Staunton Bluffs: Difference between revisions

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|picture=
|picture=
|culture_lvl=
|culture_lvl=
|ecology=
|ecology={{Spec|Full}}
|terrain={{Spec|Temperate}}[[Plain]]s, [[forest]]s, [[cliffs]], [[swamp]]s, [[hill]]s
|terrain={{Spec|Temperate}}[[Plain]]s, [[forest]]s, [[cliffs]], [[swamp]]s, [[hill]]s<ref name=islterp.68-69>[[Islands of Terror]] p.68-69</ref>
|year_formed={{Spec|630 BC}}<ref>[[John W. Mangrum's Unofficial Ravenloft Timeline]] p.14</ref>
|year_formed={{Spec|630 BC}}<ref>[[John W. Mangrum's Unofficial Ravenloft Timeline]] p.14</ref>
|population=approx. 1000<ref name=islterp.70>[[Islands of Terror]] p.70</ref>
|population=approx. 1000<ref name=islterp.70>[[Islands of Terror]] p.70</ref>
|races=Humans
|races=Humans
|languages=
|languages=
|religions=None mentioned;
|religions=None mentioned
|government=[[Direct Democracy]]<ref name=islterp.71>[[Islands of Terror]] p.71</ref>
|government=[[Direct Democracy]]<ref name="IoT p.71">[[Islands of Terror]] p.71</ref>
|ruler=[[Sir Torrence Bleysmith]]<ref name=islterp.71>[[Islands of Terror]] p.71</ref>
|ruler=[[Sir Torrence Bleysmith]]<ref name="IoT p.71">[[Islands of Terror]] p.71</ref>
|darklord=[[Sir Torrence Bleysmith]]
|darklord=[[Sir Torrence Bleysmith]]
|analog=
|analog=
|nationality=[[Stautonian]]<ref name=islterp.65>[[Islands of Terror]] p.65</ref>
|nationality=[[Stauntonian]]<ref name=islterp.65>[[Islands of Terror]] p.65</ref>
}}[[Staunton Bluffs]] is an [[island of terror]], ruled by [[Sir Torrence Bleysmith]].
}}


It was originally part of the county of [[Staunton]] in the [[Kingdom of Mourette]].
Originally part of the county of [[Staunton]] in the [[Kingdom of Mourette]], [[Staunton Bluffs]] is now but a tiny, bucolic [[island of terror]] of only four and a half miles on a side.<ref name="IoT p.68">[[Islands of Terror]] p.68</ref> The rustic, uncomplicated lives of Staunton Bluff's citizens conceal a history written in [[blood]] and [[treachery]]. Like the land of [[Mordent]], Staunton Bluffs is riddled with the [[ghost]]s of past dark deeds.


Perhaps the worst of the Bluffs' [[spirit]]s is [[Sir Torrence Bleysmith]], the [[darklord]] and hidden ruler of the domain. Although he does not rule in the sense that he openly plays a role in the [[government]] of Staunton Bluffs, both the [[living]] and the [[undead|dead]] obey the order he enforces within the domain. Bleysmith resides in [[Castle Stonecrest]], his [[residence]] in life.<ref name="IoT p.71">[[Islands of Terror]] p.71</ref> The [[traitor|treacherous]], [[coward]]ly nature that damned him and his domain continues on in his ghostly state.
==Biology==
===Flora===
===Flora===


===Fauna===
===Fauna===
*[[Rat]]
*[[Rat]]
*[[Wolf]]<ref name=islterp.83>[[Islands of Terror]] p.83</ref>
*[[Wolf]]<ref name=islterp.83>[[Islands of Terror]] p.83</ref>


