Tag: dragon-mark-frost
Jumpford (Rhyl)
Posted on September 23, 2025 in Steel-Realms
Jumpford is named so because a stream goes through the center of town that you can jump. This is a sprawling settlement that is mostly just a nexus of minor trade routes, one a raised area of land of an open plain – giving good vantage and preventing flooding in off seasons. This location bears the Frost-Melded mark an ancient encounter with the Dragon of Rhyl.
Rulership/Governance: {Integrity *} Mayor
- Recognized Administrative Center/Seat of Power:
- Primary Settlement Upbringing Experience: All
Population:
Cultural Overview & References for the Grand Duchy of Rhyl
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
The Rock of Hoarthedyn
Posted on September 22, 2025
The Rock of Hoarthedyn is a large hill of about 90 acres that sits amidst the capital City of Rhylan in The Grand Duchy of Rhyl. The rock is the larger of the 2 jagged hills Rhylan is built around (Reethedyn and Hoarthedyn). This hill was once the lair of the dragon that ruled these lands over six thousand years ago. This location bears the Frost-Melded mark an ancient encounter with the Dragon of Rhyl.
Cultural Overview & References for the Grand Duchy of Rhyl
Rimevale (Rhyl)
Posted on September 21, 2025
Rimevale is a small vale on an uplift along the south edge of the great Forest of Rhyl in The Grand Duchy of Rhyl. It has a small stretch of low hills to the west, a couple villages, and an old ruined temple that serves as a place of scholars in the single town. There are several small streams running throughout that area. The elevation is about 350-450 feet higher than the normal floor for the Rhyl Forest, making the temperature here lower in the winter and the area prone to cold fogs. This location bears the Frost-Melded mark an ancient encounter with the Dragon of Rhyl.
Cultural Overview & References for the Grand Duchy of Rhyl
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.
Trivial Outcome / Very Easy Difficulty & Pervasive Knowledge
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.
Rhyl General Events
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 The Grand Duchy of Rhyl.
CY 5580 Fall of Dundaria in the North – Frostfang spreads, the Lich Lord power rises. Horses of the undead, fortunately disorganized (at first), sweep south and west from the heart of old Dundaria.
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 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 7007 The area of North Gate Garrison freed & The Red March created; Money, supplies, and manpower flow into the north to fight the Lich Lords.
Simple Outcome / Easy Difficulty & Common Knowledge
For those native to or long-dwelling in the region, ALL Common Knowledge may be Pervasive.
Reedbed City (ruins; Rhyl)
Posted on September 21, 2025 in Steel-Realms
Reedbed City is a ruins in the Reedbed Principality of the Grand Duchy of Rhyl. This location bears the Frost-Melded mark an ancient encounter with the Dragon of Rhyl. The limits and stipulations for Historical Designation and Exploration in the Steel Realms are well documented.
Rulership/Governance: {Integrity *} None – perhaps a criminal or highwayman kloosely controls some of the ruins.
- Recognized Administrative Center/Seat of Power:
- Primary Settlement Upbringing Experience:
Population:
Cultural Overview & References for the Grand Duchy of Rhyl
Notably nothing much more than ruins. Its been sacked multiple times in its history, which dates back to the times when the Dragon ruled. Over time, the limestone waterways under the coast have caused several collapses in the ruins, the entire area is considered dangerous. It is a haven for smugglers, brigands, and their ilk.
Ruined Church of Elancil
A Riverman enclave USED to exists in this locale. They were typical of their kind – close knit, insular, and professional in all their dealings. Like most, they venerated Elancil to appease the Sea-Queen and have a Shrine with an Altar for worship, but keep it out of sight to reduce any difficulties or resentments.
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.
Trivial Outcome / Very Easy Difficulty & Pervasive Knowledge
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.
Rhyl General Events
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 The Grand Duchy of Rhyl.
CY 5580 Fall of Dundaria in the North – Frostfang spreads, the Lich Lord power rises. Horses of the undead, fortunately disorganized (at first), sweep south and west from the heart of old Dundaria.
