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Overview
The Kingdom of Ironhold’s origins lies as former subjects of Galenthia. Originally the Barony and then County of Ironhold, the fief was a Romante vassal ruled by House Cassomir, and derived the majority of its territory, wealth, soldiery and familial kinship from this proud lineage.
King Maric of House Damarian, of the Kingdom of Ironhold now rules over a rich, well armed and compact nation of hills, rivers and lakes, which will likely be well disposed to whatever the new order around it is. Though called a Kingdom, it truly has the strength of a very strong Duchy. Their population swelled during the War of the West as many folk from the Fallow Lands in Galenthia fled the war that had swept their homeland and were welcomed with open arms by the new Kingdom.
Nations have established tentative diplomatic relations with them, and indeed, being surrounded mainly by Galenthia, they are reliant on them for river trade flowing in and out of their Kingdom. Though having as yet no designs outside of their country, the Kingdom is most decidedly ready for anybody who wishes to test her strength.
History
The inception of House Damarian evolved from the Mai Crisis of 1868, which was precipitated by the beginning of the War of the West. Maric Cassomir, uncle of Viscount Henric Cassomir and steward of the Barony of Rivergate, seized power in the Cassomir lands. He was incensed by the Galenthia's new alliance with Aequor, the weak leadership of Queen Melisande, the lack of direction from the Viscount and was unwilling to let his homeland bear the cost of yet another war.
A dizzying array of events followed. Firstly, Viscount Henric's troops, other than his Iron Guard, largely stepped aside and facilitated the coup. Maric then promised his nephew that he would be able to keep his title and his seat at Roseguard Castle and the city of Iron March . Once the Viscount agreed and stepped aside, Maric declared the County's independence from Galenthia and armed neutrality in this new war. Finally, he divorced his new royal house from the Cassomir line, though Viscount Henric and the new King Maric's brother, Metalmire, have elected to maintain that name, essentially severing the link between the two lines.
- Cover
- Culture
- Lands and Holdings
- Houses
- Military
- Military Banner Numbers
- Economy
- Legends
- Reputation and Rumors
Dauntless Keep, the seat of House Damarian in Rivergate
Much of Ironhold’s culture comes from its native inhabitants. However, substantial numbers of refugees from the Fallow Lands in Galenthia have bolstered its population and brought their own cultural practices to the land. It is likely that in a generation or two, these will be subsumed by the native culture.
Religion: The One Faith holds strong in the Kingdom of Ironhold. Both nobles and commoners alike tend to be fairly devout, though individuals may vary, and rumors persist of a tiny pocket or two of worship of The Many tucked into the deeper reaches of the Heartswood.
Inheritance: The eldest child inherits, regardless of gender. In cases where an heir may be too young for the responsibilities of rulership when they inherit, then usually the eldest sibling of their parent will sit as regent until they come of age. Recognized or Noble Bastards may inherit if there is no other legitimate heir.
Nobles: Martial prowess is highly prized in Ironhold, and noble children of both genders are usually well-trained as fighters of one type or another. Honor is a highly prized commodity as well, and generally those of Damarian and Cassomir blood are considered above reproach in this regard, at least until they do something to no longer warrant the benefit of the doubt. They tend towards fierce loyalty to each other and to their King, and are usually devout adherents of the One Faith, hewing closely to the moral standards espoused by that religion. Outwardly, they tend to be solemn and earnest, but not naive, leading to a bit of a reputation as humorless prigs (even if it's not entirely true). Their humor, when it comes, veers towards the deadpan variety, which means it sometimes goes over the heads of those around them. This isn't to say that they don't know how to have "real" fun, though, and in truth for all their honor Ironhold nobles can often be a good bit more earthy than many other families, and tend to be relatively close to their smallfolk. It makes for some very interesting times when the yearly festivals roll around, and the normally-staid nobles can be found dancing in the streets with miners, barkeeps, and washer-women as easily as fellow nobles.
