Old Hearthhal

"From afar it seemed nothing more than a crumbling ruin, billowing pillars of smoke made the heap seem freshly seiged in the wake of some long away militia. But upon approach the smell of life wafted out to meet us long before we reached the gate, the savoury smell of cooking meat and fresh bread, soon accompanied by the bustle of people. The moving feet of the lively crowds had warmed the earth to mud as they conversed and offered various wares in exchange of food and cloth. The warmth of summer always brought the traders together, the caravan families always followed. It was hard to believe that once the summer cooled and the winter chill set in, this rancorous market would be packed and moved on. Returning Old Hearthhal to the silent, ghostly ruin it had been reduced to, as bloody war does to all places once called home."

Background

Old Hearthhal, found in the Northern regions of the Umber Wild, used to be something of a capital in the region. Once a fortified settlement known for its strong walls and stronger inhabitants.

History

During the 'Northern Conquest', Hearthhal was besieged many times by the Northkin forces. The Northkin may have attacked with Wyldborne, but attrition is what killed it. The strong outer walls eventually fell, giving the settlement its hallmark feature, the huge stone battlements torn down in a large 'V'.

The 'Fall of Hearthhal' was a monumental success for the Northkin, and a crushing defeat for the Umber. It became a strategic hub for the Northkin to wash over the Umber, and became the site of some of their worst atrocities.

Current Day

The Fall of Hearthhal was over 500 years ago, and ruin has been (in most part) claimed by the wild. But hope remains for this old rubble. The remaining towers are still strong and (for now) structurally sound, the expansive courtyard is built on good ground and the outer walls (despite the giant chasm on the western side) are still strong. Making Old Hearthhal the site for 'The Summer Market', an event that lasts the entire summer, where the scattered merchants and travellers of the Umber Wild gather to trade goods, meet friends and make merry.

Even in the current day, Hearthhals history always seems to haunt it. Rumours spread of spirits and ghosts of ancient soldiers that haunt the grounds, and when Hearthhal is unoccupied in the winter, tales exist of deimons gathering in hordes to feed on the misery of damned spirits.