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Capital: Town of Falsridge Dioceses Population: 76,200 – Oeridians 33,600, Suloise 15,200, Flan 13,100, Gnomes 5,400, Halflings 3,800, Elves 1,900, Dwarves 1,800, Half Elves 900, Half Orcs >500 Ruler: Duke Darneath Grinish (Rao) Bishop: Falton Barrett |
he Diocese of Falsridge marks the
western border of Veluna. The region starts on the western edge of Veluna City and stretches to the Fals Gap. The eastern
half of the diocese is farmland with only the Great Western road breaking up the endless fields. The western half of the
region is dominated by the Great Western Road as it stretches from Mitrik to Falsridge and then on to points west. The road
and Falsridge generate huge amounts of income from tariffs and import/export fees.
The capital, Falsridge, grew up around the original trading post on the border hundreds of years ago. Since then, the border has shifted to the west about 15 miles. The region is ruled by Duke Darneath Grinish, a man who fits every stereotype for a knight you can think of. Broad shouldered, with dark black hair and green eyes, the Duke strikes a very imposing figure. He has ruled the diocese for the past 15 years and they have been very good years indeed for the region. He is assisted by Bishop Falton Barrett. The Bishop has long given up on trying to convert the Duke to Rao and the two have since settled down into a very good working relationship. The Duke's representative to the Celestial Order is his wife Keri Grinish. An adventurer of some renown herself, she is a strong voice for war against Iuz in the Order.
![[Portrait] Duke Grinish, by Russell Akred](../../images/portraits/DukeDarneath.jpg "Duke Darneath Grinish, by Russell Akred")
The Duke is not your typical noble. As a young man he left home with nothing but his sword and some clothes and set out to see the world. He returned 10 years later with a wife on his arm and a reputation across Veluna as a champion of Justice. His father stepped down 5 years later and the Duke has ruled since. He is a man of very strong convictions. He has seen some of the best and worst the world has to offer and it has made him a better ruler for it. He also has the title of Master of the Cudgel as the leader of the Knights of the Cudgel. He met his wife Keri while adventuring in Geoff and they were married two years later. His oldest son, Theron, is currently out on his own seeing the world and last rumor put him somewhere in the City of Greyhawk area.
Bishop Falton is a very well respected man in Falsridge. He has been Bishop for the past 10 years and appears to be a man in his late 30’s. He originally had a hard time dealing with the Duke and his lack of faith in the church of Rao. Since then he has come to understand that the Duke has only the best interests of Veluna in mind and this has reassured him immensely. As of late he has been working on a new church of Rao to replace the old church that had been neglected during the time when Duke Darneath's father ruled.
![[Portrait] Duchess Grinish, by Russell Akred](../../images/portraits/DuchessGrinish.jpg "Duchess Keri Grinish, by Russell Akred")
The Duchess was originally viewed with some distaste by the locals of Falsridge when she first arrived. Since then she has proven to be their biggest supporter and has almost as much support as her husband with the townsfolk. Born and raised in Geoff, she was the daughter of a minor noble until the invasion by giants destroyed her family’s holdings. She dedicated her life to destroying them and was doing just that when she met her husband. She begrudgingly returned to Falsridge with him, but swore to one day gather support and return south to reclaim her birthright. Since she can do nothing about Geoff for now, she has turned her anger towards Iuz and his minions. Though Veluna is technically at war with Iuz, she believes Veluna should be taking a more active roll in the fight, and argues this point constantly with the Celestial Order.
Falsridge is Veluna's gateway to the west. Built on what was the original border of Veluna years ago, it has grown into a thriving city and major mercantile center. The entire city is surrounded by a 25-foot stone wall which is patrolled regularly. All races and nationalities can be found milling around this city. Almost any type of item may be found here and for the right price – almost any illegal one as well. The Knights of the Cudgel are based out of Falsridge, and houses the largest church devoted to St. Cuthbert in Veluna as well. Falsridge has many churches not found elsewhere in Veluna due to the amount of travelers coming through the city gates. The Duke runs a very tight ship here and crime is very low, but not unheard of.
Bors Sethson
As Bors turned the corner outside of the small stone church once again, his mind began to wander. He knew that he should stay focused on his task, but the tedium of his lonely vigil took it’s toll on his idle mind and he couldn't help but reflect on the events that led him to this point in his life. He couldn’t help but chuckle at the foolish dreams of childhood painted against the harsh backdrop of the real world. MORE... |
The terrible loss of hundreds of human fishermen of Falsridge in the year 591 CY has left the city with a reduced human population. Nearly 400 humans have died on or in the Fals River since last year this time. Other residents have left the town, moving to the village of Triplegate. Some residents have taken a more active role in the new City Watch, while others have blamed the new City Watch for the town's problems and desire a return of the Mitrik Temple Guardsmen to keep the peace. Despite the formation of the City Watch for the people of Falsridge, the patrols on the Great Western Road are still maintained by the Guardsmen. It is not yet known what role the Knights of the Cudgel may play in the new City Watch, which is rumored to be soliciting aid from adventurers.
