Adrilan provinces

INDEX

Coming soon.

Lowerfell
Location: Northwestern Adrila, farthest west
Typical for the province: Windy plains, produces wheat

The province Lowerfell, ironically, isn't the lower of the two northwestern provinces of Adrila. It consists basically of windy plains, with its capital situated atop a hill. Naturally, this made Lowerfell a tough nut to crack for King Arrendal's armies. Eventually they won the siege through use of hunger. Lowerfell's inhabitants are tough and hardy folk, made so from the winds, and often prefer straightforward answers over fair speech. Its former ruler was killed in personal combat by Adrila's current General Varrin.

Higherfell
Location: Northwestern Adrila, east of Lowerfell
Typical for the province: Windy valleys, produces iron

Higherfell is both lower and higher than Lowerfell. Its valleys provide more cover from the winds than Lowerfell's plains, but it often howls through even so. Higherfell's city is located just outside the largest iron mine in the area. Arrendal's forces broke through easier here, mostly due to the gate being poorly defended. Its former king currently sits as province governor. Its people are as hardy as their western neighbours, but often shorter. The Lowerfell people often mock them for this, but the Higherfell citizens usually respond in kind.

Sherfeld
Location: Northern Adrila, southeast of Lowerfell
Typical for the province: Horses

Sherfeld lies nestled between the hills of Highton to the south and the valleys of Higherfell to the north. It's viewed by many as one of Adrila's most beautiful provinces, with horses galloping freely among the tall, green grass swaying in the wind. It lacks defenses beyond their outriders, and thus capitulated as soon as Arrendal's armies reached the country. Its former king now sits as province governor. Its people are generally careless with their allegiance, preferring their horses over politics.

Spear Keep
Location: Northern Adrila
Typical for the province: Soldiers

Spear Keep is the only name the Adrilans have for the province. Its capital is a solid stone fortress, and it took three of Arrendal's strongest mages to tear apart the fortress gate; no ram could breach it. Its defenders fought fiercely, and their leader was the fiercest of them all. He was defeated in single combat by one of Arrendal's champions, and afterwards vowed his loyalty to the champion. The champion now sits as regional governor. Its people supply Arrendal's armies with some of the bravest soldiers he can get. They value martial strength and honorable combat above many other things, but they also value their families' well being.

Oldgate Castle
Location: Northeastern Adrila
Typical for the province: Masonry

The Oldgate province, as it's called, is named so after an ancient castle that also serves as regional bastion. The capital is located around it, and it is there that Adrila's finest masons are gathered. Fortresses all over Adrila, and many places outside, were built by the Oldgate masons, though Arrendal now forbids them to work outside the kingdom. Its people are demanding, often asking for resources from all over the kingdom, but in return their castles stand for long, long times. When Arrendal's forces conquered the kingdom, the Oldgate citizens simply barricaded themselves in their castle. It took three months until Arrendal's men managed to starve out the masons, but since then, the Oldgate masons and the Adrilan citizens have worked well together, with the Master Mason remaining in his safe position of power.

Deephill
Location: Northeastern Adrila
Typical for the province: Iron, coal, whatever else you can dig out of the ground

The Deephill province, like the Oldgate province, are masterful builders, but unlike the Oldgate masons, the Deephill miners dig their way deep into the earth. They often work alongside their mason neighbours, mining out the stone the masons need to dig. They, like their neighbours, need supplies from other regions of Adrila, and are quite demanding about it as well. Their city looks like a hole in the ground, but underneath, it is actually a marvel to behold; inverted towers, hanging from the ceiling, connected by bridges on many different levels, all held together by magic. In the middle, at the deepest bottom of the largest tower, sits the high seat of their lord, the former Deep-King, now regional governor. When Arrendal's forces appeared on the surface, he went outside, said he wished to speak with their leader. When Arrendal came forth, the Deep-King simply said that if Arrendal's men wouldn't trample around on the surface, then the Deephill men would help him whenever he needed stone.

