Hilgar
Always a fine day to pick up supplies in Hilgar. We take the northern road in from Glistel, trade off what we can, and pick up some good fruit wines the nobles in the west are eager for. Or we head east and bring moonweave and news about new discoveries from the Guild. About the only problem are the tariffs...It feels like for as long as the region has existed, so has Hilgar and Castor Hold. The walls of the town have proven strong enough to repel many attacks, and the support of Myrisia has allowed many arcane threats to be turned aside. Many merchant houses and caravans happily use Hilgar as a point to resupply due to this relative safety, even those who plan to use Breakwater Crossing. The Trademaster has charge of the town's affairs, with most people defering to their judgment and directions. Lady Reltala Leogella is the current holder of the office, and treats it as a means to line her pockets and increase her own influence in the region. When what is good for the town is also good for her, this isn't a problem. However, when this isn't the case, there is some friction which is smoothed over privately.
Over the last century or so, the residents have made the city famous over alcoholic beverages made from excess harvests. These products have drawn a considerable amount of prestige to the settlements who produce them, and by extension Hilgar itself. A magically-binding contract ensures the town is the only place the creators can sell their wares, with the town taking a quarter from each sale.
Overall, most people visiting Hilgar are safe from dangers outside the city, and the ties of leadership to Myrisia mean it is a decent place to hide for those fleeing issues in Imperial territories.
History
Long ago, before the war between the Rhyliss Empire and Myrisia, the people of Myrisia placed a number of fortresses in the wilderness near places of interest. Thus they positioned 'Castor Hold' along a road which wound through a portion of wilderness, and over time there were those who would shelter near the fortress for safety. During negotiations for the Treaty of Helen, Castor Hold was decided to be the westernmost fortress permitted, and so Myrisia saw value in helping establish a settlement around Castor Hold. Instructions were given to the Sage who ruled there, and plans were made.
When Parseil fell, many of the refugees which fled south to the Old Alishan Way and found their way to 'The Guardian on the Hill'. The settlement rapidly grew to use this name as 'Hilgar', and once they discovered they were safe they began moving on from the town. Those who stayed brought a variety of trades to the growing settlement, and Myrisia's Sage saw fit to ensure they never had to fear for safety by shaping a strong defensive wall from the earth itself. An oath was taken and bound by magic to sustain the defenses of the town with the magic of the Sage assigned to Castor Hold.
In the latest of generations, this duty has fallen to Sage Tyrel. Due to the remote location and comments by other Sages about the posting, Tyrel has seen this as a punishment and allowed things to languish as far as can be allowed. The Oathstone placed in Castor Hold prevents him from allowing neglect to push too far, but he has delegated much authority which would be his to the Trademaster. Unfortunately, Tyrel loves games of chance and exercised a little influence to ensure the town has a decent gambling hall set up. After allowing some of the games to take place inside the fortress as a sign of prestige, he has found a sort of contentment in his role at last.
When Parseil fell, many of the refugees which fled south to the Old Alishan Way and found their way to 'The Guardian on the Hill'. The settlement rapidly grew to use this name as 'Hilgar', and once they discovered they were safe they began moving on from the town. Those who stayed brought a variety of trades to the growing settlement, and Myrisia's Sage saw fit to ensure they never had to fear for safety by shaping a strong defensive wall from the earth itself. An oath was taken and bound by magic to sustain the defenses of the town with the magic of the Sage assigned to Castor Hold.
In the latest of generations, this duty has fallen to Sage Tyrel. Due to the remote location and comments by other Sages about the posting, Tyrel has seen this as a punishment and allowed things to languish as far as can be allowed. The Oathstone placed in Castor Hold prevents him from allowing neglect to push too far, but he has delegated much authority which would be his to the Trademaster. Unfortunately, Tyrel loves games of chance and exercised a little influence to ensure the town has a decent gambling hall set up. After allowing some of the games to take place inside the fortress as a sign of prestige, he has found a sort of contentment in his role at last.
Type
Large town
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