Difference between revisions of "Shield Lands"

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|header1 = [[File:shield-shield_lands.png|120px]]
 
|header1 = [[File:shield-shield_lands.png|120px]]
 
|label2 = Founded
 
|label2 = Founded
|data2 = early TA
+
|data2 = 654 TA
 
|label3 = Size
 
|label3 = Size
 
|data3 = Minor Kingdom
 
|data3 = Minor Kingdom
 
|label4 = Fealty
 
|label4 = Fealty
|data4 = Independent
+
|data4 = Western Reaches
 
|label5 = Ruler
 
|label5 = Ruler
|data5 = Unknown
+
|data5 = Knight Commander Moorley
 
|label6 = Hex
 
|label6 = Hex
|data6 = xxx
+
|data6 = 6317
 
}}
 
}}
When the Bandit Kingdoms began to grow powerful, the petty nobles of the Shield Lands banded together in a mutual protection society. The small Earldom of Walworth had the advantage of possessing a sizable island upon which was built the only city in the whole district, so its lord was chosen as Knight Commander of the combined forces of the nobles. A headquarters was established at Admunfort, and a holy order of religious knights begun. The Shield Lands are still ruled by many small noblemen, while the Earl of Walworth is hereditary general of their combined military force. At the southern end of the Shield Lands lie the ruins of Castle Acidwash built in the early years of the 9th century TA by Sir Zachary, Knight of Virtue and destroyed by the Sky Giant Clouddrifter.
+
The Shield Lands were officially established in 654 TA as a military district under the command of the [[Order of Crusaders]].  The purpose of the district was to bring the activities of the [[Bandit Kingdoms]] under control. The territory included the defunct holdings of the [[Walworth|Barony of Walworth]] which collapsed in 653 TA.
 +
 
 +
The first Knight Commander was Alex Redley, known as The Axe, who began a systematic approach to securing the area. A castle was built at Admunfort to provide a central staging area for troop movements in the area. New recruits from the Order oftentimes served a five-year term in the Shield Lands, a tradition that holds to this day.
 +
 
 +
Within six years, the paladins eradicated the bandits in the western and northern Shield Lands - pushing the borders of the Bandit Kingdoms back to the Shadowyarn Mountains.  Difficult terrain, including the dismal Direhaunt Swamp, the northern edge of the Sands of Time, and the rugged hills and mountains of the Shadowyarn front range provided excellent hideouts for the bandits and have kept the paladins from achieving full success.
 +
 
 +
With the stabilization of the western Shield Land, the Crown established the Shield Road to provide an inland trading route to the rich farmlands, vineyards and orchards of the [[Barony of Tenbury]].  Construction was completed in the mid-seventh century TA.
 +
 
 +
In the early years of the 9th century TA, construction of a second castle, now known as Castle Acidwash was begun by Sir Zachary, a Knight of Virtue.  The castle promised to bolster the defenses of the area, although rumors abounded about a secret purpose for the structure.  The castle was destroyed by the Sky Giant Clouddrifter before it was completed.  The castle ruins can be seen from the Shield Road today.
 +
 
 +
The current commander of the Shield Lands is Knight Commander Moorley, a grim veteran of twenty years.  While Admunfort took an active role in the [[First War of the Reaches]] and the [[Second War of the Reaches]], its efforts on protection from bandits has resumed.  The surrounding baronies have pushed in recent years for the Shield Lands to be turned over to baronial control.  Small towns and farms, such as Liadon in the north and Saltash in the south, have been established by the baronies to further this claim.  The Crown has denied requests to disband the Shield Lands, citing the continuing danger from the west.
  
 
== Nearby Areas of Interest ==
 
== Nearby Areas of Interest ==
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'''Bishophill'''
 
'''Bishophill'''
  
These hills have always been a rallying point for disaffected humans, as their remote location and rugged character have enabled their inhabitants to remain free of the rule of the king or his minions. The area is well known for its precious metals and gems, and for this reason it is often raided by forces of the local barons who badly need the wealth thus obtained. Troops probe these hills all too often. Its inhabitants have become battle-hardened veterans because of these continual skirmishes and raids, and conduct their own forays into Guildford and Walworth in reprisal. The independent town of Dullstrand and its environs proclaim neutrality in these matters, but is probable that secret aid is given to the insurgents in the hills. Freebooters certainly find safe haven in the town, and its forges make weapons and armor which are not seen by the king or his men-at-arms.
+
These hills have always been a rallying point for disaffected humans, as their remote location and rugged character have enabled their inhabitants to remain free of the rule of the Crown. The area is well known for its precious gems which sets up conflict between the bandits and the surrounding baronies. Bishophill inhabitants have become battle-hardened veterans because of these continual skirmishes and raids, and conduct their own forays into [[Barony of Guildford|Guildford]] and the Shield Lands in reprisal.  
 +
 
 +
The town of Dullstrand, commonly held to be the capital of the Bandit Kingdoms, proclaims neutrality in these matters. But the town and surrounding areas give haven to freebooters, and its forges make weapons and armor which are not seen by the king or his men-at-arms.
  
