Settlements and Sites of the Four City-States #250

Settlements and Sites of the Four City-States #250 

September 8th, 2023 

• Number: 250 

• Name:  Deep Dive on a Site of Interest: Cerdmouth in Noldrune – Part 5 

• Location: North coast of Noldrune along Staplefish Bay 

• Population (approx.): 345 (Castle, settlement of Harben and scattered farmsteads) 

• Brief:  Harbwater Isle was the first site in the area settled by Kin exploring the region. Ruins of an ancient village were found under the foundations of the first Keep built on the south end of the island. Present day Harbwater is lightly populated, most of the locals living in a southern half village called Harben (location 5)  on the path between the Castle and the quarry (location 6). The wind-swept slopes of the north half of the island feature farmsteads connected by trails and cart paths eventually reaching the central road. That road continues the quarry northward to the “Old Decree” Lighthouse (Harbwater Light) constructed by the Ta’arnan Empire soon after it conquered the area on top of an older smaller signal tower. As with most Lighthouses of the region, it is a collaborative effort by the Lamplighters and Sailors Guild. The Nolrune Naval Service (NNS) supports the Lighthouse from the harbor at Harbwater Castle. 

• Olyra, 45, female Half-Elf, is the lighthouse caretaker, of the Lamplighters Guild, on Harbwater Isle. She is tall and plump. She wears her golden hair long and in braids. She has jade-colored eyes and a winning smile. Olyra wears long skirts and blouses and always has an apron on. She loves to bake and makes lots of pastries and bread. The only weapons she uses are kitchen knives. 

• Olyra lost her ten-year-old son, Rikas, in a drowning accident several years ago. The accident occurred when she was swimming, and when she went to look for Rikas, he was nowhere to be found. Olyra blames herself and convinced the old lighthouse caretaker to let her take over. Now, Olyra is incredibly diligent about keeping the lighthouse going. Since that doesn't take much time, she also bakes and sells her goods to a restaurant in town. 

• Olyra is married and has a brand-new baby girl, Aroros. Her husband is Sarros, 50, Half-Elf, who works in Cerdmouth as a chef at the restaurant that sells Olyra’s baked goods. Olyra is part of a group of people who have lost young children. They meet once a week in Harben and have helped Olyra deal with her grief. Her best friend, Arleta Dumzugi, 43, female Human, is also part of the group. 

• Geography: Harbwater Light can be found at the northernmost point of Harbwater Isle on the Staplefish Bay (location 4). The lighthouse is a standard six-story tower, containing the lamp, its mechanism and some living quarters on the levels below, with a large two-story annex, containing more living quarters, storage, and the mess hall. Two underground levels include workshops, further storage and two cells for captured intruders (currently empty). Olyra and her staff continue the tradition of maintaining a garden next to the annex. In particular, she likes to grow various types of fruit that she incorporates into her baked goods.