Hillbrook

As the name might imply, the Barony of Hillbrook lacks the flat expanses of Rivenland. Instead, rolling hills and gentle slopes dotted with small clusters of trees and bush are the more common sight. Partitioned and bordered with fences, these large open fields are in fact pastures for livestock. Without the constant agriculture, these fields tend to remain lush with thick grass and wildflowers. Climate is much the same as elsewhere in Mirwood, leaving Hillbrook just as idyllic as otherwise. It is however, quieter. It is ruled by House Courland.
Caledon is the center of commerce for Hillbrook. The town is fairly spread out, though densely developed closer to the center. Caledon is a remarkably martial town for Mirwood owing largely to the lords that live nearby, producing some of the finest knights and armsmen to be found in Westridge. Jousting tilts, stables, blacksmiths, and arenas are a common sight in town. The Westridge Jousting Tournament is hosted annually in Caledon as well, as well as many lesser championship and elimination rounds.
Just outside Caledon sits the massive Woodfort, an imposing structure of blackened ironwood spires. Avoiding the size limitations placed by the Duke on stone structures, it narrowly dodges the prohibition by consisting almost entirely of wood instead. Blackened and enchanted for strength and fire resistance, built around a central stone ‘core’, the Woodfort is the tallest and largest contiguous structure in Westridge made of that material. The four story mansion and surrounding buildings are home to the entirely of House Courland, along with their horses and servants.
The town of Aguillac is a fairly cookie-cutter town in much the same vein as Caledon, though smaller. Known for its horses and knights, Aguillac is a fairly pleasant settlement that is both responsible and honorable. Surrounded by yet more pastures, there is not much significant to note here, and were it not for its population, might not even be noted on the map.
Montillon is a town built around the ruins of a sacked and burnt out keep. Due to the ban, the keep has never been rebuilt. Inhabited only by pests such as bats and rodents, the keep is avoided by the townspeople and regarded a dangerous place of ill repute. Despite the ruin of a castle looming over their heads, the people of Montillon are nonetheless a pleasant and prosperous lot. Like the rest of Hillbrook’s towns, it is surrounded by still more fields and pastures, though the local area tend to be slightly soggier than others thanks to poor drainage.
Baste is unique among Hillbrook in that the pastures here are filled with cattle rather than horses. Producing milk and dairy products, Baste is fairly wealthy but lacks a local security force. Instead, riders from nearby Montillon and Aguillac patrol the roads in and around Baste.Category:Lore
Category:Westridge
Category:Holdings