The Campaign Nook: Settlements and Sites of the Four City-States

Settlements and Sites of the Four City-States - Week 6

Compiling week 6 of the project, comprised of an additional 7 settlements and/or sites of the City-State of Noldrune as shown below.

Settlements and Sites of the Four City-States #36

Feb 5th 2023

Number: 36
Name: Far Harbor
Location: East coast of Noldrune at the mouth of the Tanuoi River
Population (approx.): 12,000
Brief: The 2nd largest city of Noldrune sits a distance from the bulk of the City-State and this isolation leads to a rather cosmopolitan city whose Nobles have a notable independent streak. As elsewhere, Far Harbor started as a fishing village and grew to a city over the centuries past as nation-states were formed and coastal trade developed. Ore and lumber is barged down the Tanuoi where it is sold alongside crops and livestock from the surrounding lands east of the Tuton Maug. Far Harbor was the bone of contention as Noldrune and Taodeas fought and negotiated over their common border, the rulers of the city, House Macad, deciding to join Noldrune at the last moment, some say on a whim.

Geography: Far Harbor is arrayed in a semi-circle around the edge of a large natural harbor well-shielded from the ocean by a large natural breakwater of stone. The docks of the western edge host numerous river barges and several fishing fleets. The docks of the eastern edge dock deeper draft ocean-going ships and Macad’s considerable navy, who projects a forceful presence along the coast to north and south. Macad Castle, home to the House, Count and Lord Mayoress (brother and sister), is a large fortification built along the breakwater.

http://www.campaignnook.com/2023/02/settlements-and-sites-of-four-city_5.html

Settlements and Sites of the Four City-States #37

Feb 6th 2023

Number: 37
Name: Anum Taag (“Ancient Beings”)
Location: Northwestern slopes of the Tuton Maug range.
Population (approx.): 3,000 to 4,000

Brief: Although smaller in stature to the mountains of the northern ranges beyond the Narrows, the mountains of the south are far far older. Within their ancient borders can be found some of the oldest flora and fauna on Aenwyld. The Anum Taag is such a climax forest of towering trees, dense foliage and long-lived Elven Kin households within. These Elves are careful and canny folk, having avoided conflict with all prior and current claimants to the surrounding lands. But they zealous guard the borders of Anum Taag hence few have had the chance to experience the splendor of their lands.
Geography: The Anum Taag is an area of forest approximately 80 miles in diameter (about 5,000 square miles) covering the northwest foothills of the Tuton Maug. The ancient trees tower hundreds of feet into the air, visible miles away, filling the gaps between the hills and clustering in the valleys. Rumor and whisper suggest the Anum Taag is more than just a forest but some sort of community of linked flora or perhaps even a single entity of vast scale. Over a dozen Elven settlements are scattered throughout, under and among the branches and boughs, each being home to 200 to 300 Elves.

http://www.campaignnook.com/2023/02/settlements-and-sites-of-four-city_6.html

Settlements and Sites of the Four City-States #38

Feb 7th 2023

Number: 38
Name: Lanumouth
Location: At the mouth of the Lanumaug River on Lapit Bay

Population (approx.): 2,300
Brief: In the past, Lapit Bay was home to a number of small fishing-centered settlements scattered along its shores. As Noldrune shed the old traditions of the Ta’arnan Empire, the Noble Houses of the City-State latched on to Lanumouth and its long beaches of white sands as the new “it” destination, being equadistant to Belladorn to the west and Far Harbor to the south. Locals and fishing fleets were displaced to lesser settlements around the bay, replaced by hotels and amusements for the rich and powerful. Today Lanumouth is famous for the summer regatta season featuring numerous races with associated society events, gambling and intrigue.
Geography: Lanumouth sits on the east bank of the Lanumag River where it enters the bay. The town is centered about a long bayfront boardwalk, dotted with statues of past Barons and Baronesses, with numerous upper-class hotels and attractions overlooking the beaches. Numerous docks, slips and piers dot the riverbank. The hills outside of town are home to expansive manor homes owned by Noble houses major and minor including Houses Claid and Macad. In between are streets full of taverns, restaurants, entertainments, shops and other vendors

