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The Burning Heart Temple of Merkaine
Posted on October 29, 2025 in Steel-Realms
The The Burning Heart Temple of Merkaine of The Fire Within sect is located in The Fortified city of Alstaad.
This place has a standard Shrine for The Fire Within sect with altars at each location on The Autumn Wall. The is the dominant sect of Merkaine in The Grand Duchy of Rhyl and Kaald reflecting her role as burner of the undead and defender of life.
The temple is a fortified holdout for up to 600. There is only a single entrance of fire blackened doors that will never be able to be set ablaze again. The windows are opaque 1o inch thick tempered glass portals that allow in natural light, but nothing else.
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
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 Red Sunset Beacon
Posted on October 28, 2025 in Steel-Realms
The Red Sunset Beacon quest is the fire lighting of Merkaine happens around every 100 years; Not always on a precise date although at one time it was; Now it varies a little bit around the date so the Lich Lords cannot absolutely prevent it. It’s considered a quest by Followers to escort the flame-bearer, clear the way for the holy light to the top of Burning Crop. The carrying of the beacon is usually done by a World-Daughter of Merkaine.
Transit of Western Fire
The Transit of Western Fire is a once-a-century symbolic journey to ‘re-light the rising sun in the east’. It travels from Blood Fire Temple of Merkaine in the west, east to the start of The Red March and Merkaine’s Shrine of Shieldfire, to the end of it, then through City of Fortun, up The White Stairs to Burning Crop. There a beacon fire is lit that can be seen for hundreds of miles.
From Coast-to-Mountain: Though this is not technically part of the Heart Flame Beacons of Kaald network, the beacon flame taken on the Transit of Fire can be seen all the way from Kaald when it is lit at Burning Crop.
Connecting Cultures
The Transit of Western Fire is another way, though small, that The Grand Duchy of Rhyl maintains cultural connection to its ancient northern kin and political cooperation more so than other of the High King’s allies. Usually one of the Lodge of the Songbird, or person versed in Heraldic Boreal Tradition is present too. It is a great honor to be chosen for this. Like the beacons of Kaald, the beacon passage run by the same sect of The Fire Within.
- The beacon-flame of Merkaine is escorted through Rhyl by a member of the Order of the Green Garter (as a local guide and representative of the nobility) from the members of the Tea Lodge of Fortun.
Chronicle/Facts of the Red Sunset Beacon
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.
Scarce Knowledge / Hard Difficulty
Stolen Blood-Fire
CY 8600 On one of the Transit of Western Fire quests, a vampire blood knight of the Lich Lords sought to take in the blood of the World-Daughter. Trishin, the daughter of Merkaine, was killed by the vampire spilling the blood-fire on the ground; This is the eternal fire at Trishin’s Withering in the town of Tranmere.
Afterward the Killing: The World-Daughter of Merkaine was killed by the vampire minion of the Lich Lords, with some of the blood of Merkaine held captive and bent to the will of the Lich Lords, her fire-within sect power was lessened. Aerna gained in popularity and influence in the north.
The Hunt for Revenge: For six years, the new World-Daughter of Kaerslein – Elemental Consort of Water hunted the vampire known as “Flame-Ender” in the north – using all her power to bend the elements to shield her. She fought and slew it near Ara-Luu, leading a force of vampires they turned with their corrupted power trying to cross the mountains. She drew on her elemental power, freezing the vampires in place. Each one fought her individually as she freed them, until her sister’s killer was revealed. She pierced him with an ice spike, and drank all the blood that came out, finishing the vampire. She used her elemental power to grind the corpse into pulp, and its bones to dust. She melded with the snow once her sister’s blood had been freed and cleansed of corruption through her taking it in. She sacrificed herself to keep the flame alive and finish her journey. She returned to the site where her sister was killed, burning on the inside the whole way. She finally succumbed at the site of her sister’s death. Her burned bones are as a saint in a local church at Tranmere..
Ducal Lineage of Rhyl
Posted on October 28, 2025 in Steel-Realms
The Ducal Lineage has changed bloodlines multiple times in its history. It officially began at the conclusion of The Rhylander Compromise. The current ruling family is the family started by Sir Mikael Graefstone (famous for constructing the Bastion of the Dawn). It has ruled since it assumed the Ducal responsibilities in CY 7714, at the request of the High King of Gladnor. The family was once the Baron of Redmark. He was young at the time, unmarried. Elevated in a surprise move when no direct heir for the previous Ducal family of Claydaer. The Rylan Grant council members were unhappy as it brought eastern traditions and bloodlines back into prominence. The obvious reason to choose them was their devotion to duty and the stability of the Duchy over everything else. He was soon married to Henveria in CY 7715 – a “princess” of Kaald – in an attempt to heal the old wound that kept the north aggrieved of the High King and southerners. She asked that the old wolf symbol of Rhyl be replaced with the Great Northern Owl and together they updated the motto of the duchy. The Ducal family lives in the Ducal Estate of Rhylan. The Ducal Lineage is always represented by at least the Duke and one other in the Rhylian Ducal Retinue.
