Tuesday, May 23, 2023

Settlements and Sites of the Four City-States #143

Settlements and Sites of the Four City-States #143 

May 23rd, 2023 

  • Number: 143 

  • Name: Hidden Haldwen aka Downslope 

  • Location:  Hidden in the Tuton Maug, north of the border with Taodeas, east of the main highway. 

  • Population (approx.): 278 

  • Brief: At initial glance, Downslope appears to be one of the many small mountain villages built on the slopes of the Tuton Maug range throughout Noldune and Taodeas. But few know that the Lord of the local manor, Sir Estus Hiden, and his family, are the remnants of House Haldwen (see #6) who were betrayed by House Noldrune centuries ago and subsequently (mostly) destroyed by the Taodean Tribes. During the battles, as tribal calvary razed and sacked Haldwen’s manor and mileforts, the last heir to the House was spirited away into the Tuton Maug. Loyal retainers arrived at Downslope and made it their home, slowly taking over the village from its prior leaders. Many years later, Damosel Enid Hiden distinguished herself in (feigned) service to House Claid and was knighted. Her descendants hold the manor and rule the surrounds to this day. Although the remains of Haldwen are small in number, they are determined and have not forgotten their betrayal. The Knight and his relatives constantly plot and scheme, reaching out to other lesser Nobles and others with no love of House Claid.  

  • Geography: Downslope (aka Hidden Haldwen) is in the western edge of the Tuton Maug range, just north of the border with Taodeas. The village is about 35 miles east of the main north-south road and about 20 miles a bit west of south over hills and ravines to Crystalview (#106). The manor house and the village are surrounded by wooden pallisades, connected by a short trail. The logs are slowly being replaced by stone quarried from the hills. The village is typical consisting of an Inn, several stores, a small chapel and craftsmen of all sorts. Sir Hiden and his men-at-arms have had success raiding The Crystalheart Spires (#7) for gems to fund their plots and plans. 


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