Caldor

Map of Caldor and its surrounding area

Caldor is the second-largest city of Awbor. It is situated on the northern coast of the kingdom and is ruled by House Ironwolf. Caldor has been the focus of many violent events across the history of Awbor.

## History

### **Founding Period**

Caldor was already a large settlement during the formation of Awbor. In -270AP, King Bryad I and Duristanan the Wyrmbreaker created the Well of Tears beneath Caldor Keep. The presence of this powerful artifact has had an enormous influence on the history of Caldor, as various parties have fought to control the access to the Well.

In -262 AP, House Ironwolf was founded and began to rule Caldor.

### **Precaldor Events**

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### **The Caldor Civil War**

In 690 AP, a war breaks out between various noble families around Caldor. The intensity of the war would wax and wane over the ensuing 10 years, finally ending with the destruction of House Silverblade in 700 AP.

### **The Attack of Rotten Jack**

In 710 AP, the demon Rotten Jack attempts to seize control of the Well of Tears, in order to lead an army of demons out of the Well to invade Awbor. During the assault, Duke Garran Ironwolf is killed, though Rotten Jack’s plan was ultimately defeated by the Hindenburg Ground Crew. Mithran, Garran’s son, becomes the new Duke of Caldor.

### **The Battle of Caldor**

In 714 AP, Caldor was besieged by the forces of Lord Malakai. During the ensuing battle, most of the city was overrun by Undead. Fortunately, the major churches of Pelor, Heironeous and Saint Cuthbert sheltered an important part of the population within their buildings. The combined armies of the Caldorian Nobles, aided by the Hindenburg Ground Crew, eventually routed the undead horde.

### **The Battle of Awbor**

Finally, later that same year, it is the turn of Kyuss to desire the power of the Well of Tears. In this case, he wanted to march his army out of Awbor and into the Grey Wastes of Hades. Most of the civilians were transported to Zingherra via Azrael’s Teleportation Circle, in preparation for the confrontation. During the battle, Kyuss managed to fight his way to the Well of Tears, though his army was unable to penetrate the final line of defences in the inner city. With the defeat of Kyuss, the enemy army dispersed, and Caldor was retaken.

### **Aftermath**

In the ensuing years, Caldor became the command center for the armed forces tasked with hunting down and destroying the various Undead hordes that had fled with the defeat of Kyuss. The city is now enjoying a more peaceful period, boosted with the increased trade with Zingherra via the Teleportation Circle.

## Geography

Caldor is located on the northern coast of Awbor, built out from a small bay that has been transformed into a large shipyard. The surrounding landscape is mostly flat arable land, interspersed with forests. The climate is harsh, with cold stormy winters and cool summers.

The city trades primarily by sea, relying on its huge harbour for produce and trade. Since the creation of the Teleportation Circle between Caldor and Zingherra, there has been a massive increase in trade and movement between the two cities.

The population is primarily humans, with halflings being the second most common race.

## Landmarks

There are many notable buildings, statues and institutions within the city of Caldor, including the following:

* Caldor Keep - The home of House Ironwolf. It lies within the center of Caldor and is one of the most fortified castles within Awbor.
* The Broken Arrow Inn - The most well known tavern in the city. It lies within the dock district and has been known to occasionally stage underground fighting tournaments. It was also where John the Bard's attempted revolution began in -1 BP.
* Hindenburg Mansion - The mansion belonging to the Hindenburg Ground Crew. It is also used as an embassy for visiting diplomats and nobles.
* Bando's Mansion - An almost fully animated mansion owned by the bizarre wizard.
* The Statue of Golden Syrup - A small golden statue of the orc hero, that sits atop the western gate.
* Bismarck Mansion - Once the home of the heroic adventuring group, now it is used by Duke of Caldor as a museum and for antiquities collections.
* The Church of Pelor - One of the largest churches of Pelor in the kingdom. It's current head is Finlicke Kragmantle.
* The Church of Corellon Lorethian - The largest temple to the Elven god in Awbor, outside of Cromwell. A small golden statue to Dongella sits atop the vestry.
* The Gardens of Ehlonna - A holy garden and temple to the god Ehlonna. A statue to the hero Scarntlat sits in the central water feature.