Of note is the newly-landed Lords who occupy some portions of the western Kingdom. These were individuals who were raised to noble status following the First Succession War, for their service to the Queen of Galenthia. Most were former Mercenary Commanders, and their temperaments and outlook varies wildly, though most are favorably disposed towards the King and his family, having fought alongside them (more or less) during both Succession Wars.
Commoners: The Common folk of Ironhold tend to be hard-working but well-treated by their rulers. They are fiercely proud of their little piece of land and tend to rally behind their leaders at a moments' notice. A bit of the martial prowess of Ironhold has rubbed off on its' peasants, and even the levies of Ironhold tend to be a cut above those found elsewhere when assembled, as militia training is held frequently and much of the peasantry did see combat during Galenthia's civil wars. Ironhold folk do tend to have a superstitious streak, however, and while many see them as a sober and serious lot, they do cut loose quite a bit when the festivals roll around. They tend to treat outsiders somewhat coolly, especially those from within Galenthia, as the scars of the civil war have not fully healed. Working conditions are good, with miners in particular well-cared for due to the value they bring the Kingdom.
The people of Rivergate are a bit different from the normal commoners of Ironhold, as they are now the Royal Capital. Unlike the rest of the Kingdom, they are typically of a more boisterous and open mind, more accepting of outsiders and generally much more pleasant to be around. This is due to the city’s status as a trading hub on Lake Dauntless and the rivers that connect it, and has made it a much more amenable city to ambassadors. Many foreigners rarely leave Rivergate, other than perhaps travelling to the city of Iron March (capital of House Cassomir).
Quick Overview: The Kingdom is called Ironhold. The seat of power (Capital City) is Rivergate on Lake Dauntless, and was formerly Iron March before Ironhold declared independence from Galenthia.
Iron March had a castle fortress named Ironhold prior to the Succession wars. The castle of Ironhold was burnt down and replaced later at a different site (opposite side of the valley) and was named Roseguard castle.
Towns:
Rivergate is the Royal Capital of House Damarian, sitting on the Southern edge of the County upon the Copper River, and is a bustling trade city for goods being shipped from the Duchy of Wayston, County Kaedon and the Romante Crownlands to the south, as well as for merchants shipping their own goods from Ironhold to points further south. It has swelled enormously in the past half decade, overtaking the former capital of Iron March as the biggest city. It is also famous for the large stone bridge that spans the Copper River here, built by the Vir Sidus Empire, with arches tall enough for ships to sail under. Rivergate makes much money charging tolls to cross the bridge, given that it is the only safe crossing point for many miles in either direction. Rivergate has a reputation as a rather boisterous place, with competing river merchants often letting their competitive spirit get the better of them, resulting in anything from formal bare-knuckle brawls or wrestling matches to dangerous river-races, though it's usually not so serious as to cause loss of life or damage to the town proper. Darker and deeper rumors claim that the Syndicate may well have a presence here, though if so, they keep it very quiet. The Merchants' Guild is known to have a chapter house present as well.
Beyond trade concerns, the town has a substantial foreign presence of diplomats, many of whom seek to court Ironhold to allying with them.
Iron March was the largest town in Ironhold, the capital as well as the location of the House seat, Roseguard Castle until the declaration of independence. Subsequently, there was a moderate exodus of people to the new capital, Rivergate, though this has been made up for in refugees that came to settle in the towns during the War of the West. This town remains the capital of the remnants of House Cassomir under their Viscount. This walled town is just on the edge of blossoming into a full-fledged city, but the attitude remains very "small town" despite their reasonably large population. It is notable for the large fields that have been cleared around it that are clearly designed for the mustering and drilling of troops. There are almost always formations of some type of troops or another practicing in these fields, be it peasant levies, town militia, archers, or knights. Several smiths ply their trade in this town, and it is known as a good place for an up-and-coming metalcrafter to make a name for themselves as it is relatively free of Guild influence. During the major festivals of the year, the open fields are turned into tournament and fair grounds, and visitors from throughout the County and beyond come visit to enjoy the festivities (even the mines virtually shut down for a few days). Visitors from outside the County who happen to partake of these festivals are usually surprised by the exuberant celebrations from the seemingly-staid House Cassomir.