http://www.campaignnook.com/2023/02/settlements-and-sites-of-four-city_7.html

Settlements and Sites of the Four City-States #39

Feb 8th 2023

Number: 39
Name: Clearview Glassworks

Location: Coast of Noldrune several days travel northeast of the capital
Population (approx.): 120 (factory and surrounding settlement)
Brief: For centuries, glassblowers have explored all corners of the Four City-State Region searching for unique sands and other materials to bolster their craft. There are a number of beaches along the coast that serve as sources of relatively fine sand, but in the recent past, a travelling master of Clearview Glassworks stumbled upon something unique. The nature of the find is a closely guarded secret known only to a few in the Glassblowers’ Guild but rumor suggests that for one or two brief moments during the year there is some sort of magical interaction with perhaps an underground or water essence source or creature and the local beach sand which results in a unique material. Clearview’s most recent products, blown with this sand, possess unique properties of color and strength.
Geography: Clearview Glassworks sits atop a small cliff on a narrow path a mile or so from the main coastal highway passing to the south. High walls enclose the factory, office and dormitories, with guards in watchtowers at all corners. The Glassblowers’ Guild has hired a notable and trustworthy Mercenary Company to watch the complex. Several elevators, replacing the original wooden staircase and ladder combinations, descend to the shore below. Several small boats of armed sailors patrol the waters to discourage visitors.

http://www.campaignnook.com/2023/02/settlements-and-sites-of-four-city_8.html

Settlements and Sites of the Four City-States #40

Feb 9th 2023

Number: 40

Name: Fanlau Slopes
Location: Northeastern slopes of the Lanu Maug hills along the Fanlau River
Population (approx.): Varies depending on season
Brief: Although the Lanu Maug range is politically part of Taodeas, the easiest access to the forests on the eastern slopes is from the Fanlau River. This has led to many years of technically illegal but generally overlooked logging “raids” from Noldrune into Taodeas. Logging companies sail boats east upstream on the FanLau searching for mature stands of trees. The crews disembark, climb the hills, cut lumber and drag it downhill to be floated west, downstream to a town (Lumberton) on Lake Loloto Pogisa. The “raids” usually take less than a week and the woodcutters rarely encounter opposition. In years past, some Taodean Tribes have aggressively patrolled the hillsides and pitched battles have been fought on the forest floor.
Geography: The densest forests of the Lanu Maug can be found a half to two-thirds of the way up the Fanlau River before reaching its source in the hills. The trees stretch from the river’s edge 10 to 15 miles inland before thinning at the summits of the range. Beyond the river’s source, the hills, overlooking the pass north of Haldwen’s Folly (6), are populated and well patrolled.

http://www.campaignnook.com/2023/02/settlements-and-sites-of-four-city_9.html

Settlements and Sites of the Four City-States #41

Feb 10th 2023

Number: 41
Name: The Floodlands
Location: Between the northeastern slopes of Tuton Maug and the source of the Lanumag River.
Population (approx.): Inhuman populace 1,000 to 2,000
Brief: At the peak of the Ta’arnan Empire, churches trod a fine line between positively and negatively aspected masks of the Six Gods. One such faction, worshippers of the waters of Lapit Bay, in their quest for power summoned or created a small host of things that were quite displeased with their relocation to Aenwyld. These other-planar beings (some call them Demons or Devils) broke free of captivity, demolished their prison being a church on the bay and fled up the Lanumag River into the moors at the base of the Tuton Maug. It is unknown how many of the creatures survived to this day for locals give the area a wide berth, most trade traffic keeping to the north or east of the river.

Geography: Spring rains flow down the hills of the Tuton Maug and into the surrounding plains. West of the Lanumag River the rains leave the soil of the moors poor and covered by thin vegetation. Brooks and creeks dot the landscape. In between their branches, the creatures have hidden themselves under the surface in a network of tunnels covering 10s to perhaps 100s of square miles. Fragmentary tales from surviving adventurers suggest there are great halls of strange design filled with hordes of secretive humanoids wielding strange magicks and singing alien songs.

http://www.campaignnook.com/2023/02/settlements-and-sites-of-four-city_10.html

Settlements and Sites of the Four City-States #42

Feb 11th 2023

Number: 42
Name: Borderwatch Light
Location: On the coast of Noldrune between the ocean and Red Water Bay.
Population (approx.): 350 (village and naval base)

Brief: Despite having taken pains to define the borders between the four City-States, disputes continued through the following years. The islands that form a natural border between the Red Water Bay and the ocean have been contested for a number of years by Noldrune and Ceannar. Several hundred years ago, the Baron of Noldrune at the time, at the urging of Count Macad of Far Harbor (#36), built a lighthouse and small naval base at the eastern most point of the mainland to keep an eye on the bay and islands. Ceannar countered with its own settlement across the waters to keep an eye on Borderwatch Light.
Geography: Borderwatch Light sits on a promontory of land, about 40 miles east of Far Harbor, overlooking the ocean, accessible by spur from the coastal highway. The settlement is comprised of the lighthouse, supporting buildings and nearby a small harbor featuring a small village supporting a port hosting the City-State's navy and a small number of fishing boats. Vessels from the harbor patrol the coast of the ocean and Red Water Bay, keeping a watchful eye on the islands east of the lighthouse across the narrow waters separating the two.