The Barony of Greycliff

**Ruling Entity**
 **Ruler**
 **Seat of Power**
 **Settlements**
* Lonely Watch
* Paradise Post
* Lightfall Chapel
* Greytown
* The Ashen Residencies

The Barony of Greycliff is a tract of land in south-east Duskwood, bordering the mountains of Duskwood-Deadwind Pass, and Duskwood-Stranglethorn Vale. The barony is the capital for the Order of the Pale Horse, residing in Castle Greycliff as it's capital settlement.

## Culture

Since the lands that comprise the Barony of Greycliff are barren and dark, dull and ominous, the people who originally populated this territory were a hardy and stubborn lot. They lived a spartan lifestyle of acetic values and leaned towards a militaristic lifestyle, the young and able seeking to find fame, riches, and glory in the fields of battle rather than the dark and gloomy forests of Duskwood.

Once the Order of the Pale Horse moved in and the majority of the living moved out, this militaristic culture only spread. The Death Knights are the prime population, and their downtime is spent training in the fields and forests, or studying tomes and grimoires in their libraries. It is a humorless existence, though what comedy may be found is often macabre and full of grim mirth.

## Economy & Resources

Greycliff, located far south of Darkshire, is a land as barren as anywhere else in Duskwood. It is thought to have no natural resources to speak of, and must rely on trade and bartering. As such, it had become a hub for the military and mercenaries, and is the birthplace of many great soldiers, knights, and adventurers that have struck out from their humble home in search of glory and fortune.

Due to its location in the valleys beneath the border mountain range of Deadwind Pass and sandwiched in the forests of the once-named Brightwood, Greycliff was once a prosperous land filled with all manner of livestock and crops due to the steady supply of fresh water draining from the nearby mountains. However, Medivh's curse has taken a great toll on the land, like the rest of Duskwood, hardening its people into warriors and adventurers with no hope of starting a simpler life on a homestead. Stubbornly, one town in particular is still managing to maintain steady farmland.

The single, stubborn settlement in the middle of the barony still produces crops for what small population of living are maintained as the population of Greycliff, as well as operating a lumbermill for harvesting wood.

### Free Market

Greycliff’s overreliance on commerce and trade has led it to develop a unique approach to its economy.

The land enjoys a near-entirely free market, devoid of many regulations or interference from the Order. It has therefore led to a bolstering of businesses and local groups with economic interests that help keep the land’s coinflow going, while attracting investment from neighboring territories. Most common is the success of apothecary shops and private mercenary services.

In June of 638, twenty-five companies based in the Barony created **Greycliff’s Stock Exchange**, allowing domestic bidders to purchase shares in other businesses based within the Order's lands.

The Pale Horse’s Treasury operations are based from **The Iron Price** building in Greytown and Castle Greycliff.

## History

### Founding

Built into the mountains is a great fortress known as Castle Greycliff, and it was designed by the architects of the Bronzebeard Clan long ago, and paid for by the great warriors who have brought riches back from their adventures, paying homage to those who have fallen in service of Stormwind and serving as a safeguard against the rampaging undead and worgen that have plagued Duskwood for years. Over time, these great warriors settled down and grew old, or died in battle and were forgotten, leaving behind a militaristic legacy.

Few towns sprouted around Castle Greycliff to comprise the territory that would become the Barony of Greycliff, most notably that of the southern watchtower of Lonely Watch. Separated from the mountain range, Lonely Watch sat atop a small gathering of hills and was an isolated tower made to guard the southern border of Greycliff.

### Stormwind Civil War

It was left without a ruler in 634 K.Y. after the Stormwind Civil War, with many of it's military levies depleted through warfare. Over time, the civilian population dwindled and emigrated from the land to find better prospects, leaving eventually only the few roaming bands of mercenaries and adventurers for hire, looking for riches. Feral, random undead ran rampant in the land and the Nightbane Worgen pack was left unchecked to terrorize what civilian life remained.

### Present Day

In 638 K.Y., after the land was forgotten and ignored, the Order of the Pale Horse was granted the barony for their loyal service as a chapter of the Brotherhood of Horse under the Kingdom of Stormwind. They quickly moved in and transferred artifacts and their members, and made Castle Greycliff - the archaic and now-ominous keep - their capital.

Several of the towns and settlements that inhabited the region have been renamed and utilized for different means by the Pale Horse, such as the Afterlife Inn becoming a popular spot for Undead to go to relax, away from their duties and harsh treatment.

## Settlements

### Castle Greycliff

Built high into the tall mountain range that comprises the borders of Duskwood is Castle Greycliff. It was originally created through the expert craftsmanship of Bronzebeard Clan architects, a nigh impregnable fortress of indomitable power by those who controlled it. The arduous trek up and down from the castle, as well as it's out-of-the-way location made it less than ideal for the mortal rulers of Castle Greycliff, and as the years drew on and conditions of the land got worse, the population abandoned the looming fortress, leaving it vacant and empty. Eventually, the Order of the Pale Horse moved in and made it their capital stronghold, complete with living quarters, a training yard, a bank, and even a vault for powerful, forbidden artifacts, amongst other amenities.

### Lonely Watch

Lonely Watch is the largest military holding within the Barony of Greycliff, second in power only to Castle Greycliff as the capital. This outpost was formerly the southern border protection site for the barony, but now it's purpose largely serves as the housing point for the Revenant Guard, the law enforcement branch of the Order of the Pale Horse. The First Watcher, the leading rank of the Revenant Guard, has their own office within and rule here almost like a mayor might a city.

### Paradise Post

Paradise Post was once a normal town for settlers, but when this territory was abandoned, it became a hub for mercenaries and contractors. The Pale Horse has taken advantage of this situation and has welcomed all sorts of adventurers, mercenaries, and more to come and spend time in Paradise Post, often referred to as Paradise, advertised as a spot for folk of all kind to come and reside, away from conformities of normal life and a place to reunite with fallen loved ones who are now Undead, free of discrimination within Greycliff. Most popularly, there is the Afterlife Inn, a hopping tavern of lively action, popular especially with Death Knights of the Ebon Blade.

### The Ashen Residencies

The Ashen Residencies is situated within some of the eastern hills. It is a small suburb of rural, simple living for Undead of all types seeking to escape the world at large and any discrimination they may face, as well as proper housing for families of members of the Order of the Pale Horse. It is a homely place, free from prying eyes and any ill-will of the living who may tender a disliking for the Undead. Some may earn a residence in this place by award from the Pale Horse for doing good or worthy deeds.

### Greytown

Greytown is a peculiar spot within the Barony of Greycliff. It is largely comprised of living folk, those who have pledged their loyalty to the overlords of the Barony, but also wishing to be alone, probably the reason they live in this corner of Duskwood after all. Most of these folk are made up of the stubborn kind who never left when most of this area was abandoned. Most peculiar of all, Greytown is where some of the only living, organic material is found, making it the sole place for healthy trees and crops to grow. Since it is a large settlement of mortals, there are other amenities here - using up most of the few resources Greycliff even has - such as a lumbermill, farmland plots, and a blacksmith.

## Gallery

Castle Greycliff, high in the mountains of Duskwood.A map of Greycliff, highlighting both Castle Greycliff and Lonely Watch.A map of the Kingdom of Stormwind including Greycliff in 634 K.Y.