It was when I first left the town walls of Castelion for a summer picnic with my train that I noticed the strange sound. We had been making the rounds of our holdings from Bonnifuss for a couple months, and I had heard many strange things in those times but nothing quite like this. It was a strange keening, mixed with sharp cracks and the report of sliding rock.
Our local guards informed my husband, Thane Creb Mandolin nephew of the great Duke Mandolin, that it was the sound of local engineers hulling one of the magnificent low draft trade galleys. We were about to order the noise cease, because it was disturbing our lunch, when from out of the bushes came a veritable horde of small children. None could have been more than waist height, but they ran and chatted like the young boys and girls of Bonnifuss on the night of solstice.
I have never heard such language from the mouths of children. Why I nearly fainted dead away. Then I realized that they must be young Gnomes. I had never thought the little people were so rambunctious. Indeed they looked almost as silly as those wandering Guthries that are always pestering my husband for handouts. Well for all their antics, their eyes were far older than their bodies appeared and I quickly grew uncomfortable around so many of such common blood. Why being raised to the nobility requires one act like a lady and what lady would consort with dirty little Gnomes! Anyway there I was after my ruined picnic when from the ground erupted some hairy beast. It had enormous claws and I screamed. The world went black.
When I woke, the little folk were standing atop the creature, having roped it to several boulders and poured some foul smelling concotion down its throat. How they managed to subdue such a hideous beast is beyond me, but I was glad for their help and paid them each a pemb. It was really too bad about my husband though. He thought to protect me bless his heart and had his head ripped off. Well I have to be going, I have lands to manage you know.
-Lady Gallia Tors-Mandolin,Thane of Clearwater Hill
Castelion is ruled by Hamir Nordinsthop a Gnomish regent in service to the kingdom of Silverthorn these last two hundred years. He has reared many a fine young noble in his service to the royal family and is always looking out for their best interests. It is rumored that he got this job because he was a close associate of the first king Silverthorn (maybe even his cook).
Castelion is located in beautiful rolling hills where the Dorchak river flows into the inner sea. Across this two mile expanse of river water to the north lies the edges of the great Westwood, still havested for lumber by the people of Castelion. To the East the open plains Bonnifuss and the riders of Da’Thanis stretch for many miles.
Most of the barony consists of small hamlets, and cozy sod homes in the fertile river valleys. A strong contingent of guardsmen regularly patrol the area. Some say they have seen heavily armored gnomes moving with a soft greasy squeak through the night as well.
Ecology
Castelion is generally a well maintained and low danger area. The occasional hungry troll makes a lunch out of a farm family, or the odd boat is capsized by a river serpent, but for the most part life in Castelion is peaceful and prosperous for her citizens. There is however a moonset curfew and all citizens are expected to be indoors when the moon goes down. Occasionally the ground rumbles and shakes during this time and the citizens remark on the wisdom of their regent for imposing a curfew for the safety of his people.
Important people
Augustae Umbramus head of the Gnomish power movement. There is a growing faction in this area moving for Gnomish independence. So far they have not harmed anyone or harmed the economic well-being of the region, but tensions are growing between this faction and the human peasants.
Hamir Nordinsthrop, the regent. Hamir has been serving in the absence of a legitimate baron for the last two hundred years. Whenever a baron is actually around he merely advises and takes care of small management decisions. Hamir is a quiet, pudgy man, who rarely attends social events and even more rarely speaks to those who do.
Baron Tormir and Baroness Alchin are twin children of the previous Baron, as he died before they have reached their majority Hamir has once again stepped from his position as chief adjutant into the regency. Tormir and Alchin are one year from reaching their majority and at that time may sue for their rightful place on the baronial seat. Due to them both being the same age it is likely that Tormir, being male, will take the seat.
Ustin Morningstar is a large shipping magnate high in the ranks of the Merchant’s House. He has made a fortune in the last five years controlling virtually all trade through the port of Castelion by ship. Since Castelion is the key entry into the Inner Sea for all frontier goods and the war effort Ustin has prospered enormously.