properly named the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess of Madrasa, a title granted during a point in time when it was needed to establish the authority of that office over members of the royal family not occupying the throne.  

Madrasa  

Area: 55,000 sq leagues
Population: 1,700,000
Official Language: Meiren
Other Languages: Foñiaro, Borrsta, others by race or creed
Duchy Seat: Allston
Largest City: Allston
Grand Duke/Duchess:
Primary Imports: raw goods, lumber, tobacco, paper, fish
Primary Exports: textiles, wine, crafted goods, glass
Important Locations:  Allston, Samia, The Merryweather Academy, Workman's Valley, Port Daster
Lesser Locations:  Lowman Fell, Isander, Port Weather


Culture

The people of Madrasa are the most refined in all of Samia.  They appreciate art, poetry, and well crafted goods.  they have a great appreciation for books both due to the Merryweather Academy and due to the need for them in the capital city.  Residents are predominantly of the Meiren faith, though no worship is outlawed (though open worship of Ferrin is frowned upon and often cause to suspect the worshiper of greater misdeeds).   Each of the larger cities in Madrasa (Allston, Samia, Port Daster) has between 3 and 8 smaller cities around it for support (by way of farming mostly, though hunting, mining, and other types of supply are not impossible).   Magic is accessible in Madrasa more than anywhere else in the nation, due to the presence of the royal family and the Merryweather Academy.  While most magic is still not available for purchase on the street or in a shoppe, there are places where one can go to contract such spellcasters and craftsmen, if they wish to have something located or constructed.   Popular activities in Madrasa vary from place to place, but sports are very common.  

Climate and Travel

The climate of Madrasa is pleasant, since most of it is inland.  Summers begin with a cold thaw leading into the wet season, though late summer and fall are very dry.  The warmer months stay temperate, with the weather rarely getting so warm that it is uncomfortable, though winters in Madrasa, as in all of Samia, are very hard.  In Madrasa, once winter hits for good, most people find themselves stuck where they are, unable to move through the deep snow that often builds.  the King's road in Madrasa has very tall poles every league or so, so that travelers have some chance of keeping themselves on the path, but most people never risk winter travel except by boar or for very short distances.  

Once every 5-6 leagues along the King's Road, one can find campsites.  One side will house firewood, a fire pit, and areas to bed down.  The other generally has firewood and pits for waste (both food waste and more biological sorts).  Travelers are welcome to the supplies found here, and it is traditional that a visitor either replace the firewood they use (a small hatchet is provided) or leave some scales so that the next traveler is compensated for their work in chopping twice as much.   There are a few stretches of road where a man can make a modest living simply chopping wood and collecting this money (such men are called trailcutters).