Tag: loc-rhyl
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 claim to it.
- Recognized Administrative Center/Seat of Power: None
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
- Ducal Patrols: These are infrequent and more of a show of force.
- Klaurian Patrols: These are infrequent and more to ensure no natural hazards block the way.
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 trail over the pass is solid and wide; The Klaurians use it on rare occasions and they perform some maintenance on it as an alternate route to the northern Altair Passage
Simple Outcome / Easy Difficulty & Common Knowledge
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.
There is an abandoned mud-brick village near the top called “Hoof Top”. No roofs survive and it is not maintained, but it is sometimes used as a neutral meeting point when issues affecting all nearby need to be discussed.
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.
Rare Knowledge / Very Hard Difficulty
There is a mystically concealed path leading to Chapel of the Black Sun from the ruins of the Hoof Top Village. It has confounded the most proficient rangers, world Watchers, priests and Magi forever.
Most of the Chapel of the Black Sun
The Summer Queen’s Tower (North Gate Garrison)
Posted on January 16, 2026 in Steel-Realms
The Summer Queen’s Tower (sometimes called “Chirisin’s Tower”, after Queen Chirisin Emsworth) is a high thin tower behind used for observation over the wall to try and see over the fog that obscures the other side of it. The Summer Queen’s Tower is about 120 feet behind The Autumn Wall, between Orgins Tower and the fortification of Bellring Gatehouse. Its exterior is beaten and damaged from siege engine attacks by the undead. It is circular and built to deflect siege engine attacks.
It soars 40 feet higher than the upper edge of the wall, coming to a thin point from which lookouts can see over the wall and over the fog, looking down on Rhylian Gap/Autumn’s End beyond the wall. It is a marvel of Dwarven engineering, with help from their Ducateon cousins. It mounts a lens (polished by elven finesmiths from the Wealds of Rhyl) from which light can be shone for a great distance, or it can magnify what is is turned towards. It is manned by the magi capable of sending messages to commanders across the length of the wall using occult powers.
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.
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.
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 tower was created in CY 7412. It does not have the same regenerative properties as The Autumn Wall itself.
Minor Outcome / Average Difficulty & Uncommon Knowledge
Its inhabitants are often attacked by swarms of zombie bats, trying to poison or inflict disease on those who man it, or to obscure the vision of the lens. Other more powerful things have assaulted it, but mostly it is common minions that do. It has never been damaged, though the lens has been a few times over its lifespan.
Passfield Family of (ancient) Rhyl
Posted on January 14, 2026 in Steel-Realms
The Passfield Family of Rhyl is one of the ancient Old Families of Rhylan. They have been around since the time of the Kingdoms of old Rhylan, which consolidated into a single kingdom before CY 7000. The lineage is ancient.
The family once ruled over the ancient Kingdom of Arningtang.
Cultural Overview & References for the Grand Duchy of Rhyl
Unique Peerage Title
Established Rulership of the Old Rhylan Kingdoms Lineages are titled as “The honorable Grand Vicount/Countess” through the The Rhylander Compromise.
Chronicle/Facts of the Family
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.
Rumors About the Family
- The family has tried several times to dissolve the Grand Duchy back into its constituent kingdoms.
- The family has worked with the North Merchant Cities to discredit the forces of the Duke and High King.
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 family signed on (reluctantly) to the The Rhylander Compromise marking the transition that was negotiated into the Kingdoms of old Rhylan to the eventual establishment of The Grand Duchy of Rhyl in CY 6514.
Kingdoms of old Rhylan were shrunk and became the The Rhylan Grants.Minor Outcome / Average Difficulty & Uncommon Knowledge
The ancient lands of the Kingdom of Arningtang was theirs, from about CY 3900 to the time of the consolidation into a single kingdom around CY 6500. The area became part of a single kingdom under the unification efforts of Lady Chirisin Emsworth (The Summer Queen of Rhylan).
Muncaster Family of (ancient) Rhyl
Posted on January 14, 2026 in Steel-Realms
The Muncaster Family of Rhyl is one of the ancient Old Families of Rhylan. They have been around since the time of the Kingdoms of old Rhylan, which consolidated into a single kingdom before CY 7000. The lineage is ancient and considered a minor but prestigious bloodline. They have purposefully remained out of the political machinations of the other high houses. The Muncaster Family of Rhyl have a strong presence in the Lodge Tradition in Rhyl, and contribute a majority to the upkeep of the Tea Lodge of Rhylan – maintaining its own secured room there still. They are charitable and give to many smaller local charities – small but having great public exposure.
The family once ruled over the ancient Kingdom of Estarian.
Cultural Overview & References for the Grand Duchy of Rhyl
Unique Peerage Title
Established Rulership of the Old Rhylan Kingdoms Lineages are titled as “The honorable Grand Vicount/Countess” through the The Rhylander Compromise.
Mingled Bloodlines of Lower Houses
The family has spent thousands of years marrying into the dozen or so minor noble families considered lesser houses that have shared resource management through the The Rhylander Compromise. This gives them a unique position of being well informed. Combine this with their high support for the Lodge Tradition in Rhyl makes them possibly the most well informed sources of information in the entire duchy (probably used to keep the notice of the other houses away from them!).
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.
Rumors About the Family
- The family has tried several times to dissolve the Grand Duchy back into its constituent kingdoms.
- The family has worked with the North Merchant Cities to discredit the forces of the Duke and High King.
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 family signed on (reluctantly) to the The Rhylander Compromise marking the transition that was negotiated into the Kingdoms of old Rhylan to the eventual establishment of The Grand Duchy of Rhyl in CY 6514.
Kingdoms of old Rhylan were shrunk and became the The Rhylan Grants.Minor Outcome / Average Difficulty & Uncommon Knowledge
The ancient lands of the Kingdom of Estarian was theirs, from about CY 3900 to the time of the consolidation into a single kingdom around CY 6500. The area became part of a single kingdom under the unification efforts of Lady Chirisin Emsworth (The Summer Queen of Rhylan).
Rare Knowledge / Very Hard Difficulty
Old Lands: What makes the Cossra-Anter Ford remarkable is that both of the ancient grants were originally granted by the ancient Muncaster family in their old lands; The grants were on the SW edge of an early “kingdom” as the contested area was being settled. These descendants settled there were pine tribesmen ‘civilized’ through trade as the Kingdoms of Old Rhylan were being fought over and developed.
Lyford Family of (ancient) Rhyl
Posted on January 14, 2026 in Steel-Realms
The Lyford Family of Rhyl is one of the ancient Old Families of Rhylan. They have been around since the time of the Kingdoms of old Rhylan, which consolidated into a single kingdom before CY 7000. The lineage is ancient.
The family once ruled over the ancient Kingdom of Bernicia.
Cultural Overview & References for the Grand Duchy of Rhyl
Unique Peerage Title
Established Rulership of the Old Rhylan Kingdoms Lineages are titled as “The honorable Grand Vicount/Countess” through the The Rhylander Compromise.
Chronicle/Facts of the Family
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.
Rumors About the Family
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 family signed on (reluctantly) to the The Rhylander Compromise marking the transition that was negotiated into the Kingdoms of old Rhylan to the eventual establishment of The Grand Duchy of Rhyl in CY 6514.
Kingdoms of old Rhylan were shrunk and became the The Rhylan Grants.Minor Outcome / Average Difficulty & Uncommon Knowledge
The ancient lands of the Kingdom of Bernicia was theirs, from about CY 3900 to the time of the consolidation into a single kingdom around CY 6500. The area became part of a single kingdom under the unification efforts of Lady Chirisin Emsworth (The Summer Queen of Rhylan).