Public Records Recorded Locations
Cities & Settlements
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Classification
City
Location
Capital of Adern
Governing Authority
Adern Royal Court
Minister Tal Rowan
Current Status
Strengthened and fortified
Narrative Relevance
Bastion's Reach is the highly fortified capital city of Adern. It serves as the primary seat of power, housing both the ruling noble class and the monarch. After the initial capture, the city's defensive nature made it the ideal location for the housing of the Monster. The assignment of an old watch tower to the Second Knight Order was necessary for containment, and, because information even after the ceasefire was deemed crucial, for interrogation. There were concerns about proximity to the capital, but his majesty preferred to keep national secrets close at hand.
After the truth was revealed, the city's purpose for Luka was altered from containment to protection. Subsequent decisions still have the people on edge considering the devastating effects Luka's magic had against their soldiers, and public sentiment remains swayed.
Form of Governance
The Royal Court of Adern oversees most of the decisions made for the capital city, primarily Minister Tal Rowan, though more important ones are governed by his majesty himself.
Geographic Overview
Bastion’s Reach is situated on a high plateau in western Adern, overlooking key inland valleys and established trade routes. Its elevation provides natural defensive advantages while also positioning the city above major corridors of movement and exchange. The surrounding terrain limits uncontrolled access, allowing trade and travel to be monitored and regulated with precision.
Cultural Overview
Life in Bastion’s Reach is shaped by proximity to power. Formal authority is visible through the royal court and its officials, while an influential upper social class operates alongside it, quietly shaping trade, patronage, and advancement. High society plays a significant role in determining opportunity within the capital, with sponsorship and reputation often carrying as much weight as official decree.
Public conduct in the city tends toward restraint and calculation, as social standing and personal connections are closely observed and long remembered. However, it becomes quite lively during festivals where it is encouraged to celebrate with passion.
Historical Overview
Bastion’s Reach does not share the ancient origins of Adern itself. The seat of the capital shifted several times in earlier centuries, often in response to prolonged periods of conflict and instability. Around two hundred years ago, the reigning monarch at the time ordered the construction of a new capital atop a high western plateau, selected for its natural defensive advantages and limited access routes.
The city and its central fortress were deliberately designed to withstand siege and internal disruption. Named Bastion’s Reach in honor of the king who oversaw its founding, the city has remained the capital since its completion. Throughout subsequent conflicts, Bastion’s Reach has never fallen into enemy hands, a fact commonly attributed to its elevated position and layered defenses.
Economic Activity
As the capital of Adern and a city removed from the immediate front, Bastion’s Reach serves as a central node for trade administration and distribution. Major trade routes converge here, allowing the city to maintain stable commercial networks even during periods of conflict. Goods moving into and out of Adern are commonly taxed, recorded, or redirected through the capital, reinforcing its role as both an economic and bureaucratic center. While military provisioning and state services remain significant, Bastion’s Reach also supports a broad mercantile class, with markets and guild activity shaped by regulation, oversight, and proximity to royal authority rather than scarcity or volatility.
Atmosphere & Character
Bastion’s Reach is a composed and orderly city where structure is viewed as a source of stability rather than constraint. Daily life is shaped by clear expectations and consistent governance, which many residents regard with pride. Children are commonly seen at play in public spaces, while education and etiquette are emphasized from an early age as part of civic life.
Though regulation and oversight are present, they are largely accepted as safeguards that allow the city to function smoothly. Visitors often remark on the capital’s calm efficiency and the visible confidence of its people.
Governance & Law
The city is governed directly by the Adern Royal Court, with appointed officials overseeing daily administration. Laws are enforced consistently, with particular attention given to public order, trade regulation, and matters affecting the capital’s function as a governing center.
Security & Stability
Bastion’s Reach maintains strong defenses and a permanent military presence. Its location away from active conflict has preserved infrastructure and public order throughout the war. Security measures focus on prevention and control, ensuring the continued stability of the capital.
Bastion's Reach
Classification
City
Location
Central-eastern Adern, along the contested border region
Governing Authority
Adern Army
Field Commander Elias Varne
Current Status
Evacuated civilian population; active military occupation
Narrative Relevance
Rising City serves as a critical strategic position along the Adern–Savidor frontier and was selected as the operational center for coordinated efforts against the Monster of Savidor. Its elevated terrain and surrounding vantage points made it uniquely suited for surveillance, containment planning, and controlled engagement. In the later stages of the conflict, Adernian forces deliberately ceded ground to allow Savidorian advances to reach this position, consolidating the battlefield in order to neutralize the threat decisively. As a result, Rising City became not only a frontline stronghold, but the site where long-term strategy replaced reactive defense.
Form of Governance
Direct military oversight has been given to Field Commander Elias Varne.
✦Addendum - despite the overwhelming pressure that was put on his shoulders, Varne did surprisingly well without direct support from any superiors. I would like to interview him further in case any other accounts are to be found of the war.
