Compiling week 26 of the project, comprised of an additional 7 posts, this week's subject being a deep dive of a site of interest, being the town of Tawen in the City-State of Noldrune as shown below:
Settlements and Sites of the Four City-States #176
June 25th, 2023
Number: 176
Name: Deep Dive on a Site of Interest: Tawen of Noldrune Part 1
Location: Along the Tauoi River between Ma’amore Maug and Far Harbor (#36)
Population (approx.): 4,000 inhabitants spread over the 3 wards of the large town
Brief: The Ma’armore Maug (beginning at Caer Granite (#77)) extends east from the Tuton Maug, the Tauoi River leading the ridges of limestone toward the Sea of Hethicol and around Red Water Bay. The weather of Aenwyld has gnawed away at the rock and left a field of pinnacles, like pieces upon a chessboard, arrayed along the north slopes. The Tauoi, as it grows into a large river, cuts through the slopes, creating canyons and ravines and winds about the vast rocks. Tawen, a large town and default capital of the Viscounty Tawen, was founded along the river centuries ago. The Viscount’s liege is the Count of Macad (#144) as Lower Tawen at least resides in the City-State of Noldrune.
Geography: Along the Tauoi River, a great limestone pinnacle rises from the ground, the current carves a path along its northern side. Comprises of three wards, the oldest portion known as the Lower Town, nestles in a huge opening in the stone along the river bank. Above, in the air, the slightly younger Upper Town is perched in the top of the limestone. The newest ward of Tawen, the large and varied Outer Town, sprawls around two great bridges crossing the canyon from the pinnacle to the southern bank.
Next Article: The first of the Wards of Tawen
Settlements and Sites of the Four City-States #177
June 26th, 2023
Number: 177
Name: Deep Dive on a Site of Interest: Tawen of Noldrune Part 2
Location: Along the Tauoi River between Ma’amore Maug and Far Harbor (#36)
Population (approx.): 4,000 inhabitants spread over the 3 wards of the large town
Brief: The people of Tawen and the surrounding lands have much in common with the animals common to their homes (rumor even suggests some Tawen can turn into their favored creature). The Lower Town of Tawen is the oldest ward, settled by “small folk” (being mostly Halflings, Dwarves and some Humans of small stature) centuries ago. The inexorable action of the Tauoi River carved away the base of the pinnacle, revealing chambers within. The ancestors of the current inhabitants arrived at Tawen fleeing some event whose details are lost to history. The caves they occupied were hollowed, expanded and interconnected to form a small community. These warrens, full of caves and structures stacked within them, are home to the self-named People of the Fields: Mouse – “Ketan”; Squirrel – “Toepsipaen”; Rabbit – “Sqeweo” and Rat – “Hewt.”
Geography: The Lower Town of Tawen occupies the bottom third of the limestone karst pinnacle. Many craftspeople, especially metalworkers, jewelers, cooks, brewers and potionmakers, make their homes here. Docks stretch out onto the river, launching boats that fish locally or trading vessels that make their way west to the source of the Tauoi and east to other river settlements. Chambers carved into the hillsides beyond the pinnacle support farms of mushrooms and underground flora. Other tunnels lead deeper to mines and quarries. The Gods of Earth, Water and Dark are favored here with chapels for each. A central vertical tube, surrounded by a great staircase, connects Lower and Upper Tawen. Lifts transport goods and large groups. In darker corners, the Hewt run the local Thieves Guild and other unsavory businesses.