===Native Horrors===
===Native Horrors===
Line 34: Line 36:
*[[Spectre]]
*[[Spectre]]
*[[Wraith]]
*[[Wraith]]
==Geography==
The domain is cut in half going east to west by a large ridge of [[cliff]]s.<ref name="IoT p.68">[[Islands of Terror]] p.68</ref> The eastern and western halves share some common traits but are surprisingly different in character. An [[unnamed]] [[road]] runs through the western side of the domain, through the town of [[Willisford]], and up into the Bluffs, passing into Castle Stonecrest.<ref name="IoT p.69">[[Islands of Terror]] p.69</ref>
Prairies and [[plain]]s dominate the land west of the bluffs<ref name="IoT p.68">[[Islands of Terror]] p.68</ref>, with the occasional clump of [[tree]]s, any of them too small to be considered a proper forest. The quality of the land is not exceptional, but the farmers make a decent living through hard work. They use the [[Willis River]] for [[irrigation]] and the [[peat bog]]s to heat their homes.<ref name="IoT p.69">[[Islands of Terror]] p.69</ref>
Contrasted with the western half of the domain, Staunton Bluffs' eastern half is lush, beautiful, and fertile, if [[hill]]y, [[marsh]]y, and excessively damp. However, few people choose to live here, as the [[night]]time changes the atmosphere from one of beauty to one of horrors. Many menaces walk the night, from the [[natural]] to the [[unnatural]].<ref name="IoT p.69">[[Islands of Terror]] p.69</ref>
===Rivers===
[[Willis River]], runs east to west along the southern part of the domain.<ref name="IoT p.68">[[Islands of Terror]] p.68</ref>
===Towns===
[[Willisford]]<ref name="IoT p.69">[[Islands of Terror]] p.69</ref>
==Government==
Fitting the domain's low population, Staunton possesses no formal body of government. The people govern through [[direct democracy]] and monthly gatherings of the people. Staunton Bluffs' citizens also comprise its (informal) [[militia]], with citizens taking up arms determined by proximity to the location of trouble.<ref name="IoT p.71">[[Islands of Terror]] p.71</ref>
A second source of law pervades the realm, the will of Sir Torrence Bleysmith. His orders exist mostly to keep the living apart form the undead and vice versa. The creatures of the night are not permitted travel west past the bluffs, nor are the living permitted trespass against Castle Stonecrest.<ref name="IoT p.71">[[Islands of Terror]] p.71</ref>
==History==
The current people are not of native [[Stauntonian]] stock. Rather, they are [[Avergnite]]s, descendants of the [[invader]]s that conquered the [[County of Staunton]], what Staunton Bluffs was before being taken by [[the Mists]].<ref name="IoT p.66">[[Islands of Terror]] p.66</ref>
Although seemingly peaceful backwater now, Staunton Bluff's past is one of [[war]]s, bloodshed, and treason. Under the rule of the ambitious [[Count Rupert Bleysmith]], the County of Staunton waged holy war against the nearby [[Duchy of Avergne]].<ref name="IoT p.65">[[Islands of Terror]] p.65</ref> Although all his progeny took after him, two Count Rupert's sons, [[Sir Torrence Bleysmith]] and [[Sir August Bleysmith]], viewed each other as particularly bitter rivals.<ref name="IoT p.64">[[Islands of Terror]] p.64</ref>
As Count Rupert rode off to war, he trusted Sir August with keeping things running at home. [[Jealousy]] of this slight drove Torrence to treason, and he conspired with [[Commander Pierre Willis]] against his brother. Torrence lured August and his best men into a trap where Willis proceeded to slaughter them.
Yet Torrence's [[treachery]] brought upon not only the downfall of his brother but also the downfall of his father's land, as Torrence the [[betrayer]] was [[betrayed]] in return by Willis. The latter led troops into the heart of Staunton, looting and laying waste to everything in their way. Although Torrence escaped, the [[invader]]s easily overran the [[:Category:Bleysmith Family|Bleysmith Family]] and [[razed]] their castle.<ref name="IoT p.65">[[Islands of Terror]] p.65</ref>
Torrence slipped away and later used a perverse [[ritual]] of [[black magic]] to drive the [[Stauntonian]] [[peasant]]s into a battle frenzy to strike against the Averginites.<ref name="IoT p.65">[[Islands of Terror]] p.65</ref> Although the occupiers were initially surprised by the counterattack, they quickly rallied against the peasants and wiped them out. Torrence [[hanged]] himself to escape the consequences of his evil. Yet [[the Mists]] captured him and some of the land to create the domain as it is today.<ref name="IoT p.66">[[Islands of Terror]] p.66</ref>
Over the years, the Avergnites settled in the western half of the domain and built new lives from the ashes of the [[deceased]] Stauntonian peasantry. As a [[ghost]] [[cursed]] with the inability to affect them, Torrence could do little to stop them.<ref name="IoT p.66">[[Islands of Terror]] p.66</ref>


{{ref}}
{{ref}}


[[Category:Canon Domain]]
[[Category:domain]][[Category:Island of Terror]][[category:Conquered]][[category:Annexed]][[category:Colonized]]
[[Category:domain]][[Category:Island of Terror]][[category:Conquered]][[category:Annexed]][[category:Colonized]]
[[category:Direct Democracy]]
[[category:Direct Democracy]]
[[category:Temperate Climate]]


==Data from the Ravenloft Catalogue==
==Data from the Ravenloft Catalogue==

Latest revision as of 13:49, 12 January 2024

Staunton Bluffs
Culture Level
Ecology Full
Climate & Terrain TemperatePlains, forests, cliffs, swamps, hills[1]
Year Formed 630 BC[2]
Population approx. 1000[3]
Races (%) Humans
Languages
Religions None mentioned
Government Direct Democracy[4]
Ruler(s) Sir Torrence Bleysmith[4]
Darklord(s) Sir Torrence Bleysmith
Nationality Stauntonian[5]
Analog
Related Categories
Locations in Staunton Bluffs
Transportation in Staunton Bluffs
Inhabitants of Staunton Bluffs
Former Inhabitants of Staunton Bluffs
Flora of Staunton Bluffs
Fauna of Staunton Bluffs
Native Monsters of Staunton Bluffs

Originally part of the county of Staunton in the Kingdom of Mourette, Staunton Bluffs is now but a tiny, bucolic island of terror of only four and a half miles on a side.[6] The rustic, uncomplicated lives of Staunton Bluff's citizens conceal a history written in blood and treachery. Like the land of Mordent, Staunton Bluffs is riddled with the ghosts of past dark deeds.

