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Moonrise of the Greenwood Knot
Posted on March 31, 2026 in Steel-Realms
The Moonrise of the Greenwood Knot was an Event in the Grand Duchy of Rhyl that saw a resurgence in the interest and power of the Greenwood Knot Order of Darupet in Rhyl. On a night of a full moon, the children of Darupet called out to the moon mistress Ezrilus to give meaning to their remaining days instead of tending gardens for the order. Transformed into lycans, they loped to the Autumn Wall and with breathing still ragged from their journey, climbed its heights and dropped onto the other side – directly into moving towers of bone and units of wights, ghouls and animations hiding under the cover of a fog. Forces on the wall had been allocated elsewhere, and these powerful druid-werewolves dropped in, knowing a violent, glorious death awaited them… and went willingly. Those the Moonrise Tradition was created, that still persists.
Chronicle/Facts of the Event
Knowledge is broken down by ease of discovery/availability & Meticulous Record Keeping may improve usability; Any attempt to know more than what's Pervasive will require a reference, source, knowledge, check, or access to someone who can get or provide either of these. Specific Lores may increase the chance of knowing specific elements.
Pervasive Knowledge / Very Easy Difficulty
Information Sources: Mundane Reference | Associated Phenomenology Only | Specific Lore
For those native to or long-dwelling in the region, ALL Common Knowledge may be Pervasive.
The Moonrise of the Greenwood Knot was an Event in the Grand Duchy of Rhyl that saw a resurgence in the interest and power of the Greenwood Knot Order of Darupet in Rhyl. On a night of a full moon, the children of Darupet called out to the moon mistress Ezrilus to give meaning to their remaining days instead of tending gardens for the order. Transformed into lycans, they loped to the Autumn Wall and with breathing still ragged from their journey, climbed its heights and dropped onto the other side – directly into moving towers of bone and units of wights, ghouls and animations hiding under the cover of a fog. Forces on the wall had been allocated elsewhere, and these powerful druid-werewolves dropped in, knowing a violent, glorious death awaited them… and went willingly. Those the Moonrise Tradition was created, that still persists.
Rumors About the Locale
See the Herald's Quarterly for world updates.
Rhyl Formative Events
CY 7007 The area of North Gate Garrison freed & The Red March created; Money, supplies, armaments, and manpower flow into the north to fight the Lich Lords.
CY 6514 The Grand Duchy of Rhyl is created by the High King. In exchange for the resources and organization that can be brought to bear against the now organized undead armies, the lands become part of the High King's domain.
CY 5980 The Kingdoms of old Rhylan united settled as a single Kingdom of Rhyl to fight the Lich Lords drive south. After centuries of warfare between territories and races, the common cause of the threat to the north secures a lasting peace.
CY 5580 Fall of Dundaria in the North - Frostfang spreads, the Lich Lord power rises. Hordes of the undead, fortunately disorganized (at first), sweep south and west from the heart of old Dundaria.
CY 2330's Fall of East / Rise of the Dark Lands (Orrishai Abandoned); Refugees flee - some cross the Tolkisson Mountain Range into the 'Lands of Rhylan' that would become the Kingdoms of old Rhylan and finally.
CY 1000 (Approximately) The Dragon of Rhyl is killed and its influence ends in the area around the Great Forest of Rhyl and the surrounding territories.
Common Knowledge / Easy Difficulty
For those native to or long-dwelling in the region, ALL Common Knowledge may be Pervasive.
The trek from the abbey to the Autumn Wall that the lycanthropes run is now a Pilgrims trek.
An assault that was working to undermine and overwhelm part of the Autumn Wall was stopped. Somehow the relief schedule was discovered and a vulnerable moment had been discerned by the Lich Lords agents – this leak was also corrected.
Uncommon Knowledge / Average Difficulty
There is now a watch post that signals when the lycanthrope run is happening so that unlike the first time, they are not attacked by those they are there to protect.
Scarce Knowledge / Hard Difficulty
The Moon Children of Cunee: A group of Ezrilus priestesses is sometimes known to be along the path to the Autumn Wall, and to coerce the running lycanthropes into sex on theior way to their death. Although the Moon Mistress Ezrilus favors her wolfen brothers and sisters, the Moon Children offspring are not granted lycanthropy, but are all marked with her symbol, a primal fierceness, survival instincts, and wolf eyes and their sense of hearing and smell.
Rare Knowledge / Very Hard Difficulty
CAMPAIGN CHRONICLE >> The North Revealed is a Living World campaign set in The Northern Hearthlands/Grand Duchy of Rhyl of the [Fantasy] Steel Realms.
