Capital: Thornward

Major cities: None

Ruler: His Lofty Grace, Larrangin, the Margrave of Bissel

Racial make-up: Major strains: Oeridian, Suloise, Baklundish; minor strains: others

Major resources: Foodstuffs, cloth, gold, gems

The Littlemark, or March of Bissel, is a feudal march located at the northern end of the Sheldomar Valley. Its eastern border is formed by a series of sharp ridges and hills known as the Lorridges. Following these northward one finds the Fals River, a tributary of the Velverdyva and the barrier that creates Bissel's border to the northeast. To the west and northwest lie the Barrier Peaks, home to several dwarven clans, and other things less friendly. To the southwest is the Dim Forest, known for dark shadows and ancient beings. An irregular border to the south is shared with the Gran March, their capital city of Hookhill a scant 30 miles from Bisselite lands.

An otherwise unimpressive flat plain, Bissel has nonetheless been an extremely coveted piece of land throughout its history. It is a mercantile nexus, serving as the keystone for continental trade between the Sheldomar Valley to the south, Baklunish lands to the west, and the rest of the Flanaess to the east. Some of Bissel's present day caravan routes and villages date to the days before the Twin Cataclysms. As a result of its strategic location, Bissel has repeatedly been the target of invasion, conquest and colonization by various Baklunish, Oeridian, and Suel peoples. The lands usually attract mercenaries and merchants from dozens of different cultures. The present-day indigenous peoples exhibit a rare mixture of these races and cultures, and now have a long established feudal monarchy of various Baronies owing fealty to a single person, the Margrave.

Bissel was the northernmost frontier of the kingdom of Keoland (c. 400 cy). It was wrested from the latter in the Small War of Furyondy and Keoland, which ended Keoish occupation in Veluna (438 cy). Bissel became a tributary state of Furyondy for a few decades.

However, when humanoid invasions swept over Furyondy, the Margrave Rollo established the independence of the territory by bravery in service of the King of Furyondy. The Bisselites slaughtered a horde of Jebli goblins which lay in ambush for King Hugh III of Furyondy, who was guarded by but a small train. The King granted Rollo palatinate status for the deed performed, and Bissel has enjoyed self-rule since.

The March now stands as a bulwark between the Ket masses and the rest of the east. It likewise guards Keoland and the south. Because of its strategic position, Furyondy, Veluna, and Keoland now support the principality, and Bissel has pledged fealty to each of these nations, in turn. Adventurers and mercenaries from all of the Flanaess can be found in the ranks of the "Border Companies" which comprise the standing army of the Margrave.

There are four regular companies and four reserve companies. Each is 1000 strong and contains contingents of horse, foot, and archers. Bisselite soldiers are well equipped. Each company has a special squad of scouts (numbering 30 to 50) attached when on border duty.

In addition to the Border Companies, Bissel's massive Castle Oversight (at Pellak), remains the headquarters for the country's branch of the Knights of the Watch. While not overly concerned with local politics, the Knights are aware of disputes among Bissel's allies over Bissel's allegiances.