Stonehaven
Large Town: Alignment: TN, Population: 4,300; Mixed (65% human, 20% half-humanoid, 5% half-elf, 4% dwarf, 2% gnome, 2% elf, 2% halfling), Authority figures: Lord Douglas (human, male, ranger) Lady Blanchefleur (human, female, cleric)
Stonehaven is a newly established settlement built on the foundations of at least two others. On the surface it was the Menagerie, a wild overgrown garden of a long dead eccentric nobleman. Underground it was an extensive Dwarven port built in to the very cliff face and formidably fortified. It was for a good while the mian campaign port for both the Army of Everwatch and the newly founded Free Harmonias province. Stonehaven was bestowed to Lord Douglas, the famed ranger adventurer, for services to the late Duke Rocco, though controversially when the Duke was no longer living and undead. This was recognised by Duchess Katalin, the present living ruler, and Douglas has become a respected member of the Everwatch nobility. Built in to the cliffs is a sheltered harbour with four levels of Dwarven warehouses, barracks and the likes above it. There are two large mechanical cranes that haul cargo up from the lowest level to the surface. Above the old Dwarven harbour is a thriving new walled settlement on the ruins of the old Menagerie. In a matter of months Stonehaven has grown to over forty-three hundred settlers with several hundred garrison soldiers and is very much a boomtown. Under the stewardship of Lady Blanchefleur the harbour is very busy supplying the south of Everwatch and Harmonias beyond due to its strategically important location.
On approach you can see that the outlying farmsteads are all new and well laid out in a structured manner, working closer into the hub the buildings change to a more housing and trade focus – a hive of activity being supplied by the port. You can smell the newness in the form of the Fresh hewn wood and paint that the buildings are constructed of. As you get to the centre you can see the walls of the Stonehaven stronghold and 20’ high fortified wall with moat. Towers are at the key map points N, E, S and W and flying from these are the banners for Everwatch and Douglas. A good infrastructure and well laid town planning is obvious to the eye as new areas are continuing to be built but being done to ensure longevity of the town. Heavily armed and regular patrols are commonplace from the Stonehaven Army securing the border with Harmonias
Velt Manor; Home of Sir Otis Velt household knight of Lord Douglas has been granted a 2 square mile (Approx. 1,300 acre) estate, Velt Manor is on the far edge of Stonehaven’s territory.
Dramatis Personæ:
Lord Douglas Thantalas comes from Merriport in the North of the Empire and has adventured far and wide eventually ending up in Everwatch. His family was a wealthy merchant family having quite a few holdings in Merriport itself, he was originally heir to the businesses but found that in his youth he wanted excitement and adventure and so travelled away from his home. As far as he is aware his mother and father are still healthy and running their businesses alongside his two brothers. His shield is a red chevron on blue background with an over laying white crown. All symbolic of military strength, courage and honesty. His motto “Meux Vox Est Meus” literal meaning is “My Word is My Life”. He is vassal to the Duchess Katalin Vadild of Everwatch. He is a good looking fellow with serious dark brown eyes, a strong chiselled jaw and stubble - framed by long dark brown curly hair. He is tanned (or weathered depending on how you see it) and stands at an inch shy of six foot. He carries himself with an air of confidence and is both athletic and strong looking. He wears a chain shirt and dual wields a long and short sword in combat. On occasion he can also been seen with a mighty composite longbow, few of whom can draw.
Lady Blanchefleur Thantalas; wife to Lord Douglas, Blanchefleur is from the Mauberry family that ruled Harmonias. She has wed Lord Douglas and renounced any rights to the lands of Harmonias, she now effectively administers Stonehaven itself and is very focused or home and hearth and gets involved in siting and developing the new farms. She is interested with the local populace looking after the health of all but particularly the young and expectant ladies. She makes no secret of her expectation to have numerous children to Douglas. She is rumoured to be a cleric of Berei, the goddess of Home, Family and Agriculture.
Sir Vitomir Loric; Household Knight of Lord Douglas – Recently settled in the area after the wars with Harmonias and him and his people being let down in promises made of land and settlement. He and his people herald from the Southern continent around the Leosandria area. Sir Vitomir commands the Free Ludocian Cavalry, a Militi Extra Heavy Cavalry unit that can be mustered in times of need.
Sir Otis Velt; Household Knight of Lord Douglas – Recently established and owns and live in Velt Manor after securing this freehold through negotiations with Lord Douglas. Sir Otis heralds from Aelfshaw where his merchant father lives and works.
Stonehaven Army
Lord Douglas has been in several campaign battles now for Everwatch and is starting to get a little bit of a reputation for being a fierce commander. It is certainly fact that whatever battle he has been in there has been no reservation in getting himself and his troops stuck in at the first opportunity. This isn’t at the cost of sensibility but he doesn’t hold back and is very attack minded. His troops see that he leads from the front and there is an element of pride growing to serve under his banner. Currently flying both the Douglas and Everwatch banners. The balance and troop type under his command will be relative common knowledge due to the amount of battles that they have already been involved in.
Lord Douglas’s Lifeguard: an Extra Heavy Cavalry unit usually the vanguard of the Stonehaven Army. In every encounter to date that have been instrumental in inflicting heavy casualties on the foe. Running through them on heavy horse heavily armoured and with heavy lance tends to do that to foot troops.
Stonehaven Regiment: A Heavy Infantry polearm troop under the direct stewardship and command of Sir Argun Af Lavendal. Wherever there is conflict these are usually at the tip of the sword.
Stonehaven First Horse: Formerly the Summer Horse this is a Medium Cavalry brigade from Summerswaine that have taken up arms for Douglas after he asked them to flock to his banner. (Controversially from the Magravine however this was due to his fear that she was going to ensure retribution on her own troops following the loss of battle against Everwatch. Something only he noted post battle, and after all these were his own countrymen).
Stonehaven Auxiliaries: A controversial unit made up of half humanoids that fled the massacres at Golgortha. Douglas couldn’t condemn these poor creatures any further than they already had been and allowed some to stay – this was only after they had been through an engineered test from the Pelorian Priests to try and wedel out those of most purest evil (these were sent on to Wyntern as it was at the time). The remainder needed a focus and Douglas decided forming a unit of Skirmishers could provide that for them. Since this they have fought for him and shown steadfastness and a willingness to learn tactics that has improved them as troops. The unit may be on borrowed time though as they were created under exceptional circumstances - longer term their future is still to be decided.
The Stonehaven Scouts: Formerly the Summerswane Scouts now forming part of Douglas’s regular army. These men form a Medium Infantry Longbow Scout unit.
Lord Douglas also has the ability to call upon the Free Ludocian Company a Militia Extra Heavy Cavalry unit led by Sir Vitomir Loric.
The Blood Guard: This was a Mercenary Unit of Heavy Infantry that was under the employ of Lord Douglas but has since been released from his service. They have performed heroic deeds under the Everwatch banner.
Stonehaven Fleet
In a further attempt to establish control on the region Lord Douglas also commissioned the building of four War Galleons and a naval regiment to support them. The flagship of this fleet is named after his good wife. The Blanchfleur is a 4 mast War Galleon and is supported in the fleet by The Hammer, The Anvil and The Retribution all 3 mast War Galleons. During peace times these ships are used for protecting the trade routes critical to Stonehaven surrounding allies.