Strøndholm

*Page Status: Accepted Canon*

*Also known as: Strøndholm Vale*

## Current Status

Under the control of: Jarl Joric Ovrangr

Fiefs: *Ørstad*

## Town Features and Geography

Strondholm is situated in a mountain vale adjacent to the Suovirke mountain range. Being south of this range, it is considered to be a town on the very southern edge of Forsvarian lands, and some even consider it to be outside of ancestral borders. The elevation surrounding the town provides a natural fortification, and the town is considered to be highly defensible.

Seated on the crossroads between north and south, and situated on the Ødger Canal linking the Vestrian and Eastren seas, Strondholm has long been a profitable place for commerce and a safe haven for wandering merchants. Its prosperity has attracted many Forsvarians to migrate from their war-torn ancestral lands in search of a more comfortable life. On the other hand, its prosperity also captures the gaze of the northern warlords who seek potentially tremendous plunder.

The town is particularly known for its arena, embedded into the cliff-side, and its council hall which overlooks the lower district. Strondholm is mostly split into three districts; the lower district known as 'the Basin', the upper district on the west end of town known as 'Salient Hill', and the district on the central mountain peak, known as 'the Welkin'. In addition to these town icons, its distinctive walls are well-recognised, further promoting the idea of the towns defensive prowess.

## Culture

Though founded solely by Forsvarians, Strondholm came under the influence of both Forsvarian and foreign cultures due to its economic position and openness. The Forsvarians that migrated from the northern lands to settle into Strondholm had come from all areas and Forsvarian sub-cultures. The southerner minorities typically arose from merchant travellers who had found the town to be a perfect location to prosper.

The merging of cultures has resulted in a diversity of architectural styles, religious beliefs and local identity. While the town does upholds a non-aggressive and defensive policy, and the people largely believe that peace is the best way to maintain their prosperity, the cultural divides have caused internal strife and even violence in the past. Though many Forsvarians believe that Strodonians fear battle, the town does in-fact uphold the value of military strength at its core, which is particularly conveyed in its arena's popularity. However, there is no debate that Strondians have on priority above all else - gold.

## History

### Velosian Era

In the days of prosperity of the old Kingdom of Velos, its borders extended south of the Suovirke Mountains, which served the Velosians as a natural boundary against the neighbouring southern kingdoms (Thelesians). The mountain range stretches from the Eastren sea to the Vestrian sea, and therefore had been an easy line to fortify and defend against invading parties from the south. From such a bulwark, Velos was able to project its power, but had limited success in the south.

Two parts of the Suovirke Mountains stretch as far south as Velos was ever able to influence. The first southern point was a serene vale known as Strøndholm Vale, and the second was a fortress known as Svelgard. While Svelgard saw many bloody sieges against the southern kingdoms, Strøndholm Vale became one of Velos’ most prosperous cities, a centre for trade and commerce, a link between north and south, strategically located on the *Ø*dger Canal that links the Eastren and Vestrian seas. Much like many of the Suovirke Mountain fortifications, Strøndholm Vale provided a natural defense, being surrounded by mountains which would force attackers to attempt to enter choke points or climb the peaks.

Like most of Velos, Strøndholm Vale met a gruesome end of fire and blood when the Kingdom collapsed. At that time, the chief of the vale had planned to hold onto power despite the collapse, and become the ruler of an independent state, retaining the city’s high status of wealth and trade. The chiefs north of the Suovirke Mountains had different plans. Knowing that the city held such wealth, greed drove the city to become a primary target for the warring jarls and chiefs. The people of the vale remained confident, with their high walls and mountains, and with a garrison that had prepared for the worst. Yet the worst was yet to come. As raiders and huscarls mustered outside the city gates, and the vale garrison manned the walls, betrayal and deceit were at hand. It was a high-status elder of the town, coerced by greed and promises of wealth by the raiding clans, who opened the great gates. The garrison was caught off guard. The raiders poured into the city, looting, plundering, murdering and burning all there was, leaving virtually nothing behind, as was their custom. Strøndholm Vale was desolated and deserted, a charred remain.

