Post by warwick on Jun 14, 2023 23:50:00 GMT
Dev-blog 9 - The Ardouin Brotherhood
Hello everyone - this is our last dev-blog, the faction spotlight for Mont-Ardouin, the most recent addition to Elain Valley, an up-start hamlet established by a band of outlaws and brigands under the leadership of two disinherited brothers. Hidden amidst the pines of the outer valley on the eastern banks, Mont-Ardouin guards the way into the mountain passes and the river ford connecting the northern and eastern banks of Elain Valley.
History
Locals say the men of Mont-Ardouin came from the court of a neighbouring Barony, where reigns a man with a dangerous reputation, the robber Baron Romain de Champ. Few know of the true origin of Mont-Ardouin, of the Barony of Montmarteaux, where a certain Baron d’Ardouin fell to fratricide while attempting to usurp his own liege lord. Where-ever they might hail from, few speak highly of the inhabitants of this hamlet by the ford, and fewer still deal with them, since their arrival trade from the north has slowed to a crawl.
Those rare few who’ve been guests of the supposed ‘Baron’ who makes his home in the rockcave speak of a palace within the mountain, and a court of revelry unrivaled in the region, yet beyond these few, most people of Elain see the men of Mont-Ardouin as simple highwaymen and cruel opportunists.
Relics & Economics
• Eclipse - The storied sword of House d'Ardouin, Eclipse, a blackened-steel longsword whose steel seems to spurn all light. The hilt is wrapped in aged black leather and adorned with a silver pommel resembling a sparrow's head. Only a d'Ardouin with exceptional martial prowess is able to take the sword, it is said that at times it has gone generations without a wielder.
• Montmarteaux's Ward - An oxidized silver ring that has been in the d'Ardouin family for over a century having been made by the founding member of the d'Ardouin dynasty in the deep silver mine of Montmarteaux. Adorned with a white saphhire on top, and engraved with now indecipherable runes said to protect its wearer from misfortune and bad health.
Since the end of the war years ago, trade and travel have begun to trickle back across the Elain. Yet many merchants remain wary, and rightfully so, of the hostile groups of the region. Mont-Ardouin produces little, yet seizes much - whether from taxing the river ford crossing, or raiding nearby villages for tribute, the brigands who call the cavernous mountain their home have found a way to make do, albeit at the expense of others. Yet even amidst these reputed hooligans are those with unique skills, Mont-Ardouin has one craftsman to speak of, who’s capable of feats most fletchers, carpenters or smiths wouldn’t bother doing, yet for those living the life on the road, their services are invaluable. (Mont-Ardouin features a new unique workbench and associated profession: Salvager. Salvagers are capable of turning junk items (eg. rusted swords, bent lances, flimsy crossbows, blunt falchions) into usable weapons at a fraction of the cost of purchasing a new weapon)
Hello everyone - this is our last dev-blog, the faction spotlight for Mont-Ardouin, the most recent addition to Elain Valley, an up-start hamlet established by a band of outlaws and brigands under the leadership of two disinherited brothers. Hidden amidst the pines of the outer valley on the eastern banks, Mont-Ardouin guards the way into the mountain passes and the river ford connecting the northern and eastern banks of Elain Valley.
History
Locals say the men of Mont-Ardouin came from the court of a neighbouring Barony, where reigns a man with a dangerous reputation, the robber Baron Romain de Champ. Few know of the true origin of Mont-Ardouin, of the Barony of Montmarteaux, where a certain Baron d’Ardouin fell to fratricide while attempting to usurp his own liege lord. Where-ever they might hail from, few speak highly of the inhabitants of this hamlet by the ford, and fewer still deal with them, since their arrival trade from the north has slowed to a crawl.
Those rare few who’ve been guests of the supposed ‘Baron’ who makes his home in the rockcave speak of a palace within the mountain, and a court of revelry unrivaled in the region, yet beyond these few, most people of Elain see the men of Mont-Ardouin as simple highwaymen and cruel opportunists.
Relics & Economics
• Eclipse - The storied sword of House d'Ardouin, Eclipse, a blackened-steel longsword whose steel seems to spurn all light. The hilt is wrapped in aged black leather and adorned with a silver pommel resembling a sparrow's head. Only a d'Ardouin with exceptional martial prowess is able to take the sword, it is said that at times it has gone generations without a wielder.
• Montmarteaux's Ward - An oxidized silver ring that has been in the d'Ardouin family for over a century having been made by the founding member of the d'Ardouin dynasty in the deep silver mine of Montmarteaux. Adorned with a white saphhire on top, and engraved with now indecipherable runes said to protect its wearer from misfortune and bad health.
Since the end of the war years ago, trade and travel have begun to trickle back across the Elain. Yet many merchants remain wary, and rightfully so, of the hostile groups of the region. Mont-Ardouin produces little, yet seizes much - whether from taxing the river ford crossing, or raiding nearby villages for tribute, the brigands who call the cavernous mountain their home have found a way to make do, albeit at the expense of others. Yet even amidst these reputed hooligans are those with unique skills, Mont-Ardouin has one craftsman to speak of, who’s capable of feats most fletchers, carpenters or smiths wouldn’t bother doing, yet for those living the life on the road, their services are invaluable. (Mont-Ardouin features a new unique workbench and associated profession: Salvager. Salvagers are capable of turning junk items (eg. rusted swords, bent lances, flimsy crossbows, blunt falchions) into usable weapons at a fraction of the cost of purchasing a new weapon)
