Lorelei

Lorelei
Subdivision type:	Canton
Capital:	Rhinford
Population:	2,303,887
Largest Cities:	Maximsburg, Rhinford
Local Leadership Title:	Deputy
Local Government:	Grand Council
Current leader:	Anders Beck
Local language:	Lac Glaceian (official)
Local Religion:	The Alpine Temple

Lorelei is a canton in southwestern Lac Glacei. Its capital is the city of Rhinford. Much of the population resides in the southwest, along the River Glacei, which is known locally as the River Rhyn. Rhinford became an important point of commerce as it afforded the only navigable fording of the river (hence Rhyn + ford). This was further amplified by the completion of the Lorelei Bridge, which connected both sides of the river and allowed an unrestricted flow of vehicle traffic.

History

Originally founded as an outpost of Cranda, Lorelei was a frontier province that gave the Crandish military access to Lac Glacei's resources and access to a southern port. The region was named for the great outcropping of rocks near Rhinford that overlook the River Glacei. Given its military importance, the region quickly prospered and helped to settle the nearby Crandish provinces of Heathersland and Edelweiss. The three provinces formed a loose-knit confederation known as Stromblum (Riverflower) that exercised great influence in the Crandish courts. Even after the fall of Cranda, Stromblum briefly united with Lac Glacei to establish the first Grand Duchy. But they could not keep the barbaric hordes from the green at bay, and soon both Stromblum and Lac Glacei were displaced.