Metalmire is a moderately-sized town that lies near a series of very rich Iron mines that produce much of the Kingdom's wealth. Indeed, these rich lodes of high-quality iron (suitable for making good steel) were what brought Ironhold its name. It is held under fief by a cadet branch of House Cassomir under Lord Beric, the King’s brother and uncle to Viscount Henric. Metalmire is generally a quiet and sleepy little place, and the commoners here tend towards being a bit sullen and dour (working the mines is backbreaking work, after all). The nearby Ironwatch Tower provides a sense of security over the place, though, and the Nobles of the Kingdom make appearances in the town often, usually holding public feasts for the mine workers and their families to bolster their spirits and remind them that their rulers appreciate their labors. Oddly enough, Metalmire also has a disproportionately high number of healers in town, stationed there by House Cassomir in order to look after the health of the miners and their families. Their services are paid for by the House, and so the miners are not forced to pay out of pocket for healers' services. There is an active Miner's Guild in Metalmire, as well.
A double-handful of smaller towns and villages dot the landscape of Ironhold, with many of them being communities of woodcutters and hunters. Of note is the town of Barnsley, which is the centre of Ironhold’s small agricultural belt.
House Damarian (Royal House) – House Damarian is the Royal House of Ironhold, having split off from the Cassomirs at the King Maric’s coup and declaration of independence from Galenthia. They are a very small house, though extremely wealthy due to the sheer volume of trade that comes through Rivergate and the shrewed management of their new kingdom. King Maric is the uncle to Viscount Henric Cassomir, and brother to Lord Beric Cassomir (of Metalmire).
House Cassomir (County & Lordship) – The remnants of the old house who did not split off to form the Royal House of Damarian. The County is the main branch (Viscount Henric), and controls both the former capital of Iron March and Roseguard Castle, while a cadet branch holds the Lordship of Metalmire (Lord Beric).
House Fendral (Lordship) – An old noble house that served the Cassomir since early on in Galenthian history.
House Hogan (Lordship) – A house ennobled after the First Succession War.
House Volstak (Lordship of Redbarrow) - A house ennobled after the First Succession War.
The Kingdom of Ironhold has three Lesser Lords in its service, as well as numerous knights, many of which manage lands for the House in a non-hereditary fashion (even if in practice some of them have been managing the same lands for several generations).
Royal Ironhold Cuirassiers: Every Knight and horseman, Noble or Common, that is trained and raised up by those in service to the Kingdom is sent to the Field of War around Rivergate to undertake the testing and training to join the heavy cavalry of the Royal Ironhold Cuirassiers. This follows on the previous practice of sending aspiring cavalrymen to join Galenthia’s Royal Lancers in Firen. Aside from being fierce fighters on the battlefield, Ironhold-trained knights have a reputation as tourney champions and exemplars of chivalry. Their numbers are small, only a single regiment, and certainly there are other cavalry units just as storied and highly-regarded.
Huntresses of Ironhold: The heavily wooded Ironhold provides a fruitful proving ground for the making of excellent scouts and woodsmen, but among the military forces of Ironhold, the most renowned of the scouts are the all-female Huntresses of Ironhold. Organized over four-hundred years ago, it has been the province of the eldest non-inheriting daughter of House Cassomir and now House Damarian (known as the Mistress of the Hunt) to command the Huntresses ever since. They once had an enmity with the Blood Seekers of House al’Morena, as the clashes between the two forces during the Thirty Years' War led to much bloodshed. While highly-skilled scouts by any measure, within the borders of Ironhold the Huntresses are virtually invisible and silent, and have deep familiarity with the lay of the land. Huntresses are usually of common birth (many are daughters of Hedge Knights serving Ironhold) save for the Mistress of the Hunt, though the occasional noblewoman from the cadet branches of the Kingdom’s houses serve as officers within the unit.
Saint Paule’s Regiment Named after the Patron Saint of Diligence, the Saint Paule’s Regiment acts as the Kingdom’s main armed force. They are a relatively new group of mercenaries hired on a permanent contract and are concentrated near the Kingdom’s capital of Rivergate. Many Ironhold locals have joined with the Regiment over the last few years, but unlike the retainers raised and maintained by the Kingdom’s houses, they recruit out of the country on a ten year contract.
