The waves crashed against the high cliffs on the east side of the island, the treeless terrain of mint green grass and rolling hills. This was only one portion of this new land the settlers were so lucky to stumble upon. After several months at sea their rations were dangerously low and many on the Duchess Siria had gone ill from the spoiled fish.
Making camp on the north side of the island they sailed the circumference to ensure the island was uninhabited, for they couldn't risk encroaching on another's land. To their relief the scouts had returned empty, meaning that the island was theirs to take. Selecting a wide, reasonably flat valley on the north shore between two towering mountain ranges the settlers immediately began to build a more permanent settlement using the abundant resources.
Well, I say settlers, they were more like refugees. Disowned by their own country and unwanted by their neighboring kingdoms these people took to uncharted seas to find a new land of their own. They seemed to be sailing to their deaths, an endless ocean of uncertainty with each passing wind.
With skin fair and eyes as blue as the sky or green as the sea, they were clearly from the north of their old lands. Their kingdom, albeit small, was highly desirable by southern lords who wished control of their silver mines. When their crown collapsed during the war and territories were annex they had two choices, run or face genocide.
They new they would not be welcomed into the southern lands, as prisoners or slaves maybe, but not as citizens. Leaving the old continent was their best chance for new generations, so they did so. They were blessed to find this island, a perfect balance of everything they could every possibly need.
The landscapes were vast and varied. On the north shore rows of mountain ranges and plateaus cut through the land as glaciers formed deep valleys between them. The east bared rolling hills and sharp stone cliffs that jutted up from the sea floor. The south was lush with thick forests so dense that light could hardly penetrate the thick canopy. The west had wild plains filled with grasses and peppered with small clusters of trees and rock formations. The center, where it all converged, was a great crater with floating island and waterfalls that drained into the lake below, sending its infinite water to the seas.
The island was given the name of their old kingdom, Secora, in honor of their fallen crown. A vote was carried and the crown was appointed to a maritime family who granted use of their fleet of ships for the great escape. The name for the settlement was a conjunction of two words from their old kingdom. "Dell," meaning great journey, and "smite" meaning to conqueror.
The first year was the hardest, like many who immigrate to new lands, as they discovered the island was seasonal. They had arrived in late summer, which granted them time to build sturdy shelters. The winter was harsher then the ones of the north, but they managed. When spring came the snow and ice cleared and the fertile lands were workable.
Cartographers were sent to chart the Secora for future reference, since the island was so large, a map would be useful. Mines were established after rich veins of iron were discovered one valley to the east of Dellsmite, allowing easy travel along the coast. Using a natural cave system as an underground hub the mine was both concealed from the storms above and providing ideal shelter for miners who weren't in the far more dangerous shafts.
Very deep withing the mountain a team uncovered something quite rare withing the stone. So rare that it was thought to only exist in legend. A stronghold. Many had entered the stronghold to map out the confusing catacombs, all had failed to return. After about twenty widows the king had declared entrance to the stronghold forbidden and the portion of mine shafts was collapsed with gunpowder explosions.
The discovery was so enticing to many that new tunnels were dug to retrieve the rumored treasures and riches they hoarded, but all the thieves had been lost to whatever horrors protect it. Eventually the existence of the stronghold was forgotten by the people of Dellsmite, left to the shadows of secrets deep within the stone.
However, the stronghold did not forget about them.
Making camp on the north side of the island they sailed the circumference to ensure the island was uninhabited, for they couldn't risk encroaching on another's land. To their relief the scouts had returned empty, meaning that the island was theirs to take. Selecting a wide, reasonably flat valley on the north shore between two towering mountain ranges the settlers immediately began to build a more permanent settlement using the abundant resources.
Well, I say settlers, they were more like refugees. Disowned by their own country and unwanted by their neighboring kingdoms these people took to uncharted seas to find a new land of their own. They seemed to be sailing to their deaths, an endless ocean of uncertainty with each passing wind.
With skin fair and eyes as blue as the sky or green as the sea, they were clearly from the north of their old lands. Their kingdom, albeit small, was highly desirable by southern lords who wished control of their silver mines. When their crown collapsed during the war and territories were annex they had two choices, run or face genocide.
They new they would not be welcomed into the southern lands, as prisoners or slaves maybe, but not as citizens. Leaving the old continent was their best chance for new generations, so they did so. They were blessed to find this island, a perfect balance of everything they could every possibly need.
The landscapes were vast and varied. On the north shore rows of mountain ranges and plateaus cut through the land as glaciers formed deep valleys between them. The east bared rolling hills and sharp stone cliffs that jutted up from the sea floor. The south was lush with thick forests so dense that light could hardly penetrate the thick canopy. The west had wild plains filled with grasses and peppered with small clusters of trees and rock formations. The center, where it all converged, was a great crater with floating island and waterfalls that drained into the lake below, sending its infinite water to the seas.
The island was given the name of their old kingdom, Secora, in honor of their fallen crown. A vote was carried and the crown was appointed to a maritime family who granted use of their fleet of ships for the great escape. The name for the settlement was a conjunction of two words from their old kingdom. "Dell," meaning great journey, and "smite" meaning to conqueror.
The first year was the hardest, like many who immigrate to new lands, as they discovered the island was seasonal. They had arrived in late summer, which granted them time to build sturdy shelters. The winter was harsher then the ones of the north, but they managed. When spring came the snow and ice cleared and the fertile lands were workable.
Cartographers were sent to chart the Secora for future reference, since the island was so large, a map would be useful. Mines were established after rich veins of iron were discovered one valley to the east of Dellsmite, allowing easy travel along the coast. Using a natural cave system as an underground hub the mine was both concealed from the storms above and providing ideal shelter for miners who weren't in the far more dangerous shafts.
Very deep withing the mountain a team uncovered something quite rare withing the stone. So rare that it was thought to only exist in legend. A stronghold. Many had entered the stronghold to map out the confusing catacombs, all had failed to return. After about twenty widows the king had declared entrance to the stronghold forbidden and the portion of mine shafts was collapsed with gunpowder explosions.
The discovery was so enticing to many that new tunnels were dug to retrieve the rumored treasures and riches they hoarded, but all the thieves had been lost to whatever horrors protect it. Eventually the existence of the stronghold was forgotten by the people of Dellsmite, left to the shadows of secrets deep within the stone.
However, the stronghold did not forget about them.