Nifelhold
Description
The province of Nifelhold encompasses the rocky base of Mt. Black Nastrond stretching far to the west and fertile agricultural lands in the south and east that are the beginnings of the endless plains of northeast Dwilight. The river Nifel runs down from the mountains, skirting to the north of the Stronghod, and looping off to run north to the sea. It is also a hub for travel, from Springdale City in the northeast, to Aegir City in the southwest, to Nifelheim City in the northwest. Due to its central strategic location, the province has served as the capital of several realms. For this reason it is protected by a massive Citadel whose walls are impervious to all but the greatest of siege engines.
The defining feature of Nifelhold is the soaring elegant white spire at its center, rising dramatically against the nearby peaks of Mt. Black Nastrond. The Spire provides an imposing figure upon the landscape and can be seen for leagues around. Local legends speak of how the Nifeli or 'First Ones' built the spire centuries ago to guard the frontier of their ancient Nifel Kingdom, based in Nifelheim. Some scholars even whisper that the Spire cannot be the work of human hands and that the Nifeli were therefore not human. The majority of scholars however have denounced such legends as little more than common babble, though it is always with some unease that they admit to knowing of no stonemasons who could build such a magnificent structure today. Despite this unease, whosoever holds dominion over the tower finds their prestige and power significantly boosted by the mystique of the ancient structure.
The stronghold's other wonder is the imposing Nastrond Stair. It winds up from the outer walls to the citadel itself, where the lord generally resides. The Stair bears the same characteristics as the ancient tower, lending weight to rumored Nifeli origins. Shops and homes are chiselled into the rock along the winding Stair, and at least a dozen people die a year on it, but it is a key part of Nifelhold's mystique and home to many smallfolk.
History
From its supposed origins as an outpost of the legendary Nifel Kingdom, this Stronghold went on to become the capital of Springdale Realm. It was taken by Virovene in the closing days of The War of Succession. Later it was taken by the Kingdom of Summerdale, which destroyed Virovene. Around April 2012 (Winter of 18 YD), Summerdale declared war on the Libero Empire. In order to preserve their ally, the Morek Empire and Astrum declared war on Summerdale. In the resulting war, Summerdale was wiped out. Nifelhold passed into the hands of Libero and became its capital. Later still in 2013, Libero was destroyed by Morek for supporting the rebel state of Niselur, and the stronghold became the capital of the Holy Morek Empire. In 2015 the Realm of Arnor seceeded from Morek and shortly after the stronghold became the capital of the Raven Throne of Arnor.