They are well-regarded within the Kingdom and many a common lad (both within and without Ironhold) aspires to joining their number. Despite the foreign origin of many of their soldiers, they are considered to be extremely loyal to King Maric, acting as a kind of royal guard for him outside the normal structures of Ironhold’s politics.
Iron Guard: These are the guards and watchmen who defend the Kingdom in war and peace. During both the Thirty Years' War and the the two Galenthian Succession Wars, the Iron Guard repelled multiple attempts to seize the mines of Metalmire and invade the then County itself. Even the Thorn eventually conceded (under the advice of the Betrayer) that attempting to seize Ironhold would ultimately cost more lives than he could afford to lose, and so settled for trying to keep it cut off from its' allies instead (with limited success).
Most of the Iron Guard remained loyal to House Cassomir during the Mai Crisis of 1868 that caused the breakoff of Ironhold from Galenthia, though a strong company’s worth serve the royal house Damarian directly.
Since independence, the Cassomir Iron Guard now operate mainly in that County, assuring that its roads and towns are safe, making banditry a rare occurrence within the County despite the thick woods being ideally suited for such pursuits. The Damarian Iron Guard are posted in the east of the Kingdom, near the Galenthian border with Houses Raleigh (County Kaedon) and Rendor (Sokar Duchy of Riverwatch).
Ironhold Royal and Damarian Retainers (Strong Duchy’s troops plus mercenaries)
Saint Paule’s Regiment (Mercenary Flight): 500 (combined arms)
Royal Ironhold Cuirassiers (Heavy Cavalry): 100
Huntresses of Ironhold: 300
Iron Guard (Elite Spear Infantry): 100
Engineers: 50
Crossbowmen: 400
Halberdiers: 100
Men-At-Arms: 150
Total Professional Soldiers: 1700
Iron March (Seat of Cassomir County – fields a strong Barony’s worth of troops)
Heavy Cavalry: 75
Huntresses of Ironhold: 50
Iron Guard (Elite Spear Infantry) 150
Men-at-Arms: 200
Archers: 150
Total Professional Soldiers: 625
Metalmire (Cassomir Lordship):
Engineers: 25
Galenthian Spearmen: 75
Crossbowmen: 50
Men-At-Arms: 50
Total Professional Soldiers: 200
Fendral (Lordship):
Heavy Cavalry: 50
Galenthian Spearman: 50
Men-At-Arms: 50
Archers: 25
Scouts: 25
Total Professional Soldiers: 200
Hogan (Lordship):
Raider Cavalry: 50
Archers: 50
Men-At-Arms: 50
Scouts: 15
Halberdiers: 35
Total Professional Soldiers: 200
Volstak (Lordship):
Men-at-Arms: 75
Lancers: 50
Scouts: 25
Archers: 50
Total Professional Soldiers: 200
Total Banners
Current Numbers: 3,125 Professional Retainers, no militia or levies currently raised
Ironhold draws much of its wealth from a series of rich lodes of iron tucked into the north-central portion of the County. The iron from the mines of Metalmire is known for being of particularly good quality and quite suitable for making excellent steel. Of course the Kingdom benefits greatly from this, which may go a long way towards explaining their long-held martial traditions and very well-equipped forces. Cassomir Steel (for it is still called this) is traded briskly to Galenthia and beyond, and if not the best quality steel in the world is certainly considered much better than average. They do not produce nearly the volume that House Tarris does, but their Iron is considered of higher quality. Since the declaration of their Kingdom, they’ve worked hard to increase the output of metal from their mines and smelters. Sitting neutrally during the following wars, this has proven a windfall that has filled Ironhold’s coffers.
In addition to its' iron and steel, Ironhold has lesser but still profitable interests in timber from the thick forest of the Heartswood, and pelts and furs from the plethora of fauna that inhabit those same forests. While livestock and crops are grown and tended in some of the less-forested portions of the County (particularly along its' southern edge near the town of Barnsley), it almost entirely goes towards feeding the population of the Kingdom, though it is at least enough to make them reasonably self-sufficient in regards to foodstuffs, especially when supplemented with hunted game.
