Zandandar Hill
Zandandar Hill is a large hill near the northeastern shore of Red Lake in central Tarteria. A fort once existed on the crown of the hill on fringes of the Kingdom of Keeleon. It has been the sight of several battles in the history of the Keeleon, but it is long destroyed and left to ruins.
In the Fifth Age, Zandandar Hill is little more than a ring of stones atop a hill, which functions as an elevated campsite for travelers along the Orc Highway.
On 23 Adroth 5A 352, the Lightbringers camped atop Zandandar Hill while traveling from New Keeleon to Aktrout. Ilmendwyth investigated the ruins and found nothing other than damaged and eroded stone. While camping, Gertrude Oathenhammer cast a Sending spell to Bishop Rannyl Grimsunder. She was able to clearly see the Sacred Boar Constellation before it faded in rising sunlight.
Description
Hill
Zandandar Hill is a large, rocky hill located near the northeastern shore of Red Lake. It is the tallest hill in the immediate area. Its slopes are not overly difficult to climb, but the hill is largely scree that has been stained a darker color the the rest of the rocks and stone in the region. Zandandar Hill provides elevated line of sight to the surrounding area, including the south and west directions of the Orc Highway, Red Lake, the Red Cockspur Grove, and an old, unused roadway that leads from the hill to the northeast towards Keeleon Castle.Historic Fort
Atop the crown of the hill is a ruin of an old orcish fort that was once here. It consisted of a small, fortified structure, which included a short watchtower to provide even greater line of sight over the region. The area of the fort was surrounded by a short, defensive wall along the crest of the hill. The fort had previously marked the southern borders of the lands controlled by Warlord Keel, the First Orc King, during the late Third Age. It was called Zandandar, meaning "South Tower".Fifth Age Ruins
By the Fifth Age, the fort's structures had been ruined and largely have crumbled away, leaving the top of the hill vacant save for the few remaining stones outlining the surrounding wall and marking where the fort had once been. A part of the watchtower is all that remains of the structure, which is only stacked stone where the tower's base had been. There are old signs of battle that can be found here. Some of the stones show signs of damage, and the staining of the rocky scree slopes is similiar to the discoloration caused by demonblood.History
The Third Age: The Age of Zenethia
After the Unification of Keeleon and the construction of Keeleon Castle, a series of watchtowers were constructed at the order of Warlord Keel, the First Orc King, to mark and defend the edges of his claimed lands. One of these was Zandandar, meaning "South Tower". Zandandar was built on a large hill on the northeastern shores of Red Lake and a roadway was formed between the tower and Keeleon Castle, connecting the castle to the storied origin point of orcs. During the Great War, Zandandar was sacked by the forces of Esturk, The World's End.The Fourth Age: The Age of Shadow
In the Fourth Age, Zandandar became known as Zandandar Hill. The orcs of this time reclaimed the remains of the outpost that was once here as part of the Kingdom of Keeleon. Since this area was now within the center of the Kingdom's lands, rather than on the outskirts, its strategic value was lessened. As such, the old watchtower and perimeter wall were maintained, but the fort was never reconstructed. During the events of the Tarterian War, armies of demons came south after the Battle of the Northern Orcish Plains and the siege of Keeleon Castle. The few orcish military forces stationed at Zandandar Hill received advanced notice of the approaching demons by fleeing survivors. These orcs held their position when the demons attacked. The crumbled defenses were not enough to protect them, but the orcs did slay demons during the final destruction of this place, staining the sides of the hill with demonblood. Though they only gave minimal resistance, it is believed their sacrifice may have provided enough time for some survivors of Aktrout to flee to safety on the waters of Red Lake.The Fifth Age: The Age of Beginnings
In the Fifth Age, forces from the Queendom of Keeleon did not reclaim the ruins of the old fort, leaving it to erode away. The sight would become a recognizable camping spot along the Orc Highway. 5A 352On 23 Adroth 5A 352, the Lightbringers camped atop Zandandar Hill while traveling from New Keeleon to Aktrout. Ilmendwyth investigated the ruins and found nothing other than damaged and eroded stone. While camping, Gertrude Oathenhammer cast a Sending spell to Bishop Rannyl Grimsunder. She was able to clearly see the Sacred Boar Constellation before it faded in rising sunlight.
RUINED STRUCTURE
Tarterian War
Tarterian War
Founding Date
Late Third Age
Type
Ruins
Parent Location
Related Report (Secondary Locations)
Desecrated Hills Continent
Tarteria Plane
Material Plane