Upper-Whitehall

settlement name	duchy	district/province	type	population	founding year
Upper-Whitehall	Toreen	Province of Qidra	village	1,827	4529

White Hall towers above the trees of Duskwood.

Upper-Whitehall lies in eastern Duskwood, along the Royal Road. It is known for its impressive castle, first-rate theatre, and lively musical entertainment.

Whatever grandeur the little settlement has is certainly due to the impressive castle White Hall which stands on an outcrop just outside the village proper.

White Hall would do well as the centre of a major city, or even Camfor. One can only ponder what the druidic circles made of this massive stone construction within Duskwood.

White Hall is the traditional home of the Duke of Toreen, but in all the centuries it has stood, the duke has never officially resided here. Following the established custom, it is the home of the Duke’s children. The Duke’s eldest son, Lord Walterius Gifford, and his family, are the current residents.

As a peer of the realm, Lord Gifford often receives elite guests in the castle. When the King and Queen go on Circuit, they stay here for several days. Every two years, the White Ball is held, generally regarded as the most exclusive social gathering outside of the Royal City. Aristocrats, peers, nobles, and even Royalty, attend the White Ball held in the castle. A somewhat smaller soirée is then organized in the Great Theatre (see below) for the lesser officials and other residents.

The castle is home to many permanent and temporary residents. The staff numbers upwards of 200. The most notable permanent resident (after Lord Gifford) is Order Master Joshoe Shellmound, of the Guild of Music & Performers. The Guild’s Great Hall is within the castle perimeter. The Guild has built a Great Theatre in the village, and all its public performances are free to residents. Often, the little hamlet’s citizens get to enjoy the kingdom’s best performances – music, song, recitation, plays – before anyone else in Kalderesh. The Guild specializes in oration skills, including poetry recitals, production of plays, and story-singing.

The village’s agricultural needs are tended to by councilman Xavyer Towns, assisted by Helius Rafman and Ysaac Grove. A wide range of crops are grown in the extensive farmlands around the settlement.

Several large inns and many small hostelries dot the village; these are generally well-occupied by the less well-to-do retainers, servants and travelling companions of the elite guests.

A chapel to Arawn stands on the eastern edge of the village; it is overseen by liturgist Alivyr Bigg.