The Moonstone Owl – built to honor the Kaaldian connection – was housed in a shrine at Amstred’s Wish when Duchess Henveria Graefstone died in CY 7758.The ruling family of Ducal Lineage is baptized in the Godspring of Rhyl at birth and drinks from it.
It’s one of the more tight nobility branches in all of the Steel Realms because although the stewardship of the Duke has changed hands a few times, the families that marry into the line (through the efforts of the families of the Council of Rhylan) and other peerage lines date back over 5,000 years through the time of the Kingdoms of old Rhylan.
CAMPAIGN CHRONICLE >> The North Revealed is a Living World campaign set in The Northern Hearthlands/Grand Duchy of Rhyl of the [Fantasy] Steel Realms.
Current Ducal Lineage: Sir Suevan Graefstone II, age 45
- Daughter: Roissin, age 25
> Eldest half-elf daughter out of wedlock, not well accepted by the people - Wife: Lady Trishan Graefstone, age 41
- Daughter: The Marchioness, Lady Saffrai Graefstone, age 19
- Son: The Marquees Haroldwin Graefstone, age 16
- Sister: High Lady Heleeni Graefstone, age: 47
> Duchess for 5 years before sickness forced her to convalesce, and she had no heirs. - Brother: Sueven Graefstone III, age 40
- Sister: Aestriani Graefstone, age 36
- Brother: Kamdaelii Graefstone, age 34
- Brother: Harshrin Graefstone, age 24
- Sister: Kulfini Graefstone, age 14
- Mother: Duchess Badrahnia Graefstone (outlived her husband by 3 years)
- Father: Duke Suven Graefstone
Sueven Rulership
Sueven spent nearly 25 years as Duke of Rhyl. In that time, he locked down the duchy quite a bit. There were many calamities he and his father faced. He passed in CY 9181, after overseeing the effects of the end of the Soul Scourge. He was both presented for his sternness but appreciated for his strength and forcefulness in keeping things together in a difficult time.
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.
Rumors About the Event
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.
World-Daughters of the Elemental Consorts
Posted on October 28, 2025 in Steel-Realms
The World-Daughters of the Elemental Consorts are blood offspring of the Elemental Consorts of the Wyld. They are powerful druids and priestesses that are the will of the goddesses made flesh for a brief moment. There is never more than one for each elemental goddess at any given time.
Born with the mark of Darupet on one foot and Gaia on the other. On their forehead is the mark of their mother – one of the primary elemental consorts. Typically they are walking and talking by the age of one. They are born witches, wise beyond their years and the wisdom they are taught and visions they are shown typically cause them to willingly engage in a life of service to their mother.
They endure a Rite wherein they take a drop of her mother’s own blood bathed in anima, baptized in the element sacred to them but unharmed after drinking the blood of a manifested goddess.
Tea Lodge Network of Rhyl
Posted on October 28, 2025 in Steel-Realms
Tea Lodges of Rhyl manage family finances, arrange travel to Kaald, some marriages intertwined, refuge seekers, tea, and said to span race. Maple syrup from freelanders and Kaald. It experienced a renewed influence and power in the events of Tea House Revival of CY 9126 – 9130. The lodges also always stock northern teas of Rhyl.
Symbol: A simple yellow tea cup; “Nothing happens in the north that is not discussed over tea.”
Areas of Influence: The Lodge Tradition in Rhyl is strongest in the east of the The Grand Duchy of Rhyl. In Rhyl, the ancient Tea Lodges will be found in the areas outside of The Rhylan Grants and old kingdoms that were located inside the forest along its edges. Mostly this consists of the areas to the east of the plateau all the way to the mountains and up to North Gate Garrison.
The women of the Tea Lodges of Rhyl have a disdain of the culture around the War Brides of Rhyl and you will not find many in their ranks.
Criminal Activity? Some believe the Tea House tradition is even leveraged as a smuggling channel – though what it would smuggle is dubious… the efforts of The Red March make for severe penalties – not to mention extreme ethical quandaries.
The Bitter Leaves
In fact, the Tea Lodge members include a band of smugglers who call themselves The Bitter Leaves, an old organization and technically part of the Criminal Presence in Rhyl. They are located in the east of the duchy, but their network is the entire duchy; They avoid direct clashes with other criminal elements. They handle refuge seekers into Kaald (through a secret route!?), girls seeking to avoid arranged marriages, a few rare foodstuffs and trinkets for the wealthy, and money and supplies from clandestine fundraisers. They never use the Bank of the Silver Stacks.
The Order of the Green Garters
The Order of the Green Garter is a women-only order nominally of camaraderie and accomplishment within the Tea Lodges of Rhyl. Long has it been said it is involved in marriage, politics, and even revenge through its agents of the Garter Blades – they often train young noble women to fight. There’s rumors that those men who try to abuse their position often find themselves in compromising positions or worse. There are Rumors they are tied to hag activity historically. These agents of the Tea Lodges of Rhyl gain some of the Witchwood each harvest to enhance their… powers of persuasion.