Settlements and Sites of the Four City-States #248

Settlements and Sites of the Four City-States #248 

September 6th, 2023 

• Number: 248 

• Name:  Deep Dive on a Site of Interest: Cerdmouth in Noldrune – Part 3 

• Location: North coast of Noldrune along Staplefish Bay 

• Population (approx.): 1413 

• Brief: Despite being merged into a single settlement, Cerdmouth struggled to prosper with its mix of fishing and trade. This persisted until during the reign of the Tarnan Emperor Gregorus Trixtus, when the mercurial despot made a grand journey from his capital in the far south (beyond the current Wastelands) across his empire until he hit Staplefish Bay at Cerdmouth. Astonishingly, the Emperor halted at this sleepy harbor and remained for several weeks before preparing to return south. But before he departed, the Emperor addressed all the village, thanking them for their (hastily assembled) hospitality and vowed to return.  

• Taking him at his word, which fortunately he kept, the local elders and notable merchants at that moment hastily expanded and beautified Cerdmouth beginning by adding a promenade along the beach south of where the Cerd River emptied into the bay. That boardwalk, full of attractions and entertainments, backed by hotels, theaters, bars and restaurants, succeeded and became the core of Cerdmouth at the present day. 

• Celxis Broadpocket, 241, Gnome, is the proud owner of Boardwalk Amusements. She is beautiful and knows it. Celxis keeps herself in shape by dancing with a local troupe every weekend. Her deep black hair is long and luxurious, and her eyes show the intelligence and thought she brings to everything she does. She wears long skirts and puffy blouses in subtle colors that allow her to move freely. Celxis has several hidden pockets in her clothes that contain small throwing knives.  

• Boardwalk Amusements consists of several booths on the boardwalk. They are all games of chance and all slightly rigged in Celxis's favor. She also runs a protection racket for the local Thieves' Guild. Celxis is very ambitious and hopes to add more stalls as the boardwalk grows in popularity. She adores making children happy and occasionally hands out prizes to little ones for no reason. 

• Celxis lives with a group of friends who own most of the attractions at the boardwalk. They could all easily each afford their own place but enjoy each other's company. The group got together and purchased a manor in town, and each took a section to live in. Her friends don't know she works for the Thieves' Guild and would be quite upset if they found out. 

• Geography: The Cerdmouth Boardwalk is a wide promenade paralleling the beach along the harbor for several hundred yards. Down the center are all manner of stalls featuring various attractions such as games of chance, momento & collectible shops and food & drink vendors. Hotels, entertainment venues and other businesses rise over the stalls across the walkway. In the center of the boardwalk is the now almost 800-year-old statue of Gregorus Trixtus, a monument which, despite the general dislike of his, now fallen, Empire, is revered and maintained by the town elders. Celxis’ Broadwalk Amusements, having been operating for well over 150 years, now occupies a place of prominence and seniority next to the monument.