Barony of Duncaster

The Barony of Doncaster is a relatively small Barony in The Uplands within the City State of Alterac sworn to Kormed Wolfheart ruled by Toderick Stoneward. Abandoned after the Alterac Succession Crisis and the rise of Syndicate. Recently reclaimed by the City-State of Alterac.

History
Originally built nearby the Perenolde Royal Manor in The Uplands, it has always been ruled by the Thane of the Mountains or the Alteraci version of Lord Magistrate. Built by House Doncaster in the beginning of the Kingdom of Alterac, it has since been updated and renovated since those earlier times. The Barony has seen many changes in rulers, often changing hands between Houses every time the Thane would die and a new one appointed. It is said that the longest time a single House or family held the Barony was for five different Thanes. It has always been loyal to the ruler of Alterac, whomever they may be and has one of the lowest crime rates in all of the City State of Alterac.

After Alterac was dubbed defunct and its inhabitants either became refugees or criminals, Duncaster was mostly abandoned, somewhat worn by time and lack of being maintained, it was quickly refurbished after it was reclaimed.

Description
The Barony of Duncaster is mostly a rather large, but low hill. Located north of Alterac City in The Uplands, it is one of the most ancient Baronies. Its landscape is mostly fields of grass and large rocks, a few pine tree's or oaks littered here and there. Duncaster isn't well known for its wildlife or hunting grounds, but there are quite a few sheep farmers and often shepherds can be seen leading flocks throughout the countryside.

All over Duncaster Hill as it is called, there can be found ancient ruins of practitioners of the Old Ways in Alterac and early settlers. Although to the average person these may seem just like enormous hunks of stone positioned into the ground in a certain way, a person well educated would recognize them as the ruins of a variety of buildings.

Within the Barony of Doncaster there are two settlements, Duncaster Keep and Duncaster Village. Alike many other locations of The Uplands, some wall structure surrounds them. In the case of Duncaster Village, a relatively average stone wall not more than six feet high surrounds the village. Doncaster Village is a modest village, most of its citizens are either middle class artisans or wealthier business owners. Those that are lower class, are often the ones that tend to the sheep flocks or the few farms. Much of the building structure is stone along with wood and dark grey or black tiles used for rooftops. The village is normally the first thing a traveler might come across when entering the Barony, it is about half an hours walk from Duncaster Keep. Duncaster Keep is an impressive structure, its stone walls rise higher than most. A large gatehouse meets the path leading from Duncaster Village, however as the path gets closer to the keep, two pairs of guard towers on either side on the road can be seen. Wooden ramparts rest over the gate, where the gatekeepers control the several iron portcullis's. Past the gatehouse, rests a courtyard. Remarked for despite being open, the high walls of the keep are everywhere. On the opposite side of the courtyard, sits the Great Hall which serves as a kitchen and dining room on lower levels and then on upper levels a parlor and the Baron's Chamber which is used for discussing matters of state. On the right side of the courtyard, a high square shaped tower rises high. In here are the storage facilities that rest in the basement along with on the ground and upper floors, where the various bedchambers and a library can be found. The interior of the keep is rather well kept and more lavish furnishings can be found in the Baron's Chamber, parlor and the bedrooms. Surrounding the entire keep are ramparts with various stations for crossbows and other defense mechanisms. The keep is known to have never been breached. The structure itself is primarily made of stone and wood using iron and steel to help keep everything together.