Settlements and Sites of the Four City-States - Week 31
Compiling week 31 of the project, comprised of an additional 7 posts, this week's subject being a deep dive of a site of interest, the Village of Forest's Edge, in the City-State of Noldrune as shown below:
Settlements and Sites of the Four City-States #211
July 30th, 2023
Number: 211
Name: Deep Dive on a Settlement of Interest: Village of Forest’s Edge – Part 1
Location: Eastern edge of the Lolot Forest, east of Berien Manor in County Berien
Population (approx.): 235
Brief: Forest’s Edge is one of the many small villages scattered throughout Lolot Forest, the land of House Berien. Like the others, its origin pre-dates the arrival of the Houses from the north when the region was home to Faerie-aspected Kin (Humans, Elves and Wildfolk of mixed ancestry). Being a border settlement, the inhabitants of Forest’s Edge are tasked by their Countess, Dayntree Claid, to protect the borders, watch for intruders in the forest, and report on any unusual traffic on the road or activity in the plains to the east, the lands of House Ulste.
Geography: Forest’s Edge can be found on the eastern edge of Lolot Forest where the main spur from the central highway enters the woods heading west 30 miles to Berien Manor (#145). The road passes south of the village, itself on a stream that crosses the plains from the Tuton Maug, and eventually passes Berien Manor emptying into Lake Loloto Pogisa.
Next Article: Over the course of this week, we’ll present some of the notable peoples, locations, happenings and plot threads in and about Forest’s Edge
Settlements and Sites of the Four City-States #212
July 31st, 2023
Number: 212
Name: Deep Dive on a Settlement of Interest: Village of Forest’s Edge – Part 2
Location: Eastern edge of the Lolot Forest, east of Berien Manor in County Berien
Population (approx.): 235
Brief: Despite adopting the typical titles of Noldrune, County and Countess, Dayntree and the people of Berien follow few of the attendant social norms. For example, the closest analog to the lesser Viscounts of Noldrune who owe fealty to their Count, might be Dayntree’s apprentices. Closer to longtime companions than students, they are spread across the Lolot Forest, serving as her eyes and ears, delivering her word to the inhabitants. An outside observer would (and should) consider them to be equal to Viscounts or similarly ranked lesser nobles. Yufi Woodsnow is Forest’s Edge’s resident apprentic of Druid Dayntree.
Yufi Woodsnow, 20, Human woman, is an apprentice Druid under the tutelage of Dayntree Claid. She is tall and a little portly. She has bright red hair that she keeps neatly in a bun and light blue eyes. Yufi uses a staff made from a birch tree that Dayntree grew for her on the day her apprenticeship began. Her favorite outfit is a green robe with leaves embroidered on all the sleeves. Her mother made it for her.
Yufi possesses a vast knowledge of the herbs and plants of the Lolot forest. She grew up in a small cottage outside of Forest’s Edge and learned what each plant could do to help people. Her father was a healer and treated everyone, but he specialized in treating animals. To better use all this knowledge, Dayntree has put Yufi to work making potions that will help the rangers and other scouts of the forest.
Yufi's parents are great friends with Dayntree, and she grew up knowing she would have a place to go when needed. Yufi still lives with her parents and travels around the woods daily, looking for plants and helping wounded animals. She has dated one of the scouts who work for the forest; her parents aren't too happy about it, as they want her to work on her studies.
Geography: On the outskirts of Forest’s Edge, between the center of town and the cabin of Yufi’s parents, Yufi and Dayntree collaborated to grow a great oak tree to celebrate the completion of her apprenticeship. The huge trunk features a spiral staircase within, leading both up and down. The dense upper branches are cunningly arranged to conceal a workshop. The roots grow above and below three underground vaults for storage. When not foraging or exploring the woods, Yufi can be found inside her workshop preparing herbs and brewing potions.
Settlements and Sites of the Four City-States #213
August 1st, 2023
Number: 213
Name: Deep Dive on a Settlement of Interest: Village of Forest’s Edge – Part 3
Location: Eastern edge of the Lolot Forest, east of Berien Manor in County Berien
Population (approx.): 235
Brief: Despite the border of Lolot Forest being deep within the City-State of Noldrune, there are still reasons for the County to maintain an active and skilled border patrol. Dayntree Claid, and prior leaders, seek to protect against banditry, poachers and illegal logging among other threats to the woods. The border patrol is commonly called the Lolot Rangers even though they number among their ranks all manner of professions - trackers, foragers, druids, foresters, hunters, archers and warriors.
Naehorn Alderbrook, 253, a male Wood Elf, protects the area of Lolot Forest around Forest’s Edge. He is short and has an athletic build. He wears his brown hair long and in a ponytail. Naeborn has leaf-green eyes and a lop-sided smile. He wears a complete suit of leather armor and has a strap that keeps his quiver tied to his back. His bow has Elven runes scribed on it, giving him benefits when he draws it.
