Lotusbloom Bastion

* Exterior
* Interior
* Map

Lotusbloom Bastion is a settlement of the Aethelwald.

Previously known as Humbleblossom Estate, the Bastion was a largely-abandoned manor subsequently claimed and refurbished by Aenarion Quelenneth Velenthir to serve as another outpost of the Fairy Club.

## History

Constructed from timbers harvested from the northern edge of Covengrove and stone quarried from Stalrose Gorge, Humbleblossom was the seat of House Telcorth of Lachlen for much of its existence. Serving as both an abode but also a trade guild for the buying and selling of the great herds of Aurochs tended to in the grasslands to the north, it was fulcrum of the northern Earldom of the Land of Two Groves.

After being discovered at Gambler's Bait, the Rosaigostone was within the possession of the Telcorth family, later recovered by two members of the Order of the Ostiaries - Liadove and Caledhelion - who noted the stone's curious properties, having animated much of the mundane objects contained within the manor. When an expedition party visited in Tarra-Whiterose, 7WD they found that the Rosaigostone had been returned to its display pedestal to Liadove as a message of her whereabouts for Cal, and with it the contents of the manor had sprung to life once more.

## Government

Although the source of many arguments, the ruler of Lotusbloom Bastion is the self-titled Scion of Radiance, Aramil Quelenneth. Aramil wields an impassioned authoritarian might, supported by his children and heirs Corvyn and Leshanna.

## Defence

Armed with two-bladed scimitars, the warriors of the Lotusbloom Bastion act on the basis of overwhelming preemptive strikes, destroying threats from monstrosities, beasts and elsewise with swift and unexpected force. Lotusbloom Bastion is the only of the four major settlements of the Aethelwald to feature a conventionally defensive construction, with high walls of stone knotted thick in thorn and vine guarding the hilltop manor and keep.

## Commerce

Lotusbloom Bastion sits upon an important trade route of the settlements of the Hollow Concord with the Lotus Basin and Atralran to the south, with many merchants finding rest in safety in sight of the settlement's walls. As a result, most basic supplies and provisions are readily available from the trade caravans that pass through the region. The residents themselves rely on these merchants for all manner of luxury goods, though heated disputes about asking prices are commonplace.

## Organisations

Many organisations have sought to find a place amongst the folk and territory of the Bastion, though the profundity and intensity of the residents has resulted in most measures being temporary, regardless of how welcoming the residents believe themselves to be.

## Description

Named Humbleblossom Estate at its time of construction, Lotusbloom Bastion was formerly the seat of Earl Telcorth, one of the Seven Earls of the Realm of Lachlen in southwestern Ahlus. From the Estate the Telcorths grazed and farmed great herds of cattle in the Aurochs Plains to the north, while ever remaining vigilant and watchful for the denizens of the Covengrove, with whom the Lachosi often found quarrel and threat. Lachlen joined the Astedian Empire indirectly in 968AG, when their long-standing rivals and eventual conquerors Sunstone capitulated to the Emperor and the Increscent Six. During the Materialisation, Lachlen was likewise affected, leaving many of its manors largely abandoned, and thus ripe for claimants.

After dealing with the aftermath of an artifact contained within the manor that had brought much of the contents to a state of animated being, Aenarion Quelenneth Velenthir refurbished the estate to serve as another outpost of the Fairy Club. With the banishing of the Weald Witch into the Domain of Dread known as the Dirgevale, the forest of Covengrove vanished alongside her, and yet the soil and stone did not lie dormant for long. In the vast empty plains left, mountains and hills rose anew, forests unlike those which came before appearing overnight, rich and populated with life. Throughout this Weald's Wake, as the region has come to be known, patrols were sent from Humbleblossom Estate, now itself renamed Lotusbloom Bastion, on the hunt for any lingering presence or loyalty to the Glorious Eye. As the lands continue to cycle in tumultuous upheaval, the patrols continue, scouring cave and peak alike for threats to the sanctity of the region, while seeking answers for the ongoing changes.

The Bastion itself sits atop the cliff face overlooking Stalrose Gorge, while many others have since constructed homes modest and grand for themselves in the surrounding foothills and lakeside beaches and shores. Natural resources bless Lotusbloom Bastion aplenty, whether by means of forest, mountain, hill or loch.