Jance’s Canyon

Steel Realms
Jance’s Canyon is a winding canyon about 90′ deep on average. It was named for Marshal Jance, one of the original Torrelson Riders. It runs a total winding length of about 5km, running about 3.5km east into Yarans Vale from an area 1km from Point Saril. It gradually slopes down as it goes until it spills out into a mini slurry up against the Sunfri Spur Hills. In addition to the hazards of washouts, it is a known Moorcat breeding ground, and well avoided. There is known to be some ancient and collapsed ruins in the canyon.

Ruins of Watchtower Renauld

The name of these crumbling ruins is lost to modern memory. There is virtually nothing left of the watch tower itself, it has long since fallen and collapsed. Its function was just assumed to be some beacon tower.

Chronicle of Watchtower Renauld

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

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

Pervasive Knowledge / Very Easy Difficulty

The name of these crumbling ruins is lost to modern memory. There is virtually nothing left of the watch tower itself, it has long since fallen and collapsed. Its function was just assumed to be some beacon tower.

CY 8910 A massive shifting of Dwindor Swamp and Calibans Slurry causes some land upheaval. Along the road course that the Umbakians had cut, a massive chasm opens up. Eventually after decades of settling and washouts, it is named Jance’s Canyon.

Common Knowledge / Easy Difficulty

At one time in a far past, adventuring types used to see to plunder its treasure. There are few records of any making it out alive with a story to tell. Certainly its reputation today points to the fact that no one, not even the Orrish, go in the canyon or seeking the ruins.

Rumors:

  1. Adventuers kept the Moorcats fed for ages by attempting to pillage the ruins
  2. Under it is an entrance to The Deeping
  3. Orrish tunneled up and collapsed the fortress

Uncommon Knowledge / Average Difficulty

Watchtower Renauld served as a watch tower, hosted a beacon fire to alert Yarans Vale, and was a prison of sorts for minor offenses. The strict laws of Umbak allowed few amenities, but here your equipment was secured until you left, and you worked to keep the road clear. The typical punishment was for social gaffes and crimes related to honor. The social isolation and being forced to live underground away from the mercy and glory of the Lightbringers was bad enough for many who toiled under its shadow.

CY 7090 War with Umbak and the Dunstrandian people in the vale. The tower garrison itself suffers its first defeat. It is re-taken.

Scarce Knowledge / Hard Difficulty

CY 7099 The Guild of Solars uses the site as a bastion against a band of sorcerers. The tower is damaged again, but the wizards of the Guild of Solars is victorious.

CY 7950 The reality is that when the river changed course it weakened the area underneath the watchtower and it eventually collapsed. The natural winding split between the hills began to sink and widen. The road was no longer used.

Rare Knowledge / Very Hard Difficulty

The catacombs under the keep are perfect for the Moorcats to rear their young in.

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