Cardun
Cardun is one of the major settlements within the Kingdom of Gathion, with its historic significance leading the Teorann Vale to slowly become more commonly known as Cardun Pass. The town is ruled over by Ruath Druag, and serves the Kingdom as the first stronghold against any force coming into the peninsula, as well as the 'Last Stop' before the Wildlands for the people within the peninsula. Beyond Cardun, one descends from the mountains into the vast, reaching Warderwoods.
Demographics
Cardun is highly diverse owing to its geographical position. All manner of race can be found there, though a large number are not permanent residents. Merchants, adventurers, explorers, mercenaries and many more make their home in Cardun, for a range of reasons, though most motivations are rooted in access to the Wildlands.
Despite the diversity, the overwhelming majority are still human.
Defences
Cardun is one of the most heavily fortified settlements not only in Gathion, but across the Peninsula. On its northern side, the town first has a chain of beacons at the far end of the Pass, overlooking the Warderwoods. Manned constantly, their purpose is as a first warning of any force approaching the Pass from the north. They are most useful during the night, when their beacons can be seen for leagues. The second level of defence is composed of a line of watchtowers, whose duties are to keep an eye for any lit beacons as well as for any approaching forces. Should either of these events occur, it is the task of the soldiers manning these towers to make sure word is passed back towards Cardun itself.
Upon reaching the town from the north, travellers are greeted with the 'Teorann Bastion', the foundations of which date back to Cardun's status as a fortress, long before it became the town it is today. The wall stretches from the slopes of the Westerwards to the Eastpeaks, making passage through the valley itself impossible without entry through one of two gates. The town itself is divided by a number of wooden palisades, to aid in any defence required should the Bastion be breached. The deepest layer within the town, known as the 'Old Quarter', is surrounded by a thick stone wall, protecting the castle of Lord Druag as well as many strategically important buildings such as food stores, barracks, and so on.
The southern side of Cardun is less heavily fortified, but is no mean feat to assault. A stone wall wraps around the settlement, attaching to the Teorann Bastion and securing most of the town from southern attacks, while a ditch is maintained outside it to make any assault more difficult.
Guilds and Factions
Cardun is host to the headquarters of The Delvers guild, composed of adventurers. While only comprising of a few dozen members, their organisation has existed in Cardun for over two hundred years, and they are quick to remind Ruath Druag that they fought alongside Albor Druag to help Cardun retain independence.
There are a few stores affiliated with the League of Merchants in Cardun, though not all are. Similarly, the handful of apothocaries in the city have some affiliation with the Guild of Alchemists and Apothocaries, though the herbalists on the outskirts, and those who practice more Keltoi-like medicine tend to be unaffiliated.
The Northern Thieves Guild operate within Cardun as with the rest of the Kingdom, with an unknown measure of control over the criminal underworld.
The Horned Association has an Embassy in Cardun, one of the largest across the Peninsula. This is in part due to the more libertine factors of the people there, and in part due to easy access to the north. Many Tieflings talk of heading into the Warderwoods to build their own villages where Tieflings can rule themselves.
History
Before Cardun was known as Cardun, and Cardun Pass known by that name, the passage through the Warden Peaks was known as the Teorann Vale, with Teorann coming from the Keltoi word meaning 'border'. It is thought that this is not a reference to the border of north and south, but rather the border between the The Westerwards and The Eastpeaks. In this period, the foundations of the Teorann Bastion were built, though it is unclear by whom, as the engineering involved is beyond the desire or ability the Keltoi are understood to have. Whoever did build the Bastion did not maintain it long, as for centuries the Teorann Bastion went unmanned, the lands prowled by Keltoi warriors who made short work of any attempt to claim the valley. With the lowland petty Kings fragmented and more concerned with each other than a valley which led into wilderness, there was no force willing to put in the effort to displacing the Keltoi, who made use of the valley primarily to graze their livestock in winter. In this time the Bastion fell into disrepair, towers crumbling and gates rusting.
