Greykeep

Greykeep is a lumber town in the Whispering Vale in central @Kharem; it is governed by the Order of Eleven and is home to roughly 5,400 people, although there are many empty houses throughout the town - especially in the Farming District. Greykeep stood on the edge of the front lines during the Endless Night and acted as a shelter for many people fleeing the chaos. Greykeep joined the Silver Shield in 1005 PS following the events of the Endless Night, however they still remain semi-independent from the state due to their distance from Karfell .

Demographics

Greykeep began as a small lumber town in 785 PS with a population of only 1,200. Most of the inhabitants were human (89%) with the rest being made up of halflings (6%) and elves (5%). Since the Endless Night, Greykeep's population has grown as it received many refugees from the surrounding lands; there are now roughly 5,400 residents although most of the inhabitants are still human (78%) with the rest being made up of halflings (11%), dwarves (7%) and other races (4%).

Government

When it was first founded in 785 PS, Greykeep was ruled by Lord Ignatius Greyholme , who appointed himself Lord Mayor of the town. This title was passed down through the Greyholme family until 1004 PD when they were killed during the Endless Night by Delaney Greyholme, the youngest of the family at that time. After the deaths of the Greyholme family, the Order of Eleven  was formed, a group of warriors and leaders from the town and surrounding farmland. They were first lead by the mage Khazeem Tildar until his death in 1023 PD. Since then, they have been lead by Cilia Nightfate.

Defences

Town Wall

Greykeep is defended by a 14 foot high stone wall that surrounds the north, south and western sides of the town; protecting the eastern side is what remains of the old wall after it was partly destroyed during the Endless Night.

The Greyhelm Guard

Formed in 802 PD, the Greyhelm Guard is a combat and law enforcement unit led by the Commander of the Guard, a position held by a member of the Order of Eleven. The cleric Thafti is currently Greykeep's Commander of the Guard.

Industry & Trade

Greykeep was originally founded as a small lumber town, trading the hardy Gristlethale timber with other towns in the Whispering Vale; since the Endless Night however, trade with Greykeep has slowed.

Infrastructure

Greykeep has simple technology, with oil burning lanterns lining the streets and the most basic of magical enchantments surrounding Greykeep Guildhall.

Districts

Farming District

The Farming District was largely destroyed during the events of the Endless Night in 1004 PD and the wall defending this part of the town was never fully repaired.

• Cursed Wand Inn: A shabby tavern owned by The Golden Light.
• Even Sanctuary: A temple to Tyr.
• The Asylum: A building, holding people effected by 'The Mist', outside the eastern tower.
• Greykeep Smithy: A blacksmiths located on the main street of Greykeep, owned by the dwarf Thornrun Molteneye.

Western Ward

• Greykeep Guildhall: The courtroom and meeting hall of the Order of Eleven.
• Twisted Willow: A tavern on the main street of Greykeep, the most popular in the town.
• Fireforge Temple: A temple to Moradin built by the cleric Thafti in 989 PD.
• Eidersol Temple: A squat, white brick building that serves as Greykeep's temple to Pelor situated in the north of the Western Ward.
• Hoke and Poke Us: A small magical trinkets and potion store owned by Khamezic Vodevi.
• Greyholme Square: The main market place of Greykeep, containing two chestnut trees planted by Ignatius Greyholme during the founding of Greykeep in 785 PD.

History

Ancient

Greykeep sits on the northern slopes of the Whispering Vale, between the Greenly Bluffs and Gristlethale Wood. The Mualim Peaks, north of the town were once home to the Limbis Mualim of the Ageus Arcanum and the Giant's Bones Hills contain many remnants of the Titan Wars from before The Disjunction.

Recent

Greykeep was founded in 785 PD by Ignatius Greyholme, who saw the land as a well defensible location with good access to the hardy timber of Gristlethale Wood and only a days ride to the trade routes running through Two Halves Lake. The town originally began as a small collection of logging camps and sawmills about a mile from the wood, but quickly prospered into a major exporter of timber in the Whispering Vale and one of the bustling trade destinations along the Tradehold Road. In 802 PD, the Greyhelm Guard was formed to protect the town and enforce the law within its walls; the cleric Thafti was appointed Commander of the Guard in 978 PD. In 989 PD, the Fireforge temple to Moradin was built. During the Endless Night in 1004 PD, the Greyholme family was murdered by Delaney Greyholme who then undertook a dark ritual, sacrificing 10 new born babies from Greykeep to become a vampire. After their deaths, the mage Khazeem Tildar created the Order of Eleven to run Greykeep as a council. Attempts were made to deal with the vampire Delaney and several mercenary parties were sent into 'The Mist'. However, none of them survived and the Order of Eleven became too scared to attempt to deal with him any further. There have been talks about Greykeep joining the Silver Shield since the Endless Night however, the Order of Eleven have been too scared to join because of Delaney Greyholme. Khazeem Tildar died in 1023 PD and a new leader of the Order of Eleven was elected, Cilia Nightfate. Since then, they have kept Greykeep safe from outside harm, although whispers of a 'curse' set upon the town are beginning to turn people away - many buildings in the town are left abandoned.

Points of interest

'The Mist'

West of Greykeep lies Greyholme Manor, supposedly abandoned since the deaths of the Greyholme family. Constantly surrounding the ruins of the manor is a thick mist, it is said that many who enter the mist do not return but if they do, they are changed forever. A person's entire essence is stripped from them leaving them almost like a wild animal. For the safety of the residents of Greykeep and the effected people themselves, those who return are locked away within The Asylum.

Geography

Greykeep sits on a grassy plateau between the Greenly Bluffs and Gristlethale Wood, on the northern slopes of the Whispering Vale. Its buildings are squat and stout, as if built to withstand great storms. West of the city, on the edge of Gristlethale Wood, sits Greyholme Manor, often seen surrounded by thick mist. Greykeep is surrounded by a mile or so of farmland and small farming hamlets connected by muddy cart tracks. The town is roughly split into two sections, the Farming District and the Western Ward.

Natural Resources

Greykeep sits near the vast Gristlethale Wood which is known for its hardy timber, the town is also able to make its own food from the surrounding farmland and continued trade with Old Run  and Easthallow.

Founding Date

785 PD

Founders

• Lord Ignatius Greyholme

Alternative Name(s)

Town of Shadows

Type

Town

Population

5,400

Location under

Whispering Vale

Owning Organization

Order of Eleven

Characters in Location

• Cilia Nightfate