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Falmoshire is a county located in the northern mountains of Thoradin's Wall's northeasternmost reach: the Falmoric Ranges. It is the ancestral home of several Arathorian clans, including Clan Riard (which later became House Riard). Although traditionally ruled by a chieftain elected by the clan heads, the line of Androth Riard ruled uncontested until the Third War. The region devolved into bickering families competing in the power vacuum set by the Third War. In the aftermath of the Cataclysm, a royal knight-commander of Stromgarde Sir Winfetch Phlin (now Riard) used his influence to lay claim to the earldom. Following a civil conflict with Lord Mathilan Lionblood and the Kingdom of Stromgarde, Lord Riard was deposed. The region is now controlled by a provisional government under the supervision of Sir Adafael Pentigrade, a knight of Stromgarde.
County Holdings[]
Among several small, mining and farming communities, there are two major towns within the county alongside a mountain-keep held deep in the mountains. The region is covered in boreal forest and mountains which have gone through extensive mining. Encircled by peaks and hills, and veiled by pine and birch trees; the heart of the lands lie safely within their partial seclusion.
Falmorne[]
The capital of the region sits in the northern edge of a pine-forest valley within the heart of the Falmoric Ranges. The first city of Falmorne was established by Wallace Riard, Tiberius Hatthelm and Whitson Sildfen along with their clansmen as they arrived at the deepest habitable point in the mountains, fleeing the outriders who had chased them from their quarries. Since then, it has grown larger and larger, consuming the pine forests within which it sprouted. Once it had grown large enough, the natural stagnation of growth restricted it to its current size, beset on all sides by treacherous peaks and dense pines. The old, battered structures give evidence to the countless conflicts fought in the city for power over the county. Many guilds, overseen by the eyes of Clan Harmvy, stand strong within the city limits. Although it is surrounded by the beauty of boreal landscape, Falmorne's pine forest lies scarred and sickly towards its southeastern edge giving fruit to the haunting folklore of the land.
Oriaton Keep[]
The gates of Oriaton Keep in the summer
This keep is uncommon for Humans as it is located within a hollowed mountain in the western Falmoric Ranges. Originally named Dun Falgas by the Northeron Dwarves who assisted in its construction, it was utilized as a place of protection for the denizens of Falmoshire in times of crisis during the Troll Wars. However, the fortress was renovated during the rule of Ike Riard and was used as housing for House Riard and the Falmoric clan elders. During the Third War, it served as a bastion for northern Stromgardians until the Scourge's power waned. It was repurposed after the failing of the Riard bloodline, and the mighty keep now houses the county's local levies. Within its vast halls, the High Seat rests as the seat of power for the chieftain of the Falmoric Clans and the lord of House Riard. Upon its highest terrace, there lies a wide platform where an Ironwood tree stands firmly against the howling winds: a memento to the service of the Northeron Dwarves.
Beindroll[]
Rural steads upon the Beinish Foothills
The largest source of crops in Falmoshire rests upon the foothills of the Falmoric Ranges. In the past, the area known as the Beinish Foothills was the County of Alghibrine. However, Willoc Riard I negotiated for possession of the land to feed his people. Instead of serving as quarrying lands for the local duchy, the farmlands were added as the southern half of Falmoshire and named 'Bhein Bonn' (Mountain Foot) until their name morphed into Beindroll. The lush fields of the foothills have been tossed and turned in the endless toil of its farmers. Edged to the north, west and east with rougher hills and cut through the south by the Alghist River and its lakes, the farmlands complete their protection with a simple, palisade fort held at the point where the Alghist River meets the western hills, and so it is named Alghist's Reach.
The Falmoric Clans[]
The culture of Falmoshire and its clans have been centered around mining, building and military production ever since their ancient vassalization to King Thoradin, aiding in both the defense and construction of Thoradin's Wall. However, they have also made themselves famous for their fur trade and potatoes. With such diverse industries, certain clans have gained influence upon differing trades.
Clan Hatthelm[]
The Hatthelms were one of the first two clans to swear fealty to House Riard. Led by Tiberius Hatthelm, the clan joined under Androth Riard as he centralized power in the Falmoric Ranges. Skilled stonecutters, the Hatthelms eagerly take on the task of mining and stoneworking as they fuel the growing steel industry in Falmoshire. It was with their guidance that Falmorne and Dun Falgas were constructed. Famous for their perseverance, loyalty and stubbornness, the Hatthelms remain continuously loyal to House Riard and to the work of their ancestors.
Clan Sildfen[]
The second of the first two clans to support the leadership of a Riard, the Sildfens stand as another ancient group of Falmoshire. Under Wallace Riard, Whitson Sildfen led his people upon the migration to the Falmoric Ranges where they helped establish the county. Consisting of surveyors and rangers, the Sildfens guide their allies through the perilous mountains. The Sildfens prove to be capable woodsmen, providing the necessary lumber for Falmorne's infrastructure. Though noted often for their sloth, drunkenness and boisterous singing, they are revered for their archery and hunting.
Clan Smithfist[]
Intrigued by humanity's united effort, Taevin Smithfist led his fledgling clan north from Khaz Modan into the highlands' heart. Prospering as a traveling company of smithies, the Smithfists grew rich in the Human country. However, in his old age, Taevin's longing for the mountains grew, but he remained too stubborn to return home to Northeron where his journey had been mocked. Instead, he pressed northward to the reaches of the Arathorian expanse until his people arrived at the foothills of great mountains neighboring a tremendous wall. There, the Smithfists encountered the Falmoric clans and settled amongst the mountain men. As their gift in return for the Humans' hospitality, the Dwarves worked tirelessly at the construction of Dun Falgas, an immense mountain keep, for their hosts. Upon completion, Taevin's tomb was made to rest in the deepest hall and a seed of Northeron's Ironwood trees was planted on the highest terrace. Now, following the wont of Dwarves, the Smithfists bare all the behavior of true Dwarves; and with it, the affinity for mining and smithing.
Clan Harmvy[]
During the upheaval of the Troll Wars, Falmoshire suffered from a distributional disarray that crippled its economy as the clans devoted their focus to the war effort, leaving room for corruption and tyranny at home. Abruptly, however, several families from Strom arrived in Falmorne in search of occupation. Striking an ill-conceived and rather makeshift bargain with Willoc Riard III, a notably inept leader, the Harmvy's found themselves in the employ of the lord under the condition that their family head would hold a seat among the clan elders. The Harmvy's made well on their offers, implementing the first written records in the region, organizing the chaotic industries of the clans into guilds, and forming proper legislature based upon that of Strom's law. Rumored to be ruthless, calculating bureaucrats and renowned for their wisdom, the Harmvy's still serve as the overseers of legislature, commerce and other scholarly duties within Falmoshire.
Clan Sprightley[]
In the days of the Arathorian Empire's expansion, the availability of land abroad left the cost of land at home cheap. Willoc Riard I capitalized on this opportunity to attain more farmland for his people with his purchase of Alghibrine. Swearing fealty to House Riard, the former Alghibrinians tended the county's new source of crops and formed several of their own clans in the Falmoric tradition. Nowadays, most of the farmland in Beindroll is overseen by the nobles of House Sprightley. Notorious for their bluntness but famed for their loyalty, they hold the borders of Falmoshire.