Settlements and Sites of the Four City-States -- Week 43
Compiling
week 43 of the project, comprised of an additional 7 posts, this week's
subject being a deep dive of a location of interest - Felka Cove and Coran Island of the City-State of Taodeas:
Settlements and Sites of the Four City-States #295
Number: 295
Name: Deep Dive on a Site of Interest: Skyfall – Part 1
Location: Eastern coast of the City-State of Taodeas along the Sea of Hethichol
Population (approx.): 151 (Felka Cove)
Brief: The eastern coast of Taodeas, at the edges of Launi and Mataf tribal lands, is a wind-swept rugged coastline subject to storms rolling onshore from the depths of the Sea of Hethichol. During one such storm, perhaps half a year or so ago, the skies lit up off the coast southeast of the Mataf Tribal Circle (#158) and northeast of the Lotus Delta (#274) of the Danthas River, a streak of flame or lightning stabbed down from the heavens into Low Tide Island. The event caused a terrible peal of thunder followed by rumbling heard by locals hiding from the weather in the cellars of their homes on the mainland or riding out the storm further out to sea. When the rains eased and the clouds cleared, fishers, returning to small harbor of Felka Cove, observed the island appeared different but passed off the change to the morning fog blurring their view.
Geography: The coast of Taodeas is irregular with numerous coves, sand and rocky beaches and small islands close to the shore. Coran Island (also known as Low Tide Isle) is one of the largest, about 12 miles long north to south but perhaps 4 miles at its widest. It is close enough to the mainland that one can hike to the island during low tide, hence its name. Felka Cove is a small fishing village two miles south of the low tide crossing to the island. During the storm, an object of unknown origin struck the south end of Coran Island significantly changing its geography, shaking timbers and rattling crockery in Felka Cove and further inland.
Next Article: Over the course of this week, we’ll present some of the notable people, happenings and plot threads of the events of the “Skyfall” onto Coran Island.
Settlements and Sites of the Four City-States #296
Number: 296
Name: Deep Dive on a Site of Interest: Skyfall – Part 2
Location: Eastern coast of the City-State of Taodeas along the Sea of Hethichol
Population (approx.): 151 (Felka Cove)
Brief: Sheltered. The word describes many aspects of life in Felka Cove. The thorp is sheltered from the mainland by the coast hills, nestled against their base along the water. The people are distant from their relatives inland, barely part of the Mataf Tribe. Felka Cove is protected from the storms of the Sea of Hethichol by the bulk of Coran Island rising from the ocean across a narrow channel. The tiny chapel of the Vai the Ocean sheltered everyone in the cellar when the storm raged outside, the skies blazed white, the land roared, and the seas surged across the beach and back into the channel. Coran Island was changed but the locals paid it no heed, they simply chose to sail north about the isle when the currents to the south became strange and the fish, they caught, were odd and malformed. The folk of Felka Cove remained sheltered until a scaled figure of blue and silver walked out of the ocean and turned their world upside down.
Nemes (Nem) Munugath, 65, male Triton, is an emissary for the Molten Caste Tribe. He is short, just slightly over five feet. His long, deep blue hair flows freely down his back. His body is silver with hints of aqua blue in various places. His eyes are violet, and he has fins on his arms. Nem is a curious person and enjoys meeting many sorts of people. He wears free-flowing clothing in shades of aqua and blue. His clothes have a variety of seashells attached as decorations. Nem carries a ceremonial staff from his tribe, which he can use as a weapon.
Nem is visiting the area of the meteorite to determine its effects on the marine life in the area. Some fish from the area of the meteorite got word to his tribe. Nem came as soon as he could and began talking with the fish. He soon discovered that some plants near the meteorite had started to glow. Several fish ingested the glowing plants and quickly fell ill. Nem took the information he gathered and went to Felka Cove to talk to the Elders and see what they thought.