Along the town's harbor within a stones throw of the Falsridge gaurdtower sets the rough and tumble stone and timber built inn. The poorly repaired scorched sign displays an overturned rowboat with a wet droopy eyed man covered in fishing net man setting on the keel. Normally a quiet and low key the patrons can get rowdy when the town guard has reason to celebrate. A half dozen small rooms occupy the second floor and a common room for sleeping is created late at night from the heavy wooden tables and benches of the dining area. Salted beef and pork broght in from Triplegte are serves along with fresher chicken and fish from nearby stocks.
A large silver star is panted on the side of this long wooden warehouse by the nearby harbor. Stables and a smithy nearby could provide services for dozens of wagons run by the company. People around town tell that Kanna Silverson the elderly owner is running short on wagons as of late.
Triplegate collapsed in 515 CY with little fanfare as the population slowly moved to the town of Falsridge to be nearer to the main shipping lanes (the Fals River and the Great Western Road.) Very recently, people have begun coming back to Triplegate, and it has become a new village in the Diocese of Falsridge. A full 50% of the citizenship are members of the Mitrik Temple Guardsmen, who are turning the village into a border keep. There is a 10-foot wooden wall surrounding the main part of the village, which has gates in all four walls to allow the surrounding farmers easy access.
In the untamed mountains to the north there dwells a clan of orcs known as the Riverwalkers. They follow the river through the mountains and hills in a nomadic fashion searching for game and wild food. Predominantly chaotic neutral, the orcs do not bother the people of Triplegate, and sometimes trade with them.
The village is too small and too new to hold even a single temple at this time. However, there are shrines to Ehlonna and Rao. There is also a large inn, sponsored by the entrepreneur, Dalingerat, called the Lortmil Pass. It is large enough to hold 30 patrons, and has seating for 75 in its dining hall. This is an example of the size to which the people hope the village eventually grows.
Van Stoneshaper is a dwarf who used to mine the Yatil Mountains for precious gems. Now, he runs a smithy where he makes and repairs mining tools, and shines and cuts gems for use by jewelers. He also has an assortment of general goods, which he accepts as trade when he sends his gems to neighboring towns in all three bordering countries.
Trappers huddle behind a stockade fence when not out hunting the local hills. Wrapped in the rugged hills North of Falsridge across the Fals River the few families reap the wildernesses rewards in furs and some paning for silver. Few know of this tiny collection on the edge of Veluna and the almost all male population here like it that way.
Carved out of the wilderness the two story wooden structure sets near a stone bridge and the old stables. Inside the walls are used as stretchers for wild animal skins giving it the smell of a tannery. In the common room a single bar with wooden stools, a large stone fireplace and a dozen tables look worn and poorly crafted. Stairs made of heavy timbers lead up to the five travelers rooms. The rooms are spartan and cold with noplace for a fire and a thickly shuttered window
Just past Fals Keep the river wraps around this tiny village crowded on an island where the Great Western Road comes near. Across the forge in the river this small cluster of fishing shacks and a none to large Silver Star Trading Company Warehouse is considered the border of Bissel. The town like Falsridge has been hurt badly by the mysterious losses of fishermen to the river.
A pretty ordinary tavern and inn except for the smell. The entire place is filled with the powerful stench of FISH. The kettle is full of it the fishermen milking drinks at the bar are worse. The whole place is dirty and unkempt and the only inn for miles and miles.
Due to its position near Ket, the majority of the road is patrolled by Falsridge at all times. Once the road passes through Falsridge on its way west, the road becomes lined with stone watch towers spaced out every mile or so until reaching Fals Keep a few hours from the border with Bissell.
Construction on Fals keep was started by the Duke when he first took office. It was finished 3 years ago and now stands as Veluna's first line of defense against forces from the west as well as a regulator of traffic into and out of Veluna. The keep is manned by at least 250 men-at-arms and 100 Knights of Falsridge at all times. About 1/3 of this force is out on patrol at any given time.
Located in the far NW corner of the diocese, this unnatural rock formation is an enigma at present. The Krag looks like a long finger of rock sticking out of the side of a mountain at a 70 degree angle in the southern Yatil's. It's about 200 feet across and about 400 yards long. The end of it rises out over the valley below and is around a half mile above the valley floor. The end of it appears to have several caves and holes it in but nobody has managed to get to them to explore what is inside. Spells of movement do not work in the area (fly, teleport, dimension door, etc.) and all who have tried to climb to the end have perished or given up and turned back.