Vellodan (Vel-lo-den)

A fortified town about two hundred miles west of Zareb in the foothills of the Western Spine. The town was taken by storm by the Zalarite Order after the local Baron failed to pay them for mercenary work on his behalf. The Order now claims the town as one of its scattered holdings. The town has a population of about 4,000 and typically hosts several companies of Zalarite troops. Since occupying the town, the Order has steadily upgraded the town’s defenses. There is some talk within the Order of turning the town into a new center for their activities and building the town into a true city. Currently the Order’s somewhat precarious finances prevent anything more than incremental improvements to the town.

Demographics

This town is inhabited by a mixture of Northrons, Northron Corgerians, Mountaineers and Danites

Government

The town is administered by a military governor appointed by the Grand Mistress of the Zalarite Order.

Defences

The town is surrounded by a stone wall which the Zalarites are in the process of heightening and thickening. At this point they have completed work on the most vulnerable half of the defenses. They have added large towers with artillery engines. The western edge of town and part of its northern edge are protected by a 30' deep ravine with steep sides and a small but fast flowing river running through it.

Industry & Trade

With the arrival of the Order the town has developed a considerable armament industry and leather goods, particularly saddles and boots.

Architecture

Houses are generally of stone and wood with steeply sloped roofs made from the local blue-gray slate.

Geography

The town occupies the northern part of a plateau. The southern part of the plateau is occupies by farms, orchards and dairies. The Plateau in turn gives way to the slopes of the northern spine.

Climate

The town has a wet climate thanks to the rain shadow effect of the Spine.  This means plenty of rain in the warmer months and pelnty of snow in the winter.

Natural Resources

Quality slate is quarried in the land to the south of the town at the foot of the mountains.

Founding Date

614

Type

Town

Population

4,000

Owner/Ruler

Millsonna Dara Calla, Queen of Zareb and Grand Mistress of the Zalarite Order

Owning Organization

Zalarite Order (Sisterhood of Zalara)

Characters in Location

• Darra Orrria Garvan-Vellanta