Nem's wife, Uthyn, 63, female Triton, is a farmer. She grows various crops and helps care for her grandchild, Carzas, 7, Triton. Nem and Uthyn live in a lovely sea cave, and Uthyn works the land nearby. Nem's best friend is Jaddas Alunsath, 70, male Triton. They love to bet on the sea horse races and joke about old times together.
Geography: Felka Cove (location 1 see below) can be found on the coast of Taodeas southeast of the Mataf Tribal Circle (#158) and east of north of the Lotus Delta (#274) of the Danthas River. A channel, called the Run due to the currents near low tide, separates the thorp from Coran Island to the east. About 4 miles north is a sandy bar connecting the island to the mainland at low tide. The folk of Felka have explored the island in the past but as far as they know, noone lives there except for a variety of flora (small trees, brush, long grasses) and fauna (cliff goats, long tailed rabbits and coast foxes).
The Molten Caste Tribe live on the continental slope southeast of Coran Island (location 2 see below). They typically hunt and farm the deeps further east and south, avoiding the fishing boats, with their hooks and nets, of the surface dwellers. Nem learned from the fish that the great impact that buffeted their village with undersea currents six months ago, collapsed a large chunk of Coran Island into the seas, and created a great swath of rock and earth across the seabed (location 3 see below).
Settlements and Sites of the Four City-States #297
Number: 297
Name: Deep Dive on a Site of Interest: Skyfall – Part 3
Location: Eastern coast of the City-State of Taodeas along the Sea of Hethichol
Population (approx.): 151 (Felka Cove)
Brief: Shock! The word described the many reactions to the appearance of Nemes Munugath in the doorway of the Greathouse of the settlement. Everyone had heard tales of humanoids living in the waters of Aenwyld but never in living memory had such a being been seen in Felka Cove or anywhere else nearby for that matter. Many made the sign of the wave, whether it be for Vai to protect them or that Vai had blessed them with a messenger or both. Once their mayor calmed everyone present, the crowd grew rapidly to include everyone in Felka Cover who could walk, the stranger told his tale of changes in the depths of the Sea outside their door. Shock rippled through the gathering, but so did the realization that his tale explained recent happenings in the waters to the southeast. Then conversations erupted all at once; fishers concerned about their future catch, young folk wanting to head off to explore Coran Island and the old demanding word be sent to inland tribal leaders. A woman stood to address those present and all fell silent.
Jilrora, 52, female Half-Elf, is the Mayor of Felka Cove. She is short and pixie-like. Her boundless energy and enthusiasm are contagious. Jilrora has short silver hair that she dyes blue. Her light brown eyes are always observing everything. She wears knee-length skirts and blouses in her favorite colors of gold and green. She lost her left hand as a child when she got on the wrong end of an axe. Jilrora has a fake wooden hand but is self-conscious about it.
Jilrora has been mayor of Felka Cove for several years. She is always looking for new ways to bring the sheltered village forward into the present. She is very interested in talking to Nemes Munugath and hearing what he says about the meteorite. Jilrora is up for re-election next year, and her rival wants to go back to the old ways of doing things.
Jilrora lives with her family in the most prominent house in town. Her husband, Asa Rujaft, 52, male Human is a fisherman. The two of them have no children but frequently watch several nieces and nephews. Jilrora and Asa are friends with Fredi, 45, male Human, and Trix, 46, female Human. The four of them will play card games long into the night.
Geography: Felka Cove (location 1 see below) is a typical fishing settlement nestled between a pebble beach and a steep cliff. A narrow path, a short walk to the north, leads up the cliffside to the plains above. The settlement is a circle of structures around a space used for daily markets and nightly celebrations. Closest to the beach is the only stone building, the Chapel of Vai where everyone weathered the great storm. Across the way is the Greathouse, the largest structure of wood and tile, where everyone gathers whether day or night. Between the two are the homes of the residents, the largest being the Mayor’s house, occupied by Jilrora and her kin. Crafters hang their shingle on their door with their workshops being around back, Felka Cove having a blacksmith, a carpenter, a herbalist-healer and a combined sail maker and boat builder.