Eventually from the union between a lowland Lord and the daughter of a Keltoi chieftain, Cardruag was born. An ambitious young Lordling, Cardruag believed his family would prosper not from conquering their neighbours, but from exploiting untouched lands. Eventually inheriting his father's titles, which were located on the border of the Teorann Vale, Cardruag made use of his Keltoi heritage to arrange treaties with the Keltoi which would allow him safe access both to the Vale and the Bastion, in exchange for a yearly tribute of gold. The yellow metal was found within the mines of Cardruag's lands, though his family had kept many seams sealed away to protect from greedy hands and eyes of other Lords, facilitating the illusion that the mine was barely profitable. Cardruag allowed the Keltoi to continue using the valley to graze their livestock as he began to built a castle near the Teorann Bastion, intending to relocate his household there. The slow decline of the Bastion lent him plenty of stone to use in his work, complimented by stone from the mountains themselves. Despite the news of new riches found on Cardruag's lands, his neighbours were put off by the Keltoi warriors who now guarded the shipments, and eventually the mines themselves. The new castle became known as Cardun, and it's rulers controlled the only way out of the Peninsula that did not mean travelling through Keltoi lands. After the completion of Cardun, Cardruag set about repairing the Bastion itself, intending to restore it to the wall it was apparently intended to be. Over the subsequent years Cardruag himself led many expeditions into the north, returning with riches and tales of beasts unseen elsewhere on the Peninsula.
Many Keltoi moved permanently to live among Cardruag's people, drawn each for their own reasons, but many for the allure of hunting one of the creatures Cardruag had detailed. Over time they have integrated to become more like their lowland cousins, though the mountain blood stays strong in the populace. With them came migrants from across the other realms of the north, hoping to join Cardruag's expeditions and return with fame and riches. For his part, Cardruag established the Borderguard, which patrolled the repaired walls of the Teorann Bastion as well as the roads of his realm, and his position on the border of the 'civilised' world led to him - and his descendants - being known as the 'Marcher Kings'.
Cardruag's descendants took the latter part of his name, and after generations of Rudruag's, Bardruag's, Kordruag's and other variations, they become known as the Druag family. By the time the Imperials arrived on the west coast, the Druag family had ruled Cardun for hundreds of years, with Cardruag himself estimated to have died around six hundred years before the Imperial arrival - Circa 700BC.
When the Empire came to the Peninsula, Cardun was one of the last petty realms to fall. Despite being less intimidating to assault from the southern approach, their long warrior ancestry made the Imperial soldiers suffer for every inch of Cardunnic ground they took. Eventually however, the Druags did lose, and were removed from power to be replaced by an Imperial governor. The Borderguard was dissolved, many of it's members recruited into the Imperial forces.
After the collapse, the Druag family came back into prominence as rulers of Cardun and the surrounding area. This was accomplished by the overthrowing of the Empire installed ruler of the settlement, with the aid of Keltoi allies and the children and grandchildren of former members of the Borderguard, many of whom recalled their ancestors' faithful service to the Druag family from their childhoods or from stories. The Druag family themselves were strong with Mountain blood, and their ancient ties to Cardun made the transition smooth, with little bloodshed. The Druag family soon established themselves as an important player among the other rulers that had sprung up in the vacuum of the Empire, their rulers re-adopting the title of 'Marcher King'.
When Gathion Orleyn was rising to prominence, the Marcher King at the time, Albor Druag, opposed him, bringing together an alliance of Keltoi - led by Eochaid Cormac Graegor, father of Angus Eochaid Graegor - as well as the Kings of Haldersport and Ayleston, and a number of other minor rulers. The alliance was enough to slow the conquest of Gathion Orleyn to a halt, but after Gathion obtained a magical sword with the aid of Myrdin Emrys and his companions, the war struck up anew. With his enchanted weapon, the balance was tipped against Albor and his allies. After the fall of Haldersport, Albor surrendered to Gathion.
The Druag family retained control of Cardun but lost the title of Marcher King and were reduced to mere Lords, with Albor himself being exiled north of the mountains. The heads of the Druag family still claim the title 'Master of the March', by grant of the King.
Geography
Cardun is located within the Cardun Pass, the large valley that splits the middle of the Warden Peaks. It is located toward the southern side of the Pass.
The town is at quite a high altitude compared to other settlements, with the road to the Pass climbing up before dipping down again into the eponymous vale.
Alternative Name(s)
Last Stop
Type
Town
Inhabitant Demonym
Cardunnic
Included Locations
Owner/Ruler
Owning Organization
Comments