Lonshard

Deep in the Westmire lies the town of Lonshard. It is the seat of the Dirty Baron, the last Lord of The Swamps. It is also believed that Viper’s Gang, a group of assassins, spies, and thieves, is led by the mysterious Viper. The town, elevated above the swampy waters of the Westmire, sits at the end of the economically valuable Dhur River, allowing it to collect outrageous taxes and tolls from any ship that passes through.   Lonshard is not among the oldest of the settlements in the Swamps, nor was it the seat of a powerful lord in old times. For most of its history, the Westmire was mostly uninhabited. Its murky waters and salty soil made it an undesirable place. For a long time, it was only populated by outcasts and exiles who founded their own communities in small fishing villages. It wasn’t until after the great conquests by Looras and his sons that Rasfadal became united, and the Westmire delta gained importance. No longer engaged in constant infighting, trade blossomed, and trade routes became more important. The Westmire, the connection between the Dhur River and the Olor Sea, became a contested region. The Duke of Arnallan attempted to establish outposts to ensure control over the delta, but local lords, appointed by Looras himself, denied him access to their lands. Many wars have been fought over the region, but to no avail. The Westmire has always remained a thorn in the Duke’s side.   During the War of the Vale, many lords gathered their armies and went to fight. Their holdings in the Swamps, mostly abandoned or scarcely garrisoned, were taken over by bandits. Those lords that stayed all vanished or perished in mysterious ways, though they conveniently paved the way for Viper’s rise to power.   Very little is known about Viper. He was assumed to be a hitman of the Whisper Guild but broke off when the Swamps were in chaos to establish his own bandit-kingdom. He operates from the shadows, and his men appear to be hiding everywhere, ready to strike at his command. As more and more lords disappeared, Viper’s influence in the Westmire grew, though no one has ever seen him make a public appearance. Still, no one truly knows Viper’s goals. During his rise to power, several cults of Ennk, the God of Deception and Trickery, have increased their activities. It is commonly known that his gang has their headquarters in Lonshard, enjoying the protection of the Dirty Baron.   The Dirty Baron is the only Lord of the Swamps that still remains in power and has not been taken out by any of the bandit-kings. He appears to be in an alliance with Viper, who ensures that any threat against the Baron is taken out before it can reach him. Meanwhile, he continues to rule over Lonshard and the Westmire. He is fiercely hated by the Duke of Arnallan, who requires passage through Lonshard for trade. The duke’s trade ships are heavily taxed at the toll house, or denied permission. Depending on the situation, the Baron can hold the ships at the Tollhouse, delaying the Duke’s trade options and giving the Baron significant leverage over the Duke and his foreign policies.   Within the town of Lonshard, there are several communities. One of these is on Hunters’ Isle. These hunters make a living by tracking and killing any threats in the Swamps; Viper and the Baron are hardly the only monsters you’ll find here. Individually or in groups, they set out each day to clear the waters and nearby woodlands of monsters such as swamp trolls, werewolves, witches, or Sorrowsworn—the empty husks of humans tormented by Swamp Hags. If they return, they bring useful bits of their prey to sell to traveling merchants, herbalists, or brewers.