Fort Doom

Overview

Fort Doom, formerly known as Halag, is the central town of the Black Eagle Barony in the Grand Duchy of Karameikos. Its history is rooted in an act of conquest, as Baron Ludwig "Black Eagle" von Hendriks, a cousin of Duke Stefan Karameikos III, seized the town despite already being granted the lands. This act, fueled by his desire to "conquer something," sets the tone for a settlement defined by overt tyranny and a pervasive atmosphere of fear. The town stands in stark opposition to the more just and fair-minded rule of the Duke, serving as a moral stain on the Duchy.

Appearance

The town of Fort Doom, with a population of 10,000, is a "haunted and ugly place." Its landscape is dominated by the Baron's residence, also named Fort Doom, a "forbidding structure" whose dungeons are rumored to be filled with those who have displeased him. The streets themselves are a visual representation of the town's brutal rule, patrolled by a mix of human guards, "imported orcs," and other humanoids such as bugbears who walk the streets at will.

Culture and Society

The society of Fort Doom is a captive one, defined by the absolute and arbitrary rule of Baron Ludwig. The Duke's Law, which governs the rest of Karameikos, is not obeyed here. Instead, the town is governed by the "Black Eagle's Law," which is simply, "Obey the Baron or Die." The laws are unpredictable, changing daily on the Baron's whims, and all crimes are punishable by death unless he chooses to show leniency for his own amusement. The town's population consists mostly of Traladaran fishermen, who are held captive by a cruel hostage system. Each fishing family is required to leave one member as a hostage with the guards; if a fisherman attempts to flee, the hostage will be killed. Everyone in the town, with the exception of the Baron and his minions, would love to flee but cannot for fear of being hunted down and killed.

Territory

Fort Doom is the central town of the Black Eagle Barony, a territory in the western part of the Grand Duchy situated along the Gulf of Halag. With a population of 10,000, it is a significant settlement that, by its very existence, stands as a symbol of the darkness and instability that plagues the nation's frontiers.

Resources and Sustenance

The people of Fort Doom, primarily Traladaran fishermen, subsist on the local fishing industry. However, the true economic engine of the town is the slave trade. Fort Doom is a key hub for the Iron Ring, a powerful criminal organization that uses goblinoid tribes to guard prisoners. These prisoners are then transported to Fort Doom, loaded onto ships, and sent to slave markets in Thyatis and other nations. The Baron, his court mage, and his guards are said to "live high off the sweat of others," a testament to the town's exploitative economic model.

Military and Defense

Fort Doom is defended by a standing garrison of 200 troops, which Baron Ludwig uses to "stifle dissent and crush attackers." This oppressive force is supplemented by human and goblinoid mercenaries, including imported orcs and bugbears. The Baron is also supported by his powerful court mage, Bargle the Infamous. The Iron Ring, an ally of the Baron's, provides additional manpower in the form of "Hounds," which are brain-washed slave warriors. This military is not a force for national defense, but an instrument of oppression used to enforce the Baron’s brutal will.

Relations (with Other Races and Factions)

The town's most prominent relationship is its deep-seated antagonism with the central government of the Grand Duchy. Baron Ludwig is Duke Stefan’s "power-mad cousin" and is rumored to have designs on the throne. His alliances with humanoid tribes explain the coordinated raids that plague the region and the Five Shires. The town is also a key base of operations for the Iron Ring, which, while powerful, has almost no influence in the Specularum underworld.

Reputation

The reputation of Fort Doom is one of overt tyranny and cruelty. It is widely known as a "haunted and ugly place," where its ruler, Baron Ludwig von Hendriks, is an "extremely cruel and unpopular man." The town stands as a stark moral stain on the Grand Duchy, a place where people are held captive and live in constant fear. The Baron's connections to the Iron Ring and foreign powers, coupled with his ruthless suppression of his people, make the town a constant source of instability and a symbol of the darkness that can take hold on the frontiers of civilization.