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The origins of Banecroft Barony are lost to history. No one knows much about it
prior to '72 except that it was a small isolationist land which prospered on the Great
East-West road. Trade flowed through it and travelers thought it a convenient if rustic
place to pause from the rigors of travel. Indeed, almost all that is known of the
Banecroft of that era comes to us from a passerby, the only one- well, one of two to
survive the Fall of Banecroft
972
September
A force of goblins, human mercenaries and other monsters
attacked Banecroft without provocation. It is a mystery how this force overcame
their differences and banded together. And why, after the Barony fell, this formidable
force was not seen again. Anyway, the Baron at that time, Rhothgar Bancroft, sent the
civilians to safety. The Baron's wife and newborn son went with them, as did most of
the Baron's regular army, led by his brother. Only a picked guard stayed behind to
hold Banecroft tower. But confidence was high - the tower was a strong enough fort
that even a small force could hold it until re-enforcements arrived.
But their confidence was misplaced. The civilian convoy was attacked by goblins and
winged monsters. There are only two documented survivors. One was a baronial archer
who made it back to the tower to warn the Baron. The other was the Baron's baby son. A
baronial swordsman broke free of the fighting with him and ran until he met Francois and
Charlotte Millhaven, merchants passing through the area. He thrust the child into their
arms, told them to run, then turned back to the battle to aid his fellows.
Next the tower was attacked. Rhothgar met the leader of the attackers, a
monstrously deformed fleshy humanoid in single combat, but was slain. The tower's gate
did not stand and the defenders were overrun, each falling defending their homeland.
Only the traveler, Henery Tatsel, used trickery to escape and tell the tale.
For twenty years Bancroft tower stood alone, deserted by civilization and haunted by
the most violent sorts of haunts and humanoids. In this time, the pronunciation of the
land's name changed, the poor luck of those who ventured near causing those to refer it
as 'Bane-croft'. Meanwhile, the wheel of history turned. The great East-West road no
longer formed the backbone of known civilization and became overgrown with trees. |
History