Forest City County

County of the Duchy of Buckeye and the Kingdom of Grass - Established 2004

Motto: "Let the canopy flourish that all might shelter beneath."

Overview

Forest City County encompasses a broad swath of Northeast Ohio, with borders stretching from the western edge of Ashtabula County to the eastern edge of Sandusky County, and as far south as the Knox County line. Though politically tethered to the Kingdom of Grass, the County enjoys significant autonomy, and it is regarded by many within the Midwestern Concordian courts as a culturally distinct realm. Its name, a poetic nod to Cleveland’s historical title, “The Forest City,” carries both nostalgic reverence and political weight.

Governance & Structure

The County is ruled by Countess Tanaquill ni Gwydion, a Seelie noble of Arcadian descent. Known for her wisdom, discretion, and reserve, Countess Tanaquill has not held an open court in over a decade, though her influence is palpably felt across the County. She is rarely seen in public, and it is understood that most of her edicts are delivered through trusted dignitaries—most frequently to Baron Veylon ap Liam, whose barony of Doan’s Corners remains steadfast in its loyalty.

Two major baronies currently exist under the County's jurisdiction:

• Doan's Corners Barony – the cultural and diplomatic stronghold of Seelie etiquette, located within University Circle in Cleveland.
• Moondog Barony – a fiercely Commoner-led seat of passion and creativity on the lakeshore. Though less formal in its allegiance, it honors the County's existence with annual celebration and occasional, if begrudging, deference.

Smaller outposts and freeholds dot the County’s lands, including ancient woodlands, forgotten industrial corridors, and one powerful freehold deep within the town of Richfield: the Amity House, widely accepted to be Countess Tanaquill’s private retreat. Entry is strictly forbidden without invitation. Chimera of unusual intelligence and strength reportedly protect the estate and have repelled (or detained) trespassers with impunity.

Culture & Glamour

Forest City County is known for a unique interweaving of old Concordian formality with Midwestern resilience. Glamour thrives in subtle spaces—library steps, rusting pavilions, college protests, alleyway art shows, church choirs, and flash mobs. Music and memory share deep roots here, often sparking microrevels without warning.

Among Commoners, the County is sometimes joked about as “that invisible forest with very visible rules.” Among Sidhe, it is considered an ideal diplomatic assignment—respectable, well-managed, and rarely volatile.

Legacy

• Forest City County is both a haven and a cipher. While dignitaries from the Duchy of Buckeye frequently cite it as a shining example of noble harmony, many locals whisper about its strange silences. Countess Tanaquill’s prolonged reclusiveness and her reluctance to appear even at County-wide gatherings (including the annual Verdant Gala, traditionally hosted on April 20th) have inspired several generations of would-be seekers hoping to earn her audience.
• A prevailing rumor among ambitious Kithain—especially Satyrs, Eshu, and Pooka—is that the Countess seeks the return of long-lost Treasures hidden in the Far Dreaming or forgotten mythic trods. Those who retrieve an especially fabled item may be granted an audience, or even ennoblement. Whether these rumors were born of wishful thinking or placed by unseen hands remains a topic of endless speculation.
• Despite these mysteries, Forest City County endures as one of the most symbolically potent realms in Concordia’s Midwest—its roots deep, its branches unseen.