Blood of Heroes: Sir Daved Cassomir, who held back thousands upon thousands of White Hall Raiders while leading but a few hundred men. Sir Tedric Cassomir, whose charge broke the back of the Garail Horde during their last failed attempt to conquer Galenthia, thus securing the new Kingdom as a power in its' own right. Baron Neale Cassomir, who was pierced by no less than eight Partharian arrows and slew twelve men single-handedly before he perished in defense of his King, or Neale's sister, Lady Monica Cassomir, known as the First Huntress, who rallied the women of Ironhold to fight back against Partharian invaders during that same incursion, and forever cemented the Huntresses of Ironhold as some of the most famed Scouts and woodland fighters of the West. The Cassomir name has a tendency to pop up in conspicuous fashion across Galenthia's history, usually performing deeds of great valor, and those tales continue to spread through the centuries. Even today, Baron Jaren Cassomir seems to carry on in the vein of his heroic ancestors as the Champion of the Rose Queen, a title none dispute he is deserving of. Whether it's something in the water in Ironhold or simply in the blood of House Cassomir, they have a remarkable tendency to end up in the right place and right time to make a significant impact on history, whether they like it or not.
Winterthorn: Winterthorn is the sidhe-steel blade wielded by the heads of House Cassomir. Gifted to Javier Cassomir by Travian Romante after Sir Daved's heroic stand, the blade has been wielded in countless battles since then, and always served its' wielder well. "Winterthorn" is a new name for the blade, though, as it is an ancient weapon, and it was redubbed when it was gifted to the Cassomir family to reflect Daved's battle against the raiders of White Hall. Its' original name, if any, has been lost to the mists of time long before it ever fell into the hands of the Romante family.
Winterthorn is known to be a bit of an odd weapon. It is slightly longer than a traditional longsword but not quite so long as a true bastard sword, and the few scholars of such things that have seen the blade have suggested it may have been designed for use by a Sidhe or Bane Sidhe warrior. The weapon is almost as famous as the Cassomir family itself. Like most sidhe-steel weapons, it is perfectly balanced, never needs sharpening, and never tarnishes or rusts. House Cassomir has retained this weapon, even after losing control of Ironhold to their former cadet branch, House Damarian.
The Widow of the Wood: It is "common knowledge" that a Banshee haunts the forests of Ironhold. She is called the Widow of the Wood, and in life was a witch known to steal women and children alike to devour in her hidden lair. Supposedly when the Inquisition came to deal with her, she uttered blasphemies so foul that her soul would not be accepted by death, and now her spirit hunts for prey still. Her wail can be heard on the wind on dark and stormy nights. Spooky tales of the Widow are commonly passed among the commoners in Ironhold (and have spread to provinces outside of it as well), and children are often told to behave themselves lest the Widow come and steal them away in the night.
The Circle of Iron: There is a spot deep in the forests of Ironhold, about a half-day's ride from Iron March, that a few hunters have stumbled upon over the years. Here, a circle of iron obelisks, each taller than a grown man, stands in a small clearing. The location is not marked on any map and none that have stumbled upon it have ever attempted to return, for a shroud of fear seems to linger over the location. It has been reported to the rulers of House Cassomir more than once, and some do remember members of the Holy Inquisition venturing into the forests in the past, perhaps hunting whatever witches or heretics might make use of such a spot. Whatever they might have found, or if they found the circle at all, remains a mystery. Some legends whisper that a great treasure is buried there. Others that it is a gateway to the place where Demons lie, and others still think it has something to do with the Widow of the Wood. Perhaps it was the source of her power in life.
A New Haunting?: None can deny that there is certainly some kind of pall over the ruins of Castle Ironhold and the forested hill that it rests upon. Animals don't seem to go there. Shadows seem deeper, and the hair on the back of ones' neck and hands tends to stand on end the closer they get to the Ruin. Some claim its' the ghost of the old Baron Cassomir and his wife and son grieving for the lives they lost. Others claim that the Widow of the Wood has taken residence in the ruins, and say that they've heard her wail coming from the hilltop in recent years.
