Barony of Masonmire

**Ruler**
 **Ruling House**
 **Resident Houses**
 **Seat**
 **Settlements**
* Stonedelve Quarry
 **Beliefs**
 **Founded**

The **Barony of Masonmire** is a holding that straddles the terrain between the Dagger Hills and the region's open farmland. In its prime, the barony was renowned for producing stone for construction projects within the kingdom, local variants of whiskey, and a burgeoning gunpowder foundry once deposits of saltpeter were discovered and exploited. House Beligarde has recently been granted rulership of the holding, and the barony's future is uncertain; its restoration or collapse are equally probable.

## Culture

The people of Masonmire are a hodgepodge of locals tied to the land that have grown dour and gloomy following several years of ruin, along with recent migrants from a recently disbanded Alliance legion drawn to the barony either out of loyalty to its new ruler, a new start, or the hope of a quaint countryside retirement after several years on tour.

The lack of vassals following the previous ruling house's demise has given way to a peculiarity within the peerage. Instead of actively seeking new vassals and knights to fill the vacuum, Lady Beligarde has instead instituted a more meritocratic approach inspired by her military experience. Individuals that have demonstrated the skills needed to administer the lands have been elevated to the status of reeves, taking up residence in the abandoned manors, while the matter of military obligations is handled by drilling the militia to military readiness in the event that the levy is raised. While a more unorthodox method, it is Lady Beligarde's hope that the meritocratic approach will ensure that the holding will be more deftly managed by people fit for their offices instead of nepotism and corruption, and that in the event of her absence or even untimely demise, the barony is able to continue operating efficiently, and it never again suffers the declines that have marked its history.

### Religious Beliefs

Some residents can be considered superstitious, but most believe in the Church of the Holy Light.

### Local Holidays

On the first week of March each year, the town of Masonmire holds a weeklong festival and competition where up-and-coming apprentices and journeymen match their skills and creativity against one another with sculptures or feats of architecture. The winner is given an opportunity to present their work to the main Stonemason's Guild chapter within Stormwind, and the recognition that comes with it. Some are even fortunate enough to earn a sizeable prize purse from visiting nobles seeking more...esoteric art for their collections.

## Economy & Resources

The Barony's exports are are a smattering of grain products, stone, and gunpowder. Iron, charcoal, and sulfur are thus common imports to feed Masonmire's industry, with more exotic commodities being imported as the region's economic condition allows.

With the recent migration of retired soldiers into the region, some have even begun offering their services as mercenaries or adventurers, with the aim of improving their new home's fortunes by selling their swords to deal with the ever-present threats plaguing the kingdom of Stormwind, and beyond if the price is right.

## History

### Founding: Mason's Fortune

The Barony of Masonmire has seen better days. Once, it was one of several flourishing towns quarrying the stone that quite literally paved the path to Stormwind’s revival during its restoration after the Second War. The Stonemason Guild riots within Stormwind marked the start of its misfortunes; guild members quartered within the town either joined their city-based brethren in rebelling against the Crown, or were driven out or outright executed by their former comrades for perceived treachery. The masons-turned-bandits and Stormwind’s rapidly evaporating aid to Westfall’s restoration drove all but the most stubborn settlers away, and much of the town was left derelict. Its remaining denizens christened the town as Masonmire.

### First Restoration: House Tanimere

It  was only after the Cataclysm, when the kingdom at large attempted to invest in Westfall's restoration, that Masonmire received much-needed support. One of the investments was the elevation of Lord Tanimere, a local of Westfall that had earned his family's noble title through a successful adventuring career, and was eager to play a key role in his home region's restoration by aiding in its stewardship. House Tanimere organized the struggling town and set to right its fallow fields, transforming Masonmire and surrounding farmsteads into the Barony it remains today. Further, economic incentives to encourage migration brought an influx of new residents to Masonmire, revitalizing the quarries. The discovery and exploitation of saltpeter created a boom that further accelerated Masonmire’s restoration, for the wars raging across Azeroth provided a steady demand for gunpowder that saw no signs of relenting.

However, Masonmire fortunes once again took a turn for the worst. The Burning Legion’s third invasion struck Westfall and unleashed devastation the land had not known since the First War. The head of House Tanimere, along with much of his household guard died in the defense of Westfall, robbing the barony of the mastermind behind its restoration. The lord’s heir proved to be incapable, and although the barony survived the demonic onslaught, its gradually regressed to its previous neglected state.

The Scourge’s resurgence following the great rift opening in Icecrown brought about the end of House Tanimere’s reign. Due to the new lord's poor management, a sect of the Cult of the Damned took root within the Barony, turning those more weak-minded and resentful to the cult's service. With their newfound support base, the cult was able to plague the farms, threatening both the town, and providing another supply of tainted grain that found its way into Stormwind City. As the cult grew and Tanimere's grip on the barony crumbled, the traitors were able to openly declare themselves and assail Masonmire itself. House Tanimere did not survive the slaughter, and it was only though great cost that the household guard and local militia were able to drive out the cult and their undead minions. Those few who survived alerted Stormwind to House Tanimere's extinction, and of the plagued grain, albeit far too late to halt the outbreak.

### Second Restoration: House Beligarde

With its former ruler slain, the land in shambles, and much of its population massacred, Masonmire languished in the months following the Scourge’s onslaught. Many second sons or knights full of ambition but bereft of land perceived the barony as a poisoned chalice, and were convinced that despite the opportunity it presented, it would bring about political and personal destruction for any foolish enough to take on the responsibility of managing Masonmire, for surely Stormwind would not suffer the King's land to fail a second time, nor the lord responsible for that failure. However, the newly raised House Beligarde had taken up the challenge of restoring the barony. The new lady of the land had begun her efforts by attempting to break from tradition and common conventions of governance, administering meritocratic reforms in the barony's management contrary to the feudal system by empowering local reeves to aid in the land's administration. Whether Masonmire’s poor fortunes can be reversed with this new form of governance, or if this new noble house will be damned to repeat its predecessor’s fate by indulging in a flight of fancy from a commoner-raised household clinging to its roots remains to be seen.

## Houses

House Tanimere was originally charged with the region's stewardship after the land was reorganized into a formal Barony. However, with the house's extinction following the latest Scourge outbreak, the barony has required new governance.

House Beligarde, a recently founded noble family, has been charged with Masonmire's governance.

At present, many of House Tanimere's attendant knightly houses are either eradicated, or have opted to emigrate and seek new lieges to serve. It is unknown when House Beligarde will amend its shortage of vassals.