### Skardoving Era

#### Fenvik the Elder and Re-Foundation

Stepping back into Strøndholm Vale for the first time since its destruction, Fenvik the Elder found the ruins all but lost under the heavy snow. Though he had not been there on the fateful day if its annihilation, it was the city of his birth which flourished in his youth. Under Jarl Skard Rolfsson, seeking to control the Suovirke Mountains, Fenvik the Elder saw the opportunity to start anew, and with the blessing of the Jarl, began construction of a new Strøndholm Vale.
Strøndholm Vale became part of the Jarldom of Vinteröld, along with its surrounding area simply known as Strøndholm. While Jarl Skard Rolfsson retained his authority over the province, the city operation and development of the city was undertaken by Fenvik the Elder who had become acting chief of Strøndholm. Ørstad was also incorporated as a village fief to the nearby Chief of Strondholm, which would result in a lasting relationship between the two settlements.

Stondholm developed into the years, fighting alongside Vinterian forces in raids and battles extending into the lands of the south. Notably, the Strondians fought with the Vinterians in the famous battle of Honeybay. Strondians shared a close comradery with the Vinterians. Many who had settled in Strondholm in early years were in fact Vinterian citizens seeking to assist the fledgling town. Infrastructure was quickly developed to link the two towns to further tighten this bond. The two peoples not only shared in war, but also in commerce, culture, and blood.

#### Independence from Vinterfold

Six years after its foundation, Fenvik the Elder had grown weary of Jarl Skard Rolfsson's increasingly aggressive behaviour, which in his eyes he believed was erratic and derived from paranoia. Believing that the town had grown enough to defend itself, Fenvik seeked to declare Strondholm as independent from the Jarldom of Vinterföld. Coupled with betrayal elsewhere in his Jarldom, Skard Rolfsson did not order immediate retaliation, and soon died in a venture to the south where he had been deceived and murdered. His death sealed the independence of Strondholm, and further accentuated the divide with Strondians and Vinterians. Fenvik the elder died soon after of his old age, and the Strondian council elected his nephew, Torstad Venjarsson as the new ruler of Strondholm.

#### Torstad Venjarsson's Reign

Torstad Venjarsson was born on the island of Maligrad, son of Venjar Veltensson and nephew of Fenvik Veltensson. After the death of his father, he was taken to Strondholm and was taken in by his uncle - at which stage he was already 19 years of age. In his youth he was taken in by the fledgling Strondholm council who had a keen interest in his intellect and cunning. By the time that Fenvik the Elder had died, Torstad was 27 and had established a serious reputation amongst the ruling elite of Strondholm, as well as to the people who saw him as a young embodiment of Fenvik the Elder. After some deliberation amongst the council, Torstad was bestowed the title of Jarl of Strondholm, having the support of the people. It was believed that crowning Torstad would stabilize the newly independent Jarldom, as any other candidate may be seen as illegitimate without the blood of Fenvik Veltensson.

However, as it turned out, Torstad Venjarsson was not the embodiment of his uncle, as he sought to establish a much different kind of reign. The council, believing that Torstad was too young to be given too much power, had attempted to place restrictions on his authority. Yet Torstad, conspiring with the Strondian guard, seized absolute authority within days. The council had become a glorified board of advisors to the Jarl. Torstad sought to maintain a friendly posture towards the new ruler of Vinterfold, Finnr Truelson. At the same time, he bolstered his ranks significantly, and set up a garrison in the nearby town of Orstad - an unprecedented move that Strondholm had not yet taken. Torstad’s reign of Strondholm alongside Finnr Truelsons reign in Vinterfold would last for 21 years, where relative stability and peace were maintained, but both sides would grow in power as rivals. Eventually, when Finnr Truelson died and was usurped by Sigurd Skardsson, the peace between Strondholm and Vinterfold would come to an end.