Home - Page

Tag: world-watchers-item

Horns of the Hornguard of Rhyl

Posted on September 26, 2025

Steel Realms

The Horns of the Hornguard of Rhyl are used by the Hornguard of Rhyl in their service to keeping watch. These are soldiers in the towers of each section, rangers and World Watchers that serve to protect the north as well. The horns will all ring in the towers of each section of their lands they watch over.

nearly indestructible
made from Minotaur made by elves
mountain goats of houska = a few replacement ram horns

When blown by one who has taken The Oath of the Hornguard, it can:

slow down animations
horn calls:
section, number, type of foe


i20™ Item Details

i20 Text

iCore iCore™ Item Details

Pages on the web site lean towards i20™ text flavor, discrepancies will be noted in the iCore™ tab.

Realm's Aptitude Powers: Divine, Occult, and Psychic

The Lodge of the Songbird (Heralds Hall of Rhyl)

Posted on September 15, 2025 in Steel-Realms

Steel Realms

The Lodge of the Songbird is the ‘Heralds Hall’ of the Duke of Rhyl and the primary Bard & Herald Archetype order of the north. It is located in the City of Rhylan of the Grand Duchy of Rhyl. It is a center of knowledge and training for the Heraldic Boreal Tradition. World Watchers are welcome here, as are any who wish to study Lores of the Steel Realms. A record of all members exists in the ducal sponsored Lodge of the Songbird, in Rhylan. There are also bardic supplies and facilities here.

A duplicate of all the heraldry, lineages and rulership of the northern heartlands has been collected and stored here for training. Most are duplicated in the Deepstone Archive of Rhylan and the Libraries of Port Towne. The traditional Law and Legal Procedures in Rhyl, Laws and Codes of the Realms, and the Freelander Way are studied by the Heralds of the lodge. Lute, harps, and guitars made with the “acoustic bronze” elements from Inderood Brozeworks and silver strings for bards in the Lodge of the Songbird from the Heraldic Boreal Tradition.

Initial Description: The Lodge of the Songbird is a large structure of white limestone, painted white and green to reflect the heraldry of the Duke of Rhyl. It contains a central college of scribes and scriveners, a dormitory (that could hold two hundred or more & supportive facilities), a library, a workshop for music and art, a visitors wing, a scholars workshop and a large arch dedicated to the 2 pillars of knowledge venerated here – Delleth and Ezrilus.

Rhyl Culture | Territories & Fiefs | Features | North Gate Garrison | Map

Defining Ideal: The Grand Duchy of Rhyl has been "The Shield of the North" in the wars of The Noble East vs. The Broken Lands for thousands of years as well as stradling the crossroads of many powers and maintaining a tense peace. The Chronicle of Rhyl shows it first as many fiefdoms of 'The Lands of Rhylan' (CY 5500's), then a united kingdom (CY 5980), then as a duchy of the High Kings' kingdom of Gladnor (CY 6514). All citizens in the north take the pledge of Rhylan the Living.

Culture: Rhylian ( 'rill', 'rillian') locales have locally flavored experiences, but unless noted, follow general Territories and Fiefdoms properties and all share Common Culture - languages, Character Experience, institutions, Law, etc.

1-5     >    Services: *** | Comforts: ***** | Friendliness: ***** | Law/Order: ****

Heraldry/Symbol: The boreal chickadee (songbird of the North) with a sealed letter in its grip, half sun on the left, half moon on the right – symbolizes they operate at all times.

Greater Sovereignty: Grand Duchy of Rhyl

Type: Campus (see Settlement Planning and Design in The Realms)

Governance: Internal, Distinct – “High Boreal Heraldsmein” Annetia Ivistus (see Titles and Honors of The Realms)

Population: 300 / Transient: 100
Demographics: 90% human, visitors of all races and creeds.

Laws and Protocols of Note: Heraldic Protocols + standard Laws and Codes of the Realms

Groups/Factions: Bards, Scholars and Heralds; Although distinct in their roles and functions, these groups collaborate to ensure operations and functions are handled efficiently and with the reputation of the lodge at the forefront.

Primary Hospitality/Accommodations: Visitors quarters are spacious and lavish by most accounts. Even the dormitory is decorated with local art and heavily stylized.

  • Dormitory > Housing (long term)/Entertainment (arts & crafts)
  • Visitors Quarters > Housing (long or short)/Entertainment (arts & crafts, intimacy)

Commerce: Research, Scribe & Scrivening, Entertainment (music, art, dance) (see Trade Organizations/Institutions of the Realms)

Institutions: (see institutions of The Realms)

This Locale has a Office of the Herald representing the local Lord/Lady.

+ Hartwood Presence: This location leans heavily to the Wyld Faith, and has the presence of both Rhylian Briarwood and Rhylian Beastwood.

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:

Heraldic Halls in Rhyl

Heralds in Rhyl

Chronicle of the Locale

Historical Chronicle Information

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.

Establishment of the Grand Duchy of Rhyl, fiefdom of the Kingdom of Gladnor > CY 6514


Ties With the Heralds of Rhyl: The Ducal Lineage, the Ducal Guard, the speakers for the Elven Wealds of Rhyl, locals of the Territories and Fiefdoms of Rhyl know those near them, and all those trained and dwelling in the Lodge of the Songbird know the Heralds of Rhyl

Common Knowledge / Easy Difficulty

For those native to or long-dwelling in the region, ALL Common Knowledge may be Pervasive.

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.

Rare Knowledge / Very Hard Difficulty


Warning
Obscure/Hidden Knowledge is not generally available in known references; It is not necessarily Forbidden.
DO NOT READ BEYOND THIS POINT unless a character has the capability to gain such knowledge [through association, organization, or relation] if they do not possess it themselves or the reader intends to participate in scenarios using this material as a PLAYER! GM Narration will typically provide relevant information by check or story.



