Tag: item-note
Stoneforge Valley of Rhyl
Posted on August 29, 2025 in Steel-Realms
Stoneforge Valley is home to the legendary Stonebreaker Company in Spring County of the Grand Duchy of Rhyl. The valley is located in the north of the county, east of the Gaur-Dinuae Forest of the elves, on the edge of the lands comprising North Gate Garrison. The legacy of the retreating giants leaves few who would do anything to this small enclave of their descendants in Stoneforge Valley. None have really had any issue though, even given that. These folk mostly keep to themselves.
Limited Access: Getting to the valley is difficult, their is a path/road that leads upwards, to The Brothers’ Doors.
Rulership: Hetman (the place has little real hierarchical leadership, they all seem to get along well in a homogeneous community)
Population: 3000 (though there is no official census provided); Looking at the population, you can definitely tell there is giant blood (Goliath (Half Colossi/Giant-Spawn)) still running deep in their veins. Tall, light gray with sometimes strange almost Rock formation patterns on their skin. These folk normally live twice the lifespan of a normal human.
Characters: For sure there are more of their kind seeking other adventure outside the The Grand Duchy of Rhyl – their amicability and size giving them an edge over others.
In Service to the Realms Levy
Every year they provide a freebooter band to the forces of North Gate Garrison for only a single year of service as part of the Realms Levy; Those that survive consider it a badge of honor, and they go on to form their own bands or pass on knowledge gained to others soldiers, watchmen, or scouts before joining their ranks or leaving the enclave in search of adventure. Their crafting of the famous Stone Forged Weapons is also considered a contribution from their people in service to the levy.
This locale trains characters in the practice of the Rhylian Undead Hunters.
Legacy of Giant-Kin Relations
It is said they still trade with the giants of Skyhollow (giant-home) in The Sky Stair Peaks to the north. Their crafters make finely made goods that their large hands of giants find difficult. Food, drink, stories & news, and finely made goods on request are traded each year in the spring at a specific place in the giant’s lands to the north. A few have tried to follow or impersonate their representatives over the years, and are never heard of again. The inhabitants of Stoneforge Valley guard the specific knowledge of their interactions from outsiders – though it is well known they interact and trade with them. The DDuke lets them be for now – they serve at North Gate Garrison in their own way fairly, and their interactions with their giant-kin do not bring harm upon others… thus far. The World Watchers are known to keep a distant eye upon such things, but do not attempt to interfere or uncover routes or track and exchanges – the peace is tenuous but works for all.
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/People
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.
CY – Original founding of the community.
Uncommon Knowledge / Average Difficulty
Giant-Kin of the Stoneforge Valley of Rhyl Origins: Only the Giants of Intellect and Stone have mated with humanoids outside of the south. In the past, in the Chronicle of the Giants – The Walk North, their number dwindled as they were the self-appointed guardians of giant clans, and many of their number were killed in rearguard actions. As they walked north, it was seen as a threat by many, as they often depopulated swathes of herd and domestic animals and plants in their haste. As they came to the north, just beyond The Giants Steps, they met in battle with a clan of Wyldlings. This time the stone giants were in the vanguard, and managed to parley with them, and the Wyldings saw the situation for what it was, and allied with them to escort them.
The stone giants cemented this alliance in a bond of fertility with dozens of the giant women stayed and gave birth, infusing the Wylding bloodlines with earth power and generations of giant-kin. This caused a splintering of culture and suspicion with other Wyldings over time as the bloodline produced more massive half giant-kin. Eventually they were forced to leave The Wyldes of the Heartlands and they found a safe place east in a mountain home of Stoneforge Valley to the northeast, in more ‘civilized’ lands.
Scarce Knowledge / Hard Difficulty
Around CY 3980 – 4228 there is a ‘great walk along the The Giants Steps of many types of giants going north into the great mountains ranges or the Freelands; The refuge of the The Sky Stair Peaks was a place of safety and prosperity for them momentarily.
Rare Knowledge / Very Hard Difficulty
The goliaths have tales of fighting side by side with the Bloodless Herd of Havaelinn Wild Heart that are unknown to outsiders; A group of locals led by some of the Stonebreaker Company fighting on the Autumn Wall in CY 8851 thought to sacrifice themselves tto kill as many retreating undead from a failed Lich Lord offensive when they spied the herd and gave of their own blood to make them flesh. They descended upon the retreating remnants and slaughtered them. Most lived, and it bought a month of respite on the wall. Since then, the ghostly elk have provided warnings to the folk of the valley.
It was also revealed that peak night of the new moon of the slaughter that the Goliath blood became undetectable to the Lich Lord’s minions.
Spider Top (Rhyl)
Posted on August 27, 2025
Spider Top is an area in the Enthavelaugh Weald that is kept fairly dry and the spiders of the area are both its guardians and spin silk for some of their magic items. This is a tree-home of trees woven together at the top by a thousand years of silk from the giant spiders that have been bred and live in the copse. This location bears the Frost-Melded mark an ancient encounter with the Dragon of Rhyl.
Enthavelaugh Spiderin: Spider Top is a large area on top of a knoll with a 1km diameter top that rises about 400 feet and a stream at its eastern base. The woods outside of the knoll are also home to the Enthavelaugh Spiderin. These feed on rabbits bred by the elves and leave other creatures of the Forest alone.
- Spider Top is one of the Sacred Places of Neitht – The Spider Sovereign.