Perhaps the worst of the Bluffs' spirits is Sir Torrence Bleysmith, the darklord and hidden ruler of the domain. Although he does not rule in the sense that he openly plays a role in the government of Staunton Bluffs, both the living and the dead obey the order he enforces within the domain. Bleysmith resides in Castle Stonecrest, his residence in life.[4] The treacherous, cowardly nature that damned him and his domain continues on in his ghostly state.


Biology

Flora

Fauna

Native Horrors

The following monsters can be encountered in Staunton Bluffs, especially in the eastern half of the domain.[7]

Geography

The domain is cut in half going east to west by a large ridge of cliffs.[6] The eastern and western halves share some common traits but are surprisingly different in character. An unnamed road runs through the western side of the domain, through the town of Willisford, and up into the Bluffs, passing into Castle Stonecrest.[8]

Prairies and plains dominate the land west of the bluffs[6], with the occasional clump of trees, any of them too small to be considered a proper forest. The quality of the land is not exceptional, but the farmers make a decent living through hard work. They use the Willis River for irrigation and the peat bogs to heat their homes.[8]

Contrasted with the western half of the domain, Staunton Bluffs' eastern half is lush, beautiful, and fertile, if hilly, marshy, and excessively damp. However, few people choose to live here, as the nighttime changes the atmosphere from one of beauty to one of horrors. Many menaces walk the night, from the natural to the unnatural.[8]

Rivers

Willis River, runs east to west along the southern part of the domain.[6]

Towns

Willisford[8]

Government

Fitting the domain's low population, Staunton possesses no formal body of government. The people govern through direct democracy and monthly gatherings of the people. Staunton Bluffs' citizens also comprise its (informal) militia, with citizens taking up arms determined by proximity to the location of trouble.[4]

A second source of law pervades the realm, the will of Sir Torrence Bleysmith. His orders exist mostly to keep the living apart form the undead and vice versa. The creatures of the night are not permitted travel west past the bluffs, nor are the living permitted trespass against Castle Stonecrest.[4]

History

The current people are not of native Stauntonian stock. Rather, they are Avergnites, descendants of the invaders that conquered the County of Staunton, what Staunton Bluffs was before being taken by the Mists.[9]

Although seemingly peaceful backwater now, Staunton Bluff's past is one of wars, bloodshed, and treason. Under the rule of the ambitious Count Rupert Bleysmith, the County of Staunton waged holy war against the nearby Duchy of Avergne.[10] Although all his progeny took after him, two Count Rupert's sons, Sir Torrence Bleysmith and Sir August Bleysmith, viewed each other as particularly bitter rivals.[11]

As Count Rupert rode off to war, he trusted Sir August with keeping things running at home. Jealousy of this slight drove Torrence to treason, and he conspired with Commander Pierre Willis against his brother. Torrence lured August and his best men into a trap where Willis proceeded to slaughter them.

Yet Torrence's treachery brought upon not only the downfall of his brother but also the downfall of his father's land, as Torrence the betrayer was betrayed in return by Willis. The latter led troops into the heart of Staunton, looting and laying waste to everything in their way. Although Torrence escaped, the invaders easily overran the Bleysmith Family and razed their castle.[10]

Torrence slipped away and later used a perverse ritual of black magic to drive the Stauntonian peasants into a battle frenzy to strike against the Averginites.[10] Although the occupiers were initially surprised by the counterattack, they quickly rallied against the peasants and wiped them out. Torrence hanged himself to escape the consequences of his evil. Yet the Mists captured him and some of the land to create the domain as it is today.[9]

Over the years, the Avergnites settled in the western half of the domain and built new lives from the ashes of the deceased Stauntonian peasantry. As a ghost cursed with the inability to affect them, Torrence could do little to stop them.[9]

References

  1. ↑ Islands of Terror p.68-69
  2. ↑ John W. Mangrum's Unofficial Ravenloft Timeline p.14
  3. ↑ Islands of Terror p.70
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 Islands of Terror p.71
  5. ↑ Islands of Terror p.65
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 Islands of Terror p.68
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Islands of Terror p.83
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 Islands of Terror p.69
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 Islands of Terror p.66
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 Islands of Terror p.65
  11. ↑ Islands of Terror p.64

Data from the Ravenloft Catalogue

Islands of Terror

Islands of Terror - pp64-82
Realm of Terror - p85

Islands of Terror - poster map
Realm of Terror - poster map


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