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 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 7007 The area of North Gate Garrison freed & The Red March created; Money, supplies, and manpower flow into the north to fight the Lich Lords.
Simple Outcome / Easy Difficulty & Common Knowledge
For those native to or long-dwelling in the region, ALL Common Knowledge may be Pervasive.
Cryth-Mor Holt (cursed Ducateon ruins)
Posted on September 19, 2025 in Steel-Realms
The ruins of Cryth-Mor in The Sky Stair Peaks are utterly unapproachable both physically and due to some curse that has befallen it – all who venture in are never heard from again. The Ducateon did their best to wreck the road and out Holt, but the main holt still stands. It was known to have a rich vein of gold that the Ducateon mined until they abandoned it. This location bears the Frost-Melded mark an ancient encounter with the Dragon of Rhyl. The limits and stipulations for Historical Designation and Exploration in the Steel Realms are well documented.
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.
Trivial Outcome / Very Easy Difficulty & Pervasive Knowledge
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 Ducateon left and were never seen again, though they sent word ____.
Rumors About the Locale
Rhyl Formative Events
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 6909 The Fall of the Grand Barony of Altair from a curse by the Lich Lords. The main passage of troops and supplies from the hinterlands and nfar north to the The Grand Duchy of Rhyl is sacked by an undead army led by a ghoul king.
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.
> For 3000 years, the Kingdoms of old Rhylan was the primary form of Rulership in the territory of the current Grand Duchy.
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.
Simple Outcome / Easy Difficulty & Common Knowledge
For those native to or long-dwelling in the region, ALL Common Knowledge may be Pervasive.
The massive shape of a Ducateon hand formed the outer wall, with a stone gate in the center that was virtually seamless. The entire area of the gate in its center collapsed when it was stacked and cursed.
Minor Outcome / Average Difficulty & Uncommon Knowledge
CY 7944 The Holt is utterly swarmed and wrecked by Earth Vultures, an army of 4000+ swarmed up from the depths below, disgorging them from The Deeping in the heart of their city taking them by complete surprise. It is unknown how it gained a foothold so close without the Ducateon knowing.
CY 9102 Alcan came to investigate. He was a wizard who had made his name in the south, foraging in the deserts and borderlands for ancient powerful magic items of the fallen empire. He had scavenged many archaeological finds and made a lot of money. He was a singularly greedy man, who had made his way north by lavish means. He needed to finance his new forays into Fallen Dundaria where he sought yet more ancient artifacts, so he believed he could conquer whatever was inside and extract gold for his mission.
While none of these shooting stars of the The Blood Sky over The North (CY 9184, month 12) crashed into the Grand Duchy of Rhyl, the glittering trail of lights did descend upon The Sky Stair Peaks & Altain Mountain Range in general, Montwold Protectorate, even some of the Gaur Dinuae Forest as well as North Gate Pass (with North Gate Garrison).
Scarce Knowledge / Hard Difficulty
The hand/wall was said to close to a fist and block the entrance to the depths when activated by Ducateon magic.
Alcan had taken the cornerstone of Celeh (a Tower Sanctuary) and released evil spirits. He has stirred up the anger of the Dust Brothers of the South of the Bandit Kingdoms and was ultimately harried out of the south.
CY About 300 years ago, the wizard Alcan “Of The Lidless Eye” ventured with a small force into the bowels of the ruins of cursed Cryth-Mor.
CY 4905 The fortress/mine was attacked by Giants/Colossi of the Steel Realms, said to have been birthed in the Valley of Sighs and made a line of carnage that seemed to go straight for it. Whatever happened, stone tumbled down the mountainside for days, as if the Ducateon and giants were burrowing through it. The entire cliff face was nearly destroyed.
Rare Knowledge / Very Hard Difficulty
The fact was that the place had been a long time Refuge for Giants/Colossi of the Steel Realms before the Ducateon wrenched it from them, killing them for it by CY 4500.
A custom and powerful resonance field once kept incursions from the Orrish and The Deeping from opening nearby. The rock of The Sky Stair Peaks seemed to amplify this effect.