Printed in full unhollowed resin (no holes).
Good quality resin (40 € / kg).
Bases not supplied.
28mm scale for Lotr/D&D.
These models were made by Medbury miniatures and are sold under license.
https://www.patreon.com/medburyminiatures/posts
Brightkeep, the Kingdom of the Shining Fortress
The realm of Brightkeep stands as a bastion of chivalry, honor, and unwavering loyalty, deeply rooted in the traditions of the Eldrakar. Nestled along the coast, this proud and independent kingdom occupies a strategic position on a mountainous peninsula, and its noble lineages trace their origins back to the days of Vlandor. Brightkeep is a kingdom where Eldrakar blood runs thick, with its nobility holding tightly to their ancient heritage, while maintaining a strict segregation that permeates even the ranks of the military. The Eldrakar are revered and form the ruling elite, while humans, though respected, hold fewer positions of power.
King Aranthor, the Pillar of Tradition
King Aranthor, the current ruler of Brightkeep, is a figurehead of Eldrakar traditions. His ancestral seat, Brightkeep Castle, rises high on a cliff overlooking the sea, a shining fortress that stands as a symbol of the kingdom’s power and longevity. The castle’s walls, made of the finest stone, are reinforced by both craftsmanship and the mystical legacy of the Eldrakar. Aranthor is known for his military prowess and strict adherence to the old ways, ensuring that Brightkeep remains both a powerful kingdom and a steadfast ally of Albian, with whom it shares a long history of cooperation against the forces of darkness.
Fiefdoms and Noble Hierarchies
The kingdom is organized into several fiefdoms, each ruled by powerful lords who swear fealty to the royal house of Brightkeep. The nobility here is heavily dominated by Eldrakar bloodlines, and while human nobles exist, they are fewer and wield less influence. Bright Lancers, the kingdom’s elite cavalry, are renowned across the land for their swift and decisive charges, clad in shining armor that reflects the core values of honor and duty. Their ranks are exclusively composed of Eldrakar knights, who are trained from birth to embody the martial and cultural traditions of their ancestors.
The Mountain Clans and Chief Kaldor
Despite this aristocratic rigidity, Brightkeep's strength is not confined to its nobility. The mountain clans that inhabit the rugged peaks at the center of the peninsula, though often seen as rough and less refined, are vassals to the king and provide critical military support. These mountain clans, led by Chief Kaldor, a respected yet unpretentious leader, supply well-trained infantry contingents to Brightkeep’s armies. Known for their resilience and adaptability, these warriors are essential in Brightkeep’s defense and have proven themselves loyal to the crown time and again.
Naval Supremacy and Admiral Belarion
In addition to its formidable ground forces, Brightkeep’s navy is one of the most powerful on the continent. The Bright Fleet, commanded by Admiral Belarion, hails from a prestigious Eldrakar family that has long dominated the seas. These swift, heavily armed ships patrol the waters surrounding the peninsula, ensuring Brightkeep’s dominance in maritime trade and safeguarding its coastal cities from raiders and invaders. The shipbuilders of Brightkeep are renowned for their craftsmanship, constructing some of the finest vessels that serve as a testament to the kingdom’s naval superiority.
Brightkeep and the Steelhalls
The people of Brightkeep are bound by a deep sense of duty and loyalty, with many of its inhabitants raised to defend the kingdom and its alliances. This loyalty extends to the Steelhalls, the dwarven kingdom that lies beneath the mountains of the peninsula. These dwarves, led by King Durnir Ironhand, are refugees who fled the rebellion of their goblin and troll slaves in Darkholm. Though the dwarves prefer isolation, they remain staunch allies of Brightkeep in times of dire need, fortifying the kingdom’s defenses and adding to its strength.
Defending Against the Dawnsun Empire
Though much of Brightkeep’s military might focuses on its elite cavalry and navy, the kingdom also maintains a strong defense against incursions from the Dawnsun Empire. The rugged borderlands are patrolled by Brightkeep’s rangers, led by Captain Tharion, a highly skilled but modest human who has mastered guerrilla tactics and skirmishes. Despite his success in defending the kingdom, Tharion is often overlooked by the Eldrakar court, viewed as a lesser due to his human lineage, though he holds the respect of his men and the common people.
