Mossgate was founded in 499 to help resupply Astalore after Salvatoria sacked the kingdom following the defeat of the Antoran Alliance earlier the same year. The site of the settlement was hastily chosen when prospectors reported an initial abundance of iron - which the defeated armies desperately needed to rearm.
The town boomed at first, a castle was even constructed to defend the resource. However despite initial success, it was soon reported the mine had dried up. Some even speculated that initial assessments were vastly overstated, or that some deliberate deception had occurred.
Whatever the case, the locals turned to agriculture and Mossgate Castle fell into disrepair as the peerage lost interest. Mossgate faded further into poverty and obscurity until an altruistic merchant named Carter Tayhall tried to revive the town by starting a dyeworks in town. Unfortunately the enterprise did not last long as in 527 the area was occupied by the Necromancer Sarkian, who took Mossgate Castle as a stronghold.
The village was liberated the following winter, and many of the residents returned at the urging of the Church, though the dyeworks were never restored, and the settlement’s troubles did not end. There has been some talks since of restoring the dyeworks to working order, or using the village as a staging point for expeditions into Zycharia, but it’s cursed reputation has thus far deterred any major investors.
Recent Events:
September 535: Mossgate was raided and occupied by Entador. While the peasantry rallied to defend itself, a standoff ensued between Baron Arthur Alphonse - commanding the Entadoran force, and Baron Charles Claude of Astalore - then lord of Mossgate. Against the odds, the situation remained peaceful, and the two lords came to an agreement. Mossgate was sold to Entador, and a contest was held to determine it’s next lord. A victor was decided, but the powers that be have yet to announce any formal appointment. For now, Baron Alphonse remains the interim lord of the settlement and nearby castle. The victor of the contest and Baron Alphonse's presumed replacement is rumored to wield an unusual weapon.
Rumors:
There are dangerous whispers that some residents of Mossgate oppose the conventions of feudalism, and that the spirit of independence is kindled there in secret. Political outsiders may take keen interest in these ideals.