Dhernas
The lands of Dhernas stretch from the Hanging Woods in the west to the Whispering Forest in the east. The barony once derived great wealth from a gold mine at the base of the Shadow Peaks, deep within the Hanging Wood, but it is long since abandoned. Although most folk assume the mine ran dry, others hold that it is haunted, and the ghosts of long-dead miners eternally guard their glittering lode. These days, the people of Dhernas tend verdant farmland along the banks of the River of Sleep and harvest timber from the barony’s woodlands. Havenshyr, the barony’s largest town, not infrequently hosts merchants and traders thanks to its location several leagues upriver from Frostgate.
Baroness Magrit Kalrif resides at Dhernar Keep, in the shadow of the Broken Crags and overlooking the river. Kalrif is a militantly minded ruler, and the spearmen and knights of Dhernas are respected throughout Terrinoth for their discipline and fine arms and armor. The baroness’ forces display a sword and open gauntlet on their banners, symbolizing the twinned virtues of justice and mercy. Dhernas’ soldiers have already begun deploying in response to rumors of threats from the Ru, and Kalrif eagerly anticipates the opportunity to join them on the field.
Dhernas is known for the wardens who protect its roads and waterways, making them some of the safest in Terrinoth—although this is an entirely relative claim. The Hanging Woods themselves owe their name to a particularly zealous marshal, Tyrek Gorm, said to have hung a thousand brigands from the boughs of its trees. In these times, however, the marshals, few in number, find themselves hard-pressed to deal with growing incursions of goblins and zealous devotees of dark powers, on top of the ever-present bandits and thieves. The marshals and aldermen of the barony increasingly resort to bounties and turn to adventurers-for-hire in order to stem the threats.
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