Honour and Glory: House Cassomir were long upheld by Galenthians as paragons of honor and martial prowess. Every major victory House Romante won, there were members of House Cassomir fighting by their sides, and often playing decisive roles in those battles. There have been sons (and the occasional daughter) of House Cassomir serving in the Royal Lancers of House Romante since the founding of the Kingdom of Galenthia. When romantic and adventuresome tales of chivalry and daring were told by bards in Galenthia, it is quite natural for Galenthians to picture the Knightly protagonists as Knights of House Cassomir (well, unless you happen to be from Tarris lands, anyway). Since independence, some of these traits have been transferred to the Kingdom of Ironhold’s own reputation.
Interestingly, the warriors of Ironhold are known more for personal skill at arms than being great war leaders. While certainly a few great Galenthian generals have came from the Cassomir line over the centuries, they generally tend more towards competent yet conservative military leaders best utilized as subordinates to more innovative and audacious commanders. What they may lack in tactical and strategic greatness, however, they tend to make up for in inspirational and motivating qualities. A Noble Knight of Ironhold might not be the fellow who comes up with the plan, but he'll certainly be the fellow the commander wants leading the charge when the time comes, because those around him will often have no hesitation in following.
Uptight…Or Not?: A reputation for honor and skill at arms usually means people assume that people of Ironhold are likely to be humorless sticks-in-the-mud. While it may be true that nobles of the Kingdom can be prone to sobriety and solemn mien, they also clearly enjoy their festivals, putting on exuberant and cheerful celebrations when the proper times come. Previousnly, nobles of other families were known to travel to Ironhold for at least one of the yearly festivals, though this has definitely declined since the independence of the Kingdom.
The Secrets of Roseguard Castle: Roseguard Castle was built quite quickly by any standard (but not sloppily) and involved a more-than-significant expenditure of resources. While House Romante certainly made generous (and quite public) donations to the project (in thanks to Sir Jaren's heroic defense of the Rose during the Civil War), many of those architects and engineers that were sent found themselves working with a great number of similarly-skilled individuals from Rikton. Moreover, the construction was highly unusual, in that the workers and craftsmen from Rikton were usually assigned to work on segments of the Castle that the Galenthian workers were not permitted access to, leading some to wonder what exactly the Church's interest in House Cassomir might be. Miraculously, despite the segregated workers, the castle came together properly, but that certainly hasn't stopped the whispered questions of what's really going on in Roseguard Castle. Some say it holds a dungeon for Inquisitors of the One Faith to perform their Inquests of Heretics and Witches. Others point to renovations of the Church in Iron March that were carried out at the same time as the castle construction, and posit that a secret passageway links the two buildings. One thing's for sure: Roseguard has a lot of guest quarters…and while that's handy for the renowned festivals that Ironhold throws every year, in the off-season it seems like a lot of people attached to the Church of the One Faith have paid visits to the Castle…particularly those bearing the symbols of the Holy Inquisition.
Huntresses
The Huntresses of Ironhold are an elite force, comprised solely of women, and utilize the terrain, their quickness, stealth, and surprise to their advantage. They are the eyes of the forest, the silent and unseen watchers that keep the towns and villages safe when and where the guard cannot. They are said to know the lands of Ironhold so intimately that none can ever be lost within its' borders, and are a particularly tight-knit sisterhood of warriors.
They are by no means Knights. Nor are they assassins. Within Ironhold the Huntresses are given a great amount of respect, and afforded a similar degree among their former compatriots of Galenthia. They are an elite force that conducts daring manoeuvres in times of war as well as more routine duties in peace, and are renowned scouts.
Ironhold has had the good fortune to only be faced with invasion twice in its' long history. The first instance led to the formation of the Huntresses of Ironhold. In the second, the Huntresses proved instrumental in harrying and driving the invaders from their lands.
