This is a well-crafted goat leather scroll.
"The Government of Steelhold"
To the aristocracy of The Gloves of Admiring,
I assume that you have all been quite concerned about the health of the queen ever since she decided to take a visit to Steelhold. In order to answer whatever questions you might have about this colony, I have drafted this scroll -- the first of several. You must be wondering who I am exactly, and how I can be trusted. All that must be known about me is that I am the second son of a minor noble of a small fortress a few miles from the capital. Desiring adventure, I sought out this penal colony and took an almost fatal trek through a great desert, sneaking in with the latest caravan. I have been watching over this place in secret for quite a while now, and all that I have discovered I have written down in full accordance to the facts. Take great care to preserve this scroll; goat leather is hard to come by in this fortress.
The first topic we must deal with are the different political factions that have grown within this penal colony. I must say that this is the most diverse fortress I have ever seen regarding beliefs. The fortress is officially a Barony of the kingdom, though its aristocratic power fluctuates and the fortress actually has an official charter -- albeit one that has become essentially defunct in this new year. I am happy to report that the Elf-Party is has been long-since defunct upon its brief operation in Steelhold. In addition, the socialist-advocate known as Jovus has become far-less outspoken since his arrival in this colony. Aside from these, the main political parties are the Marble Faction and the Rhakenist Party.
Following the death of the Jackal, the old warden, this fortress was held under the control of the late Baron Lenehan, who managed to achieve the rank of nobility in late 254. The rank of Baron was then inherited by Corley, his son, who exercised his authority over the denizens throughout 259. Before the new year began he mysteriously disappeared, and is rumored by many to have been consumed by Hellfire (which will be covered in a later scroll on the fortress' histroy). Eight-year-old Kadol Rodimerush now serves as the de iure baroness, though she is too young to exercise any authority whatsoever.
In the year of 258, the Marble Faction achieved supremacy through an impressive bloodless revolution, lead by a willful dwarf named Emdief. She promoted herself to the esteemed position of Overseer and established the "Steelhold Council." Although the party seemed to fancy itself a representative government, it was in practice more of an oligarchy, as the denizens of the fort no actual say in the matters of the Council. The party lost a lot of its support and influence when Baron Corley convinced the Council to adopt his charter, allowing him to appoint himself as Overseer and effectively tear the party apart from the inside. Since the beginning of 259, no Council meetings have been held.
The Rhakenist Party -- which does not actually call itself by this name -- has an entirely different approach in the matters of government. The rhakenists are a fascist group formerly controlled by Rhaken, the esteemed criminal. It rose to power and stressed an immense feeling of independence amongst the dwarves of Steelhold, as well as a focus on militaristic power. It is notable for being the only political faction to have been in active, continuous control for over a single year.
Dwarves who do not fall into any of the aforementioned categories follow either small, nondescript factions or are simple anarchists. Currently, the overseer of the fortress is one (purported) Dr. Asmoth, who seems to fall under the category of the latter.
I again assure you of the validity of this document, and I remind you that our queen does indeed wander these dangerous halls. Handle Steelhold with a firm, careful grip.
Sincerely,
James Joyce, Esq.
Author
Topic: The Insidious Sons of Steelhold -- Revival Succession Fortress (Read 282330 times)