Marshland - Newton Abbas

> *"The old town here was named Middleton, a safe haven for many of those outside the law. The State responded with a brutal message. They destroyed Middleton by smashing the dam that held back the waters of Lake Grimwith, flooding the town completely and forcing the people to leave and seek shelter elsewhere.*
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>  *To keep the peace, the Keep stands above the village, a constant, sinister reminder of the State's influence. Those looking to infiltrate this imposing landmark must contest with the huge, exposed marshland in their approach - though the area's notorious fog offers some cover for would-be outlaws."*
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> ― Focus Home Interactive | Hood: Outlaws & Legends Home Page
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### Lore

Home to game such as deer, wild boar, pheasant and more. These commodities provided the people of Middleton with a ready source of food, and much wealth via trade, for people always need meat and furs.

Of course, the State would not ignore such prosperity for ever.

Just last year, the State led a large force of his men into Middleton and arrested the town council, accusing them of aiding and abetting outlaws, and further, of not paying their taxes. The council were taken away to the nearest city for interrogation - none were ever seen again.

That was just the beginning though. When the hot-headed blacksmith, John Nailer, killed one of their captains and disappeared into the forest the State took the opportunity to send a message to the other people in the region. They destroyed Middleton by smashing the dam that held back the waters of Lake Grimwith, flooding the town completely and forcing the people to leave and seek shelter elsewhere.

Eventually, the flood waters dissipated, but the entire town of Middleton was left uninhabitable. Now the ruins lie in sodden marshland like rotten teeth in a corpse's mouth, next to the Dead Woods.

The State renamed the area Newton Abbas. They cut down the woodland grove Middleton's inhabitants once used as a temple to their gods, and in its place built a stone church dedicated to their new religion.

A new village sprang up. Originally this was to house the builders, but the State have begun to populate the place with families from surrounding cities for they need someone to hunt the game and catch the fish which is traded, the proceeds then heavily taxed.

To keep the peace, a Keep stands above the village, a constant sinister reminder of the State's influence. Here is where the taxes are stored before being transported to the city. Also kept here are the many relics that looters unearth in the marshy ruins of Middleton.

State Guards patrols the marshes now looking to discourage treasure-hunters who are braving the ghosts of the past, to search for whatever valuables might have been left behind and hidden by the flood waters.

The Sheriff has come once again to oversee the collection of the taxes and their escort back to the Citadel. The marshes, and the patrols, will make it difficult for any who seek to steal the riches from beneath the Sheriff's nose. However, this area is often shrouded in a heavy blanket of mist, which will allow outlaws to move around a little easier without being spotted.

Marshland - Newton Abbas