In 1432 IE, Galenthia was subject to an invasion by three separate Princes of Partharia, working together. With one Prince throwing their weight at Firen, many of the men of House Cassomir marched to war to meet them, including their Baron, Neale Cassomir, who would perish defending the Galenthian King there. A second prince never made it into Galenthia, as House Tarris stole a march on him and crushed his forces on the shores of the Great Salt River. The third Prince, however, viewed Ironhold as vulnerable, and struck deep within Galenthia's heartland, aiming to seize the valuable iron mines there.
Initially, the Prince's gambit was successful, as the Baron's sister, Lady Monica Cassomir, was driven from Ironhold Castle, and forced to shelter in the thick forests of the Heartswood. She was aided by the daughter of a local Woodsman who had traveled with the men of Ironhold as a scout. Struck by how stealthy the young woman was in the wood, and her skill with the bow, Lady Monica came upon an idea. Over the next several days, she gathered the womenfolk of Ironhold who were skilled in such matters, and began to fight a weeks-long guerilla war against the Partharian invaders. Together, these women were able to keep the Prince and his forces off-balance, and their attention focused on trying to root out the Guerrillas so that when the counterattack, led by the new Baron (the previous Baron's son) came, they were utterly unprepared. On the day that the forces of House Cassomir (reinforced by House Romante) claimed victory, Lady Monica and her "Huntresses" ambushed the Partharian Prince and his bodyguards, killing them to the last man.
With the invasion done, and the effectiveness of Monica's Huntresses undeniable, the Huntresses of Ironhold were born, and they would remain a vital part of House Cassomir's military forces and culture for over two centuries to come. It became tradition that the eldest non-inheriting daughter of the main Cassomir line would become the Mistress of the Hunt, a tradition that has now transferred over to the ruling House Damarian. Ironically, this also meant that Lady Monica's first act as Mistress of the Hunt was to train her niece to be her replacement, but she fulfilled her duty well.
For the better part of two centuries the Huntresses were heroes to the folk of Ironhold, keeping the roads safe from bandits, hunting other criminals, putting down dangerous animals, and even helping to provide food in winter when stores were scarce some years. They did not see true war again until the Thirty Years' War, and even then, it was more than halfway over before the Huntresses were called upon. Specifically, Galenthia sought a foil to the thus-far frightening effectiveness of the newly-formed "Blood Seekers" of House al'Morena in southern Aequor. Under the leadership of Baron Aric Cassomir's sister Renee, The Huntresses proved effective in this role, and while the ultimate outcome would be a stalemate, the Huntresses gave as good as they got, with considerable amounts of blood spilled on both sides (as well as occasionally other dark acts as occasionally happen in war), leading to a standing enmity between Huntress and Seeker that is known throughout the West.
The Huntresses did not have long to enjoy peace after the war concluded. They had scarcely replenished their losses from the war when The First Succession War broke out. Still, while a few Huntresses were delegated to help the Rose and his family in their furtive movements from place-to-place throughout the course of the war, often acting as guides through wild areas and helping the rightful ruler of Galenthia and his daughter survive in lean times, the bulk of the Huntresses remained in Ironhold, working closely with the Iron Guard in protecting Ironhold's borders, making the Barony a prickly prospect for besieging. This helped make Ironhold one of the Rose's two major "strongholds" during the course of the War, and it very nearly made it through without being invaded before disaster struck near the end of the war.
The events that took the life of Baron Aric and much of his family caused a breakdown in communication that allowed forces loyal to Anton Romante to invade Ironhold in early 1861. With Renee Cassomir having passed not long beforehand, it fell to Lady Raelyn Cassomir, Baron Aric's eldest daughter, to rally the Huntresses to fight back against the invaders. Like Lady Monica generations past, Raelyn and her Huntresses fought a ruthless guerrilla campaign against the Thorn's forces, culminating in a crushing victory when Lord Henric Cassomir arrived with reinforcements not only from House Cassomir, but House Romante as well. Raelyn was rightfully hailed as a hero afterwards, and has continued in her service as Mistress of the Hunt since.
Now that Ironhold is a Kingdom of its own, the Huntresses have significantly expanded, but their reputation remains intact. Invaders, beware.
