Halstaig
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Halstaig, The Steadfast Onlooker. This castle town resides in what used to be the most dangerous area in Axios. Where once undead and necromancers conglomerated, now only the hollow stones and the old call of Mordring and his Abyss lay. Though in these ashes there stands the effort of Oren and the Adunians to recolonize and look over what is left of The Westerlands. The Adunians who re-emerged during the Mordring's incursion of the north via the Sunless Sanctum, reside here, along with many other Northerners, and old Westerlanders. Memories of the past whisk through the air in these parts, the glory of old to be remembered and cherished here.
Contents
Halstaig's History
The history of Halstaig is one that goes deeper than the Recolonization of The Westerlands. The area that is located in, and that it is directly adjacent to the old and now abandoned Sunless Sanctum. The area where those who possessed darkened souls and undying bodies resided. The Westerlanders settled near this area many years prior to the founding of Halstaig, as a defensive counter to the looming threat that was to come from the Sanctum of The Undead. This driving force, the defense of the mortal lands that is, drove many to head west to defend Axios and their land. Though these events culminated in the destruction of both sides, it brought forth advances in the understanding of Axios and it's peoples. Bringing many together, while still tearing the landscape apart. A historic area, and one to be looked after even when the events have settled down into the dustbin of history.
Halstaig now is to be a new stronghold of safety up West, to those who remembered it, or to those who wish to know what remains. It was founded when Braehn of the Clahn Elendil gained funding from the Holy Orenian Empire and was able to set up a colony in what used to be The Westerlands, though not exactly near Bastion, it was further north. The construction was completed quite quickly, the Adunians hoping to get to work. Halstaig being quite the good place to revitalize what may be a valuable place; The West. Where old ruins and treasures lie in the old sunken ground. Snow, silt, and ash covered gems to be found from all corners, and opportunities for the empire.
The settlement has only just recently been constructed, and there is much to be seen from it. Halstaig's future hopes to bring advancement in the culture of The West, what it was, and what it could and can be.
Geography
The lands surrounding Halstaig are rough and gritty. Cold and biting winds, coupled with the numbing snow that follows, it makes for one of the rougher places to live. Carved out dirt paths, ruins, and rubble, rocks and mud. All these obstacles make it hard to travel around the area, though what gives the most pain to travelers is the cold and snow, harsh weather is known to be rained down upon the west. God's wrath for the sins of the undying. The lands that Halstaig sits upon, however, are more tame and relaxed, though still in the hard climate, its high walls and sturdy structure keep it warm and safe from the winds. The lands around Halstaig being so difficult, that there are rewards given out for completing tasks and expeditions such as mapping and treasure hunting in these areas. Keeping with the culture of Halstaig, the spirit of the west still haunts the walls, the walls being built from the ground. Stones and bricks were laid into the earth, along with other things quarried from the ground and land.
Environment
Halstaig is sturdily built around some more flat land, though around it is many trees, mostly untouched. The city faced the north, its entrance being there as a road leading up to it, winding and harder to follow, it was easy to get lost when coming by foot. A cart being preferable in this climate. Around its backside, to the south, was a giant ditch, with steps leading up out of the ditch for those who may have come from the bottom of it. Inside Halstaig it was laid out quite nicely, starting from the ground the castle rose up instead of staying on one level. Making it easier to defend if anybody were to enter that was not wanted. A long stretch of road that leads up and out of the staunch depression in the stoneworking. Banners and flags flapped in the light wind, the ground beyond this point being nicely bricked, though still broken at points. It was laid out in an open fashion from this point onwards, being quite easy to maneuver about, but still defendable. The lords keep being across a bridge upon a hill. A gate separating this bridge, along with another gate inside the keep itself. Making it quite the stronghold for anybody who wished to hold themselves up in a safe place.
Strategic Advantages
- The first advantage of Halstaig is its location in relation to the surrounding area. It is near a ditch, and near a river. This ditch and river provide protection and cut out two places that the city would need to defend, and even if they did need to be defended, men could easily be stationed upon the wall for quick defense.
- The second advantage of living in Halstaig is that the city is layed out in such a way so that if anybody were to enter, they would be put into a long stone corridor that could be easily fired upon, charged through, or blocked off. Making it harder for attackers to come and invade without scaling the walls first.
- The castle is defended by high sturdy stone walls. The castle enveloping the city, or town, whichever one may prefer. These protect those in the city from those attempting to break in, there are very little weak spots, and it would be hard to scale the walls. The composition of the walls
Notable Figures
- Braehn Elendil An'Hiraeth - Lord of Halstaig.
- John Lyons - High Thane, Cartographer, and Leader of The Lyons Institute.
Government
The Government in Halstaig is quite simple. It is ruled by a simple Lord, this being Braehn Elendil for the moment. He rules over and sees over the construction and management of most buildings in the colony. Making sure everything is working in order and on time. It also takes into the consideration the values and opinions of its people. The Adunians being known to hold honor as a virtue, they would not hope to cause too much dissent within their holding. There is a High Thane, who also helps with the castle, handling other operations and functions. This High Thane, John Lyons, runs the Lyons Institute, and other organizations for exploration and the advancement of overall historical knowledge and anthropological findings in Axios. The Thanes Council assists in decisions that the Lord will make, of course, making it easier for the lord of to gauge what is needed, and what he needs to do.
Society and Culture
The society of Halstaig is heavily based off the memories of the west and of Adunia. These being the most prominent in citizenship anyway. Meaning that the culuture is heavily based upon honor, fighting, and upholding good familial morals. Rather than being nobles or stuck up men such as that, they wish to breed those who are pure and honest men, though still brave fighters and protectors of the town and of Axios as a whole. Selfless and brave, rather than rich and pompous is a good way to describe the climate of Halstaig. It wishes to colonize the west again, and uphold what it once was, rather than devolve into what the rest of Axios still is.
The Rangers
The Rangers, brave fighters that are trained in combat to protect those of Halstaig. They are meant to be valiant and steadfast in their fighting, and still quick. Like the Adunians and Westerlanders of old, they are meant to hold these values and execute them to the will of the town. They are not meant to be taken too lightly, and are meant to be respected in the culture. They are trusted with protecting those deemed important, and making sure everybody is safe, and there is no trouble with how one acts there. Though not moral protectors, and crusaders they are protectors of brawn and steel.
