County Hillock
County Hillock is a former Taran and present Victorian county based on the eponymous nomadic city.
Background
Hillock was originally part of the Taran Kingdom that became the one of the last holdings of the Draco Gaeilic Kings during the the Aslan-Draco civil war. When the last King Gaeil surrendered himself and signed an armistice with the Aslans, the place was immediately incorporated into modern Victoria.[1] The Aslan's rule does bring some prosperity to the place in which a medium-sized nomadic city was built in the same region; but to the local Tarans, this symbolizes foreign occupation. Soldiers are stationed there to prevent possible uprisings, and they often deprive the local's freedom through social and cultural oppressions.
Hillock is moderately distant from Londinium the capital, and its relationship with other counties is shallow. Its economic activities are mainly light industries and agriculture. As a matter of fact, many Victorian aristocrats have no interest in Hillock.[2] However, like any other Taran regions, Hillock is in a part of a strong nationalist movement among the aristocrats that seek to restore their homeland. Aside from an observable revival of Taran culture, local newspapers use secret codes in Taran as a communication tool to avoid censorship by the soldiers.[3] The Tarans are even supporting Dublinn in secret, a militant group vows to reclaim the Taran throne amidst the fall of the Aslan house after the popular uprising twenty years ago.
As the Tarans' hatred onto the barrack's soldiers grows, they start to rally themselves through a night meeting, plotting to ignite an insurgency. However, the the Victorian soldiers are suspicious of the townsmen's actions, follow after the people, and interferred the meeting. The powder keg is finally ignited when Dublinn uses this opportunity to start a revolution. In order to end this age-old conflict, Colonel Hamilton orders a merciless Originium dirty bomb atrillery shelling onto Hillock. To the soldiers' dismay, Dublinn has won its first victory by broadcasting a misleading message to other counties. Trying to cover up the atrocity, the Victorian government propagates that it was an accident during a military training.
Notable people
- Craig: A little Taran boy who is influenced by Taran nationalism since youth, causing him to distrust foreigners. He is the one responsible for the start of Dublinn's uprising by throwing a ball filled with bomb at the Victorian soldiers.[4] However, after becoming an Infected due to the shelling, he is immediately despised by Dublinn and is almost killed by Ronan. He is luckily saved by Jane and trusts her in protecting him and his parents.[5]
- Saoirse Kelly☠: The niece of Captain Louis Kelly who works in the local newspaper outlet. She is the one embedding Taran secret codes inside their newspaper. She is also a close friend of Jane, and out of her consciousness, she leaks the information about the Tarans' secret night meeting to both Jane and then Horn.[3] As a punishment for her treachery, she is executed by Mandragora. Her body is then cremated by Loughshinny's flames.[6]
- Damian Barry☠: The nephew of Captain Louis Kelly. Though being just an ordinary potato farmer, the 2nd Tempest Platoon takes him to custody for hiding inside the local Originium warehouse. However, before he could receive a fair trial, he is falsely executed for snatching the soldier's weapon.[7]
- MacMartin☠: A local chef who is actually an informant for the officals at the capital. He has been supervising Hillock's move for a decade and is willing to aid the 2nd Tempest Platoon. He is eventually killed by the dirty bomb shelling before he could bring back the report about Hamilton's crime.[8]
- Ronan: A nationalistic Taran who joins Dublinn amidst the uprising. Known for reporting news about Saoirse's treachery to Dublinn and him becoming the enemies of some Tarans united by Jane.
Barracks soldiers
- Hill: Previously an adjutant of Hillock's barrack who despises the Tarans. However, he later betrays Hamilton and then defects to Dublinn among other local soldiers.
Places
Gallery
The ruined Hillock square after the dirty bomb shelling
Ditto, at night
The ruined streets of Hillock following the dirty bomb shelling at night
The interior of the local Victorian Army garrison at Hillock
Hillock's communications tower complex on fire amidst the climatic battle
Etymology
Hillock is likely named after County Monaghan (Irish: Contae Mhuineacháin) with Muineachán standing for "a place abounding in little hills".[9]
Trivia
- Prior to the updates of Dossoles Holiday that included several reworks of the Archives, Hillock was previously named as Knoll County.