Geographic Overview
Rising City is situated atop a high plateau overlooking the western approaches into Adern. Its elevated position and surrounding terrain make large-scale movement toward the city difficult and highly visible. One notable vulnerability lies along the western cliffs near Briarwood, a small settlement within occupied territory that provides rare access to a ridgeline capable of supporting siege structures. Outside of this approach, the terrain restricts entry to small, exposed groups.
Cultural Overview
Rising City’s culture was historically defined by professionalism, craftsmanship, and commercial reputation rather than martial tradition. Guild affiliation, apprenticeship achievement, and contractual integrity were central to civic identity. While order and structure were valued, they stemmed from trade discipline and institutional trust rather than preparation for war. Since the evacuation of its civilian population, cultural life has ceased, and the city now operates under temporary military standards that do not reflect its original character.
Historical Overview
Rising City developed as a commercial and administrative center during a prolonged period of internal stability, positioned to oversee trade and resource movement throughout Adern’s central region. Its proximity to valuable resources, including the salt mines at Fordan’s Hill and several major iron, silver, and diamond deposits, allowed Rising City to grow into the foremost authority on trade and contracts in the region. Only in the later stages of the Adern–Savidor conflict did its strategic value shift, when military planners recognized that its elevation and existing infrastructure could be repurposed for defensive and surveillance use.
Economic Activity
Before the onset of active conflict, Rising City functioned as the primary trade authority in central Adern. Its position along major routes and proximity to key resources allowed it to oversee regional trade and contracts. It was also known for its respected apprenticeship programs in metalwork and jewelry making.
Rising City no longer supports civilian commerce. Former trade and local production have been suspended, with economic activity limited to military supply, maintenance, and logistical support. Essential goods are routed through secured channels, and infrastructure is maintained solely to support defensive operations.
Atmosphere & Character
Rising City is quiet, controlled, and largely empty. Streets and structures remain intact but unused, lending the city a suspended quality. Military banners and patrols mark continued Adernian presence, while the absence of civilian life underscores the city’s role as a place held in readiness rather than habitation. Those stationed there often describe it as watchful—built to endure, waiting to be tested.
Governance & Law
Civil administration has been temporarily suspended in favor of direct military governance. Laws within Rising City are enforced according to Adernian military codes, with priority given to security, operational integrity, and control of access. Nonessential movement within and around the city is restricted.
Security & Stability
The city is heavily fortified and maintained under constant guard. Adernian forces occupy Rising City under strict standards of discipline and readiness. While the plateau position provides significant defensive advantage, continued attention is given to the western approach near Briarwood due to its potential use as a siege vantage. Stability within the city is maintained through military order rather than civilian presence.
Rising City
Classification
Settlement
Location
Central-eastern Adern, near the plateau routes surrounding Rising City
Governing Authority
Savidorian Military Command
Lord Wallace of House Jorgund
Current Status
Occupied settlement; active mining operations suspended
Narrative Relevance
Fordan’s Hill is where Savidorian forces withdrew during the negotiations of the ceasefire and where they remain stationed thereafter. It is within this settlement that key intelligence exchanges, administrative decisions, and early strategic planning surrounding the Monster of Savidor take place, marking it as a quiet but pivotal site in the progression of events.
Form of Governance
Fordan's Hill is currently occupied by Savidorian forces. Currently, the Savidor's Royal Knights hold the governing authority, but they are told to defer to Wallace's authority.
Geographic Overview
Fordan’s Hill is built along a mineral-rich rise overlooking surrounding routes and lowlands. Its terrain supports extensive mining activity, particularly salt extraction, while remaining accessible enough to support transport and supply movement between settlements in the region.
Cultural Overview
The settlement has long been defined by labor-oriented daily life, with mining work shaping both routine and social structure. Under occupation, civilian activity continues in a reduced and regulated form, while military presence has altered public spaces and disrupted customary rhythms.
Historical Overview
Fordan’s Hill developed as a mining settlement during a period of regional stability, valued for its access to salt and mineral resources rather than strategic position. Its importance increased as regional trade networks and military movements brought it under occupation. Since salt is one of the high-traffic trade products, it has become a valuable location.
Economic Activity
Fordan’s Hill is a primary source of salt for the region, supported by additional mineral extraction. Mining operations remain active under occupation, supplying both local needs and broader military logistics. Civilian trade is limited, with economic focus placed on sustained production rather than open commerce.
All trade is currently suspended due to Savidorian occupation.
Atmosphere & Character
Fordan’s Hill is dusty, crowded, and restless. Mining activity leaves a persistent residue across buildings and streets, while the extended presence of idle soldiers contributes to social strain. Though outwardly controlled, the settlement carries an undercurrent of fatigue and quiet volatility, shaped by labor, confinement, and prolonged uncertainty.
Governance & Law
Order is maintained through military regulation rather than civilian law. Discipline is enforced strictly, particularly among occupying forces, to prevent disruption to production and administrative control. Civil disputes are handled summarily or deferred.
Security & Stability
The settlement is garrisoned and monitored but not fortified as a frontline position. Stability is maintained through routine patrols and controlled access rather than heavy defenses. While overt conflict is rare, tensions remain present due to prolonged occupation and enforced discipline.