Tag: land-highking
North Gate Garrison
Posted on June 10, 2021 in Steel-Realms
This territory is considered Dominion of the High King Lands means the rulers have given the Sworn Oath of High King’s Service to the High King of the Steel Realms.
- Humans make up the bulk of those sent to serve; They are sent from all over the realms.
- Elves from the north and central heartlands send companies to serve; The elves of Ynth serve in other places to defend against the Dark Lands incursions.
- Dwarves send volunteers to serve in companies like the elves; Those in the south only send to serve against the Dark LAnd incursions.
- Halflings are not found here – they all serve in the Grey Woods with their Skraeling kin to defend against Dark Land incursions.
- The Ducateon send none to serve in the fight directly – they continue to supply valuable services as smiths, masons, and engineers.
Many arches along The Red March and at many places in North Gate Garrison are equipped with the keystone of Aerna’s Rhylan Reveal to detect undead.
North Gate Garrison is massive. The scope of the installation is truly overwhelming. A massive wall stretches the entire north-south length of the wide pass the connects the northern Hinterlands and the fallen kingdom of the Lich Lords from the northern heartlands. It is a mass of activity and industry. Smiths, masons, and carpenters are at work repairing buildings – of which there are many along the wall – and the distant din of battle is heard over everything.
The Red Marchs’ end is here. The presence of the Military of North Gate Garrison is massive and ongoing in its sometimes daily battles. The Hoarblight is a terrifying death effect that targets places near and along The Autumn Wall and The Red March.Prevailing Weather in the area:
Constituent Parts of North Gate Garrison
The Fortified city of Alstaad[/su_pThe Autumn Wall of North Gate GarrisonThe Autumn Wallermalink] holds over 150,000 inhabitants, and the reinforced main keep holds some 40,000. It is where new soldiers arrive and are posted from. The defenses of the the “North Gate Pass” consist of:- The Autumn Wall – A massive 30′ thick wall running the entire breadth of the pass.
- North Tower Keep – The north most fortification and anchor of The Autumn Wall. It goes some 60 feet into the rock base.
- Orgins Tower
- Silverspear – The Northern Citadel
- Steelboot – The Eastern Citadel
- Bellring Gatehouse
- The Forlorn Keep
- Sunstand Castle – The southern anchor point of The Autumn Wall
Southern Boundary
On the northern edge of the Crags of Ilbarsia are a stretch of peaks the run to North Gate Garrison called the Rime Basin Peaks – all part of the Tolkisson Mountain Range. Here is the sacred deep lake of Rime Cauldron of Kaerslein – Elemental Consort of Water, one of her most sacred places. A massive iced waterfall called Kaerslein’s Veil spills into it, in a roil of fog and mist that spill out into multiple low point basins generating an icy rain in the high hills – creating a mystical barrier against the minions of the Lich Lords from coming over the mountains from the Oderach Valley on the other side of the main Tolkisson Mountain peaks.
- War Time Policies: The sale of armor and weapons is NOT allowed.
- Peace Time Policies: The sale of armor and weapons is through approved/permitted sellers to those with permission or cause ONLY. Availability may limit even this.
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
This place is one of many that Commoners of the Steel Realms serve in as part of the Realms Levy to directly stand watch & fight in.
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.
Minor Outcome / Average Difficulty & Uncommon Knowledge
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
CY 9185, Months 2-5 Corpsefire Days: Corpses in the The Winter Host of the Lich Lord’s appear on the battlefields in the Dark Lands, Kaald, and remote eastern edges of The Grand Duchy of Rhyl; They are quickly consumed by their own instability or used as shock troops before they suffered dissolution. It is thought they were affected by the Blood Sky over The North.
Pacification Garrisons (for High King’s Army)
Posted on June 1, 2021 in Steel-Realms
Pacification Garrisons are mostly empty, simple walled fortress that can station up to 10,000 soldiers serving at their Duty Stations; 15,000 in cramped quarters. These are manned by and used for the army of the High King of the Steel Realms. They have 3 month food stores and almost all have 2 wells. They store a variety of old weapons and bits or armor from campaigns long past. The gates are always shut, and they are manned by rotating guards consisting of 30 soldiers and 30 Garrison Keepers (and families) – masons, teamsters, logistics for upkeep and defense. There are about 18 garrisons from Rhyl to Vale Evander. Outside of each is a small town near the gate, usually just basic services, a tavern, and an inn to handle travelers – suppliers of the garrison and the Garrison Keepers. The the sale of armor and weapons is strictly prohibited in time of war or peace unless availability is augmented (such as a nearby victorious battlefield stripped of gear).