Next Article: The second of the Wards of Tawen
Settlements and Sites of the Four City-States #178
June 27th, 2023
Number: 178
Name: Deep Dive on a Site of Interest: Tawen of Noldrune Part 3
Location: Along the Tauoi River between Ma’amore Maug and Far Harbor (#36)
Population (approx.): 4,000 inhabitants spread over the 3 wards of the large town
Brief: The Upper Town of Tawen is the second ward, settled by “tall folk” (being mostly Humans, Elves and others of large stature) of the same nationality, centuries ago but soon after the Lower Town (#177) was established. Sections of the peak had fallen into the river in ages past. The summit was further hollowed, creating free-standing towers and open areas below. The spires of the top of the pinnacle are the home to People of the Skies: Eagle – “Cesqen”; Falcon – “Toixtex”; Hawk – “Xenxinele” and (Sea)Gull – “Geni.” Tall buildings host favored churches of Air, Light and Fire, hospitals, fine hotels and government buildings surrounding the tallest building, the meeting hall of the Council of Eight (the Chiefs of the Eight major Peoples of Teltelkes Heheces, the ancient name of the realm of these now residents of Tawen).
Geography: The Upper Town occupies the upper third of the limestone karst pinnacle. In contrast to the artisans of the Lower Town, many services are hosted here including healers, guardians (Tawn’s town guard/police) scribes, bankers, litigants, innkeepers and traders who live in chambers above and about their places of business. The tall buildings frequently feature either rooftop gardens or central atriums filled with flora, balconies and crosswalks. Similar wooden bridges connect the upper spires to each other. The central tunnel descends to connect to the Lower Town and midway down the pinnacle it spawns branches to heavy stone gates leading to the plains to the south and the bridges over the Tauoi River to the Outer Town to the north.
Next Article: The third of the Wards of Tawen
Settlements and Sites of the Four City-States #179
June 28th, 2023
Number: 179
Name: Deep Dive on a Site of Interest: Tawen of Noldrune Part 4
Location: Along the Tauoi River between Ma’amore Maug and Far Harbor (#36)
Population (approx.): 4,000 inhabitants spread over the 3 wards of the large town
Brief: For years Tawen remained isolated from the affairs of the Ta’arnans in the past and the Houses of Noldrune to the north and Tribes of Taodeas to the south. The north bank of the Tauoi was reached by ferry or a single narrow wood and rope bridge across the canyon. Soon after the founding of Noldrune, emissaries of House Macad arrived at Tawen seeking to strengthen the Count’s control of and access to the Tauoi River for trade and travel. The Council of the Eight were initially reluctant until the Count offered to construct two great spans over the Tauoi to facilitate expansion of Tawen on to the north shore (appealing as the pinnacle was crowded). An agreement soon followed wherein Tawen, and a stretch of lands to the north, became a Viscounty owing fealty to Count Macad and thus Noldrune. Dwarves from Clan Ma’amore and the Builders Guild arrived and bridged the gap. The newest ward of Tawen, the large and varied Outer Town (nicknamed the Alienage by the Tawen), sprawls around the two great bridges crossing the canyon from the pinnacle to the northern bank.
Geography: Across the river, spanned by bridges of fine white stone, lays the semi-circle of the Outer Town. Here are the homes of some of the Eight Peoples (space in the pinnacle now at a premium) and those of Noldrune locals who make their home by the river. Notable buildings include various Guild halls (including those of Magicians, Merchants and Travellers), lesser government buildings (so that the Council’s outward facing representative, the “Viscount,” may conduct business), and walled estates of local Noldrune minor nobles, Macad’s ambassador and stores of all types. Caravan fields and farms dot the lands outside a low curtain wall surrounding the Outer Town, patrolled by Guardians of Cloud and Grass. Narrow walkways, ladders and an elevator lead from the Outer Town down the canyon wall to the river below.
Next Article: Notable persons and sites of Lower Tawen
Settlements and Sites of the Four City-States #180
June 29th, 2023
Number: 180
Name: Deep Dive on a Site of Interest: Tawen of Noldrune Part 5
Location: Along the Tauoi River between Ma’amore Maug and Far Harbor (#36)
Population (approx.): 4,000 inhabitants spread over the 3 wards of the large town
Brief and Notables:
Most of the inhabitants of Lower Tawen belong the “small folk” People of the Fields who founded Tawen. The People typically have a given name, usually used by their kin, and a nickname, usually used in public conversation.
