Hero Wars
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Hill Forts of Dragon PassBy Greg StaffordLarge, ancient hill forts are known throughout Dragon Pass and, indeed, all the larger Vingkotling area. The Vingkotlings were the first people to build them, and several huge hill forts are known to be from that era. Most of them are now abandoned, usually due to the ravages of history, but often visited since they are the best jumping off sites for many heroquests. Many stories say that Dragon Pass itself is a huge hill fort dug up and erected by the gods. Some landmarks are remembered from that era. In Holay stands the Warriors Gate, Lyran Mountain is also called Rigsdal's Tower, and in Esrola stands the Peace Gate, comparatively intact with both jambs intact, hinges visible, and parts of the broken gates around. In Kitchenvale (around modern Goldedge) are the spectacular landmarks of Ma's Soup Spot, a string of boiling hot springs; the Ovens, wide open caves that are very hot; and the huge slab of the Butcher Block; as well as the Hearth Heath, where the huge Mahome festivals are held; Bluebell Field, where the accidental fire occurred and only the "apology flowers" can grow; and still blacked and desolate, where the goddess burnt her evil owner. Other hills in the area are known to have been the houses of various goddesses, mounds upon which gods built their steads, or huge rings of rock that are like isolated calderas. The demigod Vingkotlings raised huge earthworks suitable for their legendary magnitude. They are generally made of earth, and even the ones that were made by scooping out a hill instead of raising a mound appear manmade. They vary in diameter from Vingkot's Fort, which is over four miles, to the twelve that are over a mile wide, and many that are a quarter to half a mile. These last are most numerous and were built by the Vingkotlings in the Storm Age. Few hill forts have been built since then, Hadager Hill being the exception, built at the height of Dawn Age Heortling strength. |
