eberron

Sterngate is a fortress in Breland standing at the western entrance to Marguul Pass amidst the Seawall Mountains and guarding the border against the goblinoid nation of Darguun and the gnome nation of Zilargo.[2][4][3] It is central to Breland's defense.[5]

Geography

An Orien trade road leads northeast through New Cyre. A lightning rail runs through Sterngate, connecting to Starilaskur in the north and Zolanberg in the south.[1][6] A lightning rail journey from Starilaskur to Sterngate takes 13.25 hours and crosses 396 mi (637 km) or 405 mi (652 km), costing 37.5 gp.[7][8] From there, by lightning rail it is 8.75 hrs and 260 mi (420 km) to Zolanberg.[8]

Description

Sterngate is a castle. At this end, Marguul Pass was wide[4] but the fortress was surrounded by an extensive series of berms, ditches, and even pit traps arranged to wear down and funnel any who approached toward the gates. They made it very difficult for anyone to pass by into Breland unseen.[4][3]

History

The Sterngate fortress has stood for over six centuries, and all that time it has guarded Breland against dangers from the Seawall Mountains and goblinoid marauders.[2]

Sterngate lay at one edge of the territory conquered by Haruuc Shaarat'kor in his goblinoid uprising and the formation of the new nation of Darguun in 969 YK. The following year, the Brelish survivors of the Battle of Marguul Pass retreated to Sterngate to tell the story of their defeat.[9]

In late spring of 998 YK, unexplained and unprecedented avalanches in the foothills of the Seawall Mountains blocked the lightning rail north of Sterngate, preventing travel between Starilaskur and Zilargo, and would take House Orien at least two weeks to clear and repair. Starilaskur station master Laara d'Orien reported on the matter in the Dravago 22nd issue of the Sharn Inquisitive. She also announced compensation and the new Splendor Caravans service between Starilaskur and Sterngate to help stranded travelers, though a trip takes ten days.[10]

Unnatural tornadoes blew out of the Mournland in the middle of Lharvion in 998 YK; under clear, sunny, summer skies, they persisted for days, stood in place for hours before abruptly moving forward, and only traveled during the day. They destroyed farmhouses and barns at various farms and thorps in Eastern Breland and were last seen passing through the hills south of New Cyre and toward Sterngate, where they destroyed the barn of local farmer Nezberro Lallick. The Brelish feared they would continue on into more populated areas. This was reported in the Lharvion 22nd issue of the Sharn Inquisitive, which quoted Nezberro.[11]

Government

The fortress's militia is commanded by Captain Toris, a veteran of the Last War with a reputation for battling goblins,[2] or by the vigilant Captain Eredenn Davoh.[4][note 1]

Activities

These days, Sterngate guards against invading warbands from Darguun that slip through the Seawall Mountains[2][4][12] and forces them back into those self-same peaks. They come often, and in contravention of the Treaty of Thronehold.[2] This effectively places Sterngate at the front line of the cold war between the two nations,[4] and at the front line of a hot war if, or when, one broke out.[3] Despite this, life at the castle is relatively calm. Nevertheless, Captain Davoh drills the castle garrison often and in inventive ways, which keeps them alert and morale high.[4]

While Sterngate also monitors the nearby border with Zilargo this is much less of a priority, owing to the excellent relations with the gnomes.[2]

Mounted patrols from the castle keep the area closely monitored against trespassers, smugglers, and secret crossings.[4][3] They are merciless to those they catch.[3]

Moreover, Eredenn will hire capable and well-credentialed independent operatives to track down any crossings that might've been missed, paying bounties for the work. This attracts to the castle adventurers and others who wish to strike back at Darguun.[4]

Moreover, the mobile fortress Argonth makes a regular stop at Sterngate four times a year, approaching down the road from New Cyre and Kennrun before turning around and heading back on its course.[13]

Appendix

Notes

  1. ↑ The fortress was originally commanded by Toris in the Eberron Campaign Setting, but this was changed to Eredenn Davoh in Five Nations. The reason is unknown; this may be a retcon or may represent an in-setting change in leadership.

Appearances

Adventures

Shadows of the Last War • Whispers of the Vampire's Blade

Novels & Short Stories

The Doom of Kings • Storm Dragon
Referenced only
Word of Traitors • Son of Khyber

Organized Play & Licensed Adventures

Death in Darguun

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Keith Baker, Bill Slavicsek, & James Wyatt (2004). Eberron Campaign Setting. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 143. ISBN 0-7869-3274-0.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 Keith Baker, Bill Slavicsek, & James Wyatt (2004). Eberron Campaign Setting. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 150. ISBN 0-7869-3274-0.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 James Wyatt and Keith Baker (2009). Eberron Campaign Guide. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 76. ISBN 0-7869-5099-4.
  4. ↑ 4.00 4.01 4.02 4.03 4.04 4.05 4.06 4.07 4.08 4.09 4.10 Bill Slavicsek, David Noonan, and Christopher Perkins (2005). Five Nations. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 64. ISBN 0-7869-3690-8.
  5. ↑ David Noonan, Ari Marmell, and Robert J. Schwalb (2009). Eberron Player's Guide. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 126. ISBN 0-7869-5100-1.
  6. ↑ Bill Slavicsek, David Noonan, and Christopher Perkins (2005). Five Nations. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 49. ISBN 0-7869-3690-8.
  7. ↑ Bill Slavicsek, David Noonan, and Christopher Perkins (2005). Five Nations. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 62. ISBN 0-7869-3690-8.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 David Noonan, Rich Burlew, & Frank Brunner (2005). Explorer's Handbook. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 20. ISBN 0-7869-3691-6.
  9. ↑ James Wyatt, Wolfgang Baur, Ari Marmell (2007). The Forge of War. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 32–33. ISBN 0-7869-4153-7.
  10. ↑ David Noonan (2006/05/22). Repairs Interrupt Lightning Rail. Sharn Inquisitive. Wizards of the Coast. Archived from the original on 2016/11/01. Retrieved on 2021/08/03.
  11. ↑ David Noonan (2006/07/31). Tornadoes Emerge From Mournland. Sharn Inquisitive. Wizards of the Coast. Archived from the original on 2016/11/01. Retrieved on 2021/08/02.
  12. ↑ Bill Slavicsek, David Noonan, and Christopher Perkins (2005). Five Nations. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 50. ISBN 0-7869-3690-8.
  13. ↑ James Wyatt, Wolfgang Baur, Ari Marmell (2007). The Forge of War. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 47. ISBN 0-7869-4153-7.

Connections

Cities of Breland
Ardev · Argonth · Baran's Keep · Black Pit · Brey Crossing · Castle Arakhain · Cragwar · Drum Keep · First Tower
Flint Keep · Fort Tansend · Galethspyre · Glyphstone Keep · Hatheril · Kennrun · Lurching Tower · Mistmarsh · Moonwatch
New Cyre · Nowhere · Orcbone · Ringbriar · Shadowlock Keep · Sharn · Shavalant · Shining Valley · Starilaskur · Sterngate
Sword Keep · Torch Keep · Vathirond · Woodhelm · Wroat · Xandrar · Zilspar