City of Tatarton

Gardiren was the capital of the High Plains in the days before the founding of the Midlands by Medrik I. The current structure was started as a keep and upgraded to a castle by Medrik. It was burned and suffered extensive damage during the War in the North and rebuilt to its present dimensions.
 
Gardiren is held by the leonine Earl Hemisen Curo, the “Lion,” who claims descent from the first kings. He donates heavily to the Enclave of the Holy Oak (Soliri) to finance their research and his own passion for genealogy. The earl is married to Meliara Kynn, sister of the High Priestess of Graxus in Northgate. They have been blessed with eleven healthy children, including twin 19-year-old sons.
 
The Earl, 50, is an epicure renowned for the quality of his table. He amazes guests with dishes seasoned with spices from the breadth of the Midlands and beyond. The earl’s business relationships with importers provide him with valuable intelligence and he is well informed about matters beyond Midland's borders. Earl Curo’s skill at court intrigue is supported by his carefully chosen vassals and an excellent network of informants.
 
Gardiren’s recent history makes it differ in ways immediately obvious to travelers. A terrible fire devastated much of the castletown. After a second fire, the earl instituted a number of measures to rebuild the town and prevent another fire. Today, many structures in the castletown are of stone and all have roofs of local slate. There is an especially high number of Barbarian residents, many of whom immigrated when Lorkin fell and the earl was actively seeking craftsmen. The Ilviran church is well favored here and enjoys tax-exempt status.