Westwarden Monastery

Lying in the hills overlooking the river plains surrounding The Bite, Westwarden Monastery's beginning was as a humble retreat for worshipers of Vordur and a place for training orphans in the ways of his priesthood. It has grown to a small city over the centuries, and the Abbot of Westwarden has gained titles to many surrounding lands. Seen as a safe harbor in times of conflict among the many contentious fiefdoms along the shores of The Bite, legions of refugees have fled to the monastery dedicated to Vordur Holdfast, Warden of the Wall, god of guardians and protection. Afterward when the conflict has been settled many emigrants remain there permanently, with a greater reverence for the power of Vordur.
Few times in history has a pursuing army or beligerant neighbor assailed Westwarden. Less than two decades after its founding, near the end of the tenure of its first abbot Guunar Byorg, the Count of Hechalda and his vassals pursued fleeing villagers and levies of a defeated rival Count Blawhus to the walls of the monastery and demanded they be forfeit to his troops to be interrogated and ransomed. After the abbot refused, declaring that those held in sanctuary had given up arms and were under his protection, Hechalda's troops began their assault of the monastery including lighting the roof of the great hall to Vordur on fire. After repelling the invaders, the abbot opened his gates and unleashed the Hammer of Duty's champions and clerics on the Count to drive them from the vale under the monastery's protection. So many of Hechalda's army were captured or cowed by the unexpected display of divine force that an ambush by Blawhus on the retreating assailants captured Count Hechalda and his heir, reversing the outcome of their conflict. In gratitude, Count Blawhus granted lands bordering the monastery to the abbot and his captains, marking the first expansion of Westwarden's scope of sanctuary.
-
Originally written for 2024 Summer Camp challenge, answering Settlement A SETTLEMENT CONSIDERED A REFUGE