Castle of the New Dawn

The settlement known as New Dawn, or more accurately the Castle of the New Dawn, is located in an area that is largely wilderness. It sits at the southern end of the Telzek Hills, west of Lake Beranarr (and therefore northwest of the Silver Hills). The nearest town of size is the town of Forlorn, 40-plus miles to the south/southwest.

Castle of the New Dawn (in Hexographer)

The Castle was founded in the year NR 659, almost 50 years ago, by a band of priests serving Ardran, the god of life, vitality and renewal. It was their goal to form a bastion in the Onorian wilderness around which civilization could re-form. Settlers would move in, farms would be established, towns and villages would grow, and the wilderness would be reclaimed for civilization.

The reality has not met the original goal, at least not so far. There are fertile farmlands in the gently rolling hills and excellent grazing lands all around, but the threats that still exist from being on the extreme edge of civilization pose a constant challenge, and the influx of settlers has been very slow.

New Dawn is a fortified hilltop town of approximately 250 souls. Perhaps another 250 people live in farms and homesteads close to the town. A series of stout stone watchtowers guard the area and provide early warning for monster attacks and other unwelcome incursions. The town walls and watch towers are manned by servants of the Temple of the New Dawn (the priests of Ardran and their retainers) as well as members of the Order of the Stalwart Shield [see below]). Retainers of the Temple of the New Dawn, known as the Dawnriders, patrol the lands and roads nearby mounted both on warhorses and flying hippogriffs.

The town trades with the high elves of the Forest of Kyrell (to the west) and the towns of the Great North Road to the south, bringing in necessities that cannot be produced locally.

Due to its location, the Castle also often serves as a base of operations for adventuring bands exploring the Onorian wilderness to the north and east, or the Onorian ruins that exist within a day or two's travel.

The Order of the Stalwart Shield - The Order is a group that is associated with New Dawn (and based there), but it is separate and distinct from the priesthood of Ardran. The Order is a group of warriors and others pledged to protect New Dawn, led by paladins of Brand (god of duty, honor and protection). Members of the Order serve as guards for the town, help man the watch towers, and patrol the surrounding lands.