Settlements and Sites of the Four City-States #298
Population (approx.): 151 (Felka Cove)
Brief: Intrigued. Once Mayor Jilrora finished addressing the crowd, asuaging fears and promising investigation, most of the crowd filtered away back to their homes. Some of the young plotted fantastic plans for adventures on the island never to be executed due to responsibilities or the influence of cooler or older heads. Some of the old complained among themselves about all manner of peril and danger to the settlement but put their faith in the Mayor and the Ocean Church to protect them. The unnamed Greathouse bar opened for business to serve those that remained at the few tables in the center of the space, the intrigued. At a center table, Jilrora conversed with Nemes while sketching a map of Coran Island. Nearby, Nisberra Bravehand, the smith, listened intently, pipe in hand. Then the intrigue deepened as a tall and narrow figure manifested out of the shadows and strode toward the center table. “Ye gods, the Master of Wizard’s Tower!” someone mutters while others again make the protective sign of the wave.
Irakul, 475, male Eladrin, is a retired mage and professional thinker. He is very tall and lean to the point of gauntness. He walks with a bit of a stoop but always has a ready smile. Irakul has long gray hair that he weaves into a ponytail straight down his back. His gray eyes are bright and clear and always filled with curiosity. Irakul wears long burgundy robes with crisp collars and decorations around the sleeves. He carries an oaken staff that aids him with casting spells.
When Irakul learns of the meteorite, his first thought is to investigate it. He talks to Jilrora, and they decide to form a group to make the trip to the site. Jilrora will be the party leader, and Nisberra, 106, male Dwarf, Blacksmith is second in command. The rest of the group of eight will be four Grogs in training from his Tower. Nemes Munugath will accompany them and agree to show them some effects of the meteorite on the fish.
Irakul lives by himself just outside of Felka Cove. He has a large home, the Wizard’s Tower, and surrounding property. He also has several employees (two Companions and a cadre of Grogs) who keep everything working smoothly with his home and its grounds. Irakul moved to near Felka Cove when one of his friends, Corlias, 500, Eladrin, became ill and died. It was a devastating blow, and Irakul isn't sure what he wants to do next.
Geography: The Wizard’s Tower (location 4 see below), home to Irakul and his staff, sits atop the cliffs a couple miles north of Felka Cove, just past the trail leading inland. The expedition, once gathered, travels along the coast and across the sandbar at low tide. They climb the hills of Coran Island and head south through the brush and scrub. Near the end of a day’s travel, the expedition encounters the landscape churned and scattered by the impact of the Skyfall. A camp is set (location 5 see below) and examination begins.
Settlements and Sites of the Four City-States #299
Number: 299
Name: Deep Dive on a Site of Interest: Skyfall – Part 5
Location: Eastern coast of the City-State of Taodeas along the Sea of Hethichol
Population (approx.): 151 (Felka Cove)
Brief: Curious. As the expedition assembled to depart, everyone found it curious that Brooke Grodan, the priestess of Vai, suddenly appeared and joined the group. But then the Emissary, the Mayor, a wizard and a blacksmith found it curious that the others had taken an interest in this matter. Now, at the edge of a crater on Coran Island, the crumbled, scattered and crushed terrain scattered downhill ahead of them, the expedition found it curious there was no sign of the strange flora that Nemes found beneath the nearby waters. Irakul suggests the group carefully make their way downslope, looking for signs that the meteor lay buried ahead. No large mass was encountered and no signs of caves or chambers under the broken surface before the group reached where the beach, now covered in yards of dirt and stone, once lain. Nisberra the blacksmith, however, spotted unusual pieces of blackened stone that must be shards of Skyfall. As they rested at the water’s edge, Nisberra excitedly set up his travel forge and started the coals as he was curious to heat the stone and discover its nature.
