Worldbuilding | Theton and Freemount
Why’d they attack Theton? Where is Freemount? And why you should care.
The Republic Kingdom of Athea is just 52 years young; born out of conflict, she seems destined to remain steeped in it.
Along the western edge of The Republic Kingdom (TRK going forward) you see a large mountain range with two locations almost directly in its center:
Theton and Freemount.
Two of the oldest settlements (technically speaking, more on that in a minute) within TRK, each holds both strategic and symbolic importance to the Ennead. 52 years ago when a group of 9 nobles and their attendants met in the small, isolated town of Theton the geopolitical shape of Amashik changed.
Led by Athenia Shadoon this group would later debate, write, and eventually codify what we know as “The Rule of Nine.” The mountain keep at Freemount housed the group that would go on to become the 1st Generation of the 1st Ennead as they birthed a nation in secrecy.
Theton
A small town set in the shadow of Freemount is home to farmers, smiths, tavern owners, and all manner of common folk. They pay their levies like everyone else in TRK. But Theton holds a special place in the hearts and minds of the citizens of TRK.
In decades past the Dobashi Empire stretched from Yatyri to Olisia and controlled everything in between. But when Lady Athenia Shadoon of Ennea and her cohorts, all of whom would make up the first generation of the 1st Ennead, decided enough was enough that all changed. Theton is no where near a military stronghold. It’s got no fortification, is about 4 or 5 days ride from Freemount (at best), and was never large enough to house a sizable garrison. And that’s exactly what made it the ideal place to plan a seditious act against the largest Empire in the world.
Freemount
More an expansive series of keeps than a city, Freemount is the oldest settlement in Athea. Most of it was built directly into the face of the Free Mountain Range a few hundred years ago. Freemount Keep itself is nearly impenetrable. It serves as the command center for the main line of defense into the east. When both Lismark and Pinetop are working in accordance with the forces controlling Freemount assailing TRK is impossibly difficult. Any sizable advance on the eastern territory that now makes up TRK must come through the Free Moutain Range, and therefore pass stone curtain.
The base of the mountain creates a natural spot for bailey. Small paths for horses have been carved into the mountain to allow for passage of 2 horses abreast at a time up to the entrance of the Keep itself. The bailey down below is home small villages, a city center, as well as a military base on its western side.
That military base is one of many permanent installments built by the second generation Queen, Elra Shadoon. Across TRK these outposts serve as a reminder to those within that they must always be on guard to protect what they’ve earned over the last 5 decades. While also serving as a warning to any who decide to try and encroach.
Why these men attacked Theton and why you should care are intricately linked.
Theton holds historic significance to TRK and the members of the Ennead in particular. Each one of them comes from a line that bled and died for what was decided in Theton over 50 years ago. Attacking it is a clear indication of an escalation in the current affairs. We learn more about these later in this issue and beyond so I won’t spoil it, but there’s no coming back from this attack. The stakes just got much higher.
Until next week.
JL
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