The Wealthy General Haradan
At the heart of Brightkeep’s northern defenses lies General Haradan, the commander of the northern armies. Known for his immense wealth and corpulence, Haradan is a paradox; though his appearance may suggest complacency, he is a formidable warrior and a loyal servant to the king. His battlefield strategies, though effective, are often colored by his personal ambition and love of excess, leading some to whisper of corruption. Nevertheless, his loyalty to King Aranthor and his dedication to the kingdom's security are unquestionable.
King Aranthor
King Aranthor is the stalwart ruler of Brightkeep, embodying the values of honor and tradition. A tactical genius and formidable warrior, Aranthor has forged strong alliances with Albian, relying on the cooperation of Elenor II to combat common enemies. However, his adherence to tradition creates friction with more progressive leaders like Baranor, Albian’s Commander-in-Chief. While Aranthor admires Baranor’s strategic brilliance, their differing views on societal hierarchy sometimes strain their alliance. Aranthor’s primary goal is to preserve Brightkeep’s legacy and ensure the survival of the Eldrakar line.
Admiral Belarion
Admiral Belarion is the brilliant leader of Brightkeep’s naval forces. A member of the prestigious Eldrakar family, he commands respect both on land and sea. Belarion has a long-standing rivalry with Lothar, Albian’s naval commander, as their fleets often cooperate against Corsairs but occasionally clash over tactics. Belarion’s ambition is to expand Brightkeep’s maritime influence and safeguard its trade routes, ensuring the kingdom’s prosperity.
Captain Tharion
Tharion, the human captain of Brightkeep’s rangers, is a skilled guerrilla tactician. Despite his modest demeanor, he commands the loyalty of his men and has earned the grudging respect of King Aranthor. Tharion shares a close friendship with Halathor, Albian’s ranger captain, and the two often exchange strategies to combat the Dawnsun Empire. Tharion dreams of proving that humans can rise to prominence in Brightkeep despite the societal biases.
General Haradan
General Haradan is a wealthy and shrewd military leader who commands Brightkeep’s northern armies. His relationship with Valerian, Albian’s archmage, is strained, as Haradan’s materialistic nature clashes with Valerian’s mystical ideals. Despite his flaws, Haradan is deeply loyal to King Aranthor and is determined to protect Brightkeep from the Dawnsun Empire and other threats. His ultimate goal is to solidify his legacy as a defender of the kingdom while satisfying his appetite for power and wealth.
Lord Torvan, the Shadow of Brightkeep
Lord Torvan is a cunning and ambitious noble from Brightkeep, known for his sharp intellect and a penchant for manipulation. As the head of one of the most powerful Eldrakar houses, he wields considerable influence in the kingdom's court. Torvan is a staunch advocate of maintaining the rigid traditions of Eldrakar supremacy, often clashing with more progressive voices within the realm. His silver tongue and network of informants have allowed him to subtly sway political decisions in his favor, though his actions often tread the line between loyalty and self-interest.
Torvan's relationship with King Aranthor is one of outward loyalty but hidden rivalry. While he publicly supports the king's rule, he secretly believes that his own vision of an even stricter, more isolationist Brightkeep would better serve the Eldrakar legacy. This belief has led him to form covert alliances with figures like Lord Aeric of Albian, exchanging intelligence to undermine the fragile unity between the two kingdoms.
Despite his scheming nature, Torvan is not without his merits. He is a masterful diplomat, skilled in navigating the treacherous waters of inter-kingdom politics. His tactical acumen has also proven invaluable in defending Brightkeep’s interests, particularly against the incursions of the Dawnsun Empire. However, his ambition and distrust of non-Eldrakar bloodlines make him a polarizing figure, both admired and feared by those around him. His ultimate goal is to secure a future where the Eldrakar reign supreme, even if it means destabilizing the delicate alliances that protect Brightkeep from external threats.