Eastbank
Location: Northeastern Adrila
Typical for the province: Tough and skilled swordsmen

Eastbank province, along with Westbank province, are most noted for the longest border conflict in the Old World's history. It was said to have begun when two farmers on each side of the river started arguing about who held the right to fish directly below the farms. As the farms grew, villages emerged, and eventually cities. Few remember the start of the conflict, but it is going on, worse than ever before. Catapults fire their payloads over the river, arrows hail from both sides, walls are broken and rebuilt, and the fight goes on every day. While the province's soldiers are boneheaded, they are strong and tough, and its citizens will value anyone who would lead them against their neighbors in Westbank. How that conflict managed to create two separate countries remain a mystery, but both accept Adrila's rule. In Eastbank, the thirty-first descendant of the farmer holds court as the governor.

Westbank
Location: Northern Adrila
Typical for the province: Disciplined swordsmen with greatswords

Eastbank's counterpart and a solid city, Westbank has withstood countless assaults, each worse than the last. Its citizens are used to constant warfare, some even going so far as to specialize in living in support convoys, and its soldiers are remarkably disciplined in the heat of battle. They have served in many military campaigns beyond their borders, governed by the thirty-first descendant of the original farmholder. They value, like the Eastbank citizens, people who show little love for the Eastbank men.

Fargate
Location: Western Adrila
Typical for the region: Trade wares from across the mountains.

Fargate is Adrila's westernmost province, and also the most mountainous. It is well known for its birch forests, a rare sight elsewhere in Adrila. Years ago, Fargate was just a small trading outpost along the Ji'shun Highroad. Over the years, it became a small town, always bustling with trade, often shortening travel times for those crossing the mountains by simply purchasing their wares there instead of heading further east or west. Realizing the importance of the Ji'Shun Highroad, Arrendal decided to move his force all the way to the mountains, making it safe for traders and travellers to use it. His forces quickly surrounded the valley Fargate lies in, and the outpost soon let the Adrilan soldiers into the city. The true battle to overtake the city took place in the governor's hall. A crafty old man, the governor managed to create a most lucrative deal between Fargate and Adrila, so that the province, with a very low tax, still benefits from Adrila's protection. Its citizens, as a result, are quite wealthy, and while this has changed their behaviour a little, they remain open-hearted and welcoming, a trait gained from their long history trading. Its current governor is the daughter of the old governor, no less crafty than her predecessor, but a little more fair-minded.

Whitemeadow
Location: Western Adrila
Typical for the province: While it is renowned for its bakers, the real income source of Whitemeadow is its grain.

Whitemeadow, lying in the evening shade of Fargate, is a province with several crags and hills. Named so from the mysterious white leaves coming from the western mountains, Whitemeadow can be a beautiful sight during the summer seasons. In between all the crags giving the land its trademark ragged look, people make a living from farming, or guarding the farms from the wilder creatures in the area. When Adrila conquered it, the citizens fought a guerrilla fight against Adrila, led by their king. Their soldiers harassed supply convoys and conducted swift attacks, all of which were more a source of annoyance than a threat to the Adrilan military. When Whitemeadow finally fell, General Sorevel struck down King Theras in a fit of rage. This has not been forgotten by the inhabitants, many of whom still call themselves "Meadowers" rather than Adrilans. It is currently governed by General Sorevel, who is trying to make amends for slaying King Theras while he was unarmed. Its citizens are proud, and hold a grudge for long, and thus Sorevel's rule has often needed to be supported by threats of force.

Highton
Location: Central Adrila
Typical for the province: Like Whitemeadow, Highton supplies much grain to the rest of the kingdom.

