Hunt of Alderei the Fair
Overview
The Hunt of Alderei the Fair is located at the foot of the Opascari mountains in the Varushkan territory of Volodmartz. Custodianship of the Hunt grants an Imperial title; a seat on the Imperial Bourse; and a seasonal bounty of valuable weirwood
The Resource
The hunt is a great weirwood forest that was also the site of one of the most vicious battles against the forces of Alderei the Fair, the tyrant-boyar of pre-Imperial Varushka. At the foot of the Opascari mountains, this vital strategic asset was nearly burnt to the ground in the wake of the Imperial victory, and said to be haunted to this day. The site is believed to take its name from the treasure seekers who combed the surrounding woods looking for traces of Alderei the Fair in the decades after his defeat.
- Reference not assigned national, and other resources. The Varushkan "deal" is that they endure darkness for the riches of Varushka, why do foreigners benefit from this (etc)
One of the richest resources of Volodmartz, the hunt is a great weirwood forest that was also the site of one of the most vicious battles against the forces of Alderei the Fair. At the foot of the Opascari mountains, this vital strategic asset was nearly burnt to the ground in the wake of the Imperial victory. Only quick action by Imperial forces prevented the fire consuming all the trees, and to this day on certain nights of the new moon the living trees are sometimes engulfed in a shimmering copper effulgence that seems to have no natural origin.
There is some controversy over the name of the site. Some claim it is named for the treasure seekers who combed the surrounding woods looking for traces of Alderei the Fair in the decades after his defeat. Others say it is actually named for the three nights of pursuit when Imperial forces chased the retreating forces of Alderei south-west toward Alderei's run.
There is some controversy over the name of the this great weirwood forest. Some say it is named for the three nights of pursuit, when Imperial forces chased the retreating forces of Alderei south-west toward Alderei's Run. Others that is is named for the treasure seekers who combed the surrounding woods looking for traces of Alderei the Fair (more cynical souls say they are looking for traces of his abandoned supply train, and the riches it held) in the decades after his defeat. Darkest of all is the belief that Alderei used to hunt Varushkans through the great forest, for his sport or as part of some dark rites used by the volodny.
One of the richest resources of Volodmartz, the hunt is a great weirwood forest that was also the site of one of the most vicious battles against the forces of Alderei the Fair. At the foot of the Opascari mountains, this vital strategic asset was nearly burnt to the ground in the wake of the Imperial victory. Only quick action by Imperial forces prevented the fire consuming all the trees, and to this day on certain nights of the new moon the living trees are sometimes engulfed in a shimmering copper effulgence that seems to have no natural origin.
Whilst the everburning weirwood trees lend a haunted, supernatural air to the forest, it does not deter visitors, most of whom are called "Hunters" by the workers (who are often forced to shoo them on so they can get their work done). There are those lured by tales of the lost treasures of the baggage train, drawn by pure greed. There are those who come to find Alderei himself, to make their fame and fortune by such an amazing find. And there are those such as Yvgeniy the Pious, who funded an entire expedition for two seasons so that they might search for Alderei's final resting place, be it coffin, tomb or ditch, to ensure that he would never rise again.
There is some controversy over the name of the this great weirwood forest. Some say it is named for the three nights of pursuit, when Imperial forces chased the retreating forces of Alderei south-west toward Alderei's Run. Others that is is named for the treasure seekers who combed the surrounding woods looking for traces of Alderei the Fair (more cynical souls say they are looking for traces of his abandoned supply train, and the riches it held) in the decades after his defeat. Darkest of all is the belief that Alderei used to hunt Varushkans through the great forest, for his sport or as part of some dark rites perpetrated by the volodny.
One of the richest resources of Volodmartz, the hunt is a great weirwood forest that was also the site of one of the most vicious battles against the forces of Alderei the Fair. At the foot of the Opascari mountains, this vital strategic asset was nearly burnt to the ground in the wake of the Imperial victory. Only quick action by Imperial forces prevented the fire consuming all the trees, and to this day on certain nights of the new moon the living trees are sometimes engulfed in a shimmering copper effulgence that seems to have no natural origin.
Whilst the everburning weirwood trees lend a haunted, supernatural air to the forest, it does not deter visitors, most of whom are called "Hunters" by the workers (who are often forced to shoo them on so they can get their work done). There are those lured by tales of the lost treasures of the baggage train, drawn by pure greed. There are those who come to find Alderei himself, to make their fame and fortune by such an amazing find. And there are those such as Yvgeniy the Pious, who funded an entire expedition for two seasons so that they might search for Alderei's final resting place, be it coffin, tomb or ditch, to ensure that he would never rise again.