Settlements and Sites of the Four City-States #262

Settlements and Sites of the Four City-States #262 

September 20th, 2023 

• Number: 262 

• Name:  Deep Dive on a Site of Interest: The Banks of the Red River’s Run of Taodeas  – Part 2 

• Location: Central Taodeas between the Tuton Maug and the Danthas River 

• Population (approx.): 467 (Forstford) 

• Brief: As the Red River exits the Brown Forest, it turns westward down hillsides covered in thinning foliage. Centuries ago more mundane civilization found its way above the 2nd major waterfall of the the Red River. A scout, by the name of Edgar Forst, sought to find the uppermost fordable area on the watercourse. He discovered that just above that waterfall, now named Forst Falls, one could cross the river where it splits about an island near the falls. A small settlement, Forstford, was built upon that island and survives to this day. But that survival was not without cost as Forstford was constantly threatened by outside forces such as the Grung of the Brown Forest. Recently the village has been bolstered by the arrival of outsiders willing to support and protect Forstford such as members of the Adventurers Guild and the warrior monks of the Monastery of Forgiveness. 

• Redrok (Red), 41, male Haregon (a hare or rabbit like humanoid) is a monk who works at the Monastery of Forgiveness. He is small, quick, and given to deep thoughts. His fur is tawny brown, and he has a splotch of white around his middle. Red's eyes are light brown, and he has a quick wit. Red wears blessed monastic robes that help with empathy. His weapon of choice is a bo stick, which he practices daily. 

• Red has been at the monastery for the past three years. He arrived during a period of uncharacteristic sadness for him. Through counsel and guidance, Red seeks to redeem himself. Red makes himself useful around the monastery in a variety of ways. He also busies himself with helping people experiencing poverty in the town of Forstford proper. 

• Red likes monastic life but is pondering leaving the area soon. He plans to go on a walking tour along the riverbanks of Taodeas. Red's favorite person is Mig, 33, a female Human Barbarian of the local Adventurer’s Guild who loves to adventure all day and party at night. The two of them have found common ground in their love of poker. Bets are verbal only, with no plans for redemption. The joy of the game and who can come up with the most outlandish chance provide all the bragging rights they need. 

• Geography: The Red River’s course is due west when it tumbles over the 400-foot drop of the Forst Falls. At the top the river splits about an island in the middle of its course about 200 yards long by at most 70 yards wide. Roughly tear-drop shaped, the bulk of Forstford sits at the eastern wide end of the island. The new Monastery of Forgiveness is a small cluster of buildings at the narrow end closest to the falls. The ford itself is well marked by the locals and connects the large end to the shores on each side. The village relies on the water and a low wall around the bulk of the village for protection. Forstford is ruled, in a casual way, by local elders and important folk such Guildmasters and the High Monk of the monastery. The village supports itself by fishing, foraging, some farming on the banks and a spot of trade with hunters and miners able to avoid the Grung and other ne'er-do-wells in the area.