Realm of Rhovanion Lore: The Holds

Rhovanion is split into nearly a dozen Holds. Each hold has a number of different settlements, and ruins, each with their own spin. I set the holds up to be within a connection of Midthold, each with a vacancy of a Jarl. Any Viking can join, lay claim to a hold that is vacant and start to rebuild. Newly formed Holds will be introduced as vikings expand their claims.

Midthold:

-The central hold of the Realm. Midthold houses some of the largest, most prosperous cities and claims. Considered a safe haven for those seeking a peaceful life, the rolling hills and scattered Forest of Stuhn offer that lifestyle. Thorongil was once the center of activity, and the old capital of the Realm and it houses the mighty fortress at the mouth of the river. The Forsaken ravaged this Hold and laid most of it in ruin. Aegir Point, Njordr Hill and Gerdr Hill were some of the largest villages in the Hold. Bywater is a newly established commerce hub of the Realm, and vikings from any hold have a right to build and trade here. Perrun is also a newly formed village after the Great Schism that acts as a bridge for Midthold and Nordurhold. Midthold also offers scattered farms and the Vingolf Estate Vineyards. The Realm has established the newly built Guildhall as the central capital.

Vesturhold:

-The westernmost hold of the Realm. It houses the large city of Iverstead which has since fallen into disrepair. Once the seat to the Jarl of Vesturhold, Iverstead is nearly unrecognizable. Hugging the edge of Ragnar Wood, it has fallen victim to numerous raids from the woodland creatures. Remnants of the farms and houses scatter the hillside now such as Hymir Tower, Idunnhall and the Dvergr ruins of Asyajur Keep. Tyr's Landing is the northernmost claim in Vesturhold. Several warriors sailed north to conquer more lands but fell to poor weather resulting in landing just north of Vorsh Swamp. Setting up a small encampment, mead hall and a lighthouse in the process. Eventually they carried on and utilized the area as a resting point for northward travelers. Be wary of traveling Ragnar Wood, as it holds secrets and relics of a lost age. The current Jarl of Vesturhold is LyleKing.

Ostlighold:

The easternmost reaches of Rhovanion. This hold is known for its vast stretching forests. This particular hold has only a few settlements, with a majority of it being covered in thick black forest pines. It was considered the stronghold of the realm at Bragi Keep as a large garrison was once housed there to protect the southern border. The past relationship with Sudurhold had soured due to the inhabitants of Vanlandi swaying to the worship of a Forsaken. The Jarls of old decided to cut off ties with the southernmost hold, only ruined fortifications remain. Unfortunately most of the hold has been lost to the numerous Forsaken forces that lived within the woods. The Dvergr had a heavy presence here but all that remained was their ruins. Currently there is no claim within the hold. The Hold forged an alliance with their new southern neighbors in Surdurhold and reconstructed a southern road from Bragi Keep to Vanlandi. A small isolated hit named Volstead hugs the southernmost tip of the land.

Nordurhold:

-The gateway to the north. This hold is largely uninhabited, with only the southernmost regions having settlements of any kind. Jarnvidr was once the main capital for the Hold but has fallen into ruin due to the corruption of Bonemass. It has since been in the rebuilding process. From that time Mimir became the main hub of any activity for the hold, but since has fallen into ruin. Atmour Forest covers most of the land here with a single path leading north towards the northern reaches, but that has been overgrown for quite some time. The Blackforest biome holds dominion over this land with its many secrets scattered throughout the thick dense forest. Scattered ruins dot the wooded landscape. Uilr’s Steadfast was a northern outpost, and acted as a sailing hub to sail east towards Jarl Isle. Here the city of Sjostrand was built. Founded atop the ruins of Almaren, it has brought new life to Jarl Isle. The current Jarl of Nordurhold is unknown.

Surdurhold:

-The southern lands of the Realm. The village of Vanlandi lies in the northern parts of Sudurhold. The only claim of the hold, the village was set up by a group led by Sventi the Wise. Finding the shrine of Eithykr, they decided to stay and worship the Forsaken. This decision has led to the village being an outcast to Realm, and was raided numerous times by the other Holds. Bragi Keep decided to fortify the crossing to ensure the people of Vanlandi would remain south. The village was left abandoned but has now been reclaimed to return it to its former glory. Two other heroes of old built halls here, Nimrielhall and Ysoldahall. Ysoldahall is the furthest southern settlement, and is the gateway to the southern marshes. Vanlandi saw a massive revitalization of its ruined state and is now a grand city that rivals any in the Realm. Surdurhold is a thriving area and has even now expanded its influence to the Outer Regions.