** The source of the following material is from this campaign. **
Demonic Knowledge Kept Hidden: On the battlefield was a new object the Lich Lords were testing, a binding object made from an ancient ghoul’s skull and jaw bone was guarded by terrifying demonic beings. The last of the druids that were called by the moon sacrificed themselves to ensure this horrific process failed. Ethereal Wurms, summoned from an ethereal storm, were being used to gnaw the foundations of The Autumn Wall. The demon that brought forth this knowledge was destroyed and the Lich Lords were unable to replicate it. Without this victory, the Ligh Lords were unable to make a sacrifice of captives that would have opened a second front into the grand Duchy of Rhyl through the Tolkisson Mountains that would have not been defended by The Autumn Wall. This would have seen a plague of undead in the north, and the destruction of the Goliath community in the north as well as elves and halflings in great numbers and forcing characters to serve in the north (a chance of not even surviving their early days).
Prevented the Dwarven Exodus: The dwarves of Sun Stone Top, who had a reserve force of 380 used to close the gap on The Autumn Wall after the battle. They witnessed the humans that sacrificed themselves instead. The survivors report back, and a contingent of dwarves that were advocating moving a quarter of the population (of dwarvens in Rhyl) are swayed not to. This would have triggered the Broken Tip Run scenario and likely even a greater exodus of Dwarven population from Rhyl.
Tea House Rivival
Posted on March 31, 2026 in Steel-Realms
The Tea House Revival of CY 9126 – 9130 was a prolonged Event in the Grand Duchy of Rhyl that saw a resurgence in the interest and power of the Tea House lodge tradition in Rhyl. The ‘revival’ itself was a series of advocates and initiatives within the political circles of Rhyl.
Chronicle/Facts of the Lodge
Knowledge is broken down by ease of discovery/availability & Meticulous Record Keeping may improve usability; Any attempt to know more than what's Pervasive will require a reference, source, knowledge, check, or access to someone who can get or provide either of these. Specific Lores may increase the chance of knowing specific elements.
Pervasive Knowledge / Very Easy Difficulty
Information Sources: Mundane Reference | Associated Phenomenology Only | Specific Lore
For those native to or long-dwelling in the region, ALL Common Knowledge may be Pervasive.
Rumors About the Locale
- Rumors say it was engineered.
See the Herald's Quarterly for world updates.
Rhyl Formative Events
CY 7007 The area of North Gate Garrison freed & The Red March created; Money, supplies, armaments, and manpower flow into the north to fight the Lich Lords.
CY 6514 The Grand Duchy of Rhyl is created by the High King. In exchange for the resources and organization that can be brought to bear against the now organized undead armies, the lands become part of the High King's domain.
CY 5980 The Kingdoms of old Rhylan united settled as a single Kingdom of Rhyl to fight the Lich Lords drive south. After centuries of warfare between territories and races, the common cause of the threat to the north secures a lasting peace.
CY 5580 Fall of Dundaria in the North - Frostfang spreads, the Lich Lord power rises. Hordes of the undead, fortunately disorganized (at first), sweep south and west from the heart of old Dundaria.
CY 2330's Fall of East / Rise of the Dark Lands (Orrishai Abandoned); Refugees flee - some cross the Tolkisson Mountain Range into the 'Lands of Rhylan' that would become the Kingdoms of old Rhylan and finally.
CY 1000 (Approximately) The Dragon of Rhyl is killed and its influence ends in the area around the Great Forest of Rhyl and the surrounding territories.
Common Knowledge / Easy Difficulty
For those native to or long-dwelling in the region, ALL Common Knowledge may be Pervasive.
The Tea Lodge of Saltmarch was built as a result of the revival…. some say it was engineered all along.
Uncommon Knowledge / Average Difficulty
A push to increase the age of betrothal and consent is increased by 1, reflected in the official cultural records and heightened awareness of Egalitarianism in Rhyl.
In Ten Stacks, the Letiy Mineit Lending House serving only women opens for business opportunities and safety. This is funded by the Old Rhylan Kingdoms Lineages. A safe house is funded connected to the lending house, using its extended barracks of guards. 9 Hands Orphanage are charities they support (noble families partly financed). The women of the old houses find renewed kinship and cultural affinity to the tea lodges again.
Scarce Knowledge / Hard Difficulty
In response to the funding of women’s business and increased presence on the Red March, there are riots in CY 9130. These female workers are removed from Red March eventually.
An attempt to control trade using the Krastivir’s Orblivat at Klyben in the guild hall by the Salamander’s Guild was averted; All items of note would have been 33% higher cost, gangs become more powerful, items would have been 10% more cost in Rhyl in general.
Rare Knowledge / Very Hard Difficulty
There is a short period of illness (Abersand’s Sickness) in newborns in Rhyl and The Wyldes, but the midwives of the north rally to stamp it out within a few years. The newly chartered House of Childsend combines Aerna and Ezrilus midwives to gain a chapter house in City of Klyben in CY 8953 (with Tea House sponsorship – first act in the Tea House Revival), protecting their knowledge, services and rights.