Realm's Aptitude Powers: Divine, Occult, and Psychic

Hornbreaker, sword of the Riverlands

Posted on March 16, 2025 in Steel-Realms

Steel Realms
Hornbreaker, sword of the Riverlands was a sword made by the noble ruling family of the Riverdan of Tuflim. The blade was crafted at the Duderet Armory of County Faer in CY 7249, made to be wielded by Astayd Vongleur, who had become the champion of the Riverdan of Tuflim – anointed by her own family. It had no name when it was made, but was a symbol for the family and folk of the Riverdan to rally around.

Item Powers (common and Attuned) can be found under Common Knowledge tab.


Chronicle of Hornbreaker

Information Sources: Mundane Reference | Associated Phenomenology Only | Specific Lore

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.

Knowledge is broken down by ease of discovery/accessibility. If nothing is indicated, assume it is Pervasive.

Pervasive Knowledge / Very Easy Difficulty

Hornbreaker, sword of the Riverlands was a sword made by the noble ruling family of the Riverdan of Tuflim. The blade was crafted at the Duderet Armory of County Faer in CY 7249, made to be wielded by Astayd Vongleur, who had become the champion of the Riverdan of Tuflim – anointed by her own family. It had no name when it was made, but was a symbol for the family and folk of the Riverdan to rally around.

The longsword, while made by a famous Duderet Armory of County Faer, was not engraved, or heavily stylized – by all accounts it was unadorned and plain other than the large yellow family stone in the pommel – though it was silvered.

  • Rumors say the warlord was funded by the Twin River powers.
  • Rumors say the warlord was a dark worshiper.

Common Knowledge / Easy Difficulty

The blade was famously wielded by the warrior woman of the noble family of the Riverdan of Tuflim named Astayd Vongleur (’vhon-glu-er’ Lineage) in a great battle. Astayd was a 2nd daughter of the noble family of Tuflim at that time, but had left to seek her fortune and returned as one of the World Watchers of the High King.

As you grasp it, you can faintly hear a horn sound, then it is broken as if it were struck. Faintly the wind carries the sound of cheers, then it fades.

Item Purpose: Rallying troops.

Common Properties

Blood & Service Bound: Some of its abilities are tied to the family bloodline and the role of World Watcher.

  • Brilliance: The large yellow faceted tourmaline gem (the family’s gemstone) in the pommel doubles the area of any ‘light’ spell/effects when cast on it. This reflects off the blade and creates a dazzling effect that impresses those around it.
  • +1 Resilience

Lesser Attunement (1 Essence total)

  • Rallying: The blade assists in rallying others around it.
  • Courageous: The blade imbues its wielder and their mount with courage.

i20™ Hornbreaker Details

Family Bloodline > Dancing Lights # times per day = Proficiency Bonus of wielder.

As long as it is wielded in hand by the possessor, they gain the following benefits:

  • Adds +1 hp to any use of Second Wind
  • +1 on any Bardic Inspiration used on the wielder
  • +1 hp to a use of Inspiring Leader by the wielder, and wielder does not count for # affected
  • +1 on any checks to Orate by the leader, the sword vibrates slightly and carries the sound of the speech twice as far.

    If a Bard wielder uses Inspiring Leader or Orate, they dont have to speak the same language as long as they can move and make eye contact and the target is not considered alien.

  • World Watcher and family blood > Wielder has Advantage on any check vs. Fear/Frightened condition; includes mount if mounted.
  • World Watcher > Empowers and enforces any Sworn Oath

iCore iCore™ Hornbreaker Details


Estimated Value: ? (Silver Crowns)

Item Source: i20™ 2023

Uncommon Knowledge / Average Difficulty

It gained its name in CY 7259, at the battle of Bentwillow Creek in the east of Bar-Innis, during the first major battle it was used in. Astayd and her cavalry rode their wedge deep into the ranks of the warlord Kurst. Kurst was a local war-band leader that had gathered mercenaries, bandits, and thieves to him, and controlled three small hamlets and the crucial trade town of Bentwillow Cross. He had come as a mercenary himself years before, and abandoned the Baron who had hired him when he could not pay. Without direction himself and owed money, he killed the local lord’s son and drove his family out. He gathered the soldiers he once commanded and the worst armed men of the local region and set out to conquer. He was trying to expand his territory from eastern Bar-Innis into the Riverdans in a big way – he saw the Riverdans as weak during a time of political unrest and easily culled. In a large pitched battle, she cut down the horn signaler and helped turn the tide for her Riverdan folk, fighting alongside a couple hedge knights or the earldom and the Baron of Bentwillow. A local knight of Bar-Innis was able to kill the warlord who was fleeing without the cover the horn could have signaled. This ended a period when the Earldom of Bar-Innis was in unrest itself from larger political changes and on the verge of civil war.

Scarce Knowledge / Hard Difficulty

The sword passed to her descendants and it was lost on the The Maithen Plateau of The Riverdan of Tufflim in CY 8802 when the host on the plateau was scoured by the druids, along with the inhabitants and Orrish besieging it. At the time, it was being wielded by a brave hedge knight – sir Luther Gadroit of Umbak – who was betrothed to the daughter of the Lady of Tuflim at that time.

Rare Knowledge / Very Hard Difficulty

The sword broke in the scouring of the plateau.


Warning
Obscure/Hidden Knowledge is not generally available in known references; It is not necessarily Forbidden.
DO NOT READ BEYOND THIS POINT unless a character has the capability to gain such knowledge [through association, organization, or relation] if they do not possess it themselves or the reader intends to participate in scenarios using this material as a PLAYER! GM Narration will typically provide relevant information by check or story.


Realm's Aptitude Powers: Divine, Occult, and Psychic

Top