Fort Mondale

Fort Mondale is a fortification and small town in Bastonia, to the northeast of the city of Whiterock, within sight of the capital along the road to Estberg. Its fortified core is the headquarters of the Noble Order of the Gorget, a Chivalric Order in the service of The Almighty who are charged with the dispatch and execution of Royal Edicts throughout the realm, along with the escort and presentation of diplomatic missions before other nations such as the Clans of Magnus or the Atarlie Empire. The town is considered part of the Bastonian Heartland and the holding of an Earl, who somewhat uniquely reports directly to the Duke of Bastonia instead of any intermediary count - the territory is within King's County and therefore either the Bastonian Monarch or the Duke of Bastonia (or, sometimes, the Duke's eldest child) is invariably the relevant count regardless.

In addition to being a common stopping-over point for travellers between Estmarch and the Heartlands, Fort Mondale's patronage by the Noble Order has made it unusually wealthy for a town of its side, and the aristocratic children of barons and earls within the Noble Order make up a disportionate piece of its population. The lands around Fort Mondale are largely estates of such families as hold sufficient royal favour, and the region is well known for its stalking, shooting, and fishing.

Geography

Fort Mondale itself is a sort of modified motte and bailey arrangement at its core, with an extensive beyond-the-walls settlement on the far sides of the mote, and the fortified keep itself on a hill overlooking the bailey, as is tradition. This is a somewhat cold and wet region compared to the surround. There are two bridges that cross the motte to allow access to the Old Town - one to the northwest and one from the south.

Fort Mondale has the dubious distinction of being sacked rather routinely during wars for the Bastonian succession.

Economy

Accommodating travelers - usually nobility or merchants - moving between Estmarch and Whiterock is a principal activity. The region is also famous for its many horse-breeders, and seasonal races draw wealthy backers from days in every direction. These horses are prized by many and trade in these horses (and the goods that go with horses) between the civilian population and the Knights of the Gorget are a key economic driver.

As a resort town, there is a roaring trade in luxury goods, especially luxury consumables.

Politics

As mentioned, the Earl of Mondale has the unusual distinction of reporting directly to the Duke of Bastonia, a break of normal orders of precedence. This also means that the Earl is in many ways as influential as some other Heartland Counts, and some Earls of Mondale have styled themselves as Viscounts instead, though this style has never been officially granted by the crown and is not normally recognized in the Bastonian heirarchy.