A pipeline of smuggling Widow’s Maker Stiletto of Oerdney from the unknown armory in Oerdney is established (for women only) – possession outlawed in the north is repealed in part – no automatic divorce and exile.
There was an attempt for the Ducal Estates to be defunded “slightly”, but failed without the Salamander Guild succeeding in their machinations; This would have led to infiltration and possible assassination/turnover of power in the Duchy.
CY 9129, the remains of Krastivir’s Orblivat goes into a snow globe lamp in the Tea Lodge of Sheffet the county of Dunaine. There, it goes to serve in swaying a group of women connected to the Old Rhylian families and other meetings in the future.
In CY 9130 the Order of the Black Gorgon looking for Krastivir’s Orblivat. Somehow its return to the settled lands of the Noble East was leaked to them.
Culture of the Golden Hills Folk (North Pines)
Posted on February 3, 2026 in Steel-Realms
The populace is divided into families that control territories and farms, or may centralize their sphere of influence into a town. They raid against each other, though rarely kill. They trade with anyone, including the wildlings, Free Folk, Rhylians, Pine Tribes, and Kaaldians. They are known as shrewd bargainers and are very competitive. They are extremely jealous of the Rhyl territories around Lake Vhym, and have enjoined in hostilities to try and take from Rhyl the areas bordering the north and west edges of the lake. These territories are mostly settled by more sedentary pine tribesmen – but under the protection of Rhyl, who use them as a buffer between their citizens and North Pines. Families mark their territory using boundary stones. Larger families collaborate as a clan, or have other families under their protection. Raiding over boundaries is encouraged, as is the taking of women. The people of the North Pines practice slavery, and the strong wildling women are the favorites.
There are rumors of slave trade and wildling women being brought from the north and funneled south through the Merchant Cities.
A Warrior Culture Tradition
This was once a warrior culture, and one which obviously had contact with Kaaldian culture in its background. The rite of passage for all youths is to raid for cattle, women, and furs the Free Lands and Rhyl. Like the Kaaldians, their fast moving raiding bands organize themselves in what is known as a ‘creach’. The meaning is lost to these people, but the term is not. To them it signifies in a smaller scale the unity in their people at time of war, divided though they are in peace. Every new generation forms creaches, and through their life, their creach brothers and sisters have a special place.
Religion & Faith
The green church is strong here. The culture looks to the beast lord, like the Kaaldians, as the all-father. They also blend a worship of the earth-mother, a demiurge spirit of the earth. Their priests are said to be able to leave no trace, and communicate using ceremonial rocks, sending clicks and clacks between sacred places to spread information and calls to arms.
Chronicle/Facts of the Locale
Knowledge is broken down by ease of discovery/availability & Meticulous Record Keeping may improve usability; Any attempt to know more than what's Pervasive will require a reference, source, knowledge, check, or access to someone who can get or provide either of these. Specific Lores may increase the chance of knowing specific elements.
Pervasive Knowledge / Very Easy Difficulty
Information Sources: Mundane Reference | Associated Phenomenology Only | Specific Lore
For those native to or long-dwelling in the region, ALL Common Knowledge may be Pervasive.
Rumors About the Locale
Common Knowledge / Easy Difficulty
For those native to or long-dwelling in the region, ALL Common Knowledge may be Pervasive.
Bron-Yr-Aur (North Pines)
Posted on February 3, 2026 in Steel-Realms
Bron-Yr-Aur is the lands of the golden hills. Rolling lands of natural yellow wheat grains and grasses. The lands of Bron-Yr-Aur are ‘cupped’ by a low rise of jagged hills called the Giant’s Thumb. This area of North Pines has long been a thorn in the side of the Duke of Rhyl. It has been the scene of rebellion, a harboring of bandits, and a place of black market trade for centuries. When push comes to shove though, the controlling families of Tree Stones have come to the aid and supported the Klaurians against the Duke of Rhyl, the barbarians of The Wyldes, giants, and Orrish whenever they have called.
Rulership/Governance: {Integrity *}
- Recognized Administrative Center/Seat of Power:
- Primary Settlement Upbringing Experience:
Population: It is unknown what the total population of the area is, but currently about 4,000 inhabitants scattered around a dozen known major locations.
> Note: There is no official census provided.
Antagonistic by Nature
The inhabitants are known to raid against the wildlings and bring reprisal raids on themselves and others in the north (for which they are looked down upon by all in the northern hinterlands). They have even antagonized the Klaurian peoples in its insistent and prolonged forays through and over-logging of the northern Rhyl forest. They are also rumored to consort with and protect wyldling raiders when it suits them.
