Toothbreaker's Pass
Purpose / Function
A major road between Tvbéra and Slëmonoch city-proper leads through a very cold, high region in the Fringian Mountains. Having been one of the trade-routes between Khaerlemmen and Harnoth, silver used to flow into Tvbéra with heavy carriages, and be transported back from the local artisans, having been shaped into masterworks. The Toothbreaker, so called for the Tvbéran guardposts by the road (Tigers would descend and crush and bandits, rumoured to take the teeth from anyone to consider banditry in the area--) was amongst the safest places in the Houselands. However, it was also amongst the coldest: the Pass, which saw a small valley of some ten miles stretch between two high peaks, leaving between them a wind-tunnel of a position, which was used by the Tvbéran armed forces to test the survival abilities of their trained men. Nothing lived here, except extremely resilient men and trees.
Eventually, Issqaran Wolves made the Toothbreaker their quest in that they would train in these extreme conditions. The 'hell week' so to speak, was called Freezing Vigil, lasted for an entire winter, and was the most desired mark of honour: men would be considered pack captain having completed the Vigil, and would carry a polished iron medal for having survived the elements. Wartime service in the Pass was considered even greater an accomplishment, generally the task was given to the creme de la creme of wolfpacks. Generally, a single pack would be placed in the Pass, and deny whatever force would use the road. Týoll, Thems'k Khórr and the Harkgan had all defended the Pass successfully, with the Harkgan having outright thrived there, outright defeating a hostile regiment there in the winter of 7-631.
The pass was extremely important, also, in communicating between armies in the Fringe, and the Haevn'dan.
Eventually, Issqaran Wolves made the Toothbreaker their quest in that they would train in these extreme conditions. The 'hell week' so to speak, was called Freezing Vigil, lasted for an entire winter, and was the most desired mark of honour: men would be considered pack captain having completed the Vigil, and would carry a polished iron medal for having survived the elements. Wartime service in the Pass was considered even greater an accomplishment, generally the task was given to the creme de la creme of wolfpacks. Generally, a single pack would be placed in the Pass, and deny whatever force would use the road. Týoll, Thems'k Khórr and the Harkgan had all defended the Pass successfully, with the Harkgan having outright thrived there, outright defeating a hostile regiment there in the winter of 7-631.
The pass was extremely important, also, in communicating between armies in the Fringe, and the Haevn'dan.
Alterations
Very few alterations have been made in the Road, or the Pass. Few barracks exist, no hamlets, no inns. As noman hunts here, wolves occasionally venture here, as well as mountain goats. Wolves in the Pass are small, vicious and fast. They are known to hunt Man.
Architecture
The road itself is a well paved, Imperial Kiri line of communication, which served function and not aesthetics. Guard posts still remain, however ruined they may be: mainly they are used by the occasional traveler, who is not per ce prepared to remain in the Pass during winter. Towers have basements, in which travelers leave bundles of wood to make fires, should the following man find none. At times, the travelers meet, and comment on the road being yet in remarkable condition, and then ponder if the highland weather could get any colder. They remain inside the tower, and shiver around the fire, praying for morrow. Kiri in the past would rather risk the highland cold, than the Tvbéran-Issqaran border bogs, and the evil air there - malaria and mosquitos.
There were two inns in history, however, both were abandoned upon the Fringe becoming a contested frontier. Drawings remain of the old Toothbreaker's buildings, which showed a very unique, sturdy, partially underground architecture, which gave ideas to later military men on how to create extreme weather dwellings.
There were two inns in history, however, both were abandoned upon the Fringe becoming a contested frontier. Drawings remain of the old Toothbreaker's buildings, which showed a very unique, sturdy, partially underground architecture, which gave ideas to later military men on how to create extreme weather dwellings.
Type
Highway
Owning Organization
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