### **Varnhold – The Sentinel of the Eastern Stolen Lands** #### **Basic Information** - **Name:** Varnhold - **Type:** Feudal Settlement / Military Outpost - **Region:** **Eastern Stolen Lands, bordering Rivermarch and Brevoy** - **Scale & Population:** **Small but strategically valuable (~900-1,200 people), primarily a military and trade outpost**. - **Primary Inhabitants:** - **Humans (Majority, Brevic Settlers & Mercenaries)** – Many loyal to **[[Maegar Varn]]**. - **Dwarves & Half-Orcs** – **Stonecutters, smiths, and hired warriors** helping to fortify the settlement. - **Kobolds & Other Minorities** – Recently integrated into the workforce, mostly due to **Tartuk’s diplomacy**. - **Climate & Terrain:** - **Cold, rugged hills and mountainous terrain**, making defense **easier but agriculture difficult**. - **Fast-flowing rivers and hidden valleys**, used by **scouts and traveling merchants**. #### **Geography & Layout** - **Key Features & Landmarks:** - **[[Varnhold Keep]]:** A **sturdy fortress** built into the hills, serving as **the military and administrative heart of the settlement**. - **[[The Quarries of Varnhold]]:** Rich **stone deposits** fuel trade, offering high-quality building materials to neighboring settlements. - **[[The Tors of Levenies]]:** A **mountain range filled with hidden dangers**, including **bandits, territorial centaurs, and ancient ruins**. - **[[The Old Trade Road]]:** A **recently reestablished route**, allowing for **faster movement of goods and military aid**. - **[[The Kobold Encampment]]:** A **small but growing sector**, occupied by kobolds who have **offered their labor in exchange for protection**. - **Notable Settlements & Outposts:** - **[[Varnhold]]:** The main **fortified town**, heavily militarized due to **constant threats from bandits and hostile creatures**. - **[[Sentinel’s Watch]]:** A **high-ground outpost**, manned by scouts monitoring **the Tors of Levenies**. - **[[Riversmeet]]:** A **merchant village** near the river, benefiting from **trade with Rivermarch and Brevoy**. - **Connections & Accessibility:** - **Strong Military Roads:** Well-maintained **paths connect [[Varnhold]] to Rivermarch and Restov**, ensuring **rapid mobilization in case of war**. - **Trade Routes Expanding:** **New agreements with Rivermarch** are strengthening **economic ties**. - **Mountain Passes Are Dangerous:** **Centaurs, bandits, and rogue mercenaries** make certain routes **treacherous**. #### **Culture & Society** - **Local Governance:** - **Ruled by [[Maegar Varn]]**, a practical and **militaristic noble, loyal to Brevoy but eager for alliances**. - **A Council of Advisors**, including **military officers, merchants, and settlers**, handles **day-to-day governance**. - **A Growing Kobold Presence**, thanks to **Tartuk’s diplomatic efforts**, has **reduced racial tensions**. - **Economy & Trade:** - **Stone & Quarrying:** The **main export**, used for **fortifications and trade with Brevoy and Rivermarch**. - **Furs & Hides:** Hunters supply **high-quality pelts**, often sought after in **Restov’s markets**. - **Military Contracts:** [[Varnhold]] **hires out trained mercenaries and scouts** to protect **trade routes**. - **Agricultural Imports:** Due to poor farmland, [[Varnhold]] relies on **Rivermarch and Brevoy for food supplies**. - **Religion & Beliefs:** - **Erastil (Community & Hunting)** is widely revered, guiding **Varnhold’s rural and survivalist traditions**. - **Gorum (War & Strength)** has a strong following among **soldiers and mercenaries**. - **Abadar (Trade & Civilization)** is growing in influence, thanks to **Varnhold’s increasing role in regional commerce**. - **Laws & Customs:** - **A Militarized Society:** Every **citizen is expected to train with weapons**, given the settlement’s history of conflict. - **Hospitality Among Allies:** **Aiding travelers and trade envoys is a point of honor**, strengthening diplomatic ties. - **Raiding is Met with Swift Justice:** **Banditry and border skirmishes** are common, but **punished harshly**. - **Languages Spoken:** - **Common, Taldane (Brevic Dialect), Dwarven (used in trade), Draconic (spoken among kobolds).** #### **History & Lore** - **Origins & Founding:** - Established by [[Maegar Varn]] as **a Brevic colony**, meant to **expand influence into the Stolen Lands**. - Built as **a defensive stronghold**, meant to protect **trade and military movements** in the region. - Originally struggled due to **hostile centaurs and lack of strong allies**, but has since **stabilized**. - **Major Historical Events:** - **The Centaur Wars:** Early settlers **clashed violently with centaur tribes**, leading to **an uneasy truce**. - **Brevoy’s Fading Support:** Over time, **Varnhold’s funding from Brevoy has diminished**, making local alliances more important. - **Tartuk’s Visit & Diplomatic Shift:** Tartuk’s **unexpected arrival with Vreek’s body** marked the first **official step toward peace with Rivermarch**. - **Current Conflicts or Issues:** - **Centaurs in the Mountains:** Some **tribes reject peace**, continuing **raids against settlements**. - **Bandit & Spy Activity:** **Both Brevoy and Pitax have agents** watching [[Varnhold]] closely. - **Strained Resources:** Food shortages **force Varnhold to rely on its new trade agreements**. - **Rumors & Mysteries:** - **A Lost First World Ruin:** Some believe an **ancient fey site** is hidden **within the Tors of Levenies**. - **Pitaxian Intrigue:** [[Castruccio Irovetti]] may be **trying to turn certain Varnhold leaders against Rivermarch**. - **A Hidden Centaur Relic:** Legends tell of **a powerful artifact** that once **kept peace between humans and centaurs**. #### **Notable NPCs & Factions** - **Key Figures:** - **[[Maegar Varn]]:** The **pragmatic and military-focused ruler**, eager to secure **stronger alliances**. - **[[Captain Rhodric Stannas]]:** Commander of **Varnhold’s defenses**, deeply suspicious of foreign influences. - **[[Edran Foss]]:** A merchant **leading trade negotiations**, personally invested in **strengthening ties with Rivermarch**. - **[[Teshkar the Windstrider]]:** A centaur chieftain, willing to **parley but quick to retaliate** against aggression. - **Factions or Power Groups:** - **[[The Varnhold Militia]]** – A **small but disciplined force**, constantly battling **raiders and beasts**. - **[[The Mountain Watchers]]** – Scouts **who monitor the Tors of Levenies**, guarding against **centaur and bandit threats**. - **[[The Varnhold Merchants’ Guild]]** – Recently established, focused on **expanding trade beyond Brevoy**. - **[[The Centaur Tribes]]** – Various **clans that either raid Varnhold or seek peaceful coexistence**.