Naehorn and the other local Lolot Rangers guard various portions of the surrounding forest. They have set up a series of bird and animal calls that let each other know when someone enters the woods. Naehorn is on night patrol and uses his animal empathy and intuition to keep apprised of everything happening nearby.
Naehorn has a wolf, Shadow, that follows him everywhere. He raised him from a pup and trained him in the ways of the rangers. Naehorn was married to a human for 50 years before she died. He still grieves every day and won't consider even dating anyone else. Despite this, he isn't lonely and has many friends and family.
Geography: Naehorn’s patrols cover an area northeast of Forest’s Edge where the woods thins and ground rises to overlook an area of rough terrain to the east. His favorite vantage point is an ancient festival site. At the edge of the ridge, according to local histories, an ancient peoples called the Sunwatchers built a temple so that they could watch the rise of the Malam the Sun. On the walls of the circle, they placed stone obelisks fashioned with vertical slots, arranged so that the rising sun, at the beginning of each season, shone through the gaps. The sunlight would be focused by lenses set into the slots onto the central altar. The resultant heat would ignite the festival fires.
Runners, selected by their villages by competition or election for this was a high honor, would light torches from the holy fire and run tirelessly through the Lolot Forest to central squares and grand keeps alike, to ignite their bonfires and fireplaces. So, the priests declared, began the four seasons of the land.
Settlements and Sites of the Four City-States #214
August 2nd, 2023
Number: 214
Name: Deep Dive on a Settlement of Interest: Village of Forest’s Edge – Part 4
Location: Eastern edge of the Lolot Forest, east of Berien Manor in County Berien
Population (approx.): 235
Brief: The people of Lolot Forest have lived in harmony with their environment since Kin first arrived in the region. A number have dedicated themselves to the health and wellbeing of the fauna, both domesticated and wild animals. One or more animal handlers, healers or trainers can be found at each settlement of the forest. Some also wander the deep woods helping any and all they encounter.
Petstaer, 48, male Half-Elf, is an animal handler who lives and works in Lolot Forest. He is of average height and build and has a devastating smile he uses to good effect. His hair is charcoal black, and his eyes are hazel. Petstaer carries rope and has a belt with food, herbs, and berries for various animals. His only weapon is a dagger, a gift from his wife, Alysuis, on their wedding day.
Petstaer is known as the local veterinarian of Forest’s Edge. He will treat whoever needs help but is most comfortable around animals. He has lived in Lolot Forest around Forest’s Edge for a while and named most of the animals there. Petstaer tries to be present at most of the larger animals' births just in case of any problems. He works well with all the people that live in the forest but doesn't welcome newcomers.
Petstaer has two great Danes as pets, Dinos and Smokey. He takes them with him on his walks for protection and because he enjoys their company. Petstaer and Alysuis, 42, Human woman live in a large house on the outskirts of Forest’s Edge. It has stables, animal pens, and cages for when animals need help recovering from various illnesses.
Geography: Petstaer and Alysuis’ home is a short walk south of Forest’s Edge. One of Petstaer’s favorite places is about midway along the path where a large tree fell creating a natural archway over the trail in the ravine below. The ancient trunk has become a trail for local fauna to avoid the traffic and Kin-smell of the path below. Petstaer enjoys watching and document the comings and goings of local animals along the trail.
Settlements and Sites of the Four City-States #215
August 3rd, 2023
Number: 215
Name: Deep Dive on a Settlement of Interest: Village of Forest’s Edge – Part 5
Location: Eastern edge of the Lolot Forest, east of Berien Manor in County Berien
Population (approx.): 235
Brief: The people of Lolot Forest have lived in harmony with their environment since Kin first arrived in the region. A number have dedicated themselves to the health and wellbeing of the flora, both wild and cultivated (Kin-made). One or more arborists, plant healers or gardeners can be found at each settlement of the forest. Some also wander the deep woods helping any and all they encounter.
Mistmei, 27, male Wildfolk, is an arborist who dedicates himself to the health of Lolot Forest. He is of towering height and walks with a cane. A bear knocked him off a tree and injured his right leg. Mistmei has worn leather armor ever since the attack. He carries rope and uses boots with treads designed especially for climbing trees.
Mistmei grew up in a Wildfolk community far away. While visiting his Uncle Mirrenkin as a teen, he discovered Lolot Forest and fell in love with it. He knew a lot about trees and had dedicated his life to keeping them healthy. Dayntree has recently promoted him to Head Arborist, and Mistmei couldn't be prouder.
Mistmei is a loner and lives in a tree house near the middle of the forest. He spends most of his days talking to the plants and trees and ensuring any blight is cut away. Mistmei has many friends and frequents a tavern or two in Forest’s Edge and elsewhere on the weekends.
Geography: Mistmei’s current project is healing a portion of the border of Lolot Forest where poachers once crossed the border and built a hunting lodge. The Lolot Rangers drove off the hunters into the plains but not before they set fire to their own lodge and a portion of surrounding forest. Mistmei has been slowly restoring the flora and removing the ruined structure.
