Ornblake
The small town of Ornblake lies three days ride from the large city of Kelador on the island kingdom of Ebrion. Between the two lies the edge of the Andredsweald forest. To avoid the forest means a week’s journey, travelling through the forest is a 2 day journey. To the south, the Coast Road, along which travel a number of traders, merchants and travellers heading North from the ocean.
Ornblake is a common coaching stop on the journey between the southern ocean and Kelador. Previously fairly prosperous and well-renowned for being a breadbasket of the larger conurbation, in recent years its produce has reduced to a trickle.
On the hill, there is a former fort which has been converted to be more of a residence and serve for the last century or so as the Lord’s residence.
On the outskirts of the town lie a number of farms producing a good number of crops, although they look run down. In the town, there is a courtyard, the Octagon; a tavern – The Giant’s Head, a library/museum; some rather sad looking market stalls and shops where can be found some basic equipment and potions as well as meagre food supplies.
Government
Ornblake for centuries has been run by a local Lord, whose allegiance is sworn to the Kingdom of Ebrion . Shifts in the rulers of Ebrion have led to either very swift changes in allegiance or, in some cases, removal by the ruling classes of the incumbent Lord and their replacement with someone trusted by the King.
The current familial line has been present since the removal of the hereditary Lord of Ornblake and his replacement by an offshoot of the line, the De L’Ornblake-Feldspars. The first Lord De L’Ornblake-Feldspar was a paranoid and cowardly man, terrified of undergoing a similar fate as the previous Lord. His historic infamy was cemented when, whilst Ornblake was under siege during the religious purges, he fled the Fort to head to safer territory. This stain on the character of his house is borne by his descendants.
The current Lord, Agamemnon Courtado Iacobus Gilliam De L’Ornblake-Feldspar, is highly embarrassed by his family history and wants nothing more than to be seen as a good and just man, and a wise leader. Unfortunately, his ambition is not matched by his talent. To aid him, he has come to rely upon a Reeve, Salenis Vendari, whose advise he trusts absolutely.
For the last few years, a band of Orcs, known locally as ‘The Ruffians’ instituted a protection racket on the down. Vendari’s advice was to capitulate to protect the townspeople. However, it was recently discovered that Vendari was in fact responsible for the actions of Garak, manipulating the Orcs, the Town and the Reeve for his own ends. Discovered by a band of travellers passing through the town, he has fled.
The political fall-out of the Reeve’s deception and escape is yet to be known.
Defences
A ditch and dyke surrounds the town, with the remnants of a decaying wall. Fort Ornblake was originally built to defend the settlement, but now is little more than a grand house
Industry & Trade
Ornblake is a coaching town and gains most of its custom from passing trade between Coldport and @Kelador. Locally grown provisions, imported supplies, lodgings, vittals and repairs support the limited economy.
Infrastructure
Temple of Belnias
The Giant’s Head Inn
Fort Ornblake
Brunda’s Chamber of Wonderment
The Octagon (Market Square)
History
A site occupied for millennia, there are signs of many phases of occupation, with both old and new buildings in the town, although little building or renovation has been done in the last 10 years or so.
Legend has it that the Stone Circle in Ornblake Field marks the site where the last great battle of Light and Darkness occurred. It is believe there was once a Temple marking this balance, though its location is thought lost to history.
Fort Ornblake was first built several centuries later, its creation recorded in the earliest histories of the town, though it has been widely renovated and rebuilt through the passage of the centuries. Initially a village of small huts, the town grew at the base of the Fort and, with the Temple of Balance lost, a temple to the Goddess of Light, Belnias, was built. This led to the urbanisation of the town, the central Octagon and its fountain were built and more permanent structures developed around it.
Architecture
Simple stone and wooden built buildings make up the majority of the town. The Temple of Belnias is rather more impressive Romanesque architecture and looks out of place in the village's current state
Geography
Flat grassland near the forest of the Andredsweald
Natural Resources
Adequate farmland
Maps
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Ornblake and Surrounds
Alternative Name(s)
Oron Black
Type
Village
Inhabitant Demonym
Ornblakers
Included Locations
Owning Organization
Characters in Location
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