All Claw readers will probably be interested in this chapter...

Delgrass is a very tiny country, sandwiched right between Rehirne and Mattadon on the map.

It was once a holding in the feudal system of Rehirne, whose baron gradually demanded more and more land from his king over the course of four years, from 1153-1156 (Second Era). In the year 1162 he demanded independence from Rehirne altogether, and the king, who seems to have been an easily manipulated monarch (or else one very tired of being pestered) gave it to him.

(Almost a hundred years later, Rehirne split again, when two princes both desired the throne, and thus Mattadon came into existence. Surprisingly, there was no ill will between them after this, and they continued as two separate but allied countries. The Rehirnish, as a country, appear to be rather good-natured people.)

When this baron became king of Delgrass, he did not set it up according to the feudal system that he had just left, possibly fearing that one of his own lords might try to duplicate his actions in the future. Instead, he freed all the vassals and let them exist as independent villages, and organized a system of "Inspectors of the Peace", glorified sheriffs if you will, to keep order. They are assigned according to precinct, and there are ten precincts in Delgrass, generally with 2-3 Inspectors each.

The king himself enjoyed his new status, and was in the power to set himself up as something of an absolute monarch. But he never did much enforcement of the rules, preferring to leave matters to his Inspectors and generals to handle, and historically the king of Delgrass has been little more than a figurehead. If he wants to, he can legally alter anything he pleases, but he rarely interferes. Hence, Delgrass is really one of the most free countries of eastern Legea and certainly is sturdier in its social framework than either Rehirne or Mattadon.

Despite its exceedingly small size, Delgrass has survived well due to its situation. Guarded on all sides by two allied countries, it has never known war to speak of. Yet if war were to come, it is thought by some perceptive folk that Delgrass might show a surprising resilience and courage in the face of danger.