Alforpia is more a castle than a town, par se, but has enough people living there for it to be mentioned here. It is also of considerable historical interest for reasons we will look at below. It lies far to the north of Drakenwood, and is a dangerous journey in these troubled times.

It is extremely unusual as it is ruled, and to a large extent defended by Artrell - an intelligent insectoid race. While these particular Artrell are somewhat different from their cousins, as they have long been in vassaldom to Humans, and have thus adopted many of their ways, it is nonetheless remarkable to see a castle run by such creatures.

Alforpia was originally a Duchy nominally under the control the of Kingdom of Aerdy, which lies scores of leagues to the northeast. When Veluna declared its independence from Aerdy, Alforpia pitched its forces behind the former, and thus became a rather more significant Duchy within the fledgling Kingdom of Veluna.

By the 220th year of the free Velunian state, it was locked in a battle to survive with Aerdy, which, after many setbacks had decided to bring its rebellious neighbour to heel. In the year 230V, Alforpian spearmen played a vital part in the defeat of an Aerdi expeditionary force, and in gratitude, Veluna granted Alforpia and the lands to the south independence. This 'Treaty of Enfranchisement' was signed in the year 231V, and Alforpia became a free state.

Now, however, Alforpia is locked in a battle to survive, as a force lead by a terrible dark Wizard and the infamous Black Knight have laid waste to the surrounding area. Flowing swiftly past the fortress, the attacking army moved south and is currently locked in a bitter fight with the forces of the King of Miathorn, a personal friend of the Alforpian ruler. Miathorn is, really, just a castle and is not mentioned as a town in its own right. Should the attackers succeed here, then the lightly guarded towns of Aldersford and Drakenwood would lie defenseless before them.

The castle of the Alforpian king seems normal enough at first glance. Guards patrol the walls, and life appears to proceed as normal within, but all is not right. The guards seem strangely reticent, and the many colourful regiments of the standing army are nowhere to be seen. The king himself is seen but rarely, and his daughter has not been spotted in public in several weeks.

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