Grange Wardens
A civilian volunteer group of farmers and families who serve as vigilant protectors of The Westfold, the vital grazing lands west of Westkeep. Renowned for its thriving livestock industry—including horse and bison breeding, cattle, pigs, and sheep—The Westfold benefits from the Wardens' diligent stewardship. These guardians patrol from the northern boundary at Cragshadow Ridge, west to the banks of the River Isendiun and down to The Scar, blending their deep-rooted respect for the old ways and reverence for the land's natural fertility with the practical demands of livestock farming.
It was past highmoon when we heard the Wardens' horns echoing down from Cragshadow Ridge. We barely had time to gather the herds and get our families hidden before the barbarians descended. Without their watchfulness, we'd have lost everything—our cattle, our bison, our homes, perhaps even our lives. We owe the Grange Wardens everything.
Beliefs and Veneration
At the heart of their beliefs is Silvanus, the Green Man—an Old God of nature, wild growth, and protector of both farmers and forests. His symbol, a face of carved leaves or a wild-growing tree, adorns their outposts, cairns, and the amulets worn by each warden. Silvanus guides them in ensuring prosperous harvests and harmonious coexistence with nature.Sphere of Influence
The Grange Wardens focus on maintaining the balance between cultivated lands and the wild frontier. They ensure the safety of Westkeep’s farms, shepherd travelers along the perilous Crag Road, and guard against threats emerging from the Scar or descending from the treacherous heights of Cragshadow Ridge.Organization and Activities
- Patrols and Watchpoints: Wardens regularly patrol the boundaries of Westkeep’s farmlands, maintaining hidden caches along the Crag Road; sounding horns placed within stone cairns, ready to warn of impending threats.
- Festivals of the Fields: They lead seasonal festivals honoring Silvanus, blessing fields, livestock, and celebrating natural abundance.
- Guides and Protectors: They act as escorts for trade caravans traveling the vulnerable stretch of road alongside Cragshadow Ridge, particularly during times of heightened danger.
Relations with Westkeep
Although primarily respected within Westkeep for their practical contributions, the Grange Wardens’ reverence for Silvanus occasionally puts them at philosophical odds with the Church of St. Ygg. Yet, mutual respect and the shared goal of Westkeep’s safety maintain a functional alliance between the two entities.Key Figures
- Eamon Greenthorn: The current elder and spiritual leader; wise in ancient lore, skilled in diplomacy, and deeply connected to the land.
- Bree Stonefield: Chief scout and tracker, responsible for monitoring the Scar and Cragshadow Ridge borderlands; fiercely protective and unexplainably strange.
- Galen Bramblebeard: Master of rituals and lore-keeper, teaching the younger wardens traditions and secret paths through the wilderness.
The Scar breathes deeper of late, as though awakening from ancient slumber. Its whispers reach me clearly—something stirs beneath the mists, and I fear the land itself remembers what we have long forgotten. Listen carefully, friends, for the earth holds secrets older than our oldest stories, and it speaks now not of peace, but of restless dreams and shadows yearning for release.
Notable Locations
- Cragshadow Cairns: Stone cairns placed strategically along Crag Road, containing animal horns for signaling danger.
- Greenthorn Grove: A sacred site within the western farmland, used for worship and rituals dedicated to Silvanus.
- Watchstone Ruins: Ancient ruins atop Cragshadow Ridge, believed to hold ancient protections left by the hill folk who once worshipped the peaks.
Founding Date
Date Unknown - Pre-AC
Type
Civilian, Crew
Alternative Names
The Wardens
Location
Rumors and Opportunities
- It is said the Wardens secretly guard a hidden entrance beneath Cragshadow Ridge, fearing what ancient evil may remain within.
- Some whisper the Wardens have recovered strange relics bearing symbols older than Middenmark itself, relics they desperately seek to keep hidden from prying eyes.
- Word circulates that Eamon Greenthorn has seen visions from Silvanus warning of a looming threat from beyond the mountains, but he has yet to disclose the details.
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