Whitereach

 

Whitereach, also known as Pale Mountain, or Laer'Modan in the dwarven tongue, is a mountainous valley-province located high in the peaks that divide northern Lordaeron from Blackmarsh and the Great Sea. Ruled over by the House of Hargrave for many centuries, the former duchy has long rested as an island of peace and prosperity in the sea of discord that has wracked Lordaeron after the Third War.

DISCLAIMER
''I'm still doing a lot of work on this page so it's far from complete. In the next few weeks I hope to flesh out each of the below listed regions and fully develope each section so check back often if you've an interest!''

Highhold (Dun’Gaeron)
Nestled upons the slopes of the Pale Mountain, Highhold has long been the seat of power for the contentidly reclusive people of Whitereach. Constructed initially by an off-shoot group of the Dark Iron Clan, the fortress city of Kohl'Modan was eventually overrun during the War of the Three Hammers by a union of humans, Bronzebeard, and Wildhammer forces under the leadership of Robert the Trustworthy. Subsequently renamed Dun'Gaeron, the city became home to the wandering Lorei humans and many of the Bronzebeard and Wildhammer dwarves who had originally spearheaded the war.



Today Dun'Gaeron stands as a testiment to the ability of humans and dwarves to live and work together in a highly productive, peaceful, and cooperative environment. Since its seizure from the Dark Irons the city has undergone massive expansion and renovation, growing far larger than the original architects ever expected. To this day the city retains a distinctly dwarven architectural style whilst exhibiting some human stylistic tendancies to include more ornate features.

The city stands as the seat of the rulers of Whitereach, the House of Hargrave, as well as the Pale Senate, an advisory assembly composed of delegates from the four great Clans and Houses of the valley.

Westhaven
Primary Human province of Whitereach

Dun'Baeldur
Primary Dwarven province of Whitereach

Cliffwatch
Fortress town

New Kirkpass
Trade village located along the Northpass Road.

The Cragwood
Very hilly and rugged mountain forest located on the northeastern slope of the Pale Mountain. The Cragwood is renowned as being an especially dangerous forest, populated by powerful and savage game beasts that only the bravest of hunters dare to seek. Despite the danger, however, many of Lordaeron's most skilled (or boastful) hunters have attempted (with most failing) to claim the impressive trophy-beasts the forest has to offer.

Lake Crystalmere
Lake Crystalmere is an impressive mountain lake that rests within the Whitereach valley. Feed by the might Kalder Stream from the Pale Mountain, the lake serves as an important source of fresh water for the mountain dwellers, as well as an important source of food to those who live along its shored. Although integral to Whitereach for both the water and food it provides, the lake is also a much beloved feature of the valley because of its crystal clear waters. Admired by humans and regarded as sacred by the dwarves, Crystalmere Lake has long served as a natural "vacation" spot to the denizens of the valley.

Government
When Whitereach was first liberated from the Dark Iron dwarves during the War of the Three Hammers, the victors were forced to decide the fate of the province and the city of Kohl'Modan. Representing the three major parties at the conference of victors were Robert the Trustworthy of the Lorei, Galdur Frostaxe of the Bronzebeard Clan, and Runetog Windbellows of the Wildhammer Clan. Having suffered tremendous losses during the siege, both the Bronzebeards and Wildhammers were severely weakened and acknowleded the crucial role that the Lorei had played in taking the city.

After many long weeks of negotiation, the parties came to a decision that most satisfied dwarven tradition and allocated proper recognition for the contributions of the Lorei. Robert the Trustworthy would be installed as Thane of the Pale Mountain and rule over the land in conjunction with an advisory body known as the Pale Senate. Thus was the Constitutional Monarchy of Whitereach first born.

In a document known as the Tablets of the Mountain, the specific powers of the Thane and Senate were outlined, giving the various bodies an important hand in governing the land.

Social Structure
The society of Whitereach is divided into three major classes:
 * The Highlanders - Descendant from the orginal warriors who conquered Whitereach, the Highlanders are composed of the ruling dwarven Clans and human Houses. Acting as the nobility of the province, the Highlanders are primarily represented in the Pale Senate and reside almost exclusively within the city of Highhold. Unlike the nobility of other countries, the Highlanders do not own or preside over tracts of land. Instead, they are given generous portions of the profits derived from the mines of Whitereach and are expected to serve the warriors of the country in return.
 * The Artisans - Composed of the massive class of skilled workers that reside within Highhold and greater Whitereach, the Artisans hold substantial respect among the people of Whitereach for their efforts. So much are the Artisans respected, that many of the bureaucrats and statesmen that make up the government of Whitereach are drawn from the sons and daughters from particularily well known members of the class. This class is made up, in large part, of dwarves.
 * The Peasantry - Made up of both humans and dwarves, the peasantry is the largest body of people in all of Whitereach and have virtually no political representation. Members of the peasantry can, however, aspire to join the Artisan class by being accepted as an apprentice to one of the many professions made up by the Artisans.
 * Outlanders - Allowed only to live in the border town of New Kirkland, these merchants from abroad serve are the primary force behind the export of Whitereach's goods and imports of anything beyond the mountain valley. Although respected for their role in Whitereach's economy, they are given very little trust by the hermetic mountain people.

Economy
The primary resources of Whitereach include: The economy of Whitereach is based primarily upon the the export of:
 * Marble
 * Mithril
 * Iron
 * Stone
 * Marble
 * Refined Mithril
 * War Material; Weapons, Armor and Ammunition