Doget’s Petal: The Doget’s Petal/Doget’s Petal is a thin leather and cloth suit of armor with a hood that is shaped to the body of the wearer. Its composition is unique silks, waxes, and treatments from the area. It appears as a suit of light leather with a vertical set of skirt plates. It is never sold to outsiders, and only gifted to those who perform a high deed for the region or specifically the elves of Rhyl.
i20™ Armor Details
Prestige Mark > It is considered fitted Leather with +3 Resilience (only fits the wearer) and Cold Resistance & the powers of Cloak of Elven Kind. When among the rocks and land of the region of Rhyl, it is treated as a Elven Cloak. Outside, under the sky, the armor can be worn at night and slept in without discomfort – actually helping the character become comfortable; once slept in for a Long Rest cycle and Attuned, it grants the wearer +1 Initiative while it is worn & character can use all three Resilience at once – this destroys it and it cannot be repaired.
iCore™ Armor Details
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.
Redbrand Armory
Posted on August 27, 2025
The Redbrand Armory of Redmark is a long famous Prestigious Armament Crafter in Barony of Redmark of the Grand Duchy of Rhyl. They have been operating in the same place since CY 8157. The armory is known for its defenses against undead and spirits (specifically by the clergy of Ikribu and the green Church of Darupet (animals working bellows, wheels, etc.), and its non stop production, day and night, all year round. Although the armories at
Crafter’s Mark: This armament tradition has their own identifiable Prestige Mark.
Redbrand Doublet: The signature armor of The Redbrand Armory is the Redbrand Doublet. It is a tightly sewn padded doublet with a leather breastplate and tassets protecting the hip and thigh; Iti is ONLY supplied to those along the Red March, or given to those who earned it as a reward.
i20™ Armor Details
It is considered Leather with +1 Resilience.
> Prestige Mark Coldmarked Doublet. Leather armor, +2 Resilience, “forge wax” from the apiary of Mizras Temple of the Bone Breakers reduced cold damage by 1 per strike.
iCore™ Armor Details
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.
Kemethian Station (minor trade crossing, Rhyl)
Posted on July 14, 2025 in Steel-Realms
Kemethian Station is the primary trade Settlement post and gathering place of the The Kemethian Fisherfolk in the Kemethian Wetlands. The station is on the north edge of the wetlands on the edge of Lake Caolite, and is the largest settlement in the area, and a hub for trade and supplies. A trade post w/stable, wetland boatyard, and fishmarket. At one time, it was much bigger than it is now, and there is always a villa or manse for rent or sale. Many have tried to resurrect its glory, but it has stubbornly refused to become the urban power it once was. Kemethian Station is technically outside the natural boundary of the Barony of Kopriane, it is the collective front of the Fisherfolk – who’se homeland has been given over to the Baron of Kopraine to rule. Otherwise, there are several smaller family holdings scattered over the wetlands on high spots within the delta area.
Initial Description:
This is…
Greater Sovereignty: {part of larger territory?}
Type: {type} (see Settlement Planning and Design in The Realms)
Governance: {model} (see Titles and Honors of The Realms)
Population: {total perm} / Transient:
Demographics:
Groups/Factions:
Primary Hospitality/Accommodations:
- {place} > Housing (long or short)/Entertainment (type)
Commerce: {commerce} (see Trade Organizations/Institutions of the Realms)
Institutions: (see institutions of The Realms)
- {inst-name} > Primary Services Secondary Services
Founding: {approximate year/age and culture of origin}
Primary Surrounding Habitat and Weather:
Roads, Streets, & Thoroughfares:
- Waste: Runs/Bins > Collection | Minor Sewers or Major Sewers
Defenses: {defensive works, fortifications, garrisons, holdouts}
- Police/Watch: | Officers:
- Constables & Detectives:
- Elite Tactical Forces: | Officers:
- Militia/Volunteers: | Officers: > War Time Only?
- Military:
The Candy Cap Mushroom Trade Pipeline: The Greykin Hill People trade some of the Candy Cap Mushroom Harvest to the The Kemethian Fisherfolk for Kemethian millipedes, and they in turn prepare and sell it to others from Kemethian Station in the Barony of Kopriane and the whole County of Dunaine as a well known delicacy.
Uplands Kemethian Bridge
This stone bridge is under constant maintenance of the locals. It is only wide enough for a small cart, and goods do flow on it at a constant basis. Being nestled amidst the wetlands, with a forest on the south side, the road here is a secondary one. Most of the trade over the river uses Harriman’s Gap, with the Uplands Kemethian Bridge handling smaller levels of trade.
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/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.
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.
Common Knowledge / Easy Difficulty
For those native to or long-dwelling in the region, ALL Common Knowledge may be Pervasive.
Mizras Temple of the Bone Breakers (Rhyl)
Posted on June 9, 2025
Mizras Temple of the Bone Breakers is here at the start of The Red March, in the City of Redmark.
Heroic Weapons: The temple purchases Ducateon Weathering armaments for their followers and adherents to purchase on their journey or perhaps even as a reward for heroic deeds in the north. Duxamet can be purchased here for triggering the effects – at a discount to followers of course.
Forge Wax: The warmth of the forges of the Mizras Temple of the Bone Breakers and Redbrand Armory of Redmark supply year round warmth and inspiration for the Forgewax Apiary of Mizras maintained by clergy of Mizras; It is made for the special Redbrand Doublet. Additionally, the Mizras Temple of the Bone Breakers produces more Forge Sweat than any other place in the realms for the defense of North Gate Garrison.
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.
Scarce Knowledge / Hard Difficulty
It is said Sir General Hadmiren‘s bones are buried in the blessed soil of his homeland of Rhyl at Home Garden at North Gate Garrison – an honor afforded a rare few in thousands of years.
Rare Knowledge / Very Hard Difficulty
One of the minor Orbs of War was drained into the apiary of the bees which create Forge Wax. It is whispered that there is a special Redbrand Doublet made ONLY for special followers of Mizras.