Highton used to be Adrila's strongest opposition. Before Arrendal took power, Highton held Fort Adley, and at several times lay siege to Adrila Castle. When Arrendal revolted, he quickly led his soldiers in an offensive that drove the Hightoners out of Fort Adley. This display of military power quickly led to a shift in balance, and eventually, as Arrendal's men lay claim to kingdom after kingdom surrounding Highton, their king saw no choice but to capitulate. Arrendal himself signed a peace treaty with the Highton king, and soon Highton was under Adrilan rule, governed by their former king. Its citizens, having noticed a considerable decrease in taxes and a more peaceful way of life, has accepted Arrendal and are amongst his more loyal subjects.

Fort Adley
Location: Central Adrila
Typical for the province: Grain, similar to Highton.

The Adleys, as they call themselves, are a historically suppressed people. For centuries, Highton ruled them, collecting high taxes and leaving the province in a state of poverty. While many rebellions were begun, they were crushed just as quickly, until the Adleys resigned to their fate. When Arrendal conquered the province, they simply thought they changed one tyrant for another, but Arrendal, after claiming Highton, instead gave the Adleys their own province, and their own governor. Surprised as they were, they soon discovered that their new lives in (relative) freedom was a nice way to live, and they are grateful to Arrendal, governed by the just General Varrin. Some whisper that they should do more, be their own nation, but this is generally regarded as blatant folly. Would such a conspiracy succeed, however, it could have dire consequences for Adrila...

Adrila
Location: Eastern Adrila
Typical for the province: Highly trained military, led by proficient generals

Today's province Adrila is what was once the entirety of Adrila itself. It is here Arrendal's rule began, and while many would argue Highton makes a better place to rule from, Arrendal chose to build Adrila City into what it is today, including the seat of power. Few understand why, but none in the province are foolish enough to question the man who dragged them out of poverty and into power. Adrila remains a strongly militaristic province, as it always was, but unlike before the other provinces can supply the soldiers, and happily do so, for Adrila's soldiers are a welcome sight across the kingdom. It is governed by Arrendal's most trusted friend, General Jarris.

Windbridge
Location: Southwest Adrila
Typical for the province: River boats

The city Windbridge is a curious one. Long ago, the people of what makes today's Windbridge, in a deal with those of Oldgate, had a massive bridge constructed across Stone River, so named for its ability to take even larger stones with it down its flow. The bridge was built over the course of many, many years, and when it stood completed, Windbridge was founded. The bridge, a hundred meters above the river, makes not only the best route of travel from Whitemeadow to Orbush, it also is the city itself. All along its span, houses have been built, made in the same sturdy stonework as the bridge itself, and even into the bridge's pillars, leading down to an isle in the river, which its center pillar rests upon. There, lumber from Greyvale is taken in, and with this lumber are made the river boats travelling along the many rivers of Adrila. This is Windbridge's greatest source of trading; their boats are sturdy and solid, but with the strong streams of Adrila, not to mention the lumber that flows along the same river as the boats, it is no surprise that the boats are sometimes ruined. The citizens are proud of their boats, and fond of the river, and thus are glad Adrila rules them, letting them dedicate themselves to their boats instead of worrying about surrounding enemies. It is ruled by the descendant of the man who first organized the construction of the great bridge.

Corville
Location: Central Adrila
Typical for the province: Cattle

Corville, Highton's southern neighbour, is a province of farmers. They never have had any standing army, relying only on themselves to amass into large militia bands against invaders, in order to protect their precious cattle. It is the cattle that is their main income source, and every spring, when the winter snows lift, the farmers of Corville lead their cattle into huge herds, almost beginning what seems a massive emigration over the fields of Adrila. Corville city is where this cattle emigration begins, and it is often the place where festivities are arranged. Other provinces have their cattle farms too, of course, but Corville relies only on cattle, and thus provide for others, while being provided for in turn. Their people aren't the most educated (They're ruled by the three farmers with the most cattle), but they are friendly, and if they are asked for military assistance, they will provide their best. This usually means they'll send their grown-up sons, equipped in old trophies from past battles, so-called "family treasures", and thus it is more common to send word for the Adrilan soldiers instead.

