Ernhand

The garrison at Ernhand protects the ferry route across the Mikar, and, as noted, while technically within Roland's claimed lands it is maintained by Rel Astra. It has 300 troops, with half being light cavalry who patrol road and river extensively. Around the village and keep there are several stabling and horse-rearing farmsteads where the swift horses used by the Rel Astra cavalry are bred and trained. These horses fetch high prices (treat as light warhorses with a minimum of 5 hp/die and a basic MV of 24), and so the farmsteads have to be guarded against horse thieves.

Ernhand also boasts a small clique of Rel Astran bounty hunters who pursue fugitives from Drax's city into the Lone Heath and the Grandwood. Led by a priest of Pyremius, this silent bunch of murderers is shunned by all. They have their own fortified house on the edge of the town, and sometimes the sounds of unfortunates being "interrogated" by these men keep the whole village awake at night. Even the Lone Heath rangers fear these men, who are not averse to kidnapping one or more of their number and torturing and slaying them for the evil pleasure of it.