Legends In Their Own Lands
Still on the lips of every commoner and noble alike from time to time is the grand story of how the Mistress of the Hunt and her Huntresses held off the forces of the Thorn for days upon days with no reinforcements, and only sheet wits and cunning, until the Thorn could be crushed on its insurgence into Ironhold.
There is a high appreciation among the people in Ironhold, and even to a smaller extent Galenthia, for what these renowned women have accomplished, and their formidable skills.
After all, a criminal who has been caught, and chased, arrows flung at their heels, and hurried and harrowed to the border before being caught and dragged back to stand trial is unlikely to repeat the same offense in Ironhold again should he (or she) ever be let loose. And the people enjoy the certain amount of safety in that knowledge, largely because of the Huntresses.
Rumors
- There is a secret band of very elite Huntresses who hold the Widow of the Wood at bay.
- The Mistress of the Hunt's bow was Blessed by The One, and only one of pure Damarian or Cassomir Blood may wield it. It is handed down from generation to generation.
- The Huntresses are secretly an extended arm of The One Faith, and eyes and ears for the Inquisition as well.
- Many Huntresses take each other as wives and/or freely share beds with each other.
- The Huntresses do not worship the One Faith at all, but instead worship The Forest. They draw their power from the elder dark god. Their secret gatherings together are made up of profane and primal rituals to summon such power into themselves.
- When a Huntress gets too old to continue to perform her duties any longer she quietly goes off into the forest to peacefully pass on.
Life As A Huntress
Huntresses are extremely loyal to Ironhold, and always taken within the Kingdom's lands. While on rare occasion someone who has lineage but has perhaps moved to Firen or Four Corners may return and be allowed, the vast majority of Huntresses are taken from those already living within the boundaries of the Kingdom. Most Huntresses are commoners, though a few minor nobles who would not inherit have served from time to time. However, all potential Huntresses must be able to adapt quickly, have a love for their homeland and know the terrain well, and certainly have some prowess with weapons. The bow is the favored weapon of most Huntresses, but ultimately that is left to the individual to choose.
The Huntresses do not recruit, at least, not in the typical way. When their numbers go down, or when one retires, a potential candidate who has openly expressed her desire to join may be approached if it is she is believed to have sufficient skill, or a small 'Tourney' might be held in competition with various feats of prowess: Hunting, Tracking, and other skills are put to the test against other would-be candidates. Many young women strive to be a Huntress, but few get inducted into the ranks that make the attempt. Should a Huntress succeed, she is given one final test called the 'Harrowing', in which she is hunted by her would-be sisters. The intent of this fear-inducing event is to instil a keen knowledge in the candidate of what it is like to be the victim, to instil a measure of appreciation for what they do, and an appreciation for the life they might take. All in all, it is something that will always stay with that Huntress.
A Huntress is paid well, as well as most elite guards would be in other areas. They enjoy the esteem they get from their fellow commoners as both bearing the title and the ability to provide a comfortable living for themselves and their families.
Ranks
There is no ranking amongst the Huntresses; one is a Huntress, or one is not. Their voice and leader is the Mistress of the Hunt, the first female-born of the main-line Cassomir family (for any given generation). Instead, the Huntress commitment builds on a 'sisterhood' value, incorporating those close-knit ties of family, village, and united cause to create close ties of friendship and camaraderie. Nearly every Huntress will within a short time, know all the other Huntresses. Thus it is that when one of them dies, it is like a family member has been taken from them. This is only part of the reason for the bad blood that exists between them, and the Blood Seekers of House al’Morena.
Duties
The Huntresses do many things; they keep bandits off the trails, protect the towns and villages by merely living in them and being ever-watchful, they keep an eye out for those travellers in need, and they (quite literally) hunt down those that would commit heinous crimes with a vengeance. They investigate oddities or happenings for the Kingdom, and have been utilized as a small, unique military force in both Succession Wars.
Much of the initial training of the Huntresses is done before the would-be Huntress is made one; afterwards, should she make it through, the Huntresses continually train together as a unit, sharing skill and experience but there is no formal training that they go through in specific.