Mouse – “Ketan”; Sopdet “Bloodroot” is an elderly Dwarf woman who is the High Priestess of Flora and Mouse Elder. When not at her Chapel, she usually can be found tending to the crops in the underground chambers off of the Lower City, particularly found of the plant for which she was nicknamed. She cares little for the business of the world outside the caverns. The Mouse People are considering replacing her as Elder.
Squirrel – “Toepsipaen”; Tosca “Limbrunner,” Captain of the Field Guardians, is a young tallish (for a Squirrel) Human lady who, when not at the apartments of her father, the Squirrel Elder Horra “Frogrider,” can be found at the outer walls of Outer Tawen or checking with patrols in the tunnels outside of the Lower Town. She’s determined to keep Tawen as Tawen and not be swallowed by the City-State.
Rabbit – “Sqeweo”; Carin “Hazelnut” is a late-middle-aged short Human woman, who was once a farmer and trader, specializing in nuts and dried fruits, but is now the esteemed Elder of the Rabbits. She might be overly trusting of the Noldrune locals but has a good trading sense.
Rat – “Hewt”; Hartwin “Nightcurse” is a dark-skinned middle-aged Halfling male who claims no specific profession but is generally said to be a thief of some skill. So far he has kept out of permanent trouble by his older brother Diarmit “Whiskers” who is current Rat Elder. Hartwin constantly schemes, currently pursuing an alliance with the Baron’s Bastards of Smuggler’s Rest (#123).
Geography:
Sopdet’s Chapel is against the outer wall of Lower Tawen where the main tunnels dive into the underdark. She has a plain apartment above the altar chamber.
Tosca’s family lives in a lush apartment at the top of Lower Tawen near the elevators to the upper town, but she is rarely home, usually resting in her office at the Guardian barracks in the outer town.
Carin lives above the Lower Tawen general store now run by her children and other relatives. She is one of the few People who regularly travel outside of the city usually to Far Harbor and points north along the coast.
Hartwin usually crashes at his brother’s apartments or in the backrooms of businesses loosely under his control (a tavern by the docks and a gambling house against the east chamber wall).
Next Article: Notable persons and sites of Upper Tawen
Settlements and Sites of the Four City-States #181
June 30th, 2023
Number: 181
Name: Deep Dive on a Site of Interest: Tawen of Noldrune Part 6
Location: Along the Tauoi River between Ma’amore Maug and Far Harbor (#36)
Population (approx.): 4,000 inhabitants spread over the 3 wards of the large town
Brief and Notables:
Most of the inhabitants of Upper Tawen belong the “tall folk” People of the Skies who were second to arrive in Tawen. The People typically have a given name, usually used by their kin, and a nickname, usually used in public conversation.
Eagle – “Cesqen”; Tatius “Skycurse,” is an elderly Human man who fears he might be the last of the Eagles in Tawen. The Elder blames what he calls the Curse of the Skies placed upon his peoples in times past when an ancestor encountered Corruption. He sponsors numerous expeditions seeking to bring more of his Kin to Tawen.
Falcon – “Toixtex”; Lada “Treeflower,” is a young shortish Wildfolk woman who is chief huntress and Elder of the Falcons. She is typically found travelling the outskirts of Tawen land, hunting and gathering, when not called to the town for Peoples’ business.
Hawk – “Xenxinele”; Phonat “Farsight,” is a young tall Silver Elf male blessed (some say, others say cursed) to see beyond the horizon (resulting in glimpses of the future). He is a priest of the Sky and Daylight, who lives with his grandfather the Hawk Elder of the Council.
(Sea)Gull – “Geni”; Vashnavi “Whitedrake,” is a middle-age High Man lady of fierce and commanding disposition. Captain of the Sky Guardians, the Council of the Eight have also “elected” her as Viscount Tawen, becoming the outward face of the community.
Geography:
Fearing for his health and the Curse, Tatius holds court in the reinforced lower levels of the Eagles’ Aerie tower against the south wall of Upper Tawen. He has surrounded himself with wards and guards, conducting business with seekers in a small hall outside his chambers.
Lada’s People most live in a pair of towers against the east wall of Upper Tawen, but the huntress is rarely home, preferring to spend her nights under the stars outside of walls and windows.
