Medveda Isle

Just north of The Misty Shore in the eastern half of Lordamere Lake, Medveda Isle stands solemly against the placid waters as a reminder of a previous age. At one time the personal island retreat of the House of Perenolde, Medveda Isle now houses the primary naval force of the Dominion of Alterac that patrol the Alteraci portion of Lordamere Lake.

History
Originally just one of many small, uninhabited islands dotted across the lake that would become known as Lordamere, Medveda's first inhabitants were towering pine trees & the hardy lake birds that nested on the isle who felt safe due to its remoteness. At some time prior to the rise of the Kingdom of Alterac, a religious order of Light-worshippers traveled to the island & erected a small monastery. Known as the Medveda Order of the Pious, the small community attempted to facilitate harmony between The Holy Light and Nature, ultimately leading to their branding as pagans by some.

According to one tale, as the Kingdom of Lordaeron grew and sought to expand its control over Lordamere Lake, a zealous Lordaeronian General named Allabert Borr sought to wipe out the Order & claim the island in the name of faith, King, and country. Somehow learning of this impending attack, the monks sent an envoy to the small Kingdom of Alterac to the south of them in hopes of finding salvation. Reaching the word of then King Ghalas Perenolde, the King and the Order made an arrangement. Though costing them their isolated island home, the Medvedans could live in Alterac (although without claiming to be from the Order of the Pious) and Ghalas in turn would inform the General that Alterac had arranged for their departure. Following this agreement, the Order left their island home and gifted it to King Ghalas for saving them in their time of need.

According to another tale, some time after the Order had left, a General named Allabert Borr did indeed arrive at Medveda Isle and was greeted by King Ghalas, though the General wore not the colors of Lordaeron but the colors of Alterac. General Borr, having lied about his loyalties & affiliation to the Medvedans in order to allow his true King, King Ghalas, to claim the island as his own & for him to appear that he had done so out of goodwill rather than greed. Though this tale did not emerge until some time after King Ghalas' death nor has the truth of the tale been verified through military records (as no 'Allabert Borr' exists in any military records that survive from the era of King Ghalas), but the tale has ultimately become attached to the late King & has enhanced his image as a shrewd ruler able to expand his power without unnecessary bloodshed. The Order of the Pious ultimately did not return to the island but their name endured, becoming the irrevocably attached to the Isle itself. The monastery was eventually expanded into a small castle (known as the Medveda Estate) with appropriate docking facilities & Medveda Isle became the private retreat House of Perenolde.

In the centuries that followed, the Isle served the Perenolde dynasty as a place of refuge & privacy. Outsiders were rarely allowed access and bodyguards who were stationed at Medveda were chosen among the most elite of Alterac's swordsmen. Some royal weddings were known to have taken place on Medveda & the private library wing was expanded to become one of the largest in Alterac. Along with the library, a historic armory, half a dozen bedrooms, one grand living chamber, a blacksmithing facility, and a grand hall were known to be in the castle walls. A large exercise courtyard was also attached to the southern half of the Estate.

Modern Era
During the Second War, some among the Perenolde family fled to Medveda though it was abandoned for some time after for reasons unknown. Following the rise of the Syndicate in the aftermath of the War, the island was once again taken by the Perenoldes but fell into disrepair. The historic armory was destroyed & the artifacts within were smelted down for the Syndicate's efforts against Lordaeron & Stromgarde. It is believed that Aliden Perenolde personally held Medveda before moving his headquarters to the Misty Shore to more effectively handle the Syndicate's efforts in the Hillsbrad Foothills & the Isle was once again abandoned for an unknown amount of time.

Some time in early 624 KC following the War for Alterac, members of the unofficial Alterac Air Division 'rediscovered' the island on a patrol mission ordered by then Division commander Raleigh Sternbridge. The Estate, laying somewhat in ruins & the Dominion High Command focusing their efforts on Alterac proper, was of little importance tactically & no longer held any artifacts of cultural significance to the Kingdom, allowed the Air Division to do as it pleased with the Isle. Ultimately Medveda was given over to the small naval force (affectionately called the Lordamere Defense Fleet by its members) that worked alongside the Air Division due to Engineering-related ties. Though the former historic armory & exercise courtyard have been converted to storage facilities for the Dominion's small Lordamere navy, much of the main castle remains as it was when founded, though the bedrooms have been repaired with new windows for sleeping quarters.

The Defense Fleet, with only four small boats with oil-fed engines (each with a crew of two, one rifleman and one engine operator), consists primarily of militiamen and supporters among the Air Division who assist with repairing the engines & reproducing repair parts for them and their rifles. Ultimately there are just over two dozen men & women living in the castle, though only sixteen are militia or engineers. The remainder are several family members of the soldiers who now help the Defense Fleet with mostly preparation of food, mending of clothes and armor, and production of ammunition for the Fleet's rifles.