| Strongfork Hold | |
|---|---|
| Nation | Kastalshire |
| Type | Duchy Capital |
| Duchy | Rath |
| Ruler | Duke Caldus Renward |
| Location | ~40 miles south of Raethalor, at the fork of the Frostwater River |
| Notable For | Hydro-engineered fortress, waterwheels, arcane aqueducts, seat of Duke Renward |
Nestled precisely at the fork of the great Frostwater River lies Strongfork Hold — the seat of the Dukes of Rath. The castle is both a military bastion and a hydro-engineered marvel. Waterwheels and arcane aqueducts provide power to workshops and heating for the interior halls. The hold has commanding views of both river branches and stands as a symbolic dividing line between the wilds and the rest of the kingdom.
Ruler
Duke Caldus Renward is an aging noble whose stone-faced demeanor matches his fortress. A traditionalist to the bone, Caldus trusts local militias over the king’s armies and has turned down all invitations to Contramara. He maintains an elite border ranger corps known as the Coldwatch, who patrol the duchy’s outermost reaches with brutal efficiency. He is close friends with Duke Garran Velmouth of Aremir.