Pérecaln

From Almeopedia

Pérecaln [ˈpɛ rɛ kaln] is a Verdurian castle in the Elcarin mountains, just north of Barakhún, and just west of the Edon valley. It overlooks the Žandar river which leads north to the Rau. The village of Čiron-sur-Žandar on the river below is the only major settlement in the enclave besides the castle itself.

Etymology: ‘first castle’ (i.e., first line of defense to the west); Bar. Shandarrhukh ‘Žandar castle’.

History

It was constructed by Ervëa as part of a set of fortresses protecting Eretald. It was not terribly important as a defensive post, since it was out of the way for the western barbarians; but it asserted Caďinorian authority in the area and protected Caďinorian colonists in the Irenja. It remained in Caďinorian or post-Caďinorian hands till the 2500s when the Somoyi sacked it. As it was of no use to the barbarians, the castle fell into ruin.

It was reoccupied by Barakhún around 2910, then conquered by king Ževuran of Verduria in 3027, and administered as part of the province of Lácatur. It was lost again under Utu in the early 3200s, and again fell into decrepitude.

Vlaran reoccupied the castle in 3421, and created a surcontana including Pérecaln and large portions of the Edon valley, entrusted to the Spasiec family. Keeping the valley proved more trouble than it was worth; the surcont still however holds Pérecaln and a small region near Azurëmesti on the Zavera river.

Present status

The present surcont is Obad Spasiec. The latest reports from the area are, however, dismaying— the castle hasn't been replying to messages, and wanderers' reports talk openly about some sort of curse. Seeking to kill two birds with one stone, Abend Monteneon has a plan to use the questionable party of adventurers occupying Nečeron Žiradu’s old magic shop to investigate what's going on at the castle.