 
'''Shield Road'''
 
'''Shield Road'''
  
 
While the Greater Farthing Road which runs north-south along the coast of the Great Sea has always been the primary trade route in the Western Reaches, a second inland route was established in the mid-seventh century TA running around the eastern edge of the Whispering Hills, along the Loudwater, skirting east around Bearwood and eventually rejoining the Greater Farthing Road at Crossgate Castle.  This road, known as the Shield Road, is still widely traveled to this day.
 
While the Greater Farthing Road which runs north-south along the coast of the Great Sea has always been the primary trade route in the Western Reaches, a second inland route was established in the mid-seventh century TA running around the eastern edge of the Whispering Hills, along the Loudwater, skirting east around Bearwood and eventually rejoining the Greater Farthing Road at Crossgate Castle.  This road, known as the Shield Road, is still widely traveled to this day.

Revision as of 16:42, 12 January 2020

Shield Lands
Shield-shield lands.png
Founded 654 TA
Size Minor Kingdom
Fealty Western Reaches
Ruler Knight Commander Moorley
Hex 6317

The Shield Lands were officially established in 654 TA as a military district under the command of the Order of Crusaders. The purpose of the district was to bring the activities of the Bandit Kingdoms under control. The territory included the defunct holdings of the Barony of Walworth which collapsed in 653 TA.

The first Knight Commander was Alex Redley, known as The Axe, who began a systematic approach to securing the area. A castle was built at Admunfort to provide a central staging area for troop movements in the area. New recruits from the Order oftentimes served a five-year term in the Shield Lands, a tradition that holds to this day.

Within six years, the paladins eradicated the bandits in the western and northern Shield Lands - pushing the borders of the Bandit Kingdoms back to the Shadowyarn Mountains. Difficult terrain, including the dismal Direhaunt Swamp, the northern edge of the Sands of Time, and the rugged hills and mountains of the Shadowyarn front range provided excellent hideouts for the bandits and have kept the paladins from achieving full success.

With the stabilization of the western Shield Land, the Crown established the Shield Road to provide an inland trading route to the rich farmlands, vineyards and orchards of the Barony of Tenbury. Construction was completed in the mid-seventh century TA.

In the early years of the 9th century TA, construction of a second castle, now known as Castle Acidwash was begun by Sir Zachary, a Knight of Virtue. The castle promised to bolster the defenses of the area, although rumors abounded about a secret purpose for the structure. The castle was destroyed by the Sky Giant Clouddrifter before it was completed. The castle ruins can be seen from the Shield Road today.

The current commander of the Shield Lands is Knight Commander Moorley, a grim veteran of twenty years. While Admunfort took an active role in the First War of the Reaches and the Second War of the Reaches, its efforts on protection from bandits has resumed. The surrounding baronies have pushed in recent years for the Shield Lands to be turned over to baronial control. Small towns and farms, such as Liadon in the north and Saltash in the south, have been established by the baronies to further this claim. The Crown has denied requests to disband the Shield Lands, citing the continuing danger from the west.

Nearby Areas of Interest

Bishophill

These hills have always been a rallying point for disaffected humans, as their remote location and rugged character have enabled their inhabitants to remain free of the rule of the Crown. The area is well known for its precious gems which sets up conflict between the bandits and the surrounding baronies. Bishophill inhabitants have become battle-hardened veterans because of these continual skirmishes and raids, and conduct their own forays into Guildford and the Shield Lands in reprisal.

The town of Dullstrand, commonly held to be the capital of the Bandit Kingdoms, proclaims neutrality in these matters. But the town and surrounding areas give haven to freebooters, and its forges make weapons and armor which are not seen by the king or his men-at-arms.

Shield Road

While the Greater Farthing Road which runs north-south along the coast of the Great Sea has always been the primary trade route in the Western Reaches, a second inland route was established in the mid-seventh century TA running around the eastern edge of the Whispering Hills, along the Loudwater, skirting east around Bearwood and eventually rejoining the Greater Farthing Road at Crossgate Castle. This road, known as the Shield Road, is still widely traveled to this day.