Geography

Mordenholt was the northernmost Einish settlement in or outside of Mjoll, ending a mere thirty leagues before the frozen borders of Jormunger. In early spring of 2265, the town had declared their independence from Mjoll, but this is contested by nearly every other Einish Jarl of note. The climate and landscape is harsh, for its winters are bitterly cold and its summers brief. Much of the landscape that has not been cleared for farmland is blanketed by a thick conifer forest that houses all manner of beasts, both natural and unnatural. However, in recent months Mordenholt has seen a rather incredible surge in both temperature and the growth of the surrounding wilds. For the time being it now seemingly enjoys a climate that would not be out of place somewhere several hundred leagues to the south. Strange weather patterns abound, and while this has all confused the citizens of Mordenholt, most are simply content to shrug and take advantage of the good hunting and bountiful harvests while they can.

History

There is an old custom amongst the disparate clans of Einish folk, practiced by all regardless of their clan or their history. Each family was expected to send their second-born child to the Fortress-Town of Mordenholt, for there they were to serve as the first line of defense against the Ice Elves who lived in the frozen north. It was a harsh existence, but a necessary one, for without them Mjoll’s northern borders would lie open and unguarded. Such a brutal life forged close bonds between its citizens, for being cut off from their families and forced to battle for their lives on what seemed like the edge of the world tempered each of them. Friendships stronger than any blood ties or clan loyalty exist in droves within the walls of the town. It was often said to the new arrivals that while they may have come from another clan with its own history or specific niche in Einish society, now they were a new clan: The clan that holds the line.

Thus, when the call to war sounded throughout Mjoll and the clans of Mordenholt were required to turn against each other in accordance with the ways of their birth, they refused. For in Mordenholt, a warrior of Clan Lofoten was not some distant raider who supported a betrayer; she was the stalwart defender who had turned aside the Ice Elven spear that almost ended your life not a week prior. The thought of turning against those they had bled and fought alongside their entire lives was simply unthinkable. Instead of throwing away their lives in some pointless war, they announced to the world that they had no intention of fighting, and declared their independence.

The Clans of Mjoll from both factions would not accept this course of action, and had each and every citizen of Mordenholt be branded as traitors, stripped of their right to wear their clan’s tartans. The warriors of Mordenholt then adopted the black tartan usually reserved for the dishonourable, which they wear with pride. For if it is dishonourable to stand alongside one’s brothers and sisters and refuse to shed the blood of those who have shed blood for you, then quite simply honour is something that they no longer have any use for.

Recent Events

In recent months Prince Leopold has arrived alongside some of his closest friends and followers, and he was welcomed with open arms. His message of cooperation in the face of adversity is a familiar credo, and one that the citizens of Mordenholt have lived by for years. They have listened intently to his tales of the Archbishop’s tyranny, and have resolved to fight by his side while backing his claim as the rightful King of Tiefanue. The last several months have thus seen Mordenholt whipped up into a flurry of activity never before seen by those that dwell there. The forges ring night and day, arming the constant stream of rebels who have come to throw their lot in with the exiled Prince. The farmers, traders, and hunters work tirelessly, stockpiling food and other sundries for the siege that they know is coming.

A rare Silver Draconian called Architect Imyss Protector Of The Sky has been directing all those with any sort of building experience or construction skills. Under their command, a series of impressive fortifications have sprung up in a relatively short time. Whereas once Mordenholt was able only to stop or forestall Crissen’Thalan raids from the north, the town is now well equipped to resist assaults from the south as well.

Locations within the town (Warcry Edition)

WolfJaw
Theme: Einher
Icon: Comically large hammer just inside the camp
Liaison NPC: Kae Mostow
This Einish camp was once a lodge for Mordenholt’s most valiant and experienced fighters. The men and women that lived here believed in honour and valor, both battle and in death. Their doors are open, and all Einher are encouraged to make camp there.

The Ouroboros
Theme: Draconic
Icon: (Coming Soon)
Liaison NPC: Monica McHugh
Being so far removed from any semblance of civilization, the Einher of Mordenholt tend to be more superstitious than most other Einher. The stories and myths they believe to be true rival the Am’rath in scale. Most of those native to Mordenholt believe that before the Dreamleaf was sundered, back when all the planes were one utopic realm, that there was only one Dragon. This Firstborn, whom they call Jörmungandr the World Serpent. was of such size that it could wrap itself around the roots and the branches of the World Tree many times. When the Dreamleaf was sundered so too was the World Serpent, and he was fractured and broken into the many Firstborn Dragons that exist in Arthos today. Many of the Einher of Mordenholt believe that one day the Dragons of Arthos will rejoin into the mighty Jörmungandr during Ragnarok, the end of days. As such, their camp is tolerated within town boundaries.

Valdr’s Forge
Theme: Savage Gods
Icon: Nithing Pole
Liaison NPC: Jon Baker
A true Church of the Savage Gods, this camp is both a weapon and armour forge and a church. While most towns would have quickly stamped out the darker side of those gods, the town of Moldenholt is less ethically strict. Stopping the hordes of Ice Elves and their allies from murdering their friends and families to the south tends to give an Einher a certain degree of moral ambiguity. Worship of all Savage gods is welcome here however what rites, rituals and, even potential sacrifice are allowed is often ruled by whoever is strongest. If divine tenet conflict occurs it is resolved by Einish democracy (fights).

The Night Haunt
Theme: Dark Church
Icon: The Black Altar
Liaison NPC: Miranda Feierabend
Many would assume that an outpost devoted strictly to stopping Pandora would be adamant about denying the Dark Gods worship however the Einher of Mordenholt have found the opposite to be more useful. In a town with very loose ethics, worship of the Dark Gods is tolerated and often required to get the job done. Questions of “using evil for good” are not even asked, for the battles of the North leave no time for philosophical debate. All tools are used in war. Even worship of Pandora is begrudgingly accepted (although never protected) so long as no magics of hers are cast within the town’s boundaries. The Einher like to know who their enemies are.

Heim
Theme: Light
ChurchIcon: The Sun Standard
Liaison NPC: Bastion Leaders
New to Mordenholt, this camp, located just inside the walls, has become a bastion of hope and Light. It is the camp of the deposed Prince Leopold and the leaders of the Bastions, the self proclaimed new Church of Light. These Bastion leaders guide those staying in the center of town in the ways of truth, justice, order and mercy (although mercy appears to be in short supply these days).