Hofborg, Warrior's Respite (Location)

User ID: @sinath41

House: Antiquarian's Alpine Gallery

Location Name: Warrior's Respite

Brief Description: Heading along the old cobbled path within the Spirit Woods one will come to a weathered wooden gate along a stone wall guarded by the rock-hewn visage of Ysgramor. Here marks the path ascending into the foothills, leading onward towards the Warrior’s Respite, the meadhall of the Companions of the Hammer of Atmora.

Max Population: 12

History

And so it came, in the twilight of my years, that I found myself alone. The hammer still rung and the fire still roared, both stirred to life by mine own hand. But a great shadow had fallen over the once hallowed Hammer Hall. My companions, brothers and sisters all, gone from me by fates unyielding hand. Far and wide where duty might take them, did those that still draw breath travel across these lands. If still they walk the path of steel, gods be praised! By Kyne's unrelenting storms did I pray for this to be so. The honored dead are many more. Their names, never forgotten. Let the tomes we keep, the stories we tell, and the golden tongues of Skalds see that it remains this way. A relic of glorious days long passed, I feared I had become.

By the light of a red dawn, as the warmth of Summer drew to it's close, did I leave all that once was behind and set out to find one last great deed. If death was to be the prize that awaited me at journey's end, this voice would lift to Sovngarde and rejoice. What a fool was I, to think after endless winters that I could foresee what fate should offer. There, on the icy banks of Eastmarch, north of the City of Kings, did I find a new purpose. Looking out, beyond the Ghost Sea horizon towards Old Atmora, much like our great father did in his waning days, and lo a sound did break the tranquility of my ponderings. Turning about to the hills beyond I saw her. Regal and proud, perched atop the snow capped pine. She bid me follow, and I am wise to know that refusal of the sister hawk's beckoning is the doom of a northman. For a time I made my way over snow and stream, through frozen field and grey stone. A forest then, a blessed place I was sure. The spirit world was strong there, and my own did delight in the presence of this ancient power. A quiet town beyond, Hofborg I recalled, having stopped briefly two winters before for supplies.

The winged herald would end her flight at the edge of this sacred place, and call to me once more atop a most curious and ancient idol. Their faces shown like my forefathers, and they kept watch over a blackened pit. Surely a sign, a boon from the Storm-Mother I exclaimed as I felt the air rising from within this sacred pit as if it were a natural billows. I decided with haste that such a gift would not be squandered, and here I would lay a forge fit for the glory of Ysgramor's heirs.

It was here that I once again felt called to set down roots, felling timber from the mighty forest and hewing stone from the steadfast mountain, and constructing a grand meadhall. It is here, within this oaken Hall and serene landscape that we will continue to foster the Old Ways, to live with honor and seek glory till the end. Together we shall fill it with proof of valorous deeds as evident by the trophies we display. Laughter and fellowship will be the music of the honor-oathed, as we lift our horns and wet our tongues with honied mead.

~ Rokthor Shattershield, Harbinger

Points of Interest

Forge

File:Hammer Hall Forge01.png

From this massive forge, hammered upon the runic inscribed anvil, quenched with Kyne’s blessed rainwater, one will find the finest steel this side of the Skyforge. It is here one will often find Rokthor, laboring long with utmost diligence to produce weapons and armor of the finest craft. While the hammer-song rings in his ears, tales of honor and glory are frequently forthcoming to those who visit his hillside bastion.

Shrine

File:Hammer Hall Shrine02.png

If one were to ask Rokthor, he would claim the forge is his shrine. Yet despite this testimony the Harbinger felt it befitting to have a monument commissioned. After the forge was constructed, and the meadhall erected, Rokthor contracted the local stonecutters to create a replica of the monument at Companions Point on the southern coast of Bleakrock, in honor of the order’s founding father, Ysgramor.

Meadhall and Lodging

File:Hofborghammerhall.jpg

Feasting and fellowship abound both within the Hall and about the grounds. Inside, cozy barracks accommodate trainees and guests alike. The vaulted common room brims with feasting and merriment. In the courtyard, further camaraderie takes place amid mead and friendly sparring to hone skills for battle in the defense of Skyrim. And atop the bluff beyond the waterfall a solemn Shrine to the Storm-Mother awaits those seeking solace and reflection.