Yorck

**Ruler**
 **Overlord**
 **Resident Houses**
 **Settlement Type**
 **Beliefs**
 **Founded**

**Yorck** is the revered capital city of Bear Peak, and by extension, Densewood Thicket. This holy site was founded at the base of the largest mountain that is found in the center of the county. The site was chosen because said mountain, named Bear Peak just like the barony, is home to a complicated cave network that houses many different bear families, as well as the thick forestry around them.

## Culture

Yorck is a place of worship and pilgrimage. Those who have decided to reside permanently in such a city are only but the most fervent followers of the naturalistic, bear-following Shamanism-esque religion that the subjects of House Hillegas are known to put their faith in. They are a foil to the infamously reclusive and terse Tidesages of the Tidesfaith, whereas they might shun outsiders and push against conversion, the faithful of this Shamanism actively work to convert all those who might visit Yorck.

In Yorck, bears roam freely throughout the streets. Homes do not have doors, and these animals will occasionally come into homes and do... Bear stuff. Bears are forbidden from harm within Yorck, and the punishment for harming, scolding, or otherwise impeding bears is strictly death. Because of the no-door policy, a strong sense of communalism with nature and their community follows, and everyone gets along rather well. The crime rate is low within Yorck, probably because of the harsh punishments and rule of law therein.

A religious authority is the reigning command within Yorck, headed by the current Countess, Brienne Willow. Her family has managed to weave political and religious influence throughout the entire Duchy of Zollern dating back to it's founding, with Sigismund Hillsgas having been swayed by the mysterious ancestor of House Willow, Maeve. This religious authority operates within the boundaries of the laws of Zollern itself, but they own their own law enforcement and rules, and control every aspect of life within Yorck.

## History

### Founding

Yorck was founded first as a shrine of holy worship at the base of Bear Peak by Maeve Willow and her most dedicated of followers, and after she convinced Sigismund the Great that the borders of what would become the County of Densewood Thicket ought to be protected by law, the zealot quickly transformed the shrine into her capital city and important religious site.

### Coronation of Victor Hillegas

After the death of Sigismund the Great, his son - who is also the namesake of Victor's Point - was crowned Duke of Zollern. He was persuaded by House Willow that undertaking a holy pilgrimage to Yorck and paying respect and worship therein would establish himself as a more legitimate ruler of Zollern, blessed by the very nature the people worship. Because of this action, it has become tradition of each Duke of Zollern to make the trek to Yorck at the beginning of their reign for a formal religious ceremony and celebration.

### Present Day

Once the campaign for Zollern ended, Burchard Hillegas once again granted the County of Densewood Thicket to House Willow, honoring their loyalty for remaining by his side in exile and supporting with all their might.

## Houses

House Willow controls the entire County of Densewood Thicket, and they have since the founding of the Duchy of Zollern itself. Their political intrigue and maneuvering put themselves at the forefront of the religious following within the duchy, and the House founder Maeve made sure to remain good friends with House Hillegas founder, Sigismund. Their word is law within Densewood Thicket, and their command holds great sway within the politics of Zollern at large.