Hrafnhold:

-The gateway to the Northern Reaches. It was once a small village/garrison that guarded the plains of the north but fell under the curse of Bonemass and was left abandoned. It has now been reclaimed and rebuilt by the new Jarl of Hrafn who ensured the bridge connecting the two regions is safe for all those traveling north. Hrafn Crossing now houses several grand structures, a massive Mead Hall and countless resources for the Jarl to rebuild. With the establishment of this new city, Hrafnhold was founded. Being the northernmost settlement and hold, those that dwell here must now face the countless dangers of the Outer Regions. The current Jarl of this Hold has remained vigilant since.

Armsvarhold

-Newest Hold to the Realm from the adventurous Jarl LyleKing. A cluster of isles that shares the borders of the outer regions of Etelainen & Stranderna, these two locations have been a building ground for a new haven for the Jarl of Vesturhold. Each location has changed over the last few months, with each building following a grand look with large rooflines, and decorative exteriors. Lustrum Corvi is the newest settlement and the home of his grand architecture. A land long untouched by terraforming or Viking hands, preserved like it was hidden from history. Here, Jarl Lyle chose peace instead of war, building not to dominate, but to create something that outlives conflict. Gleipner is a small group of islands adjacent to Lustrum Corvi. A region tied to the realm’s newest chapter, less conquest, more legacy. A place that feels like it was waiting to be claimed, but not through violence. Here structures have been built, destroyed and rebuilt for a more desired look. There is much potential in these lands.

Maedhroshold:

-Maedhroshold is the larger island southwest of Surdurhold. Bonemass has a heavy presence in the Swamp of Woe and it often deters exploration from this area. Ysolda was rumored to venture to this isle to hunt the scattered game in the Blackforest, the Swamps and even the Plains. This location was common for organized hunting trips to honor Ullr. On the southern shores of the isle once housed a citadel from the lost ages of the Realm, and soon a lone outpost was set up by those hailing from the inner lands of Rhovanion. The outpost itself eventually fell into disrepair, but has since been reclaimed by the Jarl Wissmann with a vision to rebuild the settlement into a prosperous haven. Maedroshold has seen a golden age of reconstruction in recent months with several settlements being constructed or rebuilt.

Larshold:

-One of the newest Holds within the Realm. Lars Tymsson, an elite mercenary of the Jomsvikings set out to build a home in an area known as Dvergursjorna; this new settlement was called Skogarvik. With Skogarvik having the foundations of a new home I have begun to explore the Realm of Rhovanion seeking allies and glory. The region will now see an era of safety and security. The city itself hugs the coastline and the forest edge and offers numerous buildings as well as future projects. It is known as LarsHold, named after the founder of Skogarvik.

Imrahilhold:

-Imrahilhold is one of the lost Holds of the East. Situated in the lands of Austrland, these lands consist of two larger islands that were once connected via a landbridge. Imrahilhold was cut off from the rest of the world when the Kingdom of Olfar was overrun. Those trapped decided to set up a last defense and held out for quite some time. Utilizing the Blackforest as a natural barrier, they hid in their cities away from the eyes of the Forsaken forces. By the time the new vikings arrived and rediscovered Rhovanion, Imrahilhold was a mere skeleton of itself after those that once lived here died out. Most of the northern/western parts lands have been engulfed by the dreaded Mists, which hid the forests of this long lost Hold from the eyes of those that call this world home. Imrahilhold is known to have 3 cities/villages: Celtigar, the fortress of the Hold, Maelthrenburg, the mountaintop city/fort, Skaervald, the wooded village. This Hold is surrounded by the Blackforest, and Mountains making it difficult to carve out a home here. It is currently unclaimed.

Pelinalhold:

-The second of one of the Lost Holds. This Holds hugs a singular Island that has been ravaged by the Mistlands in the First Age.It was founded by several explorers early in the Second Age when they sailed out Bragi Keep, with records of such an adventure were lost at the time and it was not discovered until the New Golden Age. When they landed, Pelinalhold was established by the Vidarr Order vikings who sought to take vengeance on the Forsaken for their prior attack. Carving out several pockets, they attempted to battle the Queen and Yagluth but were eventually overwhelmed and forced to take shelter in their holdouts. Due to the code they follow, they would often clash with other Vikings that crossed into their lands further isolating themselves. There are only two named cities Valandrus and the hill fort of Ingjard, each in a desolated state. It current lacks a Jarl.

Andorhold:

-The smallest Hold in the entire Realm. Andorhold is a small cluster of islands that are riddled with small rivers, rolling Plains and pockets of forest groves. These lands were often known for the large cities such as Ghorman Hill, and Luthen Point, and offered the Realm rich soil for farming. They had a unified council, saw no one particular person as the sole leader, and often debated with fellow vikings over the Rule of Law in the Realm. This had led the Hold and its people to be considered outsiders to other kingdoms. Andorhold itself was constructed in the Second Age by the Jarl of Maedhroshold after finding records of Ghorman Hill. Discovering its ruined state, The Jarl decided to rebuild everything from the ground up, and bring the city back to the fold. Along with rebuilding this land, the Grand Hall of Sessrumnir, Hall of Freya is set to be built here.