Balient’s Breach (impassible path to the Hinterlands)

Steel Realms
Balient’s Breach was perhaps the only accessible and most treacherous pass in the entire northern mountains. None claim it as a territory, though the Halflings of the Montwold Pass Protectorate keep an eye on it along with some of the High King‘s soldiers (as part of their Duty Station). It is a lonely place where only the spirits go now. The centerpiece of ‘the breach’ is The Deeping Gorge. This massive gorge sits astride the pass, preventing any easy access. No one knows how it was formed, but it has always been there. On each side is a series of jagged fissures prone to avalanche. In short, the pass is all but impossible. In the winter, ice and snow make it more difficult, along with the biting wind that blows in from the north. In the spring flooding makes the entire pass an exercise in cheating death.

In fact, no expedition to discover what lays at the bottom has ever been successful. Of all the expeditions to try, at least one if not all end up dead or vanish forever. The survivors are prone to nightmares. In all cases, the expedition is ended.

History

The pass is named after Balient, a common soldier who discovered temporary way through the west end. He lead his company through the dangerous slide area and was able to execute a rear attack on Kaaldian forces – causing Kaald to finally bend the knee to the High King. No one remembers who actually discovered the place, certainly its utter lack of usefulness did not warrant a founders name. At one point, this gorge, though dangerous, was seen as a short cut for travelers. Nobles, merchants, and those seeking the fastest way to the Kaald paid the toll to cross the gorge. A Ducateon Holt was established at the west end and were able to put together a massive stone and timber crane tht could move wagons over to the other side.

South Side

Hoar Bridge: Although no bridge, the crane system was named after the ranger Borde, who worked in the name of the High King to work a settlement with the locals and Ducateon. The system was originally named ‘Borde’s Bridge’. After the north had fallen to the Lich Lords, the bridge became known as ‘Hoar Bridge’. For centuries it was the life line of Kaald, working all day and night, every day. The men and materials they ferried across the bridge saved Kaald from completely falling to the Lich Lords. After The Sundering, there was an attempt to rebuild, but the the Lich Lords sent some of their worst undead minions to the breach, and the pine tribes were whipped into a frenzy by their agents as well.

Vhym’s Bailey: this was the fortified town built right on the edge of the gorge. It housed the crane mechanism and has tunnels leading to the holt and the service areas of the counter balances. It now stands in ruins. The crane sits broken in half and the town burnt. Only the whispers of the dead are heard here now – even the pine tribes give this place a wide berth.

Tower Balient: This 20m tall tower and massive walled stables watched over the entire approach to the southern pass. Most of its stones have been taken and used to make other structures – there is a water hole and small trading post here now – always a population of 40-80 tribes folk and free folk trading goods.

Temple of Thadeus Lightborn: A temple to the light-bringers, founded by Thadeus Fillwren. It is now fallen and abandoned.

North Side

Horrendhal’s Lodge: This was the traveler way station for those wishing to cross to the south side.

The Bone Wall: This consists of the four forts which guarded the north side entrance into the pass. This ‘wall’ is named for the notion that it was ultimately made up of the bones of the fallen, animated again and again by the Lich Lords. Soon it became a death sentence to be sent to the Bone Wall.

  • Motlaen Hearth: This was a walled fort, with the white-washed tower of the Mystics of Aerna at its center.
    The last to fall, it was one of the last places the mystics held out against the Lich Lords.
  • Bone Bane: A massive pair of 25m diameter towers that stood 30m high and were surrounded by a rough stone wall at their base.
  • Black Watch: Always in the shadow of the mountains, its keep housed a swift force of Kaaldian alpine lancers.
  • Crows Castle: The largest of the 4 forts on Bone Wall, this ancient castle was built on ruins of three others before it, once being the hereditary home to the Earl of Kanlorne, the Kanlorne family. It looked over the only full town and fields on Bone Wall and was the heart of the wall.

Holt ‘Ruhn-Aahn‘: This was once a thriving holt, trading in silver and coal. After The Sundering, it was never heard from again; all the upper grounds and entrances were collapsed. Only a handful survived.

Ledgends

It is said that the dark caverns that riddle Mt. Umeless in the Altain Mountain Range connect with the bottom of Deeping Gorge. Powerful spirits of darkness are said to roam the bottom depths of the gorge, adding their shriek’s and howls to the wind,
as a warning to those who would explore its depths.

Realm's Aptitude Powers: Divine, Occult, and Psychic