Greyvale
Location: Southwest Adrila
Typical for the province: Lumber

Greyvale is Adrila's frontier into the wilderness. Southwest of Adrila lies only woods, woods and more woods, inhabited by nearly only wild animals, and the primitive tribes who venerate the ancient Bear God. The Bear God has a hand, or paw, as it were, into Greyvale as well, with its native citizens showing some veneration for him as well, but not the fanatic devotion the tribes show. The natives of Greyvale are rugged and tough, with little time for the softer sides of life. They are governed by two people; the official mayor of Greyvale, a former woodsman who seems more occupied with his people not taking more from the woods than the woods can sustain, and the Adrilan ambassador, whose greatest concern is increasing production. There are also people from other parts of Adrila in Greyvale, many of which seek the wilderness and calm of the forest. These are notably less rugged, but still have had to accommodate to the forest life. These are often slightly questionable in their loyalty, seeking to get as far away from authorities as possible, while the natives simply do not care.

Orbush
Location: Southwest Adrila
Typical for the province: Lumber, carpenters

Orbush is more civilized than Greyvale. Its people have grown more used to life in towns and villages, and thus have specialized more in construction. They have some of Adrila's most skilled carpenters, and in the southern provinces, wood is more often used for construction than stone. The Orbush citizens, unlike Greyvale's, are loyal to Adrila, being freed from the former Rockden rule, and getting a better life from that. It is ruled by their magistrate, a highly capable governor who claims he builds communities like his people build houses.

Fort Rockden
Location: Southern Adrila
Typical for the province: Skillful siege engineers

Fort Rockden is a curious place. Until twenty years ago, it was the seat of power in a kingdom holding Orbush, today's Fort Rockden, Marshwick and Mor Point. Its queen was a tyrant, but a skillful tyrant. Because of Fort Rockden's natural defenses, being situated inside a huge rend into the rocky landscape and from there going into caves inside, Adrila's men had a hard time conquering the fortress. When they finally had taken it, the queen had escaped into the wilderness. She is presumed dead, slain by the Bear Tribes, and her daughter currently sits as governor of the province. She has some of her mother's tyrannical tendencies, but with the assistance of Adrila's ambassador, she has remained on her people's good side. The people welcomed the changes from tyranny into a regular life, and Fort Rockden remains a strong province, but a largely loyal one.

Marshwick
Location: Southeast Adrila
Typical for the province: Highly acrobatic hunters and rangers

The Grey Marshes. A vast expanse of festering marshland southeast of Adrila, inhabited by a people who, in a mockery of Adrila City, has built a massive stone city in the swamps, constructed on three levels. Although, without a river flowing through the city, it is very reminiscent of Adrila's lower level. Marshwick is a province that broke off from the Grey Marshes and sought to get included into Adrila instead. Arrendal was well aware that such a province was only a resource drain, and was skeptical to them, but Milena's kindheartedness convinced Arrendal to include them. The result was large amounts of Marshwick's people heading into other Adrilan provinces, seeking to escape the marshlands, thus causing it to be far less of a resource drain than Arrendal expected. Those remaining there serve as scouts, often travelling through the massive trees where possible rather than brave the swamps' murky waters. Because these are so isolated individuals, it is hard to tell where their loyalties lie, but all word from their lord has stated they will defend Adrila with their lives.

Mor Point
Location: Southeast Adrila
Typical for the province: Mostly an outpost to the wild southlands.

Mor Point is Adrila's southernmost city. It sits on a hill, seeing far over the Grey Marshes and the wild forests both; a view further enhanced by its tall tower. Around the tower lies a small town, where those with more sense of duty than sense overall dwell. Their task? Make sure Adrila is protected from invaders. Unlike Marshwick city, which lies in the swamp, Mor Point instead is located away from it, saving the citizens from the dreadful stench most days. Ruled by the wizard Kanner, it is a rarely visited and very lonely place, whose most commonly heard sound is the wind howling through its streets.