Nisberra (Nis) Trueheart, 106, Dwarf, is a talented blacksmith. He is of average height and has a top-heavy build. He wears his black hair buzzed up top, and his beard is thick and bushy. Nis has light green eyes that crinkle when he laughs. The symbol for his smith is a circle with an anvil in the center. Nis wears short-sleeved shirts and leather pants when he smiths. He also wears a large apron and heavy leather gloves. When he isn't working, he favors leather pants and patterned tunics. Nis's weapon is a hammer that he created to be extra light but still pack a wallop.
Nis owns Iron Wolf Smithy. His interest in the meteorite is how it may help or hurt people in Felka Cove. He is also interested in taking a sample of the material to see its properties. The following day, the group leaves for the meteorite. A surprise visit from Brooke Grodan, the local cleric of Vai, rounds out the party. The closer they get, the more the local flora seems affected. Once there, Nemes Munugath stops them at the water's edge and retrieves samples of some plants and additional pieces of the meteorite (which Nisberra hadn’t spotted) that have broken off.
Nis lives in a house attached to the smithy. Instead of one large structure, it comprises the house, stables, the smithery, and the shop. Nis's wife, Anryl, 99, female Dwarf, handles the shop and takes care of three grandchildren, Dolrick, boy 3, Anya, girl eighteen months, and Regdus, male newborn. Nis likes to visit the Melting Heart Inn and have drinks with his friends, Hunter, 50, male Human, and Conret Tallman, 63, female Halfling.
Geography: The expedition departed their 1st camp on Coran Island (location 5 see below) in the morning. It took most of the day to carefully clamber down the tumbled slopes of the flattened south cliffs while looking for shards of meteoric iron and corrupted flora while avoiding pitfalls and potentially hostile fauna and unknowns. Late in the day, they established their 2nd camp (location 6 see below) along the water’s edge. Nisberra begins his experiments on the fragments as Irakul watches intently. As the sun sets and skies darken, Brooke and Nemes spot a faint glow on the surface of the waters. The light, to the Triton, resembles that which he encountered below the surface. Curious.
Settlements and Sites of the Four City-States #300
Number: 300
Name: Deep Dive on a Site of Interest: Skyfall – Part 6
Location: Eastern coast of the City-State of Taodeas along the Sea of Hethichol
Population (approx.): 151 (Felka Cove)
Brief: Fear. Sitting on the shore at night, watching the glow on the choppy distant waters, a sense of fear touches the soul as the cold night air touches the skin. In addition, the expedition faces personal fears. Nisberra fears failure of his smithy, his hopes riding on the rumored mythical properties of meteoric iron. Jilrora fears economic ruin of the village if the source of the glow may permanently affect the local fishing. But for Brooke Grodan, hope and fear are the two sides of the coin that is the worship and practice of the Six Gods. Vai offers sustenance and life from water to slake thirst and grow crops, but Vai also can deny such via droughts, or fouled or poisoned fluids. If this Skyfall brings poison to the seas, affecting the catch, she fears the people of Felka Cove will suffer and worries whether she or they have offended the Ocean in some as yet unknown way.
Brooke Grodan, 42, female Human, is the cleric from the local temple of Vai. She is tall and has long blonde hair, which she wears straight. Her hazel eyes take on a special glow when she prays; such is her zeal. Brooke has a long scar on her right arm. If anyone asks about it, she explains that her father accidentally cut her with a sword, and a cleric of Vai reattached her limb. Brooke wears long robes with the symbols of Vai embroidered on them. She always wears a silver brooch of Vai's symbol attached to her clothing.
Brooke inserts herself into the party to visit the meteorite. She does this to receive the bounty that Vai brought to the island and Felka Cove. Just before everyone arrives at the site, Brooke stops the party and blesses everyone. When Nemes Munugath returns with samples of the plants affected by the meteorite, Brooke asks for a few. She plans on testing for healing properties from the samples. Nemes cautions her to use caution in her testing as some plants and fish have died near the meteorite.
Brooke lives in a small room attached to the temple of Vai. She keeps a garden of herbs and vegetables behind the room. Brooke is kind to everyone but also lonely. Her best friend, Gabi Glarsk, 38, female Human died two weeks ago, and Brooke has no other friends. She is praying someone will arrive in town who wants to be her new friend.
