Columbus, Ohio:
County of Buckeyes
Though not one of the largest cities in North America, Columbus' status as the capital of Ohio gives it some regional importance. Furthermore the many universities in the area, especially Ohio State, makes it an ideal location for certain supernatural activities.
The Columbus Dreaming is, at least in theory, ruled by the Seelie Court. Countess Miriam of House Dougal rules from her elegant three-dot freehold in the Columbus Conservatory. In her mortal seeming the countess is the conservatory's chief curator, and her love of flowers and growing things is only increased within the Dreaming when she takes on her true self, a short, plump, but endearing boggan. One of the few commoner nobles left, she was instrumental in bringing Ameriflora, a national flower exhibition, to Columbus several years ago in the hopes that it would trigger an explosion of glamour. The results were less then she hoped, as several local Autumn people kept up a steady tirade of complaints about cost and effectiveness, greatly decreasing the glamour to be gleaned from those inspired by the flowers.
Despite this, Countess Miriam soldiers on, trying to instill glamour in a sometimes banal town while controlling the more disruptive members of the Changeling community. While some parts of Columbus are so banal as to be almost painful to a Changeling, many regions are overflowing with glamour. The Short North is a burgeoning center of art, celebrating a monthly festival of art called "Gallery Hop'. An equally important place is German village, where many little shops and fine restaurants add some measure of wonder to people's lives. High Street, a strip of bars and college stores next to Ohio State, provides a great deal of dark glamour, though sometimes alcohol destroys it with banality. Ohio State's sporting events draw many redcaps, in recent years they've begin a tradition of inspiring riots following Ohio State football games around 12th avenue.
The many universities in the area, especially Ohio State, provide Columbus with a higher then average Changeling population, though most are transient, remaining for only a few short years before moving on. Many Changelings, exposed to the glamour only a University setting can provide, go through their chrysalis here. For this reason Countess Miriam sponsors several Oathcircles of the Order of Eiliethyia, a group dedicated to protecting changelings as they undergo their Chrysalis.
The County faces many enemies, the Shadow Court is suspected to have a freehold somewhere near campus, the Redcap motleys which it supports sometimes raid Seelie gatherings, or attempt to kidnap new changelings before the are 'corrupted' by the Seelie Escheat. The Nunnehi are also suspected to be returning. Some of the fiercest fights in the early Indian Wars were fought in this region. The Countess would like to come to an agreement with the Nunnehi but fears they seek only revenge and bloodshed. As one of the few commoner nobles, the Countess is also a defacto enemy of the Beltaine Blade, this group of reactionary sidhe have already sponsored at least one attempt on her life, and are likely to try other means as well.
Countess Miriam is on very good terms with Queen Mary Elizabeth of House Dougal, who sees her as a competent, loyal underling. Within her own lands she is consistently vexed with Baron Lorewick, Lord of the Sciota Barony. Baron Lorewick rarely bothers to show the Countess the respect she is entitled as his liege and many suspect this sidhe of House Eiluned is conspiring with the Beltaine Blade against her.
A description of Countess Miriam's Freehold, the Seat of the County.
A few of the other Freeholds within the County of Buckeyes
Some of the County's better known inhabitents.