Phonat can usually be found at the top of the Hawk’s Perch, a tower against the west wall of Upper Tawen, staring into and beyond the setting sun. Scribes sit nearby in case Phonat utters the results of his latest vision. Once the sun has set, he wanders downstairs to spend time with his grandfather in their shared apartments.
Vashnavi watches over Tawen from either the Gull’s Nest, a spire against the north wall of the upper town, or the battlements surrounding Outer Tawen where she frequently confers with Tosca, her counterpart Guardian Captain. Although she has her family rooms in the spire, she also keeps an apartment in the outer town in the Guardian barracks.
Next Article: Notable persons and sites of Outer Tawen
Settlements and Sites of the Four City-States #182
July 1st, 2023
Number: 182
Name: Deep Dive on a Site of Interest: Tawen of Noldrune Part 7
Location: Along the Tauoi River between Ma’amore Maug and Far Harbor (#36)
Population (approx.): 4,000 inhabitants spread over the 3 wards of the large town
Brief and notables:
The inhabitants of Outer Tawen are a mix, comprised of a minority of People who decided to move from the spire to the flatlands and a majority of Noldrune locals attracted to town over the years since the Viscounty was recognized . The People typically have a given name, usually used by their kin, and a nickname, usually used in public conversation. Some of the locals have adopted the People’s style of naming.
Local - Ricmod Chanda, is a middle-age Human male who is the Noldrune Scouting Service (NSS) agent in town running the Tawen Blind out of the back of a scriptoria in Outer Tawen.
Local - Vijaya “Nightblade” Nanda is a young Human female who appears to have no specific occupation other than being a sell-sword hanging out in Outer Tawen’s taverns. Unknown to most, she is a representative of the Baron’s Bastards (#123) in Tawen to consider working with Hartwin “Nightcurse” and his Lower Tawen gang.
Local - Agrippa Mezt, is an old Half-Elf female who is a long-standing member of the Arcane Guild formerly from Carasta. She is intrigued by the unique nature of the Peoples, their rumored abilities and spends her time prying into their secrets to the dismay of the Council.
Falcon – “Toixtex”; Khurshid “Skyhex” is a young High Man male Priest of the Skies. Khurshid is quite intrigued by the overlapping natures of the Peoples’ ancient Gods and the SIx Gods of the Narrows and spends much discussing philosophy, the nature of dieties and “masks” with local Noldrune priests at their Chapel in Outer Tawen.
Mouse – “Ketan”; Meztli “Snowmoon” is a middle-aged brusque Wildfolk male and an instinctual trader by profession. He owns a General Store in Outer Tawen, has established connections throughout the County and joined the Merchants Guild (informally representing them to the Council of Eight).
Rat – “Hewt”; Sushila “Wormgutter” is a middle-aged Halfling woman who serves as Chancellor to Vashnavi “Whitedrake” in her role as Viscount. She quite ably serves as a counter to the larger-than-life Captain, suspicious of most and a cunning dealmaker. Sushila keeps a careful eye on her People, the locals and others working in the margins (like Hartwin “Nightcurse”).
Geography:
Ricmod, when not out and about, can usually be found via inquiry at Copiers Scriptoria.
Vijaya can usually be found at either the Slippery Ant or the Frozen Glass taverns. But she has been recently spotted in Lower Tawen.
Agrippa, when not poking about Upper or Lower Tawen observing the Peoples, can be found in the Tawen Chantry of the Arcane Guild in the library or her nearby apartment, once a meeting room coopted by the old magician.
Khurshid’s family lives in Upper Tawen, but he can be regularly found in the Chapel of the Noldrune Gods in Outer Tawen.
Meztli owns Snowbird’s Goods in Outer Tawen and when in town, lives in an apartment above the store with his wife and children.
Sushila, when not in her family’s den in Lower Tawen, frequently sleeps in her office in the Viscount’s portion of Outer Tawen Town Hall, the building serving as the gateway for official business between Noldrune and the Peoples.
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