These locations are considered Dominion of the High King Lands means the rulers have given the Sworn Oath of High King’s Service to the High King of the Steel Realms.
These locations have a World Watcher Edifice as a standard part of their functioning.
Security: The garrisons have more than mundane safeguards that prevent their easy occupations by forces outside of the High King’s regular army. There are always a few World Watchers resting and observing at any given garrison. When active, each will have at least one of the Order of the Black Gorgon. The area around each of these has been cleared to provide a clear rfield of fire for the inhabitants in case they are beseiged.
The forested areas that were cut down for them have grown back at an accelerated rate in different areas since around CY 8500 – believed to be part of the effects of The Odyssey of Elancil’s Wound. This has created a source of income for the garrisons to sell the wood as it requires that it be cut down for defense fields of fire.
The High King’s office has very little trust in most of the territories of the realms. The Duke of Dunstrand is one of the few exceptions that has the trusted ability to quickly man and assist the High King’s regular army.
The massive Pacification Garrisons have come to take the place of the Picket Keeps of the Heartlands – the small and numerous fortified small keeps that once dotted the landscape to watch for and be a bastion against Orrish incursions.
Locations
Grand Duchy of Fhayl (Steel Realms)
Posted on September 21, 2017
The Grand Duchy of Fhayl (it is part of the High King’s extended lands, not the territorial Kingdom of Gladnor) is located in the east of the southern/central heartlands. To its NE is the massive Bleak Swamp.
This territory is considered Dominion of the High King Lands means the rulers have given the Sworn Oath of High King’s Service to the High King of the Steel Realms. As with all allies of and lands under the Dominion of the High King, this locale is subject to the Realms Levy.
The Duchy is fairly militaristic, surrounded by many parties who are hostile to each other, though not the Grand Duchy (the protection of the High King has its benefits).
This territory is considered Dominion of the High King Lands means the rulers have given the Sworn Oath of High King’s Service to the High King of the Steel Realms.
Commerce, Economy, and Travel
Culture and Social Perspectives
Death Observance:
More Materials
Grand Duchy of Rhyl in the Steel Realms
Posted on October 27, 2015 in Steel-Realms
The Grand Duchy of Rhyl ( ‘rill’/’rilly-an’) is an ancient and quiet place except for its borders. It has been settled in waves over time, and is a mix of people that have blended together into its own (now ancient) culture and traditions. It is part of The Noble East on the continent of Ustermaya. Like other ‘grand’ Fiefs, it is part of the High King’s extended lands, not the territorial Kingdom of Gladnor; As part of the northern heartlands, it shares access to the Beyne River (which flows west to the ocean) and the massive Caolite Basin/Lake Caolite – both on its southern boundary. Rhyl has some of the oldest noble families in all the realms outside of the current kingdoms of Gladnor and Umbak. Their society has deep roots in the desire for peace, freedom, and balance with an understanding that it must be fought for. Their culture is a mix of ancient ones that once mingled in the north, and their own influenced by Gladnor. Tall pines, cold winds, deep silence, and mystery are found in the massive pine forest at its heart. Technology is not prevalent in Rhyl, though Merkaine’s Shrine of Shieldfire is the source of the Lamasoil Lamps in Rhyl.
This territory is considered Dominion of the High King Lands means the rulers have given the Sworn Oath of High King’s Service to the High King of the Steel Realms. As with all allies of and lands under the Dominion of the High King, this locale is subject to the Realms Levy.
Rulership/Governance: Duke Suevan Graefstone II, age 45 {Integrity ****} > Of the Graefstone Ducal Lineage, ruling from the capital City of Rhylan
Symbol: (Since CY 7715) Great Northern Owl; “Wisdom warms a cold shoulder.”