## Politics & People of Interest

Caldor is ruled by the Duke Ironwolf. The city is the administrative seat of power for all the human lands north of the Arnoth River. Numerous minor Houses live in and around Caldor, swearing fealty to the Duke.

Famous Houses attached to Caldor include:

* House Ironwolf: the ruling house of Caldor since -262 BP.
* House Silverblade: a small house that was almost exterminated during the Caldor Civil War. Only Ajax Silverblade survived, and eventually restored his House's prestige. It is based in Haldorn Keep.
* House Stonebreaker: a new house created for Milo Stonebreaker, Lord of Hindenburg, as a reward for his action in the Kyuss War.
* House Tolstoff: a now defunct house that conspired with Lord Malakai and helped free Kyuss from his prison. Its surviving members were killed by the Hindenburg Ground Crew. Tolstoff keep was subsequently renamed Hindenburg and was awarded to the Ground Crew.

### **Famous Residents**

**Caldor** has been home to many famous residents throughout its long history, from noble lords and adventurers to villainous cultists and undead horrors. Some of the more notable residents are listed below:

* Banabus - the High Priest of Ehlonna during the time of the Bismarck Frontier Force.
* Bando - The former court wizard and advisor of Caldor Keep; before he joined the Hindenburg Ground Crew and moved to Hindenburg.
* Borris Ulligash - The half-orc fighter and former captain of the guard between 708 AP and 714 AP; before retiring to Hindenburg to become a member of the Hindenburg Ground Crew and help train their growing army.
* Bristan Durantson - A former butler before he joined the Hindenburg Ground Crew; he moved to Zingherra following the fall of Kyuss and now operates a thieves guild, alongside Aramis West.
* Cullen Johnston - The former captain of the guard during the time of Bismarck Frontier Force. He took over after the retirement of Godram Black.
* Darios - A crazed former cultist of Vecna, who unleashed Rotten Jack upon Caldor and fled with a gem from the Well of Tears. He was killed by the Hindenburg Ground Crew.
* Drakal Draganwight - A former advisor to House Ironwolf. He was murdered in 713 AP by the assassin Faceless, in an effort to frame the Hindenburg Ground Crew.
* Dreagar Cole - the former court wizard and advisor to Caldor Keep during the time of the Bismarck Frontier Force.
* Finlicke Kragmantle - The current High Priest of the Church of Pelor in Caldor, as well as a full time member of the Hindenburg Ground Crew.
* Garan Ironwolf - The former Duke of Caldor. He was a just and fair ruler, however he was killed by Rotten Jack.
* Garthrelyn - the former butler of Hindenburg Mansion. He was killed during the Battle of Awbor and was given a warrior's funeral.
* Godram Black - A towering warrior and former captain of the guard during the time of the Bismarck Frontier Force.
* Jackson Armant - A member of the Council of Caldor; he was murdered by Katarin Tolstoff in the hopes of framing the Hindenburg Ground Crew.
* Mandarian - The former High Priest of Corellon Larethian during the time of Bryad IV. He was killed by Piggsley.
* Miranda Sameras - A former leader of a cult of Venca. She contacted the Hindenburg Ground Crew once her follower, Darios had released Rotten Jack upon the city. She was slain by a servant of Rotten Jack.
* Mithran Ironwolf - The current Duke of Caldor. He has seen Caldor though many a desperate event, and is widely viewed as the best Duke within living memory.
* Ratgar Ironwolf - the former Duke of Caldor, during the time of the Bismarck Frontier Force.
* Sheldar Grimridge - The former captain of the guard during 714 AP. He took over after Borris Ulligash, but fell during the Battle of Awbor.