Military: The people are fiercely protective of their territory and travelers are sped through and watched closely. They are not known to maintain any formal military force, although the rangers and caravan guards for travel form a readily available force which may be drawn upon to serve quickly.
Chronicle of the Locale
Knowledge is broken down by ease of discovery/availability & Meticulous Record Keeping may improve usability; Any attempt to know more than what's Pervasive will require a reference, source, knowledge, check, or access to someone who can get or provide either of these. Specific Lores may increase the chance of knowing specific elements.
Pervasive Knowledge / Very Easy Difficulty
Information Sources: Mundane Reference | Associated Phenomenology Only | Specific Lore
For those native to or long-dwelling in the region, ALL Common Knowledge may be Pervasive.
Rumors
Not much is known of these peoples, other than they seem to have descended from one of the wyldling tribes of the north. Their close proximity to the settled territories of the north brought an organized culture which soon put them at odds with the traditional wyldling tribes. It is suspected by some, that the wyldling shamans ostracized them and called upon the tribes to drive them out.
The Golden Folk: The are was originally home to a small tribe of humans that had separated from The Wyldes and was in service to the Klaurians of North Pines as intermediaries. They had a developed affectation and knowledge of the Klaurians that allowed them to be tolerated.
The New Folk: Not much is known of the origins of the New Folk, as they displaced the pine tribesmen about 800 years ago. By most accounts, they appear to have descended from wildling tribes of the far north, but many traces of Kaaldian culture can be found in their society. They integrated into the the population of the golden folk, nearly tripling it in size.
Common Knowledge / Easy Difficulty
For those native to or long-dwelling in the region, ALL Common Knowledge may be Pervasive.
Their close proximity to the settled territories of the north has gradually brought a settling of the people – who at once seek to embody the principles of the ‘free folk’ but maintain a distinct cultural island amidst their diverse neighbors. They view the free tribes, the pine tribes, as inferior; they themselves have worked hundreds of years to shed the stigma of wlydling or pine tribe association. Their desire to distinguish themselves from their more primitive neighbors often leads them into direct contact, as their wild history is treated by them as a shame and they seek to eradicate all traces of it – to the detriment of those living around them.
Uncommon Knowledge / Average Difficulty
It is suspected by some that they were driven out of their home in the north; that the shamans cast them out for some unspeakable crime – perhaps this goes to explain the animosity between the pine tribesmen and wildlings and the North Pines.
Bron-Yr-Aur is comprised of an immigrant population from the north, driven south by the wyldlings 400 years ago. They are rumored to have a large degree of wyldling blood mingled amongst their own,. They displaced the small population, which had existed there for over 500 years. It is unknown what the total population of the area is, but currently about 18,000 inhabitants scattered around a dozen known major locations.
Shoulder Blades Pass (pass through Giant’s Steps hills)
Posted on February 3, 2026 in Steel-Realms
Shoulder Blades Pass is a means of traveling between The Wyldes and the Great Forest of Rhyl in The Grand Duchy of Rhyl. It is a east-west pass through the high hills that separate these lands. There is a long standing truce and treaty for the free and open use for anyone wishing to travel through it. The tribal elders of The Wyldes are more concerned about who travels through here, and there are scout stations and small hamlets on the west side to monitor this.
Rulership/Governance: {Integrity ?} The pass is mostly seen as a neutral territory, though Ducal officials may lay official claim to it.
- Recognized Administrative Center/Seat of Power:
Population: Unknown if any but a few of the Smallfolk of Faerie that live in the pass itself.
> Note: There is no official census provided.
Encounters & Dangers in the Area
See Encounters in the Grand Duchy of Rhyl for common potential scenarios of notable events and creatures.
- Normal Settlement Encounters > Patrols | Recruiting | Sellers | Begging | Crime
Chronicle of the Locale
Knowledge is broken down by ease of discovery/availability & Meticulous Record Keeping may improve usability; Any attempt to know more than what's Pervasive will require a reference, source, knowledge, check, or access to someone who can get or provide either of these. Specific Lores may increase the chance of knowing specific elements.
Pervasive Knowledge / Very Easy Difficulty
Information Sources: Mundane Reference | Associated Phenomenology Only | Specific Lore
For those native to or long-dwelling in the region, ALL Common Knowledge may be Pervasive.
Common Knowledge / Easy Difficulty
For those native to or long-dwelling in the region, ALL Common Knowledge may be Pervasive.
It is said that spending too much time in the pass itself brings strange dreams.
Scarce Knowledge / Hard Difficulty
The giants send aid to the Ducateon in CY 3516 – 3947 during the Troll Wars / CY 3949 giants begin their ‘retreat’ feeling betrayed. The area becomes a pathway of all Giants seeking refuge in the north.