> This replaced the grey northern wolf symbol used since the days of the kingdoms – a traditional and culturally embedded icon of the north and the symbol of Rhyl for thousands of years.
Unless a specific alternative is provided, Commoners of the Noble East coming of age in/from this Experience will shape their perspective to the Cultural Experience of Rhyl. A group of characters can form a shared Cultural Bond.
The Flavor of the Grand Duchy of Rhyl
Known For: The Duchy of Rhyl is the vital “Shield of the North” – a protective buffer since the Lich Lords took control of the Fallen kingdom of Dundaria (Lichrya). It walks a delicate balance between all the powers around it. When political relations broke down with the Hinterlands of the North and the High King, Rhyl honored as much of its alliances as it could. Forever it has held true to the treaties it made with the wyld peoples of the pine tribes bordering it to the west, the halflings, and Klaurians.
Territorial Issues: This territory is considered part of the Dominion of the High King Lands – its rulers have given the Sworn Oath of High King’s Service to the High King of the Steel Realms. The Grand Duchy of Rhyl lays claim North Pines in its NW, but struggles in imposing its laws and territorial claims. The southern border is in constant skirmishes and disagreements with the Merchant Cities of the North. The High Temple of Aerna‘s presence in the north ensures that there is a higher degree of peace or at least positive diplomatic relations in The Grand Duchy of Rhyl.
A Land of Many Forests: Rhyl is an old and verdant place, full of many forests of mostly pine, spruce, fir, and some birch and ash. The trees, while of average height, grow thicker and have deeper roots. The Great Forest of Rhyl has an ancient Historical Chronicle detailing constant conflict from those dwelling in it and around it. It is also famous for the variety and quality of the Mushrooms of Rhyl. It is said several smaller faerie races once made their home here, but retreated to the deepest depths of the forest at its heart as it was settled.
The Weather in the Grand Duchy of Rhyl is often cooler and wetter than the rest of the heartlands of The Noble East of the Steel Realms.
- Atypical Weather: The Weather in the Grand Duchy of Rhyl is not typical; It can be extreme, and the magic of the Wylden and the Great Forest of Rhyl affect it as it works against the Hoarwind and biting Fangedfrost of the Lich Lords. This magic gives the Autumn Wall its name and characteristics.
- Fortified East: Faeum River flows west from the foothills of the Tolkisson Mountain Range to Lake Caolite, dividing the North Heartlands and Central Heartlands on the eastern edge. Close alliances create peace in the duchy constantly threatened on the edges of the lands the border the Valley of Sighs and the Fallen East – home of the Lich Lords.
- Bulwark Against Undead: Both the High Temple of Aerna in the city of Rhylan making Aerna’s Rhylan Reveal and the Maiyu Amulet talisman made by House Narcosa enable the duchy in its role of “Shield of the North” against the Lich Lords.
These are the common references for the defining qualities of the Rhylian folk and the duchy.
Cultural Overview & References for the Grand Duchy of Rhyl
Grand Barony of Fandelok in the Steel Realms
Posted on September 12, 2015
The Grand Barony of Fandelok (it is part of the High King’s extended lands, not the territorial Kingdom of Gladnorr) is located in the north/west of the central heartlands of the larger Kingdom of Gladnor. Also referred to as The Slumbering Barony, or Slumbering Fandelok, nearly nothing ever happens here. North is Dunstrand, West is Umbak, forest, mountain, inland sea… it is protected and allied with everyone around it and serves asa neutral place for negotiations between them all.
Populace of the High King: This territory is considered Dominion of the High King Lands means the rulers have given the Sworn Oath of High King’s Service to the High King of the Steel Realms.
This territory is considered Dominion of the High King Lands means the rulers have given the Sworn Oath of High King’s Service to the High King of the Steel Realms. As with all allies of and lands under the Dominion of the High King, this locale is subject to the Realms Levy.
The Sunbelt Merchants dominate trade operations in the barony. Businesses and representatives of the Bank of the Silver Stacks are allowed in some places here.
Bylua Sea
Commerce, Economy, and Travel
Culture and Social Perspectives
Death Observances: Common Death and Cultural Observances of the Heartlands.