Geography: On the third day, the entire expedition studies the waters except for Nisberra the Smith who spends the time hunched over his small forge or scrounging for additional fragments of the Skyfall. Nemes returns to the waters to continue his search. Irakul grants the ability to breath under water to two of his Grogs and sends them with the Triton to walk the seabed. Meanwhile he and Brooke experiment upon the glowing seaweed washed ashore by the morning tides. They discover that both applications of eldritch fire by spell and boons of purification by prayer will cleanse the glow, but they fear the scope of the meteor’s effect is too large for either the Priest or Wizard to contain. Hours later, Nemes and the Grogs emerge from the sea, festooned in glowing seaweed and bearing the scars of battle with undersea predators, bringing news. They have spotted the meteorite of Skyfall on the ocean floor several miles south (location 7 see below). Irakul turns to all and announces, “We must remove it from the seas before all is corrupted.” Brooke replies, “We’ll need the help of every angler of Felka Cove with their nets and boats.”
Settlements and Sites of the Four City-States #301
Name: Deep Dive on a Site of Interest: Skyfall – Part 7
Location: Eastern coast of the City-State of Taodeas along the Sea of Hethichol
Population (approx.): 151 (Felka Cove)
Brief: Cooperation. The expedition cooperates to break camp, pack up Nisberra’s forge, collect and separately store various samples of rock, flora and fauna. They then begin the return trip to Felka Cove. The hike, slowed by the broken landscape and the wait for low tide, takes more than a day, the expedition returning to the settlement late in the evening. Despite most in town being early risers, a small anxious crowd is present for their arrival importantly including Ogden Ulbake, the most prominent and fortunately cooperative angler of the town’s fisherfolk.
Ogden Ulbake, 33, male Human, is head of the Angler's Guild in Falka Cove. He is short and has prominent love handles. He shaves his head daily and uses products to prevent new hair growth. Ogden has a bum knee that prevents him from running but not fishing. He carries a cane/sword because it makes him feel daring. Ogden wears hose and a simple tunic most days but has a special outfit for Sunday worship.
Ogden is one of the first to greet the returning party members. He looks at a fish sample and seems concerned it might not be edible. Ogden asks Brooke for the procedure for testing the properties of the fish and asks her to bless the fish. Jilrora, the town mayor, explains that we must do several days of testing before anyone eats any unique fish but that is not a concern at the moment and asks Ogden to summon all the local anglers. Once gathered, Ogden cautions all the anglers to throw back any fish that are glowing.
Ogden lives in a comfortable house in town. His wife, Floretta, 28, female Humna, stays home to care for their five children. The children's names and ages are Insa, girl 12; Levi, boy 10; Amelia, girl 8; Darci, girl 5; and Leeroy, boy three. Floretta homeschools all the children and some of the neighborhood children. Ogden loves to carve wood and has made many toys for the children. He also hangs out with members of the guild at the Melting Heart Inn occasionally.
Geography: What follows is an epic cooperative endeavor to sail the fishing fleet (a half dozen boats) from Felka Cover (location 1) through the infected water (location 3) to the above the meteorite (location 7). Harpoons, cables and nets, enchanted with protection by Brooke and Irakul, are guided by Nemes to the sea floor and secured in and about the strange alien stone. The Wizard hovers about the waters and swirls essence about the stone to lessen its weight allowing the boats, sailed and rowed, to slowly pull it from the silt and up to the surface. Irakul’s Grogs, Jilrora and Brooke cooperate to fend off sudden attacks by small sharks and other sea predators apparently trying to return the rock to the sea floor. Eventually the boats reach the shore near Felka Cova and drag the large gray and black stone, streaked with glows of yellow and green, onto the beach. From there, Irakul’s companions, waiting for the return, assist the Wizard in transporting it to a flat circle of bare brick-lined earth outside of the Tower (location 4). The Skyfall Stone, as locals call it, remains there to this day, subject to examination and experimentation but Irakul and visitors.