Settlements and Sites of the Four City-States #216
August 4th, 2023
Number: 216
Name: Deep Dive on a Settlement of Interest: Village of Forest’s Edge – Part 6
Location: Eastern edge of the Lolot Forest, east of Berien Manor in County Berien
Population (approx.): 235
Brief: County Berien is well known within Noldrune for the skill of their archers, supplied in support of other soldiers of the City-State, such as the heavy infantry of House Claid. But what is an archer without a bow and arrows? As expected, Lolot Forest is home to many bowyers and fletchers. Few are masters of either craft, fewer still have mastered both.
Zilni Wiy, 33, female Human, is a Bowyer and Fletcher who makes some of the excellent bows and arrows that the occupants of Lolot Forest use. She is of lofty height and has a winning smile. Her blonde hair is curly and frames her heart-shaped face. Her brown eyes dart here and there and take everything in. Zilni wears leather pants and a billowy blouse. She has a tool belt with a place for every item she needs to make her bows and arrows. Her prize bow she won in a shooting contest many years ago.
Zilni works with Mistmei (#215) to identify and use trees that need to be cut. She takes commissions for work and is known far and wide as one of the most talented fletchers for creating bows. Dayntree has secured an area on the Lolot Forest's edge where people can practice archery. Every year there is an archery contest where one of Zilni's bows is the prize.
Zilni is happily married to Nisur Wiy, 37, male Human. They have one child, Ethan,8. They live in a house near the archery target practice. Nisur serves as a Lolot Range for the forest, and they both keep a small vegetable garden. Zilni has tried to persuade a local mage to imbue her bows and arrows with magic, but the magician doesn't seem interested.
Geography: North and east of Forest’s Edge a path leads to the Wiy farm on the border of the County. On the eastern edge of their fields is a row of trees spaced 30-40 feet apart. Each features a platform grown out of the tree about 10 foot by 10 foot square reached by a ladder against the trunk. The walls of the platforms feature arrow slits looking out over the borderlands. Below is an earthen rampart topped with a dense hedgerow. Part of the border fortifications used in ancient battles, the site is now used for the yearly archery tournaments sponsored by the Viscountess. Targets are placed in the fields beyond at various distances. Spectators watch from the ramparts.
http://www.campaignnook.com/2023/08/settlements-and-sites-of-four-city_4.html
Settlements and Sites of the Four City-States #217
August 5th, 2023
Number: 217
Name: Deep Dive on a Settlement of Interest: Village of Forest’s Edge – Part 7
Location: Eastern edge of the Lolot Forest, east of Berien Manor in County Berien
Population (approx.): 235
Brief: Throughout Lolot Forest there are many unusual locations, some magical in nature while others are samples of the inhabitants working closely with nature:
The Calendar Tree is a mystical site where a singular tall tree appears to experience all 4 seasons at once. The tree appears to have been grown specifically for this purpose by perhaps a druid or magically-oriented arborist whose identity is lost to history. The tree lives in this altered state to this day.
Shadow of the Dead One - It is the nature of the Kin and Aenwyld that battles are fought across all of history and the world. One, of many, took place centuries ago in Lolot Forest and left a permanent scar across the landscape, resistant to all attempts to remove the mark or regrow the flora to cover it, which suggests perhaps the tiniest taint of Corruption remains therein.
Hidden Ranger Base - The Lolot Rangers are divided into small groups assigned to sections of the border and associated woods. In that area they maintain a base sometimes known to the locals and sometimes hidden from view. Some Rangers maintain a public place for contact and a second secret base in time of need.
Garden Gateway - The Kin of Lolot are fond of creating wondrous gardens of flora and fauna hidden from view and known only to the creators and loved ones. These highly personal places tend to be religious in nature but might also be celebratory or simply a site for a measure of solitude and reflection.
Geography:
The Calendar Tree - The tree sits toward the center of Lolot Forest just off of a main road through the woods. The tall tree is divided into 4 equal sections: bare of leaves (winter), budding (spring), full bloom (summer) and brightly colored (fall). The quadrant of each season appears to rotate about the trunk so that the entry path, at the top, points to the current time of year.
Shadow of the Dead One - An ancient altar to the forest sits in a deep wooded dell. Some evil was chased to this spot, pinned against the altar stone on the raised platform and obliterated. The blast scattered the enemy's remains leaving a 100 yard long shadow to the southwest. No flora grows within the shadow and animals avoid the area.
Hidden Ranger Base - This example of a hidden Lolot Ranger base is concealed within a ridge running parallel to a local game trail. It features two exits onto the path and a third into a ravine leading into the woods. A pair of excavated chambers are used for living quarters and storage of supplies.
Garden Gateway - A narrow tunnel, whose entrance is concealed from view, leads back and forth through a ridge before reaching the exit at a large circular hidden garden. This example features colorful grasses dotted with red wildflowers and small spherical bushes of vibrant greens.
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